Dietary Intake Nutritional Status and Lifestyle of Adolescent Vegetarian and Nonvegetarian Girls in New Zealand (The SuNDiAL Project): Protocol for a Clustered, Cross-Sectional Survey

Abstract

Background Anecdotally, vegetarian eating patterns seem to be increasing in parallel with growing concerns about environmental sustainability. While this pattern of eating is widely believed to be associated with benefits for the planet and individual health, it may increase the risk of inadequate intakes and nutrient deficiency if not planned carefully. Adolescent girls may be particularly at risk, as they have increased requirements for nutrients such as iron, zinc, calcium, and vitamin B12 during growth and development. Objective The objective of the SuNDiAL Project (Survey of Nutrition, Dietary Assessment, and Lifestyles) is to compare the dietary intakes and habits, nutrition status, motivations, attitudes, and physical activity of a sample of vegetarian and nonvegetarian adolescent girls in New Zealand. Methods A clustered, cross-sectional, nationwide study of adolescents aged 15-18 years was conducted. Secondary schools were recruited throughout New Zealand, and pupils (n=290) were invited to participate in data collection in either the first (February to April) or third (August to October) school term of 2019 (New Zealand schools operate on a 4-term year). Sociodemographic and health information; vegetarian status; dietary habits; and attitudes, motivations, and beliefs regarding food choices were assessed via an online self-administered questionnaire. Dietary intakes were collected via two 24-hour diet recalls on nonconsecutive days and will be adjusted for within-person variation using the Multiple Source Method, to represent usual intakes. Nutrient adequacy will be assessed by the estimated average requirement cut-point method or probability approach as appropriate. Height and weight were measured, and blood and urine samples collected for micronutrient status assessment. Participants wore an accelerometer for 7 days to assess 24-hour activity patterns (time spent asleep, sedentary, or engagement in light-intensity or moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity). Results Recruitment and data collection were conducted in 2019. Data are currently being cleaned and analyzed, with publication of the main results anticipated at the end of 2020. Conclusions The SuNDiAL Project will provide a meaningful and timely description of diet, nutrition status, and motivational factors associated with vegetarianism and identify any risks this pattern of eating may pose for female adolescents. The results of this study will support the development of targeted recommendations and interventions aimed at enhancing the health, growth, and development of adolescent girls. Trial Registration Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12619000290190; https://tinyurl.com/yaumh278 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/17310

Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour and Sleep, and Their Association with BMI in a Sample of Adolescent Females in New Zealand

“…The sample size required to answer the primary objectives was 300 high school students. A detailed summary of the methods is reported elsewhere [ 17 ]. The study was approved by the University of Otago Human Ethics Committee (Health):H19/004.…”

“…Prior to the initial assessment appointment, participants provided consent and completed a questionnaire via an online REDCap survey [ 18 ]. The questionnaire included basic demographic and health questions, as well as dietary patterns and attitudes and motivations towards food choice [ 17 ]. At the initial in-school assessment, weight (measured using one of Medisana PS420; Salter 9037 BK3R; Seca Alpha 770; or Soehnle Style Sense Comfort 400 scales) and height (measured using a Seca 213 or a Wedderburn stadiometer) were taken in duplicate with the participant wearing light clothing, but no footwear, and recorded to the nearest 0.1 kg or cm (respectively).…”

Using a 24 h Activity Recall (STAR-24) to Describe Activity in Adolescent Boys in New Zealand: Comparisons between a Sample Collected before, and a Sample Collected during the COVID-19 Lockdown

“…The main aim of SuNDiAL 2020 was to describe the nutritional status, dietary habits, health status, attitudes and motivations for food choice, 24 h activity patterns and screen time of adolescent boys. Many of the methods mirror closely those used for the 'sister' study (SuNDiAL 2019) that focused on female adolescents and are described here [13]. The sample size required for the primary objective (to estimate mean nutrient intakes with a +/− 0.2SD 95% precision interval) was n = 100.…”

“…Prior to the in-school data collection appointments, participants provided consent and completed a questionnaire via an online REDCap survey. The questionnaire included basic demographic and health questions, as well as questions on dietary patterns, and attitudes and motivations towards food choice [13]. Each participant was then scheduled to participate in an in-school data collection visit that took approximately 60 min to complete.…”

“…The STAR-24 was developed by the authors based on the Previous Day Physical Activity Recall [14], and the authors' experiences of conducting 24 h dietary recalls [13]. Previous recalls of a similar nature have been shown to produce estimations of light and moderate intensity physical activity that are similar to estimates produced by accelerometry [4].…”