American journal of preventive medicine
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Schools can play an important role in supporting a healthy lifestyle by offering nutritious foods and beverages and providing opportunities for physical activity. A healthy diet and regular physical activity may reduce the risk of obesity. This manuscript reports on a Community Guide systematic review examining the effectiveness of interventions in schools combining school meal or fruit and vegetable snack programs and physical activity. ⋯ School meal or fruit and vegetable snack interventions combined with physical activity were effective in increasing physical activity, with modest effects for improving fruit and vegetable consumption and reducing the prevalence of overweight and obesity among elementary students. These results may inform researchers and school administrators about healthy eating and physical activity interventions.
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Social support is a modifiable social determinant of health that shapes breastfeeding outcomes and may contribute to racial and ethnic breastfeeding disparities. This study characterizes the relationship between social support and early breastfeeding. ⋯ The associations between perceived social support and breastfeeding outcomes are nuanced. In this sample of racially and ethnically diverse mothers, social support was associated with longer planned breastfeeding duration but not with early breastfeeding or breastfeeding confidence.
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Many low-income U.S. households experience food security changes over time, but little is known about how labor market transitions contribute to these changes. This paper uses longitudinal survey data collected from 2017 to 2020 to explore how changes in employment and earnings are associated with changes in food security status. ⋯ Employment losses and earnings reductions are associated with becoming food insecure among Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment and Training participants. Providing additional support to individuals who experience these losses and reductions may reduce their risk of becoming food insecure.
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Experiences of discrimination and bias in healthcare contribute to health disparities for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer populations. To avoid discrimination, many go to great lengths to find healthcare providers who they trust and who are knowledgeable about their health needs. This study examines whether access to an affirming provider improves health outcomes for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer populations across a range of preventive health and chronic disease management outcomes. ⋯ Inclusive care is essential for reducing health disparities among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer populations. Health systems can reduce disparities by expanding continuing education opportunities; adopting nondiscrimination policies for patients and employees; and ensuring that necessary care is covered by health insurance.