Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

A major focus of this annual meeting was discussing the analysis of the survey data collection; interpretation of results and the finalization of the future project proposal for the multi-state research group. The main items of discussion included scales and correlation results based on preliminary data for the parent motivator-barrier questionnaire and food frequency data from parent child pairs. This analysis has been completed at Purdue University. The findings included mean scores on psychosocial scales and correlations between parent and child responses and relationships to calcium consumption. The timeline for finalizing all data collection and analysis was reviewed. Representatives from states discussed their efforts (successful and unsuccessful) for recruiting and administering parent and child surveys, and problems inherent in gathering this large data set. A discussion took place regarding submission and documentation of significant finding in the literature and in building on this project in the forthcoming project. New methodologies for exploring and understanding what motivates behaviors for the consumption of calcium rich food (CRF) intakes were discussed and the group integrated some new approaches into the proposal for the on-going project. A draft proposal for the next 5-year multi-state project was reviewed, based on results from the data analyzed so far, and future paper topics were anticipated and working groups assigned. The Chair and Reporter of W1003 for next year are Christine Bruhn and Siew Sun Wong, respectively. The date for next years meeting is Nov 5-8, 2008 in Minneapolis, MN.

Inadequate calcium intake is the single most recognizable health issue identified with osteoporosis. Ten million Americans have been diagnosed with osteoporosis, with almost 34 million individuals having low bone mass. Each year, bone fractures result from osteoporosis and over half of Americans over 50 years of age are expected to experience osteoporotic-related bone fractures in their lifetime. Hip fractures are more likely than heart attacks, stroke or cancer to lead to functional impairment and related morbidities. The economic burden of these fractures exceeds $20 billion annually. Early adolescence (ages 10-13 years) is a critical period in the lifecycle for bone mineralization. Peak bone density can occur as early as 16 years of age for the hip, and mid-20s for other bones. Adequate calcium intake during this time of growth is crucial to ensure bone health in later life. However, studies indicate that early adolescent children consume only 60 to 80% of the 1300 mg Adequate Intake level of calcium recommended by the Institute of Medicine. These data indicate that American children are at risk for osteoporosis later in life, with its associated health risks. Asian, Hispanic and non-Hispanic White populations face a higher risk of developing osteoporosis, and thus prevention is key for these groups. The W-1003 project is focused on developing tools to identify how parental and household factors  such as parental knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and environment - influence calcium intake in early adolescents from race/ethnic groups most at risk for osteoporosis. The project also utilizes a survey developed by a previous multi-state research project (W-191), looking specifically at early adolescent perceptions of calcium-rich foods. Both survey tools provide a more complete picture of factors affecting the calcium intake of early adolescents and their families. Based on the outcomes of the tools (from the w-1003 data), the upcoming project proposal will address determining how to influence the family and environmental related motivators and obstacles for the consumption of calcium rich foods. During the past year, members of W-1003 focused on the collection of data of the Parent Motivator Barrier Questionnaire (MBQ) survey and the previously validated food frequency instrument. Principal component and correlation analysis revealed psychosocial scales and how those scales correlate with calcium consumption among adolescents. All data analysis was not complete at the time of the annual meeting, and as the data set is complete, further analysis will be used to finalize the proposed model for calcium consumption. Researchers in all participating states participated in recruiting subjects from various groups within their communities. Data collection at the time of the annual meeting was approximately 60% of the data collection goals. These completed survey pairs were scanned, and preliminary analysis of the results indicate some directions for the predictive calcium consumption model. In addition to data collection, two additional articles have been submitted to peer-reviewed journals for publication, based on data from the qualitative interviews. Articles for publication based on the finalized quantitative data from the surveys were determined and participants were assigned to leading or supportive roles in getting the papers submitted. In addition to data collection and analysis, the group finalized the process (started at the annual meeting) of developing and approving for submission the next 5-year multi-state project goals, objectives and methods.

1. Edlefsen M, Reicks M, Goldberg D, Auld G, Bock MA, Boushey CJ, Bruhn C, Cluskey M, Misner S, Olson B, Wang C, Zaghloul S. Asian, Hispanic, and non-Hispanic white early adolescents: Parental perspectives on strategies to influence intake of calcium-rich foods. Preventing Chronic Disease (in press) 2. Yang J, Boushey CJ, Olson BH, Auld G, Bock MA, Boushey CJ, Bruhn C, Cluskey M, Edlefsen M, Goldberg D, Misner S, Olson B, Wang C, Zaghloul S. Intentional purchase of calcium-fortified foods observed among Asian, Hispanic, and non-Hispanic white parents of early adolescents. Submitted to Journal Am Diet Association 2007 (in revision) 3. Cluskey M, Edlefsen M, Olson B, Reicks M, Auld G, Bock A, Boushey C, Bruhn C, Goldberg D, Misner S, Yang C, Zaghoul S. At home and away from home eating patterns influencing pre-adolescents intake of calcium rich foods as perceived by Asian, Hispanic, and non-Hispanic parents. J Nutr Educ Behav (in press) 4. Cluskey M, Auld G, Edlefsen M, Zaghoul S, et al. Parental knowledge, concern, and expectations for calcium intake of Asian, Hispanic, and non-Hispanic White early adolescents. Journal of Community Nutrition (in progress) Abstracts: 1. Glas JL, Boushey C, Auld GW, Bruhn M, Cluskey M, Edlefsen M, Misner S, Olson B, Reicks M. Development of a tool to identify psychosocial factors associated with consumption of calcium rich foods among parents of early adolescents. To be presented at the American Dietetics Association Food and Nutrition Conference & Exposition, Philadelphia PA, September 30-October 2, 2007.