Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

A major focus of this annual meeting was discussing the qualitative (Nominal Group Technique/Focus Group) and sociodemographic data collection and analysis. Nearly all sites had completed data entry at the time of the annual meeting. The top benefits for parents in relation to making calcium-rich foods and beverages (CRF/Bs) available, setting rules/expectations about consuming CRBs, and role modeling the consumption of CRF/Bs were discussed. The focus group transcripts were partially analyzed by each site; facilitators and barriers from each script (availability, rules/expectations, role modeling) were reported and similar findings were noted between sites. Collectively, the NGT and FG results were used as formative information about how messaging to parents should be developed. A marketing expert  Kathryn Stroppel, Director of Communications and Alumni Relations, College of Public Health and Human Sciences at Oregon State University  presented information on how to approach message development. Based on her presentation and a presentation by a W-2003 member (Miriam Ballejos), NGT/FG data results were summarized into creative briefs for each script. [Note: Creative briefs outline key ideas/information needed to aid in emotional-based message development, which is the next step in this current project.] The research questions that will underlie the future manuscript related to the NGT/FG data were also discussed and a writing group was assigned. It was decided at the time of the meeting that data from FG only sessions (i.e., those with n<6 participants without NGT) would be included in the analysis. Action items for members were outlined and included completing: sociodemographics data entry and focus group transcriptions; formal focus group coding, reconciliation, use of qualitative computer software for organizing data (Nvivo), and documents summarizing key themes from focus group data. It was also decided that members would determine avenues for having a professional team create emotion-based messaging based from our NGT/FG analysis; and begin outlining our next project proposal. All working documents will be uploaded onto the Basecamp website for members and will be maintained by Ohio State University. The Chair and Reporter of W-2003 for next year (2011-2012) are Siew Sun Wong and Rickelle Richards, respectively. The date for next years meeting is Nov 7-10, 2012 and will be held at UC-Davis (Davis, CA).

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 high risk of developing osteoporosis, and thus prevention is key for these groups. The W-2003 project is focused on how to motivate parents to promote intake of calcium-rich foods and beverages in their early adolescents. Specifically, the current project is aimed at developing tailored messages to help parents encourage the intake of calcium rich food and beverages among their children. The nature of the project (i.e., multistate) allows for a sampling across a spectrum of race/ethnic groups, increasing the generalizability of the results. To date, 18 NGT/FG sessions (n>6 participants in each session) and 5 FG only sessions (n<6 participants at each session) were conducted across 7 states (AZ, CA, HI, MN, OH, OR, UT). The total sample size was 156 and by script: availability (n=46); rules/expectations (n=52); role modeling (n=58). From the results of the NGT analysis, the top 3 perceived benefits were similar across parenting practices and included: Making CRF/B Available Rules & Expectations Role Modeling Childs bone/teeth health & growth Childs general health Childs health Familys healthy eating habits/choices Parents positive emotions Familys general health Childs mental health & school performance Childs current bone health Familys dietary intake/choices Other noteworthy accomplishments achieved in the past year: Two articles from the previous W-1003 quantitative survey study were published (see references below). Two additional articles from the W-1003 project were submitted for publication in February and August 2011 (see references below). Another article stemming from the W-1003 project is in progress. Finally, a new writing team was assigned to summarize the findings presented at this years annual meeting.

1. Reicks M, Edlefsen M, Goodell LS, Gunther C, Richards R, Wong SS, Auld G, Boushey C, Bruhn C, Cluskey M, Misner S, Olson B. Zaghhoul S. Individual and family correlates of calcium-rich food intake among parents of early adolescent children. J Am Diet Assoc. 2011;111:376-384. 2. Reicks M, Degeneffe D, Ghosh K, Bruhn C, Goodell LS, Gunther C, Auld G,Ballejos M, Boushey C, Cluskey M, Misner S, Olson B, Wong S, Zaghloul S. Parent calcium-rich-food practices/perceptions are associated with calcium intake among parents and their early adolescent children. Public Health Nutr. 2011 Jun 1:1-10. [Epub ahead of print] 3. Vyduna JL, Boushey CJ, Auld GW, Bruhn CM, Cluskey M, Edlefsen M, Misner S, Olson B, Reicks M, Schram J, Wang C, Zaghloul S. Formative study design to identify parental psychosocial factors related to consumption of calcium-rich foods of their early adolescent children. BMC Pediatrics. (submitted Feb 2011) 4. Cluskey M, Wong SS, Ballejos M, Reicks M, Richards R, Auld G, Boushey C, Bruhn C, Misner S, Olsen B, Zaghloul S. Dietary sources of calcium among Asian, Hispanic and non-Hispanic White parents and early adolescent children by parent place of birth. Appetite. (submitted Aug 2011).