Elisabet Rudjord Hillesund

• Wesseltoft-Rao, Nima; Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord; Øverby, Nina Cecilie; Olsen-Bergem, Heming & Vejrup, Kristine (2026). Health literacy, dietary behavior and body mass index in male and female Norwegian conscripts. A cross-sectional study. Journal of Public Health Research. ISSN 2279-9028. 15(3), s. 1–9. doi: 10.1177/22799036261461038. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Objectives Health literacy (HL) is an important determinant of health behaviors, including diet. In military populations, optimal nutrition is critical for physical performance, readiness, and long-term health. In Norway, first-time military service provides a unique opportunity to influence young conscripts’ health habits. This study investigates the relationship between HL and dietary patterns, body mass index (BMI), and meal adherence among Norwegian conscripts, with an emphasis on potential sex differences. Study Design A cross-sectional study. Methods This cross-sectional study included Norwegian conscripts completing first-time military service. HL was measured using the validated HLS-Q12 instrument. Dietary behaviors, meal patterns, and BMI were assessed using self-reported questionnaire data. A digital questionnaire was sent to Norwegian conscripts completing their first-time military service in 2022 (n=9,991). A total of 2,225 conscripts consented to participate in the study. The survey assessed dietary habits across different military settings, self-reported diet quality, and HL using the HLS-Q12 tool. BMI was calculated from self-reported height and weight. Statistical analyses included chi-square tests and Pearson correlation to explore associations between HL, diet, and BMI. Results Significant associations were observed between HL and several dietary variables; however, most associations were weak in magnitude. Higher HL was associated with more regular meal patterns and better self-reported diet quality. Additionally, differences between sexes were observed, but effect sizes were generally small. More than half of conscripts had an adequate HL, with males scoring significantly higher than females. Conscripts with adequate HL were more likely to rate their diet as good, follow meal recommendations, and maintain a normal BMI. However, no significant association between HL and BMI was found in the total population; differences appeared in sex-stratified analyses, among female conscripts. Independently of HL, unhealthy snacking and high-sugar drink consumption were more common during field training, whereas conscripts with inadequate HL (iHL) reporting higher sugary snack intake at home. Adequate HL was weakly but significantly correlated with higher self-reported diet quality, more frequent adherence to regular meals, and lower sugary snack consumption. This could mean that HL was associated with self-reported dietary intentions but not outcomes like BMI. Conclusions HL may be associated with dietary behaviors among conscripts. However, given the weak associations and study limitations, the findings should be interpreted with caution. Although more than half of the conscripts had adequate HL, iHL was prevalent among Norwegian conscripts. Poorer self-reported diet quality and lower adherence to regular meal patterns is associated with iHL, particularly during field training. No significant associations was found between HL and BMI. The findings suggest a need for tailored education to improve HL and behavior change, to promote healthier dietary habits during military service.

• Osorio, Natalie Garzon; Vik, Frøydis Nordgård; Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord; Helland, Sissel Heidi; Love, Penelope & Abel, Marianne Hope [Vis alle 12 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2026). A Formative Evaluation of Parental Perceptions Related to Acceptability, Appropriateness, Feasibility, and Reported Use of an e-Learning Resource Targeting Diet in the First 1000 Days: Survey Study. JMIR Formative Research. 10, s. 1–13. doi: 10.2196/84277. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Background In October 2022, the Nutrition Now (NN) e-learning resource was implemented within Maternal and Child Healthcare centers and Early Childhood Education and Care centers of a southern Norwegian municipality. The e-learning resource targets expectant parents, parents of children aged 0‐2 years, and Early Childhood Education and Care staff, aiming to promote healthy dietary behaviors during the first 1000 days of life. Objective This study aimed to explore parental perceptions related to the acceptability, appropriateness, feasibility, and reported use of the NN e-learning resource among parents. Methods From October 2022 to May 2023, expecting parents and parents of children aged 0‐2 years were recruited from 2 Norwegian municipalities, one intervention group receiving access to the NN e-learning resource, and one control. Participants in the intervention group received a web-based follow-up questionnaire 7 months after gaining access to the NN e-learning resource. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results Of the 179 participants in the NN study intervention group, 48 completed the web-based follow-up questionnaire administered 7 months after enrollment. Parents rated the e-learning resource positively on items assessing whether they liked and appreciated the resource, perceived it as an appropriate source of information, and found it doable and easy to use. Most respondents reported visiting the resource (38/48, 79%), although only 21% (10/48) reported frequent visits. Less than half of the participants answering the web-based follow-up questionnaire reported having watched the theme films (20/48, 42%), the recipe films (17/48, 35%), or making food using recipes provided in the e-learning resource (20/48, 42%). Conclusions Parents rated the NN e-learning resource positively but reported limited use. These findings point to the need for strategies that enhance engagement with self-guided digital interventions among expectant parents and parents of young children. Future efforts should focus on identifying how to maximize potential adoption of the e-learning resource and evaluate its impact to promote healthy dietary behaviors during the first 1000 days of life.

• Øverby, Nina Cecilie; Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord & Helle, Christine (2026). Associations Between Aspects of Diet and Internalizing and Externalizing Behaviors in Children Aged 4 Years. Nutrients. 18(9). doi: 10.3390/nu18091461. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Background/objectives: Mental health challenges are increasing worldwide. Identifying preventable factors for such challenges is important and will have the greatest impact if identified in young children. In this study we aimed to explore the association between aspects of diet and child mental health at the age of 4 years. Methods: This is a secondary analysis of data from the Early Food for Future health study in Norway, a randomized controlled trial aiming to improve diet at ages 6–12 months. Cross-sectional data from 363 children aged 4 years and their mothers are used. Diet was assessed using food frequency questions. Five food scores were developed: vegetables, fruits, fruit and vegetables, sweet/salty snack score, and soft drink score. The Child Behavioral Checklist (CBCL) was used to assess internalizing and externalizing behaviors. Crude and multivariable linear regression models are presented. Results: We found that frequency of consumption of vegetables and total frequency of consumption of fruit and vegetables in 4-year-old children were inversely associated with internalizing behavior (β −0.207, 95% CI: 0.351, −0.063), while frequency of consumption of sweet and salty snacks was positively associated (β 1.807, 95% CI: 0.276, 3.337) with externalizing behavior and frequency of consumption of fruit and vegetables was inversely associated (β −0.188, 95% −0.336, −0.041). All were independent of maternal education, measures of financial difficulties and maternal mental health. Conclusion: An inverse association was observed between child frequency of consumption of fruit and vegetables and internalizing and externalizing behaviors, whereas frequency of consumption of sweet/salty snacks was positively associated with externalizing behavior. A varied and healthy diet early in life may promote child mental health, with potential large returns for society. Given the observational nature of the data, causal inference is limited and intervention studies are needed.

• Øverby, Nina Cecilie; Medin, Anine Christine; Valen, Erlend Nuland; Salvesen, Lorentz; Vik, Frøydis Nordgård & Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord (2026). Lessons learned from digital dietary interventions targeting the preconception population. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society. ISSN 0029-6651. doi: 10.1017/S0029665126102286. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Valen, Erlend Nuland; Wills, Andrew Keith; Medin, Anine Christine; Vik, Frøydis Nordgård; Engeset, Dagrun & Salvesen, Lorentz [Vis alle 8 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2026). Effect of a digital dietary intervention on diet quality in young adults in Norway – The PREPARED randomised controlled trial. BMC Nutrition. 12. doi: 10.1186/s40795-026-01278-4. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Background Nutritional status and lifestyle during the preconception phase, the months and years before conception, may have substantial impact on the health of the next generation. Diet quality during these years has been a neglected in previous dietary assessments. Methods The PREPARED study is a digital intervention with a randomised controlled trial design with the aim to assess its effectiveness on diet quality and micronutrient adequacy. Individuals with a Norwegian identification number without biological children aged 20–35 were recruited using social media platforms. Data was collected digitally using a dietary screener which was recoded into a diet quality score (DQS) and a 24-hour recall recoded into binary variables to compare adherence to the average requirement defined by the Nordic Nutrition Recommendations 2023. The intervention group received access to a digital resource where all components were created using the Determinants of Nutrition and Eating framework (DONE), with new weekly content across 6 months. Results From the total sample of 1374, the follow-up sample consisted of 186 participants (13.5%) (Control: 99, Intervention: 87) on DQS, and 150 (10.9%) on micronutrient adequacy. The mean difference between intervention and control in total diet quality score was + 1.0 (IQR − 3.0, 4.9) (adjusted p = 0.63). The results showed no improvement in diet quality or change in proportion of participants reaching average requirements between the intervention and control group. Conclusions We found no evidence towards having a healthier diet in any of the groups at the end of the trial, and there were no differences in proportions reaching average requirement for selected micronutrients. The substantial loss to follow-up might have had a significant impact on the results. Improving or developing strategies for recruitment and keeping retention rates is an important area for future intervention studies.

• Øverby, Nina Cecilie; Ripatti, Katri Rakel; Valen, Erlend Nuland & Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord (2025). Young adults’ experience with using a web based digital resource to promote healthy preconception diet. BMC Nutrition. 11. doi: 10.1186/s40795-025-01151-w. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Background The nutritional status of both women and men before conception impacts growth, development, and long-term health of future children. Evidence suggests that a substantial proportion of young adults lack adequate nutritional preparedness for future pregnancy. We have developed a digital resource, PREPARED, targeting young adults’ diet, nutrition literacy and dietary behavior that is presently being evaluated in a randomized controlled trial. The aim of the present study was to examine young adults´ thoughts and experiences following use of the e-learning resource. Methods We investigated whether the resource is perceived as useful by young adults (aged 20–35 years) and as practical support for obtaining a healthy diet. Nine young adults consented to participate and were given access to the resource for two months and were then interviewed using a semi-structured interview technique. Using a phenomenological approach the material was analysed by thematic analysis. Results Three main themes were identified: easier to make healthy choices , new justification for healthy eating , and further development . Access to recipes with simple and well-known ingredients and easy-to-read articles with a nuanced and positive focus were decisive factors for inspiration and motivation to change diet. Participants felt the resource saved time and appreciated its positive, informative approach. The emphasis on preconception nutrition was described as both enlightening and unfamiliar. Still, the resource has potential for improvements like navigation on the website, easier recipe portion estimation, and requests for more text to read. Conclusion According to young adults in this study, the PREPARED resource communicates clear and motivating messages about diet, health and the importance of nutritional preconception health for future parenthood. The resource was perceived as nuanced and trustworthy, which was highly valued. Our results inform future iterations of digital health tools or nutrition education programs for young adults.

• Medin, Anine Christine; Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord & Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2025). Samfunnsrettet ernæringsarbeid. Norsk tidsskrift for ernæring (NTFE). ISSN 1503-5034. 23(3), s. 181–190. doi: 10.18261/ntfe.23.3.7. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Samfunnsernæring har som mål å fremme og opprettholde ernæringsrelatert helse og livskvalitet i befolkningsgrupper gjennom målrettet innsats og kunnskapsbaserte valg i samfunnet. Dette fagfeltet er en sentral del av både folkehelse og ernæringsvitenskap. Konsensus omkring fagfeltets definisjoner kom først på 1990-tallet, selv om fagfeltet ikke er nytt. Samfunnsernæring er både en vitenskap og praksis. Samfunnsrettet ernæringsarbeid er den praktisk anvendte delen av feltet samfunnsernæring. Det retter seg mot hele befolkningen eller befolkningsgrupper, på arenaer der mennesker lever sine liv. Samfunnsrettet ernæringsarbeid er komplekst og omfatter både akademisk og analytisk arbeid og arbeid ute i lokalsamfunnet. Å kartlegge, endre og evaluere påvirkningsfaktorer som påvirker befolkningens matvalg, kosthold og spisevaner, og dermed også deres helse og livskvalitet, er sentralt i arbeidet. Samfunnsrettet ernæringsarbeid foregår globalt og nasjonalt. I offentlig sektor i Norge er både stat, fylkene og kommuner involvert i arbeidet med føringer i folkehelseloven. Frivillige organisasjoner og privat sektor driver også med samfunnsrettet ernæringsarbeid. Sentrale kjennetegn er at arbeidet rettes mot grupper, helsefremming og forebygging, samt utjevning av sosial ulikhet i helse og kosthold. Iverksetting av tiltak er en viktig del av samfunnsrettet ernæringsarbeid. Eksempelvis kan dette være forbud mot markedsføring av usunn mat rettet mot barn, tiltak som påvirker matmiljøet og tilgjengelighet av frukt og grønnsaker, som gratis skolefruktordning, eller pedagogiske tiltak som fremmer et sunt kosthold. Det er behov for fagpersoner med solid kompetanse innen både folkehelse og ernæring for å styrke det samfunnsrettet ernæringsarbeidet i Norge.

• Lian, Henrik; Øverby, Nina Cecilie; Vik, Frøydis Nordgård; Medin, Anine Christine; Osorio, Natalie Garzon & Helle, Christine [Vis alle 12 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2025). Implementation strategies: lessons learned during an e-learning intervention to improve dietary behaviors and feeding practices in early childhood education and care. BMC Nutrition. 11(1). doi: 10.1186/s40795-024-00990-3. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Background Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) centers play an important role in fostering healthy dietary habits. The Nutrition Now project focusing on improving dietary habits during the first 1000 days of life. Central to the project is the implementation of an e-learning resource aimed at promoting feeding practices among staff and healthy dietary behaviours for children aged 0–3 years in ECEC. Implementing new interventions often presents challenges. This study explores ECEC staff views and experiences with selected strategies for implementing an e-learning resource in ECEC centers in a municipality in Southern Norway. Methods The study is a part of the Nutrition Now study, a hybrid type 1 non-randomized controlled trial. The implementation process followed the Dynamic Integrated Evaluation Model (DIEM). Implementation strategies were selected from the Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change (ERIC) project and included identify and prepare champions, conduct educational meetings, distribute educational materials, create a learning collaborative, and remind clinicians. ECEC teachers from participating ECEC centers in the intervention municipality were recruited as champions. Brief (5–7 min minutes), semi-structured phone interviews, covering key points, were conducted with the champions 8 times, evenly distributed over six months. The interviews were analysed using qualitative thematic analysis. Results In total, 29 of the invited ECEC centers (53%) participated, and 260 brief interviews (88%) were conducted with champions (n=37). An evaluation of the feedback from the champions suggests that the five selected implementation strategies were acceptable. Five main themes were developed by qualitative analysis: 1) Being a champion resembles what I already do. 2) Educational meetings are fine but take time. I prefer when peers share experiences. 3) Newsletters were helpful and reminded me, but I do not always have enough time to read. 4) Evaluations have increased my awareness, and we do them informally and formally. 5) The regular phone calls reminded me I could receive support and express my opinion Conclusion This study’s findings suggest that several implementation strategies are acceptable for stakeholders in an ECEC e-learning healthy eating intervention. However, time constraints among champions may hinder deep engagement. These results provide valuable insights into how the selected implementation strategies may function in practice and how they are perceived and experienced by the ECECs staff. Trial registration Trial registration on June 6, 2022: ISRCTN10694967.

• Valand, Ida Ulrikke; Bjørkkjær, Tormod; Kiland, Charlotte; Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord; Vik, Frøydis Nordgård & Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2025). Feasibility of a dietary life skills course aimed at fostering cooking skills and a healthy diet among university students. Pilot and Feasibility Studies. 11. doi: 10.1186/s40814-025-01680-y. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Background The transition from living at home to independent university life has been associated with deteriorated health outcomes, and many university students lack cooking skills. Life skills education promotes skills essential to mastering everyday challenges such as planning and preparing healthy meals. We developed a dietary life skills course to foster cooking skills and a healthy diet among university students. This paper describes the feasibility testing of this Skills for Life course.

• Medin, Anine Christine; Vik, Frøydis Nordgård; Helle, Christine; Helland, Sissel Heidi; Wills, Andrew Keith & Osorio, Natalie Garzon [Vis alle 22 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2024). Scaling up evidence-based digital early life nutrition interventions in a county setting: an implementation trial – protocol for Phase 2 of the Nutrition Now project. Frontiers in Public Health. 11. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1326787. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Background: Few effective health interventions transition from smaller efficacy or effectiveness studies to real-world implementation at scale, representing a gap between evidence and practice. Recognising this, we have developed Nutrition Now – a tailored digital resource building on four efficacious dietary interventions, aiming to improve nutrition in the important first 1,000 days of life. Nutrition Now targets and guides expectant parents and parents of 0–2 year olds, serves as a reliable source of evidence-based information for midwives and public health nurses at maternal and child healthcare (MCH) centres, and offers pedagogical tools for early childhood education and care (ECEC) staff. The aim of this study is to implement Nutrition Now at scale and evaluate the impact of different sets of multifaceted implementation strategies on implementation outcomes. Methods: A quasi-experimental design with three study arms will be used, providing either low, medium or high implementation support, when rolled out in 50 municipalities in 2 counties in Norway. Nutrition Now will be implemented in MCH and ECEC settings and made available to expectant parents and parents of 0–2 year olds through social media and MCH. The implementation support builds on strategies described in the Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change (ERIC) implementation framework and is informed by dialogues with stakeholders. Impact of the different degree of implementation support will be assessed by examining reach, adoption, fidelity, and sustainability using usage data generated from the Nutrition Now resource, publicly available municipal data and qualitative interviews with MCH and ECEC staff. Discussion: Nutrition Now Phase 2 will break new ground by scaling up successively delivered and complementary dietary interventions in the first 1,000 days of life in a real-life context. The project also seeks to identify what level of implementation support is most effective when implementing digital, scalable, evidence-based early-life nutrition interventions in community settings. The project will inform implementation research and provide knowledge about effective implementation strategies to be used in a national scale-up of Nutrition Now. Trial registration: The study is registered prospectively (submitted 14/06/2022, registration date: 19/06/2022) in the International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number registry (ISRCTN): reg. Number: ISRCTN10694967, https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN10694967.

• Wills, Andrew Keith; Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord; Lippevelde, Wendy Van; Barker, Mary Elizabeth; Vik, Frøydis Nordgård & Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2024). Preconception diet in adolescence and its association with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and preterm birth. Results from The HUNT study. British Journal of Nutrition. ISSN 0007-1145. s. 1–8. doi: 10.1017/S0007114524000746. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Helle, Christine; Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord & Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2024). Exploring Public Health Nurses’ Thoughts, Needs and Expectations for the Development and Usability of an Online Parenting Resource on Early Nutrition Delivered through Primary Care: A Qualitative Study. Nutrients. 16(17), s. 1–17. doi: 10.3390/nu16172861. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord; Sagedal, Linda Reme & Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2024). Early-life family meal participation and anthropometric measures at 4 years of age. Journal of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease. ISSN 2040-1744. 15, s. 1–9. doi: 10.1017/S2040174424000217. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Osorio, Natalie Garzon; Vik, Frøydis Nordgård; Helle, Christine; Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord; Øverby, Nina Cecilie & Helland, Sissel Heidi [Vis alle 15 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2024). Implementing an early-life nutrition intervention through primary healthcare: staff perspectives. BMC Health Services Research. 24(1). doi: 10.1186/s12913-024-11582-z. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Background: Nutrition interventions targeting early childhood can be cost-effective and may provide lifelong, intergenerational benefits. From October 2022 to April 2023 the Nutrition Now (NN) e-learning resource was implemented within Early Childhood Education and Care centres and the Maternal and Child Healthcare Centre (MCHC) in a southern Norwegian municipality. As part of the NN project, the present study aims to explore the MCHC staff’s experiences with implementing the NN resource, to gain insights into measures important to scale up digital early-life nutrition interventions. Methods: Three group interviews were conducted among public health nurses and midwives alongside one individual interview with the department leader of a MCHC in May 2023. An inductive thematic analysis, as described by Braun and Clarke, was conducted to generate the key themes and subthemes regarding the implementation process of NN within the MCHC. Results: Three main themes were generated: [1] Important resource but not always utilized; [2] Parents are interested but had issues with access; and [3] Staff and stakeholder buy-in and commitment needed from the start. Overall, the staff viewed the NN resource as a potential tool for promoting diet-related topics and believed it could support the guidance they were already providing parents. However, few staff members fully familiarized themselves with the resource. While staff perceived parents as positive when informed about NN, they believed issues such as access challenges, competing platforms, and time constraints reduced parental engagement. Lastly, staff suggested improvements for NN’s implementation, including enhanced training, better planning, assigning champions, and lowering the threshold for access. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that the real-world implementation of digital evidence-based health behaviour interventions is feasible but would be enhanced by employing strategies focusing on engagement and utilization.

• Øverby, Nina Cecilie; Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord; Medin, Anine Christine; Vik, Frøydis Nordgård & Ostojic, Sergej (2023). Nutrition in a lifecourse perspective: From molecular aspects to public health approaches. Maternal & Child Nutrition. ISSN 1740-8695. 20(S2). doi: 10.1111/mcn.13582. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Ostojic, Sergej; Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord; Øverby, Nina Cecilie; Vik, Frøydis Nordgård & Medin, Anine Christine (2023). Individual nutrients and serum klotho levels in adults aged 40–79 years. Food Science & Nutrition. 11(6), s. 3279–3286. doi: 10.1002/fsn3.3310. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Several dietary factors (including adherence to the Mediterranean diet or higher nut intake) seem to positively affect circulating antiaging Klotho protein levels; yet, a description of possible relationships between individual nutrients and Klotho activity has not been evaluated. We analyzed the association of dietary intake of individual macro- and micronutrients and nonnutritive food components with circulating Klotho levels in a sample of 40- to 79-year-old US adults. Data from the 2015–2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were analyzed. Nutrient/food component intakes were calculated in relation to total energy intake using the nutrient density method, and available pristine serum samples were analyzed for serum Klotho concentrations. The final study sample consisted of 2637 participants (mean age 59.0 ± 10.7 years; 52% women). Higher Klotho concentrations were found with higher intake of carbohydrates (p < .001), total sugars (p < .001), dietary fibers (p < .001), vitamin D (p = .05), total folates (p = .015), and copper (p = .018). The results of the regression analysis with a crude model showed significant associations among five nutrients/food components (carbohydrates, alcohol, total sugars, dietary fibers, and niacin) and soluble Klotho levels across the sample. After adjusting the models for age and gender, the nutrient/food component–Klotho association remained significant for carbohydrates, total sugars, and alcohol (p < .05). Dietary exposure to individual nutrients and nonnutritive food components appears to be associated with Klotho activity; however, additional research is needed to investigate the relationship between cause and effect in diet composition–Klotho interplay.

• Helle, Christine; Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord & Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2023). A qualitative study of public health nurses' perspectives and experiences on nutritional guidance for parents of infants and toddlers. Maternal & Child Nutrition. ISSN 1740-8695. 20(S2). doi: 10.1111/mcn.13546. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  In Norway, public health nurses (PHNs) are responsible for giving parents nutritional knowledge, but limited research describes how they perceive this task. This study explores PHNs' perceptions and experiences on nutritional guidance for parents of infants and toddlers. Semistructured interviews with six PHNs were conducted and transcribed verbatim. Data were subjected to thematic analysis. Five main themes were identified: (1) Dietary guidance for parents is central to the work; (2) PHNs perceive they have parents' trust, and parents are in general open to nutrition counselling; (3) food and meals must be seen in light of the family context; (4) The dialogue must be adapted to the individual family; and (5) PHNs have expertise on nutrition; however, updating knowledge is difficult. Nutritional guidance was perceived by PHNs as a core activity. They felt that they had parents' trust, and that parents were particularly open to nutritional guidance during the first 2 years. Counselling was generally well received, but conversations on overweight were perceived as difficult. PHNs strove to tailor their guidance to individual needs. However, providing guidance on a wide range of issues in different families and cultures could be challenging. They acknowledged a need for updating knowledge but the offer of courses was sparse. Our findings suggest a discrepancy between how nutrition is prioritized in the education of PHNs and what they encounter in clinical practice. In the future, this should be given more attention given the PHNs' unique position to promote healthy eating and long-term health.

• Valen, Erlend Nuland; Øverby, Nina Cecilie; Hardy-Johnson, Polly; Vik, Frøydis Nordgård; Salvesen, Lorentz & Omholt, Mona Linge [Vis alle 8 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2023). Lessons learned from talking with adults about nutrition: A qualitative study in the PREPARED project. Maternal & Child Nutrition. ISSN 1740-8695. 20(S2). doi: 10.1111/mcn.13540. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Improving diet and dietary behaviour of men and women before pregnancy has thepotential to benefit both their current and long‐term health and the health of theirchildren. Little is known, however, about adults' perception of diet's role inprepregnancy health. This study aimed to explore the state of knowledge andawareness of preconception nutritional health in adults within the fertile age rangeand what they perceived could motivate healthy eating using the self‐determinationtheory as a theoretical framework. We analysed 33 short exploratory interviewswith men (n= 18) and women (n= 15) aged 18–45 years. Participants were grabsampled from three different public locations in the southern part of Norway.Interviews were audio‐recorded, transcribed verbatim in 2020 and analysed using athematic analysis with a semantic approach in 2022. The findings suggest that adultswithin the fertile age range are not intrinsically motivated to eat healthily, but whenthey do, it is because eating healthily often aligns with other goals consistent withtheir values, that is, getting fit or looking good. They possess some basic knowledgeof healthy behaviours during pregnancy but are generally unaware of the importanceof preconception health and nutrition. There is a need to increase awareness ofthe impact of preconception health on the health of this and future generations.Improved nutritional education on the significance of diet before conception mightfacilitate optimal conditions for conceiving and for pregnancy in the adult populationwithin fertile age range.

• Vejrup, Kristine; Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord; Agnihotri, Neha; Helle, Christine & Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2023). Diet in Early Life Is Related to Child Mental Health and Personality at 8 Years: Findings from the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study (MoBa). Nutrients. 15(1). doi: 10.3390/nu15010243. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  There is rising concern about population mental health. Personality and mental health traits manifest early. Sufficient nutrition is fundamental to early development. However, little is known about early life dietary impact on later mental health. The aim of this study was to investigate associations of exposure to a healthy and sustainable antenatal and early childhood diet with personality traits and symptoms of depression and anxiety measured at 8 years of age. This study is based on the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study (MoBa) and uses data from the Medical Birth Registry of Norway (MBRN) including 40,566 participants. Mental health measures and personality traits were assessed at 8 years. Dietary data from pregnancy, child age 6 and 18 months and 3 and 7 years were used. With few exceptions, inverse associations were observed between healthier diet at all time points and depression and anxiety symptom scores at age 8. We found positive associations between diet scores at almost all time points and extraversion, benevolence, conscientiousness and imagination. Inverse associations were observed between diet scores and neuroticism. Combined, these findings underpin a probable impact of both maternal pregnancy diet and early childhood diet on several aspects of child mental health.

• Salvesen, Lorentz; Valen, Erlend Larsen; Wills, Andrew Keith; Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord; Vik, Frøydis Nordgård & Engeset, Dagrun [Vis alle 8 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2023). Developmental origins of health and disease knowledge is associated with diet quality in preconception young adult men and women. Journal of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease. ISSN 2040-1744. 15(5). doi: 10.1017/S2040174423000314. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  The Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) approach supports that nutritional exposures in early life affect an individual’s later health and risk of disease. Dietary exposure during the preconception period may also influence individual, and inter- and transgenerational health and disease risk, in both men and women. This study aimed to describe knowledge of the DOHaD approach (DOHaDKNOWLEDGE) and diet quality in preconception young adults in Norway, to assess associations between DOHaDKNOWLEDGE and a Diet Quality Score (DQS), and to assess gender differences in those above. Data from 1362 preconception young adults was obtained from the PREPARED study baseline dataset. The sample had 88% women participants, a mean age of 27 years, 36% had overweight or obesity, and 77% had higher level of education. DOHaDKNOWLEDGE was assessed by the participants’ agreement to five statements using a Likert scale. Diet quality was assessed using aspects of diet quality and a DQS derived from a dietary screener. We found moderate level of both DOHaDKNOWLEDGE (12/20 points) and diet quality (DQS: 60/100 points), indicating potential for improvements. Specifically, the greatest potential for diet quality improvements were observed for sugary foods, red and processed meats, legumes, and unsalted nuts and seeds. Gender differences were observed for both DOHaDKNOWLEDGE and diet quality. DOHaDKNOWLEDGE was positively associated with DQS, adjusted for sociodemographic factors, with little evidence of an interaction effect by gender. This study indicates that knowledge of the DOHaD approach is positively associated with diet quality in preconception young men and women. Future studies should consider incorporating pregnancy intentions, relationship status, and health literacy.

• Helle, Christine; Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord & Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2023). Maternal mental health is associated with children's frequency of family meals at 12 and 24 months of age. Maternal & Child Nutrition. ISSN 1740-8695. doi: 10.1111/mcn.13552. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Diet during the child's first years is important for growth and development. In toddlerhood, higher diet quality is reported among children eating meals together with family. Although previous literature has documented several associations between maternal mental health and early child feeding practices, less is known about the relationship between maternal mental health and child frequency of shared family meals. This study explores associations between maternal symptoms of anxiety and depression, measured by The Hopkins Symptoms Checklist (SCL-8), and toddler participation in family meals. We used cross-sectional data from the Norwegian study Early Food for Future Health, in which participants responded to questionnaires at child age 12 (n = 455) and 24 months (n = 295). Logistic regression was used to explore associations between maternal mental health and child having regular (≥5 per week) or irregular (<5 per week) family meals (breakfast and dinner), adjusting for relevant child and maternal confounding variables. Children of mothers with higher scores of anxiety and depression had higher odds of Irregular family meals at both timepoints; (OR: 2.067, p = 0.015) and (OR: 2.444, p = 0.023). This is one of few studies exploring associations between maternal mental health and child frequency of shared family meals in early childhood, a period where the foundation for life-long health is shaped. Given the high prevalence of mental ailments and disorders, these findings are important and may inform future public health interventions. Further exploration of this relation is needed, including longitudinal research to test predictive associations and qualitative studies to increase insight and understanding.

• Helle, Christine; Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord & Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2022). Associations between infant and maternal characteristics measured at child age 5 months and maternal feeding styles and practices up to child age two years. PLOS ONE. 17(1). doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0261222. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Vejrup, Kristine; Agnihotri, Neha; Bere, Elling Tufte; Schjølberg, Synnve; Leblanc, Marissa Erin & Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord [Vis alle 7 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2022). Adherence to a healthy and potentially sustainable Nordic diet is associated with child development in The Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study (MoBa). Nutrition Journal. 21(1). doi: 10.1186/s12937-022-00799-5. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Background The rapid neurodevelopment that occurs during the first years of life hinges on adequate nutrition throughout fetal life and early childhood. Therefore, adhering to a dietary pattern based on healthy foods during pregnancy and the first years of life may be beneficial for future development. The aim of this paper was to investigate the relationship between adherence to a healthy and potentially sustainable Nordic diet during pregnancy and in early childhood and child development. Methods This study is based on the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study (MoBa) and uses data from the Medical Birth Registry of Norway (MBRN). In 83,800 mother-child pairs, maternal pregnancy diet and child diet at 6 months, 18 months and 3 years were scored according to adherence to the New Nordic Diet (NND). NND scores were calculated both as a total score and categorized into low, medium, or high adherence. Child communication and motor development skills were reported by parents at 6 months, 18 months, 3 and 5 years, using short forms of the Ages and Stages Questionnaire and the Child Development Inventory. Associations of NND adherence with child development were estimated with linear and logistic regression in crude and adjusted models. Results When examining the NND and child developmental scores as percentages of the total scores, we found positive associations between the NND scores (both maternal pregnancy diet and child diet) and higher scoring on child development (adjusted β^ s [95% confidence intervals] ranging from 0.007 [0.004, 0.009] to 0.045 [0.040, 0.050]). We further found that low and medium adherence to NND were associated with higher odds of later emerging developmental skills compared to high NND adherence at nearly all measured timepoints (odds ratios [95% CI] ranging from significant values 1.15 [1.03–1.29] to 1.79 [1.55, 2.06] in adjusted analyses). Conclusions Our findings support that adherence to a healthy and potentially sustainable diet early in life is important for child development every step of the way from pregnancy until age 5 years.

• Valand, Ida Ulrikke; Øverby, Nina Cecilie; Strömmer, Sofia; Barker, Mary Elizabeth; Bjornes, Camilla & Nordli, Julie [Vis alle 11 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2022). “It is really just brilliant to get credits for something that is so important to you!” Skills for Life: University students’ perceptions of a planned dietary life skills course. PLOS ONE. 17(4). doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0260890. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord; Sagedal, Linda R.; Bere, Elling & Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2021). Family meal participation is associated with dietary intake among 12-month-olds in Southern Norway. BMC Pediatrics. 21. doi: 10.1186/s12887-021-02591-6. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Øverby, Nina Cecilie; Medin, Anine Christine; Valen, Erlend Larsen; Salvesen, Lorentz; Wills, Andrew Keith & Engeset, Dagrun [Vis alle 8 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2021). Effectiveness of a digital dietary intervention program targeting young adults before parenthood: protocol for the PREPARED randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open. 11(12). doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-055116. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Blomkvist, Eli Anne Myrvoll; Wills, Andrew Keith; Helland, Sissel Heidi; Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord & Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2021). Effectiveness of a kindergarten-based intervention to increase vegetable intake and reduce food neophobia amongst 1-year-old children: a cluster randomised controlled trial. Food & Nutrition Research (FNR). ISSN 1654-6628. 65. doi: 10.29219/fnr.v65.7679. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Helland, Sissel Heidi; Øverby, Nina Cecilie; Blomkvist, Eli Anne Myrvoll; Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord; Strømmer, Sofia & Barker, Mary Elizabeth [Vis alle 7 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2021). Wow! They really like celeriac! Kindergarten teachers' experiences of an intervention to increase 1-year-olds' acceptance of vegetables. Appetite. ISSN 0195-6663. 166. doi: 10.1016/j.appet.2021.105581. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Exposure to varied foods in early life is important for short- and long-term health and development. Strategically introducing toddlers to new vegetables is not a common practice in Norwegian kindergartens. Therefore, we developed, conducted, and evaluated a web-based cluster randomised kindergarten intervention, Pre-schoolers’ Food Courage 2.0. The purpose of the current qualitative study was to explore kindergarten teachers’ experience of implementing this intervention and what they thought facilitated the positive impact of the intervention re- ported in the quantitative evaluation. Ten individual telephonic interviews with kindergarten teachers who took part in the intervention study were conducted using a semi-structured interview guide. Data were transcribed verbatim and subjected to thematic analysis. Five main themes were identified: 1) One-year-olds love food and renewal of the menus was inspiring; 2) One-year-olds are surprisingly willing to try and accept novel foods; 3) Novel food at meals stimulate social interaction; and 4) The Sapere method is a fun and explorative activity for 1-year-olds. These four themes were the features perceived as the effective elements of the intervention by the kindergarten teachers. The fifth main theme was: 5) Sustained impact on kindergarten teachers’ practices and beliefs. The kindergarten teachers found the intervention easy to implement, and they were surprised by the foods 1-year- olds like and how the intervention increased their food acceptance. This age window of opportunity seems to be underused in kindergartens. By using the strategies described in the intervention, kindergarten staff effec- tively took advantage of this opportunity and consequently, child and kindergarten staff behaviour in relation to food was enhanced. Interventions targeting healthy feeding practices may potentially have a long-term public health impact by increasing food variety and vegetable intake in toddlers

• Agnihotri, Neha; Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord; Bere, Elling Tufte; Wills, Andrew Keith; Brantsæter, Anne Lise & Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2021). Development and description of New Nordic Diet scores across infancy and childhood in the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study (MoBa). Maternal & Child Nutrition. ISSN 1740-8695. 17(3). doi: 10.1111/mcn.13150. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Røed, Margrethe; Medin, Anine Christine; Vik, Frøydis Nordgård; Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord; Lippevelde, Wendy Van & Campbell, Karen [Vis alle 7 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2021). Effect of a Parent-Focused eHealth Intervention on Children's Fruit, Vegetable, and Discretionary Food Intake (Food4toddlers) : Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Medical Internet Research (JMIR). ISSN 1439-4456. 23(2). doi: 10.2196/18311. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Background: In Western countries, children’s diets are often low in fruits and vegetables and high in discretionary foods. Diet in early life tends to track through childhood and youth and even into adulthood. Interventions should, therefore, be delivered in periods when habitual traits are established, as in toddlerhood when children adapt to their family’s diet. Objective: In this study, we assessed the effect of the Food4toddlers eHealth intervention, which aimed to enhance toddlers’ diets by shaping their food and eating environment. Methods: The Food4toddlers randomized controlled trial was conducted in Norway in 2017-2018. Parent-child dyads were recruited through social media. In total, 298 parents completed an online questionnaire at baseline (mean child age 10.9 months, SD 1.2). Postintervention questionnaires were completed immediately after the intervention (ie, follow-up 1; mean child age 17.8 months, SD 1.3) and 6 months after the intervention (ie, follow-up 2; mean child age 24.2 months, SD 1.9). The intervention was guided by social cognitive theory, which targets the linked relationship between the person, the behavior, and the environment. The intervention group (148/298, 49.7%) got access to the Food4toddlers website for 6 months from baseline. The website included information on diet and on how to create a healthy food and eating environment as well as activities, recipes, and collaboration opportunities. To assess intervention effects on child diet from baseline to follow-up 1 and from baseline to follow-up 2, we used generalized estimating equations and a time × group interaction term. Between-group differences in changes over time for frequency and variety of fruits and vegetables and frequency of discretionary foods were assessed. Results: At follow-up 1, a significant time × group interaction was observed for the frequency of vegetable intake (P=.02). The difference between groups in the change from baseline to follow-up 1 was 0.46 vegetable items per day (95% CI 0.06-0.86) in favor of the intervention group. No other significant between-group differences in dietary changes from baseline to follow-up 1 or follow-up 2 were observed. However, there is a clear time trend showing that the intake of discretionary foods increases by time from less than 1 item per week at baseline to more than 4 items per week at 2 years of age (P<.001), regardless of group. Conclusions: A positive intervention effect was observed for the frequency of vegetable intake at follow-up 1 but not at follow-up 2. No other between-group effects on diet were observed. eHealth interventions of longer duration, including reminders after the main content of the intervention has been delivered, may be needed to obtain long-terms effects, along with tailoring in a digital or a personal form.

• Vik, Frøydis Nordgård; Grasaas, Erik; Polspoel, Maaike E. M.; Røed, Margrethe; Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord & Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2021). Parental phone use during mealtimes with toddlers and the associations with feeding practices and shared family meals : a cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health. 21. doi: 10.1186/s12889-021-10757-1. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Background: Positive parental feeding practices and a higher frequency of family meals are related to healthier child dietary habits. Parents play an essential role when it comes to the development of their child’s eating habits. However, parents are increasingly distracted by their mobile phone during mealtimes. The aim of this study was to describe the feeding practices and daily shared family meals among parents who use and do not use a mobile phone during mealtimes, and further to explore the associations between the use of a mobile phone during mealtimes and feeding practices and daily shared family meals, respectively. Methods: Cross-sectional data from the Food4toddler study were used to explore the association between mobile use during meals and parental feeding practices including family meals. In 2017/2018 parents of toddlers were recruited through social media to participate in the study. In total 298 out of 404 who volunteered to participate, filled in a baseline questionnaire, including questions from the comprehensive feeding practices questionnaire (CFPQ), questions of frequency of family meals and use of mobile phone during meals. Results: Herein, 4 out of 10 parents reported various levels of phone use (meal distraction) during mealtimes. Parental phone use was associated with lower use of positive parental feeding practices like modelling (B = − 1.05 (95% CI -1.69; − 0.41)) and family food environment (B = − 0.77 (95% CI -1.51; − 0.03)), and more use of negative parental feeding practices like emotional regulation (B = 0.73 (95% CI 0.32; 1.14)) and the use of pressure to eat (B = 1.22 (95% CI 0.41; 2.03)). Furthermore, parental phone use was associated with a lower frequency of daily family breakfast (OR = 0.50 (95% CI 0.31; 0.82)) and dinner (OR = 0.57 (95% CI 0.35; 0.93)). Conclusions: Mobile phone use is common among parents during mealtimes, and findings indicate that parental phone use is associated with less healthy feeding practices and shared family meals. These findings highlight the importance of making parents aware of potential impacts of meal distractions.

• Røed, Margrethe; Vik, Frøydis Nordgård; Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord; Lippevelde, Wendy Van & Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2020). Associations between parental food choice motives, health-promoting feeding practices, and infants’ fruit and vegetable intakes : the Food4toddlers study. Food & Nutrition Research (FNR). ISSN 1654-6628. 64. doi: 10.29219/fnr.v64.3730. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Beinert, Cecilie; Esteri, Palojoki Päivi; Åbacka, Gun; Hardy-Johnson, Polly; Engeset, Dagrun & Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord [Vis alle 9 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2020). The mismatch between teaching practices and curriculum goals in Norwegian Home Economics classes : a missed opportunity. Education Inquiry. doi: 10.1080/20004508.2020.1816677. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Øverby, Nina Cecilie; Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord; Røed, Margrethe & Vik, Frøydis Nordgård (2020). Association between parental feeding practices and shared family meals. The Food4toddlers study. Food & Nutrition Research (FNR). ISSN 1654-6628. 64. doi: 10.29219/fnr.v64.4456. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Øverby, Nina Cecilie; Blomkvist, Eli Anne Myrvoll & Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord (2020). Associations between breastfeeding mode and duration and food neophobia in toddlerhood: A cross-sectional study among Norwegian toddlers. Food & Nutrition Research (FNR). ISSN 1654-6628. 64. doi: 10.29219/fnr.v64.3615. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Røed, Margrethe; Vik, Frøydis Nordgård; Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord; Lippevelde, Wendy Van; Medin, Anine Christine & Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2020). Process Evaluation of an eHealth Intervention (Food4toddlers) to Improve Toddlers' Diet: Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Human Factors. 7(3). doi: 10.2196/18171. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Vik, Frøydis Nordgård; Beinert, Cecilie; Palojoki, Päivi; Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord; Engeset, Dagrun & Ask, Anne Merete Selvik [Vis alle 8 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2020). Differences in formal education among Norwegian Home Economics teachers. Journal of the International Society for Teacher Education. ISSN 1029-5968. 24(2), s. 45–59. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Many Norwegian teachers in Food and Health (Home Economics) do not have any formal subject-specific education. This study aims to explore potential differences between teachers with formal versus no formal Food and Health education. In 2018, Food and Health teachers in all primary and lower secondary schools in Norway were invited to answer a web-based questionnaire. In total, 1170 Food and Health teachers completed the questionnaire. We found several differences between the groups. Most importantly, 49% of the teachers at the secondary school level had formal Food and Health education despite national requirements. Also, a higher proportion of the formally educated group showed more contentment with teaching and reported to a greater extent mastering teaching (p≤0.001) compared to the non-educated group. With higher coverage of formally educated teachers in Food and Health, the subject can be strengthened towards fulfilling its potential of being influential for motivation, knowledge and life skills related to food and health.

• Agnihotri, Neha; Øverby, Nina Cecilie; Bere, Elling Tufte; Wills, Andrew Keith; Brantsæter, Anne Lise & Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord (2020). Childhood adherence to a potentially healthy and sustainable Nordic diet and later overweight: The Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study (MoBa). Maternal & Child Nutrition. ISSN 1740-8695. 17(2). doi: 10.1111/mcn.13101. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Beinert, Cecilie; Øverby, Nina Cecilie; Åbacka, Gun; Engeset, Dagrun; Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord & Ask, Anne Merete Selvik [Vis alle 7 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2020). The state of learning activities in teaching Home Economics : A cross sectional study in Norwegian schools. International Journal of Home Economics. 13(1), s. 2–14. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Lippevelde, Wendy Van; Vik, Frøydis Nordgård; Wills, Andrew Keith; Strømmer, Sofia; Barker, Mary E. & Skreden, Marianne [Vis alle 11 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2020). The impact of diet during adolescence on the neonatal health of offspring: evidence on the importance of preconception diet. The HUNT study. Journal of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease. ISSN 2040-1744. s. 1–13. doi: 10.1017/S2040174420001087. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord; Øverby, Nina Cecilie; Valen, Erlend Larsen & Engeset, Dagrun (2020). Alcohol consumption among students and its relationship with nutritional intake: a cross-sectional study. Public Health Nutrition (PHN). ISSN 1368-9800. 24(10), s. 2877–2888. doi: 10.1017/S1368980020004450. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Valen, Erlend Larsen; Engeset, Dagrun; Øverby, Nina Cecilie & Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord (2020). StudentKost: a cross-sectional study assessing college students’ diets: reason for concern? Journal of Nutritional Science (JNS). 9. doi: 10.1017/jns.2020.33. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Blomkvist, Eli Anne Myrvoll; Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord; Helland, Sissel Heidi; Simhan, Indra Laetitia & Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2019). Diet and Neurodevelopmental Score in a Sample of One-Year-Old Children-A Cross-Sectional Study. Nutrients. 21(11). doi: 10.3390/nu11071676. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Helle, Christine; Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord; Wills, Andrew Keith & Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2019). Evaluation of an eHealth intervention aiming to promote healthy food habits from infancy -the Norwegian randomized controlled trial Early Food for Future Health. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. 16(1), s. 1–16. doi: 10.1186/s12966-018-0763-4. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Strategies to optimize early-life nutrition provide an important opportunity for primary prevention of childhood obesity. Interventions that can be efficiently scaled-up to the magnitude needed for sustainable childhood obesity prevention are needed. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of an eHealth intervention on parental feeding practices and infant eating behaviors.

• Røed, Margrethe; Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord; Vik, Frøydis Nordgård; Lippevelde, Wendy Van & Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2019). The Food4toddlers study-study protocol for a web-based intervention to promote healthy diets for toddlers: a randomized controlled trial. BMC Public Health. 19(563). doi: 10.1186/s12889-019-6915-x. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Helle, Christine; Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord; Wills, Andrew Keith & Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2019). Examining the effects of an eHealth intervention from infant age 6 to 12 months on child eating behaviors and maternal feeding practices one year after cessation: The Norwegian randomized controlled trial Early Food for Future Health. PLOS ONE. 14(8), s. 1–19. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0220437. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  The Norwegian randomized controlled trial Early Food for Future Health provided parental anticipatory guidance on early protective feeding practices from child age 6 to 12 months through an eHealth intervention. Previously published outcomes at child age 12 months indicated that the eHealth intervention increased daily vegetable/fruit intake and promoted more beneficial mealtime routines. The objective of the current paper is to evaluate the effects of the intervention at child age 24 months, one year after cessation.

• Salvesen, Lorentz; Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord; Vik, Frøydis Nordgård; Brantsæter, Anne Lise & Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2019). Reproducibility and relative validity of a newly developed web-based food-frequency questionnaire for assessment of preconception diet. BMC Nutrition. 5. doi: 10.1186/s40795-019-0310-y. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord; Seland, Siv; Bere, Elling; Sagedal, Linda Reme; Torstveit, Monica Klungland & Lohne-Seiler, Hilde [Vis alle 8 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2018). Preeclampsia and gestational weight gain in the Norwegian Fit for Delivery trial. BMC Research Notes. 11(282). doi: 10.1186/s13104-018-3396-4. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Blomkvist, Eli Anne Myrvoll; Helland, Sissel Heidi; Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord & Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2018). A cluster randomized web-based intervention trial to reduce food neophobia and promote healthy diets among one-year-old children in kindergarten: study protocol. BMC Pediatrics. 18(232), s. 1–8. doi: 10.1186/s12887-018-1206-8. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Background: A child’s first years of life are crucial for cognitive development and future health. Studies show that a varied diet with a high intake of vegetables is positive for both weight and cognitive development. The present low intake of vegetables in children’s diets is therefore a concern. Food neophobia can be a barrier for vegetable intake in children. Our hypothesis is that interventions that can increase children’s intake of vegetables should be introduced early in life to overcome children’s neophobia. This study aims to develop, measure and compare the effect of two different interventions among one-year-old children in kindergartens to reduce food neophobia and promote healthy diets. Methods: The kindergartens are randomized to one of three groups: two different intervention groups and one control group. We aimed to include a total of 210 children in the study. The first intervention group will be served a warm lunch meal with a variety of vegetables, 3 days a week during the intervention period of 3 months. The second intervention group will be served the same meals and, in addition, kindergarten staff will be asked to implement pedagogical tools including sensory lessons, adapted from the Sapere method, and advices on meal practice and feeding practices. The control group continues their usual meal practices. Parents and kindergarten staff will complete questionnaires regarding food neophobia, food habits and cognitive development at baseline and post intervention. A similar intervention among 2-year-old children in kindergarten has been implemented and evaluated earlier. We will investigate whether a digital version of this intervention has an effect, because digital interventions can be easily implemented nationwide. We will also investigate whether there are benefits of conducting such interventions in younger children, before the onset of food neophobia. Questionnaires, information videos and recipes will be digitally distributed. Discussion: Results of this study will provide new knowledge about whether a sensory education and a healthy meal intervention targeting children, kindergarten staff and parents will reduce levels of food neophobia in children, improve parental and kindergarten feeding practices, improve children’s dietary variety, improve children’s cognitive development and reduce childhood overweight.

• Helle, Christine; Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord & Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2018). Timing of complementary feeding and associations with maternal and infant characteristics: A Norwegian cross-sectional study. PLOS ONE. 13(6). doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0199455. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Norwegian Health authorities recommend solid food to be introduced between child age 4–6 months, depending on both the mother´s and infant’s needs. The aim of this paper is to describe timing of complementary feeding in a current sample of Norwegian mother/infant-dyads and explore potential associations between timing of introduction to solid foods and a wide range of maternal and infant characteristics known from previous literature to influence early feeding interactions. The paper is based on data from the Norwegian randomized controlled trial Early Food for Future Health. In 2016, a total of 715 mothers completed a web-based questionnaire at child age 5.5 months. We found that 5% of the infants were introduced to solid food before 4 months of age, while 14% were not introduced to solid food at 5.5 months of age. Introduction of solid food before 4 months of age was associated with the infant not being exclusive breastfed the first month, receiving only formula milk at 3 months, the mother being younger, not married/cohabitant, smoking, less educated and having more economic difficulties. Not being introduced to solid food at 5.5 months was associated with the infant being a girl, being exclusive breastfed the first month, receiving only breastmilk at 3 months, the mother being older, married and having 3 or more children. This study shows that there are still clear socioeconomic differences regarding timing of complementary feeding in Norway. Infants of younger, less educated and smoking mothers are at higher risk of not being fed in compliance with the official infant feeding ecommendations. Our findings emphasize the importance of targeting socioeconomically disadvantaged mothers for support on healthy feeding practices focusing on the infant‘s needs to prevent early onset of social inequalities in health.

• Skreden, Marianne; Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord; Wills, Andrew K.; Brantsæter, Anne Lise; Bere, Elling & Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2018). Adherence to the New Nordic Diet during pregnancy and subsequent maternal weight development: A study conducted in the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study (MoBa). British Journal of Nutrition. ISSN 0007-1145. 119(11), s. 1286–1294. doi: 10.1017/S0007114518000776. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Bjørset, Vilde Kristin; Helle, Christine; Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord & Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2018). Socio-economic status and maternal BMI are associated with duration of breast-feeding of Norwegian infants. Public Health Nutrition (PHN). ISSN 1368-9800. 21(8), s. 1465–1473. doi: 10.1017/S1368980017003925. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord; Bere, Elling Tufte; Sagedal, Linda Reme; Vistad, Ingvild; Lohne-Seiler, Hilde & Torstveit, Monica Klungland [Vis alle 7 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2018). Pre-pregnancy and early pregnancy dietary behavior in relation to maternal and newborn health in the Norwegian Fit for Delivery study - a post hoc observational analysis. Food & Nutrition Research (FNR). ISSN 1654-6628. 62. doi: 10.29219/fnr.v62.1273. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv

Se alle arbeider i NVA

• Helland, Sissel Heidi & Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord (2026). Forskning til folk: Jeg liker det ikke! – om frykten for å smake og hvordan vi kan bygge matmot. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Helland, Sissel Heidi & Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord (2024). – Et undervisningskjøkken for fremtiden. [Internet]. uia.no. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Valand, Ida Ulrikke; Bjørkkjær, Tormod; Kiland, Charlotte; Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord; Vik, Frøydis Nordgård & Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2024). Feasibility of a dietary life skills course aiming to foster cooking skills and healthy diet among university students. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Valand, Ida Ulrikke; Bjørkkjær, Tormod; Kiland, Charlotte; Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord; Vik, Frøydis Nordgård & Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2024). Feasibility of a dietary life skills course aiming to foster cooking skills and healthy diet among university students. Norsk tidsskrift for ernæring (NTFE). ISSN 1503-5034. doi: 10.18261/ntfe.22.5.35. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Vik, Frøydis Nordgård; Rutter, Harry; Medin, Anine Christine; Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord & Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2023). Implementering av Matnyttig – en digital kostholdsressurs de første 1000 dagene. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Helle, Christine & Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord (2023). Matnyttig: presentasjon av status, foreløpige resultater og veien videre. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Helle, Christine & Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord (2023). Matnyttig; orientering om status og veien videre. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Valand, Ida Ulrikke; Øverby, Nina Cecilie; Kiland, Charlotte; Bjørkkjær, Tormod; Bjornes, Camilla & Nordli, Julie [Vis alle 9 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2023). The development of course content for a dietary life skills course targeting students – co-creation with future users. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Medin, Anine Christine; Vik, Frøydis Nordgård; Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord & Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2023). A hybrid 3 study evaluating the scale-up of evidence-based early-life nutrition interventions in a community setting - the Nutrition Now project protocol for phase 2. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Helle, Christine; Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord & Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2023). Public health nurses' wishes, needs and expectations for the development and use of a new online resource on early nutrition – A qualitative study in the Nutrition Now project. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Øverby, Nina Cecilie; Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord; Helland, Sissel Heidi; Helle, Christine; Wills, Andrew Keith & Lamu, Admassu Nadew [Vis alle 23 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2023). Evaluating the effectiveness and implementation of evidence-based early-life nutrition interventions in a community setting a hybrid type 1 non-randomized trial – the Nutrition Now project protocol. Frontiers in Endocrinology. 13. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1071489. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Disappointingly few efficacious health interventions are successfully scaled up and implemented in real world settings. This represents an evidence-to-practice gap, with loss of opportunity to improve practice. Aiming to improve nutrition in the first 1000 days of life, we have combined four efficacious dietary interventions into a single adapted digital resource (Nutrition Now) for implementation in a Norwegian community setting. Nutrition Now targets pregnant women and parents of 0–2-year-olds with messages focusing on healthy dietary behaviours. Early childhood education and care (ECEC) staff are provided with pedagogical tools addressing healthy food exposure and child food acceptance. Objectives: a) evaluate the effectiveness of provision of the Nutrition Now resource on child diet and diet-related outcomes, with special attention to the influence of socio-economic position, b) gather information on the effectiveness of the implementation process to inform forthcoming scale-up and c) perform trial- and model-based economic evaluations. This is a hybrid type 1 implementation study, focusing on evaluation of effectiveness. A quasi-experimental design with pre- and post-tests, where one municipality gets access to the resource (n~800), while a matched non-equivalent control municipality (n~800) does not, will be used. Effectiveness will be assessed by examining e.g., diet outcomes, developmental outcomes, and feeding practices. The resource will be implemented in ECEC settings and made available to pregnant women and parents through the Norwegian system of maternal and child health (MCH) care. The implementation process includes iterative adjustments and implementation strategies from the implementation framework Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change (ERIC) informed by dialogues with stakeholders. Implementation outcomes (e.g., acceptability and adoption) will be assessed through questionnaires and interviews with parents, ECEC and MCH staff, with particular attention to ethnic diverse groups. Both within-trial and modelling-based economic evaluation will be performed. Nutrition Now will bridge the existing evidence-to-practice gap through rigorous scientific effectiveness evaluation of municipal scale up and inform subsequent county scale up. The study is the first to implement efficacious nutrition interventions in early life with potential for health improvement using technology to maximise the reach and impact of both parental and MCH dietary guidance and ECEC practice.

• Helle, Christine & Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord (2022). Matnyttig; Å fremme gode matvaner og god matomsorg i de første leveårene. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Helle, Christine & Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord (2022). Matnyttig: Oppstartsmøte - informasjon om status og hva deltakelse innebærer. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Helle, Christine & Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord (2022). Matnyttig: Om å fremme gode matvaner og god matomsorg i de første leveårene. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Kubens, Valerie & Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord (2022). Fars mat påvirker sæden. [Journal]. Fædrelandsvennen. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Helle, Christine & Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord (2021). Om kosthold og ernæring i de første 1000 dagene. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord & Helle, Christine (2021). «Om kosthold og ernæring de første 1000 dagene – utfordringer og muligheter». Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Øverby, Nina Cecilie; Helle, Christine; Medin, Anine Christine; Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord & Vik, Frøydis Nordgård (2021). Tidlig innsats som virker! Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Grimsli, Silje Hammerstad; Helle, Christine & Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord (2021). Helse og idrettspraten; Kosthold og ernæring tidlig i livet (Podcast). [Internet]. https://www.uia.no/om-uia/podcast/helse-og-idrettspraten. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Bjørkkjær, Tormod; Nordli, Julie; Bjornes, Camilla; Pettersen, Line & Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord (2021). "Det er vanskelig å velge den mest bærekraftige biffen" - unge voksnes tanker og refleksjoner om kosthold i et bærekraftsperspektiv. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord & Wehus, Walter (2020). Alkohol før svangerskapet kan være skadelig. [Internet]. forskning.no. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord (2020). Forsker: Du bør ikke drikke alkohol i tre måneder før forsøkt unnfangelse. [Internet]. klikk.no. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord & Wehus, Walter Norman (2020). Alkohol kan påvirke barnet selv før unnfangelse. [Internet]. uia.no. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord (2020). Alkohol og kosthold blant studenter. [Radio]. NRK Sørlandet. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord; Medin, Anine Christine & Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2020). Kommunal investering i sunne matomgivelser – hvor begynne? Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord (2019). The Fit for Delivery study - a RCT promoting healthy eating and physical activity among pregnant women in Norway. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Øverby, Nina Cecilie; Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord & Vik, Frøydis Nordgård (2019). Kostholdets betydning for barns og barnebarns helse. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord; Valand, Ida Ulrikke; Bere, Elling Tufte; Vistad, Ingvild; Sagedal, Linda Reme & Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2019). Meals eaten with family in relation to dietary quality in 12-month-olds. A sub-study in the Norwegian Fit for Delivery study. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord (2019). Ungdommers kosthold - neste generasjons helse. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord (2019). An intervention in pregnancy - the Norwegian Fit for Delivery Trial. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Røed, Margrethe; Vik, Frøydis Nordgård; Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord; Lippevelde, Wendy van & Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2019). How parental food choice motives and health promoting feeding practices predict toddlers’ fruit and vegetables intake Mediation analyses from the Food4toddlers study. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Vik, Frøydis Nordgård; Røed, Margrethe; Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord; Lippevelde, Wendy Van & Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2019). A web-based intervention to promote healthy diets for toddlers: The Food4toddlers study. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Engeset, Dagrun; Øverby, Nina Cecilie & Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord (2019). Students sleep, diet and health -Is there difference in eating habits between students who sleep less than what is recommended and those who sleep more? Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord (2019). Ungdommers kosthold - neste generasjons helse? Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Helle, Christine; Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord & Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2019). Examining the effects of an eHealth intervention from infant age 6 to 12 months on child eating behaviors and maternal feeding practices one year after cessation: The Norwegian randomized controlled trial Early Food for Future Health. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Øverby, Nina Cecilie; Helle, Christine & Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord (2019). Is there an association between family meals in toddlerhood and maternal anxiety and depression symptoms? Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Medin, Anine Christine; Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord; Helland, Sissel Heidi & Vik, Frøydis Nordgård (2019). Tar samfunnet kosthold på alvor? Skolemat, barnehagemåltid og sukkeravgift. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Lippevelde, Wendy Van; Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord; Vik, Frøydis Nordgård & Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2019). Preconception dietary patterns during adolescence and risk of developing hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: a Norwegian prospective cohort study. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord & Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2019). Kosthold og ernæring i svangerskap og ammeperiode. I Engeset, Dagrun; Torheim, Liv Elin & Øverby, Nina Cecilie (Red.), Samfunnsernæring. Universitetsforlaget. ISSN 9788215030630. s. 60–67. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Øverby, Nina Cecilie & Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord (2019). Ernæring i sped- og småbarnsalder. I Engeset, Dagrun; Torheim, Liv Elin & Øverby, Nina Cecilie (Red.), Samfunnsernæring. Universitetsforlaget. ISSN 9788215030630. s. 68–73. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Salvesen, Lorentz; Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord; Vik, Frøydis Nordgård & Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2019). Kostholdets betydning før man blir foreldre (preconception). I Engeset, Dagrun; Torheim, Liv Elin & Øverby, Nina Cecilie (Red.), Samfunnsernæring. Universitetsforlaget. ISSN 9788215030630. s. 78–80. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Øverby, Nina Cecilie; Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord; Engeset, Dagrun; Ask, Anne Merete Selvik; Åbacka, Gun & Skreden, Marianne [Vis alle 7 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2019). Toppforskningssenteret i Lifecourse Nutrition ved Universitetet i Agder. Norsk tidsskrift for ernæring (NTFE). ISSN 1503-5034. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Ask, Anne Merete Selvik; Åbacka, Gun; Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord; Engeset, Dagrun; Vik, Frøydis Nordgård & Skreden, Marianne [Vis alle 7 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2019). Jeg kan tidfeste nøyaktig når jeg forstod begrepet brøkregning - det var i mat og helse i 6.klasse. s. 33–33. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Lippevelde, Wendy Van; Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord; Vik, Frøydis Nordgård & Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2018). Preconception diet influences health in the next generation: a window of opportunity for health promotion? Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Øverby, Nina Cecilie; Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord & Vik, Frøydis Nordgård (2018). Ungdoms kosthold - neste generasjons helse. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Agnihotri, Neha; Øverby, Nina Cecilie; Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord & Bere, Elling (2023). A healthy and potentially sustainable Nordic diet in early life and aspects of child growth and development. Universitetet i Agder. ISSN 9788284271323. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Healthy diets optimize our developmental potential starting from life in womb and can promote longevity, well-being and healthy lives. On the other hand, diets of poor quality were attributable to one in five deaths globally in 2017, mainly caused by cardiovascular disease followed by cancer and diabetes. Moreover, 39 million children under the age of five were overweight or obese in 2020, being at increased future risk of non-communicable diseases. Not only are unhealthy diets detrimental to public health, but more so, they negatively impact the global environment. What we eat directly impacts public health, food systems, environment, economy and the future. However, all healthy foods do not directly translate to being environmentally sustainable. Besides, our dietary habits tend to be influenced by culture, palatability, availability and affordability. Sustainable diets are defined as being health-enhancing with a low environmental impact, while also being culturally appropriate and economically viable. The New Nordic Diet (NND) has been proposed as a regionally appropriate and sustainable diet to the Nordic countries. Consequently, the potential health benefits of the NND have been increasingly investigated in different samples and populations, but there is as yet limited knowledge on the effects of adherence to the NND from fetal life through maternal diet and into childhood. The first 1000 days of life represent a vulnerable phase from the time of conception to child age two years. Healthy child growth and development resulting from a nutritionally adequate maternal and child diet during this phase and beyond, has the potential to impact both present and future health. In the current thesis, we wanted to investigate whether a dietary pattern in line with the NND could be beneficial for aspects of growth and development in children, while also being healthy and potentially sustainable. Three research aims were put forth to investigate this overarching purpose, which also correspond to the three research papers included in this thesis. First, we aimed to develop child diet scores reflecting adherence to the NND, based on a maternal pregnancy NND-score comprising of ten subscales, which was developed in an earlier related project. The subscales of the score intended to capture foods with a Nordic identity that are locally available, traditionally consumed or have an importance as a food source in the Nordic countries, and that have a healthier potential compared to similar foods in the same food group. Second, we aimed to assess potential associations with the NND-scores and weight status at eight years of age. Third, we wanted to investigate potential associations with the NND-scores and measures of child development up to five years of age.

• Helle, Christine; Øverby, Nina Cecilie & Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord (2019). Early Food for Future Health. A randomized controlled trial evaluating the effects of an eHealth intervention aiming to promote healthy food habits from early childhood. Universitetet i Agder. ISSN 9788271179366. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  The World Health Organization (WHO) has defined obesity as one of today's greatest threats to public health. In Norway, 15-20 % of children aged 8-9 years are either overweight or obese. A substantial literature now relates early infant nutrition to development of later non-communicable diseases (NCD) like overweight and obesity. The early feeding environment is critical for establishing eating habits that may influence weight development and healthy growth in the long term. Since parents are gate-keepers of food and contribute to the child’s eating in numerous ways, primary prevention initiatives targeting parents have been called for to facilitate development of healthy eating habits. Barriers to fos tering healthy eating habits in children include parental feeding practices that prevent the child from using hunger and satiety signals to initiate and stop eating. This may undermine the innate capacity to self-regulate energy intake which develops during infancy. Other influential early feeding practices are repeated exposures to unfamiliar foods in order to develop a broader range of taste preferences, and parental strategies to improve dietary variety facilitating infant acceptance for healthy foods. In 2014, when the current study was planned, only a few randomized controlled trials had investigated methods of primary prevention of obesity commencing during infancy, the largest being the Australian NOURISH study. NOURISH targeted responsive early feeding practices through educational group sessions in first-time Australian parents. Responsive feeding is characterized by caregiver guidance and recognition of the child’s cues of hunger and satiety. During the last years, several randomized controlled trials focusing on responsive parenting and feeding have shown a positive impact on child eating outcomes, child growth and child feeding practices. However, in these trials the interventions were delivered using traditional approaches like home-visits or face-to-face group settings, which is expensive and hence potentially cost-prohibitive at the level necessary for a national primary preventive public health strategy. Today, the Internet has become increasingly important for parents as a place to seek support and information about parenthood and children’s health and well-being. Yet, so far only very few studies have evaluated the effectiveness of web-based interventions targeted at feeding practices and eating behaviors during infancy.

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