Journal Articles

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    2021 Assessment of New Zealand district health boards' institutional healthy food and drink policies: the HealthY Policy Evaluation (HYPE) study
    (Pasifika Medical Association Group (PMAG), 2022-08-19) Gerritsen S; Kidd B; Rosin M; Shen S; Mackay S; Te Morenga L; Mhurchu CN
    AIM: To assess adoption of the voluntary National Healthy Food and Drink Policy (NHFDP) and the alignment of individual institutional healthy food and drink policies with the NHFDP. METHOD: All 20 district health boards (DHBs) and two national government agencies participated. Policies of those organisations that had not fully adopted the NHFDP were assessed across three domains: nutrition standards; promotion of a healthy food and beverages environment; and policy communication, implementation and evaluation. Three weighted domain scores out of 10, and a total score out of 30 were calculated. RESULTS: Nine of the 22 organisations reported adopting the NHFDP in full. Of the remaining 13, six referred to the NHFDP when developing their institutional policy and three were working toward full adoption of the NHFDP. Mean scores (SD) were 8.7 (1.0), 6.1 (2.6) and 3.8 (2.2) for the three domains, and 18.6 (4.8) in total. Most individual institutional policies were not as comprehensive as the NHFDP. However, some contained stricter/additional clauses that would be useful to incorporate into the NHFDP. CONCLUSION: Since a similar policy analysis in 2018, most DHBs have adopted the NHFDP and/or strengthened their own nutrition policies. Regional inconsistency remains and a uniform mandatory NHFDP should be implemented that incorporates improvements identified in individual institutional policies.
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    Dietary patterns associated with meeting the WHO free sugars intake guidelines
    (Cambridge University Press, 2020-06) Steele C; Eyles H; Te Morenga L; Ni Mhurchu C; Cleghorn C
    OBJECTIVE: Emerging evidence suggests that free sugars intake in many countries exceeds that recommended by the WHO. However, information regarding real-world dietary patterns associated with meeting the WHO free sugars guidelines is lacking. The current study aimed to determine dietary patterns associated with meeting the guidelines to inform effective free sugars reduction interventions in New Zealand (NZ) and similar high-income countries. DESIGN: Dietary patterns were derived using principal component analysis on repeat 24-h NZ Adult Nutrition Survey dietary recall data. Associations between dietary patterns and the WHO guidelines (<5 and <10 % total energy intake) were determined using logistic regression analyses. SETTING: New Zealand. PARTICIPANTS: NZ adults (n 4721) over 15 years old. RESULTS: Eight dietary patterns were identified: 'takeaway foods and alcohol' was associated with meeting both WHO guidelines; 'contemporary' was associated with meeting the <10 % guideline (males only); 'fast foods, sugar-sweetened beverages and dessert', 'traditional' and 'breakfast foods' were negatively associated with meeting both guidelines; 'sandwich' and 'snack foods' were negatively associated with the <5 % guideline; and 'saturated fats and sugar' was negatively associated with the <10 % guideline. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of NZ dietary patterns were not consistent with WHO free sugars guidelines. It is possible to meet the WHO guidelines while consuming a healthier ('contemporary') or energy-dense, nutrient-poor ('takeaway foods and alcohol') diet. However, the majority of energy-dense patterns were not associated with meeting the guidelines. Future nutrition interventions would benefit from focusing on establishing healthier overall diets and reducing consumption and free sugars content of key foods.
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    What helps and hinders metformin adherence and persistence: a qualitative study exploring the views of people with type 2 diabetes
    (New Zealand Medical Association, 2021-06-04) Parkin L; Maclennan K; Te Morenga L; Inder M; Moata'ane L
    AIM: To explore the views of people with type 2 diabetes who had initiated metformin monotherapy about what influences adherence and persistence. METHODS: We recruited participants through primary care, using purposive sampling, and undertook face-to-face, audio-recorded, semi-structured interviews with 10 Māori, 10 Pacific, and 10 non-Māori non-Pacific patients who had started metformin monotherapy for type 2 diabetes within the previous two years. A thematic analysis was undertaken using the Theory of Planned Behaviour as the overall theoretical framework. RESULTS: The perceived benefits of taking metformin included improving glycaemic control, preventing or slowing the progression of type 2 diabetes, and avoiding serious complications. Side effects (predominantly gastrointestinal) were the most commonly cited disadvantage. Participants employed a variety of strategies to help them take metformin regularly. Key reasons for initial sub-optimal adherence and persistence were side effects and not accepting the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. Subsequently, omitting to take tablets was commonly unintentional (due to 'forgetfulness'). For many Pacific participants, changes in routine related to community and church events, or shift work, contributed to sub-optimal adherence. Some Māori participants would have preferred to use traditional medicines. CONCLUSION: We identified a number of factors within the scope of healthcare services that may assist healthcare providers to focus on, and address, some of the issues that appear to be of primary importance to people when they are prescribed metformin.
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    Food, nutrition and cancer: perspectives and experiences of New Zealand cancer survivors
    (New Zealand Medical Association, 2021-11-12) Peniamina R; Davies C; Moata'ane L; Signal L; Tavite H; Te Morenga L; McLean R
    AIM: This research sought to understand and describe cancer survivors' perspectives and post-diagnosis experiences of food and nutrition, with a particular focus on barriers to healthy eating, health equity, and Māori and Pacific perspectives. METHOD: Data were collected using semi-structured interviews with cancer survivors from three different ethnic groups (Māori, Pacific Peoples, and New Zealand European). Thematic analysis was undertaken to identify both similar and contrasting experiences and perspectives in relation to topics of interest. Data analysis also sought to identify any trends indicating differences between ethnic groups. RESULTS: Limited awareness of the role nutrition has in cancer recovery or prevention, combined with little or no access to nutrition advice/support, meant that healthy dietary change was not a focus for some cancer survivors in this study, whereas others invested considerable time and money accessing nutrition information and support outside of cancer care services. Financial limitations (eg, cost of healthy food and low income) and lack of practical support were also important barriers to post-diagnosis healthy eating. CONCLUSION: There is a need for more widely available cancer-specific nutrition advice and support in New Zealand. Interventions to address financial barriers and increase access to cancer-related nutrition advice and support have the potential to improve cancer outcomes and reduce inequities in cancer outcomes.
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    Barriers and facilitators to implementation of healthy food and drink policies in public sector workplaces: a systematic literature review.
    (19/06/2023) Rosin M; Mackay S; Gerritsen S; Te Morenga L; Terry G; Ni Mhurchu C
    CONTEXT: Many countries and institutions have adopted policies to promote healthier food and drink availability in various settings, including public sector workplaces. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this review was to systematically synthesize evidence on barriers and facilitators to implementation of and compliance with healthy food and drink policies aimed at the general adult population in public sector workplaces. DATA SOURCES: Nine scientific databases, 9 grey literature sources, and government websites in key English-speaking countries along with reference lists. DATA EXTRACTION: All identified records (N = 8559) were assessed for eligibility. Studies reporting on barriers and facilitators were included irrespective of study design and methods used but were excluded if they were published before 2000 or in a non-English language. DATA ANALYSIS: Forty-one studies were eligible for inclusion, mainly from Australia, the United States, and Canada. The most common workplace settings were healthcare facilities, sports and recreation centers, and government agencies. Interviews and surveys were the predominant methods of data collection. Methodological aspects were assessed with the Critical Appraisal Skills Program Qualitative Studies Checklist. Generally, there was poor reporting of data collection and analysis methods. Thematic synthesis identified 4 themes: (1) a ratified policy as the foundation of a successful implementation plan; (2) food providers' acceptance of implementation is rooted in positive stakeholder relationships, recognizing opportunities, and taking ownership; (3) creating customer demand for healthier options may relieve tension between policy objectives and business goals; and (4) food supply may limit the ability of food providers to implement the policy. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that although vendors encounter challenges, there are also factors that support healthy food and drink policy implementation in public sector workplaces. Understanding barriers and facilitators to successful policy implementation will significantly benefit stakeholders interested or engaging in healthy food and drink policy development and implementation. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO registration no. CRD42021246340.