One of the major challenges that both children and adults in the United States face is not eating a well-nourished diet and not getting enough physical activity. As a result, an epidemic of obesity has plagued this country for years. The government realizes that to combat the problem, several steps were needed, one of these better assessment tools for calorie intake and physical activity. To accomplish this, funding under PAR 09-224 was established as a joint effort between the Department of Education, the Department of Food and Nutrition, the Health Department, and Income Security and Social Services. This grant will remain open until July 5, 2012 and people involved are optimistic.
Several other government agencies are involved with this particular grant, such as the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, the National Cancer Institute, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, and others. With all agencies and qualified applicants working as a team, the goal is for new and innovative research to be conducted so measurement tools and systems for dietary intake and physical activity could be improved upon.
Based on the findings from the research, appropriate agencies would have the ability to take a different approach in assessing diet and physical activity, as well as create better evaluation methods and assessment tools. One of the problems with the current system is that the solution is across the board, regardless of the person’s age. Instead, it has become apparent that children and adults need to be assessed differently for the numbers to be accurate.
In addition to age, it has also been discovered that because various cultures have different staple diets and some ethnic groups are naturally heavier than others, using the same tools for measuring and assessing was not acceptable. Another difference that prompted this grant is that some people are able to get more physical activity than other people can. For instance, a child or adult with a disability would not have the same opportunity to run around as someone healthy. Overall, analysis and measurement of dietary intake and physical activity had to change.
With these two factors being comprised of several factors to include behavior and lifestyle, the information from the research would help in numerous ways. As an example, many chronic diseases to include obesity and cancer, among others, could be prevented. Even helping with weight loss and weight management would be an easier process if programs were being developed on accurate information.
In addition, by having a universal system in place for analyzing and measuring dietary intake and physical activity rather than self-assessments, which are commonly used at present time, room for error would be eliminated. The great thing about the “Improving Diet and Physical Assessment R01” grant is that assessment instruments would be developed to meet new criteria for both dietary intake and physical activity separately.
For dietary assessment, assessment instruments used today include an estimation of calories consumed for individual types of foods, food records to measure daily intake over a specific timeframe, and 24-hour food intake recalls. While each of these is based on a viable concept, problems exist. For estimated calories consumed, quality of data and analytic techniques are flawed. In the case of food records, an individual would need to be highly motivated, trained, and literate. Then with 24-hour food intake recalls, the problem is that most people do not report enough information, usually associated with forgetting, issues with reporting portion size, and even personal biases of the individuals.
Moving on to current processes for physical activity, rather than information being gathered for different ages and physical abilities, it has all been rolled into one system. Regarding questionnaires, while several different instruments exist, this too is lacking. In the case of information being reported for everyone, for data to be accurate the grant would be helpful in developing assessments for both short and long-term activities, as well as physical ability.
Guidelines being used today show value in being involved with activities that help build strength, flexibility, and balance, something important for everyone, especially the aging population. However, more attention is needed on assessment of specific activity types. Another problem is that with questionnaires, many types of daily activity are not included such as cleaning house, working in the yard, etc. Therefore, with this grant, solutions could be implemented that would capture all types of activities.
For both dietary intake and physical activity, this means that the current standards and tools are simply not adequate. A primary example would be with dietary intake and self-administered analysis and measurements, which actually pose serious obstacles for both intervention and metabolic studies. Because dietary intake and physical activity are so closely connected, the research coming out of this study will allow the appropriate departments to forge ahead in developing systems that are far more accurate. Just a few of the research highlights include:
• Test and refine methods for diet intake and physical activity assessments based on broader criteria
• Develop or refine innovative methods of improving self-reporting for both dietary intake and physical activity
• Improve current methods for measuring the type of physical activity and duration, as well as improve assessment methods for intake of specific foods
For the “Improving Diet and Physical Activity Assessment R01”, eligible applicants would include:
• Governments
• City/Township, County, State, Special District, Native American Tribal (both Federally and non-Federally recognized)
• Education
• Public and State Controlled of Higher Education
• Non-Profit Organizations with and without a 501(c)(3) Status with the IRS, other than Institutes of Higher Education
• Private Institutions of Higher Education
• Businesses
• For-Profit Organizations (Excluding Small Businesses)
• Small Businesses
• Miscellaneous
• Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions
• Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government
• Faith or Community-Based Organizations
• Hispanic Serving Institutions
• Black Colleges and Universities
• Indian and Native American Tribal Governments (Not Federally Recognized)
• Non-Domestic (Non-US) Entities (Foreign Organizations)
• Regional Organizations
• Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities
• US Territory or Possession
For any eligible applicants interested in this important grant, response must be submitted electronically through the Government grants website at www.grants.gov, using the SF424 Research and Related forms and the SF424 Application Guide. However, prior to any application being submitted, the applicant would first be required to register by visiting the same Government website no later than 5:00 pm Eastern Standard Time. Registration must be completed a minimum of four weeks prior to the date of application being submitted.
