Deadly Dads Support Society: understanding the development and impact of a culturally centred, group-led support strategy for nêhiyaw (Plains Cree) fathers and men.

Through a long-standing community-university partnership, we developed a culturally centred, group-led support strategy for nêhiyaw (Plains Cree) fathers and men to enhance their well-being. A community-based participatory research approach was adapted to honour nêhiyaw ways of knowing. Group-led and developed support activities for fathers and men took place from August 2021 to January 2023, with data gathered from Wisdom Circles, meeting minutes, reflexive journals, photos, implementation notes, and community reports.

Influence of Maternal Glycemia on Breast Milk Composition and Volume Ingested by Infants of Mothers With Type 1 Diabetes.

Objective: To examine relationships between maternal glucose and breast milk composition and volume ingested by infants of mothers with type 1 diabetes (T1D), and to compare breast milk composition in women with and without T1D.

Research Design And Methods: Midfeed breast milk samples were collected from 11 mothers with T1D. Maternal continuous glucose monitoring data were correlated with breast milk composition and volume ingested.

Determinants of maternal and infant omega-3 status at 3 months postpartum: findings from the APrON longitudinal cohort study.

Background: Omega-3 long-chain-polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) are important dietary components for maternal and infant health during pregnancy and lactation.

Objectives: This study investigated determinants of maternal and infant LCPUFAs status at 3 mo postpartum and the relationship between maternal serum, maternal milk, and infant LCPUFAs.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included mothers (n = 1481) and their offspring (n = 526) at 3 mo postpartum from the Alberta Pregnancy Outcomes and Nutrition (APrON) cohort.

A Comparison of Dry Bean and Pea Consumption on Serum Cholesterol: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Adults with Mild Hypercholesterolemia.

Background: Diets including pulses are associated with better cardiovascular profiles, including lipid, glycemia, and hemodynamics; however, evidence is lacking regarding the contributions of individual pulse varieties.

Objectives: This randomized, controlled trial examined the effects of beans or peas individually, relative to rice, on LDL-cholesterol levels (primary outcome) and other indices of cardiovascular disease risk (secondary outcomes) at 6 wk in adults with mild hypercholesterolemia.

Methods: This randomized, controlled, single-blind, 3-arm parallel-group study was conducted in 2 Canadian cities (Edmonton, Alberta; Winnipeg, Manitoba).

Ohpikihâwasowin (grounding and guiding on the path to be a healthy parent): virtual adaptation of an Elders mentoring program to support maternal and child wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: The Elders Mentoring Program (EMP) is part of a strengths-based community-based participatory research partnership with the Cree communities of Maskwacîs, Alberta, Canada. The EMP objective is to promote maternal and child health through traditional Cree teachings and support from community Elders to pregnant women and their partners. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Elders decided to shift the program to an online format in early 2021.

Women's and Partners' Experiences With a Closed-loop Insulin Delivery System to Manage Type 1 Diabetes in the Postpartum Period.

Objectives: Closed-loop insulin delivery has the potential to offer women with type 1 diabetes a break from intense diabetes self-care efforts postpartum. Our aim in this study was to explore the views and opinions of hybrid closed-loop users and their partners in the first 24 weeks postpartum.

Methods: This qualitative study was embedded in a controlled study of women with type 1 diabetes randomized to closed-loop insulin delivery (MiniMed 670G or 770G; Medtronic, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States) or sensor-augmented pump use for 1 to 11 weeks 6 days postpartum, with all on closed-loop delivery from 12 to 24 weeks postpartum.

Maternal pre-pregnancy BMI influences the associations between bisphenol and phthalate exposures and maternal weight changes and fat accumulation.

Background: Bisphenols and phthalates are two classes of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) thought to influence weight and adiposity. Limited research has investigated their influence on maternal weight changes, and no prior work has examined maternal fat mass. We examined the associations between exposure to these chemicals during pregnancy and multiple maternal weight and fat mass outcomes.

Maternal pre-pregnancy diet and prenatal depression: the mediating role of pre-pregnancy weight status and prenatal inflammation.

Depression is a common prenatal psychological complication. We aimed to investigate if maternal pre-pregnancy diet can impact prenatal depressive symptoms and the mediating role of pre-pregnancy BMI and inflammation. We used data ( 1141) from the Alberta Pregnancy Outcomes and Nutrition cohort study.

Development of a Database for the Estimation of Heme Iron and Nonheme Iron Content of Animal-Based Foods.

Background: Total iron (TI) intake and differentiation between heme iron (HI) and nonheme iron (NHI) are uncommon despite markedly different bioavailability.

Objectives: To create a database compiling information from studies that directly assessed the HI content of animal products using the Hornsey method, and to explore differences in estimates of HI intake between the data compiled and the Monsen method.

Methods: A literature search identified studies that chemically characterized the HI content of animal-based foods using the Hornsey method; HI, NHI, and TI contents (mg/100 g) were compiled.

Maternal pre-pregnancy weight status and gestational weight gain in association with child behavior: The mediating role of prenatal systemic inflammation.

Background And Aims: Maternal pre-pregnancy obesity and excessive gestational weight gain (EGWG) may predispose children to behavioral problems through increased prenatal inflammation. We investigated the association between maternal body mass index (BMI) and gestational weight gain (GWG), and child behavioral problems (primary aim), and the mediating role of prenatal inflammation (secondary aim).

Methods: We used self-reported pre-pregnancy BMI and estimated-GWG data (N = 1137) from a longitudinal cohort study.

Maternal Pre-Pregnancy BMI and Gestational Weight Gain Are Associated with Preschool Children's Neuropsychological Outcomes in the APrON Cohort.

This study examined the associations between maternal pre-pregnancy BMI and gestational weight gain (GWG) and children's neuropsychological outcomes at 3 to 5 years of age. A total of 379 women and their children from the Alberta Pregnancy Outcomes and Nutrition (APrON) study participated. Covariate-adjusted robust regressions examined associations between maternal pre-pregnancy BMI, GWG class, interaction terms, and child outcomes.

Maternal Iron and Vitamin D Status during the Second Trimester Is Associated with Third Trimester Depression Symptoms among Pregnant Participants in the APrON Cohort.

Background: The maternal status of multiple micronutrients during pregnancy and postpartum and their potential associations with maternal health outcomes are largely undescribed.

Objectives: This study aimed to examine associations between maternal iron and vitamin D status, individually and in combination, on depression symptoms in pregnant individuals.

Methods: The Alberta Pregnancy Outcomes and Nutrition cohort study included pregnant participants and their children from Calgary and Edmonton, Canada.

A Randomized Trial of Closed-Loop Insulin Delivery Postpartum in Type 1 Diabetes.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of closed-loop insulin delivery postpartum.

Research Design And Methods: In this open-label, randomized controlled trial, postpartum individuals with type 1 diabetes were randomized to hybrid closed-loop insulin delivery with the MiniMed 670G/770G system in automode or sensor-augmented pump therapy in the first 12-weeks postpartum followed by a continuation phase with closed-loop insulin delivery for all until 24 weeks postpartum.

Results: Eighteen participants (mean ± SD age 32 ± 3.

Sex-specific associations between maternal phthalate exposure and neurodevelopmental outcomes in children at 2 years of age in the APrON cohort.

Background: There is inconsistent evidence regarding the sex-specific associations between prenatal phthalate exposure and children's neurodevelopment. This could be due to differences in the phthalate exposures investigated and the neurodevelopmental domains assessed.

Objective: To evaluate the associations between prenatal phthalate exposure and sex-specific outcomes on measures of cognition, language, motor, executive function, and behaviour in children 2 years of age in the Alberta Pregnancy Outcomes and Nutrition (APrON) cohort.

Maternal Iron Status Is Dynamic Throughout Pregnancy and Might Predict Birth Outcomes in a Sex Dependent Manner: Results from the Alberta Pregnancy Outcomes and Nutrition (APrON) Cohort Study.

Background: Developmental responses to nutrient deprivation may differ by fetal sex. Despite this, relationships between maternal prenatal iron biomarkers and birth outcomes when stratifying by offspring sex are poorly described, especially in healthy cohorts.

Objectives: This study aimed to determine associations between maternal iron biomarkers and birth weights (BWs) and birth head circumferences (BHCs) among female and male newborns to assess whether the potential predictive ability of iron biomarkers on birth outcomes differs by offspring sex.

Association of COVID-19 Government-Instituted Mask Mandates With Incidence of Mask Use Among Children in Alberta, Canada.

Importance: To help prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2, government-instituted nonpharmaceutical interventions (eg, social distancing, mask use, isolating), a provincewide government-instituted mask mandate occurred on December 8, 2020, in Alberta, Canada, although some local jurisdictions implemented an earlier mask mandate. There remains a limited understanding of the association between government-implemented public health measures and individual health behaviors of children.

Objective: To examine the association between government mask mandates and mask use among children in Alberta, Canada.

The Canadian Healthy Life Trajectories Initiative (HeLTI) Trial: a study protocol for monitoring fidelity of a preconception-lifestyle behaviour intervention.

Background: In evaluating technology-based behaviour change interventions, it is increasingly important to have a monitoring plan for intervention fidelity. It is important to maintain intervention fidelity to ensure that the theory-based intervention that is being tested is what causes the observed changes, particularly for eHealth behaviour change interventions. In this protocol, we outline the intervention fidelity and monitoring protocol for Healthy Life Trajectory Initiative (HeLTI) Canada, a randomized controlled trial evaluating the effect of a preconception-early childhood technology-based intervention delivered by public health nurses among pregnancy-planning women and their partners to optimize child growth and development.

Binge-spectrum symptoms in their association with higher gestational weight gain.

Objective: Gestational weight gain (GWG) above or below recommendations is common and has implications for parent and infant health. Bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder during pregnancy have been associated with higher GWG. Yet, little research has examined the associations between binge-spectrum symptoms and GWG.

Associations between maternal folate status and choline intake during pregnancy and neurodevelopment at 3-4 years of age in the Alberta Pregnancy Outcomes and Nutrition (APrON) study.

Folate and choline are methyl donor nutrients that may play a role in fetal brain development. Animal studies have reported that prenatal folate and choline supplementation are associated with better cognitive outcomes in offspring and that these nutrients may interact and affect brain development. Human studies that have investigated associations between maternal prenatal folate or choline levels and neurodevelopmental outcomes have reported contradictory findings and no human studies have examined the potential interactive effect of folate and choline on children's neurodevelopment.

Predictors of preconception health knowledge among Canadian women: A nationwide cross-sectional study.

Background: Optimising preconception health-that is the health of women and men prior to a potential pregnancy-is increasingly recognised as fundamental to improving maternal and infant health outcomes. To date, limited research has been conducted examining preconception knowledge and studies focusing on preconception health behaviours have targeted certain behaviours, while overlooking others, with limited attention given to the interconception period and differences between multiparous and primiparous/nulliparous women.

Aims: To determine predictors of preconception health knowledge among Canadian women and to examine whether parity modified the effect of predictors on preconception knowledge.

Prenatal Nutrition Care in Alberta: The Perspectives of Pregnant Women and Registered Dietitians.

Optimizing women's diets in pregnancy improves maternal and child health outcomes; however, the best format for supporting women's nutrition goals in pregnancy is not clear, and access to dietetic services is not standard in prenatal care in Alberta. This study explored women's perceptions about access to Registered Dietitians (RDs) throughout pregnancy and RDs experiences providing prenatal nutrition counselling. Two studies were conducted.

Mâmawihitowin (bringing the camps together): Perinatal healthcare provider and staff participation in an Indigenous-led experiential intervention for enhancing culturally informed care-a mixed methods study.

Background: In partnership with a Nehiyawak (Plains Cree) community of Maskwacîs,central Alberta (Canada), we implemented an Indigenous-led intervention to provide experiential learning opportunities for perinatal health care providers (HCPs) and staff. Our objective was to capture the impact of participating in cultural safety learning opportunities on perceived self-awareness for HCPs and staff to provide enhanced culturally informed care.

Methods: Perinatal HCPs and staff who work regularly with Indigenous women from our partnering community took part in a series of experiential learning activities designed by a Community Advisory Committee.

Applying suggested new terminology and definitions for human milk feeding in the Alberta Pregnancy Outcomes and Nutrition (APrON) longitudinal pregnancy cohort.

The complexity of human milk-feeding behaviours may not be captured using simpler definitions of "exclusive" and "non-exclusive" breastfeeding. New definitions have been suggested to describe variation in these behaviours more fully but have not been widely applied. We applied the new definitions to data derived from 3-day human milk-feeding diaries.

Medical, behavioural and social preconception and interconception risk factors among pregnancy planning and recently pregnant Canadian women.

Objectives: The objective of this study is to describe the clustering of medical, behavioural and social preconception and interconception health risk factors and determine demographic factors associated with these risk clusters among Canadian women.

Design: Cross-sectional data were collected via an online questionnaire assessing a range of preconception risk factors. Prevalence of each risk factor and the total number of risk factors present was calculated.