Siew Sun Wong

• PhD
• Professor (Associate) at Oregon State University

Abstract Grassroots stakeholder input results in relevant and timely Extension programs, but presents a challenge for performance measurement using common indicators. A balanced approach to program evaluation and reporting that is adequately valid and reliable while honoring the Extension culture of service is most likely to be successful. This art...

The primary purpose of this review is to answer three research questions: 1) What are the most popular features of physical activity (PA) tracking and recording mobile applications (apps); 2) what features drive the app cost, peak rank, or gross sales; and 3) to what extent are evidence-based weight loss recommendations used in PA apps? Two hundred...

Objective To identify and rank perceived personal benefits from parenting practices that promote intake of calcium-rich foods and beverages (CRF/B) by early adolescents. Methods A convenience sample of parents/caregivers (n = 133) of early adolescents (10–13 years) from 6 states (CA, HI, MN, OH, OR, UT) participated in a qualitative study using a...

Most adults do not meet calcium intake recommendations. Little is known about how individual and family factors, including parenting practices that influence early adolescents' intake of calcium-rich foods, affect calcium intake of parents. This information could inform the development of effective nutrition education programs. To identify individu...

Associations were examined between sociodemographic characteristics of a US online survey sample of caregiver/adolescent dyads (n = 533) and food intake during independent eating occasions. Caregivers reported sociodemographic characteristics for dyads. Adolescents reported daily intake frequency of sugar-sweetened beverages, junk foods, sugary foo...

Objective: Examine how experiencing the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic influenced adolescent independent eating occasions (iEOs) and iEO-related parenting practices from the perspective of parents and adolescents METHODS: Cross-sectional remote interviews were conducted for this basic qualitative research study. Participants were a p...

Background: Frequency of independent eating occasions (iEOs) has been linked to intake of unhealthy foods and overweight/obesity among adolescents. Parenting practices involving modeling healthy food intake and making healthy foods available have been associated with healthy food intake among adolescents, however, little is known about these assoc...

Background Independent eating occasions (iEOs) among adolescents were associated with poorer diet quality and overweight status in previous studies. Little is known about how iEOs (frequency and food groups/food types consumed) vary by personal (e.g., age, sex, race, ethnicity) and household (e.g., food security) characteristics and other factors (...

Obesity is more prevalent among racial minority children in the United States, as compared to White children. Parenting practices can impact the development of children’s eating behaviors and habits. In this study, we investigated the relationships among racial/ethnic backgrounds, parenting practices and styles, and eating behaviors in adolescents....

Parents play an important role in developing the eating behaviors of their children by adopting specific parenting practices. As the prevalence of obesity is high amongst African American adolescents, investigations into associations of specific parenting practices and adolescents’ eating behaviors are essential. In this exploratory study, 14 Afric...

The use of Extended Reality (XR) (i.e. Virtual and Augmented Reality) for nutrition education and behavior change has not been comprehensively reviewed. This paper presents findings from a scoping review of current published research. Articles (n = 92) were extracted from PubMed and Scopus using a structured search strategy and selection approach....

The purpose of this formative, cross-sectional study was to describe independent eating occasions (iEOs) among a convenience sample of low-income early adolescents (10–13 years, n = 46) in 10 U.S. states, including environmental context, foods selected and reasons for selection, and parental rules about foods consumed. Participants took pictures of...

Objective: To develop and test parent and early adolescent questionnaires to assess food parenting practices that influence early adolescent food consumption during independent eating occasions (iEOs). Methods: Cross-sectional online questionnaires were completed by 206 and 62 low-income parent/early adolescent (11-14 years) dyads at Time 1 and...

Background Currently there are no evidence based sport nutrition/physical activity (SN/PA) coaching apps co-developed with content, research and design experts and high school athletes (HSA) as end users. Objective Researchers and HSA co-develop a virtual SN/PA assistant coach mobile app prototype for HSA to help them eat well and be active all ye...

Background Youth participation in organized sports has been associated with positive health benefits, yet research indicates that youth sport may negatively influence family meals and dietary practices. Research examining family meals among Latino youth is limited. Objective Examine parental social support for healthy eating behaviors among adoles...

Objective: To identify practices that parents use to influence early adolescents' food choices during independent eating occasions (iEOs) from parent and child perspectives. Design: In-depth interviews. Participants: Low-income parents (n = 49) and early adolescent children (aged 10-13 years; n = 44) from 10 US states and the District of Colum...

Purpose: This session aims to share the truths; the good, bad, and ugly about integrating digital reality technology with nutrition education across all ages in the U.S. and Canada. Rationale: When conducting implementation science, it is the principal investigators' responsibility to be transparent in sharing their project challenges and operatio...

Objective To examine relationships between frequency of adolescents eating alone (dependent variable) and diet, weight status and perceived food-related parenting practices (independent variables). Design Analyses of publicly available, cross-sectional, web-based survey data from adolescents. Setting Online consumer opinion panel. Subjects A US...

Abstract Background Calcium intake during early adolescence falls short of requirements for maximum bone accretion. Parents and the home food environment potentially influence children’s calcium intakes. This study aimed to quantify parental psychosocial factors (PSF) predicting calcium intakes of Asian, Hispanic, and non-Hispanic white (NHW) early...

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of a sport nutrition education and life-skills intervention on sport nutrition knowledge (SNK), attitudes/beliefs and dietary behaviors relevant to sport nutrition among high school (HS) soccer players. Three assessments were done over the 2-year intervention (baseline = time 1, end year 1 = time...

The WAVE~Ripples for Change: Obesity Prevention in Active Youth (WAVE) project’s primary objective is to prevent unhealthy weight gain among high school athletes through healthy eating and reduced sedentary time. Educators are familiar with the myriad of challenges in presenting nutrition, diet, and physical activity information to high school stud...

The purpose of this study was to compare changes in diet and daily physical activity (PA) in high school (HS) soccer players who participated in either a two-year obesity prevention intervention or comparison group, while controlling for sex, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. Participants (n = 388; females = 58%; Latino = 38%; 15.3 ± 1.1 ye...

The objective of this study was to characterize independent eating occasions among adolescents ages 10-13 years with regards to frequency, eating location, activities while eating, and types of food consumed.

The objectives of this study were to determine how often adolescents eat alone and to characterize occasions when adolescents eat alone, including the location, time of day, and, other activities performed while eating.

This paper reports the process data on program fidelity, best practices for intervention implementation, youth and coach engagement, and youth application of knowledge and skills for the two-year WAVE~Ripples for Change (WAVE) obesity prevention intervention program focused on healthy eating, physical activity, and life skills with high school (HS)...

For adolescent athletes (14–18 years), data on sport nutrition knowledge, behaviors and beliefs are limited, especially based on sex, race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status. High school soccer players (n = 535; 55% female; 51% White, 41% Latino; 41% National School Lunch Program (NSLP) participants (80% Latino)) completed two questionnaires (demog...

The influence of combined experiential learning through face-to-face instruction and immersive environment (IE) on health behavior change has not been examined extensively. The goal of the WAVE∼Ripples for Change Childhood Obesity Prevention project was to determine the effectiveness of teaching nutrition and physical activity knowledge with an IE...

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES Setting healthful beverage expectations, making calcium-rich foods and beverages (CRF/B) available, and role modeling are parenting practices promoting calcium intake among early adolescents. This study aimed to evaluate emotion-based messages designed to motivate parents of early adolescents to perform these practices. SUBJE...

Introduction The WAVE Project aims to prevent childhood obesity among active youth ages 14–19 living in Oregon via a 2‐y intervention by providing mixed‐reality learning experience, which involves the integration of physical‐world face‐to‐face lessons and virtual‐world interactions. Rippleville, the project virtual learning environment, is designed...

Parental practices influence intake of calcium-rich foods and beverages (CRFB) in adolescents. This study aimed to test two posters promoting such parental practices for comprehension, cultural and personal relevance, and ability to motivate parents to encourage CRFB intake. Interviews were conducted with 14 Hispanic and 6 Asian parents to evaluate...

Among early adolescents (10-14 years), poor diet quality along with physical inactivity can contribute to an increased risk of obesity and associated biomarkers for chronic disease. Approximately one-third of children in this age group in the U.S. are overweight or obese. Therefore, attention to factors affecting dietary intake as one of the primar...

The food environment at school plays an important role in promoting healthy food choices in students. In our previous study, classroom teachers were concerned about some of the meal options offered at their school cafeteria and wanted a school cafeteria component as part of a successful nutrition education program. In response, our first objective...

Abstract The study reported here aimed to identify the relationship of parents' calcium knowledge with diet-related parental practices and determinants of calcium knowledge. A cross-sectional survey was conducted measuring parental practices, calcium knowledge, and demographics. A convenience sample of 599 racially/ethnically diverse parents of chi...

Objective To evaluate participant recruitment, enrollment, assessment, and retention in a 2‐year intervention designed to prevent excess weight gain among high school (HS) soccer players ages 14‐19. Method Five soccer teams in 2 school districts were recruited through soccer coaches. Prior to enrollment, parents, coaches and youth all received a p...

Objective The WAVE Pilot Study, a 2yr obesity prevention intervention for high‐school soccer players (14‐19y) aim to understand the knowledge and skills needed by high school soccer players and parents to support sports performance. Methods Forty‐two parent and child dyads independently completed a self‐administered survey about their confidence,...

Objective Evaluate the feasibility of using emails/SMS with high school (HS) soccer players for increasing compliance at group classes, completion of questionnaires, and 7‐day tracking of eating behavior and physical activity. Method Customized emails/SMS using Google Voice and WavePipe (a custom data collection system that sends emails) were sent...

Role modeling, making calcium-rich foods (CRF) available at home, and setting healthful beverage expectations are parenting practices associated with calcium intake among early adolescents. The purpose was to test messages designed to motivate Hispanic and Asian parents of adolescents (10-13 years) to engage in these practices for comprehension, pe...

Dietary calcium sources may differ by race/ethnicity and dietary acculturation. A cross-sectional, convenience sample including 587 United States (US) Asian, Hispanic and non-Hispanic White parent-child (10-13 years) pairs completed a calcium food frequency questionnaire. Calcium sources were ranked by mean percent contribution to total adjusted ca...

Poor food choices in childhood are core contributors to obesity and chronic diseases during adolescence and adulthood. Food choices and dietary behaviors develop in childhood and are difficult to change in adulthood. Nutrition education in elementary schools can provide children with the information and skills to develop healthy food choices and di...

Objectives : Test the feasibility of a mobile application to track college students' food intake. Materials and Methods : The mobile app used a MyPlate visual concept for food data entry with a built‐in serving size estimation guide. Each user was instructed to record food intake by tapping the corresponding food group on the visual plate for each...

There is a fast‐growing trend in using smartphone apps and wearable devices to track health and fitness. Consumer health apps quadrupled from 3,000 in 2010 to 13,600 in 2012. As of Oct 2013, about half of the top 100 grossing health and fitness apps in the Apple Store were designed to track physical activities (PA), especially cardio fitness. Forty...

Objective: To assess the desired rewards of college students for short‐term goals to improve diet or physical activity (PA). Methods: College students (n=286) enrolled in a required 10‐week health course at Oregon State University volunteered to participate in the Better Eating Starts Today (B.E.S.T) Project in Corvallis, Oregon. Students completed...

During the past 5 years, mobile technology gained more researchers’ attentions for its strong capabilities and potential usability in weight management interventions. This review summarizes the applications of mobile phone from over 30 literatures and interventions. In nutrition and physical activity interventions, mobile phones were most frequentl...

This era is rich in digital information. Health‐related communications and information acquisition among the younger generation increasingly involve social media, mobile technology, intelligent sensing, and immersive technology. Community‐based interventions are also exploring the use of technology. Virtual reality (VR) technology has been used in...

Latino immigrants to the United States experience health deterioration post-immigration. This qualitative study aimed to understand how new environments impact Latino immigrant families’ dietary behaviors and to discuss language use in nutrition education materials. Ten Latino mothers of adolescents were interviewed and qualitative analysis reveale...

Introduction: Despite the efforts of health educators to increase consumers' knowledge and preventive food handling skills, listeriosis cases continue to be reported. One population that has a higher risk of contracting listeriosis is women of child bearing years. The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) client population consists...

Despite the efforts of health educators to increase consumers' knowledge and preventive food handling skills, listeriosis cases continue to be reported. One population that has a higher risk of contracting listeriosis is women of child bearing years. The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) client population consists mainly of wome...

The Better Eating Starts Today (B.E.S.T.) Project is an intervention to support healthy campus initiatives to prevent obesity among college students. The project is integrated into multiple offerings of a required health and fitness course at Oregon State University running Sep 2012‐Mar 2014. A 24‐item online pre/post survey measures health related...

Objective To evaluate the 137-item Utah Picture-sort Food-frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) in the measurement of usual dietary intake in older adults. Design The picture-sort FFQ was administered at baseline and again one year later. Three seasonal 24-hour dietary recall interviews were collected during the year between the two FFQs. Mean nutrient in...

Objective Explore perceived benefits underlying parent practices that promote CRF/B intake by preadolescents (10–13y), including availability, setting rules and expectations, and role modeling. Methods Focus groups using Nominal Group Technique with multi‐ethnic parents of preadolescents and qualitative data analysis methods. Results In seven sta...

The study aimed to (i) segment parents of early adolescents into subgroups according to their Ca-rich-food (CRF) practices and perceptions regarding early adolescent CRF intake and (ii) determine whether Ca intake of parents and early adolescents differed by subgroup. A cross-sectional convenience sample of 509 parents and their early adolescent ch...

Objectives Evaluate 1) perception of health professionals (H), parents (P) and children (C) towards 13 childhood obesity prevention health behavioral messages, and 2) any discrepancies between perceptions among these groups. Method 50 H in nutrition and 35 P‐C pairs were surveyed in a 1‐time, individual, face‐to‐face interview. Using a deck of 13...

Objective To determine the accuracy of figure rating scale (FRS) in reflecting the actual BMI either self‐reported or selected by parents for their children ages 6–11. Method 50 health professionals (H) in nutrition and 35 parent‐and‐child pairs were surveyed in a 1‐time, individual, face‐to‐face interview. Demographic, monthly food expense, heigh...

The objective of this study was to evaluate a computerized food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) that estimates calcium intake among Asian, Hispanic, and non-Hispanic white youth. A computerized FFQ based on a list of 80 foods with corresponding food photos was evaluated for 4 consecutive weeks. The evaluation study consisted of computerized FFQs duri...

The agricultural industry has historically had one of the highest injury and mortality rates, and they have been on the rise during the past decade. Appropriate educational programs are essential to reverse this trend. To help extension educators and health care professionals with the development of such programs, a study dealing with health and sa...

To evaluate the 137-item Utah Picture-sort Food-frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) in the measurement of usual dietary intake in older adults. The picture-sort FFQ was administered at baseline and again one year later. Three seasonal 24-hour dietary recall interviews were collected during the year between the two FFQs. Mean nutrient intakes were compare...

Thesis (M.S.)--Utah State University. Dept. of Nutrition and Food Sciences, 1999. Includes bibliographical references.

Includes vita. Thesis (Ph.D.) -- Utah State University, Dept. of Nutrition and Food Sciences, 2005. Includes bibliographical references.