Children with Down syndrome, who may have a higher choking risk, had different preferences in food texture, compared with children who did not have Down syndrome, according to a study published in the Journal of Texture Studies. Children with Down syndrome preferred easily dissolvable corn puffs and other low-nutrient snacks. "Those foods aren't of high nutritional value, but they're dissolvable -- a huge plus for these children. Now the challenge is making nutritious foods with those characteristics," said lead study author Carolyn Ross.

Registered dietitian nutritionist Kelly Kennedy says she keeps trying vegetables she is not fond of until she finds the most appealing way to prepare them. She shares tips for preparing eggplant, brussels sprouts, radishes, zucchini and Swiss chard.

Eating lunch can help maintain energy and blood sugar levels, prevent hangry snacking later in the day, and boost overall nutrient intake, according to registered dietitian nutritionist Frances Largeman-Roth and RD Lauren Manaker. "Lunchtime is a great opportunity to include foods that we need to support our overall health," Manaker said. "Foods that many of us are not eating enough of, including fruits and veggies, can be a main focus of a lunchtime meal, helping us meet your daily quota."

A study published in Frontiers in Endocrinology linked vitamin D supplementation to a slower temporal increase in A1C among children and adolescents with newly diagnosed Type 1 diabetes. The placebo-controlled study included 36 children and adolescents.

Adolescents who slept less than the recommended eight hours each night had higher average metabolic syndrome scores and a greater likelihood of overweight or obesity, compared with those who slept the recommended time, according to a study presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress. "On top of stressing the importance of dietary habits and physical activity, adequate sleep needs have to be considered too," said researcher Jesus Martinez-Gomez.

HHS' Health Resources and Services Administration will distribute over $20 million to support organizations working to address disparities in maternal and infant health. The grants will fund efforts to reduce infant mortality, increase access to community-based doulas, improve care for pregnant individuals and create task forces for maternal health.

US life expectancy at birth dropped by almost one year to 76.1 years between 2020 and 2021, the lowest it's been since 1996 and the second consecutive year of decline, largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to provisional data from the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics. Life expectancy declined by one year to 73.2 years for US men and fell by 10 months to 79.1 years for US women.

The FDA granted emergency use authorization to revised COVID-19 vaccine formulations from Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech that protect against the original strain of the virus as well as the Omicron BA.4/BA.5 subvariants. Dr. Peter Marks, director of the FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, said the agency has "extensive experience with strain changes for annual influenza vaccines" and is confident the evidence supports the COVID-19 vaccine authorizations.

Thanks to a partnership with Cherry Rock Farms, students in South Dakota's Brandon Valley School District have a variety of fresh vegetables and fruits as part of their school lunch each day, which means a fresher, more nutrient-dense meal, according to Andrea Kruse, the district's child nutrition director. "We are always trying to add new things to the salad bar. Kids see something new and they immediately want to give it a taste," Kruse says.

This salad features colorful vegetables, protein-packed chickpeas and a tangy vinaigrette dressing. Food & Nutrition

The Foundation's silent auction is annually one of the most popular events at FNCE®, with more than 100 items that raise thousands of dollars for the Foundation's Annual Fund. This year's silent auction will feature select items for viewing at the Foundation's booth at the Orlando Conference Center, while bidding will be virtual and available to all Academy members. Please consider donating one or more items with a minimum estimated value of $150.

Affinity groups are a great way to stay on the pulse of current public policy and advocacy efforts. Specialized groups connect members with an interest, experience and/or expertise in a specific policy issue area with opportunities to learn more and advocate. Affinity groups are open to all policy leaders and Academy members.