Nina Cecilie Øverby

• Helland, Sissel Heidi; Vejrup, Kristine & Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2024). I’m not sure whether I will implement it”: exploring barriers and facilitators to implementing a digital “healthy eating” resource in early education and care settings - teachers’ perspectives. . BMC Public Health. ISSN 1471-2458. 24. doi: 10.1186/s12889-024-19014-7..
• Wills, Andrew Keith; Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord; Van Lippevelde, Wendy; Barker, Mary Elizabeth; Vik, Frøydis Nordgård & Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2024). Preconception diet in adolescence and its association with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and preterm birth. Results from The HUNT study. British Journal of Nutrition. ISSN 0007-1145. p. 1–8. doi: 10.1017/S0007114524000746.
• Medin, Anine Christine; Vik, Frøydis Nordgård; Helle, Christine; Helland, Sissel Heidi; Wills, Andrew Keith & Osorio, Natalie Garzon [Show all 22 contributors for this article] (2024). Scaling up evidence-based digital early life nutrition interventions in a county setting: an implementation trial – protocol for Phase 2 of the Nutrition Now project. Frontiers in Public Health. ISSN 2296-2565. 11. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1326787. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background: Few effective health interventions transition from smaller efficacy or effectiveness studies to real-world implementation at scale, representing a gap between evidence and practice. Recognising this, we have developed Nutrition Now – a tailored digital resource building on four efficacious dietary interventions, aiming to improve nutrition in the important first 1,000 days of life. Nutrition Now targets and guides expectant parents and parents of 0–2 year olds, serves as a reliable source of evidence-based information for midwives and public health nurses at maternal and child healthcare (MCH) centres, and offers pedagogical tools for early childhood education and care (ECEC) staff. The aim of this study is to implement Nutrition Now at scale and evaluate the impact of different sets of multifaceted implementation strategies on implementation outcomes. Methods: A quasi-experimental design with three study arms will be used, providing either low, medium or high implementation support, when rolled out in 50 municipalities in 2 counties in Norway. Nutrition Now will be implemented in MCH and ECEC settings and made available to expectant parents and parents of 0–2 year olds through social media and MCH. The implementation support builds on strategies described in the Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change (ERIC) implementation framework and is informed by dialogues with stakeholders. Impact of the different degree of implementation support will be assessed by examining reach, adoption, fidelity, and sustainability using usage data generated from the Nutrition Now resource, publicly available municipal data and qualitative interviews with MCH and ECEC staff. Discussion: Nutrition Now Phase 2 will break new ground by scaling up successively delivered and complementary dietary interventions in the first 1,000 days of life in a real-life context. The project also seeks to identify what level of implementation support is most effective when implementing digital, scalable, evidence-based early-life nutrition interventions in community settings. The project will inform implementation research and provide knowledge about effective implementation strategies to be used in a national scale-up of Nutrition Now. Trial registration: The study is registered prospectively (submitted 14/06/2022, registration date: 19/06/2022) in the International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number registry (ISRCTN): reg. Number: ISRCTN10694967, https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN10694967.

• Rai, Anam Shakil; Sletner, Line; Jenum, Anne Karen; Øverby, Nina Cecilie; Stafne, Signe Nilssen & Qvigstad, Elisabeth [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2023). Employing fasting plasma glucose to safely limit the use of oral glucose tolerance tests in pregnancy: a pooled analysis of four Norwegian studies. Frontiers in Endocrinology. ISSN 1664-2392. 14. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1278523. Full text in Research Archive
• Salvesen, Lorentz; Valen, Erlend Larsen; Wills, Andrew Keith; Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord; Vik, Frøydis Nordgård & Engeset, Dagrun [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2023). Developmental origins of health and disease knowledge is associated with diet quality in preconception young adult men and women. Journal of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease. ISSN 2040-1744. doi: 10.1017/S2040174423000314. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) approach supports that nutritional exposures in early life affect an individual’s later health and risk of disease. Dietary exposure during the preconception period may also influence individual, and inter- and transgenerational health and disease risk, in both men and women. This study aimed to describe knowledge of the DOHaD approach (DOHaDKNOWLEDGE) and diet quality in preconception young adults in Norway, to assess associations between DOHaDKNOWLEDGE and a Diet Quality Score (DQS), and to assess gender differences in those above. Data from 1362 preconception young adults was obtained from the PREPARED study baseline dataset. The sample had 88% women participants, a mean age of 27 years, 36% had overweight or obesity, and 77% had higher level of education. DOHaDKNOWLEDGE was assessed by the participants’ agreement to five statements using a Likert scale. Diet quality was assessed using aspects of diet quality and a DQS derived from a dietary screener. We found moderate level of both DOHaDKNOWLEDGE (12/20 points) and diet quality (DQS: 60/100 points), indicating potential for improvements. Specifically, the greatest potential for diet quality improvements were observed for sugary foods, red and processed meats, legumes, and unsalted nuts and seeds. Gender differences were observed for both DOHaDKNOWLEDGE and diet quality. DOHaDKNOWLEDGE was positively associated with DQS, adjusted for sociodemographic factors, with little evidence of an interaction effect by gender. This study indicates that knowledge of the DOHaD approach is positively associated with diet quality in preconception young men and women. Future studies should consider incorporating pregnancy intentions, relationship status, and health literacy.

• Sonestedt, Emily & Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2023). Carbohydrates – a scoping review for Nordic Nutrition Recommendations 2023. Food & Nutrition Research (FNR). ISSN 1654-6628. 67. doi: 10.29219/fnr.v67.10226. Full text in Research Archive
• Øverby, Nina Cecilie; Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord; Medin, Anine Christine; Vik, Frøydis Nordgård & Ostojic, Sergej (2023). Nutrition in a lifecourse perspective: From molecular aspects to public health approaches. Maternal & Child Nutrition. ISSN 1740-8695. 20(S2). doi: 10.1111/mcn.13582. Full text in Research Archive
• Valen, Erlend Larsen; Grasaas, Erik; Engeset, Dagrun; Salvesen, Lorentz; Skeie, Guri & Øverby, Nina Cecilie [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2023). Myfood24 på norsk: et selvadministrert digitalt 24-timers kostintervju. Norsk tidsskrift for ernæring (NTFE). ISSN 1503-5034. 21(2), p. 13–22. doi: 10.18261/ntfe.21.2.3. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Innen ernæringsepidemiologien er vi i stor grad avhengige av å estimere inntak av mat og næringsstoffer basert på selvrapportering, til tross for at denne tilnærmingen er beheftet med målefeil. Graden av målefeil har betydning for analyser og tolkning av resultater, så metodene vi bruker bør være så valide som mulig. Å utvikle brukervennlige kostholdsmetoder som reduserer belastning for deltaker kan være et viktig bidrag til mer nøyaktig rapportering, samtidig som tids- og ressursbruken begrenses. Det digitale kostholdsverktøyet myfood24, opprinnelig utviklet ved Universitetet i Leeds, kan enten brukes som et selvadministrert 24-timers kostintervju, eller matdagbok. Verktøyet har de siste årene blitt oversatt og kulturelt tilpasset til flere land, både i og utenfor Europa, og har blitt validert i en rekke ulike aldersgrupper. I 2019 startet arbeidet med å lage en norsk versjon av myfood24. Det er allerede gjennomført en valideringsstudie av bilder av porsjonsstørrelser som inngår i den norske versjonen, og det planlegges å validere verktøyet ytterligere. Hensikten med denne artikkelen er å beskrive utviklingsarbeidet som er gjort. Målet er at norske myfood24 også skal kunne brukes av andre norske forskere, og med denne artikkelen ønsker vi å gjøre informasjon om verktøyet tilgjengelig.

• Rai, Anam Shakil; Sletner, Line; Jenum, Anne Karen; Øverby, Nina Cecilie; Stafne, Signe Nilssen & Qvigstad, Elisabeth [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2023). Adverse pregnancy outcomes among women in Norway with gestational diabetes using three diagnostic criteria. PLOS ONE. ISSN 1932-6203. 18(7). doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0280750. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Introduction The aim of this study was to examine the risk of adverse perinatal outcomes in women diagnosed with GDM by the World Health Organization (WHO) 1999 criteria, and in those retrospectively identified by the Norwegian-2017 and WHO-2013 criteria but not by WHO-1999 criteria. We also examine the effect of maternal overweight/obesity and ethnicity. Material and methods We used pooled data from four Norwegian cohorts (2002–2013), encompassing 2970 mother-child pairs. Results from universally offered 75-g oral glucose tolerance tests measuring fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and 2-hour glucose (2HG) were used to assign women into three diagnostic groups: Diagnosed and treated by WHO-1999 (FPG≥7.0 or (2HG ≥7.8 mmol/L), identified by WHO-2013 (FPG ≥5.1 or 2HG ≥8.5 mmol/L), and identified by Norwegian-2017 criteria (FPG ≥5.3 or 2HG ≥9.0 mmol/L). Perinatal outcomes included large-for-gestational-age (LGA) infants, cesarean section, operative vaginal delivery, preterm birth and preeclampsia. Results Compared to the non-GDM group, women diagnosed with GDM by either of the three criteria had an increased risk of large-for-gestational-age infants (adjusted odds ratios (OR) 1.7–2.2). Those identified by the WHO-2013 and Norwegian-2017 criteria but not diagnosed and treated by WHO-1999 criteria had an additional increased risk of cesarean section (OR 1.36, 95% CI 1.02,1.83 and 1.44, 95% CI 1.03,2.02, respectively) and operative vaginal delivery (OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.1,1.7 and 1.5, 95% CI 1.1,2.0, respectively). The proportions of LGA neonates and cesarean section were higher for women with GDM in both normal-weight and overweight/obese women. Asians had a lower risk of delivering large-for-gestational-age infants than Europeans applying national birthweight references, but maternal glucose values were similarly positively associated with birthweight in all ethnic groups. Conclusions Women who met the WHO-2013 and Norwegian-2017 criteria, but were not diagnosed by the WHO-1999 criteria and therefore not treated, had an increased risk of LGA, cesarean section and operative vaginal delivery compared to women without GDM.

• Helle, Christine; Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord & Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2023). Maternal mental health is associated with children's frequency of family meals at 12 and 24 months of age. Maternal & Child Nutrition. ISSN 1740-8695. doi: 10.1111/mcn.13552. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Diet during the child's first years is important for growth and development. In toddlerhood, higher diet quality is reported among children eating meals together with family. Although previous literature has documented several associations between maternal mental health and early child feeding practices, less is known about the relationship between maternal mental health and child frequency of shared family meals. This study explores associations between maternal symptoms of anxiety and depression, measured by The Hopkins Symptoms Checklist (SCL-8), and toddler participation in family meals. We used cross-sectional data from the Norwegian study Early Food for Future Health, in which participants responded to questionnaires at child age 12 (n = 455) and 24 months (n = 295). Logistic regression was used to explore associations between maternal mental health and child having regular (≥5 per week) or irregular (<5 per week) family meals (breakfast and dinner), adjusting for relevant child and maternal confounding variables. Children of mothers with higher scores of anxiety and depression had higher odds of Irregular family meals at both timepoints; (OR: 2.067, p = 0.015) and (OR: 2.444, p = 0.023). This is one of few studies exploring associations between maternal mental health and child frequency of shared family meals in early childhood, a period where the foundation for life-long health is shaped. Given the high prevalence of mental ailments and disorders, these findings are important and may inform future public health interventions. Further exploration of this relation is needed, including longitudinal research to test predictive associations and qualitative studies to increase insight and understanding.

• Prescott, Susan L.; D'Adamo, Christopher R; Holton, Kathleen; Ortiz, Selena; Øverby, Nina Cecilie & Logan, Alan C (2023). Beyond Plants: The Ultra-Processing of Global Diets Is Harming the Health of People, Places, and Planet. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (IJERPH). ISSN 1661-7827. 20(15). doi: 10.3390/ijerph20156461. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Global food systems are a central issue for personal and planetary health in the Anthropocene. One aspect of major concern is the dramatic global spread of ultra-processed convenience foods in the last 75 years, which is linked with the rising human burden of disease and growing sustainability and environmental health challenges. However, there are also calls to radically transform global food systems, from animal to plant-derived protein sources, which may have unintended consequences. Commercial entities have moved toward this “great plant transition” with vigor. Whether motivated by profit or genuine environmental concern, this effort has facilitated the emergence of novel ultra-processed “plant-based” commercial products devoid of nutrients and fiber, and sometimes inclusive of high sugar, industrial fats, and synthetic additives. These and other ingredients combined into “plant-based” foods are often assumed to be healthy and lower in calorie content. However, the available evidence indicates that many of these products can potentially compromise health at all scales—of people, places, and planet. In this viewpoint, we summarize and reflect on the evidence and discussions presented at the Nova Network planetary health meeting on the “Future of Food”, which had a particular focus on the encroachment of ultra-processed foods into the global food supply, including the plant-sourced animal protein alternatives (and the collective of ingredients therein) that are finding their way into global fast-food chains. We contend that while there has been much uncritical media attention given to the environmental impact of protein and macronutrient sources—meat vs. novel soy/pea protein burgers, etc.—the impact of the heavy industrial processing on both human and environmental health is significant but often overlooked, including effects on cognition and mental health. This calls for a more nuanced discourse that considers these complexities and refocuses priorities and value systems towards mutualistic solutions, with co-benefits for individuals, local communities, and global ecology.

• Helle, Christine; Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord & Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2023). A qualitative study of public health nurses' perspectives and experiences on nutritional guidance for parents of infants and toddlers. Maternal & Child Nutrition. ISSN 1740-8695. doi: 10.1111/mcn.13546. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  In Norway, public health nurses (PHNs) are responsible for giving parents nutritional knowledge, but limited research describes how they perceive this task. This study explores PHNs' perceptions and experiences on nutritional guidance for parents of infants and toddlers. Semistructured interviews with six PHNs were conducted and transcribed verbatim. Data were subjected to thematic analysis. Five main themes were identified: (1) Dietary guidance for parents is central to the work; (2) PHNs perceive they have parents' trust, and parents are in general open to nutrition counselling; (3) food and meals must be seen in light of the family context; (4) The dialogue must be adapted to the individual family; and (5) PHNs have expertise on nutrition; however, updating knowledge is difficult. Nutritional guidance was perceived by PHNs as a core activity. They felt that they had parents' trust, and that parents were particularly open to nutritional guidance during the first 2 years. Counselling was generally well received, but conversations on overweight were perceived as difficult. PHNs strove to tailor their guidance to individual needs. However, providing guidance on a wide range of issues in different families and cultures could be challenging. They acknowledged a need for updating knowledge but the offer of courses was sparse. Our findings suggest a discrepancy between how nutrition is prioritized in the education of PHNs and what they encounter in clinical practice. In the future, this should be given more attention given the PHNs' unique position to promote healthy eating and long-term health.

• Salvesen, Lorentz; Wills, Andrew Keith; Øverby, Nina Cecilie; Engeset, Dagrun & Medin, Anine Christine (2023). Relative validity of a non-quantitative 33-item dietary screener with a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire among young adults. Journal of Nutritional Science (JNS). ISSN 2048-6790. 12, p. 1–13. doi: 10.1017/jns.2023.57. Show summary

  The objective of the study was to assess the concordance and ranking ability of a non-quantitative 33-item dietary screener developed to assess the diet of young adults in Norway, ‘MyFoodMonth 1.1’, compared to a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Data were collected in a cross-sectional dietary survey evaluating the diets of students at the University of Agder, in southern Norway. The students were asked to complete both a dietary screener and an FFQ. Data collection was carried out from September to December 2020. Participants were first-year university students aged ≥18 years familiar with Scandinavian language. Almost half of the eligible sample (n 344) was excluded due to not completing the FFQ, compared to 1⋅7 % not completing the dietary screener, resulting in 172 (66 % female) participants with a median age of 21 years. For most items of the dietary screener (n 27/33, 82 %), all aspects of diet quality and components of the Diet Quality Score showed moderate-to-strong concordance with the FFQ evaluated using Kendall's tau-b analyses (t > 0⋅31), supported by visual inspection of box and whisker plots and descriptive ranking ability in a cross-tabulation. There was little evidence to suggest that concordance was dependent on sex. The concordance and ranking ability of ‘MyFoodMonth 1.1’ is considered satisfactory compared to a semi-quantitative FFQ. This rapid dietary assessment instrument presents a valuable addition to traditional instruments and a possible solution to recruit hard-to-reach parts of the population.

• Valen, Erlend Nuland; Øverby, Nina Cecilie; Hardy-Johnson, Polly; Vik, Frøydis Nordgård; Salvesen, Lorentz & Omholt, Mona Linge [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2023). Lessons learned from talking with adults about nutrition: A qualitative study in the PREPARED project. Maternal & Child Nutrition. ISSN 1740-8695. doi: 10.1111/mcn.13540. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Improving diet and dietary behaviour of men and women before pregnancy has thepotential to benefit both their current and long‐term health and the health of theirchildren. Little is known, however, about adults' perception of diet's role inprepregnancy health. This study aimed to explore the state of knowledge andawareness of preconception nutritional health in adults within the fertile age rangeand what they perceived could motivate healthy eating using the self‐determinationtheory as a theoretical framework. We analysed 33 short exploratory interviewswith men (n= 18) and women (n= 15) aged 18–45 years. Participants were grabsampled from three different public locations in the southern part of Norway.Interviews were audio‐recorded, transcribed verbatim in 2020 and analysed using athematic analysis with a semantic approach in 2022. The findings suggest that adultswithin the fertile age range are not intrinsically motivated to eat healthily, but whenthey do, it is because eating healthily often aligns with other goals consistent withtheir values, that is, getting fit or looking good. They possess some basic knowledgeof healthy behaviours during pregnancy but are generally unaware of the importanceof preconception health and nutrition. There is a need to increase awareness ofthe impact of preconception health on the health of this and future generations.Improved nutritional education on the significance of diet before conception mightfacilitate optimal conditions for conceiving and for pregnancy in the adult populationwithin fertile age range.

• Bjørkkjær, Tormod & Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2023). Betydningen av mat og måltider for læring i grunnskolen. In Ruge, Dorte; Vik, Frøydis Nordgård; Björklund, Johanna & Frödén, Sara (Ed.), Læring gennem mad og måltider i grundskolen Teori og praksis fra Danmark, Sverige og Norge. Cappelen Damm Akademisk. ISSN 9788202797744. p. 215–235. doi: 10.23865/noasp.182.ch3.2. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  While primary and lower secondary school students in Norway have a relatively healthy diet, there are some weaknesses. Not all students eat breakfast at home/school or lunch at school. The school is an important arena for universal food and meal efforts targeting all students, which is important for their learning in the short and long term. Through a narrative/traditional review, this article investigates the research question: What impact do food and meals have on learning in primary and lower secondary schools? We focus on how food and meals affect concentration, school performance/results and social learning. Systematic reviews show that breakfast is important for short-term concentration and school results. Likewise, school lunch is associated with improved dietary quality, school attendance and academic achievement. School meals also impact social learning, e.g. eating routines, communication/friendship and broader societal issues of identity and connection to the community. Possibilities for promoting these outcomes in the Norwegian school system are presented, focusing on current curricula and policy documents. There is potential to strengthen the focus on food and meals, as well as the connection between food and learning in schools.

• Ostojic, Sergej; Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord; Øverby, Nina Cecilie; Vik, Frøydis Nordgård & Medin, Anine Christine (2023). Individual nutrients and serum klotho levels in adults aged 40–79 years. Food Science & Nutrition. ISSN 2048-7177. 11(6), p. 3279–3286. doi: 10.1002/fsn3.3310. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Several dietary factors (including adherence to the Mediterranean diet or higher nut intake) seem to positively affect circulating antiaging Klotho protein levels; yet, a description of possible relationships between individual nutrients and Klotho activity has not been evaluated. We analyzed the association of dietary intake of individual macro- and micronutrients and nonnutritive food components with circulating Klotho levels in a sample of 40- to 79-year-old US adults. Data from the 2015–2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were analyzed. Nutrient/food component intakes were calculated in relation to total energy intake using the nutrient density method, and available pristine serum samples were analyzed for serum Klotho concentrations. The final study sample consisted of 2637 participants (mean age 59.0 ± 10.7 years; 52% women). Higher Klotho concentrations were found with higher intake of carbohydrates (p < .001), total sugars (p < .001), dietary fibers (p < .001), vitamin D (p = .05), total folates (p = .015), and copper (p = .018). The results of the regression analysis with a crude model showed significant associations among five nutrients/food components (carbohydrates, alcohol, total sugars, dietary fibers, and niacin) and soluble Klotho levels across the sample. After adjusting the models for age and gender, the nutrient/food component–Klotho association remained significant for carbohydrates, total sugars, and alcohol (p < .05). Dietary exposure to individual nutrients and nonnutritive food components appears to be associated with Klotho activity; however, additional research is needed to investigate the relationship between cause and effect in diet composition–Klotho interplay.

• Vejrup, Kristine; Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord; Agnihotri, Neha; Helle, Christine & Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2023). Diet in Early Life Is Related to Child Mental Health and Personality at 8 Years: Findings from the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study (MoBa). Nutrients. ISSN 2072-6643. 15(1). doi: 10.3390/nu15010243. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  There is rising concern about population mental health. Personality and mental health traits manifest early. Sufficient nutrition is fundamental to early development. However, little is known about early life dietary impact on later mental health. The aim of this study was to investigate associations of exposure to a healthy and sustainable antenatal and early childhood diet with personality traits and symptoms of depression and anxiety measured at 8 years of age. This study is based on the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study (MoBa) and uses data from the Medical Birth Registry of Norway (MBRN) including 40,566 participants. Mental health measures and personality traits were assessed at 8 years. Dietary data from pregnancy, child age 6 and 18 months and 3 and 7 years were used. With few exceptions, inverse associations were observed between healthier diet at all time points and depression and anxiety symptom scores at age 8. We found positive associations between diet scores at almost all time points and extraversion, benevolence, conscientiousness and imagination. Inverse associations were observed between diet scores and neuroticism. Combined, these findings underpin a probable impact of both maternal pregnancy diet and early childhood diet on several aspects of child mental health.

• Helland, Sissel Heidi; Bjørkkjær, Tormod; Grasaas, Erik & Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2022). Staff feeding practices, food neophobia, and educational level in early education and care settings: A cross-sectional study. Appetite. ISSN 0195-6663. 180. doi: 10.1016/j.appet.2022.106379. Full text in Research Archive
• Vik, Frøydis Nordgård; Nilsen, Trude & Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2022). Associations between sleep deficit and academic achievement - triangulation across time and subject domains among students and teachers in TIMSS in Norway. BMC Public Health. ISSN 1471-2458. 22, p. 1–9. doi: 10.1186/s12889-022-14161-1. Full text in Research Archive
• Vejrup, Kristine; Agnihotri, Neha; Bere, Elling Tufte; Schjølberg, Synnve; Leblanc, Marissa Erin & Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2022). Adherence to a healthy and potentially sustainable Nordic diet is associated with child development in The Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study (MoBa). Nutrition Journal. ISSN 1475-2891. 21. doi: 10.1186/s12937-022-00799-5. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background The rapid neurodevelopment that occurs during the first years of life hinges on adequate nutrition throughout fetal life and early childhood. Therefore, adhering to a dietary pattern based on healthy foods during pregnancy and the first years of life may be beneficial for future development. The aim of this paper was to investigate the relationship between adherence to a healthy and potentially sustainable Nordic diet during pregnancy and in early childhood and child development. Methods This study is based on the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study (MoBa) and uses data from the Medical Birth Registry of Norway (MBRN). In 83,800 mother-child pairs, maternal pregnancy diet and child diet at 6 months, 18 months and 3 years were scored according to adherence to the New Nordic Diet (NND). NND scores were calculated both as a total score and categorized into low, medium, or high adherence. Child communication and motor development skills were reported by parents at 6 months, 18 months, 3 and 5 years, using short forms of the Ages and Stages Questionnaire and the Child Development Inventory. Associations of NND adherence with child development were estimated with linear and logistic regression in crude and adjusted models. Results When examining the NND and child developmental scores as percentages of the total scores, we found positive associations between the NND scores (both maternal pregnancy diet and child diet) and higher scoring on child development (adjusted β^ s [95% confidence intervals] ranging from 0.007 [0.004, 0.009] to 0.045 [0.040, 0.050]). We further found that low and medium adherence to NND were associated with higher odds of later emerging developmental skills compared to high NND adherence at nearly all measured timepoints (odds ratios [95% CI] ranging from significant values 1.15 [1.03–1.29] to 1.79 [1.55, 2.06] in adjusted analyses). Conclusions Our findings support that adherence to a healthy and potentially sustainable diet early in life is important for child development every step of the way from pregnancy until age 5 years.

• Illøkken, Kristine Engebretsen; Ruge, Dorte; Leblanc, Marissa Erin; Øverby, Nina Cecilie & Vik, Frøydis Nordgård (2022). Associations between having breakfast and reading literacy achievement among Nordic primary school students. Education Inquiry. ISSN 2000-4508. doi: 10.1080/20004508.2022.2092978. Full text in Research Archive
• Valand, Ida Ulrikke; Øverby, Nina Cecilie; Strömmer, Sofia; Barker, Mary Elizabeth; Bjornes, Camilla & Nordli, Julie [Show all 11 contributors for this article] (2022). “It is really just brilliant to get credits for something that is so important to you!” Skills for Life: University students’ perceptions of a planned dietary life skills course. PLOS ONE. ISSN 1932-6203. 17(4). doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0260890. Full text in Research Archive
• Johnson, Brittany J; Hunter, Kylie E; Golley, Rebecca K; Chadwick, Paul; Barba, Angie & Aberoumand, Mason [Show all 59 contributors for this article] (2022). Unpacking the behavioural components and delivery features of early childhood obesity prevention interventions in the TOPCHILD Collaboration: a systematic review and intervention coding protocol. BMJ Open. ISSN 2044-6055. 12(1), p. 1–9. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-048165. Full text in Research Archive
• Vik, Frøydis Nordgård; Nilsen, Trude & Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2022). Aspects of nutritional deficits and cognitive outcomes – Triangulation across time and subject domains among students and teachers in TIMSS. International Journal of Educational Development. ISSN 0738-0593. 89. doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2022.102553. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  This article describes associations between breakfast intake and school achievements among Norwegian 9th graders in 2015 and 2019. The study involved a representative sample based on Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), N = 4499 (2015) and N = 4685 (2019). This trend study using structural equation modelling and triangulation revealed a significant positive association between breakfast intake and school achievements among Norwegian 9th graders. This was found for both mathematics and science achievements, in 2015 and 2019, reported both by the students and their teachers. Mediation analyses showed that being hungry at school explained a third of the decrease in science achievement and more than half of the decrease in mathematics achievement from 2015 to 2019.

• Helle, Christine; Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord & Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2022). Associations between infant and maternal characteristics measured at child age 5 months and maternal feeding styles and practices up to child age two years. PLOS ONE. ISSN 1932-6203. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0261222. Full text in Research Archive
• Hunter, Kylie E; Johnson, Brittany J; Askie, Lisa; Golley, Rebecca K; Baur, Louise A & Marschner, Ian C [Show all 60 contributors for this article] (2021). Transforming Obesity Prevention for CHILDren (TOPCHILD) Collaboration: protocol for a systematic review with individual participant data meta-analysis of behavioural interventions for the prevention of early childhood obesity. BMJ Open. ISSN 2044-6055. 12(1), p. 1–11. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-048166. Show summary

  Introduction: Behavioural interventions in early life appear to show some effect in reducing childhood overweight and obesity. However, uncertainty remains regarding their overall effectiveness, and whether effectiveness differs among key subgroups. These evidence gaps have prompted an increase in very early childhood obesity prevention trials worldwide. Combining the individual participant data (IPD) from these trials will enhance statistical power to determine overall effectiveness and enable examination of individual and trial-level subgroups. We present a protocol for a systematic review with IPD meta-analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of obesity prevention interventions commencing antenatally or in the first year after birth, and to explore whether there are differential effects among key subgroups. Methods and analysis: Systematic searches of Medline, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), PsycInfo and trial registries for all ongoing and completed randomised controlled trials evaluating behavioural interventions for the prevention of early childhood obesity have been completed up to March 2021 and will be updated annually to include additional trials. Eligible trialists will be asked to share their IPD; if unavailable, aggregate data will be used where possible. An IPD meta-analysis and a nested prospective meta-analysis will be performed using methodologies recommended by the Cochrane Collaboration. The primary outcome will be body mass index z-score at age 24±6 months using WHO Growth Standards, and effect differences will be explored among prespecified individual and trial-level subgroups. Secondary outcomes include other child weight-related measures, infant feeding, dietary intake, physical activity, sedentary behaviours, sleep, parenting measures and adverse events. Ethics and dissemination: Approved by The University of Sydney Human Research Ethics Committee (2020/273) and Flinders University Social and Behavioural Research Ethics Committee (HREC CIA2133-1). Results will be relevant to clinicians, child health services, researchers, policy-makers and families, and will be disseminated via publications, presentations and media releases.

• Beinert, Cecilie; Øverby, Nina Cecilie & Vik, Frøydis Nordgård (2021). Project LifeLab Food and Health – Innovative Teaching for the Future: Development of Student Active Learning Tasks for Home Economics Education in the 21st Century. Center for Educational Policy Studies Journal – CEPS Journal. ISSN 1855-9719. 11(4), p. 63–80. doi: 10.26529/CEPSJ.1179.
• Øverby, Nina Cecilie; Medin, Anine Christine; Valen, Erlend Larsen; Salvesen, Lorentz; Wills, Andrew Keith & Engeset, Dagrun [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2021). Effectiveness of a digital dietary intervention program targeting young adults before parenthood: protocol for the PREPARED randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open. ISSN 2044-6055. 11(12). doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-055116. Full text in Research Archive
• Blomkvist, Eli Anne Myrvoll; Wills, Andrew Keith; Helland, Sissel Heidi; Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord & Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2021). Effectiveness of a kindergarten-based intervention to increase vegetable intake and reduce food neophobia amongst 1-year-old children: a cluster randomised controlled trial. Food & Nutrition Research (FNR). ISSN 1654-6628. 65. doi: 10.29219/fnr.v65.7679. Full text in Research Archive
• Rai, Anam Shakil; Sletner, Line; Jenum, Anne Karen; Øverby, Nina Cecilie; Stafne, Signe Nilssen & Lekva, Tove [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2021). Identifying women with gestational diabetes based on maternal characteristics: an analysis of four Norwegian prospective studies. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth. ISSN 1471-2393. 21. doi: 10.1186/s12884-021-04086-9. Full text in Research Archive
• Helland, Sissel Heidi; Øverby, Nina Cecilie; Blomkvist, Eli Anne Myrvoll; Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord; Strømmer, Sofia & Barker, Mary Elizabeth [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2021). Wow! They really like celeriac! Kindergarten teachers' experiences of an intervention to increase 1-year-olds' acceptance of vegetables. Appetite. ISSN 0195-6663. 166. doi: 10.1016/j.appet.2021.105581. Full text in Research Archive
• Illøkken, Kristine Engebretsen; Øverby, Nina Cecilie; Johannessen, Berit & Vik, Frøydis Nordgård (2021). Possible effects of a free school meal on school environment: The School Meal Intervention in Norway . Journal of the International Society for Teacher Education. ISSN 1029-5968. 25(1), p. 8–20. Full text in Research Archive
• Illøkken, Kristine Engebretsen; Johannessen, Berit; Barker, Mary Elizabeth; Hardy-Johnson, Polly; Øverby, Nina Cecilie & Vik, Frøydis Nordgård (2021). Free school meals as an opportunity to target social equality, healthy eating, and school functioning: experiences from students and teachers in Norway. Food & Nutrition Research (FNR). ISSN 1654-6628. 65. doi: 10.29219/fnr.v65.7702. Full text in Research Archive
• Vik, Frøydis Nordgård; Grasaas, Erik; Polspoel, Maaike E. M.; Røed, Margrethe; Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord & Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2021). Parental phone use during mealtimes with toddlers and the associations with feeding practices and shared family meals : a cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health. ISSN 1471-2458. 21. doi: 10.1186/s12889-021-10757-1. Full text in Research Archive
• Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord; Sagedal, Linda R.; Bere, Elling & Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2021). Family meal participation is associated with dietary intake among 12-month-olds in Southern Norway. BMC Pediatrics. ISSN 1471-2431. 21. doi: 10.1186/s12887-021-02591-6. Full text in Research Archive

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• Helland, Sissel Heidi & Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2021). Barn, matmot og måltider. Helsefremmende og pedagogisk praksis. Cappelen Damm Akademisk. ISBN 9788202709778. 164 p.

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• Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2024). Nutrition now – intervention to enhance early-life nutrition by focusing on the essential first 1000 days.
• Vik, Frøydis Nordgård & Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2024). Mat og måltidsglede .
• Øverby, Nina Cecilie; Helle, Christine & Helland, Sissel Heidi (2024). Forskerfokus: Den lange veien mot (noe) Matnyttig.
• Helle, Christine & Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2024). Hvordan fremme gode spisevaner blant barn gjennom helsestasjonen. Christine Helle og Nina Cecilie Øverby fra UIA presenterer Matnyttig –forskningsprosjekt som skal fremme god ernæring tidlig i livet.
• Helle, Christine; Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord & Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2023). Public health nurses' wishes, needs and expectations for the development and use of a new online resource on early nutrition – A qualitative study in the Nutrition Now project .
• Valand, Ida Ulrikke & Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2023). Skills for life-podden, episode 2: Mat og ernæring i et livsløpsperspektiv: Hva forsker vi på, og hvorfor synes vi det er viktig? [Internet]. Spotify, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts. Show summary

  Professor Nina Øverby forteller om mat og ernæring i et livsløpsperspektiv og om hvorfor vi synes dette er viktig å forske på!

• Helland, Sissel Heidi & Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2023). The Sapere Method in Early Childhood Education and Care. Nutrition Now project and Sensory training according to the Sapere method.
• Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2023). UiA-prosjektet Matnyttig skal nå lanseres i 400 barnehager. [Radio]. NRK, Sørlandssendingen.
• Ostojic, Sergej & Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2023). Editorial: Scientific integrity in nutritional research. Frontiers in Nutrition. ISSN 2296-861X. 10. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2023.1323265.
• Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2023). Hvordan arbeide for å bli et prioritert forskningssenter? Hvordan drive et senter og opparbeide en portefølje med mange eksterne prosjekter?
• Øverby, Nina Cecilie & Helland, Sissel Heidi (2023). Matnyttig- Å fremme gode matvaner og matomsorg de første 1000 dagene av et barns liv.
• Øverby, Nina Cecilie & Helland, Sissel Heidi (2023). Matnyttig- å fremme gode matvaner og matomsorg de første 1000 dagene av livet.
• Medin, Anine Christine & Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2023). Matnyttig - tidlig innsats - de første 1000 dagene.
• Vik, Frøydis Nordgård & Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2023). Matnyttig - en digital ressurs med fokus på de 1000 første dagene.
• Vik, Frøydis Nordgård & Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2023). Presentasjon av Matnyttig .
• Vik, Frøydis Nordgård & Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2023). Matnyttig - tidlig innsats - de første 1000 dagene.
• Vik, Frøydis Nordgård & Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2023). Matnyttig - tidlig innsats med fokus på de første 1000 dagene.
• Vik, Frøydis Nordgård & Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2023). 320521.
• Vik, Frøydis Nordgård & Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2023). Matnyttig - Hvordan fremme gode matvaner de første 1000 dagene? Show summary

  Matnyttig er et samarbeidsprosjekt mellom UiA, Agder Fylkeskommune, Arendal kommune og Agder kommuner hvor implementering av ny forskningsbasert kunnskap omkring matvaner tidlig i livet er sentralt. Målgruppene er gravide, foreldre til barn 0-2 år og barnehageansatte. Arenaene hvor Matnyttig kan brukes er barnehagen og helsestasjon. Matnyttig er støttet av Norges Forskningsråd.

• Valand, Ida Ulrikke; Øverby, Nina Cecilie; Kiland, Charlotte; Bjørkkjær, Tormod; Bjornes, Camilla & Nordli, Julie [Show all 9 contributors for this article] (2023). The development of course content for a dietary life skills course targeting students – co-creation with future users .
• Vik, Frøydis Nordgård; Rutter, Harry; Medin, Anine Christine; Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord & Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2023). Implementation of early-life nutrition through digital interventions in a community in Southern Norway -The Nutrition Now project.
• Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2023). Skolemelk: Tine gjør hel(melk)-omvending. [Internet]. TV2.no.
• Øverby, Nina Cecilie & Helle, Christine (2023). Er det sammenhenger mellom kosthold tidlig i livet og senere pykisk helse og personlighet?
• Øverby, Nina Cecilie & Helle, Christine (2023). Sammenhenger mellom kosthold tidlig i livet, psykisk helse og personlighet.
• Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2023). Ekspertgruppe bidro til nye kostråd. Nå kjenner flere av dem ikke igjen rådene: – Jeg vil ikke ha navnet mitt på dette. [Internet]. Aftenposten.
• Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2023). The Nutrition Now project- implementing digital dietary interventions in Norway targeting diet in the first 1000 days of life.
• Helland, Sissel Heidi; Bjørkkjær, Tormod; Vejrup, Kristine & Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2023). Facilitators and barriers related to the forthcoming implementation of a web-based “healthy eating” resource to support ECEC staff: A qualitative interview study with teachers .
• Bjørkkjær, Tormod & Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2023). Hvilken betydning har mat og måltider for læring i grunnskolen?
• Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2023). Rewilding our First Foods: Healthier and Sustainable Diets in Early Life Have Implications for Mental Health and Positive Personality Traits.
• Stiansen, Yngve; Øverby, Nina Cecilie & Helle, Christine (2023). Barne-kosthold påvirker psyken. [Radio]. NRK Sørlandssendinga.
• Øverby, Nina Cecilie; Helle, Christine & Baksaas, Jenny Marie (2023). Kan barns kosthold påvirke personligheten deres? [Internet]. Psykologisk.no.
• Øverby, Nina Cecilie; Helle, Christine & Humberset, Kathrine (2023). Forskere fant sterk sammen­heng mellom kosthold og barns person­lighet: – Viser seg å være enda klarere enn vi tidli­gere har trodd. [Newspaper]. Varden; varden.no.
• Øverby, Nina Cecilie; Helle, Christine & Humberset, Kathrine (2023). Forskere fant sammenheng mellom kosthold og barns personlighet: – Viser seg å være enda klarere enn vi tidligere har trodd. [Newspaper]. Sunnmørsposten; smp.no.
• Øverby, Nina Cecilie; Helle, Christine & Humberset, Kathrine (2023). Forskere fant sammenheng mellom kosthold og barns personlighet: – Viser seg å være enda klarere enn vi tidligere har trodd. [Newspaper]. Romsdals Budstikke; rbnett.no.
• Øverby, Nina Cecilie; Helle, Christine & Humberset, Kathrine (2023). Forskere fant sammenheng mellom kosthold og barns personlighet: – Viser seg å være enda klarere enn vi tidligere har trodd. [Newspaper]. iTromsø; iTromsø.no.
• Øverby, Nina Cecilie; Helle, Christine & Humberset, Kathrine (2023). Forskere fant sammenheng mellom kosthold og barns personlighet: – Viser seg å være enda klarere enn vi tidligere har trodd. [Newspaper]. Fædrelandsvennen; fvn.no.
• Øverby, Nina Cecilie; Helle, Christine & Humberset, Kathrine (2023). Forskere fant sammenheng mellom kosthold og barns personlighet: – Viser seg å være enda klarere enn vi tidligere har trodd. [Newspaper]. Bergens Tidene; bt.no.
• Øverby, Nina Cecilie; Helle, Christine & Humberset, Kathrine (2023). Godt kosthold kan gi mer robust personlighet. [Newspaper]. Aftenposten.
• Øverby, Nina Cecilie; Helle, Christine & Humberset, Kathrine (2023). Forskere fant sammenheng mellom kosthold og barns personlighet: – Viser seg å være enda klarere enn vi tidligere har trodd. [Newspaper]. Aftenposten.no/foreldreliv.
• Øverby, Nina Cecilie; Helle, Christine & Wehus, Walter (2023). Slik påvirker kostholdet personligheten din. [Internet]. UiA.no.
• Øverby, Nina Cecilie; Helle, Christine & Wehus, Walter Norman (2023). Slik påvirker kostholdet personligheten din. [Internet]. Forskning.no.
• Øverby, Nina Cecilie; Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord; Helland, Sissel Heidi; Helle, Christine; Wills, Andrew Keith & Lamu, Admassu Nadew [Show all 23 contributors for this article] (2023). Evaluating the effectiveness and implementation of evidence-based early-life nutrition interventions in a community setting a hybrid type 1 non-randomized trial – the Nutrition Now project protocol. Frontiers in Endocrinology. ISSN 1664-2392. 13. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1071489. Full text in Research Archive
• Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2022). Skolemåltid- hvordan ser vi det for oss? [Internet]. LY podden, Lærernes yrkesforbund i Delta.
• Øverby, Nina Cecilie & Vik, Frøydis Nordgård (2022). Tar matforskningen ut i barnehagen. [Newspaper]. Agderposten.
• Øverby, Nina Cecilie & Vik, Frøydis Nordgård (2022). Nytt tilbud til foreldre og barnehager. Mål: Bedre kosthold til barna. [Internet]. Agderposten.no.
• Øverby, Nina Cecilie & Vik, Frøydis Nordgård (2022). Scaling up and implementation of obesity prevention interventions in the first 2000 days. Perspectives from Norway.
• Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2022). Ny trend: Faster store deler av dagen. [Newspaper]. Aftenposten.
• Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2022). Det er blitt en trend blant menn. Etter noen uker følte Henrik Fadseth seg som en steinaldermann. [Internet]. Aftenposten.no.
• Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2022). Ny EFSA-vurdering om helseeffekter av sukker i mat og drikke – hovedfunn fra rapporten .
• Øverby, Nina Cecilie & Vik, Frøydis Nordgård (2022). Matnyttig - et NFR implementeringsforskningsprosjekt .
• Øverby, Nina Cecilie; Nilsen, Trude & Vik, Frøydis Nordgård (2022). Derfor er frokosten så viktig for skoleelever. Aftenposten (morgenutg. : trykt utg.). ISSN 0804-3116.
• Øverby, Nina Cecilie; Nilsen, Trude & Vik, Frøydis Nordgård (2022). Derfor er frokosten så viktig for skoleelever. Aftenposten (morgenutg. : trykt utg.). ISSN 0804-3116.
• Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2022). Elever som dropper frokost presterer dårligere på skolen. [Internet]. https://www.nrk.no/sorlandet/elever-som-dropper-frokost-pres.
• Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2022). Frokost og matte. [TV]. NRK Kveldsnytt.
• Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2022). Frokost og matte. [TV]. NRK Sørlandet.
• Øverby, Nina Cecilie; Helle, Christine; Medin, Anine Christine; Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord & Vik, Frøydis Nordgård (2021). Tidlig innsats som virker! Fædrelandsvennen. ISSN 0805-3790.
• Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2021). Når mat bare er æsj: Ekspertenes tips om kresne barn. [Newspaper]. vg.no.
• Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2021). Eline (13 md.) vennes til ikke å bli kresen. Dette bør foreldre tenke på tidlig, ifølge forskere. [Internet]. Aftenposten.no.
• Øverby, Nina Cecilie; Helland, Sissel Heidi; Helle, Christine & Vik, Frøydis Nordgård (2021). Kosthold og ernæring i de første 1000 dagene – kan vi investere klokere?
• Vik, Frøydis Nordgård; Grasaas, Erik & Øverby, Nina Cecilie (2021). Sjekker du mobilen og svarer på et par mail mens smårollingen spiser? . Forskning.no. ISSN 1891-635X.
• Illøkken, Kristine Engebretsen; Øverby, Nina Cecilie & Vik, Frøydis Nordgård (2021). Hva mener elevene selv om gratis skolemat? Forskning.no. ISSN 1891-635X.
• Øverby, Nina Cecilie & Helland, Sissel Heidi (2021). Hvordan gi små barn variert kosthold - forskere Sissel H. Helland og Nina C. Øverby /gjest Harald Eia.
• Vik, Frøydis Nordgård; Øverby, Nina Cecilie & Beinert, Cecilie (2021). Utdanningsnivået blant mat- og helse-lærere er urovekkende lavt . Aftenposten (morgenutg. : trykt utg.). ISSN 0804-3116.
• Agnihotri, Neha; Øverby, Nina Cecilie; Hillesund, Elisabet Rudjord & Bere, Elling (2023). A healthy and potentially sustainable Nordic diet in early life and aspects of child growth and development. Universitetet i Agder. ISSN 1504-9272. Full text in Research Archive

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