Actual Intake Research Articles

Discrepancy between food offered and consumed during hospitalization in older adult patients

AbstractMalnutrition is one of the most frequent geriatric syndromes and a key contributor to frailty. Ageing is commonly associated with modifications in eating habits with changes in appetite and food intake. Malnutrition is not only a sign of illness, but its presence increases morbidity, hospital stay, institutionalization, poor quality of life, in-hospital complications, expenses, and mortality. Hospitalized patients have increased calorie requirements to overcome the increased energy expenditure due to acute disease. We aimed to evaluate the actual consumption of the food offered to a sample of hospitalized older adults. Sixty hospitalized patients (women/men = 23/37) were recruited sequentially. After participants signed an informed consent, we evaluated their mean actual intake of macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, and fats) at lunch during three consecutive days, calculated with a nutrition analysis software from the weighted food (first course, second course, side dishes) measured before and after consumption. Other parameters assessed included self-sufficiency by the capacity to perform basic and instrumental activities of daily living (ADL, IADL), cognitive performance with Mini Mental State Evaluation (MMSE), Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), physical performance with the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and handgrip dynamometry, EAT-10 test for the assessment of swallowing capacity, and anthropometric parameters. Mean ± SD of the main parameters assessed were as follows: age 77.8 ± 9.3 years, BMI 27.1 ± 8.7 Kg/m2, ADL 3.8 ± 2.0, IADL 4.1 ± 2.8 (indicative of compromise self-efficacy), MMSE 21.8 ± 5.9, SSPB 5.3 ± 3.1, handgrip dynamometry 16.5 ± 7.8 Kg (indicative of mild to moderate cognitive and physical impairment). The mean intake of macronutrients for the 3-day assessment was 65.7 ± 20.6% of carbohydrates, 74.3 ± 30.4% of proteins, and 47.4 ± 38.1% of fats of the total amount offered at lunch. Older patients tended to have lower intakes of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, while participants with higher SPPB had higher intakes of carbohydrates and proteins. The results of the present study show that hospitalized older adults, with compromised autonomy, physical and cognitive performance, had lower consumption compared to what is offered to them in the hospital despite their elevated nutritional needs due to the acute illness leading to hospitalization. Undernutrition and weight-loss are key factors associated with increased mortality and morbidity. Therefore, it is crucial to set appropriate nutritional interventions in hospitalized patients, particularly those with disability and cognitive decline. Early recognition and treatment of malnutrition are essential preventive measures to improve the quality of care, quality of life, and decrease mortality risk in hospitalized older adults.

Selenium deficiency risk in central Kenya highlands: an assessment from the soil to the body.

Selenium (Se) deficiency is associated with increased risk of clinical disorders. Yet, it has not been considered as an important public health issue in Africa. The health burden of this 'hidden hunger' remains largely unknown. Using a case study of central Kenya highlands, a cross-sectional survey assesses Se status of agricultural soils, foods, hair, and actual average dietary Se intake of the local population and investigates the soil-food Se concentration and Se intake-individual Se status relationships. The survey examines eight locations characterized by different agricultural soil types and assesses average dietary Se intake among 159 children and 111 women based on 24-h dietary recall data. Soil Se concentration does not explain Se concentration in foods, which instead is associated with soil's pH, organic matter, and P and Fe content. Cereal grains, beans and potato/green banana form a large portion of the local diet while intake of animal-based foods is limited. This results in Se intake of 15 and 33µgp-1d-1 for children and women, respectively. On average, 87% of children and 97% of women have inadequate average daily dietary Se intake, and the hair Se concentration of 92% children and 94% women is below the reference values. Soil's characteristics contribute to variation in Se concentration in foods and consequently the dietary Se intake. A low diversified diet is a key contributing factor to inadequate dietary Se intake in the region. These findings call for the need to investigate potential intervention measure and the health burden of Se deficiency.

Remote digital monitoring of medication intake: methodological, medical, ethical and legal reflections

ABSTRACT In 2017, regulatory approval was given in the US for a ‘digital pill’, a pill for which actual ingestion could be remotely monitored. The pill, Abilify Mycite is marketed by Otsuka but the monitoring system derives from Proteus Digital Health. In this paper, we focus on this digital pill and another equivalent system from AiCure which relies on facial recognition. Both systems not only remind the patient to take a pill but also verify the actual intake. In this process, patient-related data beyond the fact that the pill has been taken are also collected and sent to a remote computer system of the system-providing company and possibly to third parties. Although marketed as ‘innovative’, the introduction of such systems raises questions as to the limitation of patient autonomy, secondary uses of patient data, impact on the physician’s liability, and artificial inflation of drug prices. Whereas incorrect medication taking can be problematic, it can be questioned whether remote intake-monitoring systems are, from an ethical, legal and social perspective, the ideal way to address this. In this paper, we will reflect on this question from the position of the different potential stakeholders involved.

Moisture content of high-straw dry cow diets affects intake, health, and performance of transition dairy cows

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of adding water to a high-straw dry cow diet on feeding behavior, health, and performance of dairy cows. Holstein cows (n = 40) entering their second or greater lactation were enrolled at dry off (∼45 d before expected calving) and assigned to 1 of 2 dietary treatments, consisting of a high-straw dry cow total mixed ration [TMR; 36% wheat straw, 41% corn silage, 23% pellet, on a dry matter (DM) basis, formulated for 11.6% crude protein, 1.35 Mcal/kg net energy for lactation] with (1) no water (CON; n = 20; DM = 53.4%) or (2) water added to decrease the DM by ∼10 percentage points (wet diet, WD; n = 20; DM = 45.4%). Upon calving, all cows were fed the same lactating TMR (45.2% DM, 14.9% crude protein, 1.68 Mcal/kg net energy for lactation) and followed for 28 d. Dry matter intake, feeding behavior, and rumination activity were recorded automatically. Fresh TMR and orts samples were collected 2×/wk to determine differences in sorting. A particle separator was used to separate feed samples into 4 fractions: long (>19 mm), medium (<19, >8 mm), short (<8, >4 mm), and fine (<4 mm) particles. Feed sorting was calculated as actual intake of each particle fraction expressed as a % of predicted intake. Cows fed WD had greater DM intake during the dry period than cows fed CON (CON = 13.4 ± 0.24, WD = 14.2 ± 0.24 kg/d), but rumination did not differ (CON = 522.2 ± 8.48, WD = 518.5 ± 8.69 min/d) between treatments. Cows fed WD tended to consume their feed faster (CON = 0.08 ± 0.001, WD = 0.09 ± 0.001 kg of DM/min) compared with CON cows. Regardless of treatment, cows sorted against the longest ration particles, with cows fed CON sorting more against these (CON = 81.1 ± 2.51%, WD = 94.9 ± 2.58%). Cows fed CON tended to sort more in favor of the medium particles than those fed WD (CON = 105.0 ± 0.36%, WD = 104.2 ± 0.37%). Postcalving DM intake and feeding behavior were not affected by dry diet treatment. Cows fed WD experienced a less rapid daily decline in rumen pH during the first 7 d after calving compared with those fed the CON diet. The results suggest that increasing the moisture content of high-straw dry cow diets, by adding water, may improve intake and reduce sorting against the longest ration particles, which may help promote consistency in targeted nutrients consumed during the dry period and greater rumen health in early lactation.

FEATURES OF THE MICRONUTRIENT COMPOSITION OF THE DIET IN TUBERCULOSIS PATIENTS AFFECTING

Introduction. The status of polyhypovitaminosis accompanying tuberculosis infection being widespread develops both as a result of the disease and side effects of drugs, and because of insufficient food intake. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the micronutrient composition of the diet of tuberculosis patients in the acute stage and healthy people in a comparative aspect. Material and Methods. The method of analyzing the frequency of food consumption assessed the actual nutrition of tuberculosis patients in the acute stage (n = 300) and healthy residents of the region (n = 189). Data on the actual nutrition was collected using a standard questionnaire. In tuberculosis patients, nutrition was evaluated in the month preceding hospitalization. The consumption in the main product groups was calculated, the indices of the vitamin and mineral value of the diet were analyzed. Results. In most patients, the profile of actual consumption was assessed as deficient for several vitamins and trace elements simultaneously. All the examined showed a deficiency in the diet of vitamin D, 80.7 ± 2.3% - vitamin A, 82.0 ± 2.2% - beta-carotene, 90.3 ± 1.7% - folic acid, 63, 7 ± 2.8% of biotin, 45.7 ± 2.8% of ascorbic acid, 49.0 ± 2.8% of vitamin B1, 53.3 ± 2.8% of vitamin PP. Calcium, iodine and selenium are also among the priority ones for the correction of micro- and macro-elements. Differences in the values of actual micronutrient intake were found: in patients with tuberculosis, the levels of beta-carotene, vitamins B2, pantothenic acid, C, D, biotin, choline, calcium, phosphorus are lower; above - consumption of sodium, fluorine, manganese. Differences in micronutrient ration security are determined by unequal amounts of food groups consumed: the nutrition of tuberculosis patients is lower in terms of the content of fruits, dairy, meat products, eggs, and more bread products and drinks. Conclusion. The features of the micronutrient composition of the diet of tuberculosis patients, which determine the need for their correction in the organization of medical nutrition, are established.

Impacts of heifer postweaning residual feed intake classification on reproductive and performance measurements of first, second, and third parity Angus beef females.

This study evaluated heifer postweaning residual feed intake (RFI) classification on reproductive and performance measurements of first-, second-, and third-parity Angus beef females. We analyzed the annual, as well as, cumulative production of 347 Angus females from birth through weaning of their third calf. Heifer postweaning RFI was calculated as the actual dry matter intake minus the predicted dry matter intake based on the average daily gain of the contemporary group on an annual basis. Heifers were categorized based on RFI as either low ( +0.50 SD from the mean) within year. There was no RFI × Parity interaction (P ≥ 0.14) observed for all production/reproduction traits except for conception rates (P = 0.02). Julian birth date of cows was influenced by RFI classification (P < 0.01) and displayed a quadratic (P = 0.02) effect with high RFI cows being born earlier in the calving season than average RFI cows (71.2 vs. 75.3 d), but did not differ from low RFI cows (74.0 vs. 75.3 d). Cow birth weight, weaning weight, as well as all other cow weight and body condition measurements were not influenced by RFI classification (P ≥ 0.14). As expected, there was a linear increase in cow body weight at weaning with increasing parity (P < 0.01). Cow RFI classification had no influence on progeny weaning weight, birth date, calving interval, or postpartum interval (P ≥ 0.15). Calf birth weights displayed a quadratic parity effect (P < 0.01) with first calf heifers having calves with lower birth weights than second- and third-parity calves. Calf 205-d adjusted weaning weights displayed a quadratic effect (P = 0.01) with first calf heifers weaning lighter calves than second- and third-parity cows. Weaning weight ratio displayed a linear decrease with increasing parity (P < 0.01). Cow conception probability displayed a linear tendency for pregnancy 2 (P = 0.09), and a quadratic tendency for pregnancy 4 (P = 0.07) as a function of RFI classification, but no effects were observed for pregnancy 1 and 3. Cow artificial insemination conception rates differed by year of pregnancy (P < 0.01), but not RFI classification (P = 0.81). In summary, heifer postweaning RFI classification had minimal effects on beef cattle production and reproductive efficiency.

The Integration of Recipes with a Standardizable Food Description FACET for Cadmium Exposure Risk Assessment.

Existing food classification and description systems provide users with limited information related to exposure assessment. Our aim in this work is to propose a standardized food description facet called the Taiwan Food Recipe (TFR) system as an emerging tool for food composition, with detailed food ingredient information, including names, proportions, weights of uncooked and cooked foods, etc. The composite foods listed in the Taiwan Nutrition and Health Survey were collected into a list and as consumption data. The TFR system is intended to help analysts reduce potential estimation bias, where, for example, risk assessment results may be overestimated or underestimated due to the complexity of the composition in the composite foods. Based on a Taiwanese food database, we further illustrate and demonstrate how the TFR system can be applied to the assessment of risk of cadmium (Cd) exposure in rice ingredients in the composite food products. In the original system (HFDFC system), the composite food intakes used total weight to estimate the hazard index (HI) of cadmium in the exposure risk assessment, but the percentage of rice was not 100%. The proposed TFR system estimates the percentage of rice and actual intakes in composite foods. Fried rice, sushi, and rice balls in the study were the most common foods containing rice and had higher consumption rates among Taiwan’s rice-based composite foods. The HIs of fried rice, sushi, and rice balls were 0.09, 0.10, and 0.13, respectively, in the HFDFC system. In the TFR system, the HIs of rice in fried rice, sushi, and rice balls were 0.06, 0.04 and 0.05, respectively. The HI of other components in fried rice, sushi, and rice balls were 0.03, 0.06 and 0.08, respectively. More precise HIs were thus shown. The TFR system contributes to global food classification and description systems by providing an appropriate, standardized, and generalized framework for exposure assessments.

A multicenter cross-sectional study on chronic critical illness and surgery-related chronic critical illness in China

Objective: To understand the prevalence, diagnosis and treatment of chronic critical illness (CCI) in China. Methods: The clinical data of 472 adult patients admitted to ICU in 53 hospitals, including basic information, disease-related data, nutrition program, etc., were collected on May 10, 2019, by means of multi-center cross-sectional study. If surgical intervention was needed or the occurrence of the disease was directly related to the surgery, ICU patients were regarded as surgical ICU cases (n=211). In this study, the diagnostic criteria for CCI were: (1) admission to ICU >14 days;(2) combined with persistent organ dysfunction. The prevalence,distribution and treatment of CCI and surgery-related CCI were recorded and analyzed. The Mann-Whitney U test, chi-square test or Fisher exact test were used for comparative analysis. Results: Among the 472 ICU patients from 53 hospitals, 326 were male (69.1%) and 146 were female (30.9%). The prevalence of CCI was 30.7% (145/472). Among 211 surgery-related ICU patients, 57 developed CCI with a prevalence of 27.0%. As compared to non-CCI patients, higher APACHE II score [median (IQR) 13.5 (10.0, 18.3) vs. 11.0 (7.0, 16.0), U=2970.000, P=0.007], higher Charlson comorbidity index [median (IQR) 4.0 (2.0, 7.0) vs. 3.0 (1.0, 5.0), U= 3570.000, P=0.036] and higher ratio of breath dysfunction [68.4% (39/57) vs. 48.1% (74/154), χ(2)=6.939, P=0.008] and renal dysfunction [42.1% (24/57) vs. 18.2% (28/154), χ(2)=12.821, P<0.001] were found in surgery-related CCI patients. While SOFA score, Glasgow coma score and other visceral function were not significantly different between surgery-related CCI and non-CCI patients (all P>0.05). NUTRIC score showed that surgery-related CCI patients had higher nutritional risk [43.9% (25/57) vs. 26.6%(41/154), U=5.750, P=0.016] and higher ratio of mechanical ventilation [66.7% (38/57) vs. 52.3% (79/154), χ(2)=3.977, P=0.046] than non-CCI patients. On the survey day, the daily caloric requirements of 50.2% (106/211) of surgery-related ICU patients were calculated according to the standard adult caloric intake index (104.6 to 125.5 kJ·kg(-1)·d(-1), 1 kJ=0.239 kcal), and the daily caloric requirements of 46.4% (98/211) of patients were calculated by physicians according to the severity of the patient's condition. 60.2% (127/211) of nutritional support therapy was enteral nutrition (including a combination of enteral and parenteral nutrition), while the remaining patients received parenteral nutrition (24.6%, 52/211), simple glucose infusion (9.0%, 19/211), or oral diet (6.2%, 13/211). The target calorie of CCI group was 104.6 (87.9, 125.5) kJ·kg(-1)·d(-1), and the actual calorie intake accounted for 0.98 (0.80, 1.00) of the target calory. In the non-CCI group, the target calorie was 104.6 (87.9, 125.5) kJ·kg(-1)·d(-1), and the actual calorie consumed accounted for 0.91 (0.66, 1.00) of the target calorie. There was no statistically significant difference between two groups (P=0.248, P=0.150). Conclusion: The prevalence of CCI and surgery-related CCI in ICU is high, along with severe complications, respiratory and renal dysfunction and mechanical ventilation. Surgical patients admitted to ICU are at high nutritional risk, and active and correct nutritional support is essential for such patients.

Toxic Effects of Food Colorants Erythrosine and Tartrazine on Zebrafish Embryo Development

Erythrosine and tartrazine are common artificial food additives which have become a part of daily human consumption. Advised daily intake values for these agents are set strictly, however, the actual intake is much higher than the recommended ADI. A higher intake of erythrosine and tartrazine is shown to exhibit adverse effects in mammalian models, and is thus a matter of public health concern. In this study we have assessed and compared the dose-dependent effects of erythrosine and tartrazine on inducing oxidative stress in zebrafish embryos. We performed the superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme activity assay to test the effect of the two food colorants on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Erythrosine and tartrazine treated embryos showed significantly increased SOD activity in an enzyme assay. Additionally SOD mRNA transcripts in the treated embryos were found to be upregulated. Erythrosine and tartrazine treatment specifically altered SOD1 mRNA transcript levels while it had no effect on SOD2 mRNA, the other isoform found in zebrafish. Our study shows that erythrosine at a concentration of 0.05% is embryotoxic in a dose and time dependent manner. Tartrazine treated embryos exhibit similar toxicity at a concentration of 0.5%. Erythrosine treated zebrafish embryos hatch much slower when compared to tartrazine treated embryos and control embryos. While erythrosine affects the yolk utilization, tartrazine exhibits teratogenic effects on early zebrafish embryos. The mRNA expression as well as biochemical analysis indicates that exposure to food colorants induces cytoplasmic SOD transcription to combat the ROS toxicity in zebrafish embryos.

Predictors of Perceived Salt Intake and Actual Salt Intake in Romania. Implications for public policy

Salt intake is one of the important predictors of hypertension, a widespread chronic disease among adults. Much remains to be known about its causes, especially in the Romanian context, where there is a scarcity of analyses on this particular topic. Its predictors are relevant for public policy in order to evaluate what strategy should be adopted given actual levels of salt intake and the way people think about their levels of salt intake. Our analyses focus on actual and perceived salt intake. Data for this analysis come from the SEPHAR project, gathered in 2016 (wave 3), a nationally representative sample of Romanians. After noting a major discrepancy between perceived and actual levels of salt intake, we used two regressions with actual and perceived salt intake as dependent variables and three types of factors as independent variables: socio-demographic (age, gender, region, type of locality, education), lifestyle (fat diet, alcohol consumption, active lifestyle, and smoking) and related diseases (obesity and diabetes). Results show Romanians have similar levels of salt intake perceptions independently of the characteristics considered, except fat diet and diabetes, and similar levels of actual salt intake except age and gender, even though previous research shows that there are differences between individuals across these characteristics when it comes to considering hypertension as a dependent variable. We conclude by noting policy interventions regarding salt intake based on the results of this research, especially the need to update the current Romanian TV campaign to reduce salt intake or similar campaigns from other countries.

Predictors of Perceived Salt Intake and Actual Salt Intake in Romania. Implications for public policy

Salt intake is one of the important predictors of hypertension, a widespread chronic disease among adults. Much remains to be known about its causes, especially in the Romanian context, where there is a scarcity of analyses on this particular topic. Its predictors are relevant for public policy in order to evaluate what strategy should be adopted given actual levels of salt intake and the way people think about their levels of salt intake. Our analyses focus on actual and perceived salt intake. Data for this analysis come from the SEPHAR project, gathered in 2016 (wave 3), a nationally representative sample of Romanians. After noting a major discrepancy between perceived and actual levels of salt intake, we used two regressions with actual and perceived salt intake as dependent variables and three types of factors as independent variables: socio-demographic (age, gender, region, type of locality, education), lifestyle (fat diet, alcohol consumption, active lifestyle, and smoking) and related diseases (obesity and diabetes). Results show Romanians have similar levels of salt intake perceptions independently of the characteristics considered, except fat diet and diabetes, and similar levels of actual salt intake except age and gender, even though previous research shows that there are differences between individuals across these characteristics when it comes to considering hypertension as a dependent variable. We conclude by noting policy interventions regarding salt intake based on the results of this research, especially the need to update the current Romanian TV campaign to reduce salt intake or similar campaigns from other countries. Keywords: Salt intake perceptions, actual salt intake, public policy, SEPHAR, regression

Risk Assessment of Sulphite Exposure through Foods Among Adolescents of Delhi (India)

Background:Sulphites added as preservatives in food have been associated with adverse health effects in humans.Objective:The present study was designed with an objective of assessing the risk of sulphite exposure through food in adolescents (12-16 years old) of Delhi, India.Methods:A total of 1030 adolescents selected from four private and four government schools of Delhi, were asked to record their food intake using a 24 hour food record, repeated on three days, for assessing exposure to sulphites. The risk was assessed using six different scenarios of exposure.Results:The actual intake for sulphites for average consumers was 0.15 ± 0.13 mg / kg b.w. / day which was 21.4% of acceptable daily intake (ADI). For high consumers (P95), it was 65% of the ADI. However, for 2 respondents, the actual intake exceeded the ADI. The major food contributors to sulphite intake were beverage concentrates (46%), ready to serve beverages (22%) followed by miscellaneous food items (16%), mainly ice creams and snowballs. Estimation of sulphite intake using different exposure scenarios revealed that for certain scenarios where the highest reported sulphite level or maximum permissible levels were considered for calculation, the high consumers exceeded the ADI, though, for average consumers, intake was well below the ADI.Conclusion:Actual intake of sulphite for average consumers was well below the ADI but for high consumers was approaching the ADI. People with sulphite sensitivity need to be aware of hidden food sources of sulphites.

Watching TV Cooking Programs: Effects on Actual Food Intake Among Children

ObjectiveTo test the effects of a cooking program on healthy food decisions. DesignAn experimental between-subjects design with 3 conditions: healthy, unhealthy, and control. SettingClass settings in 5 different schools. ParticipantsOne hundred twenty-five children between 10 and 12 years of age. InterventionsVideo clips of cooking program containing healthy foods versus cooking program containing unhealthy foods versus control program. Main outcome measuresHealthy versus unhealthy food choice. AnalysisLogistic regression analysis, with the control condition as a reference in the first contrast test and the unhealthy food condition as a reference in the second contrast, to examine effects on food choice between conditions. ResultsChildren who watched the cooking program with healthy foods had a higher probability of selecting healthy food than children who watched the cooking program with unhealthy foods (P = .027), or with the control condition (P = .039). Conclusions and ImplicationsThese findings indicated a priming effect of the foods the children were exposed to, showing that nutrition education guided by reactivity theory can be promising. Cooking programs may affect the food choices of children and could be an effective method in combination with other methods to improve their dietary intake.

Dietary intake of sodium and potassium among adult inhabitants and evaluation of survey methods in Tianjin in 2015

Objective: To understand the status and food sources of daily dietary intake of sodium and potassium among adult inhabitants in Tianjin city, and to compare the consistence of sodium and potassium intake determined by combination of 3 consecutive 24-hour recalls and weighing family condiments (3 d dietary survey method) with 24 h urine sodium and potassium determination. Methods: Multistage cluster sampling method was applied to select 1 955 adult inhabitants from 840 households of 7 districts in Tianjin in 2015. Questionnaire survey was used to obtain basic information, 3 d dietary method was used to obtain dietary information, and 450 subjects was selected by systematic random sampling method for 24 h urine collection and determination of sodium and potassium, and 153 complete 24 h urine samples were selected by the coefficient of urinary creatinine excretion, then the consistence of the determination was compared with 3 d dietary survey method. Results: 1 828 subjects were enrolled in this study with age of (54.6±14.7) years, among which 858 were male (46.9%). The average standard intake of sodium and potassium per people per day were (5 631.2±3 372.1) mg and (1 662.1±750.5) mg, while the average actual daily intake were (5 315.8±3 196.5) mg and (1 560.7±696.8) mg. 98.7% (1 804/1 828) of the subjects had dietary sodium intake exceeding the recommended adequate intake of China residents(1 300-1 500 mg/d), while 78.5% (1 435/1 828) consumed dietary potassium below the recommended adequate intake(2 000 mg/d). The main resource of sodium was condiments, among which cooking salt accounted for 61.5%, soy sauce accounted for 11.2%. Potassium mainly came from cereals (32.4%) and vegetables (18.1%). Compared with the 24 h urine sodium method, 3 d dietary method overestimated the sodium intake with a gap [median (P(25), P(75))] as 401.7 (-1 130.6, 1 939.5) mg/d with statistical difference (P<0.05). The gap [median (P(25)-P(75))] for potassium between the two methods was 79.1 (-577.5, 565.2) mg/d, without statistical difference (P>0.05). Conclusion: The dietary intake of sodium is high while potassium is low among adults inhabitants in Tianjin city. Compared with the 24 h urine sodium and potassium determination, the 3 d dietary method has a good consistency in evaluating the dietary potassium intake level of the population, but overestimates the dietary sodium intake.

Acquisition and generalization of appetitive responding in obese and healthy weight females

Findings of a few recent studies suggest that obesity is characterized by deficits in appetitive learning about food cues. This could point towards an increased tendency in obese individuals to overgeneralize appetitive responding to stimuli that resemble the conditioned food cue – possibly explaining frequent eating desires and overeating in obesity. The current study aimed to investigate whether obese individuals 1) indeed exhibit appetitive learning deficits and 2) show overgeneralization of conditioned appetitive responses. Obese and matched healthy-weight females (N = 85) completed a differential appetitive conditioning task using food as rewards. First, appetitive responding to a novel stimulus was learned (acquisition phase), after which stimuli with varying resemblance to the food-associated stimulus were presented (generalization phase). Cue-elicited eating expectancies, eating desires, stimulus evaluations, and actual food intake were examined. Results indicated successful acquisition of appetitive responding across all outcome measures. The acquired responses also generalized, indicating that generalization can function as an additional mechanism by which learned food cues can promote food consumption. The data further suggested that overweight and obesity are not characterized by appetitive learning deficits nor by overgeneralization, but that a subgroup of obese individuals (those high in trait anxiety) may be more prone to overgeneralization of appetitive responding.

Global Surveillance of trans-Fatty Acids.

Trans-fatty acid (TFA) intake can increase the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) morbidity and mortality and all-cause mortality. Industrially produced TFAs and ruminant TFAs are the major sources in foods. TFA intake and TFA-attributed CHD mortality vary widely worldwide. Excessive TFA intake is a health threat in high-income countries; however, it is also a threat in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Data on TFA intake are scarce in many LMICs and an urgent need exists to monitor TFAs globally. We reviewed global TFA intake and TFA-attributed CHD mortality and current progress toward policy or regulation on elimination of industrially produced TFAs in foods worldwide. Human biological tissues can be used as biomarkers of TFAs because they reflect actual intake from various foods. Measuring blood TFA levels is a direct and reliable method to quantify TFA intake.

Hidden sources like saline flushes make a significant contribution to the fluid intake of very low birthweight infants during the first postnatal week.

We examined actual fluid intake, and routes of administration, in very low birthweight (VLBW) infants during the first week of life in a neonatal intensive care unit. This retrospective cohort study comprised 953 infants born at <32weeks and 1500g and treated at Helsinki University Children's Hospital from 2005 to 2013. All parenterally and enterally administered fluids, and their sources, were obtained from our patient information system. Infants were divided into three groups according to their gestational age: 23-26, 27-29 and 30-31weeks. Fluid intake exceeded European guidelines during the first 3days. On days 1-7, total fluid intake was highest in the most premature group (P<.001) and the median total fluid intake in this group peaked at 177mL/kg/d (IQR 154-209) on day three. Intravascular flushes provided a considerable source of fluids, with the median intake in the most preterm group peaking at 26.4mL/kg/d, which represented 15.6% of total fluid intake. During the first 3days of life, our VLBW infants had a higher total fluid intake than the European guidelines. A considerable percentage came from hidden sources, such as saline flushes, which should be taken into account when prescribing fluids.

Successful elevation of circulating acetate and propionate by dietary modulation does not alter T-regulatory cell or cytokine profiles in healthy humans: a pilot study.

Increased circulating concentrations of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) achieved by ingestion of high-fibre diets is associated with anti-inflammatory effects through promotion of FoxP3+ regulatory T(reg) cells in mouse models. This study aimed to determine whether similar increments in blood SCFA levels can be achieved in humans and whether these are associated with similar immune modulatory effects. In a pilot single-blinded, randomised, controlled cross-over study in ten healthy subjects, the effects were determined of high- (39g/day) and low-fibre (18g/day) intake (all food provided) on SCFA (gas chromatography), proportions of Treg cells (flow cytometry) and a panel of cytokines (multiplex methodology) measured in peripheral blood at day 5 of each diet. Actual fibre intake differed between the diets by 19 [16-21] g/day (P< 0.001). Median [range] total plasma SCFA levels with high-fibre intake were 174.5 [104.8-249.5] µmol/L, which were greater than those associated with low-fibre intake at 59.0 [26.5-79.9] (P < 0.001). Differences were significantly different for both acetate and propionate. The frequencies of total CD4 T cells and T-regulatory cells, and concentrations of inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines were not significantly different between the dietary interventions. Plasma SCFA levels can be modulated by altering dietary fibre consumption in healthy individuals with increments similar to those achieved in murine studies. Five days of diet intervention did not result in changes in regulatory T-cell proportions and cytokine concentrations in peripheral blood, and may require longer duration of dietary change.

Nutritional status and dietary diversity of pregnant women in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

BackgroundPregnancy is a critical period during which maternal nutrient intake and nutritional status impact both the mother and the infant. Various factors including good nutrition play a role in a healthy pregnancy outcome. A healthy diet has an important role in the birthweight and well-being of both the mother and the child.AimThe aim of this descriptive study was to determine the nutritional status and food intake of a group of pregnant women (N = 100) in early pregnancy (up to 24 weeks gestation).SettingThe study took place in a Public Health Care Facility located at Umkhumbane (Mayville) and forms part of the EThekwini district operated by the Provincial and eThekwini Municipality situated in Kwa Zulu Natal, South Africa.MethodsThis study utilised a quantitative, descriptive research design and included 100 pregnant women attending a public healthcare clinic in KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa. Consenting women were measured for height and weight to determine body mass index (BMI) as an indicator of nutritional status. Food intake was evaluated through two 24-h dietary recall questionnaires and a food frequency questionnaire. Actual food intake was analysed for nutrient content and compared to the Dietary Reference Intake for women aged 19–30 years. A food variety score and food group diversity score were determined to establish the adequacy of the diet to support the first phase of pregnancy.ResultsExcept for carbohydrates and vitamin A, all the nutrients consumed by the women were lower than the recommended daily amounts. Fruit and vegetable intake was half of the recommended daily amount and a medium food variety score was observed. A large percentage (55%) of the women had a BMI that fell in the obese category.ConclusionAlthough various factors can impact birth outcome, food choices made by women did not reflect the food choices to maintain a healthy pregnancy and contribute to a healthy birth outcome. Nutrition education aimed at girls of childbearing age and pregnant women is important to increase their awareness about a healthy pregnancy and healthy birth outcome.

Assessment of Nutritional Intake and Nutritional Knowledge of Rural Post Menopausal Women

Menopause is one of the most challenging periods for every woman. Balanced diet and healthy life style have a great bearing on their future health. The objective of the study was to assess nutritional intake as well as nutritional knowledge in rural post-menopausal women. The study included 140 disease free post-menopausal women, non-users of HRT recruited from November 2018 to February 2019.Variables including socio-demographic and anthropometric factor, calorie and nutrient intake, food frequency as well as the nutritional knowledge were recorded for each woman. In order to determine dietary intake, information of 24-hour dietary food recall was recorded for three successive days. The results of the study revealed that majority of the respondents belonged to the age group of 45-55 years having mean age at menopause was 50.21±4.05 (45%) of them were belonged to agriculture. Actual mean food and nutrient intake of the respondent was found to be more than RDA which may be due to their eating habits and economics status. BMI of the study population showed that 35.1% overweight and 14.4 % had grade II obesity. The findings showed that rural postmenopausal women, aged 51.65±5.40 years had Energy Intakes (EI) 2226±395 (1.43%) above the RDA, consisting protein (1.2%) and calcium (5.2%) less than RDA and fat (42.8%) above the RDA. Food habits of the respondent indicate insufficient knowledge of nutritional need and recommendation. Low nutritional knowledge was seen in most of the study population. Nutritional knowledge was positively associated with education and socioeconomic status but in this study area most of the women (56.4%) were illiterate and (44.9%) women belongs to lower income group.