Aspects Of Dietary Intake Research Articles

Dietary patterns during pregnancy in relation to maternal dietary intake: The Mutaba'ah Study.

To relate adherence to healthy dietary patterns, evaluated by different dietary indices, to the intake of nutrients and food groups among pregnant women in the United Arab Emirates. The analyses included 1122 pregnant women from the Mutaba'ah Study. Dietary intake was assessed using a semi-quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire. Adherence to three dietary pattern indices was assessed; Alternate Healthy Eating Index for Pregnancy (AHEI-P), Alternate Mediterranean Diet (aMED) and Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH). Associations between adherence (score >median) to the three dietary indices and intake of nutrients and food groups were analyzed using logistic regression analysis. Women with higher intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids, fiber, vegetables, fruits, legumes, and nuts and lower intake of saturated fatty acids, red meat, and sweetened beverages had significantly higher odds of adherence to all three dietary patterns (p<0.05). Associations between intakes of nutrients and food groups with odds of adherence to the dietary patterns differed for total fat (only with AHEI-P, [odds ratio [OR]: 0.96; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.94-0.98]) and monounsaturated fatty acids (only with aMED, [OR: 1.06; 95% CI: 1.02-1.10]), dairy (with AHEI-P [OR: 0.89; 95% CI: 0.84-0.95] and aMED [OR: 0.86; 95% CI: 0.81-0.91], and with DASH [OR: 1.10; 95% CI: 1.04-1.17]), whole grain (only with aMED [OR: 2.19; 95% CI: 1.61-2.99] and DASH [OR: 4.27; 95% CI: 3.04-5.99]) and fish (with AHEI-P [OR: 1.36; 95% CI: 1.02-1.80] and aMED [OR: 1.79; 95% CI: 1.35-2.38], and with DASH [OR: 0.67; 95% CI: 0.52-0.86]). Adherence to the three dietary pattern indices was generally associated with a favorable intake of nutrients and food groups. However, the indices captured slightly different aspects of dietary intake. These results show that dietary indices that assess adherence to healthy dietary patterns cannot be used interchangeably.

Association between dietary intake and risk of Parkinson's disease: cross-sectional analysis of survey data from NHANES 2007-2016.

While dietary factors have shown an association with Parkinson's disease (PD), the available data remains a subject of ongoing debate and controversy. We sought to evaluate potential relationships between dietary consumption of nutrients and micronutrients and risk of PD in a large sample. Cross-sectional data were retrospectively analyzed for 10,651 adults aged 40-80 years that had been collected in the US between 2007 and 2016 as a component of the nationwide National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Aspects of dietary intake were compared between those who reported having specific PD medication regimens or not when they completed the survey, and potential associations between diet and risk of PD were explored using binomial logistic regression. We employed Propensity Score Matching (PSM) to minimize the impact of potential confounding factors, thus enhancing the reliability of the results. Additionally, subgroup analysis based on gender and age was conducted to investigate these relationships. Higher dietary intake of iron was linked to greater PD risk [odds ratio (OR) 1.065, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.019-1.114, p = 0.006], whereas risk decreased with higher intake of vitamin K (OR 0.999, 95% CI 0.998-1.000, p = 0.024) or vitamin C (OR 0.998, 95% CI 0.996-0.999, p = 0.039). Even after applying PSM, the connection between dietary iron intake and dietary vitamin C intake with PD risk remained substantial. Subgroup analysis results revealed a significant positive association between dietary intake of iron from food and the PD risk, which was evident among individuals under 60 years of age and among males. The intake of micronutrients can influence risk of PD, which should be verified and explored further in prospective samples with other dietary habits and ethnic backgrounds.

A Comparison of Dietary Patterns and Factors Influencing Food Choice among Ethnic Groups Living in One Locality: A Systematic Review.

Globally, the number of minority ethnic groups in high-income countries is increasing. However, despite this demographic change, most national food consumption surveys are not representative of ethnically diverse populations. In consequence, many ethnic minorities’ dietary intakes are underreported, meaning that accurate analysis of food intake and nutrient status among these groups is not possible. This systematic review aims to address these gaps and understand differences in dietary intakes and influencers of dietary habits of ethnic groups worldwide. A systematic search was conducted through three databases (Pubmed, Web of Science and Scopus) and manual searches, generating n = 56,647 results. A final search of these databases was completed on 13 September 2021, resulting in a total of 49 studies being included in this review. Overall, food group intakes—particularly fruit, vegetable and fish intake—and diet quality scores were seen to differ between ethnicities. Overall Black/African American groups were reported to be among the poorest consumers of fruit and vegetables, whilst Asian groups achieved high diet quality scores due to higher fish intakes and lower fat intakes compared to other groups. Limited data investigated how nutrient intakes, dietary and meal patterns compared between groups, meaning that not all aspects of dietary intake could be compared. Socioeconomic status and food availability appeared to be associated with food choice of ethnic groups, however, confounding factors should be considered more closely. Future work should focus on comparing nutrient intakes and meal patterns between ethnicities and investigate potential targeted interventions which may support adherence to food-based dietary guidelines by all ethnic groups.

Longer Nap Duration During Ramadan Observance Positively Impacts 5-m Shuttle Run Test Performance Performed in the Afternoon.

It is well-documented that changes in the rhythm of life during Ramadan affect sleep schedules (i.e., interruption of night sleep patterns) and are likely to have negative effects on physical and cognitive performances. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of different naps opportunities’ durations during Ramadan on performance of short-duration repetitive maximal exercise and perception of effort. Fifteen physically active men (age: 21 ± 3 years, height: 177 ± 6 cm, body-mass: 73 ± 10 kg) performed a 6 × 30-s shuttle run test after a 25-min nap (N25), a 45-min nap (N45), and in a no-nap condition (NN) during three experimental periods: ∼2 weeks before Ramadan (BR), the last ten days of Ramadan (ER), and ∼3 weeks after Ramadan (AR). During the shuttle run test performed in the late afternoon, the greatest distance (GD), the total distance (TD) and a fatigue index (FI) were assessed. Rating of perceived exertion (RPE) was determined after each 30-s effort. Dietary intake and sleep quality were assessed in each of the three periods. Compared to BR, GD and TD were lower in the ER testing period (p = 0.005; d = 0.54) but returned to BR levels in the AR period. During ER, carbohydrate intake was lower (p = 0.04; d = 0.2), and sleep duration and sleep quality were reduced (d = 0.27 and 0.54, respectively), although other aspects of dietary intake and sleep pattern were not affected. Compared to NN, GD and TD were higher after N25 (d = 0.57 and 0.34, respectively) and N45 (d = 0.93 and 0.88 respectively). RPE was lower in N45 (p = 0.035, d = 0.84). N45 resulted in higher TD (p = 0.021, d = 0.13) and lower RPE (p = 0.004; d = 0.57) compared to N25 during ER. Taking a daytime nap benefits subsequent performance in a shuttle run test, whether sleep the previous night was normal (as in BR) or compromised (as in ER). The benefits of napping were greater after a 45-min nap opportunity than after a 25-min nap opportunity.

Diet and root surface caries in a cohort of older Japanese.

Root surface caries experience tends to increase with age. The purpose of this longitudinal study was to evaluate the relationship between aspects of dietary intake, including milk and sucrose in coffee or tea (SCT), and root surface caries in older Japanese individuals. 303 community-dwelling older individuals (age 75years) were enrolled for analysis. All participants underwent a dental examination at baseline and then annually from 2003 to 2008 (ie six times over a 5-year period). A disease event was considered to have occurred when root surface caries was detected on a previously sound or nonexposed root surface. Over the observation period, disease events in each year were counted. Dietary habits during the preceding month were evaluated using a brief self-administered diet history questionnaire (BDHQ) in 2003 and 2008. Poisson regression analysis performed crude and adjusted increment-rate ratios (IRRs) for root surface caries and the intake of milk and SCT. The adjusted increment-rate ratio (IRR) of the increment of root surface caries for participants in the highest SCT tertile was 1.72 (95%CI: 1.40-2.14) compared with the referent group. In addition, for the amount of milk intake, the adjusted IRR in the highest tertile was 0.63 (95% CI: 0.51-0.78) compared with the referent group. Much SCT and low milk intake were associated with the increment of root surface caries in community-dwelling older people in Japan. These findings suggest that to help prevent root surface caries, community-dwelling older people in Japan should consume adequate amounts of milk daily and limit their intake of SCT.

Efficacy and acceptability of a pilot dietary intervention focusing on self-compassion, goal-setting and self-monitoring.

Overweight and obesity are universal health challenges. Recent evidence emphasises the potential benefits of addressing psychological factors associated with obesity in dietary programmes. This pilot study investigated the efficacy and acceptability of a combined online and face-to-face dietary intervention that used self-compassion, goal-setting and self-monitoring to improve dietary behaviour, as well as psychological factors associated with dietary behaviour. Embedded mixed methods including a 4-week before-after trial and a one-on-one interview. Quantitative outcomes of the study were the levels of self-compassion; eating pathology; depression, anxiety and stress; and dietary intake. Qualitative outcomes were participants' perceptions about the acceptability of the intervention. UNSW Kensington campus. Fourteen participants with overweight and obesity aged between 18 and 55 years old. Results showed that the intervention significantly improved self-compassion and some aspects of dietary intake (e.g. decrease in energy intake) at Week Four compared with Week Zero. Some aspects of eating pathology also significantly decreased (e.g. Eating Concern). However, changes in self-compassion over the 4 weeks did not significantly predict Week Four study outcomes, except for level of stress. Most participants found self-compassion, goal-setting and self-monitoring to be essential for dietary behaviour change. However, participants also indicated that an online programme needed to be efficient, simple and interactive. In conclusion, the current study provides preliminary but promising findings of an effective and acceptable combined online and face-to-face intervention that used self-compassion, goal-setting and self-monitoring to improve dietary habits. However, the results need to be examined in future long-term randomised controlled trials.

Electrolytes and Cardiovascular Disease Risk.

The relationship between sodium intake and blood pressure is a well-studied phenomenon; however, the impact of sodium intake on cardiovascular disease risk and mortality is controversial. Recent studies conclude that weak evidence exists to support sodium restriction for the prevention of cardiovascular mortality in normotensive and hypertensive adults, suggesting that sodium restriction may be an ineffective strategy for disease prevention. Further evidence points to the importance of balancing sodium and potassium intake, a balance commonly achieved with a healthier diet containing greater quantities of fruits and vegetables. The purpose of this article is to highlight dietary strategies that may prove to be more effective in reducing cardiovascular disease risk. Limitations of current methods used to estimate nutrient intake are described as they relate to this topic. Further research is needed to advance understanding of various aspects of dietary intake that are health protective and allow for the development of more effective public education strategies.

Depression and eating styles are independently associated with dietary intake

Depression and eating styles are two important, interrelated factors associated with dietary intake. However, it remains unclear whether depression and eating styles are independently associated with dietary intake, and whether associations between depression and dietary intake are mediated by eating styles. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to investigate the associations of, and interplay between depression and eating styles in relation to different aspects of dietary intake. Cross-sectional data from 1442 participants (healthy controls (22.7%), remitted (61.0%) and current patients (16.3%)) from the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety were used. Linear regression analyses were used to determine associations of depressive disorders (DSM-IV based psychiatric interview), self-reported depressive symptoms (Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology), emotional, external and restrained eating (Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire) with 4 measures of dietary intake (total energy intake (kcal/d), Mediterranean diet score (MDS), intake of sweets foods (g/d), and snack/fast-food (g/d)) measured with a 238-item food frequency questionnaire. Statistical mediation analyses were used to study whether associations between depression and dietary intake were mediated by eating styles. Current depression diagnosis and severity were associated with lower MDS and higher intake of sweet foods and snack/fast-food. Emotional and external eating were associated with higher intakes of snack/fast-food; external eating was also associated with higher total energy intake. Restrained eating was associated with lower total energy and intake of sweet foods, and higher MDS. Associations between current depression or severity and intake of snack/fast-food were mediated by external eating. In general, depression and eating styles contributed independently to poorer diet quality and higher intake of sweet and snack/fast-food. The association between depression and higher intake of snack/fast-food was mediated by external eating.

Dietary Intake, Behaviors and Psychosocial Factors Among Women from Food-Secure and Food-Insecure Households in the United States.

Determine whether macro- and micro-nutrient intake, energy intake, diet quality, adherence to recommended dietary intake, and psychosocial and behavioral factors are associated with household food security. Baseline data from in-person interviews and telephone-based, 24-hour dietary recall from women recruited to a diet and physical activity controlled trial. Neighborhoods encompassing 18 urban census tracts in South Carolina. Participants (n=202) were predominantly African American (87%), overweight or obese women aged 25 to 51 years with mean body mass index of 40.6±8.7. Macro- and micro-nutrient intake, energy intake, diet quality, adherence to recommended dietary intake (via multi-pass, 24-h recall); diet-related self-efficacy and social support, healthy/lowfat and emotional eating behaviors, and depressive symptoms. Women in food-secure (FS) and food insecure (FI) households were not different on health and sociodemographic characteristics. Women in FI households had lower self-efficacy and healthy/low-fat eating behaviors, and higher emotional eating and depressive symptoms compared with women in FS households. The groups did not differ on social support. Significant dietary differences were few (FS>FI on protein and lean meat; FS<FI on carbohydrate intake). For 29 of 35 (74%) dietary intake recommendations, less than 75% of women in both groups met each recommendation. While food security status was associated with diet-related psychosocial and behavioral factors, it was associated with few aspects of dietary intake. Dietary intake overall was poor. Participants were not meeting guidelines for a diet supportive of general health or weight loss and management, regardless of food security status.

Obesogenic dietary intake in families with 1-year-old infants at high and low obesity risk based on parental weight status: baseline data from a longitudinal intervention (Early STOPP).

Purpose To compare dietary intake in 1-year-old infants and their parents between families with high and low obesity risk, and to explore associations between infant dietary intake and relative weight.Methods Baseline analyses of 1-year-old infants (n = 193) and their parents participating in a longitudinal obesity intervention (Early STOPP) were carried out. Dietary intake and diet quality indicators were compared between high- and low-risk families, where obesity risk was based on parental weight status. The odds for high diet quality in relation to parental diet quality were determined. Associations between measured infant relative weight and dietary intake were examined adjusting for obesity risk, socio-demographics, and infant feeding.ResultsInfant dietary intake did not differ between high- and low-risk families. The parents in high-risk families consumed soft drinks, French fries, and low-fat spread more frequently, and fish and fruits less frequently (p < 0.05) compared to parents in low-risk families. Paternal intake of vegetables and fish increased the odds for children being consumers of vegetables (OR 1.7; 95 % CI 1.0–2.9) and fish, respectively (OR 2.5; 95 % CI 1.4–4.4). Infant relative weight was weakly associated with a high intake of milk cereal drink (r = 0.15; p < 0.05), but not with any other aspect of dietary intake, obesity risk, or early feeding patterns.ConclusionsAt the age of one, dietary intake in infants is not associated with family obesity risk, nor with parental obesogenic food intake. Milk cereal drink consumption but no other infant dietary marker reflects relative weight at this young age.

The Diet and Behaviour Scale (DABS): Testing a New Measure of Food and Drink Consumption in a Cohort of Secondary School Children From the South West of England

&lt;p class="Mdeck3abstract"&gt;A multitude of instruments exist to assess dietary intake. Many, however, are time-consuming to administer, focus primarily on macronutrient composition or the effects of specific micronutrients, and do not consider the effects of foods and drinks that fail to add significant nutritional contributions (e.g. energy drinks, chewing gum). In order to address these issues the current paper introduces the Diet and Behaviour Scale (DABS). This 29-item questionnaire is used to measure both the frequency and amount of consumption of common foods and drinks, with a particular onus on functional foods and dietary variables of current concern. The DABS was administered to a large cohort of secondary school children from the South West of England at two time-points. At Time 1 (December, 2012) the cohort consisted of 3071 pupils, 2030 of whom responded to the questionnaire; at Time 2 (June, 2013) 3323 pupils made up the cohort, and 2307 completed the questionnaire. Factor analysis yielded a four-factor solution labelled Junk Food, Caffeinated Soft Drinks/Gum, Healthy Foods, and Hot Caffeinated Beverages. When investigating how these factors were related to demographic and lifestyle variables, Chi-square analyses uncovered the following relationships: being male was associated with high Junk Food intake; sleeping for fewer hours than average, achieving low school attendance, and having poor general health were associated with high intake of Caffeinated Soft Drinks/Gum; lower school year, more sleep, more frequent exercise, and good general health were associated with high intake of Healthy Foods; and being male, having a special educational needs status, reporting fewer hours of sleep, and being in an older school year were associated with a high intake of Hot Caffeinated Beverages. Whilst controlling for demographic and lifestyle variables, logistic regression analyses determined that poor general health was predicted by high consumption of Caffeinated Soft Drinks/Gum and low consumption of Healthy Foods. Though additional studies are required to further test the questionnaire and its associated factor structure, the DABS is considered to be a useful self-report measure of certain aspects of dietary intake, and is proposed as a useful tool for future research investigating dietary influences on psychological variables such as mental wellbeing.&lt;/p&gt;

Effects of increased wholegrain consumption on immune and inflammatory markers in healthy low habitual wholegrain consumers.

Wholegrain (WG) consumption is associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, but clinical data on inflammation and immune function is either conflicting or limited. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of increasing WG consumption to at least 80 g/day on markers of inflammation and glucose metabolism and on phenotypic and functional aspects of the immune system, in healthy, middle-aged adults with low habitual WG intake. Subjects consumed a diet high in WG (>80 g/day) or low in WG (<16 g/day, refined grain diet) in a crossover study, with 6-week intervention periods, separated by a 4-week washout. Adherence to the dietary regimes was achieved by dietary advice and provision of a range of food products, with compliance verified by analysis of plasma alkylresorcinols (ARs). On the WG intervention, WG consumption reached 168 g/day (P < 0.001), accompanied by an increase in plasma ARs (P < 0.001) and fibre intake (P < 0.001), without affecting other aspects of dietary intake. On the WG arm, there were trends for lower ex vivo activation of CD4(+) T cells and circulating concentrations of IL-10, C-reactive protein, C-peptide, insulin and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1. The percentage of CD4(+) central memory T cells and circulating levels of adipsin tended to increase during the WG intervention. Despite the dramatic increase in WG consumption, there were no effects on phenotypic or functional immune parameters, markers of inflammation or metabolic markers.

An Evaluation of a Project Regarding the Acceptance of Value Addition to Nutrition in Primary and Higher Secondary School Children in Bairagarh, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh

The quantitative and qualitative aspects of dietary intake are important factors influencing the nutritional status in young children in a developing country. The type of food pattern determines the dietary bulk and nutritional intake in young children. The need for care and value addition to the routine food pattern is increasingly felt as an important component in child health and nutrition. In a developing country like India, ensuring optimal food safety, healthy environment and availability of health services is a target still to be achieved. This project was done to understand the acceptance of low cost, effective and healthy dietary intervention among school children as they are the most vulnerable group to experience health problems related to under nutrition, malnutrition or simple childhood obesity. The aim of study is to examine the acceptance of dietary intervention in primary and higher secondary school children. The value addition was done by providing a dietary intervention of sprouted green gram in quanti ty of 50 gms and 100 gms at a cost INR 2/- and INR 4/- respectively. The dietary intervention was implemented in schools after assessment of their nutritional status, eating habits environmental factor such as parent level of education, commonly preferred food types by children and their parents. Six schools were identified and awareness campaign for a total population of 7200 students was conducted, following which and 2000 children consented to adopt this dietary supplement. The program was monitored for 5 months. The result revealed that 1900 students were consuming sprouted green gram on the regular by adopting it in their daily routine which 95% adoption rate. These school children were interviewed by a team of 8 doctors from Sant Hirdaram Medical College of Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences over a period of 15 days. 45% of the children revealed their liking for sprouts because of its health benefits. 27% of the children revealed the motivation and monitoring of patents as the reason of their regular consumption, and the remaining 28% stated that they were partially influenced by their friends but were unable to describe correctly what influenced them to consume sprouts

Dietary Interventions in Asthma

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways. The inflammatory response in asthma is heterogeneous. Allergen specific responses lead to activation of the acquired immune system, via a predominantly IL-5 mediated, eosinophilic pathway. Stimuli such as viruses and bacteria activate the innate immune system, via a predominantly IL-8 mediated, neutrophilic pathway. Asthma has also been demonstrated to involve a systemic inflammatory component. Glucocorticoids are the predominant pharmacological treatment used to control inflammation in asthma. However, compliance with medications can be compromised due to patient concerns about side effects. Hence dietary interventions that target the inflammatory response in asthma have great potential. Various aspects of dietary intake are known to modulate inflammation. Saturated fatty acids can induce an inflammatory response via activation of pattern recognition receptors. Omega-3 fatty acids can be anti-inflammatory, via mechanisms such as modification of eicosanoid production. Antioxidants can have anti-inflammatory effects as they scavenge free radicals, preventing activation of transcription factors including NF-κB. Chronic excess energy intake can lead to obesity, which augments inflammation due to the release of inflammatory mediators by adipose tissue. Here we review the role of these dietary components in asthma.

Meal and snack patterns associated with biomarkers of glucose metabolism, diet quality and weight status in US adults

Epidemiological investigations established the associations between insulin resistance (IR), anthropometry and certain aspects of dietary intake. Our aim was to examine if meal and snack patterns are associated with biomarkers of glucose metabolism (fasting glucose and insulin, HbA1c, and HOMA‐IR), diet quality (HEI 2005), and weight (wt) status (BMI). Dietary recall data of 2175 men and 2191 women from the 2007–8 NHANES were subjected to factor analysis by gender by 19 food groups of MyPyramid Equivalents Database 2.0. Accounting for the complex survey design and sample wt, SAS v. 9.3 was used for logistic regressions. Of four meal patterns in men, two were associated (+) and one (−) with diet quality; the fourth(“grain and dairy”) was related with HbA1c and HOMA‐IR (p&lt;0.05). Two meal patterns of women were associated (+) and one (−) with diet quality; the fourth (“fruit and alcohol”) indicated (+) for HbA1c, diet quality, and wt status. Snack patterns alone reflected total diet quality (p&lt;0.05), but not biomarkers of glucose metabolism nor wt status in both gender. Meal and/or snack patterns of US adults are associated differentially with biomarkers of glucose metabolism, diet quality, and wt status.Grant Funding Source: None

No meaningful association of neighborhood food store availability with dietary intake, body mass index, or waist circumference in young Japanese women

The affordability of food is considered as an important factor influencing people's diet and hence health status. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to test the hypothesis that neighborhood food store availability is associated with some aspects of dietary intake and thus possibly with body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference in young Japanese women. Subjects were 989 female Japanese dietetic students 18 to 22 years of age. Neighborhood food store availability was defined as the number of food stores within a 0.5-mile (0.8-km) radius of residence (meat stores, fish stores, fruit and vegetable stores, confectionery stores/bakeries, rice stores, convenience stores, and supermarkets/grocery stores). Dietary intake was estimated using a validated, comprehensive self-administered diet history questionnaire. No association was seen between any measure of neighborhood food store availability and dietary intake, except for a positive association between confectionery and bread availability (based on confectionery stores/bakeries, convenience stores, and supermarkets/grocery stores) and intake of these items (P for trend = .02). Further, no association was seen for BMI or waist circumference, except for an inverse relationship between availability of convenience stores and BMI and a positive relationship between store availability for meat (meat stores and supermarkets/grocery stores) and fish (fish stores and supermarkets/grocery stores) and waist circumference. In conclusion, this study of young Japanese women found no meaningful association between neighborhood food store availability and dietary intake, BMI, or waist circumference, with the exception of a positive relationship between availability and intake for confectionery and bread.

Studies of Twins Indicate That Genetics Influence Dietary Intake

Habitual dietary intake is a complex behavior that may have both biological and nonbiological bases. We estimated the contribution of genetic and environmental influences on dietary intake in a large population-based sample of healthy twins. Data originated from a cross-sectional study of 600 male and female healthy twin pairs with self-reported food consumption frequency using a validated questionnaire with 247 foods and recipes. Estimates of relative proportion of additive genetic, nonadditive genetic, shared environmental, and unshared environmental effects on various aspects of dietary intake were obtained by quantitative genetic modeling of twin data based on linear structural equations. The analyses demonstrated genetic influence on total energy, macronutrient energy, and dietary fiber intakes, the glycemic index and the glycemic load of the foods consumed, and the dietary energy density, with significant heritability estimates ranging from 0.25 (0.11–0.38) to 0.47 (0.31–0.60) in men and 0.32 (0.12–0.48) to 0.49 (0.35–0.61) in women. When analyzing dietary intake as the intake of energy from 20 food groups, the genetic and environmental influences differed among food groups and between gender. For some food groups (fruit for both genders, poultry and eggs for men), no genetic influence was found, whereas nonadditive genetic effects were demonstrated for other food groups (juices and eggs for women). A number of food groups had shared environmental influences (potatoes, vegetables, fruits, poultry, fish, margarine, and candy). These results provide evidence for both genetic and shared environmental effects on dietary intake. Although the remaining nonshared environmental effects include measurement errors, there appears to be considerable potential for individually modifiable effects.

Facts From Feces: Nitrogen Still Measures Up as a Nutritional Index for Mammalian Herbivores

Abstract: Fecal nitrogen (FN) has been applied widely as an index of dietary quality in studies of nutritional ecology of free‐ranging and captive vertebrate herbivores, particularly ruminants. Three related articles in the Journal of Wildlife Management (JWM; Leslie and Starkey 1985, 1987; Hobbs 1987) have been cited (n = 150) in 87 publications and 39 peer‐reviewed journals. The critique by Hobbs (1987) and the reply by Leslie and Starkey (1987) on limitations and appropriate applications of FN have been used to justify use of FN or negate its value as a nutritional proxy. We undertook a retrospective analysis of FN applications since 1985, largely because we sensed that methodological cautions noted in the 3 JWM publications were not being followed, leading to faulty conclusions and management applications, and that application protocols needed updating. From January 1986 through July 2007, the 107 species‐by‐continent applications of FN, citing the 3 JWM publications singly or in any combination, were diverse; FN was used in various ways on 5 continents and for 50 wild and domestic species. Cumulative rates of departure from recommended FN applications increased in recent years, largely in studies that compare different species while failing to fully acknowledge that differences likely reflected digestive capabilities rather than differences in some aspect of dietary intake. Post‐1985 research on plant secondary compounds (e.g., tannins) has refined limitations to the application of FN, permitting more straightforward protocols than were possible in 1985. Although use does not necessarily reflect value, the number of published applications during the past 22 years indicates that peer reviewers from a variety of scientific disciplines view FN as a suitable proxy for nutritional status, which can be used to contrast study units when carefully defined by the study design. Any index can have shortcomings, and there are still circumstances when application of FN is problematic. Precise prediction of intake with FN under field conditions is still hampered by inherent variability, but contrasts of comparable study units and species can be appropriate. Published protocols for FN, as amended herein, should be adhered to, and conclusions are strengthened by the use of multiple nutritional indices.

Cancer: Dairy Paradox

The etiology of colorectal disease revolves around genetic and environmental factors, particularly diet. A meta-analysis in the 7 July 2004 issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute suggested that consuming more dairy products and calcium may reduce colorectal cancer risk, but epidemiologic studies on this link have yielded inconsistent results. One explanation for this inconsistency may be the timing of exposure: cancer develops over decades, and early-life exposures to carcinogens and growth factors could be a critical factor. A new study designed to address this possibility has found that adults who consumed more dairy during childhood may have a greater risk of developing colorectal cancer in adulthood. The results appear in the December 2007 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Colorectal cancer is among the leading causes of mortality in developed countries; according to the National Cancer Institute, about 630,000 deaths were expected to occur worldwide in 2007. Even moderate changes in diet and lifestyle could prevent at least 70% of all colorectal cancer cases, according to a review in the December 2002 Gastroenterology Clinics of North America. The main culprits appear to be excessive caloric intake, as well as frequent consumption of red meat, processed meats, alcohol, and refined carbohydrates. The historical cohort study employed data from the Carnegie Survey, conceptualized by Sir John Boyd Orr, which recorded food consumption patterns in 1,343 English and Scottish families from 1937 to 1939. The survey was designed to investigate the long-range impact of children’s diet, growth, living conditions, and health on adult cardiovascular disease. Dietary data were obtained using a 7-day household inventory; also, weighed inventories of all foods in the household were conducted at the start and end of the survey period. The average follow-up time for adults included in this study was 65 years; 4,374 individuals were available for follow-up between 1948 and 2005. Daily intake of dairy products ranged from less than 0.5 cup at the lowest level to nearly 2 cups at the highest; liquid milk constituted 94% of the dairy intake. Those individuals who grew up in families reporting the highest levels of dairy consumption showed a nearly threefold increase in the risk of colorectal cancer compared with those from families reporting the lowest intake. The elevated risk remained even after the researchers adjusted the data for potential confounders such as socioeconomic status and meat, fruit, and vegetable intake. No other cancers were significantly affected by higher dairy intakes. “The mechanisms underlying these associations remain unknown, but there is increasing evidence that nutrition early in life can have long-lasting programming effects,” says lead author Jolieke C. van der Pols, an epidemiologist at the University of Queensland. For example, childhood dairy intake appears to be inversely associated with adulthood concentrations of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), a key player in the development and progression of colorectal cancer. But it’s the effect of early dairy intake on childhood (rather than on adult) concentrations of IGF-1 that may be the important mediator of colorectal cancer risk. The findings seem perplexing given previous research showing an association between high dairy/calcium consumption and lower risk of colorectal cancer in adulthood. “In adults, this protection occurs despite the increase in growth factors, which would be expected to increase risk,” says epidemiologist Edward Giovannucci of the Harvard School of Public Health. “It is possible, though not proven, that the increase in growth factors early in life may be more important for colorectal cancer risk.” Giovannucci asserts that the new findings are biologically plausible and warrant efforts to replicate these findings in other populations and settings. Andrew Szilagyi, a gastroenterologist and assistant professor of medicine at McGill University School of Medicine, points out the lack of data on adult dietary intakes in the Boyd Orr cohort. “We do not know any aspects of dietary intake in adulthood,” Szilagyi says. “Nor do we know that the adults who developed colorectal cancer were also the very children in the families that indeed had higher dairy intakes.” In light of the fact that most studies have reported a protective effect of dairy products, it is important to determine the extent to which the former diet was continued into adulthood, he notes. The milk consumption levels identified as posing a significant cancer risk in the Boyd Orr cohort are similar to current average intakes for U.S. children. Nonetheless, the researchers assert that it would be premature to consider altering current guidelines for children’s nutrition. “Dairy products are important contributors to children’s intake of protein, vitamins, and minerals,” says van der Pols. “Because this is only the first study to show associations between childhood dairy consumption and risk of cancer in adulthood, more evidence is needed before any firm conclusions can be drawn.”

Is dietary intake able to explain differences in body fatness in children and adolescents?

Obesity is the result of an imbalance between energy intake and energy expenditure. Controversial information exists about what are the strongest energy balance aspects influencing body fatness. This article is focused on food consumption facts that could be related to the risk of being obese in children and adolescents. It reviews whether energy intake, macronutrient composition of diet, eating patterns or other dietary intake factors are able to explain differences in body composition when obesity has been already developed or even in subjects at risk to become obese. There is not enough evidence to clarify the importance of diet on overweight children and adolescents, and conclusions derived are somewhat controversial. Cross-sectional and longitudinal studies do not show clear relationships between energy intake or food composition and body fatness. To find relations between dietary factors and childhood obesity perhaps eating patterns or different types of foods must be considered: meal patterns and meal frequency, snacking and beverage consumption, fast food intake, portion sizes, etc. There is no clear association between different aspects of dietary intake and the development of obesity in children and adolescents. Longitudinal and experimental studies are needed in the future.