Common Food Groups Research Articles

Nutrition at the Intersection between Gut Microbiota Eubiosis and Effective Management of Type 2 Diabetes.

Nutrition is one of the most influential environmental factors in both taxonomical shifts in gut microbiota as well as in the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Emerging evidence has shown that the effects of nutrition on both these parameters is not mutually exclusive and that changes in gut microbiota and related metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) may influence systemic inflammation and signaling pathways that contribute to pathophysiological processes associated with T2DM. With this background, our review highlights the effects of macronutrients, carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids, as well as micronutrients, vitamins, and minerals, on T2DM, specifically through their alterations in gut microbiota and the metabolites they produce. Additionally, we describe the influences of common food groups, which incorporate varying combinations of these macronutrients and micronutrients, on both microbiota and metabolic parameters in the context of diabetes mellitus. Overall, nutrition is one of the first line modifiable therapies in the management of T2DM and a better understanding of the mechanisms by which gut microbiota influence its pathophysiology provides opportunities for optimizing dietary interventions.

Association between dietary patterns and premenstrual disorders: a cross-sectional analysis of 1382 college students in China.

Premenstrual disorders (PMDs) are common among young women and have been linked to metabolic dysfunction. Limited evidence exists regarding the associations between dietary patterns and PMDs. This cross-sectional study involved young female adults recruited from the Care of Premenstrual Emotion (COPE) cohort study in China to examine the relationship between dietary patterns and PMDs in young adulthood. PMDs were assessed using the Calendar of Premenstrual Experiences, and the consumption frequency of 12 common food groups was evaluated using a Food Frequency Questionnaire. We used principal component analysis to identify the dietary patterns and employed logistic regression to investigate the association between dietary pattern adherence and PMDs. The study included 1382 participants, of whom 337 (24.4%) reported having PMDs. Three dietary patterns were identified and named based on regional food preferences: the Traditional North China Diet (TNCD), the Traditional South China Diet (TSCD), and the Lacto-ovo Vegetarian Diet (LVD). The TSCD, characterized by high consumption of rice, red meat, and poultry, showed a significant inverse association with PMDs. This pattern held good for both premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder. These findings suggest that targeted dietary modifications could serve as a localized strategy for PMDs prevention.

Higher Adherence to Cardioprotective Diet is Associated with Reduced Risk of Enterotomy and All-Cause Mortality among 5549 Individuals with Inflammatory Bowel Disease in a Prospective Cohort Study

BackgroundThe cardioprotective diet has been previously reported to be inversely associated with the development of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but whether it is beneficial to improve adverse outcomes in IBD remains unknown. ObjectivesWe aimed to investigate whether the cardioprotective diet is associated with enterotomy and all-cause mortality among individuals with IBD. MethodsWe conducted a prospective cohort study of 5549 participants with IBD from the UK Biobank. Cardioprotective diet scores (range 0–7) were calculated based on the consumption of 7 common food groups collected by a validated food frequency questionnaire. Outcomes of interest were enterotomy and all-cause mortality, ascertained via inpatient data and death registry, respectively. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). ResultsDuring an average follow-up duration of 12.0 y, we documented 506 enterotomy and 566 death events. Compared with participants with the lowest adherence to the cardioprotective diet (score of 0–2), participants with the highest adherence to the cardioprotective diet (score of 5–7) were observed to have a lower risk of enterotomy (HR: 0.60; 95% CI: 0.47, 0.76; P < 0.001; P-trend < 0.001) and all-cause mortality (HR: 0.77; 95% CI: 0.61, 0.98; P = 0.031; P-trend = 0.025). ConclusionsA greater adherence to the cardioprotective diet is associated with a lower risk of enterotomy and all-cause mortality among individuals with IBD.

Diet and Asthma: A Narrative Review

Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease that impacts millions of people worldwide. Recent studies suggest that diet may play a role in asthma pathophysiology. Several dietary factors have been recognized as potential contributors to the development and severity of asthma for its inflammatory and oxidative effects. Some food groups such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats appear to exert positive effects on asthma disease. On the other hand, a high consumption of dietary salt, saturated fats, and trans-fat seems to have the opposite effect. Nonetheless, as foods are not consumed separately, more research is warranted on the topic of dietary patterns. The mechanisms underlying these associations are not yet fully understood, but it is thought that diet can modulate both the immune system and inflammation, two key factors in asthma development and exacerbation. The purpose of this review is to examine how common food groups and dietary patterns are associated with asthma. In general, this research demonstrated that fruits and vegetables, fiber, healthy fats, and dietary patterns considered of high quality appear to be beneficial to asthma disease. Nonetheless, additional research is needed to better understand the interrelation between diet and asthma, and to determine the most effective dietary interventions for asthma prevention and management. Currently, there is no established dietary pattern for asthma management and prevention, and the nuances of certain food groups in relation to this disease require further investigation.

Validation of a Brief Dietary Questionnaire for Use in Clinical Practice: Mini-EAT (Eating Assessment Tool).

Background There is a scarcity of validated rapid dietary screening tools for patient use in the clinical setting to improve health and reduce cardiovascular risk. The Healthy Eating Index (HEI) 2015 measures compliance with the 2015 to 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans but requires completion of an extensive diet assessment to compute, which is time consuming and impractical. The authors hypothesize that a 19-item dietary survey assessing consumption of common food groups known to affect health will be correlated with the HEI-2015 assessed by a validated food frequency questionnaire and can be further reduced without affecting validity. Methods and Results A 19-item Eating Assessment Tool (EAT) of common food groups was created through literature review and expert consensus. A cross-sectional survey was then conducted in adult participants from a preventive cardiology clinic or cardiac rehabilitation and in healthy volunteers (n=661, mean age, 36 years; 76% women). Participants completed an online 156-item food frequency questionnaire, which was used to calculate the HEI score using standard methods. The association between each EAT question and HEI group was analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis test. Linear regression models were subsequently used to identify univariable and multivariable predictors for HEI score for further reduction in the number of items. The final 9-item model of Mini-EAT was validated by 5-fold cross validation. The 19-item EAT had a strong correlation with the HEI score (r=0.73) and was subsequently reduced to the 9 items independently predictive of the HEI score: fruits, vegetables, whole grains, refined grains, fish or seafood, legumes/nuts/seeds, low-fat dairy, high-fat dairy, and sweets consumption, without affecting the predictive ability of the tool (r=0.71). Conclusions Mini-EAT is a 9-item validated brief dietary screener that correlates well with a comprehensive food frequency questionnaire. Future studies to test the Mini-EAT's validity in diverse populations and for development of clinical decision support systems to capture changes over time are needed.

Greater Adherence to Cardioprotective Diet Can Reduce Inflammatory Bowel Disease Risk: A Longitudinal Cohort Study.

Background: The cardioprotective diet was reported to be associated with several chronic cardiometabolic diseases through an anti-inflammation effect. However, the association between the cardioprotective diet and the risk of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) was unclear and deserved to be further explored. Methods: We calculated the cardioprotective diet score based on the consumptions of seven common food groups using the validated food frequency questionnaire data in the UK Biobank. Incident IBD was ascertained from primary care data, inpatient data, and the death registry. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for associations between the cardioprotective diet score and the risk of IBD. Results: During a mean follow-up of 12.1 years, we documented 2717 incident IBD cases, including 851 cases of Crohn’s disease and 1866 cases of ulcerative colitis. Compared to participants with a cardioprotective diet score of 0–1, we observed a decreased risk of IBD among participants with cardioprotective diet scores of 3 (HR 0.85, 95% CI 0.73–0.99), 4 (HR 0.84, 95% CI 0.72–0.98), and 5–7 (HR 0.77, 95% CI 0.66–0.89) (p-trend < 0.001). Conclusions: A greater adherence to the cardioprotective diet was associated with a lower risk of IBD. Our finding highlighted the importance of focusing on the cardioprotective diet to prevent IBD.

Development of the Cook-EdTM Matrix to Guide Food and Cooking Skill Selection in Culinary Education Programs That Target Diet Quality and Health.

Culinary education programs are generally designed to improve participants’ food and cooking skills, with or without consideration to influencing diet quality or health. No published methods exist to guide food and cooking skills’ content priorities within culinary education programs that target improved diet quality and health. To address this gap, an international team of cooking and nutrition education experts developed the Cooking Education (Cook-EdTM) matrix. International food-based dietary guidelines were reviewed to determine common food groups. A six-section matrix was drafted including skill focus points for: (1) Kitchen safety, (2) Food safety, (3) General food skills, (4) Food group specific food skills, (5) General cooking skills, (6) Food group specific cooking skills. A modified e-Delphi method with three consultation rounds was used to reach consensus on the Cook-EdTM matrix structure, skill focus points included, and their order. The final Cook-EdTM matrix includes 117 skill focus points. The matrix guides program providers in selecting the most suitable skills to consider for their programs to improve dietary and health outcomes, while considering available resources, participant needs, and sustainable nutrition principles. Users can adapt the Cook-EdTM matrix to regional food-based dietary guidelines and food cultures.

A Slice of Food Protein-Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome (FPIES): Insights From 441 Children With FPIES as Provided by Caregivers in the International FPIES Association

To characterize the demographics, food triggers, risk factors, and management in children with food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES).In the study, researchers included information about 441 children from 403 families with caregiver-reported FPIES among members of the lay organization, the International Food Protein-Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome Association.This is a retrospective analysis of surveys completed at an FPIES educational conference (n = 42) and online (n = 368).Most children were female (51%), White (86%), and atopic (55%), and the median age was 2 years (range: 2 months to 19 years). Avoided food groups included grains (60%; primarily, oat [37%] and rice [34%]), cow’s milk (52%), vegetables (43%; most common: sweet potato [17%]), and fruits (38%). Avocado was the most commonly avoided fruit (13%) and was associated with banana avoidance (P < .001). The median number of food groups avoided was 3. Having a first-degree relative with FPIES was significantly associated with avoiding multiple food groups (P = .035). Caregiver-reported history of their child’s worst acute FPIES reaction included vomiting (94%) within 1 to 4 hours of ingestion, lethargy (91%), pallor (86%), decreased activity (76%), diarrhea (70%), hypotension (33%), and hypothermia (32%). Overall, 56% of reactions were evaluated in a hospital setting. Treatment most commonly included ondansetron (40%), intravenous hydration (36%), and steroids (16%).Grains were the most common food group avoided. Avocado avoidance was higher than expected and associated with banana avoidance. Avoiding multiple food groups was more common that previously reported, and having a first-degree relative with FPIES was associated with avoidance of multiple food groups.The cardinal feature of FPIES is vomiting that occurs ∼2 hours after ingestion of the food. As noted above, the reaction can include severe and multiple symptoms. This type of food allergy is not IgE-mediated, so skin-prick tests and serum food-specific IgE are typically negative. Many FPIES symptoms mimic viral infections or sepsis, and, indeed, the white blood cell count is often elevated with a “left shift.” This cohort from a lay organization may represent patients with a more severe presentation than typical, but the lessons are clear: suspect FPIES when the cardinal features are noted and no additional explanation arises, and do not be fooled if typically “innocent” foods like rice, oat, avocado, banana, or sweet potato are implicated!

Development of an optimal grocery list based on actual intake from a cross-sectional study of First Nations adults in Ontario, Canada.

A multi-stage sampling strategy selected 1387 on-reserve First Nations adults in Ontario. Foods from a 24-hour dietary recall were assigned to the 100 most common food groups for men and women. Nutrients from market foods (MF) and traditional foods (TF) harvested from the wild as well as MF costs were assigned based on the proportions of total grams consumed. Linear programming was performed imposing various constraints to determine whether it was possible to develop diets that included the most popular foods while meeting Institute of Medicine guidelines. Final models were obtained for both sexes with the top 100 food groups consumed while limiting the nutrient-poor foods to no more than the actual observed intake. These models met all nutrient constraints for men but those for dietary fibre, linoleic acid, phosphorus, and potassium were removed for women. MF costs were obtained from community retailers and online resources. A grocery list was then developed and MF were costed for a family of 4. The grocery list underestimated the actual weekly food cost because TF was not included. Contemporary observed diets deviated from healthier historic First Nations diets. A culturally appropriate diet would include more traditional First Nations foods and fewer MF. Novelty: Linear programming is a mathematical approach to evaluating the diets of First Nations. The grocery list is representative of food patterns within Ontario First Nations and can be used as an alternative to the nutritious food basket used for public health food costing.

Abstract 9748: Validation of a Brief Dietary Questionnaire for Use in Clinical Practice: Mini-EAT TM

Introduction: Limited validated rapid dietary screening tools are available for patient use for actionable goal setting to improve health and reduce cardiovascular risk. The Healthy Index (HEI) Score measures compliance with the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans but requires completion of an extensive food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) to compute, which is time consuming and impractical. Hypothesis: A 19-item dietary survey that assesses consumption of common food groups known to affect health is correlated to the gold standard FFQ and HEI score and can be further reduced without affecting validity. Methods: An evidence-based 19-item Eating Assessment Tool (EAT™) of common food groups was created through literature review and expert consensus. We then conducted a cross-sectional survey of adult patients from a preventive cardiology clinic or cardiac rehabilitation and of healthy volunteers (n=628, mean age= 37 y, 76% women). Participants completed an online 156-item FFQ which was used to calculate the HEI score using standard methods. The association between each EAT™ question and HEI score category was analyzed by Kruskal-Walis test. Linear regression models were used to identify univariable and multivariable predictors for HEI score. The final model of Mini-EAT™ was validated by 5-fold cross validation. Results: The 19-item EAT™ had good correlation with the HEI (r=0.77) and was subsequently reduced to the 8 items independently predictive of the HEI score: fruits, vegetables, whole grains, refined grains, legumes/nuts/seeds, low-fat dairy, high-fat dairy, and sweets consumption, without affecting the predictive ability of the tool (r=0.76). Conclusions: Mini-EAT™ is an 8-item validated brief dietary screener that correlates well with a comprehensive FFQ. Future studies to test the Mini-EAT™’s validity in diverse populations and for development of clinical decision support systems to capture changes over time are needed.

Nitrogen/protein and one-step moisture and ash examination in foodstuffs: Validation case analysis using automated combustion and thermogravimetry determination under ISO/IEC 17025 guidelines

Method validation within food science is a not only paramount to assess method certainty and ensure the quality of the results, but a pennant in analytical chemistry. Proximate analysis is an indispensable requirement for food characterization. To improve proximate analysis, automated protein and thermogravimetric methods were validated according to international guidelines (including ISO 17025) and acceptance criteria of results based on certified reference materials and participation within international recognized proficiency schemes. Common food groups (e.g., meat, dairy, and grain products) were included and at the end of validation, we obtained three rugged and accurate methods with adequate z scores (−2 ≥ x ≤ 2) and recoveries (92–105%). During optimization, variables such as gas flows, subsample masses, and temperatures were varied and specific conditions (those that rendered the best results) were selected for each food group. For each validated method, a comparison (technical and economic) among the data obtained and the data extracted for its traditional counterpart were included: assays validated demonstrate to be more cost-effective labor-wise (ca. 9 and 16-fold) than their traditional alternatives. Specifically for combustion assay regression analysis (y = 0.9361x, y = 1.1001x, and y = 0.9739x, for meat, dairy and grain products, respectively) were performed to assess the factor, if any, which must be applied to the results to effectively match those obtained for Kjeldahl method. Finally, in the case of protein, samples can be analyzed under 5 min with no residue and a subsample mass below 400 mg. Moisture and ash analysis can be performed simultaneously using the same subsample. Data herein will also help harmonize and advance food analysis toward more efficient greener methods for proximate analysis.

Thành phần thức ăn của Thằn lằn chân ngắn Subdoluseps (Squamata: Scincidae) ở phía Nam Việt Nam

Currently, two species of the Asian Agile skinks genus Subdoluseps, including S. bowringii and S. vietnamensis, occur in Vietnam. The former is widely distributed throughout the country while the later has been recorded in the coastal areas of Binh Thuan and Ba Ria-Vung Tau provinces. Analyses of 46 stomach samples of the S. bowringii and 39 stomach samples of S. vietnamensis collected at 17 locations in southern Vietnam resulted in recording of 17 food groups of six classes of Invertebrates and one class of Vertebrate animals. Two skinks share 9 of 17 common food groups (52.9%). The Insecta class dominated with 8/17 groups (47.1%) observed. Among the Insecta, Blattodea order occupied the highest percentage and followed by Coleoptera, Dermaptera orders, and insect larvae. The Araneae, Scolopendromorpha, Squamata, and Isopoda orders are also prioritized by these two species. Subdoluseps bowringii eats 14 food groups, the Insecta class dominates with 7/14 groups (50%) with the Blattodea order being the highest frequency (63.0%). The S. vietnamensis eats 12 food groups, the Insecta class dominates with 5/12 groups (41.7%) with the Blattodea order being the highest frequency (74.4%). In addition to animals, other components such as soil (2.2%) and leaves (2.6%) were also recorded in the stomachs of the two species.

Digital food environment during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Brazil: an analysis of food advertising in an online food delivery platform.

Online food delivery (OFD) platforms guarantee access to food during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic when commercial food establishments are closed and access to food retail is controlled. The present study aimed to describe the advertisements published in an OFD platform in Brazilian capitals, during the 13th and 14th weeks of the pandemic. Data collection occurred on 1 d of the week and 1 d of the weekend and during lunch and dinner time. A random sample of 25 % of the advertisements (n 1754) published in this period was classified in accordance with the presence of food groups and to the use of marketing strategies. Sandwiches, ultra-processed beverages, traditional meals or pasta were the most common food groups shown in the advertisements. Free delivery prevailed in advertisements of ice cream, candies or salty packages snacks and pizza (P < 0·01). Combos were more frequently shown in the advertising of natural juices or smoothies, ultra-processed beverages, sandwiches and pizzas (P < 0·01). Messages about healthiness were more seen among natural juices or smoothies, vegetables and traditional meals and pasta advertisements (P < 0·01) and less seen in sandwiches (P = 0·02) and pizza advertisements (P < 0·01). Economy messages were rare in advertisements of traditional meals or pasta (P < 0·01) and more common in ultra-processed beverages (P = 0·03) and ice cream, candies or salty packages snacks (P < 0·01) advertisements. The OFD platform promoted unhealthy eating during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil due to the expressive presence of unhealthy foods advertising.

The Relevance of Thiamine Evaluation in a Practical Setting.

Thiamine is a crucial cofactor involved in the maintenance of carbohydrate metabolism and participates in multiple cellular metabolic processes. Although thiamine can be obtained from various food sources, some common food groups are deficient in thiamine, and it can be denatured by high temperature and pH. Additionally, different drugs can alter thiamine metabolism. In addition, the half-life of thiamine in the body is between 1 and 3 weeks. All these factors could provide an explanation for the relatively short period needed to develop thiamine deficiency and observe the consequent clinical symptoms. Thiamine deficiency could lead to neurological and cardiological problems. These clinical conditions could be severe or even fatal. Marginal deficiency too may promote weaker symptoms that might be overlooked. Patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal or pancreatic surgery could have or develop thiamine deficiency for many different reasons. To achieve the best outcome for these patients, we strongly recommend the execution of both an adequate preoperative nutritional assessment, which includes thiamine evaluation, and a close nutritional follow up to avoid a nutrient deficit in the postoperative period.

The Effect of Dietary Patterns on Mental Distress in Males and Females: Results from a Large Cross-Sectional Study Among an International Sample

Abstract Objectives The purpose of this study was to assess dietary factors that associate with mental health in males and females. Methods A validated Food-Mood (FMQ) survey was distributed anonymously using several social media platforms targeting adults ages 18 years and above. Data was partitioned based on gender. Classification of young versus mature adults was based on level of brain maturity as evidenced in the literature. A Pearson's correlation analysis and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) were performed on the categorized data using (SPSS) version 25.0. Results A total of 2637 individuals (1789 females and 848 males) completed the survey. Respondents were from North and Central Americas, Europe, Asia, North Africa and the Middle East. Correlational studies identified common and differential food groups that associate with mental distress in men and women. PCA results identified three different patterns for both males and females, which also confirmed common and differential dietary factors that associate with mental health. The first pattern suggests that mental distress in young males (18–29 years) associates with fast food and high glycemic index (HGI) food. For females, high consumption of dairy, fast food, and caffeine associates with mental distress. Both patterns reflect unbalanced diets. The second pattern suggests that absence of mental distress in mature males and females (30 years or older) associates with a spectrum of nutrient-dense food; however different factor loadings propose that food groups may have a different effect on mental distress among genders. The third pattern indicates that mental wellbeing among mature males and females with a moderately healthy diet associates with region of residency in both mature genders, and with higher education among mature females. These facts imply that environmental factors that may impact the brain counteract the flaws of the diet. Conclusions A nutrient dense diet may support a positive mood among males and females. However, customization of diet may optimize mood in both genders. Additionally, continent of residence may affect equally mental distress in males and females. However, mature females with a higher educational level may be able to counteract some of the dietary triggers of mental distress. Funding Sources The authors received no specific funding for this work.

A Slice of Food Protein–Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome (FPIES): Insights from 441 Children with FPIES as Provided by Caregivers in the International FPIES Association

Food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES) is a non-IgE-mediated gastrointestinal food allergy. There is little known about the demographic characteristics, food triggers, and risk factors for FPIES. To characterize the demographic characteristics, food triggers, risk factors, and management in children with FPIES. We retrospectively analyzed surveys completed by 410 caregiver-members of the International FPIES Association, both at a conference for families affected by FPIES and online. Most of the children were female (50.7%), white (86.2%), and atopic (54.8%), with a median age of 2 years (ranging from 2 months to 19 years). The most common food groups avoided were grains (60.0%), cow's milk (52.4%), vegetables (42.7%), and fruits (38.0%). Avocado was the most commonly avoided fruit. Avoiding avocado was associated with increased likelihood of avoiding banana (P < .001). Of these children, 69.4% avoided at least 2 food groups because of FPIES, and 20.3% had a first-degree relative with FPIES. Having a first-degree relative with FPIES was associated with increased likelihood of avoiding multiple food groups (P= .035). The most common food group avoided was grains, consistent with recent literature. Avocado avoidance was higher than previously reported, and this is the first report of an association between avocado and banana avoidance in FPIES. Avoiding multiple food groups because of FPIES was more common than previously reported. A large proportion of children in our cohort had first-degree relatives with FPIES, and, furthermore, having a first-degree relative with FPIES was significantly associated with the affected child avoiding multiple food groups.

Potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in crops, soil, and water near Xiangtan manganese mine, China: potential risk to health in the foodchain.

The pollution from large-scale manganese mining and associated industries in Xiangtan (south Central China) has created a significant burden on the local environment. The proximity of mining, and other industrial activity to the local population, is of concern and impact of past industrial on the food chain was evaluated by the assessment of common food groups (rice, soybean, and sweet potato), and the associated soil and water in the region. We focused on specific potentially toxic elements (PTEs): Mn, Pb, Cd, Cr, Cu, and Zn associated with industrial activity,identifying the distribution of pollution, the potential significance of total health index (THI) for local people and its spatial distribution. The study area showed severe contamination for Mn, followed by Cd and Pb, while other PTEs showed relatively light levels of pollution. When analyzing the impact on crops exceeding the tolerance limit, the dominant PTEs were Mn, Cd, and Pb, with lower significance for Zn, Cu, and Cr. The average THI value for adults is 4.63, while for children, is 5.17, greatly exceeding the recommended limit (HQ > 1), confirming a significant health risk. In the spatial distribution of the THI, the region shows strong association with the transport and industrial processing infrastructure. Long-term management needs to consider remediation aligned to specific industrial operations and enhance contamination control measures of ongoing activity.

O10 From Idea to Reality: Addressing College Food Insecurity with a Farm-to-Fork Initiative

Objective To develop, implement, and evaluate Farm-to-Fork, a free weekly meal program for college students that integrates social, sustainable, local, and educational elements at the University of Kentucky (UK). Use of Theory or Research Of the 1,854 students surveyed at UK, 43% experience some level of food insecurity while the majority of student focus group participants (n = 33) shared specific challenges related to affording healthful food, including fresh fruits and vegetables (FV). Research suggests a need for more nutrition education for college students, as more than half of students in one large study did not receive nutrition-related information and desired such information from the university. Target Audience Farm-to-Fork targets food insecure college students at UK. Program Description Farm-to-Fork offers a multidimensional, interdisciplinary approach using the socioecological model with policy, system, and environment changes. Within the community-level and individual-level environment, Farm-to-Fork partners with various entities, while addressing student's physical, social, and economic environment, by providing educational resources, healthy lunchtime meals using recovered foods and produce, and a stigma-free social space to approximately 120 students weekly. Evaluation Methods Electronic surveys from students at Farm-to-Fork were recorded weekly for 12 weeks. Results In Fall 2018, Farm-to-Fork served 1,397 meals to 574 individuals and 70 student volunteers dedicated 400 hours. The average cost per meal was only 61 cents as a result of 1,100 pounds of recovered foods with an estimated value of $1,837 utilized for the meals. Of the 153 students completing an online survey about the Farm-to-Fork program, 65% experienced some level of food insecurity and 83% did not consume foods from the five food groups daily. FV were the most common food groups lacking in the diet. Though improvement suggestions were related to the meal quality and quantity, 96% provided positive feedback on the meal quality. Conclusions Findings from the Farm-to-Fork initiative suggest that it is effective, and there is a need for innovative programming that addresses college food insecurity to promote student success and wellness. Funding University of Kentucky Student Opportunity Grant from Food Connection.

Enhancing Omega-3 Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Content of Dairy-Derived Foods for Human Consumption.

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) are termed essential fatty acids because they cannot be synthesized de novo by humans due to the lack of delta-12 and delta-15 desaturase enzymes and must therefore be acquired from the diet. n-3 PUFA include α-linolenic acid (ALA, 18:3n-3), eicosapentaenoic (EPA, 20:5n-3), docosahexaenoic (DHA, 22:6n-3), and the less recognized docosapentaenoic acid (DPA, 22:5n-3). The three long-chain (≥C20) n-3 PUFA (n-3 LC-PUFA), EPA, DHA, and DPA play an important role in human health by reducing the risk of chronic diseases. Up to the present time, seafood, and in particular, fish oil-derived products, have been the richest sources of n-3 LC-PUFA. The human diet generally contains insufficient amounts of these essential FA due largely to the low consumption of seafood. This issue provides opportunities to enrich the content of n-3 PUFA in other common food groups. Milk and milk products have traditionally been a major component of human diets, but are also among some of the poorest sources of n-3 PUFA. Consideration of the high consumption of milk and its processed products worldwide and the human health benefits has led to a large number of studies targeting the enhancement of n-3 PUFA content in dairy products. The main objective of this review was to evaluate the major strategies that have been employed to enhance n-3 PUFA content in dairy products and to unravel potential knowledge gaps for further research on this topic. Nutritional manipulation to date has been the main approach for altering milk fatty acids (FA) in ruminants. However, the main challenge is ruminal biohydrogenation in which dietary PUFA are hydrogenated into monounsaturated FA and/or ultimately, saturated FA, due to rumen microbial activities. The inclusion of oil seed and vegetable oil in dairy animal diets significantly elevates ALA content, while the addition of rumen-protected marine-derived supplements is the most effective way to increase the concentration of EPA, DHA, and DPA in dairy products. In our view, the mechanisms of n-3 LC-PUFA biosynthesis pathway from ALA and the biohydrogenation of individual n-3 LC-PUFA in ruminants need to be better elucidated. Identified knowledge gaps regarding the activities of candidate genes regulating the concentrations of n-3 PUFA and the responses of ruminants to specific lipid supplementation regimes are also critical to a greater understanding of nutrition-genetics interactions driving lipid metabolism.

Applying a meal coding system to 16-d weighed dietary record data in the Japanese context: towards the development of simple meal-based dietary assessment tools.

Data on the combination of foods consumed simultaneously at specific eating occasions are scarce, primarily due to a lack of assessment tools. We applied a recently developed meal coding system to multiple-day dietary intake data for assessing its ability to estimate food and nutrient intakes and characterise meal-based dietary patterns in the Japanese context. A total of 242 Japanese adults completed sixteen non-consecutive-day weighed dietary records, including 14734 eating occasions (3788 breakfasts, 3823 lunches, 3856 dinners and 3267 snacks). Common food group combinations were identified by meal type to identify a range of generic meals. Dietary intake was calculated on the basis of not only the standard food composition database but also the substituted generic meal database. In total, eighty generic meals (twenty-three breakfasts, twenty-one lunches, twenty-four dinners and twelve snacks) were identified. The Spearman correlation coefficients between food group intakes calculated based on the standard food composition database and the substituted generic meal database ranged from 0·26 to 0·85 (median 0·69). The corresponding correlations for nutrient intakes ranged from 0·17 to 0·82 (median 0·61). A total of eleven meal patterns were established using principal components analysis, and these accounted for 39·1% of total meal variance. Considerable variation in patterns was seen in meal type inclusion and choice of staple foods (bread, rice and noodles) and drinks, and also in meal constituents. In conclusion, this study demonstrated the usefulness of a meal coding system for assessing habitual diet, providing a scientific basis towards the development of simple meal-based dietary assessment tools.