Consumption Of Different Types Research Articles

Selection Analysis of Building Envelope with Building Materials in Summer Hot and Winter Cold Area — A Case Study in Xi’an Wall Insulation System

The model of residential buildings is established in allusion to the type of residential building wall exterior insulation system and the characteristics of the various features of the wall enclosure in summer hot and winter cold region. The energy consumption of different types of wall structure is simulated and calculated using energy simulation software DeST-h, the economic characters of the structure of energy consumption of different types were compared and analyzed comprehensively, the conservation and efficiency were quantitative analyzed, the principias for selecting the structure of residential buildings of wre provide based on the principle of maximizing energy efficiency.

Fatty acids intake and immune parameters in the elderly.

The rapid increase on life-expectancy represents a major challenge and economic burden for modern societies. Several studies have focused on the effects of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) upon the immune system; however less attention has been paid to the effects of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA). In this work we investigated the relationship of habitual consumption of different types of fatty acids with different immune parameters in the elderly. 40 institutionalized elderly (76-95 y) and 35 home-living middle-age subjects (57-65 y) were recruited. Dietary intakes of macronutrients, fiber and fatty acids, as well as immune parameters such as serum cytokines levels (IL-10, TNF-α, IL-8, IL-17, TGF-β and IL-12), phagocytic activity and cytotoxic NK activity, were determined. Elderly subjects had a lower intake of total lipids. MUFA intake was significantly lower in the elderly group than in middle-age adults whilst the contrary was true for PUFA. MUFA intake in the elderly was found to be positively associated with IL-12 (β = 0.879) and TNF-α (β = 0.789) serum concentrations, whilst PUFA intake was inversely related to levels of IL-12 (β = -0.534). These associations were not observed in the middle-age group. MUFA intake may contribute to the pro-inflammatory status present in the elderly. It may be advisable to develop future nutrient recommendations specific for elderly taking into account immune parameters.

Providing Free Autopoweroff Plugs: Measuring the Effect on Households’ Electricity Consumption through a Field Experiment

Experimental evidence of the effect of providing households with cheap energy saving technology is sparse. We present results from a field experiment in which autopoweroff plugs were provided free of charge to randomly selected households. We use propensity score matching to find treatment effects on metered electricity consumption for different types of households. We find effects for single men and couples without children, while we find no effect for single women and households with children. We suggest that this could be because of differences in saving potential (e.g. some households do not have appliances where using a plug is relevant), differences in the skills relevant for installing the technology and differences in the willingness to spend time and effort on installation. We conclude that targeting interventions at more responsive households, and tailoring interventions to target groups, can increase the efficiency of programs.

Aportes al estudio paleodietario mediante el análisis de isótopos estables de δ13C y δ15N en restos óseos humanos de la región centro-oriental del Cauca medio

La dieta, considerada como hábito alimenticio, es un componente biocultural fundamental en todas las sociedades, en particular en las precolombinas. Se reconstruye mediante la combinación de indicadores arqueológicos y bioarqueológicos que hacen posible identificar el uso y consumo de diferentes tipos de alimentos y su relación con otras variables culturales (p. e., la jerarquía) y demográficas (p. e., el sexo y la edad). El objetivo del presente estudio es reconstruir la dieta de ocho individuos prehispánicos de yacimientos arqueológicos del centro-oriente del Cauca medio, entre los siglos IX y XIV d. C., mediante razones de isótopos estables de C y N ( δ13C y δ15N). Los resultados evidencian la importancia de los recursos alimenticios disponibles en la región, así como diferencias y similitudes en el uso y consumo de alimentos entre los sitios investigados.

The association of alcohol consumption with metabolic syndrome and its individual components: the Taichung community health study

Alcohol has both adverse and protective effects on the individual components of metabolic syndrome (MS). We hypothesize that alcohol consumption increases the risk of developing MS and that the consumption of different types of alcoholic beverages has different effects on the development of MS and its individual components. We enrolled 2358 men for this cross-sectional study. The data were collected from self-reported nutrition and lifestyle questionnaires. Individuals who drank at least once per week for 6 consecutive months were classified as current drinkers. Current drinkers were at a higher risk of developing MS, abdominal obesity, and high triglyceride levels, but they were at a lower risk of developing low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). The increased risk of developing MS, high triglyceride, and high fasting glucose levels was dose dependent, whereas low HDL-C levels demonstrated a reverse relationship. The dose needed to reduce the risk of having low HDL-C levels was ≧50 g/d. This dose, however, resulted in an increased risk of developing high fasting glucose and high triglyceride levels. Consuming mixed types of alcohol increased the risk of developing MS and abdominal obesity. Meanwhile, those who drank liquor or wine had a greater risk of developing high triglyceride or high fasting glucose levels, respectively. In conclusion, alcohol consumption dose-dependently increased the risk of developing MS and some of its individual components while dose-dependently decreasing the risk of developing low HDL-C levels. The type of alcoholic beverage had different effects on the development of the individual components of MS.

Isotopes, Plants, and Reservoir Effects: Case Study from the Caspian Steppe Bronze Age

Bronze Age human and animal bone collagen from several steppe Bronze Age cultures (i.e. Early Catacomb, East and West Manych Catacomb, and Lola cultures) shows large variations in δ13C and δ15N values. In general, we observed that the older the sample, the lower the δ13C and δ15N values. We hypothesize that more positive values of δ13C and δ15N are caused by change in diet and a more arid climate. For ancient sheep during drier periods of the Early Catacomb, East and West Manych Catacomb, and Lola cultures, we observed 2 groups with different C and N isotopic compositions, reflecting consumption of different types of fodder. During periods of aridization, C4and C3plants with high δ15N values appeared in the vegetation, also influencing bone collagen values. Human bones show reservoir effects, caused by aquatic diet components. These effects can be quantified by paired dating of human bone and associated terrestrial samples. Reservoir corrections have revised chronologies for the region. Some paired dates do not reveal reservoir effects. This can be explained in 2 alternative ways. One is that the human diet did not include aquatic components; rather, the diet was based on C3vegetation with high δ15N values (13–15‰), and flesh/milk of domesticated animals. An alternative explanation is that humans consumed food from freshwater resources without reservoir effects.

Histokomparatif Organ Integumen, Intestinum, Pohon Respirasi Pada Beberapa Jenis Teripang Dari Perairan Karimunjawa

Sea cucumbers, which have significant economic values, belong to the order of Aspidochirotida, with the two main family, i.e. Holothuriidae and Stichopodidae. Biological aspect of those species has not been exploited yet, therefore he aim of this research is to compare organ histology of the species of sea cucumbers H. atra, H. edulis, P. graeffei, S. chloronotus, and S. herrmanni. This research was held on August-December 2011 and histologically. The result of this research showed that integument of H. atra, H. edulis, P. graeffei, S. chloronotus, dan S. herrmanni consist of epidermis which composed by fibril cells and dermis layer which composed by connective tissue. Intestinum of Holothuriidae is different from Stichopodidae as follows : H. atra ±10 μm form a bugles with flat ends, S. chloronotus ±40 μm form a smooth bugles with pointed ends and closely, and S. herrmanni ±30 μm form a smooth bugles with pointed ends and distantly. The respiratory trees of Holothuriidae and Stichopodidae in general had similarity. Bases on these differences can be concluded that sea cucumbers cultivation techniques need adjustment habitat and consumption of different types of feed each sea cucumbers.

Distribution of pesticides in different commonly used vegetables from Hyderabad, India

In this study, we assessed the exposure of urban populations to different classes of organophosphate pesticides due to the consumption of different types of vegetables. Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry was used for quantification, while the quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe extraction method was used to isolate eighteen organophosphate pesticides found in vegetable samples (eggplant, ladyfinger, cauliflower, cabbage, tomato and chili) at concentration of μg/kg. This method was accurate (≥99.5%) and possessed a limit of detection and quantification in the range of 0.002–0.099 and 0.009–0.337μg/kg respectively. The coefficients of variation (≥0.9999) were less than 2% at the low end of the linear range of the method. The mean recovery ranged between 94 and 103%, and the % relative standard deviation (RSD) was generally below 10%. These results demonstrate that the methodology is both highly efficient and robust. The proposed method was successfully applied to the analysis of vegetable samples collected from different government farmer markets and street shops in urban areas. The mean concentration of chlorpyrifos in eggplant (24.02μg/kg), cabbage (10.55μg/kg), cauliflower (2.85μg/kg), tomato (178.87μg/kg) and ladyfinger (2.49μg/kg) differed significantly (p<0.002). Similarly, the mean concentration of triazophos in eggplant (0.863μg/kg), cabbage (2.21μg/kg), cauliflower (0.491μg/kg), tomato (3.01μg/kg) and ladyfinger (2.49μg/kg) differed significantly (p<0.007). A similar trend was observed for acephate, fenitrothion and phosalone. This study may be helpful in developing a regional exposure database and in facilitating assessment of health risks from pesticide exposure in our day-to-day lives.

Red meat consumption and risk of type 2 diabetes: 3 cohorts of US adults and an updated meta-analysis

The relation between consumption of different types of red meats and risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D) remains uncertain. We evaluated the association between unprocessed and processed red meat consumption and incident T2D in US adults. We followed 37,083 men in the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study (1986-2006), 79,570 women in the Nurses' Health Study I (1980-2008), and 87,504 women in the Nurses' Health Study II (1991-2005). Diet was assessed by validated food-frequency questionnaires, and data were updated every 4 y. Incident T2D was confirmed by a validated supplementary questionnaire. During 4,033,322 person-years of follow-up, we documented 13,759 incident T2D cases. After adjustment for age, BMI, and other lifestyle and dietary risk factors, both unprocessed and processed red meat intakes were positively associated with T2D risk in each cohort (all P-trend <0.001). The pooled HRs (95% CIs) for a one serving/d increase in unprocessed, processed, and total red meat consumption were 1.12 (1.08, 1.16), 1.32 (1.25, 1.40), and 1.14 (1.10, 1.18), respectively. The results were confirmed by a meta-analysis (442,101 participants and 28,228 diabetes cases): the RRs (95% CIs) were 1.19 (1.04, 1.37) and 1.51 (1.25, 1.83) for 100 g unprocessed red meat/d and for 50 g processed red meat/d, respectively. We estimated that substitutions of one serving of nuts, low-fat dairy, and whole grains per day for one serving of red meat per day were associated with a 16-35% lower risk of T2D. Our results suggest that red meat consumption, particularly processed red meat, is associated with an increased risk of T2D.

Effects of Wine Consumption on Cardiovascular Diseases

The results of epidemiological cohort studies have shown the influence of a moderate consumption of different types of alcoholic beverages (beer, wine, spirits) and their effects on coronary heart diseases, with an increased protective effect in the case of wine. This increased protective effect may be due to the phenolic compounds (flavonoids and non-flavonoids) that wine contains. Moderate wine consumption, for example, has been observed to decrease platelet aggregation and to promote the vasodilation of blood vessels. These physiological effects are obtained with phenolic compounds are also obtained with ethanol, and are associated with a preventing or reducing atherosclerosis, diabetes and hypertension, as they work in synergy. In the case of atherosclerosis, this synergy resulted in a decrease in the fatty streak area formation associated with atherosclerosis, a decrease in cholesterolemia, and an increase in the level of specific antioxidant enzymes active against free radicals. This synergy also restored the antioxidant capacity of plasma improving defences against oxidative stress associated with diabetes and stimulated insulin secretion. In addition, it normalised systolic pressure, reduced cardiac hypertrophy, as well as reduced free radical generation in the thoracic aorta and heart tissues. Thus wine could play a role in preventive nutrition, when a moderate amount is regularly consumed as part of the daily diet.

Influences of demographic characteristics, attitudes, and preferences of consumers on table egg consumption in British Columbia, Canada

In addition to regular (white and brown) eggs, alternative types of table eggs (e.g., free-run, free-range, organic) are available in the Canadian market, and their market growth rate has been high during the last decade in British Columbia (BC). The objective of our research was to identify associations between consumers’ attitudes, preferences, and demographic characteristics with their consumption of different types of table eggs. An online survey was conducted in June 2009 to gather information from adult BC residents. Sixty-eight percent of the 1,027 randomly selected subjects completed the survey. Our survey indicated that the consumption of cage-free specialty eggs (free-run, free-range, and organic) has strongly increased in BC to 32.9% free-range eggs, 11.93% organic eggs, and 7.6% free-run eggs in 2009 compared with a Print Measurement Bureau consumer survey that showed combined 8% consumption of cage-free specialty eggs in 2007. Results of our survey indicated that, compared with consumers of white regular eggs, consumers of free-range eggs came from smaller households and had a higher education level and income. These consumers indicated that factors of health, nutritional value, environmental issues, and animal welfare were important in egg type selection. Although most consumers rated the specialty eggs as having a higher nutritional value than white regular eggs, price became the most important deciding factor for those consumers who selected white regular eggs. Our findings indicate that increased consumption and increased differentiation exist in the table egg market and this in turn provides support for more research to increase the efficiency of cage-free egg production systems and for better consumer education.

Household Animal Production and Meat Consumption in Rural Bangladesh

Promotion of household (HH) animal production has been suggested as a strategy to improve diet quality among undernourished, rural populations by increasing meat consumption. This study examines the relationships between animal production and HH‐level meat consumption among 360 HHs with young children in rural Bangladesh. HH consumption of different types of meat and fish was modeled as a function of demographic and socio‐economic factors and animal production. Consumption of each type of meat among producers of the corresponding animal was modeled as a function of socio‐economic and demographic factors and descriptors of animal production. 85% of HHs produced at least one type of animal, including chicken (62%), cows (41%) and fish (37%). 81% of HHs consumed some meat or fish on the days of observation, but the quantities consumed were low (mdn 59 g/capita, IQR 113 g/capita). Adjusting for other HH traits, fish production was positively associated with fish consumption (p=0.05), but there were no significant relationships between production and consumption for other types of animal. HH wealth and the type of animal produced are related to meat consumption among animal producing HHs. With the possible exception of fish production, promoting animal production in rural Bangladesh may not be an effective means of increasing meat consumption. Research supported by the HarvestPlus Challenge Program.

The importance of alcoholic beverage type for suicide in Japan: A time‐series analysis, 1963–2007

Japan has one of the highest suicide rates in the world. Cohort analysis has suggested that alcohol consumption is a risk factor for suicide in Japan. However, this relationship has not been observed at the population level when a measure of per capita total alcohol consumption has been analysed. The present study employed a time-series analysis to examine whether these contradictory findings may be due to the existence of beverage-specific effects on suicide. An autoregressive integrated moving average model was used to assess the relationship between the consumption of different types of alcohol and suicide rates from 1963 to 2007. The data comprised age-adjusted suicide rates for the ages 15-69, and information on beverage-specific alcohol consumption per capita (15+). The unemployment rate was included as a control variable. During 1963-2007, male suicide rates increased substantially whereas female rates decreased slightly. Consumption of distilled spirits was significantly related to male suicide rates (but not in women) with a 1L increase in consumption associated with a 21.4% (95% confidence interval: 3.2-42.9) increase in male suicide rates. There was no statistically significant relationship between suicide and any other form of alcohol consumption (beer, wine, other alcohol). This is the first study that has shown an association between spirits consumption and male suicide in Japan. Potentially beneficial policy changes include increasing spirits prices through taxation, reducing the physical availability of alcohol and discouraging the practice of heavy drinking.

P03-467 - The effects of beverage type on suicide rates in Russia

ObjectivePrevious research has suggested that the consumption of different types of alcoholic beverage may have a differential effect on suicide rates. The aim of this study was to examine the relation between the consumption of different beverage types and suicide rates in Russia across the later-Soviet and post-Soviet periods.MethodAge-standardised sex- and age-specific suicide rates for the period 1980–2005 and data on beverage-specific alcohol sales were obtained Russian State Statistical Committee (Rosstat). Time-series analytical modelling techniques (ARIMA) were used to examine the relation between the sale of different alcoholic beverages and suicide rates.ResultsVodka consumption as measured by sales was significantly associated with both male and female suicide rates. The consumption of beer and wine were not associated with suicide rates. The estimates of the age specific models for men were positive (except for the 75+ age group) and ranging from 0.069 (60–74 age group) to 0.123 (30–44 age group). The estimates for women were positive for the 15–29 age group (0.08), 30–44 age group (0.096) and 45–59 age group (0.057).ConclusionsThese findings suggest that public health efforts should focus on both reducing overall consumption and changing beverage preference away from distilled spirits in order to reduce suicide rates in Russia.

Factors associated with fruit and vegetable consumption among adults

The higher consumption of fruit and vegetables is considered to be an indicator of healthy eating and the protective effects of fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption for noncommunicable diseases have been investigated extensively. The present study aimed to investigate the association between fruit and vegetable intake (FVI), health behaviours and socio-demographic factors among adult Canadians. This analysis was based on the information from the Canadian Community Health Survey, Cycle 3.1. Daily intake of fruit and vegetables from a total number of 15,512 apparently healthy individuals, aged 18-64 years, were assessed using a structured questionnaire, which included 20 questions on the frequency of consumption of different types of fruit and vegetables. Multiple logistic regression models were used to determine the association between FVI and some socio-economic factors and lifestyle behaviour among adult Canadians. In total 77% of Canadian adults consumed fruit and vegetables less than five times per day. Females were more likely to consume more fruit [odds ratio (OR) 2.05; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.75-2.4], vegetables (OR 1.95; 95% CI 1.65-2.29) and FV (OR 2.52; 95% CI 2.20-2.90) than males. Single/never married individuals, individuals with higher levels of education, never smokers, former drinkers and older people reported more consumption of fruit and vegetables than others. The results obtained in the present study indicate an association between FVI and some socio-economic and healthy lifestyle behaviours, and that a substantial gap exists between the recommended level and the actual intake of the FV among the Canadian population. Because a higher intake of FV improves public health, it is imperative to tailor nutrition education at the individual and community levels in Canadian populations.

Dietary protein and exercise training in ageing

Ageing is accompanied by a progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength, leading to the loss of functional capacity and an increased risk for developing chronic metabolic diseases such as diabetes. The age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass results from a chronic disruption in the balance between muscle protein synthesis and degradation. As basal muscle protein synthesis rates are likely not different between healthy young and elderly human subjects, it was proposed that muscles from older adults lack the ability to regulate the protein synthetic response to anabolic stimuli, such as food intake and physical activity. Indeed, the dose-response relationship between myofibrillar protein synthesis and the availability of essential amino acids and/or resistance exercise intensity is shifted down and to the right in elderly human subjects. This so-called 'anabolic resistance' represents a key factor responsible for the age-related decline in skeletal muscle mass. Interestingly, long-term resistance exercise training is effective as a therapeutic intervention to augment skeletal muscle mass, and improves functional performance in the elderly. The consumption of different types of proteins, i.e. protein hydrolysates, can have different stimulatory effects on muscle protein synthesis in the elderly, which may be due to their higher rate of digestion and absorption. Current research aims to elucidate the interactions between nutrition, exercise and the skeletal muscle adaptive response that will define more effective strategies to maximise the therapeutic benefits of lifestyle interventions in the elderly.

Personality Traits and the Consumption of Political Information

In this article, we examine the relationship between dispositional personality traits (the Big Five) and the consumption of political information. We present detailed hypotheses about the characteristics of the political environment that are likely to affect the appeal of politics and political information in general for individuals with different personalities as well as hypotheses about how personality affects the attractiveness of particular sources of political information. We find that the Big Five traits are significant predictors of political interest and knowledge as well as consumption of different types of political media. Openness (the degree to which a person needs intellectual stimulation and variety) and Emotional Stability (characterized by low levels of anxiety) are associated with a broad range of engagement with political information and political knowledge. The other three Big Five traits, Conscientiousness, Agreeableness, and Extraversion, are associated only with consumption of specific types of political information.

Alcohol consumption and the risk of sudden cardiac death in women: An evaluation from the Nurses' Health Study

The impact of alcohol consumption on total and cardiovascular mortality is well studied and often discussed in lay publications. Alcohol consumption is associated with decreased all-cause mortality and cardiovascular disease in a J-shaped or U-shaped curve. 1–3 Patients who do not consume alcohol or consume excessive amounts have higher mortality and prevalence of cardiovascular disease compared with those who drink alcohol in moderate amounts. As with many other cardiovascular risk factors and therapeutic interventions, gender differences are noted. Decreased hypertension, coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, and mortality have been associated with moderate alcohol use in women. 4–6 Studies have also demonstrated a high risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD) and cardiac arrhythmias with heavy drinking but less SCD with moderate alcohol use 7–10 ; these studies had limited inclusion of women. Women also can develop alcohol-related medical problems at lower levels of consumption than men, 11 and although this may reflect lower body weight, it could also represent gender differences in alcohol metabolism or effects on postmenopausal estrogen levels. The study by Chiuve et al 12 in this issue of Heart Rhythm addresses the association of alcohol consumption and SCD in 121,700 women ages 30 to 55 years from the Nurses’ Health Study. In this ambitious, prospective cohort study participants were surveyed every 4 years to document the amount and type of alcohol consumption. Because other medical comorbidities or illness can cause patients to cease alcohol consumption and introduce bias, nondrinkers were separated into lifetime abstainers and former drinkers. After excluding women with a baseline diagnosis of cancer or cardiovascular disease or incomplete information on alcohol intake and dietary data, the study population comprised 85,067 subjects. Studied end points included SCD, other fatal CHD, and nonfatal myocardial infarction. Extensive efforts to increase the accuracy of SCD classification included obtaining death certificates, interviewing family members, and obtaining hospital records. These efforts at accurate classification were appropriate, as proper diagnosis of SCD remains a major challenge in studies. The authors hypothesized that the greatest association of CHD to alcohol consumption would be the most recent intake, and this intake amount was used to estimate risk in the subsequent 4-year period. Results were adjusted for age, diet, cardiovascular disease risk factors, and caloric intake. Women who consumed 5.0 to 14.9 g alcohol daily (approximately ½ to 1 drink/day) accounted for 50% of the study population and had the lowest risk of SCD in a U-shaped association (P .0003) over 26 years of follow-up. There was no significant difference in risk of SCD between abstainers and women who had higher amounts of alcohol intake. No differences in results were observed when probable but not definite SCD cases were excluded. Moreover, there were no differences in light to moderate consumption of different types of alcohol (wine, beer, or liquor) on the observed association with less SCD (RR 0.78 for beer, 0.84 for wine, 0.77 for liquor). Alcohol consumption was also associated with lower risk of nonfatal myocardial infarction or fatal CHD, but this was a linear and inverse relationship. A study of this size evaluating the association of alcohol consumption and SCD in women has not been performed previously. This study has a high number of study participants followed up over an extended time as well as a significant number of SCD and CHD events. Such an analysis generally has several significant challenges. First, correct classification of SCD events can be difficult. SCD is defined as death that occurs within 1 hour or less of symptom onset or during sleep in a person without a condition that would seem fatal, 13 but some methods of SCD identification used in previous studies are not accurate. Every et al 14 demonstrated that SCD classification on death certificates can be a sensitive but not specific method of identifying SCD events. In addition, the general public often confuses SCD and myocardial infarction. Although the authors of the present study made extensive efforts to properly classify SCD, accurate identification of such events remains a weakness in most studies of SCD. Addressing multiple comorbidities in a high number of patients can be quite complicated. Risk of SCD in this study was controlled for over 15 potentially confounding vari

Lipids Profile After Consumption of Different Types of Vegetable Oils: A Pilot Test in Rats

Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) is one of the major causes of death worldwide. Its development is strongly related to intake and type of fat more important than total amount of fat. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of the consumption of canola, high oleic safflower, grape seed, soybean and avocado oil on lipid profile. An experimental controlled study was carried out for 6 weeks. Groups of 3 wistar rats were formed. Six groups were fed with a different type of vegetable oil added to standard rat chow. There were 2 control groups: one with no oil added and other who received partially hydrogenated oil. Hydrogenated oil group showed the highest levels on all lipid profile parameters. Avocado (45.83), canola (51.67) and soybean (48.10) oil group, presented significantly lower total cholesterol concentration mean (mg/dL) compared with hydrogenated oil group (70.27). Tryglycerides concentrations mean (mg/dL) were singnificantly lower in the canola (25.07), safflower (18.73), and grape seed (18.83) oil groups, compared with hydrogenated oil group (39.73). Soya oil group presented a better LDL/HDL ratio mean (2.27) in comparison with grape seed (3.00), hydrogenated (3.58), canola (2.90), and safflower (3.39) oil groups (P=0.05). The type of vegetable oil consumed in the diet modifies the lipid profile.

Fish Consumption During Pregnancy, Prenatal Mercury Exposure, and Anthropometric Measures at Birth in a Prospective Mother-Infant Cohort Study in Spain

Previous studies suggested that there may be an association between birth size and the type and amount of fish consumed during pregnancy. One study suggested an inverse association between fetal growth and fatty fish but not lean fish. No association between mercury exposure and birth size has been reported. The aim of this population-based cohort study was to investigate the effect of the different types of fish consumed in late pregnancy on prenatal mercury exposure and to assess the association of the type of fish consumed and corresponding mercury exposure with birth weight, birth length, and classification as small for gestational age (SGA) in newborn infants. The association between total cord blood mercury and consumption of different types of fish by pregnant women was determined in 554 singleton live-born infants for several birth outcomes. For each subject, the frequency of fish consumption in the different fish groups was placed into 1 of 4 categories (<1 portion/mo, 1–3 portions/mo, 1 portion/wk, and ≥2 portions/wk). Multivariate analysis showed that newborns in the highest quartile of total mercury weighed 143.7 gm less (95% confidence interval [CI]: −251.8–35.6) than those in the first quartile (P for trend = 0.02), and also had an increased likelihood of having an SGA birth length, with an odds ratio of 5.3 (95% CI: 1.2–23.9; likelihood ratio test, P = 0.03) but with no linear relation (P for trend = 0.13). Mothers who consumed ≥2 portions/wk of canned tuna had offspring with higher birth weights than mothers who consumed <1 portion/mo (P for trend = 0.03), and had a lower risk of having an infant with an SGA weight (P for trend = 0.01). Women who consumed ≥2 portions of lean fish/wk had a lower risk of having an infant who was SGA for length compared with those who ingested <1 portion/wk, and consumption of ≥2 portions/wk of large oily fish was associated with an increased risk of an infant who was SGA for weight, but these associations were not statistically significant (P for trend >0.05). These findings show that the amount and type of fish consumed during pregnancy may influence fetal growth and other birth outcomes.