Consumption Of High-energy Foods Research Articles

The effect of energy and fat content labeling on food consumption pattern: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Consumption of high-energy food has increased globally, thereby leading to an increase in many diseases. One strategy for addressing this is to make people aware of their energy intake through energy and fat labels. However, the effectiveness of this remains debatable. This review aims to pool the mixed outcomes of recent studies assessing the effect of energy and fat content labeling on food consumption pattern. Google Scholar, MEDLINE, and Cochrane Library databases were searched. Randomized controlled and quasi-experimental controlled trials published from 2014 to 2019 were included. Two reviewers screened 413 abstracts independently. Qualitative and quantitative data was extracted from 10 articles; meta-analysis was carried out on 6 of those studies. The majority of the included papers were conducted in the regions of America, the Western Pacific, and Europe. Overall, the 6 studies claimed that labeling did not reduce the consumption of energy or fat. However, meta-analysis showed that fat and energy content labeling of food had a statistically significant effect on consumption. Subgroup analysis showed no difference with respect to types of labels, ie, context labeling vs traffic-light labeling, but energy content labels seemed to be more effective than fat content labels in influencing healthy food choices. Energy and fat content labeling were shown to reduce the consumption of each significantly. However, the outcome was influenced by the study setting and the population concerned. There is a need for research in other regions in order to assess the global effectiveness of nutrition labels on food consumption. PROSPERO registration no. CRD42020172675.

Development of recipes and technologies for producing functional desserts using sea buckthorn fruits

In modern society there is a problem of malnutrition of the population associated with the consumption of high-energy food containing an insufficient amount of macro and micro elements, vitamins and other essential substances. Technological progress leads to a significant decrease in physical activity, which determines the need to reduce the calorie content of food consumed. Currently, most confectionery products are high in calories and low in dietary fiber, pectins, vitamins and minerals. This fact determines the need to increase the content of nutrients in desserts and reduce their energy component. Fruit and berry raw materials of local origin occupy one of the leading roles in the development of high-quality functional desserts, since they contain micronutrients that play an exceptional role in a healthy diet. The aim of the research is to develop a recipe and technology for the production of functional desserts using local sea buckthorn fruits. As a result of the research, the optimal amounts of ingredients in the recipes, the method and technology for the production of desserts have been determined. It has been shown that convective drying with a heating temperature of 45ºС is a promising preparation method for maximum preservation of vitamins in the dessert. On the basis of the laboratory research and the study of the physicochemical composition of the developed products, the efficiency of the production of functional desserts using sea buckthorn fruits containing such physiologically important ingredients as dietary fiber, pectin, vitamins, macro and microelements has been substantiated. The developed desserts are characterized by a reduced calorie content, and their consumption corresponds to the recommended norm of an adult’s physiological need for vitamin B1. The need for vitamin C not only satisfies the daily norm, but also corresponds to the recommended one for colds and fully covers an adult’s need. Laboratory studies have confirmed the effectiveness of the use of sea buckthorn fruits of local origin in expanding the range of functional desserts.

Is it still a real treat? Adults' treat provision to children

Consumption of high-energy foods in the absence of hunger has been identified as a key target to address in the area of obesity. For children, such foods are often provided by adults as treats. There is limited understating of adults' treat giving. The present study aimed to understand adults' provision of treats to children on the Island of Ireland. A total of 1039 participants, including parents, grandparents, child minders and education practitioners completed a face-to-face survey in their home. Participants defined their treats for children primarily as ‘something nice’, ‘deserved/earned’ and ‘something special’. The top three motivations for treat foods provision were ‘to reward for good behaviour’ (42.3%), ‘because the child(ren) ask’ (42.2%) and ‘to make the child(ren) feel better’ (29.4%). Almost all participants would provide treat foods at celebrations and 52.5% always did so. In addition, 68% participants had structured weekly and/or daily treat for children. Treats provided to children were dominated by energy-dense foods. The top three were sweets, chocolates and ice-creams, being used by 45.2%, 45.1% and 38.8% participants. Variations were observed across different adult groups, in terms of their treat giving behaviour. The main observation was that adults' treat foods provision has become habitual. The findings can help develop targeted strategies to encourage the reduction or replacement of food treats for children.

Phenomenology and beliefs of patients with Dhat syndrome: A nationwide multicentric study.

To assess the phenomenology and associated beliefs in patients with Dhat syndrome. A total of 780 male patients aged more than 16 years were recruited from 15 centers spread across the country and were assessed on Dhat Syndrome Questionnaire. The most commonly reported reasons for passage of Dhat were excessive masturbation (55.1%), sexual dreams (47.3%), excessive sexual desire (42.8%) and consumption of high energy foods (36.7%). The most common situation in which participants experienced passage of Dhat were as 'night falls' (60.1%) and 'while passing stools' (59.5%). The most common consequence due to passage of Dhat was weakness in sexual ability (75.6%). In terms of psychological and somatic symptoms, the common symptoms included bodily weakness (78.2%); feeling tired or having low energy (75.9%); feeling down, depressed, or hopeless (67.9%); and little interest or pleasure in doing things (63.7%). In terms of treatment expectations, about half of the patients (49.1%) expected that energizing medications like vitamins/tonics/tablets were required and more than one-third (38.2%) expected that there was a need for taking energizing injections. Present study shows that Dhat syndrome is a distinct clinical entity seen all over India, with its characteristic features.

Management of obesity in children differs from that of adults.

Obesity in childhood is a very common disorder with an increasing prevalence. It is one of the most serious public health challenges. The objectives of the present paper are to increase the awareness of the problem of obesity in childhood, its serious complications and the need for prevention. Overweight and obese children are likely to remain obese into adulthood and more likely to develop serious complications including health problems such as diabetes and CVD, as well as psychological and social challenges. Overweight and obesity are largely preventable. In adults it is difficult to reduce excessive weight gain once it has become established, thus children should be considered the priority population for intervention strategies and prevention. Nutrition, exercise, weight gain in infancy, genetic and environmental factors, all contribute to the aetiology. Prevention and treatment of obesity in childhood requires education and empowerment of families relating to diet and exercise, along with the regulation and control of food marketing and clear nutritional labelling. The eating and physical activity behaviour of a child is strongly influenced by environmental and social factors. Therefore treatment will have only limited success in an environment where adequate physical activity is inhibited and the consumption of high-energy food is stimulated. Government investment in a health promotion programme addressing the issue of obesity in the population as a whole, with particular emphasis on the prevention and management of obesity in childhood is vital. The family doctor and multidisciplinary team play an important role. Regular visits to the family doctor, including growth assessment, will help motivate the family to restrict energy intake and to increase exercise. Therefore the prevention of childhood obesity needs high priority.

Food resource partitioning in syntopic nectarivorous bats on Puerto Rico

Abstract:Understanding the dietary needs of syntopic species is essential for examining species coexistence and resource partitioning. We analysed stable isotopes of carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) to estimate the diet of two putative nectarivorous bats on Puerto Rico, the brown flower bat (Erophylla bombifrons) and the Greater Antillean long-tongued bat (Monophyllus redmani). Isotopic ratios of δ13C and δ15N were obtained from whole blood of both species of bat and tissues of available plant foods and insect prey over 15 wk at the same locality. We used a concentration-dependent Bayesian mixing model to determine probability distributions of feasible dietary contributions for major potential foods used by each species of bat. Additionally, separate dietary estimates were conducted for males and non-reproductive, pregnant and lactating females to determine differences due to reproductive condition. Insects were an important source of protein for M. redmani, whereas E. bombifrons obtained most of its protein from plants. In both species of bat, lactating females had lower assimilated nitrogen than males, suggesting more reliance on plants for protein. We observed no intraspecific differences in assimilated carbon among reproductive conditions. Flight and lactation are energetically expensive and may explain the increased consumption of high-energy foods, such as fruit or nectar, in lactating female bats. Comparison of isotopes between E. bombifrons and M. redmani illustrate the differential use of food resources by these insular syntopic species of bat.

Modification of severe insulin resistant diabetes in response to lifestyle changes in Alström syndrome

BackgroundAlström syndrome is a recessively inherited condition characterised by severe insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome with progression to type 2 diabetes, hepatic dysfunction and coronary artery disease. The metabolic responses to lifestyle changes in the syndrome have not been reported. Case reportsWe describe the effects on glycaemia of intense cycling in two insulin treated Alström patients with diabetes, and the effects of opposite lifestyle changes over one year in two others. MethodsAfter practise and clinical assessment two patients aged 21 and 39 years undertook a 380 km cycle ride over 4 days by tandem. The effects of planned reductions in insulin therapies and increased regular carbohydrate ingestion were monitored by frequent capillary blood glucose measurements. Two siblings aged 22 and 25 years underwent assessment of glycaemia, C-peptide/glucose ratio serum lipids, hepatic function and ultrasound, Enhanced Liver Fibrosis test and measures of insulin resistance. Measurements were repeated one year later after profound lifestyle changes. ResultsAerobic exercise strikingly improved blood glucose control despite reduction in insulin dose and increased carbohydrate intake. Increase in exercise and exclusion of fast foods improved all aspects of the metabolic syndrome and induced remission of diabetes in one sibling. Reduction in exercise and consumption of high energy foods in the other resulted in development of type 2 diabetes, severe metabolic syndrome and fatty liver in the other. ConclusionsDespite dual sensory loss and genetic basis for insulin resistance, Alström patients can successfully ameliorate the metabolic syndrome with lifestyle changes.

Short Sleep Duration Promoting Overconsumption of Food: A Reward-Driven Eating Behavior?

Short Sleep Duration Promoting Overconsumption of Food: A Reward-Driven Eating Behavior?

Metabolic obesity: A new therapeutic target for cardio-metabolic risk reduction

Summary During the last couple of years, the focus of attention has drifted from coronary risk to cardio-metabolic risk because of the growing epidemic of cardio-metabolic disorders such as obesity, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Physical inactivity and consumption of high-energy foods are the root causes of this epidemic.