Daily Caloric Intake Research Articles

An Intermittent Fasting Intervention for Black Adults Can Be Feasibly Implemented in Black Churches: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Pilot Study

BackgroundIntensive lifestyle interventions, including modest reductions in daily caloric intake (ie, continuous calorie energy reduction [CER]), are recommended by US national professional health organizations (eg, American Heart Association). However, they are less effective in Black communities. A burgeoning literature has reported the promise of intermittent fasting (IF) as an alternative strategy for weight loss. However, IF studies have been conducted with White participants predominately and provided participant resources not readily available in real-world situations. ObjectiveWeight-loss and weight-related outcomes of a scalable (ie, able to be widely disseminated and implemented) IF intervention developed with and for Black adults were compared with a CER intervention for the purpose of determining IF’s feasibility (ie, initial effectiveness, adherence, and acceptance) in a Black community. DesignA cluster randomized controlled pilot study was conducted. Participants/settingA total of 42 Black adults with a body mass index (calculated as kg / m2) ≥25 were recruited from 5 Black churches (3 IF and 2 CER) in Western New York State from September 2021 to May 2022. Participants were free of medical conditions that might have contraindicated participation in a weight-reduction program and other factors that might affect weight loss. InterventionsCommunity health workers delivered the 6-month, 16-session, faith-based IF and CER interventions. Main outcome measuresThe primary outcome was feasibility, consisting of initial effectiveness on body weight (ie, percent body weight lost from baseline to 6-month follow-up), adherence, and acceptability. Statistical analyses performedDescriptive statistics and linear mixed models accounting for within-church clustering were used. A baseline covariate corresponding to the outcome variable was included in the model. Intent-to-treat analysis was used. ResultsThere was statistically significant weight loss within both arms (IF: –3.5 kg; 95% CI –6 to –0.9 kg, CER: –2.9 kg; 95% CI –5.1 to –0.8 kg) from baseline to 6-month follow-up. Compared with CER, IF led to significantly lower daily energy intake (414.2 kcal; 95% CI 55.2 to 773.2 kcal) and fat intake (16.1 g; 95% CI 2.4 to 29.8 g). IF may result in lower fruit and vegetable intake (–103.2 g; 95% CI –200.9 to –5.5 g) and fiber intake –5.4 g; 95% CI –8.7 to –2 g) compared with CER. Participants in the IF arm completed a mean (SE) of 3.8 (1.4) more self-monitoring booklets compared with those in the CER arm (P = .02). Participants reported high levels of satisfaction with the program. ConclusionsAn IF intervention developed with and for Black adults can be feasibly implemented in Black churches. Larger studies need to be conducted to ascertain the extent IF can serve as a viable weight-loss alternative to CER interventions in Black communities.

A Comparative Study of Bone-Health and Associated Factors in Healthy Indian Adolescents and Young Women.

Adolescence is a critical period for the accrual of bone mass. However, few studies have assessed the bone geometry in slum-dwelling girls/young women. We thus conducted this study: (1) to assess bone health in Indian adolescent girls and young women residing in slum vs nonslum (NS) areas and (2) to identify factors associated with poor bone health. This cross-sectional case-control study was performed on 110 apparently healthy unmarried, nonpregnant, nonlactating, postmenarchal adolescent girls and young women aged 11 to 24 years residing in urban slums with the same number of age-matched controls from NS areas. Anthropometric, dietary, physical-activity and bone-health parameters (using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and peripheral quantitative computed tomography-DXA and pQCT-respectively) were evaluated using standard protocols. A P value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Slum girls were significantly shorter and lighter and had lower dietary intakes of calcium and protein after adjusting for total daily calorie intake than NS girls (P < 0.05). Areal bone-mineral density (BMD) at lumber spine (0.940 ± 0.13 vs1.042 ± 0.15 g/cm2), femur and total body (less-head), bone-mineral apparent density adjusted for volume at the lumbar spine (0.295 ± 0.04 vs 0.319 ± 0.04 g/cm3) and height-adjusted bone density at femur (0.862 ± 0.011 vs 0.905 ± 0.011 g/cm2) were significantly lower in slum dwelling participants as compared to their NS counterparts (P < 0.05). After adjusting for confounders like sunlight exposure, anthropometric parameters and dietary calcium intake, area of dwelling was still a significant factor for the difference in BMD. The potential determinants of poor bone density and geometry in girls and young women residing in slums include residential location, dietary habits, and physical activity levels. Despite adjustments for confounding factors, differences in bone health between those in slum and nonslum areas suggest adaptations developed over generations of deprivation in these individuals, necessitating urgent intervention.

Gut microbiota and fecal volatilome profile inspection in metabolically healthy and unhealthy obesity phenotypes

BackgroundPeople with metabolically healthy (MHO) and metabolically unhealthy obesity (MUO) differ for the presence or absence of cardio-metabolic complications, respectively.ObjectiveBased on these differences, we are interested in deepening whether these obesity phenotypes could be linked to changes in microbiota and metabolome profiles. In this respect, the overt role of microbiota taxa composition and relative metabolic profiles is not completely understood. At this aim, biochemical and nutritional parameters, fecal microbiota, metabolome and SCFA compositions were inspected in patients with MHO and MUO under a restrictive diet regimen with a daily intake ranging from 800 to 1200 kcal.MethodsBlood, fecal samples and food questionnaires were collected from healthy controls (HC), and an obese cohort composed of both MHO and MUO patients. Most impacting biochemical/anthropometric variables from an a priori sample stratification were detected by applying a robust statistics approach useful in lowering the background noise. Bacterial taxa and volatile metabolites were assessed by qPCR and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry, respectively. A targeted GC–MS analyses on SCFAs was also performed.ResultsInstructed to follow a controlled and restricted daily calorie intake, MHO and MUO patients showed differences in metabolic, gut microbial and volatilome signatures. Our data revealed higher quantities of specific pro-inflammatory taxa (i.e., Desulfovibrio and Prevotella genera) and lower quantities of Clostridium coccoides group in MUO subset. Higher abundances in alkane, ketone, aldehyde, and indole VOC classes together with a lower amount of butanoic acid marked the faecal MUO metabolome.ConclusionsCompared to MHO, MUO subset symptom picture is featured by specific differences in gut pro-inflammatory taxa and metabolites that could have a role in the progression to metabolically unhealthy status and developing of obesity-related cardiometabolic diseases. The approach is suitable to better explain the crosstalk existing among dysmetabolism-related inflammation, nutrient intake, lifestyle, and gut dysbiosis.

Dicarboxylic acids counteract the metabolic effects of a Western diet by boosting energy expenditure.

Obesity has reached pandemic proportion not only in the West but also in other countries around the world; it is now one of the leading causes of death worldwide. A Western diet is rich in saturated fats and provides more calories than necessary, contributing to the rise of the obesity rate. It also promotes the development of liver steatosis, insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, and hyperlipidemia. In this issue of the JCI, Goetzman and colleagues describe the effects of consuming dicarboxylic acids (DAs) as an alternative source of dietary fat. The 12-carbon dicarboxylic acid (DC12) was administered to mice at 20% of their daily caloric intake for nine weeks in place of triglycerides. Notably, the change in diet increased the metabolic rate, reduced body fat, reduced liver fat, and improved glucose tolerance. These findings highlight DAs as useful energy nutrients for combatting obesity and treating various metabolic disorders.

Prevalence of consumption of mechanically separated meat, consumer profile, nutrient intake and food choices among manufacturing workers in Northeastern Brazil

Mechanically separated meat (MSM) is widely used in the food industry, however, there is a lack of studies on its consumption in populations. The objective of this study was to identify the frequency and amount of MSM consumption, factors associated with MSM consumption, nutrient intake and preferential choice of food groups among MSM consumers. This was an observational, cross-sectional prospective study based on a probability sample of manufacturing workers, conducted in Brazil. Logistic and linear multiple regression with robust standard errors were used. 921 workers from 33 manufacturing companies were studied, with an average age of 38.2 ± 10.7 years, 55.9% males. MSM products are consumed by 28.8% and represent in average 10% of total daily caloric intake, and 47.3% of the daily kcal from ultra-processed products. Younger age and greater waist circumference are associated with MSM consumption. Younger age and lesser educational level are associated with increased contribution of MSM to total daily kcal intake. MSM consumers have greater consumption of energy, fats, carbohydrates and sodium. Their dietary patterns are characterized by lower consumption of in natura and minimally processed foods, such as tubers and roots, fruits, white and red meat, and eggs and greater consumption of ultra-processed foods and beverages.

The Role of Macronutrients in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Review

The incidence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is rising and is still regarded as one of the challenging medical issues. Regardless of the main relationship between tobacco smoking and toxic particle exposure with COPD, factors like nutritional status also play an important role in COPD progression and outcome, as the factor is an adaptable aspect. Malnutrition, sarcopenia, and obesity are nutritional problems that are often encountered in COPD patients. Macronutrients, namely carbohydrates, fat, and protein, support the adjunctive treatment options for COPD. The ideal dietary pattern includes low carbohydrates, medium fats preferably polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), and high proteins to improve COPD symptoms, preserve muscle mass, and delay disease progression. High carbohydrate intake might also increase the respiratory quotient (RQ) which results in higher carbon dioxide (CO2) production and oxygen (O2) demand compared to fat and protein intake. Daily calorie intake should be adjusted to personal nutritional status. Higher calories in malnourished, sarcopenic patients and targeted weight loss in obese patients show improvements in lung function, frequency of exacerbations, and hospitalization rate. In obese individuals with COPD, however, maintaining a slightly higher body mass index (BMI) of 25-30 kg/m2 was associated with lower mortality. This literature review summarized the significant role of macronutrients in COPD patients and the practical approach to macronutrient intervention in individuals with different nutritional statuses.

Influence of Small-Scale Irrigation on Livelihoods of Rural Farm Households in the Case of Legehida District, Ethiopia.

Irrigation development, particularly small-scale irrigation, is one of the most important projects for improving agricultural productivity in a country's rural communities. The extent to which small-scale irrigation has improved household livelihoods in Ethiopia's rural areas is not widely recognized. As a result, research on the influence of small-scale irrigation on farmers' livelihoods in the Legehida district will be sought. The study took a "with" and "without" strategy, comparing farmers who used irrigation against those who did not. For analysis, both quantitative and qualitative data were employed. The survey's respondents were chosen using a random sample approach from both irrigation users and nonuser households. Quantitative data for the study were collected from randomly selected 241 farm households, of which 113 were users and 128 were nonusers, using a semistructured questionnaire. Accordingly, the propensity score matching model was employed to examine the impacts of small-scale irrigation on farmers' livelihoods. The logit model result indicates that cultivated land size, off-farm income, education level, family size, dependency ratio, total livestock unit, and distance to the nearest agricultural extension office/FTC are determinant factors in determining whether to practice irrigation when other factors remain constant. The impact of irrigation on a household's income and food security (in terms of daily calorie intake) was evaluated using a propensity score matching model. The result shows that a positive and significant impact on farmers who use small-scale irrigation has increased the daily calorie intake and annual income of households by 244.162 kilocalories and 5234.258 ETB, respectively, as compared to nonirrigation users. This shows that households that participate in small-scale irrigation activities have a higher annual income and food security status than comparable groups. In general, the study recommends that to reduce food insecurity and the socioeconomic problems of rural households, irrigation farming is one of the viable solutions; therefore, the government and nongovernmental organizations should extensively focus on the enhancement of small-scale irrigation infrastructure, policies, strategies, and extension services to increase productivity, income, and livelihood improvement in rural households.

The Impact of Bariatric Surgery on Nitrogen Balance at Six months Post-surgery.

Obesity, defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to health, rose from 8.6 to 10.5% in Singapore's residents. Bariatric surgery, the primary treatment for severe obesity, induces fat and muscle loss. Adequate protein intake is vital for preventing muscle loss. This study examines nitrogen balance in individuals with obesity pre- and post-surgery. Sixteen participants with severe obesity (BMI ≥ 32.5kg/m2) undergoing bariatric surgery (14 sleeve gastrectomy, 2 Roux-en-Y gastric bypass) and 20 normal-weight controls (BMI < 25kg/m2) were recruited. Nitrogen balance, calculated from dietary protein intake and urine nitrogen excretion, was assessed. Participants with obesity were re-evaluated 6months post-surgery. Data were analyzed using parametric methods. At baseline, controls had a BMI of 20.8 ± 2.1kg/m2; those with obesity had 40.9 ± 7.3. Daily calorie and protein intake for participants with obesity were not statistically significantly different from controls (calorie intake at 1467 ± 430 vs. 1462 ± 391kcal, p = 0.9701, protein intake 74.2 ± 28.7 vs. 64.6 ± 18.3g, p = 0.2289). Post-surgery, BMI, fat-free mass, fat mass, total energy intake, carbohydrate, and protein intake decreased significantly (p < 0.01). Protein oxidation and urine nitrogen excretion did not change after bariatric surgery. However, nitrogen balance significantly reduced from 2.62 ± 5.07 to - 1.69 ± 5.07g/day (p = 0.025). Dietary protein intake is inadequate in individuals with obesity at 6months post-bariatric surgery and contributes to a state of negative nitrogen balance.

Remission of type 2 diabetes: opportunities of different nutrition styles

Last time there are a lot of date, published systematic reviews and meta-analyses about relationship between eating behavior and incidence type 2 diabetes. It is known that more than 80% of cases of type 2 diabetes are associated with obesity. In this regard, the nutritional factor is of particular importance in the formation of treatment goals for patients with type 2 diabetes. Today, the disease is no longer a sentence, because achieving remission of type 2 diabetes is possible with the help of nutritional correction. The results of studies shown that a significant decrease in body weight is a predictor of remission of type 2 diabetes. However, the question of the best dietary recommendations for patients with type 2 diabetes remains open. Various dietary patterns (Mediterranean, paleo diet, DASH system, etc.) contribute to the improvement of glycemia, however, there is not enough data indicating a regression of symptoms of type 2 diabetes. In all likelihood, achieving remission is possible only with a significant reduction in daily caloric intake. The ketogenic diet, especially popular in recent times, also improves glycemic control. At the same time, according to the results of a meta-analysis, carbohydrates from whole grains and cereal fibers should not be neglected, because this category of products helps reduce the risk of developing diabetes.

Impact of Climate Change Adaptation Strategies on Food Security of Farm Households in Rural Dire Dawa Administration, Ethiopia

Background: The impact of climate change on smallholder farmers in underdeveloped countries&amp;mdash;specifically, Ethiopia is widely recognized. Farm households employ a range of geographically and temporally varying adaptation strategies to cope with the adverse consequences of climate change. Therefore, it is critical to examine the few empirical studies that examine how rural Ethiopian farm households confronting drought have responded to climate change to ensure food security. Primary data were collected from 385 randomly selected farm households using a semi-structured survey form. Data analysis was performed using endogenous switching regression models and descriptive statistics. Result: Results show that the majority of the sample households (76.7%) adopted climate change adaptation strategies (livelihood diversification, soil and water conservation, and chemical fertilizers separately or in combination) while the remaining 23.3% are non-adopters. Climate change knowledge is validated as an instrumental variable. Model results revealed that adopter farmers would have significantly lower (11.6%) daily calorie intake if they had not adopted them, and non-adopter farmers would have gained significantly higher (12.8%) daily calorie intake if they had adopted them. Sex, marital status, land fragmentation, education, family size, farm size, credit access, extension contacts, and livestock ownership are significantly associated with the likelihood of adoption. Results also show systematic differences where the sex of the head variable is inversely related to the food security of adopters and vice versa for non-adopters. Conclusion: The majority of farm households in the study area know the implications of climate change (73.5%) and suffer from food insecurity (59%). Farmers&amp;#39; knowledge about climate change and variability varies, affecting social, economic, biophysical, and institutional issues. This was shown using descriptive statistics and OLM data. Farm households led by young, male farmers who are married, frequently interact with extension agents, have access to loans and information about climate change, and have non-fragmented plots possess greater knowledge about climate change than other households. Adaptation interventions should consider the above factors and heterogeneities to increase adoption and improve the food security of farm households in the study area.

BENEFICIAL ROLE OF DIETARY CHANGES IN MENOPAUSE: IMPACT ON CARDIOVASCULAR RISK

Objective: The changing hormonal milieu in post-menopausal women (PMW) predisposes them to increase cardiovascular (CV) risk, due to a constellation of risk factors, such as visceral obesity, atherogenic dyslipidemia and arterial hypertension. Our ongoing study aims to evaluate the impact of dietary changes in CV risk in PMW. Design and method: For 1 year, 65 PMW with BMI 24-39 Kg/m2 and at least another CV risk factor were followed. Anthropometric parameters, plicometry and blood pressure (BP) were taken. Questionnaires on medical history, physical activity, and food frequency (FFQ) were administered. Balanced low-calorie dietary plan with quantitative advice were released. Repeated measures ANOVA at 1 year were performed. Results: We observed at 1 year significant reductions (p&lt;0.01) in weight (δ=-4.5 Kg), BMI (δ=-1.7 Kg/m2), waist (δ=-4.3cm) and hips (δ=-3.1cm) circumferences, subscapular (δ=-5.8mm), suprailiac (δ=-3.3mm) and triceps (δ=-5.5mm) skinfolds, adipose area of the arm (AFA) (δ=-7.3cm2), and fat mass (δ=-4.5kg) without variation of the lean mass (δ=-0.1 kg, p=0.48). All those reductions were followed by change in the obesity prevalence (-21.1%), in the fat mass distribution with 10% reduction in abdominal and truncular obesity and 5.2% reduction on waist-to-height ratio, and in systolic (δ=-8.8 mmHg) and diastolic (δ=-4.3 mmHg) BP. Significant positive correlations (p&lt;0.0001) were observed between weight reduction and the following variables: waist (r=0.61) and hip (r=0.77) circumferences, subscapularis (r=0.56) and triceps (r=0.66) skinfolds, and AFA (r=0.73). Significant reductions (p&lt;0.05) were observed in daily caloric intake (δ=-99.8Kcal/day), due to the reduction in fat intake (36.6-&gt;33.6%), specially saturated fatty acids (12-&gt;10.8%) and cholesterol (δ=-23.1mg/day), with maintenance of the average level of physical activity and in agreement with a significant reductions in consumption of animal meats, visible fat, processed meats, olive oil, sweets and baked goods detected by FFQ. Conclusions: The study underlines the medium-term utility of a 1 year balanced low-calorie diet in PMW with elevated CV risk factors with a clear reduction in CV risk.

Dietary dicarboxylic acids provide a non-storable alternative fat source that protects mice against obesity.

Dicarboxylic fatty acids are generated in the liver and kidney in a minor pathway called fatty acid ω-oxidation. The effects of consuming dicarboxylic fatty acids as an alternative source of dietary fat have not been explored. Here, we fed dodecanedioic acid, a 12-carbon dicarboxylic (DC12), to mice at 20% of daily caloric intake for nine weeks. DC12 increased metabolic rate, reduced body fat, reduced liver fat, and improved glucose tolerance. We observed DC12-specific breakdown products in liver, kidney, muscle, heart, and brain, indicating that oral DC12 escaped first-pass liver metabolism and was utilized by many tissues. In tissues expressing the "a" isoform of acyl-CoA oxidase-1 (ACOX1), a key peroxisomal fatty acid oxidation enzyme, DC12 was chain shortened to the TCA cycle intermediate succinyl-CoA. In tissues with low peroxisomal fatty acid oxidation capacity, DC12 was oxidized by mitochondria. In vitro, DC12 was catabolized even by adipose tissue and was not stored intracellularly. We conclude that DC12 and other dicarboxylic acids may be useful for combatting obesity and for treating metabolic disorders.

Major clinical implications of adequate nutrition in children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a concise systematic review

Introduction: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by inappropriate levels of impulsive behavior, hyperactivity, and/or inattention, with a worldwide prevalence estimated at around 7% in childhood and adolescence, and around 3 % in adulthood, with a higher prevalence in boys than in girls. Objective: It was to present the main clinical implications of adequate nutrition in children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Methods: The PRISMA Platform systematic review rules were followed. The research was carried out from January to March 2024 in the Scopus, PubMed, Science Direct, Scielo, and Google Scholar databases. The quality of the studies was based on the GRADE instrument and the risk of bias was analyzed according to the Cochrane instrument. Results and Conclusion: A total of 84 articles were found, 21 articles were evaluated, and 14 were included in this systematic review. Considering the Cochrane tool for risk of bias, the overall assessment resulted in 19 studies with a high risk of bias and 30 studies that did not meet GRADE. Most studies showed homogeneity in their results, with X2=62.8%&gt;50%. Intake of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) fatty acids daily for 8 weeks is associated with less impulsive behavior in children with ADHD. Dietary supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids reduces ADHD symptoms in both individuals with ADHD and typically developing children. A Mediterranean diet may improve BIS results, although our results are not conclusive in this population. The daily intake of calories and nutrients in patients taking methylphenidate is generally lower than in a healthy population of similar age. Co-supplementation of vitamin D and magnesium over 8 weeks may improve behavioral function and mental health in children with ADHD.

Investigation of the probiotic supplement's effect on obese adults demonstrated a reduction in fasting insulin levels: a double-blind randomized clinical trial.

Regarding the importance of obesity concerns and trying to help obese individuals, we planned to develop an effective probiotic formula for weight control. So, this double-blind randomized clinical trial study investigated the impact of probiotics supplementation on anthropometric and biochemical parameters in obese adults. In this study, 66 obese patients with BMI in the range of 30-40kg/m2, were enrolled and randomly assigned to either the probiotic or placebo group. They all received advice to maintain a reduction in daily caloric intake and for 3 months received two unlabeled placebo or probiotic (Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus casei and Bifidobacterium langum) capsules per day. For each participant demographic and medical history questionnaire, semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), and modifiable activity questionnaire (MAQ) were completed at the beginning of the study and anthropometric and biochemical measurements were done before and after intervention. At the end of the trial 25 subjects in the probiotic group and 26 subjects in the placebo group were analyzed. After the intervention, in the probiotic group, the level of fasting insulin was reduced significantly (P < 0.05). Weight, body mass index, waist circumference, and hip circumference decreased within both groups. This reduction amount's mean was higher in the probiotic group. Also, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL levels were decreased, but not statistically significant. This study may suggest the potential of this combined probiotic supplement for treating obesity and related metabolic disorders. However, further researches are warranted for a definitive determination of its properties.

The Association between Serum Level of Vitamin D and Inflammatory Biomarkers in Hospitalized Adult Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study Based on Real-World Data.

The association between vitamin D status and inflammation remains unclear in hospitalized patients. We performed the current study based on real-world data from two teaching hospitals. Serum level of vitamin D (assessed by 25-hydroxyvitamin D) was evaluated within 2 days after admission. All the patients were further classified into three groups: deficiency (<12 ng/mL), insufficiency (12-20 ng/mL), and adequate (≥20 ng/mL). White blood cell (WBC) count, serum level of C-reactive protein (CRP), and procalcitonin were also measured and used to evaluate inflammation. Other potential covariates were abstracted from medical records. Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) was calculated to assess the severity of disease. A total number of 35,528 hospitalized adult patients (21,171 men and 14,357 women) were included. The average age and BMI were 57.5 ± 16.2 years and 23.4 ± 3.7 kg/m2, respectively, while medium vitamin D level was 16.1 ng/mL (interquartile range: 11.4 ng/mL, 21.6 ng/mL) and median CCI was one point (interquartile range: 0 point, two points). The prevalence of deficiency and insufficiency was 28.0% and 40.5%. Multivariate linear regression model showed that serum level of vitamin D was significantly associated with WBC and CRP but not associated with procalcitonin. Each standard deviation (≈7.4 ng/mL) increase in vitamin D was associated with a decrease in WBC by 0.13 × 109/mL (95% CI: 0.2 × 109/mL, 0.06 × 109/mL) and 0.62 mg/L (95% CI: 0.88 mg/L, 0.37 mg/L) for CRP. Subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis (excluding those whose eGFR <60 ml/min/1.73 m2, those whose daily calorie intake <1,000 kcal, and those who were recruited from Xin Hua hospital) generated similar results. The deficiency and insufficiency of vitamin D in the hospitalized adult patients was very common. However, the results should be interpreted with caution for limited representation of the whole inpatients. Low level of vitamin D was associated with inflammatory biomarkers, which provide the evidences to early intervention for lower the risk of infection.

Exploring water-absorbing capacity: a digital image analysis of seeds from 120 wheat varieties

Wheat is a staple food crop that provides a significant portion of the world's daily caloric intake, serving as a vital source of carbohydrates and dietary fiber for billions of people. Seed shape studies of wheat typically involve the use of digital image analysis software to quantify various seed shape parameters such as length, width, area, aspect ratio, roundness, and symmetry. This study presents a comprehensive investigation into the water-absorbing capacity of seeds from 120 distinct wheat lines, leveraging digital image analysis techniques facilitated by SmartGrain software. Water absorption is a pivotal process in the early stages of seed germination, directly influencing plant growth and crop yield. SmartGrain, a powerful image analysis tool, was employed to extract precise quantitative data from digital images of wheat seeds, enabling the assessment of various seed traits in relation to their water-absorbing capacity. The analysis revealed significant transformations in seed characteristics as they absorbed water, including changes in size, weight, shape, and more. Through statistical analysis and correlation assessments, we identified robust relationships between these seed traits, both before and after water treatment. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Agglomerative Hierarchical Clustering (AHC) were employed to categorize genotypes with similar trait patterns, providing insights valuable for crop breeding and genetic research. Multiple linear regression analysis further elucidated the influence of specific seed traits, such as weight, width, and distance, on water-absorbing capacity. Our study contributes to a deeper understanding of seed development, imbibition, and the crucial role of water absorption in wheat. These insights have practical implications in agriculture, offering opportunities to optimize breeding programs for improved water absorption in wheat genotypes. The integration of SmartGrain software with advanced statistical methods enhances the reliability and significance of our findings, paving the way for more efficient and resilient wheat crop production. Significant changes in wheat seed shape parameters were observed after imbibition, with notable increases in area, perimeter, length, width, and weight. The length-to-width ratio (LWR) and circularity displayed opposite trends, with higher values before imbibition and lower values after imbibition.

Abstract P331: Diet and Probiotic Administration Significantly Influence Behavior and Forebrain Inflammation in Male Mice

There is a high degree of comorbidity between psychological and gastrointestinal disease, which implies a functional relationship exists between the two systems. Collectively, research suggests that the gut-brain axis is bidirectional, and involves complex relationships between immune, neural, endocrine, and metabolic pathways. In this pilot study, we seek to further investigate the microbiome’s role in a bottom-up model by studying the short-term effects of different diets and probiotic supplementation on behavior and the expression of inflammatory biomarkers in the forebrain. Weanling, male C57Bl/6 mice were purchased from a commercial vendor and acclimated to a solid diet for one-week. Mice were randomly assigned to receive one of three diets for eight weeks: chow, the American Institute of Nutrition 1993 formulation (AIN), or our novel Americanized diet (AD). After six-weeks of diet, mice were then administered a commercially available probiotic, or water control, for the final two weeks of the study. Aggressive tendencies were measured during the probiotic administration period and dietary intake was recorded during the final week of the study. Animals were then euthanized and the forebrain was dissected and processed for the quantification of mRNA for Bdnf (BDNF), Nfkb1 (Nf-κb), Gfap (GFAP), Ptgs2 (PTGS2), and Nr3c1 (NR3C1) by real-time RT-PCR. Data were analyzed using General Linear Model Procedures in SPSS with significance determined at P&lt;0.05. There was a significant decline (P&lt;0.001) in aggressive behavior over the testing period, and mice administered the probiotic tended (P=0.15) to display less signs of aggression regardless of the diet. For dietary intake, there was a numerical increase in daily caloric intake in mice consuming the AD (~13 kcal/day), while mice consuming chow and AIN were similar (9 and 10 kcal/day, respectively). Additionally, there were numerical differences between probiotic and control groups for two of the diets. Quantification of gene expression in the forebrain revealed that diet significantly (P=0.002) affected GFAP expression, with mice consuming chow having significantly lower values than mice fed AIN or AD. Probiotic treatment significantly (P=0.02) affected NF-κB expression, with mice administered the probiotic having greater forebrain NF-kb as compared to control mice. This was most obvious in mice fed the chow and AIN diets, but not the AD. Collectively, our pilot study’s findings suggest that short term probiotic supplementation and dietary variation have potential effects on neuroinflammation, brain function, and satiety. Furthermore, our data indicates that the efficacy of probiotic administration is dependent upon the quality of diet consumed.

Abstract P480: Digesting Detention: Investigating Eating Patterns in Jails

Background: Over 12 million people cycle through jails every year in the US. People incarcerated experience significant health inequities compared to the general population, including higher rates of hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Despite widespread acceptance of the association between diet and cardiovascular-related outcomes, research documenting dietary intake and nutritional status of individuals incarcerated in jail is limited. Food intake is notoriously difficult to measure, and current measurement tools are not designed for the jail setting. Objectives and Hypotheses: The objectives of this study were to 1) develop a food intake questionnaire for incarcerated adults; 2) document participants’ perceived accuracy of the instrument and 3) compare calorie, macronutrient, and micronutrient intake of people incarcerated in jail to the Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Range (AMDR) and the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA). We hypothesized that participants would consume more sodium, added sugar, and saturated fat while incarcerated compared to the DGA and macronutrient consumption patterns of people incarcerated in jail would not meet the AMDR. Methods: Cycle menus were obtained from the jail administration to design a questionnaire that would allow study participants to accurately document the consumption of foods provided by the jail and purchased through commissary each day. Sixty-five (65) incarcerated adults (24 women and 41 men) were recruited from a northern Arizona county jail to complete the 4-day cross-sectional food intake questionnaire. Participants were asked to fill out the questionnaires in real time. Following the study period, questionnaires were collected, and participants provided feedback on the appropriateness and feasibility of the questionnaire via a group listening session. Daily total and mean calorie, macro- and micronutrient intake were calculated using the ASA24 and compared to the AMDR and the DGA. Results: Of 65 people recruited, 64 completed the questionnaire. Participants reported enjoying reflecting on their diets but indicated that institutional menu modifications during the study period led to confusion as the food items listed did not always match what was served. Average percent saturated fat of total calories (11.7%, 95% CI: 10.9, 12.4) and sodium (3723 mg, 95% CI: 3048, 4399) exceeded DGA recommendations. Macronutrient consumption was within recommended ranges. Conclusions: The results of this study can inform efforts to improve the food intake tracking tool which can be used in future research assessing nutritional status in jails and prisons, as well as other controlled food environments. These results will also provide the first observational evidence of nutritional status in jail settings, informing future institutional policy change and interventions.

The Diet Problem of Food Menu for Starbucks in Malaysia: Linear Programming Problem

Nowadays, fast-food production is in high demand in the food industry. There are many fast-food restaurants in the world, such as Starbucks, McDonald’s, Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) and others. People would spend their time and money at fast-food restaurants because of their quick serving, convenience, and good taste. Starbucks is also no exception because it has various baked goods and hot breakfast items as part of its cafe menu. This can lead to people overconsuming the food at fast-food restaurants every day. Consequently, they would get health problems such as obesity, heart attack, diabetes and others. In this paper, we determine the most suitable menu from Starbucks for a day to fulfil the daily intake of calories, carbohydrates, protein, and fats for men and women. We will use the linear programming model approach to get the optimal calories, carbohydrates, proteins and fats for men and women. We used the nutritional value chart data from Starbucks’ menu, and this diet problem will be solved using an Excel solver. The results obtained fulfilled the required daily intake for men and women for calories, protein, carbohydrates, and fats from the Starbucks menu.

Semaglutide Improves Liver Steatosis and De Novo Lipogenesis Markers in Obese and Type-2-Diabetic Mice with Metabolic-Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease.

Metabolic-dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a prevalent clinical condition associated with elevated morbidity and mortality rates. Patients with MASLD treated with semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, demonstrate improvement in terms of liver damage. However, the mechanisms underlaying this beneficial effect are not yet fully elucidated. We investigated the efficacy of semaglutide in halting MASLD progression using a genetic mouse model of diabesity. Leptin-receptor-deficient mice with obesity and diabetes (BKS db/db) were either untreated or administered with semaglutide for 11 weeks. Changes in food and water intake, body weight and glycemia were monitored throughout the study. Body fat composition was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Upon sacrifice, serum biochemical parameters, liver morphology, lipidomic profile and liver-lipid-related pathways were evaluated. The semaglutide-treated mice exhibited lower levels of glycemia, body weight, serum markers of liver dysfunction and total and percentage of fat mass compared to untreated db/db mice without a significant reduction in food intake. Histologically, semaglutide reduced hepatic steatosis, hepatocellular ballooning and intrahepatic triglycerides. Furthermore, the treatment ameliorated the hepatic expression of de novo lipogenesis markers and modified lipid composition by increasing the amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids. The administration of semaglutide to leptin-receptor-deficient, hyperphagic and diabetic mice resulted in the amelioration of MASLD, likely independently of daily caloric intake, suggesting a direct effect of semaglutide on the liver through modulation of the lipid profile.