Daily Fruit Research Articles

Day-to-Day Fluctuation in Micronutrient Content in Human Milk Relative to Maternal Diet.

The impact of daily variations in habitual maternal intake on human milk (HM) composition has been poorly studied. We aimed to investigate the associations between day-to-day fluctuation in the micronutrient concentration in HM and daily maternal diet. To this end, an observational longitudinal study was carried out. A total of 143 lactating women each compiled a five-day weighed dietary record and concomitantly expressed milk for four successive days. Maternal daily intakes of micronutrients and food groups were analyzed. Free thiamine, free riboflavin, nicotinamide, pantothenic acid, pyridoxal, folic acid, cobalamin, ascorbic and dehydroascorbic acids, retinol, alpha- and gamma-tocopherol, cholecalciferol, and calcidiol in HM were determined for each of the four investigated days. A longitudinal data analysis with generalized estimating equation models was performed. For each daily serving of meat, fish, and eggs, total vitamin D3 levels increased by 243.2 pg/mL (p = 0.027) and selenium levels increased by 0.16 ppb (p = 0.031) in HM. For every 1 mg/day of riboflavin supplementation, free riboflavin levels in HM increased by 28.6 mcg/L (p = 0.019). Pyridoxal levels in HM increased by 6.3 mcg/L per 1 mg/day of vitamin B6 supplementation (p = 0.001), and by 2 mcg/L per daily fruit ration (p = 0.016). In conclusion, we were able to quantify the impact of the usual day-to-day variations in the diet and in the intake of commonly used supplements on the fluctuation of vitamin D, free riboflavin, pyridoxal, and selenium concentration in the milk of lactating women.

Minimizing sweet cherry fruit losses during storage under the influence of hydrocooling and protective organic composition

Reducing fruit losses is one of the most important strategies for improving diets and strengthening food systems. Therefore, improving modern technologies for storing sweet cherries, assessing the potential of the necessary capacities and technologies for fruit storage to reduce post-harvest losses and extend the shelf life of fruits remains relevant. Improvement of pre-cooling methods optimize the shelf life of fresh fruit and contributes to the growth of demand for fruit by consumers in the European market. The object of the study is the technology of pretreatment of sweet cherry fruits using an organic composition. The fruits of the model variety Valerii Chkalov were used as experimental material. The minimum natural losses from microbiological diseases and physiological disorders were recorded on the 40th day of sweet cherry fruit storage. Fruit weight losses during storage of sweet cherries of the Valerii Chkalov variety were minimal when hydro cooling was applied in combination with a protective organic composition of lactic and acetic acid (1.75 %:2.00 %). The optimum concentration of lactic and acetic acids (2.00 %:1.75 %) was determined, which ensures minimal daily fruit losses (0.068 %) under the influence of hydro-cooling during storage of sweet cherries. The analysis of the regression model reveled the optimal value of the average level of daily losses during storage of sweet cherry fruit of Valerii Chkalov variety – 0.0642 % at concentrations of lactic and acetic acid 2.161 % to 1.705 %, respectively. The tendency to minimize sweet cherry fruit losses during storage under the influence of hydrocooling and the optimal concentration of organic acids in the protective composition was identified. The results could be used to improve pre-cooling methods in the food industry to preserve the quality of fruit raw materials in a waste-free fruit supply chain for all relevant stakeholders

Minimisation of losses of consumer quality during storage of cherry fruits under the influence of hydrocooling and protective composition

The need for consumption of fruit products, in particular sweet cherries and cherries, is growing every year in Ukraine. This is driven by national traditions, stakeholder needs, and the population's demand for healthy eating. Cherries are a nutritious fruit that contains such functional ingredients as essential amino acids, vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber, etc. Unfortunately, in terms of long-term storage, cherries quickly lose their quality and have a short harvest and processing period. To increase the shelf life of products, it is advisable to develop and improve methods of storage and processing of cherries. Optimisation of chilling methods for cherries before storage increases the shelf life of fresh fruit and the suitability for fresh consumption. Improving the methods of chilling cherries will help to increase the demand for its fruits by all stakeholders in the European market. The aim of the research was to establish the optimal concentration of acetic and lactic organic acids, which are included in the protective composition for processing cherry fruits, and to determine the level of daily losses of cherry fruits during hydrocooling while maintaining the global optimum point. To establish an effective cooling method, fruit losses caused by diseases of microbiological origin and physiological disorders were determined. During storage, the effect of the concentrations of the protective composition on the indicators of weight loss and the average level of daily fruit loss was studied. A regression model was built and the optimal values of the indicators were determined by stages: a regression model was built on the basis of experimental data and the global optimum point was determined on the basis of the model and a confidence interval for the optimum was built. According to the results of the research, the lowest rate of daily fruit losses at the level of 0,117%-0,121% was recorded during hydrocooling of cherry fruits using organic compositions of lactic and acetic acids in the ratio of their components of 1,25-2,25:1,50-2,25 and 1,75-2,25% with the amount of acetic acid at 1,25%, respectively. The regression analysis showed the optimal value of the average level of daily losses during storage of cherry fruits of the model variety ‘Vstrecha’ – 0,106% at the value of factors x1=2,217 and x2=1,966.

Evaluation of Nutritional Preferences of School-Age Children and Parents Attitudes Towards Child Nutrition: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objective: This study aimed to examine the nutrition of school-age children and the influence of their parents. Method: The study involved 259 school-age children aged 9-12 and their volunteering parents from a province in Türkiye. A questionnaire was administered to the children questioning sociodemographic data and basic nutritional information, anthropometric measurements were taken, and the Parent Mealtime Action Scale was applied to their parents. The obtained data were analyzed in SPSS 26 program. Results: It was found that the snack consumption status of children was related to the income status of the family's daily fruit and vegetable consumption (p<0.01). It has been found that animal fat restricted diet is associated with growth status in children (p<0.01). It has been determined that the children's eating situation is related to the persistent behavior of parents (p<0.05). It has been found that children who do not consume chips at all are also fed restricted animal fats in their daily diet. It was determined that bagel/cereal consumption was also excessive in children in whom rewarding was applied excessively (p<0.05). Conclusion: As a result, it was determined that school-age children's own preferences in food choices, as well as the parent's behavior and educational status, and the family's income level also have a significant impact. It is thought that it will be beneficial to provide nutrition education to parents and children in order to develop the right eating habits in school-age children and to increase the level of nutrition knowledge.

Serving up FLAN. a food literacy and nutrition intervention to fend off food insecurity

BackgroundFood insecurity, an ongoing and accelerating problem in the U.S., is an economic and social condition involving limited or uncertain access to adequate food. Some of the highest rates of food insecurity in 2022 were found among individuals who were Hispanic/Latinx (20.8%), a population that already faces disproportionate health and socioeconomic disadvantages. There remains an urgent health-related need to identify sustainable strategies to prevent food insecurity in the Latinx population.MethodsA first-generation pilot investigation was conducted using data derived from a sub-study connected to the Computerized Physical Activity Support for Seniors (COMPASS) Trial, a 12-month cluster-randomized controlled trial among older Latinx adults. The sub-study focused on two nutrition interventions that included (1) the Food Literacy and Nutrition (FLAN) curriculum, and (2) a nutrition information-only control. Research hypotheses aimed to determine whether the FLAN intervention reduced food insecurity and increased daily fruit and vegetable servings.ResultsOn average, participants (n = 39) were 61.5 years of age (SD = 6.7), mostly female (69%), and reported Spanish as their primary language (69%). The FLAN intervention was associated with decreased odds of food insecurity at 12 months (AOR = 0.71, 95% CI = 0.54, 0.95; p = 0.03) when compared to the nutrition-information only control intervention. Although no between-group differences in daily fruit and vegetable servings were found, there was a significant correlation between changes in daily fruit and vegetable servings from baseline to six months and changes in food insecurity from baseline to 12 months (r = -0.51, p = 0.01).ConclusionsThe FLAN intervention, a bilingual and culturally tailored educational curriculum, yielded 12-month improvements in food security among a small sample of older Latinx adults. Evidence from this investigation highlights the potential utility of implementing the FLAN curriculum among individuals who are at an increased risk of food insecurity. Further investigation in a larger sample is merited to determine whether the 12-month decreases in food insecurity that were produced by the FLAN intervention can be replicated.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials gov Identifier: NCT02111213. Registered on 04/02/2014.

Identification of Passion Fruit Nutrients for Elderly People Using Network in Network Architecture: An Empirical Study in Thailand

The growing elderly population has led to a rise in health issues, particularly chronic diseases. Passion fruits contain numerous nutrients that may help in the treatment of chronic diseases. However, specific recommendations for daily passion fruit nutrient intake for the elderly are currently lacking in the literature. This research aimed to identify passion fruit groups and to suggest the appropriate daily passion fruit nutrient intake for elderly people using network in network (NiN) architecture. This research demonstrates that the NiN model can be effectively applied to identify passion fruit groups for the elderly. It is more efficient than other convolutional neural network (CNN) architectures. The results show that NiN can correctly identify passion fruit groups and suggest the appropriate amount of nutrient intake for the elderly, achieving + 96.76% accuracy in the training dataset and 95.89% accuracy in the validation dataset, surpassing 84.6% accuracy achieved by EaglAI. Sensitivity analysis of the NiN model using mean absolute error (MAE) for geometric transformations revealed consistent training image results and model robustness. This research benefits elderly people with chronic diseases by providing tailored recommendations for daily passion fruit intake, based on the analysis of sugar nutrients using the NiN model.

Long-Term Fasting-Induced Ketosis in 1610 Subjects: Metabolic Regulation and Safety.

There is a growing consensus that fasting-induced ketosis has beneficial effects on human physiology. Despite these compelling benefits, fasting-induced ketosis raises concerns in some clinicians because it is often inappropriately compared with the pathologic uncontrolled ketone production in diabetic ketoacidosis. The determinants of the inter-individual differences in the intensity of ketosis during long-term fasting is unknown. We monitored daily variations in fasting ketonemia, as well as ketonuria, which is less invasive, in a large cohort of 1610 subjects, fasting between 4 and 21 days with the Buchinger Wilhelmi program, minimally supplemented with ~75-250 kcal (daily fruit juice, vegetable soup, and honey). Ketonuria was detected in more than 95% of fasting subjects from day 4 onwards. Subjects consuming only soups, without fruit juice or honey, exhibited reduced caloric intake (72 kcal instead of 236 kcal) and carbohydrate intake (15.6 g instead of 56.5 g), leading to more intense ketonuria. Participants with high ketonuria were, in the majority, males, young, had a higher body weight, and had lower HDL-C and urea values. They had a larger decrease in blood glucose, glycated haemoglobin levels, body weight, and waist circumference. Furthermore, in the high-ketonuria group, a larger increase in blood uric acid concentration was observed. Our study showed that long-term fasting triggered ketosis, never reaching pathological levels, and that ketosis is influenced by age, gender, health, and the level of physical activity. Furthermore, it is modulated but not suppressed by minimal carbohydrate intake. Our study paves the way for better understanding how supplementation can modulate the therapeutic effects and tolerability of long-term fasting.

Low energy intake and nutritional maladaptation in terminal stage IV periodontitis.

Impairment of masticatory function in elderly patients with terminal dentition due to stage IV periodontitis (TDS4P) may lead to lower nutritional intake. The study aimed to report the dietary intake and nutrition status of elderly patients with TDS4P and compare them with those of the elderly Chinese population and the Chinese Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs). Fifty-one consecutive subjects (≥55 years old) with TDS4P were enrolled. Average dietary intake was evaluated based on a 3-day 24-h dietary recall (24HR) and food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). The daily intake of fresh vegetables and fruits, dietary energy as well as macro and micronutrients were calculated and compared with matched national data and the Chinese DRIs. Nutritional status was assessed by Short-Form Mini-Nutritional assessment. Of the subjects, 19.6% (95% CI: 7.2%-28.1%) were at risk of malnutrition. The mean daily energy intake was 1517.4 kcal (95% CI: 1400.5-1634.3) for males and 1110.7 kcal (95% CI: 1001.5-1219.9) for females, which were very low compared with both the national data and the DRIs. Females derived a higher percentage of energy from fat. The mean daily intake of vegetables was 151.4 g (95% CI: 128.1-174.8) by FFQ and 130.9 g (95% CI: 104.6-157.3) by 24HR. Both results were significantly lower than the national reports (95% CI: 310.3-340.1) and the DRIs (300-450 g). Insufficient micronutrient intake, especially vitamins A, C and E, was also found. Elderly subjects with TDS4P had a lower daily energy intake, vegetable and fruit consumption and essential macro and micronutrient intake. More studies are needed to clarify the impact of periodontitis and tooth loss/replacement on nutrition and healthy ageing.

Fruitful changes? Exploring household fruit purchase decisions following comprehensive food policy regulations in Chile

Changes in unprocessed healthy food purchases associated with the implementation of comprehensive food policy remain understudied. This study analyzes whether, following the announcement, modification, and implementation of Chile's Food Labeling and Advertising law targeting highly processed food (occurring in 2012, 2015, and 2016, respectively), households improved their fruit purchase decisions: purchase participation (i.e., buying likelihood) and purchase quantity. Expenditure data from a representative sample of Chilean households were employed, covering two consecutive survey waves conducted in 2011/2012 and 2016/2017. After controlling for socioeconomic factors (e.g., prices and income), results indicate that only purchase participation increased, providing weak support for positive spillover effects of a comprehensive food policy on fruit purchases. Subsample analyses reveal that this increase was driven by college-educated, childless, and low-income households and was stronger for sweeter and more convenient fruits. Considering that households in Chile do not meet health recommendations for daily fruit intake, additional policy efforts targeting healthy, unprocessed food consumption could be considered.

Nutritional Habits of Hungarian Older Adults.

There are many nutritional changes that come with aging, mostly as consequences of health regression. Malnutrition and overweight often start with inadequate food consumption, followed by alterations in biochemical indices and body composition. In our study, we aimed to analyze the feeding habits and energy and nutrient intake of a Hungarian elderly population, focusing on macronutrient, water, fruit, and vegetable consumption while searching for possible nutritional factors leading to NCD and many other chronic diseases in this population. Two questionnaires were used. These were the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) and one asking about nutritional habits, and a 3-day feeding diary was also filled. Subjects (n = 179, 111; females (F), 68 males (M), older than 50 years were recruited. Based on MNA results, 78 adults (43.57% of the studied population) were malnourished or at risk of malnutrition, although, according to BMI categories, 69% were overweight and 7.3% were obese among M, while 42.3% were overweight among F. The average daily meal number was diverse. The amount of people consuming fruit (11.7%) and vegetables (8.93%) several times a day was extremely low (15.3% of F and 4.4% of M). Daily fruit consumption in the whole sample was 79.3%. Overall, 36.3% consumed 1 L of liquid and 0.5 L of consumption was found in 15.1% of participants. A significant gender difference was found in water consumption, with F drinking more than M (p ≤ 0.01). In our sample, 27.93% of the respondents took dietary supplements. Further analysis and research are needed to explore the specific health implications of and reasons behind these findings.

Changes over time of fruit, vegetable and sweets consumption among European adolescents and associations with sociodemographic characteristics: an HBSC study.

European adolescents do not eat enough fruits and vegetables and have a high sweets consumption. This study aims to analyse the changes in time of dietary behaviours related to sociodemographic characteristics, among European adolescents. Health Behaviour in School Age Children data (2013/14 to 2017/18), of European adolescents, aged 11- to15-year-old, were used. Family Affluence Scale identified socioeconomic status (SES). Changes in time of dietary behaviours and associations with sociodemographic characteristics were estimated by binary and multilevel logistic regression. 182719 adolescents were included, and 10/36 European countries showed a significant increase in daily fruit and vegetable consumption and 12/36 countries a significant decrease in sweets consumption over 4years. The multilevel analysis showed that 13- and 15-year-old adolescents consumed fewer daily fruits and vegetables (P<0.001) and more daily sweets (P<0.001) than 11-year-old adolescents. Also, 15-year-old adolescents' sweets consumption change over time was less favourable (P=0.006). Girls consumed more daily fruits, vegetables and sweets than boys (P<0.001).Low SES adolescents consumed fewer daily fruits and vegetables than medium/high SES adolescents. Additionally, the low SES adolescents' vegetable consumption change over time was less favourable (P<0.001). Dietary behaviour policy recommendations should be adapted for the sex, age and SES of the population.

Country-level sociocultural context and socioeconomic inequalities in adolescent dietary behaviours: A multilevel analysis in 21 European countries

Studies to date have predominantly focused on countries' socioeconomic conditions (e.g., income inequality) to explain cross-national differences in socioeconomic inequalities in adolescent health (behaviours). However, the potential explanatory role of sociocultural contexts at country-level remains underexamined. This study examined whether the country-level sociocultural context and changes thereof were associated with adolescent socioeconomic inequalities in dietary behaviours. International comparative data of 344,352 adolescents living in 21 countries participating in 2002, 2006, 2010 and 2014 waves of the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) survey were combined with aggregated levels of openness-to-change from the European Social Survey (ESS). Four dietary behaviours (i.e., fruit, vegetable, sweets and soft drink consumption) and two measures of socioeconomic status (SES) on the individual level (i.e., family affluence scale [FAS] and occupational social class [OSC]) were studied. Multilevel logistic regression analyses returned contrasting results for the two SES measures used. In countries with higher levels of openness-to-change, smaller FAS inequalities in daily fruit, sweets and soft drink consumption were observed, but no such inequalities were found for vegetable consumption. Conversely, in these countries, larger OSC inequalities in soft drink consumption were found. Country-specific changes in openness-to-change over time were not associated with the magnitude of adolescent dietary inequalities. Findings underscore the importance of including country-level sociocultural contexts to improve the understanding of cross-national differences in socioeconomic inequalities in adolescents’ diets. Future studies, spanning a longer timeframe, are required to examine whether such associations exist within countries over time since our timeframe might have been too small to capture these long-term trends.

Associations between dietary behaviours and the mental and physical well-being of Swedish adolescents

AimsThis study aims to investigate the association between dietary behaviours, overweight/obesity, and mental health and well-being among Swedish adolescents.MethodsData from the 2017/2018 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) survey of 3692 adolescents aged ≈11, ≈13, and ≈15 years was analysed. We evaluated the prevalence and association of dietary behaviours, characterised by daily intake of fruits and vegetables, consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and sweets once per week, and daily consumption of family meals and breakfast, with socioeconomic and demographic factors. Multivariate logistic regression models (adjusted and unadjusted) were then used to examine the relationship between dietary behaviours, overweight/obesity, and mental health and well-being including psychosomatic complaints, life satisfaction, and school-related pressure.ResultsBoys were more likely to eat breakfast and have meals together with their family than girls, but their fruit and vegetable intake was lower compared to girls. Adolescents with lower socioeconomic status (low family affluence, families perceived ’not well-off’ and two unemployed parents), single-parent households and twoforeign born parents were more likely to engage in poorer dietary behaviours. Daily breakfast, family meals, fruit and vegetable intake were positively associated with mental health and well-being. Specifically, daily family meals were linked to higher life satisfaction, fewer psychosomatic complaints, and reduced school-related pressure. Breakfast emerged as a beneficial dietary habit, associated with higher life satisfaction, and a lower likelihood of psychosomatic complaints, school-related pressure, and overweight/obesity. Fruit and vegetable consumption was consistently associated with better mental health and well-being while associations between SSBs and sweets were mixed.ConclusionsImproving mental health and well-being, along with tackling the rising rates of mental illness and challenges related to overweight/obesity in adolescents constitute key public health priorities. Implementing policies that promote the intake of fruits and vegetables, reducing the consumption of SSBs and sweets, and emphasizing the value of having breakfast and sharing family meals could offer a cost-effective public health intervention.

Abstract P205: Poor Sleep Quality and Daytime Sleepiness Associated With Lower Quality Diet in an Israeli Cohort

Introduction: Sleep health and diet quality are bidirectionally linked. Poor sleep can impair metabolic function and alter eating behavior, while a poor quality diet may negatively impact sleep and daytime function through multiple pathways (i.e. inflammation, obesity, daytime fatigue). Methods: In a 2017 Israeli Bureau of Statistics population-based survey of households, 7,230 Israeli individuals reported habitual sleep and diet quality. Sleep variables included sleep duration (≤5, 6, 7, 8, or ≥9 hours per night), sleep disturbances (0, ≤1, 2-3, or 4+ nights per week), and daytime sleepiness (categorized as either “None”, “Not Much”, “Somewhat”, or “Greatly”). Diet variables were categorized as 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4+ daily servings of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, and 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4+ weekly servings of legumes, red meat, and fish. Covariates included age, sex, BMI, financial status, and ethnicity. Results: Individuals who slept ≤5 hours were less likely to eat daily vegetables (oOR=0.863, p&lt;0.05). Individuals who slept ≤7 hours were less likely to eat daily fruits (oOR=0.858, p&lt;0.02), and whole grains (oOR=0.0.772, p&lt;0.0005). Individuals who slept ≥9 hours were less likely to eat daily vegetables (oOR=0.803, p=0.038), fruits (oOR=0.783, p=0.025), or wholegrains (oOR=0.783, p=0.027), as well as weekly legumes (oOR=0.788, p=0.025), and fish (oOR=0.779, p=0.028). Those with severe sleep disturbances (4+ per week) were less likely to eat daily vegetables (oOR=0.675, p&lt;0.0005), fruits (oOR=0.765, p&lt;0.0005), and whole grains (oOR=0.840, p=0.011), or weekly legumes (oOR=0.806), p=0.001). Mild daytime sleepiness was associated with fewer daily vegetables (oOR=0.834, p=0.007), while “great” daytime sleepiness was associated with fewer vegetables (oOR=0.558, p&lt;0.0005), fruits (oOR=0.689, p&lt;&gt;0.0005), wholegrains (oOR=0.751, p&lt;0.0005), and legumes (oOR=0.734, p&lt;0.0005). In a stepwise model adjusting for all sleep variables, many measures of poor sleep were independently associated with fewer daily vegetables, fruits, and wholegrains, fewer weekly legumes, and more weekly red meat. Conclusions: While the relationship between sleep and diet is complex, these data suggest that multiple independent pathways link poor sleep with an objectively unhealthier diet. The interaction between diet and daytime function, in particular, warrants further attention. Interventions targeting healthier sleep and diet must consider all aspects of sleep quality, including nocturnal sleep itself and daytime sleepiness.

Factors Associated with Daily Fruit and Vegetable Intakes among Children Aged 1-5 Years in the United States.

To describe child, caregiver, and household characteristics associated with fruit and vegetable intakes among US children aged 1-5 years, we examined fruit and vegetable intakes (less than daily vs. daily) using data from the 2021 National Survey of Children's Health among children aged 1-5 years. Multiple logistic regression provided adjusted odds ratios for factors associated with (1) daily fruit and (2) daily vegetable intakes. Among children aged 1-5 years, 68% (n = 11,124) consumed fruit daily, and 51% (n = 8292) consumed vegetables daily. Both daily fruit and daily vegetable intake were associated with child age, child race and ethnicity, and frequency of family meals. For example, children who ate a family meal 4-6 days/week (aOR 0.69; 95% CI 0.57, 0.83) or 0-3 days/week (aOR 0.57; 95% CI 0.46, 0.72) were less likely to consume fruit daily compared to children who had a family meal every day. Participation in food assistance programs, food insufficiency, and household income were not significantly associated with odds of daily fruit or daily vegetable intake in the adjusted models. Several factors were associated with daily fruit and vegetable intake among children aged 1-5. Strategies aimed at increasing fruit and vegetable consumption in early childhood may consider these child, caregiver, and household characteristics. Pediatric healthcare providers, early childhood education centers, and families of young children may be important partners in this work.

Inequities in dietary intake and eating behaviours among adolescents in Canada

ObjectiveTo provide contemporary evidence of how dietary intake and eating behaviours vary by social positions among adolescents.MethodsWe used survey data collected during the 2020–2021 school year from 52,138 students attending 133 secondary schools in Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec, Canada. Multiple regression models tested whether self-reported indicators of dietary intake and eating behaviours differed by gender, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic status (SES).ResultsFemales were more likely than males to skip breakfast, restrict eating, and consume fruit, vegetables, and fast food on more days. Gender-diverse/“prefer not to say” students were more likely to restrict eating than males and the least likely to consume breakfast and drink water daily, and fruits and vegetables regularly. Black and Latin American students were more likely to restrict eating and consume purchased snacks and fast food, and less likely to drink water daily than white and Asian adolescents. Daily breakfast consumption was most likely among Latin American students. Black students were the least likely to report eating breakfast daily and fruits and vegetables regularly. Lower SES was associated with lower odds of eating breakfast and drinking water daily and regular fruit and vegetable consumption, and higher odds of restrictive eating and purchased snack consumption. Fast food consumption had a u-shaped association with SES.ConclusionResults emphasize gender, racial/ethnic, and socioeconomic inequities in the diets and eating behaviours of adolescents. There is a critical need to address the structural factors contributing to inequities and prevent the consequences of dietary disparities.

Assessment of buccal mucosa genotoxicity in insecticide-exposed urban fumigators in Cali, Colombia.

This study aimed to evaluate cytogenetic damage in the buccal mucosa of non-exposed subjects (N = 33) and insecticide-exposed fumigators (N = 31) in the urban area of Cali, Colombia. Through a questionnaire sociodemographic data, anthropometric measurements, state of health, and lifestyle were collected. Buccal micronucleus cytome (BMCyt) assay was using for evaluate cytogenetic damage. The study showed that all fumigators used adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) and had low alcohol consumption. The authors did not find significant differences in BMCyt biomarkers between the groups (p > 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed a 13% increase in micronucleus (MN) frequency for every year of increasing age (OR = 1.13, p = 0.029), and higher MN with the decrease in daily fruit consumption (OR = 4.71, p = 0.084), without statistical significance. The results between groups could be related to healthy habits and PPE use among the subjects. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2024;37(1):128-37.

The Epidemiology of Berry Consumption and Association of Berry Consumption with Diet Quality and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in United States Adults: The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2003–2018

BackgroundBerries are rich in important nutrients and bioactive compounds, which could potentially contribute to maintenance of normal lipid and glucose profiles. ObjectiveWe reported the epidemiology of berry consumption and examined associations of berry consumption with diet quality [measured by Healthy Eating Index (HEI-2015)] and levels of cardiometabolic risk factors, including body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL cholesterol), glycated hemoglobin, and fasting biomarkers: triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL cholesterol), glucose, insulin, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). MethodsWe evaluated 33,082 adults (aged ≥20 y) using two 24-h diet recalls from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2003–2018). Multivariable linear regression models were applied to examine the associations of total and individual berry intake with diet quality and cardiometabolic risk factors using appropriate sample weights. ResultsApproximately 25 % of the United States adults consumed berries (0.08 ± 0.003 cup-equivalents/d), representing ∼10 % of the daily mean total fruit intake. Among berry consumers, the mean intake of strawberries (0.31 ± 0.01 cup-equivalents) was higher than for other berries. Berry consumers had a significantly higher HEI-2015 score than nonconsumers (mean HEI-2015 score = 58.8 compared with 52.3, P < 0.0001). Berry consumers had significantly lower concentrations of cardiometabolic indices than nonconsumers, including BMI, WC, SBP, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, and higher mean HDL cholesterol, after adjusting for sociodemographic, lifestyle, and dietary confounders (all P < 0.05). ConclusionsUnited States adult berry consumers had a higher diet quality and lower concentrations of cardiometabolic risk factors, suggesting a favorable role for berries in diets and cardiometabolic disease prevention in United States adult population.

Fruit and Vegetable Intake in Adults with Sickle Cell Disease

Introduction Patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) experience frequent disruptions to their daily lives from vaso-occlusive pain episodes and chronic organ complications, such as stroke. These acute and chronic complications negatively impact patients' ability to continue their educational and occupational obligations, making them vulnerable to socioeconomic challenges (PMID 30540112). In children with SCD, individual-level socioeconomic distress was associated with poor diet quality (PMID 34811867). In the non-SCD literature, food insecurity is characterized by a low fruit and vegetable diet intake and a greater risk of chronic kidney disease (PMID 24434743). The association of individual level socioeconomic distress with fruit and vegetable intake and, in turn, of fruit and vegetable intake with kidney function in adults with SCD is unclear. Methods We prospectively surveyed adults with SCD to investigate the association between individual level socioeconomic distress, fruit and vegetable intake, and kidney function. Between July 2022 and June 2023, we enrolled 81 adults with a diagnosis of SCD from an outpatient clinic at a Sickle Cell Center in an urban academic institution. We assessed fruit and vegetable intake using the National Cancer Institute's All Day Screener, a validated tool that estimates daily intake of fruit and vegetables. Markers of socioeconomic distress were measured using a modified short quantitative survey created by adapting the Centers for Disease Control's Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Questionnaire. The distressed community index (DCI), a composite indicator that estimates the economic well-being of a community, was determined for each patient's residential address. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and the association of fruit and vegetable intake with body mass index and kidney function was determined using linear regression, adjusting for age, sex, and SCD genotype. Results The median age of the cohort was 38 years (interquartile range [IQR], 31 - 45 years), 60% were female, 74% had Hb SS or Sβ 0-thalassemia genotype, and 47% were on hydroxyurea therapy. The median BMI of the cohort was 25 kg/m 2 (IQR, 21 - 30 kg/m 2). With respect to socioeconomic indicators, 33% (25/75) had high school or less education, 80% (59/74) did not own their residence, 48% (37/77) were unemployed or unable to work, and 71% (49/69) had income of &amp;lt; $35,000/year. The median DCI for our cohort was 90.8 (IQR, 68.9 - 94.9) with 65% (52/81) living in a distressed community (DCI &amp;gt; 80). The median fruit and vegetable servings consumed by the cohort was 1.95 serving sizes per day (IQR 1.05-3.04 servings), which is lower than the Centers for Disease and Control (CDC) Prevention daily dietary recommendation of 5 servings per day, and below the national and state-level (Illinois) average of 2.6 servings per day in the general population (PMID 34990439). Only 15% (11/75) of our cohort met the CDC daily recommendations of fruits and vegetables. Baseline demographics, including age, sex, SS/Sβ 0-thalassemia genotype, and hydroxyurea therapy use, were not different between those that met versus did not meet the daily fruit and vegetable intake requirements (Table). Similarly, we did not observe any differences in the socioeconomic indicators, DCI score, or proportion of patients living in a distressed tier in these two groups. On multivariable analyses, lower fruit and vegetable intake was associated with higher body mass index (natural log β 0.08 ± 0.03; P = 0.001) and higher urine albumin to creatinine ratios (natural log β 0.41 ± 0.2; P = 0.045). We did not observe any association of fruit and vegetable intake with systolic or diastolic blood pressure or with estimated glomerular filtration rate. Discussion In this prospective, cross-sectional study, adults with SCD experienced a high burden of socioeconomic distress. Although we did not observe an association between socioeconomic indicators and fruit and vegetable intake, only 15% of our cohort met the daily fruit and vegetable intake recommendations. Lower fruit and vegetable intake was associated with higher body mass index and albuminuria. Our findings highlight the need for further investigation to better understand barriers to a healthy diet in people with SCD. Furthermore, strategies to increase fruit and vegetable intake may represent a modifiable risk factor to improve SCD-related health.

Investigating the Antimicrobial Efficiency of Staple Food Against Enteric Pathogens

Background: The advent of antibiotics has significantly decreased human death rates. However, the problem of antibiotic overuse and the number of individuals who maintain a suspicious and defensive stance towards medicines remain unresolved concerns. Hence, it is important to investigate the antibacterial efficacy of commonly consumed dietary items. Results and Discussion: This research examined the antibacterial activity of thirteen different daily vegetables and fruits. Among them, the extract from Citrus limon (Eureka) had the highest efficacy as an antibacterial agent against Gram-positive bacteria. The study involved quantifying the antibacterial efficacy of Citrus limon (Eureka) extract by measuring the diameter of the antibacterial zone and determining the cell concentration in the sample using an Ultraviolet Spectrometer. The results revealed a positive correlation between the antibacterial ability of the extract and its quantity, as well as a negative correlation between the inhibition degree of S. aureus and the quantity of Citrus limon (Eureka) extract. Conclusion: The study revealed that the extract derived from Citrus limon (Eureka) has robust antibacterial properties against gram-positive bacteria while demonstrating no discernible effect on gram-negative bacteria.