Intake Data Research Articles

Cost effectiveness of fortified bouillon in addressing Burkinabe children's vitamin A inadequacy: An economic optimization model.

Vitamin A dietary inadequacy remains a serious public health problem among young children 6-59 months of age in Burkina Faso. Planners face several interrelated challenges: Selecting concrete policy objectives regarding vitamin A inadequacy reductions, identifying cost-effective vitamin A intervention programs that can achieve those objectives, and being reasonably sure that proposed intervention programs are robust to uncertainty in program benefits and costs. A 10-year, subnational economic optimization model making use of secondary dietary intake data and program cost data was developed and implemented to address these issues and included the following vitamin A program options: existing or improved edible oils fortification, a pair of hypothetical vitamin A-fortified bouillon programs, and a set of subnational vitamin A supplementation (VAS) programs. The model consistently identified the improved edible oils and bouillon fortification programs as the core national programs upon which the more expensive subnational VAS programs could be layered, depending on policy objectives and available funding. These results were robust to uncertainty in program nutritional benefits and costs. However, even if the most impactful set of modeled programs was implemented, vitamin A inadequacy among children would remain a serious public health problem; hence, additional efforts to address it would be needed.

Diet and Environmental Sustainability: A Review of Australian Evidence

Evidence to inform the incorporation of environmental sustainability into public health nutrition policy and dietetics practice needs to be relevant to the local dietary, cultural, environmental, and food system context. Global recommendations and evidence from other countries may not be directly applicable. As this information is scattered across multiple research publications in Australia, a systematic review was undertaken to consolidate evidence and identify practical recommendations. Following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, the search strategy sought to identify studies based on Australian dietary intake data obtained by surveys combined with an environmental assessment. Theoretical or conceptual studies were deemed out of scope. Included studies were grouped for synthesis based on content relating to total dietary energy intake, nutrient adequacy, foods and food groups, and dietary patterns. Out of 765 records, 14 studies met the eligibility criteria. These studies addressed a variety of research questions using a variety of modelling approaches and environmental indicators. Current evidence suggests encouraging consumption of nutrient-dense foods, especially those that enhance satiety, along with discouraging consumption of nutrient-poor processed foods that contribute little to satiety and can lead to excessive dietary energy intake. Limiting total intake or diversity of protein-rich foods can increase risks of inadequate intake of micronutrients. For lower environmental impact dietary patterns, intake of vitamins A, B6, and B12, and minerals Ca, Mg, Se, and Zn can be below estimated average requirements. The practical implication is that foods that are rich and bioavailable sources of these nutrients need to be prioritized in any strategy to reduce dietary environmental impacts.

Clinical Outcomes Among Adolescents Diagnosed With Anorexia Nervosa During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with a significant rise in the incidence of anorexia nervosa (AN) and atypical anorexia nervosa (AAN), longer wait times and reduced opportunities for in-person medical services. How these changes affected clinical outcomes among adolescents newly diagnosed with AN/AAN remains largely unknown. We performed a retrospective analysis of standardized intake and follow-up data from a pediatric eating disorder program to compare clinical outcomes among adolescents newly diagnosed with AN/AAN during pre-pandemic (July/2017-December/2018) and pandemic (July/2020-December/2021) periods. Clinical data were collected at the time of diagnosis and at 1-, 3-, 6-, and 12-month intervals. The primary outcomes were unscheduled AN/AAN-related emergency department visits and need for medical hospitalization. Overall, 253 patients were included (pre-pandemic = 77; pandemic = 176). By 12-months following diagnosis, 18.8% (95% CI 13.3%-25.3%) of patients diagnosed during the pandemic had unscheduled AN/AAN-related emergency department visits, compared to 7.8% (95% CI 2.9%-16.2%, p = 0.03) of those diagnosed pre-pandemic. Medical hospitalization was required more frequently in the pandemic group (35.8%; 95% CI 28.7%-43.4%) compared to pre-pandemic (15.6%; 95% CI 8.3%-25.6%, p = 0.001). Mean weight gain at 12-months did not differ between groups (8.1 kg pre-pandemic vs. 8.8 kg pandemic; p = 0.35) however the mean time to target weight was longer in the pandemic group (2.7 vs. 4.4 months; p = 0.002). Patients newly diagnosed with AN/AAN during the pandemic had significantly more AN/AAN-related emergency department visits and hospitalizations and took longer to achieve target weight than those diagnosed pre-pandemic. These findings suggest a more complicated treatment course among adolescents diagnosed with AN/AAN during the pandemic.

Development and Validation of a Food Frequency Questionnaire for Dietary Antioxidant Intake among Prediabetic Individuals in the South Indian Population

Background: Prediabetes is a growing global public health concern, with dietary factors playing a major role in its progression to type 2 diabetes. Antioxidants can mitigate oxidative stress, a major contributor to prediabetes. This study developed a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) to assess the intake of key antioxidants, including vitamin C and E, selenium and zinc among prediabetic population in Chennai, India. Methodology: The food list was based on the Indian Food Composition Table (2017), and the portion sizes and frequencies were derived through a focus group discussion with registered dietitians and physicians. The FFQ intake data were compared with the mean of two 24-hour dietary recall (DR) using Pearson correlation analysis. Results: Strong correlations were observed for vitamin C (r=0.909) and vitamin E(r=0.915), and moderate correlations were observed for selenium (r = 0.696), and zinc (r = 0.706), with significant results (p < 0.001 for vitamin C, E, selenium, and p = 0.036 for zinc). Conclusion: The results indicated good agreement between the FFQ and DR, validating the developed FFQ as a reliable tool for estimating antioxidant intake in prediabetic individuals. This tool is useful for monitoring antioxidant intake in both clinical and public health settings.

The Dietary Inflammatory Index and Sarcopenia in Older Adults in Four Chinese Provinces: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Sarcopenia associated with aging severely affects the quality of life of the elderly; diets have been shown to elicit an inflammatory response in the body, and diets that promote inflammation may lead to damage to muscles. The Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) has been developed to quantify the inflammatory potential of individual diets. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the association between the DII, sarcopenia and its components in elderly Chinese people. Methods: In this study, data were obtained from the China Nutrition Improvement Strategies and Applications for the Elderly Research Programme. An assessment of sarcopenia was carried out according to the Asian Working Group on Sarcopenia’s (AWGS2019) criteria. The DII was calculated using food intake data obtained using the FFQ method, and then the quartile method was used to categorize the subjects into four groups. Multifactor logistic regression was conducted to examine the associations between DII, sarcopenia and its components. Results: This study included 993 subjects over the age of 65, and the prevalence of sarcopenia was 20.2%. The mean DII score of the study population was 0.99 ± 0.1. After adjusting for the confounders age, gender, marital status, and educational level, the risk of sarcopenia was 1.66 times higher in group Q4 than in group Q1 (p-trend < 0.05). However, this relationship is not statistically significant when other more confounding factors are added. Nevertheless, when further analyzing the relationship between DII and sarcopenia components, it was found that after adjusting the model, a higher DII was associated with a risk of muscle strength loss (OR = 1.65, p-trend < 0.05). Conclusions: Higher DII scores increase the risk of muscle strength loss in older adults. By guiding older adults to adopt a more anti-inflammatory diet, muscle health can be improved in terms of increased muscle strength. Further cohort or interventional studies are necessary to validate our findings.

Estimated dietary flavonoid intake and major food contributors in the Portuguese population: results from the National Food, Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey (IAN-AF 2015-2016).

Flavonoids are a key class of polyphenols, i.e., phytochemical compounds present in foods and beverages, which have been described as having health benefits in preventing several chronic diseases. Estimating flavonoid intake has already been conducted in several countries but has yet to be performed in Portugal. This study included 5,005 participants aged 3-84 years and aimed to estimate dietary flavonoid intake in the Portuguese population, using data from the National Food and Physical Activity Survey 2015-2016, providing information on intake, main food contributors, and the socio-demographic factors associated with the intake. Food intake data from the Survey was converted to flavonoid intake using a database built to include the most updated USDA databases on flavonoids, isoflavones and proanthocyanidins, and the Phenol-Explorer database. The rationale for combining food consumption data and different flavonoid databases using the FoodEx2 classification system was established. Linear regressions assessed the associations between socio-demographic factors and dietary flavonoid intake. The total flavonoid intake of the Portuguese population was estimated to be 107.3 mg/day. Flavanols were the most representative subclass, followed by flavonols, anthocyanidins, flavanones, flavones and isoflavones. Fruits and vegetables were the primary food contributors, providing 31.5% and 12.4% of the total flavonoid intake. Adolescents had the lowest total flavonoid intake, and older adults had the highest. This study provides information on the Portuguese population's dietary flavonoids, allowing for international comparisons. It can also streamline forthcoming investigations into the link between flavonoid consumption and its impact on health, contributing to the future establishment of dietary reference values.

P0035 Food compounds associated with disease activity in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: a novel approach

Abstract Background Diet plays a disease modifying role in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but specific relevant dietary factors have yet to be identified. Previous studies examining the role of diet in IBD have typically analysed food groups or specific macro- and micronutrients. To enhance our understanding, we conducted multivariate analyses on the intake of an extensive range of food compounds, using dietary data from a Dutch IBD cohort. Methods We used dietary and disease status data from IBD patients at the University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands. Dietary data were previously collected using a Food Frequency Questionnaire at baseline. Intake levels for 768 compounds from 135 patients were calculated (Meima et al., 2024, submitted). Hereto, we applied a previously developed tool to translate dietary data into food compounds intake data (Meima et al., 2023). This tool serves as an integrated database, combining compound concentration data from three sources: the Dutch food compounds database NEVO, and international food compounds databases FooDB, and Phenol-Explorer. Using random forest analyses, we explored associations between compound intakes and IBD activity by comparing patients who experienced flares (n=41) or remained in remission during a median follow-up of 29 months (interquartile range 20-48 months). We assessed the potential biological relevance of the most significant compounds (n=35) by examining existing literature on IBD, gut health or immunomodulation. Results Random forest models performed particularly good in predicting remission, with specificities and negative predictive values NPVs up to 77 and 79%, respectively. The intakes of the 35 top-ranked compounds were primarily positively associated with IBD remission (n=29). Most of these were fatty acids (n=24). Other compounds positively associated with remission were 4-hydroxyproline, ethanol, vanillin, heptadecanoyl carnitine, and heme iron. For 11 of the 35 compounds, effects on IBD or the gut were available in literature, most of which aligned with our findings. Among these was butyrate, a short chain fatty acid that has been frequently reported for its beneficial role in IBD and gut health. However, several compounds showed discrepancies with literature. For 11 compounds, immunomodulatory effects were reported in literature. Conclusion With a novel approach, using an integrated food compounds database, we identified several food compounds that may play a modulatory role in IBD. Further research is needed to clarify associations found in our study and validate their possible biological significance. References Meima, M. Y., Westerhout, J., Bijlsma, S., Meijerink, M., & Houben, G. F. (2023). Coupling food compounds data from FooDB and Phenol-Explorer to the Dutch food coding system NEVO: towards a novel approach to studying the role of food in health and disease. Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, 123, 105550. Meima, M. Y., Westerhout, J., Bijlsma, S., van Schaik, F. D. M., Oldenburg, B., Campmans-Kuijpers, M.J.E., Dijkstra G., Meijerink, M., Houben, G.F. (2024, submitted). Calculation of Compound Intake Levels using Integrated Food Compound Databases and Food Intake Data. Journal of Food Composition and Analysis.

Exploring Dietary Assessment Methods Used to Measure Individual Dietary Intakes in Low- and Middle-Income Countries and Under-Served Populations in High-Income Countries.

For low- and middle- income country (LMIC) settings, a global nutrition transition is rapidly emerging as diets shift, resulting in a dual burden of malnutrition. High quality dietary intake data for these populations is essential to understand dietary patterns contributing to these nutrition issues. New technology is emerging to address dietary assessment challenges; however, it is unknown how researchers conducting studies with LMIC populations or under-served groups in high-income countries adopt technology-assisted methods. This study aimed to describe the features of the dietary assessment methods used in these settings. A cross-sectional survey of members of an online international nutrition network was conducted. Participants completed an online questionnaire collecting data on dietary assessment method use, populations studied, and factors influencing method selection. Of 45 participants (ranging from 27 to 60 years) who completed the questionnaire, 67% conducted dietary assessments in children aged 1-5 years, 60% in pregnant women and 60% in female adults. Dietary assessment was conducted predominantly in countries classified as LMIC (n = 50), compared to the assessment of vulnerable groups in high-income countries (n = 3). All participants reported using 24-h recalls, 80% used food frequency questionnaires, while 22% used image-based and 22% used image-assisted methods. Predominant modes were interviewer-administered, paper questionnaires and manual analysis; however, digital survey platforms were used by nearly half of participants. Although traditional dietary assessment methods continue to dominate in LMICs, evidence of technological-assisted method use is emerging. Technology-assisted methods, tailored to address challenges in collecting quality dietary intake data in LMICs, are becoming more accessible.

Specific Nutrients Mediate the Association of Food Insecurity and Sleep Regularity Index (SRI) in U.S. Adults: NHANES 2011-2014.

Food-insecure individuals are at risk for poor health outcomes, including substandard sleep health. A possible association of food insecurity with sleep regularity has not been explored, and factors contributing to the relationship between food insecurity and sleep are not well understood. This cross-sectional study explored the relationship between food insecurity and sleep regularity and identified specific nutrients that mediated the association. This study used dietary intake, interview, physical examination, actigraphy, and laboratory data from NHANES 2011-2014 to assess the possible correlation between food insecurity and sleep in a sample of U.S. adults (n = 6730). Mediation analysis was conducted to determine specific serum biomarkers and intake of nutrients that indirectly contributed to the relationship. Food insecurity was negatively correlated with sleep regularity. Dietary intake of fiber; vitamins A, B1, B2, C, E, and K; β-carotene; zinc; copper; and potassium and serum concentrations of palmitoleic acid had significant indirect effects on this association. The low/marginal food security group under-consumed vitamin K, and the very low food security group under-consumed vitamin K and zinc. Among food-insecure, income-eligible adults, those who received benefits from food assistance programs consumed significantly less fiber and β-carotene and exhibited significantly higher serum concentrations of palmitoleic acid than non-participants. Food insecurity predicted sleep regularity, and this relationship was mediated by dietary intake and serum concentrations of specific nutrients, underscoring the role of nutrition security when evaluating potential health impacts for adults experiencing food insecurity.

Association between Healthy Eating Index-2015 total and metabolic associated fatty liver disease in Americans: a cross-sectional study with U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Utilizing the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) dataset to investigate the relationship between dietary quality, as assessed by the Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI-2015), and the prevalence of metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) among adults in the United States, our analysis revealed that an increased dietary quality was significantly correlated with a reduced risk of MAFLD in the American population. The NHANES dataset, encompassing the years 2017-2018 and comprising 3,557 participants, was incorporated into our analytical framework. Weighted multivariate linear regression model was performed to assess the linear relationship between the HEI-2015 and MAFLD. Dietary intake data were derived from two 24-h dietary recall interviews conducted as part of NHANES. Following multivariable adjustment, the weighted multivariable linear regression models demonstrated a negative correlation between the HEI-2015 total scores and the risk of MAFLD. The weighted logistic regression models revealed that each unit of increased HEI-2015 total value was associated with a 1.2% (95% CI: 0.9%, 1.5%; P < 0.001) decrease in the risk of f MAFLD. Upon categorization of the HEI-2015 scores into quartiles, the odds ratios (ORs) for the association between the risk of MAFLD and the quartile scores of HEI-2015, in comparison to the baseline quartile, were 0.945 (95% CI: 0.852-1.047; P = 0.279), 0.834 (95% CI: 0.750-0.927; P < 0.001), and 0.723 (95% CI: 0.646-0.811; P < 0.001), respectively. When participants were stratified by age and sex, subgroup analyses showed a similar trend. This pattern was also evident in the smooth curve fitting (SCF) and weighted generalized additive model (GAM). Elevated dietary quality, as assessed by the total and component food scores of the HEI-2015, was significantly correlated with a diminished risk of MAFLD among participants in the NHANES survey featured in this investigation.

Prescribed Hospital Diet Influence on Dietary Intake of Hospitalised Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The dietary intake of hospitalised patients is often compromised during hospitalisation, which can be a causal factor for hospital malnutrition. This is considered a public health problem worldwide and is associated with an increased risk of other complications. Our objective was to determine the dietary intake of hospitalised individuals and if the prescribed diet influences it. Food intake data were collected from 299 lunches of patients admitted to a hospital, using the visual estimation method with a five-point scale. Three existing diets were considered, and the energy and macronutrient values of the meal were calculated. The minimum energy and protein requirements were also calculated. The components of the tray with the highest intake were soup and dessert; no significant differences were found between the percentage intake of each element and the prescribed diet. More than 50% of the individuals did not meet their minimum energy requirements, and only 36.5% had a protein intake that was within the recommendations. Dietary intake is much lower than prescribed, and nutritionists need to act to reduce the prevalence of hospital malnutrition.

Contribution of Video Directly Observed Therapy (VDOT) to Tuberculosis Treatment in Brazil.

Directly Observed Treatment (DOT) involves the administration of medication and in-person monitoring by a healthcare team alongside the patient to improve adherence to tuberculosis (TB) treatment. Implementing DOT requires healthcare professionals, transportation, time dedication, and presence at the patient's residence. Meeting all these conditions is not always possible to address the high demand of TB patients who would benefit from this supervision. Video Directly Observed Therapy (VDOT) is a telecare platform created to remotely oversee the treatment of TB patients, allowing them to daily record medication intake, as prescribed, using their cell phones, clarify doubts, and facilitate communication with the healthcare team providing support. The medication intake data is recorded and accessible to healthcare professionals who monitor adherence remotely. The investigation reported in this work was conducted in Ribeirão Preto, Brazil, from May 5, 2020, to May 4, 2023, across five healthcare units. During the study period, 26,253 medication intake videos were collected and sent from 259 patients. Regarding the outcome reported by supervisors, only 9.7% of patients had their VDOT follow-up terminated due to abandonment, while the Cure/Treatment completion rate was 57.5%. Regarding adherence to the established treatment period for TB and for each patient in their specific situation, 67% of patients completed more than 66% of the treatment. The data suggested good acceptance of the system by both patients and healthcare professionals. VDOT may be a promising tool that complements TB DOT, extending its reach to improve adherence and reduce abandonment rates.

Nutrient intakes of Canadian children and adolescents at school by meal occasion and location of food preparation.

Canadian children consume a significant proportion of daily foods at school, do not benefit from any federal school food program, and have historically inadequate diets. Assessment of dietary intakes at school can inform policy discussions for the design, funding, and delivery of school-based nutrition interventions. The objectives were to examine the most recent nationally representative dietary intake data of Canadian children at school by (i) location of food preparation, (ii) meal occasion, and (iii) as a proportion of total daily intakes. Intake data from the first day 24 h dietary recalls of the 2015 Canadian Community Health Survey-Nutrition were examined for children 4-18 years old (n=1690). Intakes were reported by location of food preparation and meal occasion and were expressed as means and as a proportion of daily intake. At school, 98.6% of children consumed foods that did not require preparation, while 37.1% consumed foods prepared at home. Lunch and snacks were the meal occasions consumed most often at school, by 85.5% and 66.1% of children. Children consumed 32.6% of their daily energy intake and between 28.4% and 35.6% of daily nutrient intakes at school. School-based nutrition interventions for frequently consumed meal occasions, such as snack or lunch programs, that include foods lower in added sugar and sodium and higher in calcium, fibre, and iron may improve the health of Canadian children.

Drivers of stunting and wasting across serial cross-sectional household surveys of children under 2 years of age in Pakistan: potential contribution of ecological factors.

The impact of direct and indirect drivers on linear growth and wasting in young children is of public health interest. While the contributions of poverty, maternal education, empowerment and birth weight to early childhood growth are well recognized, the contribution of environmental factors like heat, precipitation, agriculture outputs and food security in comparable datasets is less well established. To investigate the association of length-for-age z-score (LAZ) and weight-for-length z-score (WLZ) with various indicators among children under 2 years of age in Pakistan using representative household level nutrition surveys and ecological datasets. Using geo-tagged metadata from Pakistan's 2011 and 2018 National Nutrition Surveys (NNS), anthropometric data from 29,887 children (9,231 from 2011 and 20,656 from 2018) were analyzed. Dietary intake and food security data for 140 districts were linked to gridded data on temperature, precipitation and soil moisture, and district measures of agriculture production of edible crops. Multiple linear regressions assessed factors associated with length for age Z score (LAZ) and weight for length z scores (WLZ) in index children. LAZ was positively associated with improved socio-economic conditions (β=0.06), food security (β=0.10), birth size (β=0.26), maternal age (β=0.02), BMI (β=0.02), height (β=0.02) and dietary score (β=0.03). Negative associations with LAZ were found for increased temperature, precipitation, diarrhea, household crowding and parity. Similar patterns were observed with WLZ for higher surface temperatures and precipitation were associated with declines in linear growth, alongside increased diarrhea prevalence and higher maternal parity. Apart from recognized multifactorial drivers of stunting and wasting among children such as poverty, food insecurity and maternal undernutrition, our analysis suggest the potential independent association with climatic factors such as heat and excess precipitation over time. These findings underscore the need for further research and potential integration of climatic mitigation and adaptation with nutrition response strategies.

Description of body image perception and its relation to nutrient intake in bodybuilders

Background: The problem of body dissatisfaction affects the perception of body image in bodybuilders. Objective: This study aims to determine the perception of body image and its relationship with nutrient intake in bodybuilders. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 70 bodybuilders during the cutting phase of their training. Energy and nutrient intake data were collected through 24-hour Food Recall interviews for 2 days. Muscle mass and fat mass data were obtained by Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA). Body image perception data using the Bodybuilder Image Grid. Statistical analysis uses Spearman rank analysis. Results: Most bodybuilders were in early adulthood (aged 26-45 years), highly educated, employed in permanent jobs, and had incomes in the high category. The BMI was classified as normal, while the Fat-Free Mass Index (FFMI) in the competitive group was predominantly average, and in the non-competitive group, it was mostly below average. The group of non-competitive bodybuilders felt dissatisfied with their body shape based on fat mass and muscle mass, which was different from the group of competitive bodybuilders who felt satisfied with their body shape based on body fat mass It was found that carbohydrate intake was associated with body image perception, particularly in relation to fat mass (p&lt;0.01). Conclusions: Bodybuilders want a leaner body (low body fat mass percentage) and muscularity (high muscle mass percentage) by adopting a low carbohydrate and fluid diet.

Micronutrients adequacy according to six diet quality indices in the "Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra" cohort.

diet quality indices (DQI) tend to relate positively to micronutrient intake. Our aim was to investigate the association between six DQIs and inadequate intake for 19 micronutrients in the SUN ("Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra") cohort. we assessed 16,768 participants (59.3 % women, 37.8 years for mean age). Diet quality was evaluated using Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH); Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS); Alternate Healthy Eating Index (AHEI-2010); Food-Based Global Diet Quality Score (GDQS); Alternative Mediterranean Diet Score (aMED) and Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS). Logistic regression analyses were conducted to estimate the probability of failing to meet Estimate Average Requirement (EAR) for either ≥ 3 or ≥ 6 micronutrients. overall, the lower and higher prevalence of inadequacy in fifth quintiles was for vitamins A, C, B1, B2, B3, B6, for Fe, P and Cr, and for vitamins E and D, respectively. In the multivariable adjusted model, the OR for failing to meet ≥ 3 DRI for the highest versus the lowest quintiles of DASH, MEDAS, AHEI-2010, GDQS, aMED and MDS were: 0.03 (95 % CI, 0.02 to 0.03), 0.06 (95 % CI, 0.05 to 0.07), 0.10 (95 % CI, 0.09 to 0.12), 0.05 (95 % CI, 0.04 to 0.06), 0.03 (95 % CI, 0.03 to 0.04), and 0.03 (95 % CI, 0.03 to 0.04), respectively. adherence to six DQIs showed inverse associations with micronutrient inadequacy. Food-based DQIs could be a useful prevention tool. GDQS and MEDAS do not require deriving nutrient intake data, particularly MEDAS, which is even easier and quicker to fill out.

A Survey of the Relationship Between Dietary Quality and Metabolic Syndrome

Background: Dietary intake is increasingly recognized as a pivotal factor in the etiology of metabolic syndrome. A substantial body of evidence suggests a discernible correlation between dietary quality indices and the occurrence of metabolic syndrome. Objective: This survey seeks to rigorously evaluate the impact of diet quality indices and demographic variables on the manifestation of metabolic syndrome. Materials and Methods: This case-control study encompassed 175 individuals diagnosed with metabolic syndrome and an equal number of age-matched healthy counterparts (Comprising both genderS) aged between 20 and 65 years. Participants were sourced from diverse laboratories and the general population in Chalous, northern Iran. Dietary intake data were meticulously acquired using a comprehensive Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). Furthermore, dietary quality indices, specifically the Healthy Eating Index (HEI), Dietary Diversity Score (DDS), Nutrient Adequacy Ratio (NAR), and Mean Adequacy Ratio (MAR), were meticulously evaluated employing standardized methodologies. Results: There was no significant diversity in the likelihood of developing metabolic syndrome concerning the Healthy Eating Index (HEI), Nutrient Adequacy Ratio (NAR), and Mean Adequacy Ratio (MAR) when comparing quartile 4 (Maximum scorE) to quartile 1 (Minimum scorE). However, this likelihood diminished following adjustments for confounding variables, including age, sex, dietary energy, education, job, and marital status. In the case of the Dietary Diversity Score (DDS), there was an observed difference in morbidity likelihood between quartile 4 and quartile 1. Nevertheless, after meticulous adjustment for confounding variables, this difference failed to reach statistical significance. No substantial variations (P ≥ 0.05) were detected in the odds ratio across quartiles and models (P trenD) for all dietary quality indices. Conclusion: No significant associations were identified between dietary quality indices and the occurrence of metabolic syndrome.

3D deuterium metabolic imaging (DMI) of the human liver at 7 T using low-rank and subspace model-based reconstruction.

To implement a low-rank and subspace model-based reconstruction for 3D deuterium metabolic imaging (DMI) and compare its performance against Fourier transform-based (FFT) reconstruction in terms of spectral fitting reliability. Both reconstruction methods were applied on simulated and experimental DMI data. Numerical simulations were performed to evaluate the effect of increasing acceleration factors. The impact on spectral fitting results, SNR, and the overall normalized root mean squareerror (NRMSE) compared to ground-truth data were calculated. A comparative analysis was performed on DMI data acquired from the human liver, including both natural abundance and post-deuterated glucose intake data at 7 T. Simulation showed the Cramer-Rao lower bound [%] of water, glucose, sum of glutamate and glutamine (Glx), and lipid signals for the low-rank and subspace model-based reconstruction at R = 1.0 was 12.4, 14.7, 17.3, and 11.0 times lower than FFT. At R = 1.1, NRMSE was 1.4%, 1.3%, 0.8%, and 4.2% lower for the water, glucose, Glx, and lipid, respectively, compared to FFT. However, the NRMSE of the Glx and lipid increased by 0.4% and 3.2% at R = 1.3. For the in vivo DMI experiment, SNR was 2.5-3.0 times higher compared to FFT. The fitted amplitude of water and glucose peaks showed Cramer-Rao lower bound [%] values that were approximately 2.3 times lower than FFT. Simulations and in vivo experiments on the human liver demonstrate that low-rank and subspace model-based reconstruction with undersampled data mitigates noise and enhances spectral fitting quality.

Dietary salt intake is not associated with risk of stroke: A Mendelian randomization study.

Previous studies have demonstrated a correlation between dietary salt intake and stroke; however, there was a lack of conclusive evidence regarding a causal connection between them. We undertook a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study to examine their potential association. The genome-wide data for dietary salt intake was sourced from genome-wide association study that involved 462,630 samples. Genetic instruments for stroke were also obtained from genome-wide association study, which included 446,696 samples. Both samples were from European. The inverse variance weighting was used as the main method in MR analysis. We also performed several complementary MR methods, including MR-Egger, position weighted median, simple model, and weighted model. Our results showed that there was no causal relationship between dietary salt intake and stroke, which was genetically determined (fixed-effects inverse variance weighted: odds ratio, 0.95; 95% confidence interval, 0.74-1.21; P = .67). Neither Cochran Q test (P = .52) nor MR-Egger method (P = .48) found obvious heterogeneity; in addition, the MR pleiotropy residual sum and outliers global test (P = .52) and MR-Egger regression intercept (P = .74) also showed no pleiotropy. The result of our MR study showed that there was no direct causal relationship between dietary salt intake and stroke risk. More studies were required to further confirm the stability of this relationship and to trying applied the findings to the clinic.

Dietary patterns of Chinese children and adolescents and their associations with family characteristics and functioning: a multicenter cross-sectional study

BackgroundDietary patterns influence children and adolescents’ health not only in the present but also in their adulthood. Family characteristics and functioning play a crucial role in food choices and are important modifiable factors for early interventions aimed at preventing unhealthy diets.ObjectiveThe study aimed to analyze the dietary patterns of Chinese children and adolescents and explore their associations with family characteristics and functioning.Methods6276 participants aged 6 to 17 years were recruited for the multicenter cross-sectional study through cluster sampling. Food intake, family characteristics, and family function were assessed. Dietary patterns were identified through factor analysis based on food intake data, and a multiple logistic regression model was used to investigate the associations between dietary patterns, family characteristics, and family functioning.ResultsThree distinct dietary patterns were identified: the “Diverse dietary pattern” (characterized by a rich diet and balanced nutrition), the “Fast food concentrated dietary pattern” (primarily consisting of fried foods, sugary drinks, processed meats, and other junk food), and the “Traditional dietary pattern” (mainly vegetables and grains). Girls, those living in rural areas, and those with better family functioning were more likely to adhere to the “Diverse dietary pattern” (p < 0.01). Girls, primary school students, and those with lower educated mothers tended to have higher adherence to the “Traditional dietary pattern” (p < 0.01). High adherence to the “Fast food concentrated dietary pattern” were associated with boys, older age, Han ethnicity, family dysfunction, living with both parents, being an only-child, having a better educated father, lower family income, and higher pocket money (p < 0.01).ConclusionChildren and adolescents from different family backgrounds exhibit distinct dietary patterns, highlighting the importance of early screening and intervention tailored to these varying family characteristics. Among the modifiable family factors, better family functioning stands out as a key area of focus for promoting and sustaining healthy dietary patterns in Chinese children and adolescents.