Diet Quality In Adults Research Articles

Rice consumption is associated with better nutrient intake and diet quality in adults: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2005–2010

NHANES data (2005–2010) were used to assess the association of rice consumption by adults (19+yrs; N=14,386) with nutrient intake and diet quality. Rice consumption groups were <0.25, >;0.25 to <0.5, >;0.5 to <1.0, and >;1.0 oz eq of usual intake of rice. Diet quality (using the Healthy Eating Index [HEI]) was calculated. Covariate adjusted least square means ± SE were determined and quartile trends examined. Significant (p < 0.001) positive trends (beta coefficient across rice quartiles) were seen for fiber (0.57 g), thiamine (0.09 mg), niacin (1.03 mg), folate (58.2 μg DFE), copper (0.05 mg), magnesium (11.8 mg), iron (1.0 mg), and sodium (119 mg). Significant negative trends were seen for total and added sugars (−1.3 and −5.1 g, respectively); total, solid, and saturated fats (−3.3, −3.9, and −1.8 g, respectively), and calcium (−41 mg). HEI also showed a positive trend with rice consumption (2.25 points). HEI component scores for whole fruit (0.11); dark green/orange vegetables (0.25), total grains (0.10), meat/beans (0.24), and oils (0.14) were higher (p<0.01) in rice consumers. HEI component scores for saturated fats (0.64), SoFAAS (1.24) were higher suggesting more favorable intake, but sodium (−0.25) was lower. Overall, consumption of rice should be encouraged to improve nutrient intake and diet quality. Nutrition education can provide ways to reduce sodium added to rice dishes. Support: USDA & Rice Federation

Impacts of diet quality on life‐history and reproductive traits in male and female armed beetle, Gnatocerus cornutus

1. The energy available for reproduction is usually limited by resource acquisition (i.e. condition). Because condition is known to be strongly affected by environmental factors, reproductive investments also vary across heterogeneous environments.2. Although the condition dependence of reproductive investment is common to both sexes, reproductive traits may exhibit sexually different responses to environmental fluctuation due to sex‐specific life‐history strategies. However, few direct experimental studies have investigated the condition dependence of reproductive investments in both sexes.3. We investigated the condition dependence of life‐history and reproductive traits of males and females in the beetle Gnatocerus cornutus Fabricus by manipulating larval and adult diet quality. We found that male and female life‐history traits exhibited similar responses to environmental fluctuations.4. By contrast, the sexes exhibit different patterns of condition dependence in reproductive traits (i.e. the adult nutritional environment has a strong impact on the female lifetime reproductive success, whereas larval nutritional environment strongly affects the secondary sexual trait in males).5. This difference in the plasticity of reproductive traits may lead to different selection pressures for each sex, even if both sexes develop and/or live in the same environment.

Diet Quality of Americans Differs by Age, Sex, Race/Ethnicity, Income, and Education Level

An index that assesses the multidimensional components of the diet across the lifecycle is useful in describing diet quality. The purpose of this study was to use the Healthy Eating Index-2005, a measure of diet quality in terms of conformance to the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, to describe the diet quality of Americans by varying sociodemographic characteristics in order to provide insight as to where diets need to improve. The Healthy Eating Index-2005 scores were estimated using 1 day of dietary intake data provided by participants in the 2003-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Mean daily intakes of foods and nutrients, expressed per 1,000 kilocalories, were estimated using the population ratio method and compared with standards that reflect the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Participants included 3,286 children (2 to 17 years), 3,690 young and middle-aged adults (18 to 64 years), and 1,296 older adults (65+ years). Results are reported as percentages of maximum scores and tested for significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) by age, sex, race/ethnicity, income, and education levels. Children and older adults had better-quality diets than younger and middle-aged adults; women had better-quality diets than men; Hispanics had better-quality diets than blacks and whites; and diet quality of adults, but not children, generally improved with income level, except for sodium. The diets of Americans, regardless of socioeconomic status, are far from optimal. Problematic dietary patterns were found among all sociodemographic groups. Major improvements in the nutritional health of the American public can be made by improving eating patterns.

Nectar amino acids enhance reproduction in male butterflies

After over 30 years of research, it was recently shown that nectar amino acids increase female butterfly fecundity. However, little attention has been paid to the effect of nectar amino acids on male butterfly reproduction. Here, we show that larval food conditions (nitrogen-rich vs. nitrogen-poor host plants) and adult diet quality (nectar with or without amino acids) affected the amount of consumed nectar in Coenonympha pamphilus males. Furthermore, amino acids in the nectar diet of males increased progeny's larval hatching mass, irrespective of paternal larval reserves. Our study takes the whole reproductive cycle of male butterflies into account, and also considers the role of females in passing male nutrients to offspring, as males' realized reproduction was examined indirectly via nuptial gifts, by female performance. With this comprehensive approach, we demonstrate for the first time that nectar amino acids can improve male butterfly reproduction, supporting the old postulate that nectar amino acids generally enhance butterfly fitness.

Todd J.E., Mancino L., Lin B-H. The impact of food away from home on adult diet quality. ERR-90, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Econ. Res. Serv., February 2010.

This brief report provides contemporary evidence that, for the average adult, eating away from home is associated with increased caloric intake and reduced diet quality. The effects vary depending on which meals are consumed away from home. For instance, eating breakfast out was associated with decreased whole grains and dairy products and increased calories from saturated fat and added sugars. Although the effects seem to be similar between men and women and do not depend on weight status, eating out appears to be somewhat more detrimental for dieters than for nondieters. On a positive note, some unhealthy trends related to eating outside the home seem to be decreasing, perhaps in response to healthier food options and more careful food choices.

Candy consumption was not associated with body weight measures, risk factors for cardiovascular disease, or metabolic syndrome in US adults: NHANES 1999-2004

There is limited research examining the relationship of candy consumption by adults on diet and health. The purpose of this study was to determine total, chocolate, or sugar candy consumption and their effect on energy, saturated fatty acid and added sugar intake, weight, risk factors for cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome (MetS), and diet quality in adults 19 years and older (n = 15,023) participating in the 1999-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Twenty-four-hour dietary recalls were used to determine intake. Covariate-adjusted means ± SE and prevalence rates were determined for candy consumption groups. Odds ratios were used to determine the likelihood of cardiovascular risk factors and MetS. A total of 21.8%, 12.9%, and 10.9% of adults consumed total, chocolate, and sugar candy, respectively. Mean daily per capita intake of total, chocolate, and sugar candy was 9.0 ± 0.3, 5.7 ± 0.2, and 3.3 ± 0.2 g, respectively; intake in consumers was 38.3 ± 1.0, 39.9 ± 1.1, and 28.9 ± 1.3 g, respectively. Energy (9973 ± 92 vs 9027 ± 50 kJ; P < .0001), saturated fatty acid (27.9 ± 0.26 vs 26.9 ± 0.18 g; P = .0058), and added sugar (25.7 ± 0.42 vs 21.1 ± 0.41 g; P < .0001) intake were higher in candy consumers than nonconsumers. Body mass index (27.7 ± 0.15 vs 28.2 ± 0.12 kg/m(2); P = .0092), waist circumference (92.3 ± 0.34 vs 96.5 ± 0.29 cm; P = .0051), and C-reactive protein (0.40 ± 0.01 vs 0.43 ± 0.01 mg/dL; P = .0487) levels were lower in candy consumers than nonconsumers. Candy consumers had a 14% decreased risk of elevated diastolic blood pressure (P = .0466); chocolate consumers had a 19% decreased risk of lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P = .0364) and a 15% reduced risk of MetS (P = .0453). Results suggest that the current level of candy consumption was not associated with health risks.

The Impact of Food Away from Home on Adult Diet Quality

Food away from home (FAFH) has been associated with poor diet quality in many studies. It is difficult, however, to measure the effect of FAFH on diet quality since many unobserved factors, such as food preferences and time constraints, influence not just our choice of where to eat but also the nutritional quality of what we eat. Using data from 1994-96 and 2003-04, this study applies fixed-effects estimation to control for such unobservable influences and finds that, for the average adult, FAFH increases daily caloric intake and reduces diet quality. The effects vary depending on which meals are consumed away from home. On average, breakfast away from home decreases the number of servings of whole grains and dairy consumed per 1,000 calories and increases the percent of calories from saturated and solid fat, alcohol, and added sugar (SoFAAS) in a day. Dinner away from home reduces the number of servings of vegetables consumed per 1,000 calories for the average adult. Breakfast and lunch away from home increase calories from saturated fat and SoFAAS on average more among dieters than among nondieters. Some of the overall negative dietary effects decreased between 1994-96 and 2003-04, including those on whole grain, sodium, and vegetable consumption.

Validation of the MedDietScore via the determination of plasma fatty acids

Background The purpose of the present work was to validate the MedDietScore by means of plasma fatty acid levels.Methods The study sample consisted of 189 men (44±13 years old) and 185 women (40±15 years old), randomly selected from the ATTICA study database. All participants completed a food frequency questionnaire (the EPIC-Greek FFQ), and a modified version of the MedDietScore (using weights) was then calculated to evaluate the level of adherence to the Mediterranean diet. Plasma and dietary fatty acids were measured.Results Correlation analysis revealed a strong positive relationship between the MedDietScore, monounsaturated fatty acids (P <0.001), monounsaturated fatty acids to saturated fatty acids (P <0.001), docosahexaenoic acid (22:6 n-3) (P <0.05) and n-3 fatty acids (P <0.001), and inverse correlations between the diet score and polyunsaturated fatty acids (comprised of the sum of n-3 and n-6 fatty acids) (P <0.001), saturated fatty acids (P <0.01), and total n-6 fatty acids (P <0.001). The effect size of the relationships between the weighted-MedDietScore and fatty acids was better than the relationships with the initial version of the diet score.Conclusions Our findings suggest that the modified MedDietScore is a valid measure of various plasma fatty acids, and may prove a useful tool in assessing diet quality of adults.

Relation between dietary patterns and insulin resistance in 40-59 years old Guangzhou adults

To evaluate the overall diet quality of adults in Guangzhou and investigate whether adherence to the Dietary Guidelines for Chinese Residents could help to reduce the risk of obesity and insulin resistance. All 540 adults aged 40-59 years completed 3 consecutive 24-hour diet recalls. Diet quality were evaluated by using Chinese Diet Balance Index (DBI) scoring and evaluating system. Anthropometric parameters, fast glucose and fast insulin were measured. Insulin resistance was defined as the highest quartile of the homeostasis model assessment scores. The DBI-Lower Bound Score (DBI-LBS), DBI-Higher Bound Score (DBI-HBS) and DBI-Diet Quality Distance (DBI-DQD) were 16.1-17.5, 7.6-8.2, 23.6-25.7 relatively. The intake of cereals, beans and dietary products were insufficient in the population, while the intake of animal food, salt and edible oils were excessive. Subjects in model A had a lower body mass index (BMI, P=0.022) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR, P=0.001) than those in model E. Compared with model A, subjects in model E had greater odds ratio for insulin resistance (odds ratio: 3.00; 95% CI: 1.21, 7.67). The dietary structure of the residents in Guangzhou was relatively balanced and reasonable, but the problems such as inadequate food intake and excessive food intake still co-exist. Adherence to the Dietary Guidelines for Chinese Residents could help to reduce the risk of insulin resistance.

Low-Energy-Density Diets Are Associated with High Diet Quality in Adults in the United States

Objective This study investigated food choices made by individuals consuming diets differing in energy density and explores relationships between energy density and diet quality. Design Cross-sectional, nationally representative survey. Subjects 7,500 adults (older than 19 years) in the 1994-1996 Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals. Statistical Analysis Energy density values were calculated from reported food intake. Subjects were classified as consuming a low-energy-density diet, medium-energy-density diet, or high-energy-density diet using tertile cutoffs. For each group, the percentage consuming various foods/beverages and the mean amount of foods/beverages they consumed was determined along with mean nutrient intakes. Results Compared with participants consuming a high-energy-density diet, those with a low-energy-density diet had a lower energy intake but consumed more food, by weight, from most food groups. A low-energy-density diet included a relatively high proportion of foods high in micronutrients and water and low in fat, such as fruits and vegetables. Subjects with a low-energy-density diet consumed fewer (nonwater) beverages such as caloric carbonated beverages. They also consumed less fat and had higher intakes of several important micronutrients, including vitamins A, C, and B-6, folate, iron, calcium, and potassium. Conclusions These analyses further demonstrate the beneficial effects of a low-energy-density diet, which was associated with lower energy intakes, higher food intakes, and higher diet quality than a high-energy-density diet. To achieve a low-energy-density diet, individuals should be encouraged to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables as well as low-fat/reduced-fat, nutrient-dense, and/or water-rich grains, dairy products, and meats/meat alternatives.

Assessment of the Effect of Fat-modified Foods on Diet Quality in Adults, 19 to 50 Years, Using Data From the Continuing Survey of Food Intake by Individuals

Fat-reduction strategies and the role of fat-modified foods in the US diet were assessed using a nationally representative survey: the 1996 US Department of Agriculture Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals. A sample of 878 men and 853 women was included.The sample was divided into low fat and high fat based on the Dietary Guideline’s cutoff point of 30% or less of energy from total fat. The survey sample was further stratified in nonusers, low-users or high-users of fat-modified foods.Approximately 10% of 7,000 foods were classified as fat-modified.There was a 400 to 500 kcal difference in energy intake of individuals consuming low-fat compared with high-fat diets. Adults who were users of fat-modified foods consumed more nutrient-dense diets, with higher intakes of vitamin A, folate, and iron. Not all fat-reduction strategies were equally effective in reducing fat and maintaining nutrient intake. Nonusers of fat-modified foods who consumed a low-fat diet tended to do so by substituting carbohydrate, in part from carbonated beverages, for fat. Both men and women consuming a low-fat diet had lower average BMIs; this difference between individuals consuming low-fat vs high-fat diets was significant for women who were high-users of fat-modified foods. The data suggest that a low-fat diet with high use of fat-modified foods may be one strategy for achieving adequate nutrient intake while maintaining weight in the desirable BMI range of 19 to 25. J Am Diet Assoc. 2001;101:455–460.

The influence of the nutritional content of the adult male diet on testis mass, body condition and courtship vigour in a Hawaiian Drosophila

1. The effects of the nutritional quality of the adult diet (primarily protein content) on testis mass, body condition and courtship vigour were studied in a Hawaiian Drosophila, D. grimshawi, a lek‐forming species under strong sexual selection. The primary goals of this study were to determine whether there is a trade‐off between investment in reproductive and somatic tissues, and to examine whether this trade‐off is influenced by quality of the adult diet. 2. Quality of the adult diet had a major influence on male body condition, courtship vigour and testis mass, but males varied in their investment patterns even within diet treatment. 3. Body condition, a measure of phenotypic quality, was significantly related to how much males invested in testis and body tissues, but the nature of the relationships differed between males fed high‐ or low‐quality diets. 4. Paragonia volume was significantly smaller for adult males fed low‐quality diets than for males fed high‐quality diets. Nutrient‐deficient diets apparently forced males to trade off investment in testes and body condition, and in body condition and courtship vigour, but nutrient‐rich diets did not result in severe trade‐offs. 5. Collectively, the results suggest that fluctuation in adult diet quality of male D. grimshawi might influence male reproductive quality in ways that might limit female reproductive output and/or be a factor for female choice in this species.

REPRODUCTIVE ALLOCATION FROM RESERVES AND INCOME IN BUTTERFLY SPECIES WITH DIFFERING ADULT DIETS

Allocation of stored and incoming nutrients to reproduction determines an organism's age-specific fecundity curve. In holometabolous insects, differences among spe- cies in the shape of the curve are correlated with differences in the potential importance of adult food to reproduction. I examined allocation patterns underlying this association. Specific changes throughout life in body mass and reproductive effort were predicted to result from use of stored vs. incoming nutrients for reproduction and other metabolic needs at each age. Data for three nymphalid butterfly species, Euphydryas editha, Speyeria mor- monia, and Heliconius charitonius, were compared with the predictions. These three species differ in adult diet and fraction of oocytes mature at adult emergence (hence, potential for adult nutrients to be used to make eggs), with E. editha showing the least potential for use of adult nutrients in egg production and H. charitonius showing the greatest potential. For all three species, body mass declined with age, although nonlinearly for E. editha. This indicated that metabolic expenditures were greater than intake at all ages, and that a constant fraction of stored nutrients was allocated to reproduction and other metabolic uses at each age for E. editha. Reproductive effort also declined with age for all three species. The specific patterns seen suggested that incoming nutrients may be stored, to some extent, early in life and then used late in life by both S. mormonia and H. charitonius. The similarity between S. mormonia and H. charitonius is rather surprising, given the qualitative differ- ences in adult diet and suggests either that qualitative age-specific allocation patterns for incoming vs. stored nutrients may be independent of adult diet quality, or that the observed patterns are constrained by phylogenetic relatedness of these two species.