Dietary Survey Research Articles

Health risks of metals in soils and staple foods of the subsistence food gardens in the floodplains of Watut River, Papua New Guinea.

The health risks associated with the consumption of staples cultivated in the subsistence food gardens along the Watut River were investigated in Papua New Guinea. Twenty soil samples and twenty-nine samples of staple foods (including banana, taro, sweet potato, and Singapore taro) were collected from the food gardens following a three-day dietary recall survey. The concentration of metals (Cr, Cu, Pb, and Ni) was analyzed in the soil and food samples using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrophotometer. The descending order of mean metal concentration in the food garden soils is as follows: Cr > Cu > Ni > Pb. The concentration of Pb in all samples and Cr in 97% of staple foods exceeded the FAO/WHO permissible limits. Approximately 87% of adult consumers of bananas (Musa sp) were found to have estimated Cr and Pb ingestion levels exceeding the permissible daily tolerable intake of metals (0.2 and 0.21mgday-1, respectively). Hazard index values from the staples analysis indicate that the consumption of bananas (9.40) poses the highest risk of non-carcinogenic effects on adults, followed by taro (7.32), sweet potato (6.13), and Singapore taro (4.30). The consumption of taro is dangerous due to cancer risk associated with the intake of excessive Ni (2.88E-02) and Cr (8.82E-03) in adults and children compared to banana, sweet potato, and Singapore taro. Non-carcinogenic hazards of metal ingestion were found to be pronounced in the younger population, while carcinogenic effects were more serious in adults. Urgent measures must be implemented to protect communities, especially children, from the dangerous effects of heavy metal ingestion through staples in the lower Watut region.

Dietary Survey of Japanese Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus on a Low-Carbohydrate Diet: An Observational Study.

The nutrient intake of persons with diabetes placed on a low-carbohydrate diet remains unclear. This study aimed to assess nutrient intake in persons with type 2 diabetes mellitus treated with a low-carbohydrate diet. The brief-type self-administered diet history questionnaire was used to collect the dietary information of 335 outpatients at Kitasato Institute Hospital, while their clinical characteristics were collected from their electronic medical records. The median age, HbA1c level, and body mass index of the participants were 68 (60-74) years, 49 (45-55) mmol/mol [6.7 (6.3-7.2)%], and 24.0 (21.8-26.7) kg/m2, respectively; median energy intake was 1457 (1153-1786) kcal/day; and protein-energy, fat-energy, and available carbohydrate-energy ratios were 18.6 (15.7-21.4)%E, 36.8 (31.6-43.2)%E, and 34.6 (26.0-42.4)%E, respectively. As the available carbohydrate-energy ratio decreased, the fat-energy ratio increased significantly. The total dietary fibre and salt intake were 7.1 (5.6-8.4) g/1000 kcal and 6.5 (5.6-7.5) g/1000 kcal, respectively. Japanese individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus placed on a low-carbohydrate diet had a fat-to-energy ratio exceeding 30%, while the fat-energy ratio increased as the carbohydrate-energy ratio decreased.

Bayesian analysis of physiologically based toxicokinetic (PBTK) modeling for pentachlorophenol exposure in pregnant women

Pentachlorophenol (PCP) is a persistent organic compound that is widely present in the environment. The estimation of internal exposure levels for a given external exposure using toxicokinetic models is key to the human health risk assessment of PCP. The present study developed a physiologically based multicompartmental pharmacokinetic (PBTK) model to describe and predict the behavior of pentachlorophenol (PCP) in an organism. The model consists of stomach, intestines, adipose tissue, kidneys and fast- and poorly perfused tissues that are interconnected via blood circulation. We constructed a PBTK model of PCP in rats and extrapolated it to human dietary PCP exposure. The toxicokinetic data of PCP in human tissues and excreta were obtained from the published literature. Based on the collected PCP dietary survey and internal exposure data of pregnant women in Shanghai, Bayesian statistical analysis was performed for the model using Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) simulation. The posterior distributions of the sensitive parameters were estimated, and the model was parameter optimized and validated using the pregnant women's test dataset. The results showed that the root mean square error (RMSE) improved 37.3% compared to the original model, and a systematic literature search revealed that the optimized model achieved acceptable prediction results for other datasets in China. A PCP metabolism model based on the exposure characteristics of pregnant women in China was constructed in the present study. The model provides a theoretical basis for the study of PCP toxicity and risk assessment.

The intake of solid fat and cheese may be associated with a reduced risk of Helicobacter pylori infection status: a cross-sectional study based on NHANES 1999–2000

BackgroundDiet plays an important role in Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection, and our objective was to investigate potential connections between dietary patterns, specific food groups, and HP infection status in U.S. adults.MethodsThe data for this study was obtained from the NHANES (National Health and Nutrition Survey) database for the year 1999–2000. This cross-sectional study involved the selection of adults aged 20 years and older who had undergone dietary surveys and HP testing. Factor analysis was employed to identify dietary patterns, and logistic regression models were utilized to assess the association between these dietary patterns and specific food groups with HP infection status.ResultBased on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, our final analysis included 2,952 individuals. The median age of participants was 51.0 years, and 48.7% were male. In the study population, the overall prevalence of HP infection was 44.9%. Factor analysis revealed three distinct dietary patterns: High-fat and high-sugar pattern (including solid fats, refined grains, cheese, and added sugars); Vegetarian pattern (comprising fruits, juices, and whole grains); Healthy pattern (encompassing vegetables, nuts and seeds, and oils). Adjusted results showed that the high-fat and high-sugar pattern (OR = 0.689, 95% CI: 0.688–0.690), vegetarian pattern (OR = 0.802, 95% CI: 0.801–0.803), and healthy pattern (OR = 0.717, 95% CI: 0.716–0.718) were all linked to a lower likelihood of HP infection. Further analysis of the high-fat and high-sugar pattern revealed that solid fats (OR = 0.717, 95% CI: 0.716–0.718) and cheese (OR = 0.863, 95% CI: 0.862–0.864) were protective factors against HP infection, while refined grains (OR = 1.045, 95% CI: 1.044–1.046) and added sugars (OR = 1.014, 95% CI: 1.013–1.015) were identified as risk factors for HP infection.ConclusionBoth the Vegetarian pattern and the Healthy pattern are associated with a reduced risk of HP infection. Interestingly, the High-fat and High-sugar pattern, which is initially considered a risk factor for HP infection when the score is low, becomes a protective factor as the intake increases. Within this pattern, animal foods like solid fats and cheese play a protective role, while the consumption of refined grains and added sugars increases the likelihood of HP infection.

Assessing Sodium Intake in Middle-Aged and Older Adults with Elevated Blood Pressure: Validation of Spot Urine Excretion and Dietary Survey-Derived Estimates.

This cross-sectional study evaluated the validity of three alternative methods compared to the gold standard 24-h urine collection for estimating dietary sodium intake, a modifiable risk factor for hypertension, among middle-aged and older adults with elevated blood pressure. These included spot urine collection (using Kawasaki, Tanaka, and INTERSALT equations), 24-h dietary recall, and food frequency questionnaire responses, compared to 24-h urine collection in a subset of 65 participants (aged 50-75 years, 58.5% women, 61.6% hypertensive) from the DePEC-Nutrition trial. The validity of the methods was assessed using bias, the Spearman correlation coefficient (SCC), the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and Bland-Altman analysis. Among the alternative methods, spot urine collection using the Kawasaki equation showed the strongest correlation (SCC 0.238; ICC 0.119, 95% CI -0.079 to 0.323), but it exhibited a significant bias (1414 mg/day, p-value < 0.001) relative to 24-h urine collection. Conversely, dietary surveys had a smaller bias but wider limits of agreement. These findings underscore the complexities of accurately estimating dietary sodium intake using spot urine collection or dietary surveys in this specific population, suggesting that a combination or the refinement of existing methodologies might improve accuracy. Further research with larger samples is necessary to develop more reliable methods for assessing sodium intake in this high-risk group.

Prevalence of T-2 Toxin in the Food and Beverages of Residents Living in a Kashin-Beck-Disease Area of Qamdo, Tibet.

It has been strongly suggested that selenium deficiency and T-2 toxin contamination have a strong relationship with the occurrence and development of Kashin-Beck disease (KBD). In order to provide information for understanding the high prevalence of KBD in Tibet, this study collected the responses to a cubital venous blood and dietary questionnaire of 125 subjects including 75 KBD patients and 50 healthy controls in a KBD-prevalent county (Luolong County) in Tibet, China. A total of 10 household local families were randomly selected in this area, and local diet samples of brick tea, Zanba powder, milk residue, and hulless Barley were collected from these residents. Selenium content in blood was detected by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The T-2 toxin contamination level in food sample was assayed using an ELISA kit. The selenium levels of patients and controls were 42.0 ± 19.8 and 56.06 ± 22.4 μg/L, respectively. The serum selenium level in controls was higher than that in patients, but there was no significant difference, and the serum selenium level both in patients and controls in Tibet was lower than the normal range. The results of the dietary survey showed that the number of respondents who consumed butter tea was large; 46.67% of patients indicated that they drank buttered tea every day, which was significantly higher than in controls. The contents of T-2 toxin in Zanba powder, milk residue, hulless barley and drinking water samples were below the detection limit (0.05 μg/kg); this result was labeled Tr. Unexpectedly, the contents of T-2 toxin in brick tea were higher, with average levels of 424 ± 56 μg/kg in Detong village and 396 ± 24 μg/kg in Langcuo village. For the first time, we report the presence of an extremely high concentration of T-2 toxin in brick tea of Tibet.

Diet choices determine mercury exposure risks for people living in gold mining regions of Peru

Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) is the largest global anthropogenic mercury (Hg) source and is widespread in the Peruvian Amazon. Consuming Hg-laden foods exposes people to this potent neurotoxin. While numerous studies have examined fish Hg content near ASGM, Hg accumulation in other commonly consumed animal-and plant-based foods from terrestrial environments is often overlooked. In this study, we aim to address understudied dietary Hg exposures.To understand Hg exposure from food staples in the Peruvian Amazon, we measured total and methyl Hg in local crops, fish, chicken meat, chicken feathers, and eggs from ASGM-impacted and upstream (reference) communities. Diet surveys were used to estimate probable weekly Hg intake from each food. Fish and chicken stable carbon and nitrogen isotope signatures were analyzed to evaluate trophic magnification.Though few crops exceeded food safety recommendations, rice methyl Hg proportions were high (84%). Trophic level was an expected key predictor of fish Hg content. 81% (17 of 21) of local carnivorous fish exceeded WHO and EPA recommendations. Compared to upstream communities, mining-impacted communities demonstrated elevated total Hg in crops (1.55 (interquartile ranges (IQR): 0.60–3.03) μg kg−1 upstream versus 3.38 (IQR: 1.62–11.58) in mining areas), chicken meats (2.69 (IQR: BDL–9.96) μg kg−1 versus 19.68 (IQR: 6.33–48.1)), and feathers (91.20 (IQR: 39.19–216.13) μg kg−1 versus 329.99 (IQR: 173.22–464.99)). Chicken meats from mining areas exhibited over double the methyl Hg concentrations of those upstream. Methyl Hg fractions in chicken muscle tissue averaged 93%. Egg whites and livers exceeded Hg recommendations most frequently. Proximity to mining, but not trophic position, was a predictor of chicken Hg content.Our results demonstrate that terrestrial and aquatic foods can accumulate Hg from mining activity, introducing additional human Hg exposure routes. However, locally sourced carnivorous fish was the largest contributor to an estimated three-fold exceedance of the provisional tolerable weekly Hg intake.

Evaluation of the eating habits of Polish esports players using the Quick Dietary Survey (QDS)

Background: Proper diet is crucial for the health and physical fitness for bothtraditional sport and esport. The study aimed to evaluate eating behaviours of elitePolish esports players using the QDS questionnaire.Methods: It was conducted on a group of 188 men aged 18-29 years, and a proprietarystandardized questionnaire for rapid dietary assessment (QDS) was utilized. A chi-square test was used for the statistical analysis, assuming a significance level of p&lt;0.05. Results: The results indicate that among surveyed esports players, the largestpercentage of them adhered to the dietary recommendations related of fluid intake(75%), replenishing fluids during exercise (72.3%), consuming cereal products (67.6%),considering the recommended number of meals (62.2%), and adequately hydratingafter exercise (60.1%). The study found that the most frequent dietary irregularitieswere usage of dietary supplements without consulting a doctor or nutritionist (75.9%),low consumption of meat substitutes (66.5%), and inadequate intake of recommendedproducts such as pulses (64.4%), fish (62.8%), vegetables (53.3%), and whole graincereal products (51.1%).The study group was dominated by players characterised bylow (44.7%) and average (40.4%) levels of implementation of dietaryrecommendations, as indicated by the nutrition score used. A higher level of rationaldietary choices was observed in 14.9% of the group. Statistical analysis revealed nosignificant differentiation of the analysed dietary behaviours between professional andsemi-professional players (p &gt; 0.05).Conclusions: The Quick Diet Survey (QDS) questionnaire used in the study is avaluable and reliable tool for rapid diet assessment. Therefore, the high prevalence ofinappropriate eating behaviours among esports players highlights the need fornutrition education.

Consumption status and growth trends of dairy products among children and adolescents in China from 1991 to 2018

To explore the dairy consumption among children and adolescents aged 7-17 in China. 10 rounds of follow-up data from the "China Health and Nutrition Survey" from 1991 to 2018 were collected, and individuals aged 7-17 were selected as the study subjects. Dietary data was collected by using 3-day 24-hour dietary review method and household weighing accounting method(edible oils and seasonings). Dairy consumption was calculated by converting various dairy products into liquid milk intake using the China Food Composition. After excluding those with missing demographic information, missing data from the "3 days and 24 hours" dietary survey, and abnormal daily energy intake, 18 529 participants were included in the final analysis. Joinpoint regression model was used to analyze the trend of changes in dairy intake. The dairy consumption rate increased from 2.8% in 1991 to 42.3% in 2018, while it increased from 8.4% to 58.8% in urban and from 0.9% to 32.1% in rural areas. Meanwhile, the proportion of people whose dairy intake reaches the recommended intake(300 g/d) increased from 0.2% to 3.0%, and the proportion in rural area was 2.0%, which was lower than that in urban areas(4.9%). From 1991 to 2018, dairy intake increased at a rate of 12.97%(P=0.02), and the growth rate of urban and rural areas were 9.79%(P=0.03) and 15.67%(P&lt;0.01), respectively. There was a faster growth trend from 1991-2004 compared to 2004-2018. The growth rate in urban and rural areas also showed different growth trends. The dairy intake of children and adolescents aged 7-17 in China improved significantly from 1991 to 2018, with higher consumption rate in urban areas than in rural areas, but it still need to be improved for health.

Dietary atherogenicity and thrombogenicity indexes predicting cardiovascular mortality: 50-year follow-up of the Seven Countries Study

Background and aimTo study the relationships of an Atherogenicity Index (ATI) and a Thrombogenicity Index (THI), with 50-year mortality from coronary heart disease (CHD), other heart diseases of uncertain etiology (HDUE) and cerebrovascular disease or stroke (STR), in 16 international cohorts of middle-aged men. Methods and resultsFoods from a dietary survey in subsamples of men in each cohort of the Seven Countries Study (SCS) were chemically analyzed for several types of fatty acids that were converted into ATI and THI identifying each of 16 cohorts. Ecological correlations of the ATI and THI were calculated with the three fatal CVD conditions and with all-cause mortality at 25 and 50 years. Correlation coefficients (Rs) were positive and highly significant between ATI and THI versus CHD mortality, with levels ranging from 0.79 to 0.97, depending on the duration of follow-up and the choice of 10 or of 16 cohorts. This was not the case for HDUE and STR mortality for which Rs were variable and not significant. A strong direct association was also found with all-causes deaths at 25 and 50-years. ATI and THI were also directly related with dietary saturated fat and cholesterol levels and inversely with the Mediterranean Adequacy Index (a score identifying the Mediterranean diet). ConclusionThese findings indicate that CHD has a different relationship with dietary lipids intake than HDUE and STR. This suggests that HDUE and STR have different underlying pathways or are different diseases.

National Dietary Survey on the children population

Abstract The national food consumption survey on the children population in Poland was conducted from August 2019 to February 2020 and was funded by EFSA under the EU Menu project. It aimed at collecting food consumption data of a representative sample of children living in Poland and followed the EFSA EU Menu methodology. Altogether 2605 subjects aged three months to nine years old were invited to participate in the study out of which participants were 1,574 children (780 boys and 794 girls) with a response rate of 60%. An additional group of 300 vegetarians aged six to nine years old was also recruited. After verifying the collected data, EFSA accepted the data from 1565 subjects (777 boys, 788 girls) in the main group and 294 subjects (147 boys, 147 girls) in the group of vegetarians. Data on food consumption was collected by means of two non‐consecutive food dietary record method using a web‐based tool intended for 24‐hour dietary recall method. In addition, a food propensity questionnaire was used. Anthropometric measurements of height, weight, waist and hip circumferences were made to assess the nutritional status of the participants. The level of physical activity was assessed with a short questionnaire, using questions from HBSC (Health Behaviour in School‐aged Children) Polish Study. Before the main study the pilot study was conducted for verifying the feasibility of the study organization. The collected data will be used to update the Comprehensive European Food Consumption Database, which is regulated and administered by EFSA. The results will allow the evaluation of diet and nutritional status of children in Poland, including the prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity.

National Dietary Survey on the adult population

Abstract The national food consumption survey on the adult population in Poland was conducted from August 2019 to February 2020 and was funded by EFSA under the EU Menu project. It aimed at collecting food consumption data of a representative sample of adolescents, adults and elderly living in Poland and followed the EFSA EU Menu methodology. Altogether 4,249 subjects aged 10 to ≥75 years old were invited to participate in the study out of which participants were 2,432 individuals with a response rate of 57%. Two additional ad hoc groups of 300 vegetarians aged 18‐50 years old and 150 pregnant women were also recruited. After verifying the collected data, EFSA accepted the data from 2385 subjects (1196 men, 1189 women) in the main group, 246 subjects (118 men, 128 women) in the group of vegetarians and 145 subjects in the group of pregnant women. Data on food consumption was collected by means of two non‐consecutive days through a web‐based 24‐hour dietary recall method. In addition, a food propensity questionnaire was used. Anthropometric measurements of height, weight, waist, and hip circumferences were made to assess the nutritional status of the participants. The level of physical activity was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Before the main study the pilot study was conducted for verifying the feasibility of the study organization. The collected data will be used to update the Comprehensive European Food Consumption Database which is regulated and administered by the EFSA. The results will allow the evaluation of diet and nutritional status of adolescents and adults in Poland, including the prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity.

Design, Methods, and Participation in Riksmaten Young Children—A Swedish National Dietary Survey

BackgroundNational dietary surveys provide essential data for risk benefit assessments of foods and nutrients, for management and policy development. Physical activity measurement and biomonitoring can provide important complementary data but are less commonly included. ObjectivesThis study aimed to describe the study design and methods of the cross-sectional Swedish national dietary survey Riksmaten Young Children (Riksmaten småbarn), of children aged 9 mo, 18 mo, and 4 y. Participation/dropout rates for the 2 older age groups are also presented. The impact of different recruitment strategies is discussed. MethodsChildren (N = 16,655) were randomly selected from the population register; invitations to guardians were sent by post and where possible, followed up by telephone. Food intake was assessed by a 2-d food diary and/or questionnaire. Height and weight were reported after measurement. Physical activity (accelerometery, 7 d) and stool, blood, and urine samples were assessed in subgroups. ResultsFood consumption data were collected in 1828 children (11% of the invited; 18 mo: n = 1078, and 4 y: n = 750). Of participants also in subgroups, 71% provided physical activity data (n = 1307), 60% stool samples (n = 630), and 51% blood and/or urine samples (n = 593). The study population represented all geographic regions and types of municipalities in Sweden, but participating households had both higher education level and higher income than the target population. Only minor differences were seen in participation rates between recruitment via post and telephone compared with those through post only (12% compared with 10%). Repeated contact attempts were needed for the majority of participants (65%). Despite the low-participation rate, 99% of the participants completed the study once started. ConclusionsAlthough it was a challenge to recruit participants, Riksmaten Young Children provides a substantial amount of information at national level, representative in terms of sex, geography, and family structure. The underrepresentation of households with lower socioeconomic position must be considered when generalizing results.

Calcium, Phosphate, and Vitamin D in Children and Adolescents with Chronic Diseases: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Chronic diseases may affect the nutritional status of children and adolescents. Calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), and vitamin D (Vit-D) are crucial nutrients for their growth and development. Proper diagnosis and treatment are critical components of personalized and precision medicine. Hence, we conducted a cross-sectional and comparative study to evaluate Ca, P, and Vit-D levels in their non-skeletal functions and their association with health and nutritional biomarkers in children and adolescents with diverse chronic conditions. We performed anthropometric, body composition, clinical evaluation, biochemical analysis, and dietary survey methods. A total of 78 patients (1-19 years, 43 females, 42 children) took part in this study. Overall, 24, 30, and 24 participants were obese, undernourished, and eutrophic, respectively. Results found that 74% and 35% of individuals had deficient Vit-D and Ca intake, respectively. Most cases were normocalcemic. Results also found that 47% of the subjects had Vit-D deficiency (VDD), 37% were insufficient, and 37% had hypophosphatemia. Of the 46% and 31% of patients with VDD and insufficient levels, 19% and 11% were hypophosphatemic, respectively. Calcium, P, and Vit-D levels were associated with anthropometric parameters, body mass index, body composition, physical activity, diet, growth hormones, and the immune, liver, and kidney systems. These results show the coincident risk of altered Ca, P, and Vit-D metabolism in children and adolescents with chronic diseases.

Evaluation of the relationship between household economic situation and food group intake in children attending nursery school

Objectives The relationship between household income and dietary intake among older children and adults in Japan has been studied. However, few studies have examined the relationship in younger children, and we believe that this should be taken into consideration from early childhood to correct health disparities. In this study, we examined the relationship between family income and dietary food group intake, and investigated the adequacy of food intake based on the Japanese Food Guide Spinning Top for young children aged 3 to 6 years attending nursery school. The goal of this study was to obtain trends in food intake that can be used to improve poor dietary intake of young children caused by socioeconomic factors.Methods A dietary survey using the food weighing or recording method and a self-administered questionnaire on dietary status were conducted on two non-consecutive days, including weekdays and weekends, from October to December 2019 or 2020. The participants were 761 young children (423 boys and 338 girls) attending nursery schools in seven cities in Japan. Equivalent income was calculated from household income and the number of family members indicated in the dietary status survey. Intake of each food group and consistency with the Japanese Food Guide Spinning Top were compared in five quintiles.Results Compared to the low equivalent income group, the high equivalent income group showed a decreasing trend in cereal intake and an increasing trend in the intake of sugar and sweeteners, green and yellow vegetables, and dairy products. The percentage of the low-income group who did not meet the definition of adequate intake using the Japanese Food Guide Spinning Top was lower for meals that include cereals and grain products, and higher for meals that include meat and fish, vegetable, milk and dairy products, and fruits.Conclusion The lower income group had higher intake of cereals and lower intake of vegetables and fruits compared to the higher income group. This finding is similar to the results of studies in adults and older children. However, based on the Japanese Food Guide Spinning Top, >90% of young children have a diet that fall below the adequate intake of meals, including vegetable dishes and even on weekdays, which suggests a general vegetable deficiency in young children. Multifaceted support is required to address this concern, including measures to correct disparities of income and to ensure desirable nutrient intake in early childhood.

Cholesterol plus dietary tannins play a key role in formation of urinary stone

The incidence of urolithiasis has been rising worldwide for several decades, but the main aetiological factors remain unknown. It was found that the prevalence of urolithiasis was correlated with intakes of high fat plus fruits rich in tannins through questionnaire-based dietary consumption surveys and epidemiological analysis. Cholesterol and polyphenols were also found in various renal stones of human. Cholesterol could co-precipitate with polyphenols extracted from various food materials in vitro, particularly condensed tannins. Therefore, prepared tannins from fruit were isolated by gel filtration column and characterized by high performance liquid chromatography. Mice gavaged with apple tannins and cholesterol caused remarkable cholesterol/tannins deposits, glomerular atrophy as well as increasing urine proteins, creatinine and electrolytes. Mice gavaged with ethylene glycol, tannins and cholesterol showed stronger nephrotoxicity, caused urine solute supersaturation in renal tubules, less urine and more deposits in urinary system, forming bladder stones (41.6% morbidity). Molecular dynamics simulation suggested that tannins and cholesterol formed complexes through van der Waals forces and hydrogen bonds. These findings indicated that interaction of cholesterol and tannins is a key factor in the formation of urinary stones, providing a clear explanation of urolithiasis formation. This study should help to design the strategies for prevention and control of various urinary stones as well as reveal the crucial reason for the increasing prevalence of urinary stones.

The global diet quality score as an indicator of adequate nutrient intake and dietary quality – a nation-wide representative study

BackgroundThe Global Diet Quality Score (GDQS) was developed to be a simple, timely and cost-effective tool to track, simultaneously, nutritional deficiency and non-communicable disease risks from diet in diverse settings. The objective was to investigate the performance of GDQS as an indicator of adequate nutrient intake and dietary quality in a national-representative sample of the Brazilian population.MethodsNationally-representative data from 44,744 men and non-pregnant and non-lactating women aging ≥ 10 years, from the Brazilian National Dietary Survey were used. Dietary data were collected through two 24-h recalls (24HR). The GDQS was calculated and compared to a proxy indicator of nutrient adequate intake (the Minimum Dietary Diversity for Women—MDD-W) and to an indicator of high-risk diet for non-communicable diseases (caloric contribution from ultra-processed foods—UPF). To estimate the odds for overall nutrient inadequacy across MDD-W and GDQS quintiles, a multiple logistic regression was applied, and the two metrics’ performances were compared using Wald’s post-test.ResultsThe mean GDQS for Brazilians was 14.5 (0–49 possible range), and only 1% of the population had a low-risk diet (GDQS ≥ 23). The GDQS mean was higher in women, elderly individuals and in higher-income households. An inverse correlation was found between the GDQS and UPF (rho (95% CI) = -0.20(-0.21;-0.19)). The odds for nutrient inadequacy were lower as quintiles of GDQS and MDD-W were higher (p-trend < 0.001), and MDD-W had a slightly better performance than GDQS (p-diff < 0.001). Having a low-risk GDQS (≥ 23) lowered the odds for nutrient inadequacy by 74% (95% CI:63%-81%).ConclusionThe GDQS is a good indicator of overall nutrient adequacy, and correlates well with UPF in a nationally representative sample of Brazil. Future studies must investigate the relationship between the GDQS and clinical endpoints, strengthening the recommendation to use this metric to surveillance dietary risks.

Intake of Table Sugar and Their Corresponding Food Sources in Adults from the 2017-2018 Brazilian National Dietary Survey.

Excessive intake of free sugars is associated with adverse health outcomes. Table sugar is one of the main dietary sources of free sugars; however, the amount added by Brazilian consumers in their culinary preparations is unknown. The aims were to estimate the daily intake of table sugar (g/day), its contribution to total energy intake (E%) and the main food groups that contribute to the intake of this sugar in a nationwide multi-ethnic sample of Brazilian adults (2017-2018 Brazilian National Dietary Survey). Based on two 24-h recalls adjusted for the within-person variation, the overall median table sugar intake was 14.3 g/day, corresponding to 3.2 E%. Males, individuals living in rural areas, with low income, low education and experiencing food insecurity had a higher intake of table sugar. The main food sources of table sugar were coffee (55.8%), juice (33.9%), milk-based preparations and smoothies (3.1%), powdered and processed juice (2.7%), whole milk (1.9%), and tea (1.6%). There are no recommendations regarding the limit of table sugar intake, but considering that the WHO limits the intake of free sugars to <10 E%, it is concluded that table sugar intake by Brazilians corresponds to about 30% of the upper recommended daily intake of free sugars.

FoodEx2 Harmonization of the Food Consumption Database from the Italian IV SCAI Children's Survey.

Estimating the habitual food and nutrient intakes of a population is based on dietary assessment methods that collect detailed information on food consumption. Establishing the list of foods to be used for collecting data in dietary surveys is central to standardizing data collection. Comparing foods across different data sources is always challenging. Nomenclatures, detail, and classification into broad food groups and sub-groups can vary considerably. The use of a common system for classifying and describing foods is an important prerequisite for analyzing data from different sources. At the European level, EFSA has addressed this need through the development and maintenance of the FoodEx2 classification system. The aim of this work is to present the FoodEx2 harmonization of foods, beverages, and food supplements consumed in the IV SCAI children's survey carried out in Italy. Classifying foods into representative food categories predefined at European level for intake and exposure assessment may lead to a loss of information. On the other hand, a major advantage is the comparability of data from different national databases. The FoodEx2 classification of the national food consumption database represented a step forward in the standardization of the data collection and registration. The large use of FoodEx2 categories at a high level of detail (core and extended terms) combined with the use of descriptors (facets) has minimized information loss and made the reference food categories at country level comparable with different food databases at national and international level.

Nutrition survey methods and food composition database update of the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study.

This study presents the nutrition survey methods and the updated food composition database for the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES). The KoGES, which is the largest and longest cohort study in Korea, aims to identify genetic and environmental factors associated with chronic diseases. This study has collected dietary data using a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire and/or the 24-hour recall method. However, these dietary survey methods use different food composition databases, and their nutritional values are out of date. Therefore, it became necessary to update the food composition database by revising nutrient analysis values to reflect improvements in the performance of food ingredient analysis equipment, revising international values to analysis values of Korean agricultural products, adjusting nutrient units, and adding newly reported nutrients related to chronic diseases. For this purpose, we integrated the different food composition databases used in each nutrition survey, updated 23 nutrients, and expanded 48 new nutrients for 3,648 food items using the latest reliable food composition databases published by national and international institutions. This revised food composition database may help to clarify the relationship between various nutrients and chronic diseases. It could serve as a valuable resource for nutritional, epidemiological, and genomic research and provide a basis for determining public health policies.