Dietary Intake Of Micronutrients Research Articles

Dietary micronutrient intake of children aged 2-5 years in China in 2019-2021

To describe dietary intake of calcium, iron, zinc, selenium, vitamin A, vitamin B_1, vitamin B_2 and vitamin C and compare the intake between urban and rural areas among preschool children aged 2-5 years based on the data from the National Nutrition and Health Systematic Survey for Children 0-17 Years of Age in China. Children from 14 provinces were selected by multi-stage stratified random cluster sampling, and the dietary data of preschool children aged 2-5 years were recorded using the 3 day 24-hour weighted food records method. SAS 9.4 was used to calculate dietary intake of these micronutrients based on the Chinese Food Composition Table and to compare the intake between urban and rural areas. The risk of insufficient or excessive intake of micronutrients among Chinese children aged 2-5 years was assessed according to the Chinese Dietary Reference Intakes(DRIs) 2013 edition. A total of 820 children aged 2 to 5 years were selected. The median daily dietary calcium intake of children aged 2-5 years in China was 433.7, 338.9, 356.4 and 347.4 mg, respectively. The median daily dietary intake of vitamin B_1 of children aged 2-5 years was 0.5 mg for all age groups. The median daily dietary vitamin B_2 intake of children aged 2-5 years was 0.7, 0.6, 0.6 and 0.6 mg, respectively. The median daily dietary intake of vitamin C of children aged 2-5 years was 37.9, 37.4, 44.0 and 40.0 mg, respectively. The median daily dietary selenium intake of children aged 2-5 years was 17.1, 20.5, 22.7 and 22.3 μg, respectively. Dietary calcium intake for aged 2-5 years, dietary vitamin B_2 intake for aged 2-4 years, dietary iron, selenium, zinc and vitamin B_1 intake for aged 2-3 years was significantly greater in urban children than rural children. Among all nutrients, the proportion of dietary calcium intakes below the estimated average requirement(EAR) was the highest in aged 2-5 years(61.4%, 76.4%, 91.4% and 91.5%, respectively). The proportions of dietary vitamin B_1, vitamin C and selenium intake lower than EAR of children aged 2-5 years in China were 52.4%-63.2%, 42.8%-50.2% and 46.6%-58.7%, respectively. The dietary calcium intake of children aged 2-5 years in China remains insufficient for these children, especially for rural children. Dietary vitamin B_1, vitamin C and selenium intake should be improved.

Farm production diversity, household dietary diversity, and nutrition: Evidence from Uganda's national panel survey.

Improved food security and nutrition remain a notable global challenge. Yet, food security and nutrition are areas of strategic importance regarding the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. The increasingly weakening global food production systems pose a threat to sustainable improved food security and nutrition. Consequently, a significant population remains chronically hungry and severely malnourished. As a remedy, farm production diversity (FPD) remains a viable pathway through which household nutrition can be improved. However, evidence is mixed, or unavailable on how FPD is associated with key nutrition indicators like household dietary diversity, energy, iron, zinc, and vitamin A (micronutrients). We use the Uganda National Panel Survey (UNPS) data for rural households to analyze differential associations of sub-components of FPD on dietary diversity, energy, and micronutrient intake. Panel data models reveal that indeed crop species count, and animal species count (sub-components of FPD) are differently associated with household dietary diversity score (HDDS), energy, and vitamin A sourced from markets. Moreover, when volumes of these nutrition outcomes were disaggregated by source (own farm vs. markets), the animal species count was only positively significantly associated with nutrition outcomes sourced from consumption of produce from own farm. Associations were insignificant for nutrition indicators sourced from markets except vitamin A. The crop species count, however, consistently showed a strong positive and significant association with energy, and all studied micronutrients sourced from own farm produce consumption, as well as those sourced from markets except Vitamin A, which was negative but insignificant. Therefore, inclusive, pro-poor, and pro-nutrition rural policy initiatives in the context of rural Uganda and similar ones, could more widely improve household nutrition through prioritizing crop species diversification on own farms because crops fetch wider nutrition gains.

Nutritional Assessment and Proximate Analysis of Selected Vegetables Grown in Larkana, Sindh, Pakistan

Food security and protection are the most crucial concerns worldwide. However, vegetables may significantly contribute to the macro and micro-nutrients for good health compared to dietary supplements. Eight vegetables of the Larkanadivision, namely spinach (Spinacia oleracea), brinjal (Solanum melongina L.), sponge gourd (Luffa acutangula), lotus root (Lelumbo nucifera), okra (Abelmoschus esculentus), coriander leave (Coriandrum sativum), fenugreek leave (Trigonella foenum graecum), and cauliflower (Brassica oleracea) were studied for their proximate, macro and micro-mineral contents to estimate their importance in human nutrition. The results showed that almost all vegetables contain appreciable amounts of essential nutrients. All the vegetables showed moisture contents of >70.00%. Lotus and sponge gourd have a maximum level of carbohydrates (>10.00%). Fiber was found in the range of 2.70 – 5.10%, with the highest in the okra. Protein and fat were found at < 4.00%, with maximum protein in spinach and fat in fenugreek leaves. The studied vegetables showed maximum levels of K and Ca, followed by Na, Mg, Fe, Zn, and Cu while Cr and Mn were observed to be < 5.00 µg/g. The macro and micro-minerals in the studied vegetables were within the maximum permissible limits recommended by WHO. Moreover, the eight studied vegetables of the Larkana division can also provide up to 1.00% of the required dietary daily intake of macro and micro-nutrients as recommended by the Food and Nutrition Board.

Diet variety sup the relationship between appetite and micronutrient intake in patients with heart failure.

Eating a varied diet promotes adequate micronutrient intake. Poor appetite could decrease the desire to eat a varied diet leading to dietary micronutrient insufficiencies. The interrelationships among appetite, diet variety, and dietary micronutrient intake have not been investigated in patients with heart failure (HF). The purpose of the study was to determine whether the relationship between appetite and micronutrient insufficiency was mediated through diet variety. A total of 238 patients with HF, mean age 61 ± 12.1; 68% male, and 45% NYHA class III/IV were included in this secondary analysis. Data collection consisted of a 4-day food diary and self-reported appetite on a 10-point visual analogue scale. Micronutrient insufficiency was defined as the total number of 17 minerals and vitamins that were insufficient in the diet. Diet variety was calculated as the number of 23 food types consumed over the 4 days. Mediation analysis, controlling for covariates age, gender, NYHA class, and body mass index showed that diet variety mediated the relationship between appetite and micronutrient insufficiencies [indirect effect = -0.0828, 95% confidence interval (CI): -0.1585 to -0.0150]. There was no direct effect of appetite on micronutrient insufficiency (c´ = -0.1802; 95% CI = -0.3715 to.0111). Diet variety played a previously unrecognized role in the relationship between appetite and dietary micronutrient intake in patients with HF. More research is needed to validate these associations in patients with HF.

Association between a new dietary protein quality index and micronutrient intake adequacy: a cross-sectional study in a young adult Spanish Mediterranean cohort

PurposeThere is no evidence of a dietary index that measures not only the quantity but also the quality of protein. The aim is to investigate the association between a new dietary protein quality index (PQI) and micronutrient intake adequacy in a Mediterranean cohort.DesignWe assessed 17,535 participants’ diet at baseline using a semi-quantitative FFQ. The PQI was calculated according to the ratio of protein (g/d) sources: [fish, seafood, lean meat, pulses, eggs, nuts, low-fat dairy, and whole grains]/[red and ultra-processed meats, whole-fat or semi-skimmed dairy, potatoes and refined grains]. Participants were classified into quintiles of PQI. We evaluated the intakes of Fe, Cr, I, K, Mg, Ca, P, Na, Se, Zn and vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, C, E and folic acid. Micronutrient adequacy was evaluated using DRIs. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the micronutrient adequacy according to quintiles of PQI.ResultsIn this cross-sectional analysis, a total of 24.2% and 4.3% participants did not to meet DRIs in ≥ 4 and ≥ 8 micronutrients, respectively. The odds of failing to meet ≥ 4 and ≥ 8 DRI were lower in participants in the highest quintile of protein quality (OR = 0.22; IC 95% = 0.18, 0.26; P-trend < 0.001; and OR = 0.08; IC 95% = 0.05, 0.14; P-trend < 0.001, respectively) as compared to participants in the lowest quintile.ConclusionHigher PQI was found to be strongly associated with better micronutrient intake adequacy in this Mediterranean cohort. The promotion of high-quality protein intake may be helpful for a more adequate intake of micronutrients. The odds of failing to meet certain numbers of DRIs were lower rather than saying lower risk.

Agronomic Bio-fortification of Iron and Zinc through Nano-fertilizers: A Review

The task of feeding the global human population estimated at 9.6 billion by 2050 and more than 3 billion people around the world suffer from micronutrient deficiency specially Zn and Fe, due to the consumption of poor-quality food. Micronutrient malnutrition or the hidden hunger is most prevalent amid women and preschool children triggered chiefly by low dietary intake of micronutrients. Biofortification is the process of fostering the bioavailable concentrations of essential elements in edible portions of crop plants by way of agronomic intervention or genetic selection, may perhaps be the solution to malnutrition or hidden hunger mitigation. It provides a comparatively cost effective, sustainableand long-term means of delivering more micronutrients. Thus, the time is to apply nanoparticles or nanofertilizers in solving some of these problems. Nanofertilizers can easily get absorbed by plants due to their high surface area to volume ratio. The sizes and morphologies of nanoparticles are however strong factors that determine the level of bio-accessibility by the plants from the soil. Nanofertilizers will allow controlled release of nutrients, so that this exactly synchronized with the nutritional needs of the crops and helps in improving the accumulation of nutrients in the plant. The plants applied with nanofertilizers not only grow but also accumulate such nutrients, which bridges the gap of nutrient deficiency.

Validating Accuracy of an Internet-Based Application against USDA Computerized Nutrition Data System for Research on Essential Nutrients among Social-Ethnic Diets for the E-Health Era.

Internet-based applications (apps) are rapidly developing in the e-Health era to assess the dietary intake of essential macro-and micro-nutrients for precision nutrition. We, therefore, validated the accuracy of an internet-based app against the Nutrition Data System for Research (NDSR), assessing these essential nutrients among various social-ethnic diet types. The agreement between the two measures using intraclass correlation coefficients was good (0.85) for total calories, but moderate for caloric ranges outside of <1000 (0.75) and >2000 (0.57); and good (>0.75) for most macro- (average: 0.85) and micro-nutrients (average: 0.83) except cobalamin (0.73) and calcium (0.51). The app underestimated nutrients that are associated with protein and fat (protein: −5.82%, fat: −12.78%, vitamin B12: −13.59%, methionine: −8.76%, zinc: −12.49%), while overestimated nutrients that are associated with carbohydrate (fiber: 6.7%, B9: 9.06%). Using artificial intelligence analytics, we confirmed the factors that could contribute to the differences between the two measures for various essential nutrients, and they included caloric ranges; the differences between the two measures for carbohydrates, protein, and fat; and diet types. For total calories, as an example, the source factors that contributed to the differences between the two measures included caloric range (<1000 versus others), fat, and protein; for cobalamin: protein, American, and Japanese diets; and for folate: caloric range (<1000 versus others), carbohydrate, and Italian diet. In the e-Health era, the internet-based app has the capacity to enhance precision nutrition. By identifying and integrating the effects of potential contributing factors in the algorithm of output readings, the accuracy of new app measures could be improved.

The link between malnutrition, immunity, infection, inflammation and growth: New pathological mechanisms

Primary (acute and chronic) malnutrition is still prevalent in developing countries because of inadequate nutrition and poor sanitation caused by social, economic, and environmental factors. In addition, acute malnutrition can occur secondary to an underlying disease that interferes with the intake, digestion, absorption, or assimilation of different nutrients increases nutrient loss, and/or increases energy expenditure. Immune dysfunction and infection are tightly linked to and actively contribute to the metabolic and hormonal dysregulation as well as to the progression of malnutrition. An inadequate dietary intake of macro-and micronutrients is proposed to adversely affect local intestinal and systemic immunity, intestinal mucosal integrity, and the interaction between host defense and pathogens. Lowered immunity, mucosal damage, recurrent and prolonged infections, and gut inflammation negatively affect the malnourished child growth in weight and height as well as psycho-mental development in endemic areas. Both infection and inflammation aggressively contribute to malnutrition triggering a vicious cycle. Almost all infantile and childhood malnutrition in endemic settings (unlike anorexia nervosa) results from deficient diet, infection, inflammation, and intestinal dysfunction (most children in endemic areas have environmental enteric dysfunction (EED), often with high fecal inflammatory markers. We highlight gaps in our understanding of the current interaction among immune dysfunction, infection, and inflammation in malnourished children, and evaluate the possible responsibility of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the initiation and progression of severe malnutrition. Breach of the malicious cycle between malnutrition and infection/inflammation requires innovative interferences to recover the immune defense and enforce host defense against pathogens and reduce morbidity and mortality.

Anthropometrics, Hemoglobin Status and Dietary Micronutrient Intake among Tanzanian and Mozambican Pigeon Pea Farmers.

Inadequate consumption of micronutrient-dense and protein-rich foods such as vegetables, legumes and meat is an important contributing cause for anemia and deficiencies of vitamin A and iron in rural communities of Tanzania and Mozambique. A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the nutritional status (anthropometrics and hemoglobin) and diets in particular micronutrient intake of female and male pigeon pea farmers from Lindi, Tanzania, and Gurué, the Zambézia province of Mozambique. A total of 1526 farmers (669 from Tanzania, 857 from Mozambique) were studied, of whom 16% were overweight and 35% were anemic. The highest prevalence of overweight and anemia, at 35% and 48%, was observed in Tanzanian and Mozambican women, respectively. Overall, only a small proportion of women and men reached the recommended daily dietary intake of vitamin A (10%), iron (51%) and zinc (44%). Multiple regression models revealed that dark green leafy vegetables (DGLVs) highly predicted vitamin A intake, whereas legumes in Tanzania and starchy plants in Mozambique were actually the dominant sources of vitamin A. Cereals covered over half of the iron and the zinc intake in both countries. An increased consumption of micronutrient-rich DGLVs and legumes, while reducing the high amounts of refined maize or polished rice, is suggested to counteract the high prevalence of anemia and overweight among smallholder farmers in East and South Eastern Africa.

Factors associated with anaemia among preschool- age children in underprivileged neighbourhoods in Antananarivo, Madagascar

BackgroundAnaemia occurs in children when the haemoglobin level in the blood is less than the normal (11 g/dL), the consequence is the decrease of oxygen quantity in the tissues. It is a prevalent public health problem in many low-income countries, including Madagascar, and data on risk factors are lacking. We used existing data collected within the pathophysiology of environmental enteric dysfunction (EED) in Madagascar and the Central African Republic project (AFRIBIOTA project) conducted in underprivileged neighbourhoods of Antananarivo to investigate the factors associated with anaemia in children 24 to 59 months of age.MethodsChildren included in the AFRIBIOTA project in Antananarivo for whom data on haemoglobin and ferritin concentrations were available were included in the study. Logistic regression modelling was performed to identify factors associated with anaemia.ResultsOf the 414 children included in this data analysis, 24.4% were found to suffer from anaemia. We found that older children (adjusted OR: 0.95; 95% CI: 0.93–0.98) were less likely to have anaemia. Those with iron deficiency (adjusted OR: 6.1; 95% CI: 3.4–11.1) and those with a high level of faecal calprotectin (adjusted OR: 2.5; 95% CI: 1.4–4.4) were more likely to have anaemia than controls.ConclusionsTo reduce anaemia in the children in this underprivileged area, more emphasis should be given to national strategies that improve children’s dietary quality and micronutrient intake. Furthermore, existing measures should be broadened to include measures to reduce infectious disease burden.

Status of dietary micronutrient intakes among the children of 12-17 years old in China from 2016 to 2017

To analyze the status of dietary micronutrient in takes among the children of 12-17 years old in China from 2016 to 2017. Multistage stratified random sampling method was used to collect data in 275 monitoring sites of the China National Nutrition and Health Survey of Chinese children and lactating mothers in 31 provinces of China from 2016 to 2017. Three consecutive 24-hour recalls method wasused to collect the information of food intake, and household or school canteen edible oil and condiments weighing were adopted. The dietary micronutrient were analyzed based on theChina Food Composition table. The average daily intakes of vitamin A(retinol activity equivalents), vitamin B_1(thiamine), vitamin B_2(riboflavin), vitamin C(ascorbic acid), calcium, iron, zinc and sodium were 356.8 μ g, 0.8 mg, 0.8 mg, 60.5 mg, 342.8 mg, 19.2 mg, 9.8 mg and 5 230.4 mg, respectively. The proportion ofdaily average intakes of vitamin A, vitamin B_1, vitamin B_2, vitamin C and calcium lower than 60% of the recommended value were 74.3%, 59.4%, 57.7%, 62.6% and 93.0%, respectively. The proportion of daily intake of iron and zinc reaching 80% of the recommended value were 73.8% and 64.8%, respectively. The proportion of daily average intake of sodium exceeded the appropriate intake by 94.4%. The average daily intakes of micronutrients increased with age among the children of 12-17 years old. There were differences of daily intake of vitamin A in gender, urban and rural areas(P&lt;0.05), there was difference of vitamin C in urban and rural areas(P&lt;0.01), there were differences of daily intake of vitamin B_1, vitamin B_2, calcium, iron and zinc in age, gender, urban and rural areas(P&lt;0.01), there were differences in the average daily intake of sodium in age, gender(P&lt;0.01). The average daily dietary of iron and zinc intakes in the diet were basically enough in most children of 12-17 years old in China, that of sodium was too much, and that of some micronutrients was insufficient.

Associations of Dietary Antioxidants with Glycated Hemoglobin and Insulin Sensitivity in Adults with and without Type 1 Diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) has been associated with increased risks of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, and poor glycemic control and oxidative stress play a major role in its pathology. There is a lack of data on the role of dietary antioxidant micronutrients, including vitamins and trace elements, in glycemic control in T1D. The aim of this study is to examine associations of dietary intakes of micronutrients with glycemic status. We report data from a cross-sectional analysis from the coronary artery calcification in type 1 diabetes (CACTI) study (n = 1257; T1D: n = 568; nondiabetic controls: n = 689) collected between the years 2000 and 2002. Participants completed a validated food frequency questionnaire, a physical examination, and biochemical analyses. Linear regression was used to examine the associations of dietary antioxidant micronutrients with HbA1c and estimated insulin sensitivity (eIS) in models adjusted for relevant covariates and stratified by diabetes status. In adults with T1D, we observed higher dietary manganese intake associated with higher eIS in the model adjusted for age, sex, diabetes duration, and total calories. In nondiabetic controls, higher intake of manganese associated with lower HbA1c and higher eIS values that persisted in models adjusted for all relevant covariates. On the other hand, dietary copper revealed a positive association with HbA1c in models adjusted for all covariates, except BMI and plasma lipids. No associations were noted for vitamins C and E and dietary carotenoids in either group. These findings reveal dietary antioxidant micronutrients, especially trace elements such as copper and manganese deserve special attention in glycemic control in adults with T1D as well as in nondiabetic controls.This trial is register with NCT00005754.

Association between irritable bowel syndrome and micronutrients: A systematic review.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a highly prevalent disorder of gut brain interaction with a multifactorial etiology. Food trigger avoidance is common among individuals with IBS and exclusion diets are gaining popularity. However, recent guidelines on IBS management cautioned regarding the use of unsupervised dietary therapy with concerns of development of poor eating habits and even nutritional deficiencies. We aimed to review the available literature on the effect of habitual and exclusion diets on micronutrient status as well as the role of micronutrient supplementation in alleviating IBS symptoms. Four electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, Web of Science) were searched for articles that reported micronutrient data in patients with IBS. Serum micronutrient levels and dietary intake of micronutrients in patients with IBS were collected. The extracted data were tabulated and organized by micronutrient type to observe for trends. Twenty-six articles were included in this systematic review (12 interventional and 14 observational studies). Studies showed that generally IBS subjects had lower levels of vitamin B2, vitamin D, calcium, and iron at baseline compared with non-IBS subjects. Studies also found that exclusion diets were associated with lower intake of micronutrients especially vitamin B1, B2, calcium, iron, and zinc. There was a lack of interventional studies on micronutrients. Irritable bowel syndrome patients are at risk of developing multiple micronutrient deficiencies that may have both localized gastrointestinal as well as systemic effects. Dietary management of IBS patients should include a proper dietitian review to ensure nutritional adequacy where possible.

Appraisal of determinants of orange-fleshed sweet potato production and utilization in Isiolo County, Kenya

Micronutrient deficiency remains a leading challenge among children and pregnant women in arid and semi-arid areas (ASALs) of Kenya. An important strategy for supplementing dietary intake of micronutrients, especially vitamin A, is through food fortification. Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) affects 190 million pre-school children and 19 million pregnant women globally. Orange-fleshed sweet potato (OSP) is a rich plant-based source of beta-carotene which is converted into Vitamin A upon consumption and has the potential to alleviate this deficiency among ASALs communities. In this study, household surveys were conducted to profile Orange-fleshed sweet potato (OSP) farmers’ knowledge, production practices, constraints, acceptance and willingness to grow OSP in Isiolo County, Kenya. The overall aim of the study was to enhance adoption and improve food and nutrition security. Farmers were purposively sampled depending on their involvement in sweet potato farming for at least one year. A total of 150 farmers representing three wards namely: Burat, Ngaremara, and Bulla Pesa were interviewed. Data were collected using structured questionnaires via face-to-face interviews as well as focused group discussions (FGDs). Collected data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software Version 16.0. A total of six sweet potato varieties were grown in the study area. The yellow fleshed variety cultivated by 40% of the respondents was cited as the most palatable variety (60%). Only 52.4% of the farmers were aware of OSP and its benefits with 100% of the farmers willing to grow the OSP varieties. Several constraints were reported to influence production of OSP which included pests and diseases, lack of improved varieties, short shelf life, and lack of market (76.2%, 81%, 71.4% and 61.9%, respectively). The most common forms of OSP utilization were whole cooked products and dual purpose, that is, food and feed (81% and 52% of respondents, respectively). The dual nature of sweet potato utilization suggests a huge potential for up-scaling production to satisfy a demand for dietary diversification, value addition and product diversification and eventual increase in household incomes and reduced resource related conflicts among pastoralist communities. Key words: Orange-fleshed Sweet Potato, Adoption, Malnutrition, dietary-diversification, Food security

Dietary Micronutrient Status and Relation between Micronutrient Intakes and Overweight and Obesity among Non-Pregnant and Non-Lactating Women Aged 18 to 49 in China.

Women between the ages of 18 and 49 are women of reproductive age, for whom physical health and nutritional status are closely related to successful pregnancy, good pregnancy outcomes and the nurturing of the next generation. Overweight and obesity have become important nutrition and health problems of women aged 18–49 years in China. In social life, non-pregnant and non-lactating Chinese women aged 18–49 are the most vulnerable and neglected group. At present, there are no research data on their dietary micronutrient intake, and the relationship between dietary micronutrient intake and overweight and obesity in China. However, non-pregnant and non-lactating women aged 18–49 are the best window of opportunity to implement strategies, correct nutrition and improve physical health. It remains to be explored whether their overweight and obesity are related to inadequate dietary micronutrient intake. The aim of this study was to evaluate dietary micronutrient intake in non-pregnant and non-lactating Chinese women aged 18–49 years, and to analyze the relationship between dietary micronutrient intake and overweight and obesity. Data were obtained from 2015 China Adult Chronic Disease and Nutrition Surveillance (CACDNS 2015). In CACDNS 2015, 12,872 women aged 18 to 49 years (excluding pregnant women and lactating mothers) were surveyed for a three-day 24 h dietary recall and a three-day household weighing of edible oil and condiments. The average daily dietary intake of micronutrients was calculated according to the Chinese food composition table. In 2015, the median intake of vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin C and folate in non-pregnant and non-lactating women aged 18–49 years in China was 267.0 μg RE/day, 0.7 mg/day, 0.6 mg/day, 63.5 mg/day and 121.0 μg/day, respectively. The median mean intake of vitamin A, niacin, calcium and zinc in overweight/obese group was lower than that in non-overweight/obese group, and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that vitamin A intake (Q3 vs. Q1: OR = 0.785, 95% CI: 0.702~0.878; Q4 vs. Q1: OR = 0.766, 95% CI: 0.679~0.865), niacin intake (Q2 vs. Q1: OR = 0.801, 95% CI: 0.715–0.898; Q3 vs. Q1: OR = 0.632, 95% CI: 0.554~0.721; Q4 vs. Q1: OR = 0.662, 95% CI: 0.568~0.772), Zinc intake (Q4 vs. Q1: OR = 0.786, 95% CI: 0.662~0.932) were a protective factor for overweight/obesity in women, while vitamin B2 intake (Q2 vs. Q1: OR = 1.256, 95% CI: 1.120~1.408; Q3 vs. Q1: OR = 1.416, 95% CI: 1.240~1.617; Q4 vs. Q1: OR = 1.515, 95% CI: 1.293–1.776), vitamin E intake (Q2 vs. Q1: OR = 1.114, 95% CI: 1.006–0.235; Q3 vs. Q1: OR = 1.162, 95% CI: 1.048~0.288; Q4 vs. Q1: OR = 1.234, 95% CI: 1.112–1.371) was a risk factor for overweight/obesity in females. The intakes of most dietary micronutrients in non-pregnant and non-lactating women aged 18–49 in China were low. The intakes of dietary vitamin A, niacin and zinc were negatively correlated with the risk of overweight/obesity, while the intakes of vitamin B2 and vitamin E were positively correlated with the risk of overweight/obesity.

Ultra-processed foods consumption reduces dietary diversity and micronutrient intake in the Mexican population.

Currently, 30% of the total energy intake in the Mexican diet comes from ultra-processed foods. Although its consumption is associated with high intakes of added sugar and saturated fats and low intakes of dietary fibre, there is no evidence regarding its association with dietary diversity and micronutrient intake. The present study evaluated the association between ultra-processed foods consumption with dietary diversity and micronutrient intake in Mexico. Ultra-processed foods items were identified in a 24-h recall from a sample of 10,087 participants aged ≥ 1 year. The minimum dietary diversity (MDD) was established by using the Food and Agriculture Organization 10 food group indicators with unprocessed, minimally processed and processed foods. The study conducted multiple linear regression models to evaluate the association between quintiles of energy contribution of ultra-processed foods with dietary diversity and micronutrient intake. A high consumption of ultra-processed foods was associated with a low dietary diversity and micronutrients intake. The association between ultra-processed foods and MDD was not linear (47.1%, 57.1%, 52.5%, 45.0% and 28.0% of participants achieved the MDD). On the other hand, the association was linear and negatively associated with: niacin, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, folate, vitamin B12 , vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, calcium, magnesium, potassium and phosphorus (p < 0.05). These findings are relevant in the context of the double burden of malnutrition currently faced in Mexico. Increasing dietary diversity and micronutrient intake is essential by discouraging ultra-processed foods consumption. However, other strategies are also needed to promote the dietary diversity and increase the consumption of unprocessed and minimally processed foods.

Natural Variation in Vitamin B1 and Vitamin B6 Contents in Rice Germplasm.

Insufficient dietary intake of micronutrients contributes to the onset of deficiencies termed hidden hunger—a global health problem affecting approximately 2 billion people. Vitamin B1 (thiamine) and vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) are essential micronutrients because of their roles as enzymatic cofactors in all organisms. Metabolic engineering attempts to biofortify rice endosperm—a poor source of several micronutrients leading to deficiencies when consumed monotonously—have led to only minimal improvements in vitamin B1 and B6 contents. To determine if rice germplasm could be exploited for biofortification of rice endosperm, we screened 59 genetically diverse accessions under greenhouse conditions for variation in vitamin B1 and vitamin B6 contents across three tissue types (leaves, unpolished and polished grain). Accessions from low, intermediate and high vitamin categories that had similar vitamin levels in two greenhouse experiments were chosen for in-depth vitamer profiling and selected biosynthesis gene expression analyses. Vitamin B1 and B6 contents in polished seeds varied almost 4-fold. Genes encoding select vitamin B1 and B6 biosynthesis de novo enzymes (THIC for vitamin B1, PDX1.3a–c and PDX2 for vitamin B6) were differentially expressed in leaves across accessions contrasting in their respective vitamin contents. These expression levels did not correlate with leaf and unpolished seed vitamin contents, except for THIC expression in leaves that was positively correlated with total vitamin B1 contents in polished seeds. This study expands our knowledge of diversity in micronutrient traits in rice germplasm and provides insights into the expression of genes for vitamin B1 and B6 biosynthesis in rice.

Comparison of Two Pathways Linking Agriculture to Child Health: Dietary Diversity and Micronutrient Intake in the Malagasy Highlands

Comparison of Two Pathways Linking Agriculture to Child Health: Dietary Diversity and Micronutrient Intake in the Malagasy Highlands

Nutrition, Overweight, and Cognition in Euthymic Bipolar Individuals Compared to Healthy Controls.

Bipolar disorder (BD) is associated with impairments in cognitive functions, in which metabolic factors, e.g., overweight, seem to play a significant role. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between nutritional factors and cognitive performance in euthymic individuals with BD. A study cohort of 56 euthymic individuals with BD was compared to a sample of 53 mentally healthy controls. To assess cognitive function, the following tests were applied: California Verbal Learning Test, Trail Making Test A/B, d2 Test of Attention-Revised, and Stroop’s Color-Word Interference Test. Furthermore, a 4-day food record was processed to evaluate dietary intake of macronutrients, specific micronutrients, and food diversity. Body mass index and waist to height ratio were calculated to assess overweight and central obesity. Results showed no nutritional differences between individuals with BD and controls. Individuals with BD performed worse in the d2 test than controls. Hierarchical regression analyses yielded no association between cognitive and nutritional parameters. However, waist to height ratio was negatively correlated with almost all cognitive tests. Central obesity seems to affect cognitive functioning in BD, while the lack of finding differences in nutritional data might be due to problems when collecting data and the small sample size. Consequently, further studies focusing on objectively measuring food intake with adequate sample size are needed.

The consumption of micronutrients in relation to calorie intake and risk of insulin resistance

Background and aimsAdequate dietary intakes of essential micronutrients are critical to prevent insulin resistance (IR)-related diseases. Even though the excess calorie intake linked with obesity is also associated with such diseases, no previous studies evaluated the importance of meeting the Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) of micronutrients in relation to calorie intake in those at risk for developing IR. Methods and resultsWe evaluated the relationship between the ability or failure to meet the DRI of micronutrients in relation to daily calorie intake in 463 childbearing-age women with a higher prevalence of IR. 56–65% women met the DRIs for vitamin B12, vitamin C, thiamine, and riboflavin while only 0%–49% met the DRIs for folate, pyridoxine, niacin, pantothenic acid, total carotene, vitamins A, D and E by consuming an acceptable number of calories. Women who met the DRIs of folate and vitamin C within acceptable daily calorie intakes were 59% and 66% less likely to have higher Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) compared to women who did not. ConclusionsUnderstanding the mechanisms that explain our findings will be of value to address IR-associated with exposure to high calorie/low-micronutrient dense diets consumed by childbearing-age women. Since there is a global recognition that IR has been increasing in adults and children, similar studies of this nature in pregnant women at risk for IR will provide much needed data to assess the burden of such adverse dietary habits in the offspring. Our study approach may form the foundation for such studies.