Differences In Dietary Practices Research Articles

Dietary inflammation, sleep and mental health in the United Kingdom and Japan: A comparative cross-sectional study.

Diet has been repeatedly shown to affect mental and sleep health outcomes. However, it is well known that there are cross-cultural differences in dietary practices as well as the prevalence of mental and sleep health outcomes. Given that the dietary inflammatory potential of diets has been linked to mental and sleep health outcomes, in the current study we sought to assess the inflammatory status of habitual diets and examine its relationship with mental and sleep health outcomes in both the United Kingdom and Japan. Our aim was to determine if the associations between the dietary inflammation index (DII) score and these health outcomes could elucidate any potential cross-cultural differences in health. Online survey data was collected from 602 participants (aged 18-40 years) in the United Kingdom (n = 288) and Japan (n = 314). Participants self-reported their dietary intakes, as well as current mental health and sleep patterns. The DII score was calculated (score range - 2.79 to 3.49) We found that although participants in the United Kingdom reported better overall mental wellbeing, participants in Japan reported less severe depression, anxiety and stress and better subjective sleep quality, less sleep disturbances and daytime dysfunction, despite sleeping shorter, and a better adherence to an anti-inflammatory diet. Moreover, across the United Kingdom and Japan, adherence to more anti-inflammatory diets predicted higher levels of subjective sleep quality, fewer sleep disturbances, less use of sleep medicine and less daytime dysfunction. In conclusion, there are several differences between mental and sleep health outcomes in the United Kingdom and Japan, which could be attributable to the inflammatory potential of respective regional diets. Future studies are warranted to examine the mental and sleep health benefits of adhering to anti-inflammatory traditional Japanese diets in clinical and subclinical cohorts.

Relationship of self-regulation and lifestyle behaviour with overweight among male and female adolescents in Selangor

Introduction: The ability of a person to self-regulate and practise healthy lifestyle behaviours determine one’s weight status. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship of self-regulation, dietary practices, and physical activity with overweight status among male and female adolescents. Methods: This crosssectional study used multistage cluster sampling involving government secondary school students aged between 13 and 14 years old in Hulu Langat, Selangor. Students answered a validated self-administered questionnaire comprising socio-demography, dietary practices, physical activity, and self-regulation items. Their body mass index (BMI) was calculated, and weight status was determined using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) BMI chart. Results: Among 636 students, 27.0% were “overweight”, affecting more male than female students (p=0.032). Majority of them (96.7%) were motivated to maintain healthy body weight, but only a third of the students took vegetables, fruits and grains (32.4%), and performed vigorous physical activity (31.1%) regularly. Regardless of the “overweight” status, there were no significant differences in dietary practices, physical activity, and autonomous regulation for both genders. Female students showed a higher level of controlled regulation than male students in non-overweight (p=0.005) and overweight (p<0.001) groups. Higher controlled regulation increased the odds of being overweight among female students (AOR=1.04, 95% CI=1.04-1.08, p=0.010). Conclusion: Thus, health authorities need to develop programmes to assist, particularly female students, in practising higher autonomous regulation to combat overweight and obesity, as this group exhibits a high level of controlled regulation, which increases the likelihood of being overweight.

Disparities in dietary practices during the COVID-19 pandemic by food security status

Little is known about the differences in dietary practices among food secure and food insecure populations during the early COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. The purpose of this study was to examine differences in dietary practices the early COVID-19 pandemic restrictions between adults reporting food security versus food insecurity. An online cross-sectional survey using validated measures was administered between April and September 2020 to explore both dietary patterns and practices and food security status among persons residing in five U.S. states from different regions of the country during the COVID-19 pandemic. Between-group differences (food secure versus food insecure) were examined for dietary practice outcomes using Pearson’s Chi-Square test statistic, with Fisher’s Exact test for cell counts less than five. There were 3,213 adult respondents. Food insecurity increased among the survey sample from 15.9% before the COVID-19 pandemic to 23.1% during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic (p < 0.01). Compared to food secure respondents, those experiencing food insecurity reported more group gatherings for meals during the pandemic, decreased fruit and vegetable intake, and a need for more nutrition support resources than food secure respondents (p < 0.05). Food secure individuals reported increasing alcohol consumption, more frequent take-out or delivery ordering from fast food or restaurants, and more interest in supporting the local food system (p < 0.05). Results indicate a clear risk of disparities in dietary practices based on food security status during the early COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. Public health research, practice, and policy efforts should tailor specific efforts towards both food secure and food insecure groups.

Mapping of population disparities in the cholangiocarcinoma urinary metabolome

Phenotypic diversity in urinary metabolomes of different geographical populations has been recognized recently. In this study, urinary metabolic signatures from Western (United Kingdom) and South-East Asian (Thai) cholangiocarcinoma patients were characterized to understand spectral variability due to host carcinogenic processes and/or exogenous differences (nutritional, environmental and pharmaceutical). Urinary liquid chromatography mass spectroscopy (LC–MS) spectral profiles from Thai (healthy = 20 and cholangiocarcinoma = 14) and UK cohorts (healthy = 22 and cholangiocarcinoma = 10) were obtained and modelled using chemometric data analysis. Healthy metabolome disparities between the two distinct populations were primarily related to differences in dietary practices and body composition. Metabolites excreted due to drug treatment were dominant in urine specimens from cholangiocarcinoma patients, particularly in Western individuals. Urine from participants with sporadic (UK) cholangiocarcinoma contained greater levels of a nucleotide metabolite (uridine/pseudouridine). Higher relative concentrations of 7-methylguanine were observed in urine specimens from Thai cholangiocarcinoma patients. The urinary excretion of hippurate and methyladenine (gut microbial-host co-metabolites) showed a similar pattern of lower levels in patients with malignant biliary tumours from both countries. Intrinsic (body weight and body composition) and extrinsic (xenobiotic metabolism) factors were the main causes of disparities between the two populations. Regardless of the underlying aetiology, biological perturbations associated with cholangiocarcinoma urine metabolome signatures appeared to be influenced by gut microbial community metabolism. Dysregulation in nucleotide metabolism was associated with sporadic cholangiocarcinoma, possibly indicating differences in mitochondrial energy production pathways between cholangiocarcinoma tumour subtypes. Mapping population-specific metabolic disparities may aid in interpretation of disease processes and identification of candidate biomarkers.

Sleep disturbances in children with functional gastrointestinal disorders: demographic and clinical characteristics.

Research indicates a deleterious effect of sleep disturbances on pain and illness-related functioning across pediatric populations. Sleep problems in youth with functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) are understudied, despite studies in adult FGIDs indicating sleep disruptions increase pain and symptom severity. This study sought to better characterize sleep problems in school-age children with FGIDs and to assess relationships with demographic characteristics and gastrointestinal symptoms. Sixty-seven children with FGIDs (pediatric Rome IV criteria) and 59 parents completed questionnaires assessing sleep problems, and children completed a 2-week pain/stooling diary. Sleep problems in this sample were compared with published normative samples, and children above and below the clinical cutoff were compared on demographics and FGID symptoms. Of the sample, 61% were above the clinical cutoff for sleep disturbances, with significantly greater bedtime resistance, sleep onset delay, sleep duration, and daytime sleepiness than the comparison group. Children above the clinical cutoff reported greater mean abdominal pain severity and pain interference. Relative to White participants, Black/African-American participants were more likely to be above the clinical cutoff and indicated more frequent night wakening and symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing, but lower maximum and overall mean abdominal pain severity. Sleep problems in children with FGIDs are common and related to greater day-to-day abdominal pain severity and pain interference. Results suggest sleep-pain relationships may differ across racial/ethnic groups. Assessing sleep in children with FGIDs is important, and further research is needed to assess underlying mechanisms and evaluate sleep as a potential treatment target in this population.

Obesogenic Dietary Practices of Latino and Asian Subgroups of Children in California: An Analysis of the California Health Interview Survey, 2007-2012.

We examined obesogenic dietary practices among Latino and Asian subgroups of children living in California. We analyzed 2007, 2009, and 2011-2012 California Health Interview Survey data to examine the differences in dietary practices among Mexican and non-Mexican Latino children and 7 ethnic subgroups of Asian children. We used multivariable regression to examine the sociodemographic factors associated with specific dietary practices. Latino subgroups of children had few differences in obesogenic dietary practices, whereas Asian subgroups of children exhibited significant differences in several obesogenic dietary practices. Korean and Filipino children were more likely than Chinese children to consume fast food and have low vegetable intake. Filipino children, followed by Japanese children, had the most obesogenic dietary practices compared with Chinese children, who along with South Asian children appeared to have the least obesogenic dietary practices. In general, income, education, and acculturation did not explain the dietary differences among Asian groups. Our findings suggest the need to disaggregate dietary profiles of Asian and Latino children and to consider nontraditional sociodemographic factors for messaging and counseling on healthy dietary practices among Asian populations.

A Comparison of Dietary Practices at or En Route to School between Elementary and Secondary School Students in Vancouver, Canada

BackgroundThere is evidence that dietary quality declines as children age in North America, but few studies have explored whether food environment exposures in secondary schools as opposed to elementary schools are associated with changes in students’ school-day food choices. MethodsThis study examined differences in dietary practices (at or en route to and/or from school) between students in their last years of elementary school (grades 5 to 7) and first year of secondary school (grade 8) in Vancouver, Canada, controlling for sociodemographic characteristics and school-level socioeconomic status. Demographic characteristics and dietary data were collected through a cross-sectional survey (n=950 from 26 schools) and combined with school-level socioeconomic data derived from the 2006 Canadian Census. ResultsMultilevel logistic regression analyses indicated that secondary school students were significantly more likely to report daily consumption of fast foods (odds ratio=1.92; 95% CI 1.18 to 3.12) and minimally nutritious packaged snacks (eg, candy or chocolate bars) (odds ratio=1.60; 95% CI 1.05 to 2.45), and to report regular purchases from off-campus retailers (odds ratio=1.63; 95% CI 1.10 to 2.42). Gender, food insecurity, lower acculturation to Canada, and access to more weekly spending money were associated with nutritionally poor practices. Students attending schools drawing from lower-income neighborhoods were also significantly more likely to consume fast foods and packaged snacks daily. The majority of students sampled did not report consuming healthy foods, such as fruit and vegetables, daily at or en route to and/or from school. Intake of fruit, vegetables, and low-fat milk did not differ significantly between elementary and secondary school students. ConclusionsFindings suggest that research and intervention strategies should address modifiable school-level exposures and policies to improve dietary practices for both elementary and secondary school–aged youth, while at the same time addressing sociocultural factors associated with eating behavior.

Association of Dietary Factors With Ulcerative Colitis in India

Background: Western studies associate high intake of animal protein, fat, refined sugars and low intake of fruits and green vegetables with causation of ulcerative colitis. Indian data on such association is scanty. Methods: 50 consecutive patients of ulcerative colitis were compared to 50 age and sex matched normal controls with respect to their demographic and nutritional parameters (based on commonly consumed food items in the region) in this case control study. Food groups enquired for were meat, fish, cereals, fruits, green leafy vegetables, fried foods, refined sugar and tea/coffee and their intake were estimated semiquantitatively by a questionnaire. Univariate and multivariate analysis of the parameters were carried out to detect the association of any with ulcerative colitis at significance p &lt;0.05. Results: Low intake of fruits (odds ratio 0.28 for lowest intake level) and high intake of refined sugar(odds ratio 1.78 for the highest intake level) were the only significant factors associated with occurrence of ulcerative colits both on univariate and multivariate analysis. None of the patients were pure vegetarians. Conclusion: This initial study shows association of ulcerative colitis with similar food items in India as in the West despite vast differences in dietary practices.

Acculturation, Education, Nutrition Education, and Household Composition Are Related to Dietary Practices among Cambodian Refugee Women in Lowell, MA

Refugees in the United States have higher rates of some chronic diseases than US-born residents or other first-generation immigrants. This may be partially a result of dietary practices in the United States. There is limited information about which factors are related to dietary practices in refugee populations, particularly those who have been in the United States for 10 to 20 years. Research with Cambodian communities may be useful for examining the relationship between refugee characteristics and dietary practices. Two focus groups (n=11) and a survey (n=150) of Cambodian refugee women were conducted in Lowell, MA, from 2007 to 2008. χ 2 analyses, t tests, and analysis of variance tests were used to describe differences in dietary practices (24-hour recall and a targeted qualitative food assessment) by group characteristics. Higher acculturation was related to higher likelihood of eating brown rice/whole grains, and to lower likelihood of eating high-sodium Asian sauces. Higher education was related to higher likelihood of eating vegetables and fruits and to eating white rice fewer times. Nutrition education and receiving dietary advice from a health care provider were related to higher likelihood of eating whole grains/brown rice. Having a child at home was related to a higher likelihood of eating fast food. Among Cambodian refugees who have been in the United States for 10 to 20 years, dietary practices appear to have a relationship with acculturation (positive association), the interrupted education common to refugees (negative association), nutrition education from either programs or health care providers (positive association), and having a child at home (negative association).

Self-control, diet concerns and eater prototypes influence fatty foods consumption of adolescents in three countries

As adolescent overweight has become a widespread problem in the developed world, it is timely to understand commonalities underlying dietary practices across countries. This study examines whether consumption of fruits and vegetables and fatty foods among adolescents in different countries is related to the same individual difference and social influence factors-in particular, adolescents' self-control, diet concerns and perceptions of typical (un)healthy eating peers (prototypes). We included 511 normal weight and overweight adolescents (14-19 years) from the United States, the Netherlands and Hungary, who completed a survey during class hours. After controlling for country and demographics, an additional 8% of the variance in the consumption of fatty foods was explained by self-control, diet concerns and prototypes of unhealthy eaters. Only 3% of fruit and vegetable consumption was explained by these factors, and only the association with self-control was significant. This study demonstrates that the same individual difference and social influence factors may influence adolescents' dietary practices in different countries. In addition to highlighting country differences in dietary practices and the prevalence of overweight, exploring common factors that may shape dietary practices across countries is important for future research. These commonalities may advance conceptual understanding and inform prevention across developed countries.

Sociodemographic Differences in Selected Eating Practices among Alternative High School Students

BackgroundStudents attending alternative high schools are an at-risk group of youth for poor health behaviors and obesity. However, little is known about their dietary practices. ObjectiveTo examine associations between sex, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic status and selected dietary practices, including consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages, high-fat foods, and fruits and vegetables and fast-food restaurant use, among students attending alternative high schools. DesignPopulation-based, cross-sectional study. Subjects/settingA convenience sample of adolescents (n=145; 52% men; 63% aged <18 years; and 39% white, 32% African American, and 29% other/multiracial) attending six alternative high schools in the St Paul/Minneapolis, MN, metropolitan area completed a survey. Students were participants in the Team COOL (Controlling Overweight and Obesity for Life) pilot study, a group randomized obesity prevention trial. Statistical analyses performedDescriptive statistics were used to describe dietary practices. Mixed model multivariate analyses were used to assess differences in dietary practices by sex, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. ResultsRegular soda was consumed at least five to six times per week by more than half of students. One half of students reported eating or drinking something from a fast-food restaurant at least three to four times a week. African-American students had the highest consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (P=0.025), high-fat foods (P=0.002), and highest frequency of fast-food restaurant use (P<0.025). Mean fruit/vegetable intake was 3.6 servings/day; there were no sociodemographic differences in fruit/vegetable consumption. Higher socioeconomic status was associated with a higher consumption of regular soda (P=0.027). ConclusionsRacial/ethnic and sex differences in the consumption of regular soda, high-fat foods, and fast-food restaurant use among alternative high school students underscores the importance of implementing health promotion programs in alternative high schools.

Undergraduate students who live off campus have a higher level of positive nutrition‐related behaviors and are more health conscious than students who reside on campus

The purpose of this study was to determine whether students’ residence (i.e., off versus on campus) influences nutrition-related behaviors. Undergraduates (n=164) completed the Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile II questionnaire, and the nutrition subscale was used to examine nutrition-related health behaviors. The Food Choice Questionnaire (FCQ) was used to help explain differences in nutrition practices. The sample was representative of the university's proportion of male and female students in each residence, and was not different between groups. Students who lived off campus (n=120) had a higher level of positive nutrition-related behaviors (2.8±0.5 vs 2.5±0.5; scale of 1 to 4, 4=routinely; P<0.01) versus students who lived on campus (n=44). Off-campus students more often selected diets low in fat, ate 3–5 servings of vegetables or 2–3 servings of dairy products, and read food labels to identify nutrient content (P<0.05). The FCQ showed that the food choices of off-campus students were more likely (P<0.05) to be motivated by health concerns (3.0±0.6 vs 2.6±0.6; scale of 1 to 4, 4=very important), mood (2.4±0.7 vs 2.1±0.7), sensory appeal (3.0±0.6 vs 2.7±0.6), natural content (2.3±0.7 vs 2.0±0.8), and ethical concerns (1.6±0.6 vs 1.4±0.5) versus on-campus students. Off-campus students were older (20.5±1.6 y vs 19.0±1.5 y, P<0.0001), which may account for differences in dietary practices.

P113: Differences in Dietary Practices among College Students Based on Living Arrangements

P113: Differences in Dietary Practices among College Students Based on Living Arrangements

EVALUATION OF DIETARY PRACTICES OF NATIONAL COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION DIVISION I FOOTBALL PLAYERS

The objective of this study is to evaluate the dietary practices of 28 football athletes on a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I team using 3-day diet records. Student athletes completed 3-day diet records at 2 individual points of time, when no training table was available. Diet records were evaluated and were compared with the Third National Health and Nutrition Survey (NHANES III) data for the same ages and gender group. No differences in dietary practices of collegiate football athletes were observed when compared with data for the same ages and gender group culled from NHANES III. Inadequacies in energy intake for activity level were significant (p < 0.05). Influences of fad dieting trends were noted when the diets were mapped onto the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) food guide pyramid. Changes in diet would be necessary to sustain the activity level of these athletes.

Evaluation of Dietary Practices of National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Players

The objective of this study is to evaluate the dietary practices of 28 football athletes on a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I team using 3-day diet records. Student athletes completed 3-day diet records at 2 individual points of time, when no training table was available. Diet records were evaluated and were compared with the Third National Health and Nutrition Survey (NHANES III) data for the same ages and gender group. No differences in dietary practices of collegiate football athletes were observed when compared with data for the same ages and gender group culled from NHANES III. Inadequacies in energy intake for activity level were significant (p < 0.05). Influences of fad dieting trends were noted when the diets were mapped onto the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) food guide pyramid. Changes in diet would be necessary to sustain the activity level of these athletes.

Factors affecting the development of food allergy.

Food allergy is an important health issue. The estimated prevalence among adults in Western Europe is thought to be between 1 and 2%, with the frequency in infants being greater (approximately 5%). Most confirmed food allergies are associated with a relatively limited range of produce, including cow's milk, eggs, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, fish and shellfish, although the prevalence of allergy to individual foods is known to vary geographically, due largely to differences in dietary practices. Although formal evidence is lacking, it is assumed that (in line with other forms of atopic disease) the incidence of food allergy is increasing. There is no doubt that genetic predisposition is an important determinant. However, acquisition of sensitisation to food proteins and subsequent allergic disease is known to be influenced by a variety of environmental factors and the timing, duration and extent of exposure. Moreover, the nature of the allergen itself may have an important impact on the severity and persistence of clinical disease. The purpose here is to discuss the relevance of some of these variables in the context of immunoglobulin E antibody-mediated allergic responses.

Acculturation and Dietary Practices Among Korean Americans

Objective Examine variation in dietary practices and nutritional intakes of Korean Americans at different acculturation levels. Design Cross-sectional mail survey. Subjects/setting US national sample of 348 Korean Americans (46% of the Korean American sample to whom questionnaires were delivered). Statistical analysis performed Analysis of variance, Pearson correlation, Spearman rank correlation, χ 2 test, and multiple regression analysis. Results Korean Americans who were more acculturated consumed more American food and less Korean food. American foods such as oranges, low-fat milk, bagels, tomatoes, and bread were consumed regularly by Korean Americans; Korean foods such as rice, kimchi, garlic, green onions, and Korean soup were also consumed regularly. American foods were adopted the most at breakfast and the least at dinner. Bicultural people regularly incorporated more different types of foods into their diet. Despite significant differences in dietary practices, dietary quality did not vary by acculturation status. Application/conclusions Acculturation was influential in the dietary patterns of Korean Americans. Specific information about Korean diet related to acculturation status can be used by dietitians who work with Korean Americans. Dietitians can benefit from gathering and applying specific information about Korean diets and diets of other ethnic groups; they also need to recognize the changing nature of dietary patterns as acculturation occurs. J Am Diet Assoc. 1999;99:1084–1089.

THE INTER-RELATIONSHIP AMONG ENDURANCE TRAINING, CONSUMPTION OF A VEGETARIAN DIET AND SERUM TESTOSTERONE CONCENTRATION 1681

Both endurance training and chronic consumption of a vegetarian diet have been associated with lowering the basal level of testosterone in men. However, studies that have proposed an endurance training effect, failed to recognize that differences in dietary practices may have been a confounding factor. The present study examined the independent effects of diet and endurance training on basal serum testosterone concentration. [METHODS] Endurance trained individuals were currently competing in a sport involving cycling. Vegetarian individuals had abstained from red meat and poultry for a least one year. [RESULTS] The aerobic ability of the endurance trained group was significantly greater than that of the sedentary group,(F[1,22]=32.045, p=.000) verifying that they were indeed trained individuals. Nutrient intake, however, was similar across groups, with the exception of dietary fiber (F[1,22]=12.635), p=.002) which was higher among the vegetarian subjects. Serum total and free testosterone concentrations were not statistically different for either main effect (i.e., diet and exercise). [CONCLUSION] Although the subjects from both the vegetarian and meat eating groups were highly trained individuals, the lack of a difference in androgen concentration may be explained by the observed similarities in nutrient intake across groups.

Urinary hormonal concentrations and spinal bone densities of premenopausal vegetarian and non vegetarian women

We evaluated the relationships among nutrition, hormone concentrations, and bone density of the spine in 27 vegetarian and 37 nonvegetarian premenopausal women. The two groups were indistinguishable with respect to age, height, weight, menarche, years of formal education, and medical histories. The frequency of menstrual irregularity was significantly higher in the vegetarian group. The bone densities of the vegetarians and the nonvegetarians were not significantly different. Caffeine intake in both groups had a positive effect on urinary calcium excretion, but no association was observed between bone density and caffeine intake. Total fat, monosaturated fat, and oleic acid intake were positively associated with luteinizing hormone concentrations of the vegetarians only. Overall, the differences in dietary practices of these premenopausal vegetarian and nonvegetarian women did not appear to have major effects on bone biology or reproductive history.