Differences In Macronutrient Intake Research Articles

Does knowing one's elevated glycemic status make a difference in macronutrient intake?

To determine whether macronutrient intake differs by awareness of glycemic status among people with diabetes and prediabetes. We used 24-h dietary recall and other data from 3,725 nonpregnant adults with diabetes or prediabetes aged ≥20 years from the morning fasting sample of the 2005-2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Diabetes and prediabetes awareness were self-reported; those unaware of diabetes and prediabetes were defined by fasting plasma glucose (FPG) ≥126 mg/dL or HbA1c ≥6.5% and FPG 100-125 mg/dL or HbA1c of 5.7%-6.4%, respectively. Components of nutrient intake on a given day assessed were total calories, sugar, carbohydrates, fiber, protein, fat, and total cholesterol, stratified by sex and glycemic status awareness. Estimates of nutrient intake were adjusted for age, race/ethnicity, education level, BMI, smoking status, and family history of diabetes. Men with diagnosed diabetes consumed less sugar (mean 86.8 vs. 116.8 g) and carbohydrates (mean 235.0 vs. 262.1 g) and more protein (mean 92.3 vs. 89.7 g) than men with undiagnosed diabetes. Similarly, women with diagnosed diabetes consumed less sugar (mean 79.1 vs. 95.7 g) and more protein (mean 67.4 vs. 56.6 g) than women with undiagnosed diabetes. No significant differences in macronutrient intake were found by awareness of prediabetes. All participants, regardless of sex or glycemic status, consumed on average less than the American Diabetes Association recommendations for fiber intake (i.e., 14 g/1,000 kcal) and slightly more saturated fat than recommended (>10% of total kcal). Screening and subsequent knowledge of glycemic status may favorably affect some dietary patterns for people with diabetes.

The dietary proportion of essential amino acids and Sir2 influence lifespan in the honeybee

Dietary essential amino acids have an important influence on the lifespan and fitness of animals. The expression of the NAD+-dependent histone deacetylase, Sir2, can be influenced by diet, but its role in the extension of lifespan has recently been challenged. Here, we used the honeybee to test how the dietary balance of carbohydrates and essential amino acids and/or Sir2 affected lifespan. Using liquid diets varying in their ratio of essential amino acids to carbohydrate (EAA:C), we found that adult worker bees fed diets high in essential amino acids (≥1:10) had shorter lifespans than bees fed diets containing low levels of dietary amino acids. Bees fed a 1:500 EAA:C diet lived longer and, in contrast to bees fed any of the other diets, expressed Sir2 at levels tenfold higher or more than bees fed a 1:5 EAA:C diet. When bees were fed the 1:500 diet, small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated knock-down of Sir2 expression shortened lifespan but did not reduce survival to the same extent as the 1:5 diet, indicating that Sir2 contributes to mechanisms that determine lifespan in response to differences in macronutrient intake but is not the sole determinant. These data show that the ratio of dietary amino acids to carbohydrate influences Sir2 expression and clearly demonstrate that Sir2 is one of the factors that can determine honeybee lifespan. We propose that effects of dietary amino acids and Sir2 on lifespan may depend on the simultaneous activation of multiple nutrient sensors that respond to relative levels of essential amino acids and carbohydrates.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s11357-014-9649-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Effects of nopales intake on cardiometabolic disease risk factors among moderately hypercholesterolemic adults (642.4)

Nopales (prickly pear cactus pads) are commonly regarded as a medicinal plant for glycemic and cholesterol control. The efficacy of a 2‐wk intervention with 2 cups/d of nopales or cucumber (control) on lipoprotein profile, fasting glucose (FG) and insulin was assessed in a randomized crossover trial among 16 adults (5 male; 46±14 y; BMI=31.4±5.7 kg/m2) with moderate hypercholesterolemia (LDL‐C=137±21 mg/dL), but otherwise healthy. There were no significant differences in energy intake between cucumber and nopales phases (1657±610 kcal vs.1645±508 kcal, respectively). There were no differences in macronutrient intake (data not shown), although soluble fiber tended to be greater in the nopales phase (6.6±1.6 g) than the cucumber phase (5.8±1.9 g; p=0.097). No significant differences were observed for total cholesterol (201±32 mg/dL vs. 197±27 mg/dL; p=0.227), LDL‐C (137±29 mg/dL vs. 132±20 mg/dL; p=0.358), HDL‐C (46±16 mg/dL vs. 44±15 mg/dL; p=0.351), triglycerides (173±108 mg/dL vs.190±117 mg/dL; p=0.210), glucose (99±8 mg/dL vs. 98±11 mg/dL; p=0.193), or insulin (21±10 mg/dL vs. 20±9 mg/dL; p=0.380) between cucumber and nopales phases, respectively. LDL peak diameter and cholesterol distribution in LDL and HDL subfractions were not different between phases (data not shown). These data does not support the purported benefits of nopales at doses of 2 cups/d for 2‐wk on markers of cardiometabolic risk.Grant Funding Source: Supported by Arizona Board of Regents and ASU Graduate Research Support Program

Sleep and energy intake in early childhood

Background And Objectives:Shorter sleep is associated with higher weight in children, but little is known about the mechanisms. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that shorter sleep was associated with higher energy intake in early childhood.Methods:Participants were 1303 families from the Gemini twin birth cohort. Sleep duration was measured using the Brief Infant Sleep Questionnaire when the children were 16 months old. Total energy intake (kcal per day) and grams per day of fat, carbohydrate and protein were derived from 3-day diet diaries completed by parents when children were 21 months old.Results:Shorter nighttime sleep was associated with higher total energy intake (P for linear trend=0.005). Children sleeping <10 h consumed around 50 kcal per day more than those sleeping 11–<12 h a night (the optimal sleep duration for children of this age). Differences in energy intake were maintained after adjustment for confounders. As a percentage of total energy intake, there were no significant differences in macronutrient intake by sleep duration. The association between sleep and weight was not significant at this age (P=0.13).Conclusions:This study provides the first evidence that shorter nighttime sleep duration has a linear association with higher energy intake early in life. That the effect is observed before emergence of associations between sleep and weight indicates that differences in energy intake may be a mechanism through which sleep influences weight gain.

Interethnic differences in biochemical adaptation of the population of Gornyi Altai

The actual nutrition of aboriginal Russian, Altaian, and Kazakh populations in Gornyi Altai has been examined. The detected interpopulation differences in quantitative intake of macronutrients are related to ethnicity. Blood biochemical parameters correlate with quantitative macronutrient composition of the diet.

Food avoidance in irritable bowel syndrome leads to a nutrition-deficient diet

Objective: The objective was to assess the dietary intake of subjects with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and to compare it to that of international recommendations. The hypothesising assumption of this study was that a situation in which subjects insist that diet or trigger foods play a part in symptom generation may lead to an unbalanced dietary intake.Design: This was a descriptive observational study, with an analytical component.Setting: A private, secondary care-level clinic in South Africa.Subjects: The study population comprised 122 participants. Each subject completed an estimated, three-day dietary record. The data were analysed using a computerised food analysis programme. The fructose intake was analysed semi-quantitatively. IBS subjects’ protein and carbohydrate intake were significantly higher than the recommended dietary allowance for protein and carbohydrate (p-values < 0.000 and < 0.000, respectively).Outcome measures: The identification of dietary risk factors that affect IBS.Results: The IBS subjects’ daily total dietary fibre (15.13 g ± 13.11) was significantly lower (p-value < 0.000) than the dietary reference intake (DRI) target intake of 24.76 g/day, and the intake of micronutrients,(calcium, iron and folate) was significantly less than the DRI. There was no significant difference in macronutrient intake between the diarrhoea-predominant IBS (D-IBS), constipation-predominant IBS (C-IBS) and the control groups. The total number of fructose serves per day was not statistically significant between the three groups (C-IBS 2.68 ± 1.68, D-IBS 2.15 ± 1.86, and controls 3.17 ± 2.39, p-value = 0.157).Conclusion: The IBS subjects in this study consumed diets that were deficient in key micronutrients and total fibre when judged against the recommended DRIs. Dietary adjustments may have been tailored by subjects to minimise symptom development and this led to nutritionally deficient diets.

Effect of a carbohydrate-containing late-evening snack on energy metabolism and fasting substrate utilization in adults with acute-on-chronic liver failure due to Hepatitis B

This study investigates the effects of a carbohydrate (CHO; lotus-root starch) predominant, late-evening snack (LES), containing 200 kcal (50 g CHO) on fasting resting energy expenditure (REE) and nutrient oxidation in hospitalized adults with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). Adults with ACLF were randomized to receive daily LES (treatment; n=35) or standard care (n=35; non-supplemented control) for 14 days. REE and respiratory quotient (RQ) were measured by indirect calorimetry, nutrient oxidation (CHO, protein and fat), intake and biochemical parameters were measured in both groups at baseline and after 14 days using validated techniques. Disease severity was measured using the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD). No significant differences in macronutrient intake, anthropometric, demographic characteristics or MELD scores were observed between groups at baseline (P>0.05). Fasting RQ was significantly higher in the LES supplemented verses the control group after 2 weeks (P=0.02). CHO oxidation was significantly higher (P=0.001) and fat oxidation (P=0.02) was lower in the LES-supplemented group when compared with controls after 2 weeks. Fasting RQ and REE in the LES-supplemented group increased significantly (0.83 verses 0.88; P=0.007/1301±409 vs 1687±718 kcal/day; P=0.02) in patients with MELD scores 30 when compared with patients with MELD scores >30 (0.82 verses 0.84; P=0.27/ 1361±405 vs 1437±429 kcal/day; P=0.67) after supplementation. A carbohydrate-predominant LES is associated with increases in fasting carbohydrate oxidation, REE and reductions in fat oxidation in adults with ACLF. Therapeutic strategies utilizing LES may promote improved nutritional status in adults with ACLF.

Relationships between the hTAS2R38 genotype, food choice, and anthropometric variables in normal-weighted and overweight adults

Aim: Taste is a major determinant of food choice; however, there is a great lack of knowledge about how taste perception affects human nutrition. Bitter taste perception presents unique opportunities for investigating this subject. The aim of this study was to determine whether polymorphisms on the bitter taste receptor gene hTAS2R38 affect an individual?s food choices and some anthropometric variables. Subjects and Method: In this study, the possible relationship between food preferences, body weight, and polymorphisms on hTAS2R38 was investigated in healthy volunteers (n=178) who weighed within the normal range (BMI: 20-24.9 kg/m2, n=90) and those who were overweight, but otherwise healthy (BMI ? 25.0 kg/m2, n=88). Descriptive information about the subjects was collected via a questionnaire, and anthropometric measurements were taken by the researcher. Records of three consecutive days of food consumption were collected to determine each subject?s macronutrient intake. For identification of the hTAS2R38 genotype, samples were taken from each participant's in-mouth epithelial cell line, and the genetic material was analyzed at the laboratory for Rs713598. Results: The percentage of ?non-tasters? (n=42) among the whole population was 23.6% (C-Homozygote: 23.6%) while ?tasters? (n=136) comprised 76.4% (CG-Heterozygote: 46.6%, G-Homozygote: 29.8%). When group-wide and between-group comparisons were made, it was revealed that taster status didn?t affect differences in anthropometric measures. Detected differences in macronutrient intake were due to gender. Discussion: Polymorphisms on hTAS2R38 bitter taste receptor gene had no effect on variables such as body weight, anthropometric variables, body fat percentage, or food choices within the study population.

Relationships between Dietary Intake and Body Composition according to Gross Motor Functional Ability in Preschool-Aged Children with Cerebral Palsy

Background/Aims: We aimed to determine the relationships between energy intake, macronutrient intake and body composition in preschool-aged children with cerebral palsy (CP) according to gross motor functional ability in comparison with typically developing children (TDC). Methods: Seventy-three children with CP (70% male) of all functional abilities and 16 TDC (63% male) aged 2.8 ± 0.9 years participated in this study. Dietary intake was measured via a validated 3-day weighed food record. Body composition was determined via isotope dilution techniques. Results: There was a significant relationship between energy intake and fat-free mass index, which was stronger in TDC compared to children with CP. There were no significant correlations between other dietary intake and body composition variables, despite differences in body composition as ambulatory status declined. Non-ambulant, tube-fed children had significantly lower protein intakes compared to orally fed children. No other differences in macronutrient intake between children with CP and TDC were apparent. Conclusions: Results suggest that relationships between dietary intake and body composition are not evident in this population, but develop over time. Physical activity levels may have a greater impact on body composition at this age. Longitudinal research is required to examine these factors.

Acute exercise increases feeding latency in healthy normal weight young males but does not alter energy intake

This study investigated the acute influence of exercise on eating behaviour in an ecologically valid setting whereby healthy active males were permitted complete ad libitum access to food. Ten healthy males completed two, 8h trials (exercise and control) in a randomised-crossover design. In the exercise trials participants consumed a breakfast snack and then rested for 1h before undertaking a 60min run (72% of V˙O2 max) on a treadmill. Participants then rested in the laboratory for 6h during which time they were permitted complete ad libitum access to a buffet meal. The timing of meals, energy/macronutrient intake and eating frequency were assessed. Identical procedures were completed in the control trial except no exercise was performed. Exercise increased the length of time (35min) before participants voluntarily requested to eat afterwards. Despite this, energy intake at the first meal consumed, or at subsequent eating episodes, was not influenced by exercise (total trial energy intake: control 7426kJ, exercise 7418kJ). Neither was there any difference in macronutrient intake or meal frequency between trials. These results confirm that food intake remains unaffected by exercise in the immediate hours after but suggest that exercise may invoke a delay before food is desired.

Dietary differences between elderly Iranians living in Sweden and Iran a cross-sectional comparative study

BackgroundDuring the last decades, global migration has increased and many immigrant groups have a higher prevalence than the native born population of several cardiovascular disease risk factors, including poor dietary habits. However, it is uncertain if dietary habits in immigrant populations reflect dietary habits in their country of origin or if the current diet is a consequence of the migration and possible change of dietary habits. The aim of this study was to examine possible dietary differences between elderly Iranians living in Stockholm, Sweden with elderly Iranians living in Tehran, Iran, taking into account sex, age, marital status, and education.MethodsDietary intakes were assessed by semi - quantitative food frequency questionnaire in a cross-sectional study of 121 Iranians living in Stockholm and 52 Iranians living in Tehran, aged 60-80. Differences in dietary habits between the two groups was analysed by bootstrapped regression analyses with 1000 replications.ResultsIranians living in Sweden had significantly higher intake of protein, total fat, fiber than Iranians living in Iran, but lower consumption of carbohydrates. The observed differences in intake of macronutrients were reflected in consumed amount of all food items, which were higher among Iranians living in Iran with the exception of bread and grain consumption which was lower.ConclusionsThere are general differences in dietary habits between Iranians living in Iran and Iranians living in Sweden. Parts of observed differences in dietary habits may reflect a favourable adoption process to the Swedish dietary habits after migration. Meanwhile other differences are point of concern in light of the high prevalence of overweight, among Iranians living in Sweden and can have unfavourable impact in particular in the context of cardiovascular health.

School-Based Screening of the Dietary Intakes of Third Graders in Rural Appalachian Ohio

Children in Appalachia are experiencing high levels of obesity, in large measure because of inferior diets. This study screened the dietary intake of third graders residing in 3 rural Appalachian counties in Ohio and determined whether the Food, Math, and Science Teaching Enhancement Resource Initiative (FoodMASTER) curriculum improved their dietary intake. Dietary intake was measured for 238 third graders at the beginning of the 2007 to 2008 school year and for 224 third graders at the end of that year. The FoodMASTER curriculum was delivered to 204 students (test group). Intake was measured using the Block Food Frequency Questionnaire 2004. The final analysis included 138 students. The FoodMASTER curriculum did not significantly affect the diets of the students in the test group, as no significant differences in intake of macronutrients, specific nutrients, or food groups were found between the test and control groups. Majorities of students did not meet the Recommended Dietary Allowance or Adequate Intakes for fiber, calcium, iron, vitamin A, and vitamin E. The students as a whole did not meet the MyPyramid recommendations for any food group, and nearly one fifth of their calories came from sweets. Significant differences in percentages of kilocalories from protein and sweets and in servings of fats, oils, and sweets were seen between groups of higher and lower socioeconomic status. Energy-dense foods are replacing healthy foods in the diets of Ohio children living in rural Appalachia. The prevalence of poor dietary intake in Appalachia warrants further nutrition interventions involving programming for nutrition, such as future FoodMASTER curricula.

The use of mobile phones in dietary assessment in young people with Type 1 diabetes

Background: Food is often a contentious issue for people with diabetes (Nutrition Sub‐Committee of Diabetes Care Advisory Committee of the UK, 2003) and being an adolescent with Type 1 diabetes (T1DM) can be extremely challenging (Cartwright et al., 2003). Tailoring interventions to engage with adolescents is essential for maintaining an effective and productive relationship with the healthcare team (Hampson et al., 2000). The use of modern technology, such as mobile phone cameras, may be a way of engaging with this client group. Food diaries are routinely used for dietary assessment in this group, although there may be difficulties with patient recall, establishing portion sizes and compliance with completion (Tefft &amp; Boniface, 2000). This study aimed to assess the effect of mobile phones in dietary assessment in adolescents with T1DM.Methods: Fifteen adolescent patients with T1DM attending the Tayside Paediatric Diabetic Clinics were recruited. Participants were asked to complete food diaries for 4 days and to photograph (using the mobile phones provided) all food and drink consumed during that period. Photographs were downloaded to a computer using Bluetooth technology®. A dietitian estimated portion sizes from the diaries and photographs. The number of items ovn each day for each method was recorded. Dietary intake information was analysed for total energy intake and percent energy from carbohydrate, fat and protein using the dietary analysis package Dietplan 6 (Forestfield Software Ltd, Horsham, West Sussex, UK). Dietary recommendations for this client group (Hanas et al., 2006) are shown in Table 1. The dietary analyses with and without the use of mobile phones were compared using paired Student's t‐tests. Results are expressed as mean (SD) and range, as appropriate.Results: Eight participants [14.3 (1.8) years; duration of diabetes 8.4 months–11.2 years; HbA1C 9.5% (2.0%)] returned completed diaries and full sets of photographs. No statistically significant differences were seen in the number of items recorded by using food diaries 27.8 (7.8) and mobile phones 24.2 (9.6). Dietary analysis of the food diaries is shown in Table 1; there were no significant differences between the two groups. The effect of photographs taken by mobile phone on the dietary analysis of food diaries [mean (SD)] Food diary Food diary with photos Recommended intakes Protein (% total energy) 17.3 16.7 15 Fat (% total energy) 35.2 34.9 35 Carbohydrate (% total energy) 46.9 48.3 40 Discussion: Although there were no significant differences in macronutrient intake as recorded in food diaries with and without the use of mobile phones, photographs provided additional information that facilitated the estimation of portion sizes in this client group. The almost ubiquitous use of mobile phones may provide a perfect medium for engaging young people in diabetes self‐management issues (Franklin et al., 2006), although their use in dietary assessment requires further exploration.Conclusions: Photographs taken using mobile phones may be a useful tool in the dietetic management of T1DM in adolescents.References Cartwright, M., Wardle, J., Steggles, N., Simon, A.E., Croker, H., &amp; Jarvis, M.J. (2003) Stress and dietary practices in adolescents. Health Psychol. 22, 362–369.Franklin, V., Waller, A., Pagliari, C. &amp; Greene, S. (2006) A randomized controlled trial of ‘Sweet Talk’, a text‐messaging system to support young people with diabetes. Diabet. Med.23, 1332–1338.Hampson, S.E., Skinner, T.C., Hart, J., Storey, L., Gage, H. &amp; Foxcroft, D. (2000) Behavioural interventions for adolescents with type 1 diabetes: how effective are they? Diabetes Care23, 1416–1422.Hanas, R., Donaghue, K., Klingensmith, G. &amp; Swift, P.G. (2006) International Society for paediatric and Adolescent Diabetes. ISPAD Clinical Practice Consensus Guidelines. Paediatr. Diabetes 7, 341–342.Nutritional SubCommittee of Daibetes Care Advisory Committee of the UK (2003) The dietitians challenge: the implementation of nutritional advice for people with diabetes. J. Hum. Nutr. Diet. 16, 421–452.Skinner, H., Biscope. S., Poland, B. &amp; Goldberg, E. (2003) How adolescents use technology for health information: implications for health professionals from focus group studies. J. Med. Internet Res.5, E32.Tefft, M.E. &amp; Boniface, D.R. (2000) Estimating food and nutrient intake from food frequency questionnaire data by reference to a standard weighed diet survey. J. Hum. Nutr. Diet.13, 219–224.

The effect of weekend eating on nutrient intakes and dietary patterns

Limited research suggests that energy intake is greater on weekend days (Friday–Sunday) than on weekdays. The purpose of this study was to assess nutrient intake differences between weekend days and weekdays in a sample of 503 healthy, weight-stable men and women aged 30–69 years. The sample included 107 obese subjects (BMI >30). Three 24-hour dietary recalls were obtained using the USDA Automated Multiple Pass Method. Recalls, conducted 4–5 days apart, included at least one weekend day. Energy intake on weekend days compared to weekdays was higher by 13% overall (2278 ± 712 kcal vs 2468 ± 861 kcal, p<.01), and by 17% in obese subjects. The greatest increase in energy intake on weekend days compared to weekdays resulted from increased energy from fat. This was followed by increased energy from alcohol for males and increased energy from carbohydrate for females; both increases were higher for obese subjects. Differences in macronutrient intakes reported as breakfast, lunch, dinner, or snack were noted. Although the contribution of energy from snacks was similar, the percentage of daily energy consumed at breakfast and dinner was increased on weekend days. These observations suggest that obesity prevention strategies should focus on weekend eating behaviors, especially for obese individuals. Furthermore, results of this study illustrate the importance of considering weekend/weekday effects in dietary assessment. Funded by ARS, USDA

Appetite during consumption of enteral formula as a sole source of nutrition: the effect of supplementing pea-fibre and fructo-oligosaccharides.

Liquid enteral formulas are commonly used as a sole source of nutritional support of patients in hospital and community settings. Their effect on appetite has important consequences for dietary management of such patients and is likely to be affected by the formula composition. The aim of the present study was to compare appetite within healthy subjects consuming both a standard formula and one supplemented with pea-fibre (10 g/l) and fructo-oligosaccharide (FOS; 5 g/l) as a sole source of nutrition. Eleven healthy subjects consumed a standard formula or a pea-fibre/FOS formula as a sole source of nutrition for 14 d in a double-blind, cross-over trial. Appetite was recorded using standard 100 mm lines anchored at each end by a phrase denoting the most extreme appetite sensation. Consumption of the pea-fibre/FOS formula resulted in higher mean fullness (46 v. 37 mm, P=0.035), minimum fullness (13 v. 9 mm, P=0.024) and minimum satiety (12 v. 8 mm, P=0.012) compared to the standard formula. As there were no differences in macronutrient intake between formulas, these differences are likely to be due to supplementation with pea-fibre and FOS. The effect on appetite of the composition of an enteral formula, both with respect to nutrient content and functional components such as pea-fibre and FOS, may be an important aspect to consider in the dietary management of patients consuming enteral formula as a sole source of nutrition.

Energy balance in weight stable athletes with and without menstrual disorders

The energy balance and nutritional adequacy was assessed in a group of runners with irregular menstrual function (IR, n = 10) and in a comparable group of runners with normal menstrual function (R, n = 10). Based on computerized records of 3 days food intake, the mean content of energy and macronutrients were estimated. Excess energy expenditure (EEE) during training hours was estimated using HF monitoring and individual HF/VO2 nomograms. For the rest of a daily 24 h cycle, estimated values for basal metabolic rate (BMR) and sedentary metabolic rate were applied. Daily training-related excess energy expenditure (2.1 +/- 0.3 vs 2.2 +/- 0.4) MJ (Mean +/- SEM) and total energy expenditure (TEE) (11.0 +/- 0.3 vs 11.2 +/- 0.4) MJ in R vs IR were not different in the two groups. Calculated daily energy intake (EI) was, however, significantly lower in IR (9.7 +/- 0.5 MJ) than in R (12.3 +/- 0.7 MJ), (P = 0.007). Calculated EI and TEE were in balance in R athletes. When the same calculations were applied on IR athletes, a moderate but statistically significant negative energy balance was found (-1.5 +/- 0.6 MJ, P = 0.03). The calculated energy deficit was supported by significantly lower levels of free thyroxine in IR athletes, and may indicate an adaptive lower BMR in IR athletes. Mean intakes of carbohydrates (7.0 g/kg in R and 5.7 g/kg in IR) and protein (1.71 g/kg in R and 1.49 g/kg in IR) were close to guidelines. Intakes were not significantly different in the two groups. The most important difference in macronutrient intake was found in dietary fat (1.70 g/kg in R and 1.04 g/kg in IR) that was significantly lower in the IR group than in the R group (P = 0.007). The weight stable IR and R athletes seemed to meet the recommended intake of carbohydrates, protein and fat in their diet fairly well. However, according to the present calculations, a small energy deficit was observed in IR athletes but not in R athletes. Compared with the intake of the R athletes, this energy deficit seems primarily to be related to a lower intake of dietary fat in IR athletes.

Diet and body mass index in 38000 EPIC-Oxford meat-eaters, fish-eaters, vegetarians and vegans.

To compare body mass index (BMI) in four diet groups (meat-eaters, fish-eaters, vegetarians and vegans) in the Oxford cohort of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC-Oxford) and to investigate lifestyle and dietary factors associated with any observed differences. Cross-sectional analysis of self-reported dietary, anthropometric and lifestyle data. A total of 37875 healthy men and women aged 20-97 y participating in EPIC-Oxford. Age-adjusted mean BMI was significantly different between the four diet groups, being highest in the meat-eaters (24.41 kg/m(2) in men, 23.52 kg/m(2) in women) and lowest in the vegans (22.49 kg/m(2) in men, 21.98 kg/m(2) in women). Fish-eaters and vegetarians had similar, intermediate mean BMI. Differences in lifestyle factors including smoking, physical activity and education level accounted for less than 5% of the difference in mean age-adjusted BMI between meat-eaters and vegans, whereas differences in macronutrient intake accounted for about half of the difference. High protein (as percent energy) and low fibre intakes were the dietary factors most strongly and consistently associated with increasing BMI both between and within the diet groups. Fish-eaters, vegetarians and especially vegans had lower BMI than meat-eaters. Differences in macronutrient intakes accounted for about half the difference in mean BMI between vegans and meat-eaters. High protein and low fibre intakes were the factors most strongly associated with increasing BMI.

Macronutrient intake during the pre-onset, acute, and post weight-recovery period in women with anorexia nervosa: The national heart, lung, and blood institute growth and health study

Macronutrient intake during the pre-onset, acute, and post weight-recovery period in women with anorexia nervosa: The national heart, lung, and blood institute growth and health study

What is an optimal diet? Relationship of macronutrient intake to obesity, glucose tolerance, lipoprotein cholesterol levels and the metabolic syndrome in the Whitehall II study.

Saturated fats have adverse effects on health. To investigate which is more beneficial for energy replacement, we compare the effects of polyunsaturated fatty acid and carbohydrate intake on obesity and metabolic variables (fasting triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and 2 h glucose). Further, because the optimum diet may differ according to glucose tolerance, we examine the same associations in glucose tolerant and intolerant groups. Finally, we test the effect of macronutrient intake on the presence or absence of the metabolic syndrome. Cross-sectional analysis. A total of 4497 men and 1865 women aged 39--62 in the Whitehall II study. In men, higher intakes of both polyunsaturated fats and carbohydrates were linked to lower waist-hip ratio, triglycerides and LDL-cholesterol. Higher carbohydrate intake alone was linked to decreased body mass index (for 10 g higher carbohydrate intake, -0.12 kg/m(2), P<0.0001) and lower HDL-cholesterol (-0.01 mmol/l, P<0.01). In normoglycaemic men, higher carbohydrate intakes were associated with higher 2 h insulin and glucose levels (0.25 pmol/l, P<0.05 and 0.01 mmol/l, P=0.001, respectively). Dietary effects among women were similar, the exception being a positive association of polyunsaturated fat intake with body mass index and waist--hip ratio (0.47 kg/m(2), P<0.05 and 0.006, P<0.05, respectively). Dietary components, with the exceptions of cholesterol and protein in men, were unrelated to prevalence of the metabolic syndrome, and adjustment for differences in macronutrient intake did not account for the strong inverse association between socioeconomic position and the metabolic syndrome. Our observational data provide evidence that both polyunsaturated fatty acids and carbohydrates offer small metabolic benefits with few adverse effects compared with saturated fats. International Journal of Obesity (2001) 25, 45-53

Effect of dietary quercetin on oxidative DNA damage in healthy human subjects

The effect of dietary intake of flavonols (predominantly quercetin) on oxidative DNA damage was studied in thirty-six healthy human subjects (sixteen men, twenty women). The study was a randomised crossover study, comprising two 14 d treatments of either a low-flavonol (LF) or high-flavonol (HF) diet with a 14 d wash-out period between treatments. Subjects were asked to avoid foods containing flavonols, flavones and flavanols during the LF dietary treatment period and to consume one 150 g onion (Allium cepa) cake (containing 89.7 mg quercetin) and one 300 ml cup of black tea (containing 1.4 mg quercetin) daily during the HF dietary treatment. A 7 d food diary was kept during each dietary period and blood samples were taken after each dietary treatment. Products of oxidative damage to DNA bases were measured in DNA from leucocytes. The study had more than 95% power to detect a change of 20% in DNA damage products Plasma vitamin C and plasma quercetin concentrations were also measured. No significant differences in intake of macronutrients or assessed micronutrients, measured DNA base damage products, or plasma vitamin C were found between the HF and LF dietary treatments. The plasma quercetin concentration was significantly higher after the HF dietary treatment period (228.5 (SEM 34.7) nmol/l) than after the LF dietary treatment period (less than the limit of detection, i.e. <66.2 nmol/l). These findings do not support the hypothesis that dietary quercetin intake substantially affects oxidative DNA damage in leucocytes.