Fast Food Meals Research Articles

Dietary Behavior and Depressive Symptoms in Late-Life Marriage

Epidemiologic studies have linked dietary patterns to psychological health including depression, anxiety, and stress. However, no research has examined dyadic associations between dietary behavior and depressive symptoms in older married couples. In this study, one hundred and one couples 51 to 90 years of age who were married or in a marriage-like relationship and living together for at least 6 months were recruited. Participants completed questionnaires and self-reported their dietary behavior (i.e., the total number of meals, number of snacks, and number of fast-food meals eaten in a typical day and the number of meals they eat alone and eat sitting down). They also completed the 20-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Results of the Actor Partner Interdependence Models controlling for income, education, chronic conditions, and marital satisfaction, showed that for wives only, more meals eaten in a day were associated with lower depressive symptoms (actor effect). Additionally, more snacks eaten by the wife and more meals eaten alone by the wife were associated with higher depressive symptoms for the husband (partner effects). Findings suggest that wives’ dietary behavior is particularly important, not only for their own but also their husbands’ mental health in late-life marriage.

Optimization of AB-mix Fertilizer on Varieties of Hydroponic Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.)

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) is a popular leafy vegetable. Most of its varieties are eaten fresh and commonly served as a garnish in fried rice or complementary vegetables in some fast food meals such as burgers and green salads. Nowadays, most lettuce varieties are grown hydroponically, replacing the soil and feeding all nutrients through the water. A hydroponic system is also considered a solution to overcome the shortage of arable lands and good-quality water. This research aims to evaluate the lettuce response towards the application of AB-mix fertilizer in the hydroponic system. This research was designed using Factorial Randomized Block Design (RBD) with two factors (AB mix concentrations and lettuce varieties) and three replications. The results revealed between AB-mix concentrations and lettuce varieties, where the application of AB-mix increased the number of leaves. AB-mix's application gave an effect to all variables observed: plant height, leaf width, leaf number, and leaf chlorophyll but insignificant to root length.

Trends in the healthiness of U.S. fast food meals, 2008-2017.

This study aimed to examine trends in the healthiness of U.S. fast food restaurant meals from 2008 to 2017, using the American Heart Association's Heart-Check meal certification criteria. Data were obtained from MenuStat, an online database of the leading 100 U.S. restaurant chains menu items, for the years 2008 and 2012 through 2017. All possible meal combinations (entrées + sides) were created at the 20 fast food restaurants that reported entrée and side calories, total fat, saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, sodium, protein, and fiber. Chi-square tests compared the percent of meals meeting each American Heart Association (AHA) nutrient criterion; and the number of AHA criteria met for each year, by menu focus type. Compared with 2008, significantly fewer fast food meals met the AHA calorie criterion in 2015, 2016, and 2017, and significantly fewer met the AHA total fat criterion in 2015 and 2016. Significantly more meals met the AHA trans fat criterion from 2012 to 2017, compared to 2008. There were no significant changes over time in the percent of meals meeting AHA criteria for saturated fat, cholesterol, or sodium. Efforts to improve the healthiness of fast food meals should focus on reducing calories, total fat, saturated fat, and sodium.

A picture of the adolescents dietary habits in Tunisia

Abstract Background Adolescence is one of the main growth periods of life during which dietary needs are specific and where diet quality is important for healthy development. Nonetheless, unhealthy eating behaviours are common among adolescents including over consumption of unhealthy fast food, sugar and fat and skipping meals. Exposure to unhealthy eating can lead to chronic conditions such as obesity and diabetes. In this context, we conducted this study to describe the quality of the diet of middle school students in the Region of Kairouan in Tunisia. Methods This is a cross-sectional study conducted in 2017 among middle school students in the Region of Kairouan. Data collection was carried out using a self-administered questionnaire. Results In this study, 494 students were included. In terms of food type, fast food meals (sandwiches) were the most preferred type of food (52.6%). Daily consumption of vegetables and fruit was reported by 48.8% of students. Among the participants, 46.8% reported daily consumption of olive oil. Daily water consumption was less than one liter for 32% of the college students. Daily coffee and/or tea consumption concerned 53.8% of respondents. In the current study, 39.3% of the students reported that they consume more than three meals per day and 26.7% declared that they often skip the breakfast. In our study, 62.8% of the participants had reported their dissatisfaction with their nutrition education, 54.9% sought to know the food composition and 57.9% reported that they have a willingness to adopt a healthy eating. Conclusions A quality and diversified diet can cover the specific nutritional needs of adolescents. A diet inspired by the Mediterranean food is to be encouraged. Further studies should be conducted among adolescents to evaluate the impact of a healthy and balanced diet on health and school achievement. Key messages The quality of diet of Tunisian adolescents is to be improved. Effective comprehensive programs for healthy lifestyle promotion are needed to improve the eating behaviour among Tunisian adolescents.

A Natural Experiment to Evaluate the Nutritional Content of Restaurant Meal Purchases After Calorie Labeling

BackgroundCalorie labeling is mandated in restaurant chains with ≥20 locations nationwide, but the effect of labeling on the nutritional quality of purchased meals in fast-food settings is unclear, especially for adolescents and children. ObjectiveTo estimate the effect of calorie menu labeling on the nutrient content and composition of fast-food meal purchases in McDonald’s restaurants vs control restaurants. DesignFrom 2010 to 2014, customers were sampled during repeated visits to McDonald’s restaurants, which voluntarily labeled menus with calorie information in 2012, and 5 control fast-food restaurant chains that had not labeled their menus over the study period. Participants/settingRestaurant receipts and questionnaires were collected from 2883 adults, 2131 adolescents, and 433 children in 4 New England cities. Main outcome measuresSaturated fat, sugar, sodium, and fiber content of purchased meals, as well as nutrient densities (ie, nutrient content adjusted for total calories), were calculated after linking purchases to nutrition data from restaurant websites. Statistical analysesDifference-in-differences analyses and linear mixed models were used to examine whether calorie labeling in McDonald’s was associated with changes in nutrient content and nutrient density of purchased meals separately in adults, adolescents, and children. ResultsAfter implementation of calorie labeling at McDonald’s, adult meals contained on average 4.0% fewer calories from sugar (95% confidence interval: −7.5 to −0.5), but 1.8% more calories from saturated fat (95% confidence interval: 0.7 to 2.9) compared with control chains. The fiber content of children’s purchased meals was lower at McDonald’s after calorie labeling (change = −1.4 g, 95% confidence interval: −2.5 to −0.3). Calorie labeling was not associated with changes in nutrient quality of adolescent meals. ConclusionsCalorie labeling at McDonald’s was associated with a possibly small positive change in the nutritional quality of meals in adults but not in adolescents or children. Efforts are needed to improve the nutritional quality of restaurant meals.

The role of dwelling type on food expenditure: a cross-sectional analysis of the 2015-2016 Australian Household Expenditure Survey.

To explore differences in proportion of food budget and total food expenditure by dwelling type. A cross-sectional study using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics 2015-2016 Household Expenditure Survey. Food expenditure was examined on multiple categories: fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, pre-prepared meals, meals in restaurants, hotels and clubs, and fast food and takeaway meals, using two-part models and zero-one inflated beta regression models. Dwelling types were categorised as separate house, semi-detached house, low-rise apartment and high-rise apartment. Australia, 2015-2016. Seven thousand three hundred and fifty-eight households from greater capital city areas. Households living in high-rise apartments were estimated to allocate a greater proportion of their food budget to meals in restaurants, hotels and clubs, and to spend more (actual dollars) on that category, compared with other dwelling types. No substantial differences were estimated in the proportion of food budget allocated to the other food categories across dwelling types. The dwelling type households live in may play a role in their food budget. Households living in a high-rise apartment may potentially spend more on meals in restaurants, hotels and clubs than those living in other dwelling types. Given the growth in urban population and the changes in living arrangements, findings point to the critical need for a better understanding of the influence of dwelling types on food expenditure and call for research investigating the relationship between the two.

Acute Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate Supplementation Alters Postprandial Lipids after a Fast-Food Meal in Healthy Young Women: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Crossover Study.

A high-fat fast-food meal negatively impacts postprandial metabolism even in healthy young people. In experimental studies, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a bioactive compound present in green tea, has been described as a potent natural inhibitor of fatty acid synthase. Thus, we sought to evaluate the effects of acute EGCG supplementation on postprandial lipid profile, glucose, and insulin levels following a high-fat fast-food meal. Fourteen healthy young women 21 ± 1 years and body mass index 21.4 ± 0.41 kg/m2 were enrolled in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study. Participants ingested capsules containing 800 mg EGCG or placebo immediately before a typical fast-food meal rich in saturated fatty acids. Blood samples were collected at baseline and then at 90 and 120 min after the meal. The EGCG treatment attenuated postprandial triglycerides (p = 0.029) and decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) (p = 0.016) at 120 min. No treatment × time interaction was found for total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL-c), and glucose or insulin levels. The incremental area under the curve (iAUC) for glucose was decreased by EGCG treatment (p < 0.05). No difference was observed in the iAUC for triglycerides and HDL-c. In healthy young women, acute EGCG supplementation attenuated postprandial triglycerides and glucose but negatively impacted HDL-c following a fast-food meal.

Estimation of traffic density from drone-based delivery in very low level urban airspace

Driven by rising consumer demand, interest is growing in the application of autonomous unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) for the last-mile delivery of small express packages and fast-food meals in cities. To be realised, this would require the Very Low Level (VLL) urban airspace to be able to cope with high traffic densities of commercial delivery drones. The potential benefits of such novel drone-based applications are a reduction of traffic congestion in cities, lower greenhouse gas emissions and more efficient transportation operations. To help realise this concept, programs such as U-Space, the unmanned traffic management system for Europe, are developing important services such as deconfliction management and dynamic capacity management. However, for several of these services, design choices will depend on how, and how extensive they will be used. It therefore becomes important to estimate how many delivery drones would operate in a typical city. This paper aims to provide an estimate by establishing a framework to determine the traffic demand for express drone-based package delivery of five European countries. In addition, a detailed case-study is presented for determining traffic density of express package drone delivery for Paris metropolitan area in order to assess the feasibility from a user's perspective. The paper also discusses the potential of fast-food meal delivery drones compared to traditional delivery modes for Paris. Results suggest that hourly traffic densities culminating from express package and fast-food meal delivery drones will exceed today's global commercial aircraft traffic of 10,000 per day by more than six-fold for just one potential metropolitan city.

GoFOODTM: An Artificial Intelligence System for Dietary Assessment.

Accurate estimation of nutritional information may lead to healthier diets and better clinical outcomes. We propose a dietary assessment system based on artificial intelligence (AI), named goFOODTM. The system can estimate the calorie and macronutrient content of a meal, on the sole basis of food images captured by a smartphone. goFOODTM requires an input of two meal images or a short video. For conventional single-camera smartphones, the images must be captured from two different viewing angles; smartphones equipped with two rear cameras require only a single press of the shutter button. The deep neural networks are used to process the two images and implements food detection, segmentation and recognition, while a 3D reconstruction algorithm estimates the food’s volume. Each meal’s calorie and macronutrient content is calculated from the food category, volume and the nutrient database. goFOODTM supports 319 fine-grained food categories, and has been validated on two multimedia databases that contain non-standardized and fast food meals. The experimental results demonstrate that goFOODTM performed better than experienced dietitians on the non-standardized meal database, and was comparable to them on the fast food database. goFOODTM provides a simple and efficient solution to the end-user for dietary assessment.

Food content on children movies from 2013 to 2018: taking food processing into account

ObjectiveMovies and TV programs directed to children contain food information that can potentially negative influence their food consumption. The NOVA classification is a useful system for monitoring food informational environment. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate food content on children movies using the NOVA classification. MethodsThe 13 top box office children movies released from 2013 to 2018 were evaluated. Each food reference was classified as unprocessed or minimally processed, processed and ultra-processed food (UPF) and as positive, negative, and neutral message transmitted. ResultsOne hundred and ninety-eight (n=198) scenes that contained 555 food references were included. The frequency of references to unprocessed and minimally processed foods (60.1%) was similar to references of UPF (59.1%). Fruit/vegetables and sweets represented 37.9% of food appearances each. Scenes containing fruit/vegetables conveyed more negative (62.5%) or neutral messages (49.3%) than positive (26.4%). UPF scenes contained more positive (70.9%) and negative content (75.0%) than neutral (37.3%). Regarding UPF subcategories, sweets scenes were more positive (49.1%) than neutral (22.4%) and fast food meals scenes were more negative (37.5%) than neutral (5.9%). ConclusionsUPF, unprocessed food, and minimally processed foods have similar frequency in the movies. Except for fast food meals, UPF were commonly more associated with positive situations and unprocessed and minimally processed foods were more commonly associated with negative contexts.

P141 Time to Cook! Developing a Conceptual Framework to Guide Healthy Eating Education in Time-Scarce Lifestyles

<h3>Background</h3> Time is often indicated as a main barrier to cooking from scratch and to healthy eating. This has implications for health outcomes and nutrition education. <h3>Objective</h3> This study reviewed existing literature on the perception of time as a barrier to home cooking; the time link with cooking skills and practices; and inclusion of time in food, nutrition, and cooking education in different settings and through different media. The goal was to generate a conceptual framework to help inform healthy eating education considering time-scarce lifestyles. <h3>Study Design, Setting, Participants</h3> A narrative literature review was conducted involving searches in Pub Med and Google Scholar using the keywords time, food preparation, cooking, and health, and by consulting other grey literature. Years covered were 2010-2020. <h3>Measurable Outcome/Analysis</h3> One hundred and two studies were reviewed and thematic analysis was used to elicit main time-related factors which directly or indirectly were involved in food choices, preparation and consumption, and food, nutrition, and cooking skills education. <h3>Results</h3> Key emergent themes included general time scarcity and consumption of low-nutritive quality food (eg eating more highly-processed, nutrient-poor foods through using convenience foods or eating fast food meals); duration of food preparation and consumption of specific foods (eg vegetables, fruit, cholesterol-rich foods); diversity of vehicles to successfully promote and aid home cooking efficiency (eg community courses, TV programs, mobile apps, video 21); culinary nutrition education for health professionals to help patients overcome time barriers to healthier eating; creative healthy snack and meal inspiration; and practical skills to plan and prepare healthy meals ahead of time. <h3>Conclusions</h3> A conceptual framework based on evidence form the literature shows how time availability and usage have implications for diet quality, and how time can be addressed in education for healthy eating. Further research could test the conceptual framework in aiding development of practical nutrition education to suit contemporary time-scarce lifestyles.

Plasma Trimethylamine N-Oxide and Its Precursors: Population Epidemiology, Parent-Child Concordance, and Associations with Reported Dietary Intake in 11- to 12-Year-Old Children and Their Parents.

BackgroundTrimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) is a microbiome- and diet-derived metabolite implicated in adverse cardiovascular outcomes. To date, studies of plasma TMAO concentrations have largely focused on individuals with metabolic disease. As such, data on TMAO concentrations in population settings and parent–child dyads are lacking.ObjectivesThis study aimed to investigate parent–child concordance, age, and sex effects on plasma concentrations of TMAO and its precursors [l-carnitine, choline, betaine, and dimethylglycine (DMG)]. Associations between concentrations of TMAO and its precursors and self-reported dietary intakes of animal protein (i.e., red meat, meat products, chicken, fish, milk products, and cheese) and fast-food meals were also investigated.MethodsA total of 1166 children (mean ± SD age: 11 ± 0.5 y, 51% female) and 1324 parents (mean ± SD age: 44 ± 5.1 y, 87% female) had a biomedical assessment as part of Growing Up in Australia's Child Health Checkpoint. Plasma TMAO and precursor concentrations were quantified using ultra-high-pressure LC coupled with tandem MS.ResultsFamilial dyads significantly contributed to plasma TMAO and precursor concentrations (P < 0.0001), explaining 37% of variance for TMAO concentrations. Least-square mean ± SE plasma TMAO was lower in children (0.79 ± 0.02 µM on the log-scale) than in adults (1.22 ± 0.02 µM). By contrast, children's betaine (40.30 ± 0.34 µM) and DMG concentrations (1.02 ± 0.01 µM on the log-scale) were higher than adults’ betaine (37.50 ± 0.32 µM) and DMG concentrations (0.80 ± 0.01 µM) (P < 0.0001). Mean values of all metabolites, except adult TMAO, were higher in males than in females (P < 0.001). Greater reported intake of red meat and fish was associated with higher TMAO concentrations in both children [estimates (95% CIs) for red meat: 0.06 (0.01, 0.10); fish: 0.11 (0.06, 0.17)] and adults [red meat: 0.13 (0.08, 0.17); meat products: 0.07 (0.03, 0.12); and fish: 0.09 (0.04, 0.14)].ConclusionsAge, sex, and shared family factors, including diet, contribute to variation in plasma concentrations of TMAO and its precursors.

Ultra-processed food and beverage advertising on Brazilian television by International Network for Food and Obesity/Non-Communicable Diseases Research, Monitoring and Action Support benchmark.

To analyse the extent and nature of food and beverage advertising on the three major Brazilian free-to-air television (TV) channels. Cross-sectional study. A protocol developed for the International Network for Food and Obesity/Non-Communicable Diseases Research, Monitoring and Action Support was applied for data collection. A total of 432 h of TV programming was recorded from 06.00 to 24.00 hours, for eight non-consecutive and randomly selected days, in April 2018. All TV advertisements (ads) were analysed, and food-related ads were classified according to the NOVA classification system. Descriptive analyses were used to describe the number and type of ads, food categories and the distribution of ads throughout the day and time of the day. The three most popular free-to-air channels on Brazilian TV. The study did not involve human subjects. In total, 14·2 % (n 1156 out of 7991) of ads were food related (858 were specific food items). Approximately 91 % of food items ads included ultra-processed food (UPF) products. The top three most promoted products were soft drinks, alcoholic beverages and fast-food meals. Alcoholic beverage ads were more frequently broadcast in the evening. The high risk of exposure of the Brazilian population to UPF ads should be considered a public health concern given the impact of unhealthy food advertising on people's food choices and health.

0235 Sleep Duration and Timing Associated with Eating Behaviors: Data from NHANES 2015–2016

Abstract Introduction Previous studies have shown that, in the laboratory, sleep deprivation leads to unhealthy eating patterns. In real-world samples, lack of sleep is associated with obesity. Few real-world studies of sleep and food intake patterns exist, especially from nationally-representative samples. Methods Data from the 2015–2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were used. NHANES is a national-representative survey collected by the CDC. N=6,291 participants provided data about dietary behaviors and sleep timing. Dietary behaviors included the number of meals not made at home in the past 7 days (NOTHOME), number of fast food/pizza meals in the past 7 days (FASTFOOD), number of pre-made meals in the past 30 days (PREMADE), and number of frozen meals in the past 30 days (FROZEN). Linear regression models examined these as outcomes and predictors including bedtime (minutes), waketime (minutes), sleep duration (hours), and daytime tiredness/fatigue (never, rarely, sometimes, often). Covariates included age, sex, education, income/poverty ratio, race/ethnicity, and body mass index. Results Number of meals not made at home (NOTHOME) was associated with a later bedtime (B=2.25, p=0.01) and shorter sleep duration (B=-0.12, p=0.01). FASTFOOD was associated with shorter sleep (B=-0.13,p=0.003) and tiredness/sleepiness sometimes (B=0.77, p=0.007) and often (B=0.55, p=0.03). FROZEN meals were associated with a later waketime (B=3.31, p=0.003) and tiredness/sleepiness sometime (B=1.20, p=0.025) and often (B=1.60, p=0.04). A sleep duration by bedtime interaction was not significant for any outcomes. In models that included overall levels of anxiety, these relationships were maintained. Conclusion This is one of the largest studies to show that habitual sleep patterns are associated with real-world food choices. In particular, shorter sleep duration and tiredness/sleepiness are associated with more ready-made and fast food meals. It is possible that lack of sleep leads to worse food choices, or that stress leads to both lack of sleep and easier food options. Given the often poor nutritive value of foods consumed outside the home and pre-prepared foods, these associations may in part explain the influence of sleep on cardiometabolic risk factors. Support Dr. Grandner is supported by R01MD011600

Association between time-weighted activity space-based exposures to fast food outlets and fast food consumption among young adults in urban Canada

BackgroundDespite increased attention on retail food environments and fast food consumption, results from previous studies have been inconsistent. Variation in measurement of exposure to retail food environments and the context of the built environment are possible reasons for inconsistencies. The purpose of the current study is to examine the association between exposure to fast food environment and fast food consumption among young adults, and to explore possible associations between built environment and fast food consumption.MethodsWe employed an observational, cross-sectional study design. Cross-sectional surveys were conducted in 2016 and 2017. In a sample of 591 young adults aged 16–30 years in five Canadian cities, we constructed and computed individual-level time-weighted number and ratio of fast food outlets in activity spaces derived from GPS trajectory data. Negative binomial regression models estimated the associations between exposure measures and frequency of fast food consumption (number of times consuming fast food meals in a seven-day period), controlling for built environment characterization and individual-level characteristics.ResultsSignificant positive associations were found between time-weighted number of fast food outlets and count of fast food meals consumed per week in models using a radius of 500 m (IRR = 1.078, 95% CI: 0.999, 1.163), 1 km (IRR = 1.135, 95% CI: 1.024, 1.259), or 1.5 km (IRR = 1.138, 95% CI: 1.004, 1.289) around GPS tracks, when generating activity spaces. However, time-weighted ratio of fast food outlets was only significantly associated with count of fast food meals consumed when a radius of 500 m is used (IRR = 1.478, 95% CI: 1.032, 2.123). The time-weighted Active Living Environment Index with Transit measure was significantly negatively related to count of fast food meals consumed across all models.ConclusionsOur study demonstrated associations of time-weighted activity space-based exposure to fast food outlets and fast food consumption frequency in a sample of young adults in urban Canada, and provides evidence of the association between context of built environment and fast food consumption, furthering discussion on the utility of individual-level, activity space-based data and methods in food environment research. These results imply that both food retail composition and activity spaces in urban areas are important factors to consider when studying diets.

Factors associated with frequent consumption of fast food among Australian secondary school students.

To examine demographic and behavioural correlates of frequent consumption of fast food among Australian secondary school students and explore the associations between fast food consumption and social/environmental factors. Cross-sectional survey using a web-based self-report questionnaire. Secondary schools across all Australian states and territories. Students aged 12-17 years participating in the 2012-2013 National Secondary Students' Diet and Activity survey (n 8392). Overall, 38 % of students surveyed reported consuming fast food at least weekly. Being male, residing in lower socio-economic areas and metropolitan locations, having more weekly spending money and working at a fast food outlet were all independently associated with consuming fast food once a week or more, as were several unhealthy eating (low vegetable intake and high sugary drink and snack food intake) and leisure (low physical activity and higher commercial television viewing) behaviours and short sleep duration. Frequent fast food consumption and measured weight status were unrelated. Students who agreed they go to fast food outlets with their family and friends were more likely to report consuming fast food at least weekly, as were those who usually 'upsize' their fast food meals and believe fast food is good value for money. These results suggest that frequent fast food consumption clusters with other unhealthy behaviours. Policy and educational interventions that reach identified at-risk groups are needed to reduce adolescent fast food consumption at the population level. Policies placing restrictions on the portion sizes of fast food may also help adolescents limit their intake.

Abstract P289: Parenting Practices are Associated With Body Mass Index and Blood Pressure Among Latinx Adolescents

Introduction: Adherence to dietary recommendations among Latinx adolescents is low, contributing to an increased risk for obesity and cardiometabolic disease. Parents play a crucial role in adolescents’ disease risk and diet quality due to their role in modeling healthful behaviors and providing food. However, information about how parental monitoring and eating-related parenting practices are associated to cardiovascular risk is scarce. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that unhealthful parenting practices would be associated with higher cardiometabolic risk factors among Latinx adolescents. Methods: We included 61 parent-adolescent (6 th -8 th grade) Latinx dyads. Parents self-reported information about parental monitoring, family eating habits (use of media during meals, inclusion of specific foods during dinner, fast food intake), parental feeding style, and parental energy index (whether parents have had conversations with their children regarding weight and healthful diet and physical activity behaviors). Adolescent cardiometabolic risk factors measured include blood pressure (BP), total cholesterol, and HbA1c. Age- and sex-adjusted BMI percentile (BMI%) and z-scores (BMIz) were calculated from weight and height measurements. Associations between parental practices and cardiometabolic risk factors were analyzed using linear regression (B) and correlation (r). Results: Adolescents’ measured risk factors were as follows: SBP=106±11 mm Hg, DBP=62±7 mm Hg, weight=61±15 kg, BMI%=83±20, BMIz=1.2±0.9, HbA1c=5.1±0.4 %, and total cholesterol=164±12 mg/dL. Use of media during meals (e.g., TV, electronic devices) was associated with higher adolescent weight (B=7.97; r=.31; p=.02) and BMIz (B=.37; r=.27, p=.05). Parental restrictive feeding style was associated with higher adolescent weight (B=5.54; r=.22; p=.03), BMI% (B=13.19; r=.52, p=.001) and diastolic BP (B=2.50; r=.27, p=.04). Adolescent children of parents reporting a greater parental energy index had a greater body weight (B=6.90; r=.46; p=.001) and BMI % (B=6.28; r=.33, p=.01). Parent-reported frequency of consuming family meals, frequency of fast food meals, importance of consuming family meals, and inclusion of vegetables, fruit and 100% juice, milk, and sugar-sweetened beverages during family meals were not associated with adolescents’ BMI or BP. Associations with other risk factors were not significant. Conclusions: Results suggest that unhealthful parenting practices such as restrictive feeding and allowing the use of media during meals may negatively influence cardiometabolic risk factors among Latinx adolescents. Parents of children with a greater BMI reported having more conversations about weight and healthful behaviors with their children. Future family-based behavioral interventions for this population should incorporate more parenting strategies as part of their curricula.

Mediterranean diet: knowledge and adherence in Italian young people.

In November 2010 the Mediterranean Diet was recognized by the UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. It is an heritage that brings together the dietary habits of the peoples of the Mediterranean countries, consolidated over the centuries remained almost unchanged until the 1950s. Numerous scientific studies have also shown that the Mediterranean Diet is an healthy diet that helps to prevent the main chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, bulimia and obesity and thanks to the antioxidant power of olive oil combined with vegetables consumption, an important means of cancer prevention. The aim of our study was to investigate the knowledge and the adherence to the Mediterranean diet of young people living in the Mediterranean area. The survey was carried out by administering a web-based anonymous questionnaire from March to May 2019 to Italian young people. In this survey we asked for socio-economic conditions, knowledge, awareness and adherence to the Mediterranean diet (through the KIDMED test) both in childhood and at present time. Parental educational status and family income were used as indicators of socio-economic status (SES). The sample was made up by 507 Italian young people between the ages of 17 and 35 (123 males and 384 females), with an average age of 22.88 years (DS 7.02). Only 11.4% knew the Mediterranean diet. During childhood 70.8% of respondents had breakfast and 58% ate fruit and vegetables daily. Today they have maintained the correct eating habits, in fact, 71.2% had breakfast, 60.2% ate fruit and 64.7% ate vegetables. In addition, only 48.3% eat fish and the majority of respondents consume carbohydrates (76.9%). To a lesser extent they consume junk foods like candy and various snacks (18.1%) or fast food meals (9.1%). Moreover, we asked for physical activity and we found that 48.9% did it. We found age, exercise and sex high significant variables (p<0.01). Higher adherence to MD was found in older interviewees. Our study we found high knowledge to a Mediterranean diet into 90.5% of the sample and poor adherence into 23.5% of them, medium into 53.4% while higher only in 23.1% of the interviewees. Lower adherence was found among those who do not engage in physical activity and the two regressor with higher weight on the adherence to MD were "eat at home "and "eat fruit and vegetables". Furthermore, in our sample more increased the age more increased adherence to traditional diet models.

Which is the urine sample material of choice for metabolomics-driven biomarker studies?

Urine-based metabolomics-driven strategies for the discovery of biomarkers are increasingly developed and applied in analytical chemistry. But valid, data-based recommendations for a urine sample material of choice are lacking. We investigated first and second morning urine (MU), which are the most commonly used urine specimens. Potential major factors biasing metabolomics biomarker results in these sample materials were studied. First, 35 1st and 2nd MU samples were collected from healthy, young men after an overnight fast. Subsequently, two subgroups were built, one having fast food at lunch and dinner (n=17), the other vegetarian meals (n=18). Again 1st and 2nd MU were collected. Non-targeted liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry was applied for analyses. More than half of the >5400 urinary ion features showed a significant difference between 1st and 2nd MU. Just two fast food meals on previous day significantly affected around 30% of all metabolites in 1st and 2nd MU. In contrast, the effects of two vegetarian meals in 2nd MU were only minor. Additionally, we describe 47 metabolites in urine, possible hits in biomarker studies, which are susceptible to the diet the day before sample collection. They should be handled with caution until validation in diet-controlled studies. Based on our results we think the second MU, ideally collected after standardized vegetarian meals and drinking only water on the previous day, is most suitable for valid analysis of biomarkers in urine.

Relationship between nutritional habits and school performance among primary school students in Asser Region.

Background:Healthy nutrition is a necessary for people mental health, because of that nutritional habits effect on school performance. So, a high sugar intake, fat, and fast food meals have a strong relationship with low academic performance and lot of diseases like metabolic disease in other researches of pediatric age group.Aim:To assess nutritional habits and its relation with school performance among primary school students in Aseer region, Saudi Arabia.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted in targeting parents of primary school children in Aseer region. Data were collected using pre-structured online questionnaire. Questionnaire was available online using social media programs to be answered by students' mothers. Residence was initial question to confirm residency at Aseer region.Results:A total sample of 357 respondents with their children ages ranged from 6- to 18-year-old and 62.7% of their children were females. Exact 81% of the students had 3 meals daily and 88% had their breakfast before going to school. About 75% of the sampled mothers reported excellent grade for their student school performance. Also, significant association of school performance with breakfast intake and fast food was recorded.Conclusions:In conclusion, the study revealed that the students had an averaged eating habits regarding meals number specially breakfast and contents. Fast food was recorded among two thirds of the students which is negative finding. Also, school performance was very good and significantly associated with eating habits specially breakfast intake and fast food frequency.