Feeding Episodes Research Articles

Placozoan secretory cell types implicated in feeding, innate immunity and regulation of behavior.

Placozoa are millimeter-sized, flat, irregularly shaped ciliated animals that crawl on surfaces in warm oceans feeding on biofilms, which they digest externally. They stand out from other animals due to their simple body plans. They lack organs, body cavities, muscles and a nervous system and have only seven broadly defined morphological cell types, each with a unique distribution. Analyses of single cell transcriptomes of four species of placozoans revealed greater diversity of secretory cell types than evident from morphological studies, but the locations of many of these new cell types were unknown and it was unclear which morphological cell types they represent. Furthermore, there were contradictions between the conclusions of previous studies and the single cell RNAseq studies. To address these issues, we used mRNA probes for genes encoding secretory products expressed in different metacells in Trichoplax adhaerens to localize cells in whole mounts and in dissociated cell cultures, where their morphological features could be visualized and identified. The nature and functions of their secretory granules were further investigated with electron microscopic techniques and by imaging secretion in live animals during feeding episodes. We found that two cell types participate in disintegrating prey, one resembling a lytic cell type in mammals and another combining features of zymogen gland cells and enterocytes. We identified secretory epithelial cells expressing glycoproteins or short peptides implicated in defense. We located seven peptidergic cell types and two types of mucocytes. Our findings reveal mechanisms that placozoans use to feed and protect themselves from pathogens and clues about neuropeptidergic signaling. We compare placozoan secretory cell types with cell types in other animal phyla to gain insight about general evolutionary trends in cell type diversification, as well as pathways leading to the emergence of synapomorphies.

GLP-1R-positive neurons in the lateral septum mediate the anorectic and weight-lowering effects of liraglutide in mice.

Liraglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analog, is approved for obesity treatment, but the specific neuronal sites that contribute to its therapeutic effects remain elusive. Here, we show that GLP-1 receptor-positive (GLP-1R-positive) neurons in the lateral septum (LSGLP-1R) play a critical role in mediating the anorectic and weight-loss effects of liraglutide. LSGLP-1R neurons were robustly activated by liraglutide, and chemogenetic activation of these neurons dramatically suppressed feeding. Targeted knockdown of GLP-1 receptors within the LS, but not in the hypothalamus, substantially attenuated liraglutide's ability to inhibit feeding and lower body weight. The activity of LSGLP-1R neurons rapidly decreased during naturalistic feeding episodes, while synaptic inactivation of LSGLP-1R neurons diminished the anorexic effects triggered by liraglutide. Together, these findings offer critical insights into the functional role of LSGLP-1R neurons in the physiological regulation of energy homeostasis and delineate their instrumental role in mediating the pharmacological efficacy of liraglutide.

Responsive Complementary Feeding Practices in Rural Muhanga District of Rwanda: A Mixed Methods Study

ABSTRACTBackgroundResponsive feeding among infants and young children (IYC) determines their food acceptance and adequate dietary intake, which enhances growth and developmental opportunities. However, little is known about responsive feeding practices among IYC in Rwanda. This study explored the status and barriers of responsive feeding practices among mothers from rural areas of Muhanga District in Rwanda.MethodThis descriptive longitudinal and exploratory mixed methods study was conducted among 29 mothers from 2 rural health centers in Muhanga District. Mothers were interviewed, and their interactions with children during lunch meals at 6, 9, and 12 months were observed. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and thematically analyzed using Atlas.ti software.ResultsThe study shows that the number of mothers who reported to verbally encourage their children to eat during feeding increased with the child's age. Less than half of mothers, at all three time points of data collection (at 6, 9, and 12 months), reported and were observed allowing their children to self‐feed, smiling and talking to them during feeding. The perceived major barriers to mother–child interaction during feeding were lack of time due to the burden of other responsibilities, and poverty. In addition, fear of messing up and food waste were barriers to child self‐feeding opportunities.ConclusionFindings indicate that responsive feeding was less practiced among study mothers due to lack of time, poverty, and fear of food waste during child self‐feeding. Nutrition interventions in this community should consider raising awareness of responsive feeding practices through education and encouraging mothers to devote sufficient time to interact with their children during feeding episodes.

Leadership and the finder's advantage in mantled howler monkeys.

Leading collective movements and arriving first at feeding sites may improve food acquisition. Specifically, the first individual to discover and exploit a feeding site may gain a feeding advantage known as the "finder's advantage."The aim of this research was to verify if the probability of leading group movements to feeding sites in mantled howler monkeys (Alouatta palliata) varied by sex and reproductive status, and whether finders had higher foraging success than followers. We studied 18 adult individuals from two groups in La Flor de Catemacoover a year (978 h), and sampled group movements (n = 211) and foraging behavior (n = 215 feeding episodes). Gestating females were leaders and finders of group movements to feeding sites more often than expected but were also replaced in the leading position more frequently than individuals of other sex/reproductive states. Feeding behavior was not influenced by the order of arrival at feeding sites per se, but gestating females had higher food intake rate, bite rate, and feeding time when arriving earlier (i.e., occupying front group positions) than later. Therefore, leadership and the finder's advantage occur in this species and are probably employed by gestating females to maintain their energetic condition.

Increased blood meal size and feeding frequency compromise Aedes aegypti midgut integrity and enhance dengue virus dissemination.

Aedes aegypti is a highly efficient vector for numerous pathogenic arboviruses including dengue virus (DENV), Zika virus, and yellow fever virus. This efficiency can in part be attributed to their frequent feeding behavior. We previously found that acquisition of a second, full, non-infectious blood meal could accelerate virus dissemination within the mosquito by temporarily compromising midgut basal lamina integrity; however, in the wild, mosquitoes are often interrupted during feeding and only acquire partial or minimal blood meals. To explore the impact of this feeding behavior further, we examined the effects of partial blood feeding on DENV dissemination rates and midgut basal lamina damage in Ae. aegypti. DENV-infected mosquitoes given a secondary partial blood meal had intermediate rates of dissemination and midgut basal lamina damage compared to single-fed and fully double-fed counterparts. Subsequently, we evaluated if basal lamina damage accumulated across feeding episodes. Interestingly, within 24 hours of feeding, damage was proportional to the number of blood meals imbibed; however, this additive effect returned to baseline levels by 96 hours. These data reveal that midgut basal lamina damage and rates of dissemination are proportional to feeding frequency and size, and further demonstrate the impact that mosquito feeding behavior has on vector competence and arbovirus epidemiology. This work has strong implications for our understanding of virus transmission in the field and will be useful when designing laboratory experiments and creating more accurate models of virus spread and maintenance.

A comparison of observed feeding practices of infants and young children aged 6-23 months to national responsive feeding recommendations in Sri Lanka.

To describe the extent to which Sri Lankan caregivers follow current national responsive feeding recommendations and the factors limiting and enabling those behaviours.Study design. This ethnographic substudy was conducted using a four-phase, mixed methods formative research design across rural, estateand urban sectors of Sri Lanka. Data collection methods. Data were collected using direct meal observations and semistructured interviews. Participants including infants and young children aged 6-23 months (n = 72), community leaders (n = 10), caregivers (n = 58) and community members (n = 37) were purposefully sampled to participate in this study. Data analysis. Observational data were summarized using descriptive statistics while textual data were analysed thematically using Dedoose. Findings were then interpreted vis-à-vis six national responsive feeding recommendations. During observed feeding episodes, caregivers were responsive to nearly all food requests (87.2% [34/39]) made by infants and young children. Many caregivers (61.1% [44/72]) also positively encouraged their infant and young child during feeding. Despite some responsive feeding practices being observed, 36.1% (22/61) of caregivers across sectors used forceful feeding practices if their infant or young child refused to eat. Interviews data indicated that force-feeding practices were used because caregivers wanted their infants and young children to maintain adequate weight gain for fear of reprimand from Public Health Midwives. Despite overall high caregiver knowledge of national responsive feeding recommendations in Sri Lanka, direct observations revealed suboptimal responsive feeding practices, suggesting that other factors in the knowledge-behaviour gap may need to be addressed.

Relationships between feeding and glucose concentrations in healthy term infants during the first five days after birth-the Glucose in Well Babies Study (GLOW).

The World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding be commenced as soon as possible after birth. Amongst other benefits, early feeding is expected to support the metabolic transition after birth, but effects on blood glucose concentrations are controversial. We sought to describe the changes in interstitial glucose concentrations after feedings over the first five postnatal days. In healthy singleton term infants, all feeds were recorded using a smart phone app. Glucose concentrations were measured by blinded interstitial monitoring, calibrated by heel-prick capillary samples 2-4 times/d. Feeding sessions were included if a start and end time were recorded, and if the interval between the start of successive feeds was >90 min. The area under the glucose concentration curve (AUC) was calculated by trapezoidal addition from baseline (median of the 3 measurements before the beginning of the session). The maximum deviation (MD) was the greatest change in glucose concentration (positive or negative) from baseline to the next feeding session or 180 min, whichever came first. Data were analyzed using Stata V17 and are presented as mean (95% CI) in mmol/L. Data were available for 62 infants and 1,770 feedings. The glucose response to breastfeeding was not different from zero on day 1 [day 1 AUC 0.05 (-0.00, 0.10), MD 0.06 (-0.05, 0.16)], but increased thereafter (day 3 (AUC 0.23 (0.18, 0.28), MD 0.41 (0.32, 0.50), day 5 AUC 0.11 (0.06, 0.16), MD 0.28 (0.18, 0.37), p < 0.001 for age effect). Glucose response increased with increased duration of breastfeeding (<30 min AUC 0.06 (0.02,0.09), MD 0.12 (0.04,0.19), >30 min AUC 0.20 (0.16, 0.23) MD 0.37 (0.30, 0.44), p < 0.001 for duration effect) and this was observed even in the first 2 days (<30 min AUC-0.02 (-0.06, 0.03), MD -0.06 (-0.15, 0.03), >30 min AUC 0.12 (0.08, 0.16), MD 0.19 (0.11, 0.27), overall p < 0.001 for age x duration interaction). In feeding sessions that were not breastfeeding, the glucose response was greater after formula than after expressed human milk [AUC 0.29 (0.15, 0.29), MD 0.48 (-0.12, 0.61)], and greater after feed volumes >20 ml than <10 ml [20-30 ml AUC 0.19 (0.01, 0.27), MD 0.23 (-0.01, 0.46)]. The glucose response to feeding in the days after birth increases with postnatal age and duration of the feeding episode. Breastfeeding for <30 min has little effect on glucose concentrations in the first two days.

Maternal Care Practices in Sri Lanka During Infant and Young Child Feeding Episodes – Findings From Ethnographic Fieldwork

ObjectivesTo describe typical care practices employed by urban, estate, and rural caregivers during infant and young child feeding episodes in Sri Lanka. MethodsStudy design. This ethnographic sub-study was conducted using a four-phase, mixed methods formative research design across rural, estate, and urban sectors of Sri Lanka. Data collection methods. Data were collected between Sept. 2020 – Sept. 2021 using direct meal observations (4–8 hours each) and semi-structured interviews. Infants and young children aged 6–23 months (n = 72), as well as community leaders (n = 10), caregivers (n = 58) and influencers (n = 37) were purposively sampled to participate in meal observations and interviews, respectively. Data analysis. Observational data were summarized using simple descriptive statistics while textual data were analyzed thematically using Dedoose. ResultsDuring 4–8 hour long observations, most caregivers (80.6%, 58/72) gave infants and young children their full attention during feeding. Approximately two thirds of observed caregivers (61.1%, 44/72) used positive encouragement during feeding, while a quarter (26.4%, 19/72) used negative communication approaches (e.g., threatening to give a child medicine if their food is not eaten) during feeding. The majority (81.9%, 59/72) used distractions to encourage eating while 20.8% (15/72) of observed caregivers used forceful feeding practices because they wanted their children to “maintain adequate weight,” and “adhere to a meal schedule". ConclusionsDespite caregiver knowledge of Ministry of Health recommendations, observations revealed a proportion of caregivers engaging in sub-optimal care and feeding practices with possible implications for population-level health and nutrition. Funding SourcesUNICEF Sri Lanka.

Examining the Relationship between Infant Weight Status and Parent-Infant Interactions within a Food and Nonfood Context.

Background: Most observational research examining factors in the home environment that contribute to child adiposity has focused on feeding and physical activity, although aspects of one's nonfood home environment such as parent-child interactions can also impact body weight. The main objectives of this study were to determine if parent-infant interactions under different contexts provide a unique contribution to infants' concurrent adiposity after accounting for known obesity-related covariates. Methods: This was a cross-sectional analysis of 121 9- to 15-month-old infants using data collected at the baseline visit of an ongoing intervention study. Mother-infant interactions during a feeding episode and a free-play task were recorded and coded. Anthropometrics of infants were measured by trained research staff. We used two-step hierarchical multivariable regression models to examine the unique contribution of mother-infant interactions to weight status after accounting for known obesity-related covariates (i.e., maternal age, BMI, education, parity, and gestational age, child sex, breastfeeding duration, age of solid food introduction, and birthweight). Results: Maternal intrusiveness, child negative affect, and child responsiveness during free-play, but not feeding were significantly associated with z-weight-for-length. For every 1-U increase in maternal intrusiveness and child negative affect there was a 0.321 (p = 0.011) and 0.415 (p = 0.028) unit increase in z-weight-for-length, respectively, whereas for every 1-U increase in child responsiveness there was a decrease of 0.386 U in z-weight-for-length (p = 0.025). Conclusion: This research contributes new findings support the idea that parent-child interactions outside of the feeding context may relate to obesity. Clinical Trial Registration Number NCT02936284.

A novel mutation in ACADVL causing very long-chain acyl-coenzyme-A dehydrogenase deficiency in a South Asian pediatric patient: a case report and review of the literature

BackgroundVery long-chain acyl-coenzyme-A dehydrogenase deficiency is a rare, severe life-threatening metabolic disorder of mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation, caused by mutations in ACADVL gene. Here we present a genetically confirmed case of a South Asian baby girl with severe, early-onset form of very long-chain acyl-coenzyme-A dehydrogenase deficiency due to a novel mutation in ACADVL gene.Case presentationIndex case was the second baby girl of second-degree consanguineous South Asian parents. She had an uncomplicated antenatal period and was born by spontaneous vaginal delivery at term with a birth weight of 2910 g. She had been noted to have fair skin complexion, hypotonia, and 3 cm firm hepatomegaly. Since birth, the baby developed grunting, poor feeding, and recurrent episodes of symptomatic hypoglycemia and convulsions with multiple semiology. Her septic screening and urine ketone bodies were negative. The baby had high anion gap metabolic acidosis and elevated transaminases and serum creatine phosphokinase levels. Echocardiogram at 4 months revealed bilateral ventricular hypertrophy. Acylcarnitine profile revealed elevated concentrations of tetradecanoylcarnitine (C14), tetradecanoylcarnitine C14:1, and C14:1/C16. Unfortunately, the baby died due to intercurrent respiratory illness at 4 months of age. Sequence analysis of ACADVL gene in perimortem blood sample revealed homozygous frame shift novel variant NM_001270447.1, c.711_712del p.(Phe237Leufs*38), which confirmed the diagnosis of very long-chain acyl-coenzyme-A dehydrogenase deficiency.ConclusionsThis case demonstrates the importance of early diagnosis and management of very long-chain acyl-coenzyme-A dehydrogenase deficiency in improving the outcome of the patients. Implementation of newborn screening using tandem mass spectrometry in Sri Lanka will be beneficial to reduce the morbidity and mortality of treatable disorders of inborn errors.

Frequency matters: How successive feeding episodes by blood-feeding insect vectors influences disease transmission.

Frequency matters: How successive feeding episodes by blood-feeding insect vectors influences disease transmission.

Using Videos to Teach Medical Learners How to Address Common Breastfeeding Problems.

IntroductionThough breast milk is the recommended first food, only 84% of mothers try breastfeeding, and 19% of those babies are supplemented with formula by the second day of life. Mothers often fall short of their breastfeeding goals, which has been traced in part to primary care physicians’ discomfort and lack of confidence in assisting breastfeeding mothers. A video-based educational intervention was developed to enhance learner comfort and confidence in supporting breastfeeding.MethodsPrior to watching the videos, two separate groups of learners (25 primary care residents and 40 medical students) were given two assessments to assess their baseline knowledge and self-perceived comfort and confidence with breastfeeding based on the American Academy of Pediatrics residency breastfeeding curriculum. We gave the learners a checklist to guide their observations while watching the videos. The learners repeated the assessments after watching the videos.ResultsStudents who participated showed a statistically significant increase in breastfeeding knowledge and self-perceived comfort and confidence in assisting mothers with common breastfeeding problems. Additionally, residents increased their knowledge and confidence, but not their comfort with breastfeeding.DiscussionThe videos seem to have been most helpful in assisting learners with confidence with helping breastfeeding mothers and knowledge of breastfeeding. The videos also improved student comfort but were less effective in increasing residents’ comfort as residents generally self-rated their comfort level as high preceding the video curriculum. These videos provide an effective way to begin sensitizing learners to the importance of breastfeeding, common challenges, and potential solutions for new mothers.

Continuous glucose monitoring during pregnancy in healthy mice

During pregnancy, metabolic adaptations occur to maintain the balance between maternal and foetal growth, including increased insulin secretion and decreased insulin sensitivity. When the body fails to adjust, gestational diabetes mellitus develops. To gain insight in the pregnancy-induced adaptations, we applied continuous glucose monitoring via telemetric transmitters. We show that continuous glucose monitoring in conscious, non-stressed, freely moving mice throughout the full pregnancy is feasible, accurate and safe. We show that healthy mice during a full pregnancy develop adaptations in glucose homeostasis reminiscent of those in pregnant women. Furthermore, continuous glucose monitoring allows the complete analysis of all aspects of glucose excursions associated with spontaneous feeding episodes, and the thorough analysis of glycaemic variability. In conclusion, continuous glucose monitoring allows a detailed description of the glycaemic status during pregnancy, which will help to unravel specific mechanisms for gestational diabetes mellitus.

Production and Optimization of Hermetia illucens (L.) Larvae Reared on Food Waste and Utilized as Feed Ingredient

The feed sector requires new sustainable sources of protein, and at the same time better waste management practices are required to decrease and upcycle post-consumers’ food waste (catering and organic household waste), which is currently used for energy production or discharged as waste. The production of Hermetia illucens larvae (L.) (BSFL) was conducted in 15 batches at pilot scale. Furthermore, a feeding strategy experiment was conducted to optimize feedings and decrease handling, followed by a digestibility study for assessing the applicability of BSFL as a feed ingredient. About 190 kg of food waste was used to produce 79 kg of BSFL. The bioconversion of food waste into BSFL was found to be highly efficient, with feed conversion rate (FCR) values ranging between 1.7 and 3.6, when assessed on dry matter. The feeding experiment showed similar BSFL and insect frass production as well as similar FCR, revealing that a decrease in handling can be obtained if two feeding episodes are used. The digestibility of protein and fat was high at 86.2 and 90.4% and revealed that BSFL meal can be successfully used as a protein and fat source in feed for carnivore animals outside the food chain (e.g., pet food).

Observed feeding behaviours and effects on child weight and length at 12 months of age: Findings from the SPRING cluster-randomized controlled trial in rural India.

Child undernutrition results in poor growth in early childhood, undermines optimal development and increases the risk of mortality. Responsive feeding has been promoted as a key intervention for improving nutritional status, however measurement of this remains difficult and has rarely considered child behaviour. We therefore developed a new observed feeding tool to assess both child and caregiver behaviours, as well as their interaction during feeding, and investigate the effect of these on children anthropometric measures at 12-months of age in rural India. Our study was nested within the SPRING cluster-randomized controlled trial in Rewari, North India. Outcomes were children length-for-age (LAZ), weight-for-length (WLZ) and weight-for-age (WAZ) Z scores at 12 months of age, based on the WHO Child Growth standards. Trained non-specialists live-coded feeding episodes using the newly designed tool. Scores were then created using principal components analysis representing child behaviour, caregiver behaviour and caregiver-child interaction. Mixed effects linear regression was used to assess associations between feeding behaviours and anthropometric outcomes. 857 children had a meal observation and were included. Anthropometric status was poor (mean length-for-age -1.59 (SD = 1.11); mean weight-for-length -0.58 (0.95); mean weight-for-age -1.22 (1.04)). There were positive linear differences in weight-for-length per unit increase in caregiver responsive behaviours score (adjusted β-coeff = 0.006, 95%CI = (0.001, 0.011), p = 0.01), in length-for-age and weight-for-age per unit increase in child responsive behaviours score (respectively adjusted β-coeff = 0.004, 95%CI = (0.001, 0.007), p = 0.02, and adjusted β-coeff = 0.003, 95%CI = (0.00001, 0.006), p = 0.049), and in both weight-for-length and weight-for-age per unit increase in caregiver-child interaction score (respectively adjusted β-coeff = 0.007, 95%CI = (0.003, 0.012), p = 0.001, and adjusted β-coeff = 0.005, 95%CI = (0.001, 0.011), p = 0.01). No association was seen between child behaviours and weight-for-length, caregiver behaviours and length and caregiver-child interaction and length. We found that trained non-specialists could assess feeding episodes using a newly designed checklist. Further, child and caregiver behaviours were associated with weight and length at only 12 months of age, a reminder of the importance of interventions to improve responsive feeding quality as we strive towards achievement of the sustainable development goals.

Recognition of feeding behaviour of pigs and determination of feeding time of each pig by a video-based deep learning method

Monitoring the feeding behaviour of pigs and measuring their feeding time can help farmers to evaluate the pig health and welfare. The aim of this study was to develop a video-based deep learning algorithm to recognise feeding behaviour of nursery pigs and determine the feeding time of pigs on an individual level. In the experiment, two pens of pigs were video recorded for 3 days. In the video of feeding region of pen 1, 96,000 1 s feeding episodes and 96,000 1 s non-feeding episodes were generated. 70% of these data was randomly selected as training set and the remaining 30% as validation set. In the video of feeding region of pen 2, all the labelled 24,656 1 s feeding episodes and 61,744 1 s non-feeding episodes were used as test set. Firstly, the Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) architecture Xception was used to extract spatial features. These features were input into Long Short-term Memory (LSTM) framework to extract spatial-temporal features. Through the fully connected layer, the prediction function Softmax was finally used to classify these 1 s episodes as feeding or non-feeding. An image processing algorithm based on maximum entropy segmentation, HSV (Hue, Saturation and Value) colour space transformation and template matching was proposed to calculate the circularity of the head, the ratio of the head to the feeding sub-region, the accumulated pixels of the head motion, and the distance from the head to the number on pig back in order to determine the identity and feeding time of each pig. In the test set, the proposed algorithm could recognise feeding behaviour with an accuracy of 98.4%, a sensitivity of 98.8%, specificity of 98.3% and precision of 95.9%, and could correctly recognise 98.5% of feeding time of individual pigs from the total 45944 s feeding time of 8 pigs. The results indicate that the proposed method can be used to recognise feeding behavior of pigs and determine feeding time of each pig.

An Exploratory Analysis of Dietary Components in Relation to Symptoms of Anxiety

Abstract Objectives Determine reliability of GAD-7 and MASQ in the assessment of symptoms of anxiety and dietary correlates. Methods Cross-sectional, mixed methods design of adult men and women greater than 18 years of age consented; no exclusion criteria (N = 275) entitled, “Food Mood Project (FMP). Data collection occurred December 5, 2015 to August 3, 2016. The project contains two parts: Part 1: electronic demographic assessment (e.g., education, age, gender, marital status, military affiliation, and occupation), completion of five mobile formatted, electronic validated questionnaires (e.g., GAD-7, MASQ, EDE-Q, Zung, and GRIT), and 3-day electronic dietary food and beverage record with self-reported emotional evaluation. Participants who fully completed part 1 [ALL questionnaires and 3-day food record with subjective affect appraisal pre-, during, post- each feeding episode were invited to participate in part 2 (N = 135). Part 2: 90-minunte in-person medical and nutritional interview (N = 106) by author exploring personal and familial medical history, physical activity trends, personal beliefs about food, dieting history, 24-hour dietary recall, sleep hygiene (PSQI), and spiritual health (i.e., SWB), as well as, assessing cognitive set-shifting via trail making test (TMT). Statistical consultation with Deakin University (Australia) and University of California, Berkeley (United States) utilizing SPSS, R, and Stata for linear regression, ANOVA, and PCA, and t-tests for dietary data [manually analyzed using NDSR]; a &amp;gt; 0.05. Results Coefficient of reliability for GAD-7 is 0.869 and Total MASQ is 0.822 as a practical application assessment of symptoms of anxiety. Linear regression examining macronutrient content and MASQ scores for subset of completed Part 1 data (n = 31) reveals mean total carbohydrates by participants was 192.86 gm daily and significantly correlated with total MASQ score (R2 = 0.023; P = 0.027). Conclusions GAD-7 and MASQ have excellent reliability for assessing symptoms of anxiety. Preliminary results notes carbohydrate variability is correlated with reported symptoms of anxiety. Funding Sources Academic funding through University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Department of Nutritional Sciences Vision 20/20 Award (2014), Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (2015), and California Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (2017).

Can a pragmatic responsive feeding scale be developed and applied globally?

Responsive feeding (RF) has been recognized as necessary to prevent all forms of malnutrition including stunting and childhood obesity. Specific RF guidelines have been developed, but it is unclear how RF behaviours can be monitored systematically. Therefore, developing valid and reliable abbreviated and pragmatic RF scales is an important global priority. This is challenging, as RF is a construct with multiple dimensions including recognizing and responding to hunger and satiety cues, providing a nurturing environment during feeding episodes, and understanding how feeding needs evolve as a function of the developmental stage of the young child. Further, RF is embedded within the responsive parenting framework that in addition to RF includes sleep, soothing and play routines and the interconnections between them. A recent pioneer study conducted in a rural area of Cambodia validated an 8‐item RF scale through direct feeding observations of 6‐ to 23‐month‐old infants at home, as part of two cross‐sectional surveys conducted before and after a complementary feeding intervention. It is important for similar research to be conducted elsewhere to find out if it is possible or not to develop a core RF scale that is valid and reliable and that has adequate specificity and sensitivity for application in community studies and population surveys globally. As highlighted in this article, different definitions of RF have been used in the field; thus, it is important to reach consensus on a single definition to help move this research area forward.

Intermittent but not Chronic Access to Western Diet Selectively Induced Binge‐like Eating and Risk‐taking Behavior in Rats.

Binge eating disorder (BED), the most common eating disorder in the US, has a lifetime prevalence of 2.8% and has been associated with many other psychological and metabolic disorders. Several preclinical models developed to study binge‐eating disorder and related pathologies use stress, food restriction, or limited access conditions to induce binge‐like intake. Using limited access model, Corwin and colleague, demonstrated that limited‐short (2 hr Mon, Wed and Fri) access to vegetable shortening induced a binge‐compensate feeding pattern which was not present in limited‐regular (2 hr every day) access conditions. Similar findings were reported when a nutritionally complete high‐fat diet was utilized either every day (HFD‐ED) or every‐third day (HFD‐3D). Using this model, we have recently shown that both HFD‐ED and HFD‐3D groups of rats undergo similar binge‐compensate eating patterns and display compulsive feeding/risk‐taking behavior, suggesting the frequency instead of presence/absence of binge‐like feeding episodes as a major difference between HFD‐3D and HFD‐ED. It was also unclear if the intermittent availability or the HFD itself triggered compulsive feeding. Therefore, in the present study, we evaluated the impact of ad libitum chow and western diet (WD; rich in both sugar and fat) consumed in a binge manner in relation to the same diet consumed in a non‐binge manner. Male Long Evans rats received chronic (every day) or intermittent (Mon, Wed, and Fri) 24 hr access to Western Diet for six weeks. The control group received normal rodents chow. All the animals had ad libitum access to chow and water throughout the experiment. We observed that intermittent access‐group significantly overconsumed on WD‐access days and under‐consumed on chow‐access days as compared to both chow controls and chronic access group. Chronic access group, on the other hand, significantly overconsumed every day as compared to chow controls but not in a binge/compensate manner. Only intermittent access‐group showed elevated food intake than their baseline during the first two hours of WD‐access days. Finally, only the intermittent access‐group showed risk‐taking behavior when tested in the light/dark box. These data demonstrate selective induction of risk‐taking behavior following binge‐like eating but not when the same diet was consumed in a non‐binge manner.Support or Funding InformationResearch reported in this publication was supported by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number TL4GM118968 and RL5GM118966. This publication was also made possible by funding, in part, by NIMHD‐RCMI # G12MD007595‐10, NIGMS‐BUILD # UL1GM118967 and NIGMS‐SCORE # 1SC3GM127173‐01A1 to SS. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

Comparison of incidence of acute respiratory infection in exclusively breastfed infants and not exclusively breastfed infants from 61 to 180 days of age: A prospective cohort study.

Introduction:Acute respiratory tract infection (ARTI) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality among infants. Exclusive breastfeeding can considerably decrease the incidence as well as mortality due to ARTI.Aims and Objectives:To evaluate the effectiveness of exclusive breast feeding for the first six months of life in preventing acute respiratory tract infection in infants 61-180 days of age. To compare the incidence of acute respiratory tract infection in exclusively breastfed infants (61-180 days of age) and not exclusively breastfed infants.Material and Methods:A prospective cohort study was done among term babies with > 2500g birth weight born in Lourdes hospital during the period from 1st June 2012 to 31st May 2013. Based on feeding habits babies were classified into two groups. Infants were followed up from 61st day to 180th day of life to assess feeding habits and episodes of ARTI.Discussion and conclusion:232 episodes of ARTI were recorded during the study of which 165 episodes were recorded in not exclusively breastfed infants. Incidence of ARTI was 2.04 in the exclusively breastfed infants group and 5.02 in the other group. Relative risk of developing ARTI in not exclusively breastfed infants was found to be 2.46. Odds ratio of having ARTI due to lack of exclusive breast feeding during the 61st to 180th day of life was 3.863. Data from this study confirmed the protective effect of exclusive breastfeeding against ARTI during the 61st to 180th day of life.