Food Consumption Rates Research Articles

The metabolic and circadian signatures of gestational diabetes in the postpartum period characterised using multiple wearable devices.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) affects 14% of all pregnancies worldwide and is associated with cardiometabolic risk. We aimed to exploit high-resolution wearable device time-series data to create a fine-grained physiological characterisation of the postpartum GDM state in free-living conditions, including clinical variables, daily glucose dynamics, food and drink consumption, physical activity, sleep patterns and heart rate. In a prospective observational study, we employed continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), a smartphone food diary, triaxial accelerometers and heart rate and heart rate variability monitors over a 2 week period to compare women who had GDM in the previous pregnancy (GDM group) and women who had a pregnancy with normal glucose metabolism (non-GDM group) at 1-2 months after delivery (baseline) and 6 months later (follow-up). We integrated CGM data with ingestion events recorded with the smartphone app MyFoodRepo to quantify the rapidity of returning to preprandial glucose levels after meal consumption. We inferred the properties of the underlying 24 h rhythm in the baseline glucose. Aggregating the baseline and follow-up data in a linear mixed model, we quantified the relationships between glycaemic variables and wearable device-derived markers of circadian timing. Compared with the non-GDM group (n=15), the GDM group (n=22, including five with prediabetes defined based on fasting plasma glucose [5.6-6.9 mmol/l (100-125 mg/dl)] and/or HbA1c [39-47 mmol/mol (5.7-6.4%)]) had a higher BMI, HbA1c and mean amplitude of glycaemic excursion at baseline (all p≤0.05). Integrating CGM data and ingestion events showed that the GDM group had a slower postprandial glucose decrease (p=0.01) despite having a lower proportion of carbohydrate intake, similar mean glucose levels and a reduced amplitude of the underlying glucose 24 h rhythm (p=0.005). Differences in CGM-derived variables persisted when the five women with prediabetes were removed from the comparison. Longitudinal analysis from baseline to follow-up showed a significant increase in fasting plasma glucose across both groups. The CGM-derived metrics showed no differences from baseline to follow-up. Late circadian timing (i.e. sleep midpoint, eating midpoint and peak time of heart rate) was correlated with higher fasting plasma glucose and reduced amplitudes of the underlying glucose 24 h rhythm (all p≤0.05). We reveal GDM-related postpartum differences in glucose variability and 24 h rhythms, even among women clinically considered to be normoglycaemic. Our results provide a rationale for future interventions aimed at improving glucose variability and encouraging earlier daily behavioural patterns to mitigate the long-term cardiometabolic risk of GDM. ClinicalTrials.gov no. NCT04642534.

A Current Knowledge Gap and Documented Patterns in Body Temperature, Food Consumption, Daily Activity, and Growth Rate in Lizards

A Current Knowledge Gap and Documented Patterns in Body Temperature, Food Consumption, Daily Activity, and Growth Rate in Lizards

Impact of urban productive safety net program on urban households' asset accumulation and food consumption rate in Dessie City, South Wollo Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia.

Agriculture is the driver of economic growth in many developing countries like Ethiopia, where it often represents at least 25% of gross domestic product. But the quality and productivity of the land depends on the way agriculture is practiced. Better agricultural techniques are necessarily including Productive Safety net Program. Urban Productive Safety Net Program is designed to support the poor households and establish urban safety net mechanisms. While several studies have examined the effects of rural productive safety net programs, the outcomes of similar programs in urban areas are not well documented. This knowledge gap hinders the ability to effectively design and implement urban productive safety net programs. The main objective of this study was to assess the impact of urban productive safety net program on asset accumulation and consumption rate in Dessie city. Both primary and secondary data sources were used. A total of 112 households were selected randomly among the public work Urban Productive Safety Net Program beneficiary and non-beneficiary households. Descriptive analysis, inferential statistics and econometric models were used for analysis. Based on the econometric estimation results the demographic and socio-economic variables such as education, access to credit, access to extension services and adult male labor force revealed positive relation to public work urban productive safety net program beneficiary and non-beneficiary household's asset accumulation and consumption. The impact of program participation was also found to be positive and significant for both home asset and community asset. While food and non-food consumption even the total consumption and food security status are also positive. Generally, the result indicated that, due to program participation beneficiary households have higher home asset and community asset and better consumption and food security status.

Motor impulsivity and spicy food craving: A mediation analysis of insula-based resting state functional connectivity.

In China, the rate of spicy food consumption is rising, and chili pepper is among the most popular spicy foods consumed nationwide. However, little effort has been made to understand the mechanism behind spicy food craving. This exploratory study aimed to investigate differences in insula-based resting state functional connectivity (rsFC) between spicy food cravers and non-cravers, and the association between rsFC, impulsivity and spicy food craving. A group of extreme cravers (n = 49) and a group of age- and sex-matched non-cravers (n = 46) completed a resting-state fMRI scan, during which participants were instructed to keep their eyes closed, to not think of anything in particular, and to remain awake. Participants completed the Spicy Food Craving Questionnaire, Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, Sensation Seeking Scale and Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, and rated the frequency of spicy food intake. Results revealed increased insula-occipital lobe resting-state functional connectivity in individuals with spicy food cravings, and the positive correlations between insula-middle occipital gyrus rsFC, impulsivity and spicy food craving. Specifically, the insula-middle occipital gyrus rsFC strength mediated the relationship between the motor impulsivity and spicy food craving. It is hoped that our exploratory findings may shed new insights into the neural mechanisms of spicy food craving and motivate further exploration of spicy food craving in diverse contexts and cultures.

Effect of in vitro food oral coating and lubricity on satiety: A randomized controlled trial using milk protein beverages

We investigated the effects of complex textural attributes of food i.e. lubricity and oral coating, on appetite ratings, food intake, salivary and gut peptides for the first time. Milk protein-rich beverages (whey and casein) were instrumentally analyzed (tribology, viscosity and adsorption, latter representing oral coating) using in vitro measurements. Then these protein beverage preloads differing in their coating properties (low coating, medium coating and high coating) were assessed in two cross-over satiety trials (Study 1, n=37; Study 2, n=15; Total n= 52). Fullness ratings increased in the high coating beverage condition (p < .05) only after 20 min with limited effects on other time points, suggesting a sporadic effect of oral coating on appetite ratings (n=37). There was a correlation between concentration of protein in saliva and appetite ratings; the higher the concentration of protein in saliva the lower the desire to eat (r = - 0.963; p < 0.05) and prospective food consumption ratings (r =- 0.980; p < 0.05). Human saliva was more lubricating after ingesting preload with high coating properties, thus explaining the results on appetite ratings. There was no effect of oral coating on energy intake and gut peptides (n=15), suggesting that complex textural attributes having influence on oral processing might not have any effect on the later parts of the satiety cascade. Oral coating/ lubricity appears to have a subtle and sporadic effect on appetite suppression, which needs further investigation with changing macronutrients/energy load and degree of coating/ lubricity.

Antifeedant and growth inhibitory effects of extracts from Ajania potaninii and A. fruticulosa against Tribolium castaneum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

This study aimed to evaluate the nutritional and antifeedant indices of Tribolium castaneum in response to the compounds and main chemical constituents ofAjania potaninii and A. fruticulosa. These mainly includes essential oils and their major ingredients (eucalyptol, camphor, myrtenol, verbenol, and borneol), as well as nonvolatile compounds. The A. fruticulosa and A. potaninii EOs exhibited clear antifeedant activity against T. castaneum adults at a 2 mg/L concentration, with FDI of 50% and 60%, respectively. Among the nonvolatile compounds, sesamin and eriodictyol exhibit strong antifeedant activities against T. castaneum adults at the same concentration, with an FDI of 90.57% and 88.68% after 72 h, respectively. For larvae, A. fruticulosa and A. potaninii EOs also resulted in antifeedant activity (respective FDI: 57.08% and 55.63%). In addition, sesamin and eriodictyol had exceptionally potent antifeedant activity against T. castaneum larvae, with FDI values 90.71% and 96.17%, respectively. In nutritional studies, the reductions in relative food consumption rate (RCR) of T. castaneum were more pronounced for 1 mg/L and 2 mg/L of either eucalyptol or sesamin. However, at greater concentrations, the conversion efficiency of eucalyptol and sesamin to ingested food in T. castaneum was significantly improved. Eucalyptol and sesamin showed a dose-dependent FDI for this insect. Considering the significant anti-insect activities, the EOs, main compounds, and non-volatile compounds of both A. potaninii and A. fruticulosa might be useful in devising integrated pest strategies, providing a promising perspective for the comprehensive use of natural plant resources from the Ajania genus.

Physiologically-informed predictions of climate warming effects on native and non-native populations of blue catfish

Blue catfish Ictalurus furcatus has been widely introduced throughout the United States to enhance recreational fisheries. Its success in both its native and non-native range, especially in the context of climate change, will be influenced by its thermal performance. We conducted a laboratory experiment to investigate the responses of wild-captured, subadult blue catfish to temperatures ranging from 7 °C to 38 °C. Blue catfish had relatively low standard metabolic rates, indicating low energetic demands, and hence an ability to survive well even during low-food conditions. Metabolic scope and food consumption rate increased with temperature, with metabolic scope peaking at 29.1 °C, and consumption rate peaking at 32 °C. Body condition remained high up to 32 °C, but decreased drastically thereafter, suggesting limitations in maintaining metabolism through food consumption at temperatures >32 °C; blue catfish cannot survive in such habitats indefinitely. Yet, many fish were able to survive temperatures as high as 38 °C for 5 days, suggesting that acute and occasionally chronic heat waves will not limit this species. Using these results, we also predicted the performance of blue catfish under prevailing conditions and under climate warming at seven locations throughout their current range in the U.S. We found that some blue catfish populations in southern and southeastern areas will likely experience temperatures above the optimal temperature for extended periods due to climate change, thus limiting potential habitat availability for this species. But, many non-native populations, especially those in northern areas such as Idaho, North Dakota, and northern California, may benefit from the expected warmer temperatures during spring and fall.

Exploring the Relationship between Knowledge of Fast Food and Junk Food Consumption and Sociodemographic Characteristics among High School Students in Bogura Town, Bangladesh

Background: The increasing consumption of fast food and junk food among adolescents is a growing public health concern, particularly in urban areas of developing countries like Bangladesh. This study aims to explore the relationship between knowledge of fast food and junk food consumption and sociodemographic characteristics among high school students in Bogura Town, Bangladesh. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted at the Department of Community Medicine, Rajshahi Medical College, from January 2023 to December 2023. A total of 384 high school students from various schools in Bogura were selected using purposive sampling. Data were collected using a pretested semi-structured questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 26. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were employed to assess associations between variables. Result: The majority of participants were aged 14-16 years (58.07%) and female (66.15%). Most students resided in urban areas (95.31%) and came from nuclear families (87.24%). Parental education levels were high, with 56.77% of fathers and 37.76% of mothers being graduates or having higher education. Despite this, only 23.70% of students had complete knowledge about the nutritional value of fast food and junk food. Significant associations were found between knowledge levels and gender, parental education, economic status, and BMI (p &lt; 0.05). Fast food consumption was prevalent, with 74.48% consuming it at school and 78.13% consuming instant foods at home. Knowledge gaps were notable in areas such as the effects of saturated fats, metabolism, and chronic disease risks. Conclusion: The findings highlight significant gaps in nutritional knowledge among adolescents, despite high rates of fast food consumption. Sociodemographic factors play a crucial role in influencing nutritional knowledge. There is an urgent need for targeted educational programs to address these gaps and promote healthier eating habits among adolescents to improve long-term health outcomes.

Physiological Changes in Nickel-exposed Nile Tilapia Oreochromis niloticus during Exposure and Recovery Periods

Heavy metals are a significant problem in aquatic ecosystems as they are toxic and tend to accumulate, immediately affecting fish physiology. The present investigation was carried out to evaluate the sub-lethality of Nickel chloride on fingerlings of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus on long-term exposure to it is below safe concentrations1/fifth (9.39 ppm) and 1/10th (4.69 ppm). The physiological studies revealed a significant reduction in Oxygen Consumption Rate (OCR), Ammonia-N Excretion Rate (AER), Oxygen Rate (O: R) and Food Consumption Rate (FCR) and behavioural changes during accumulation and depuration phases. Limited recovery was obtained in all the physiological parameters after depuration for 28 days from the end of the accumulation period.

A true facultative carnivore? Effects of replacing ground chicken carcasses with soybean meal on the growth of captive broad-snouted caiman (Caiman latirostris) and its economics implications.

A specific diet for broad-snouted caiman, Caiman latirostris has not been designed despite the value of farm-raised caiman as an aquaculture product. To fill this gap, the objectives of this study were to evaluate the performance dietary replacement of ground chicken carcasses by of soybean meal (SM) as diet complement for C. latirostris. We conducted a 3-month growth trial to determine effects of graded levels of dietary SM on caiman growth as measured by increase in body length, body weight gain, food consumption (FC) and food conversion rate (FCR). Forty-eight hatchling caimans were fed with diets, composed primarily of practical feed ingredients, with 0, 25, or 40% dietary SM. Diets were fed three times per week for 90 days under temperature controlled. Body lengths and body weights were measured at 30-day intervals, and FC samples were taken between the 31-60-day interval. The results of this study indicate that the inclusion of SM in the diet of C. latirostris at levels of 25% increases in body length, body weight gain, FC and improve the FCR indicated that a concentration of 25% dietary SM (as fed) was adequate for growth of caimans under the conditions of this study. Results suggest that SM have a real nutritional contribution in the diet of broad-snouted caiman and can be used as an ingredient of the diet of the crocodilians raised in captivity, reducing production costs for sustainable use and conservation programs of this species.

Interactive effects of chronic ocean acidification and warming on the growth, survival, and physiological responses of adults of the temperate sea urchin Strongylocentrotusintermedius

To investigate the interactive effects of chronic ocean acidification and warming (OAW) on the growth, survival, and physiological responses of sea urchins, adults of the temperate sea urchin Strongylocentrotus intermedius were incubated separately/jointly in acidic (ΔpHNBS = −0.5 units) and thermal (ΔT = +3.0 °C) seawater for 120 days under lab-controlled conditions based on the projected ocean pH and temperature for 2100 put forward by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Survival rate (SR), average food consumption rate (FCR), gut index (GuI), specific growth rate (SGR), digestive capability, energy production, and antioxidant capability were subsequently determined. The results showed that 1) the SR, FCR, GuI and SGR decreased sharply under OAW conditions. Significant interactive effects of OAW on SR and SGR were observed at 120 days post-incubation (dpi), and on FCR this occurred at 90 dpi. 2) OAW altered the activities of both digestive and antioxidant enzymes. There were significant interaction effects of OAW on the activities of amylase, trehalase, and superoxide dismutase. 3) The relative gene expression levels and activities of key enzymes involved in glycometabolism pathways (i.e., glycolysis and the tricarboxylic acid cycle) were significantly affected by OAW, resulting in an alteration of the total ATP content in the sea urchins. Interaction effects of OAW were observed in both relative gene expression and the activity of enzymes involved in glycolysis (hexokinase), the transformation of glycolysis end-products (lactate dehydrogenase), the tricarboxylic acid cycle (citrate synthetase), and ATP production (Na+/K+-ATPase). The data from this study will enrich our knowledge concerning the combined effects of global climate change on the survival, growth, and physiological responses of echinoderms.

Less Favorable Nutri-Score Consumption Ratings Are Prospectively Associated with Abdominal Obesity in Older Adults.

Nutri-Score is a front-of-package (FOP) labeling designed to assist consumers in selecting healthier options at the point of purchase and ultimately enhance their health. This study aims to evaluate the association between the Nutri-Score system and incident abdominal obesity (AO) in community-dwelling older adults. A prospective cohort of 628 individuals aged ≥ 60 were recruited in Spain between 2008-2010 and were reexamined between 2015-2017. Dietary intake was evaluated utilizing a validated computerized dietary history. Food was categorized based on the Nutri-Score system into five levels from A (green, representing the best quality) to E (red, representing the poorest quality). A five-color Nutri-Score dietary index (5-CNS DI) in g/day/kg was calculated for each participant. AO was determined by a waist circumference (WC) of ≥102 cm for men and ≥88 cm for women. Logistic regression models were adjusted for the main potential confounders. During a mean six-year follow-up, 184 incident cases of AO occurred. The odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for AO, when comparing the highest and lowest quartiles of the 5-CNS DI, were 2.45 (1.17-5.14), with a p-value for trend of 0.035. In sensitivity analyses, the OR was 2.59 (1.22-5.52, p-trend: 0.032) after adjustment for WC at baseline, and 1.75 (0.74-4.18, p-trend: 0.316) after adjustment for ultra-processed food consumption. In conclusion, less favorable food-consumption ratings in the Nutri-Score are associated with incident AO in the elderly. These findings support the use of this FOP system to potentially improve metabolic health.

Inconsistencies in the EU regulatory risk assessment of PFAS call for readjustment

Recognition of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) as widespread environmental pollutants and a consequent risk to human health, has recently made the European Union (EU) adopt several regulatory measures for their management. The coherence of these measures is challenged by the diversity and the ubiquitous occurrence of PFAS, which also complicates the EU’s endeavor to advance justified, harmonized, and transparent approaches in the regulatory assessment of chemical risks. Our study critically reviews the European approach for the risk assessment of PFAS, by applying a comparative analysis of the current and pending regulatory thresholds issued for these chemicals in water bodies, drinking water, and certain foodstuffs. Our study shows that the level of health protection embedded in the studied thresholds may differ by three orders of magnitude, even in similar exposure settings. This is likely to confuse the common understanding of the toxicity and health risks of PFAS and undermine reasonable decision-making and the equal treatment of different stakeholders. We also indicate that currently, no consensus exists on the appropriate level of required health protection regarding PFAS and that the recently adopted tolerable intake value in the EU is too cautious. Based on our analysis, we propose some simple solutions on how the studied regulations and their implicit PFAS thresholds or their application could be improved. We further conclude that instead of setting EU-wide PFAS thresholds for all the environmental compartments, providing the member states with the flexibility to consider case-specific factors, such as regional background concentrations or food consumption rates, in their national regulatory procedures would likely result in more sustainable management of environmental PFAS without compromising the scientific foundation of risk assessment, the legitimacy of the EU policy framework and public health.

Dietary Habit and Lifestyle of Secondary School-Going Students in Dhaka City of Bangladesh

Introduction: Understanding the dietary habits and lifestyle choices of secondary school-going students is crucial for developing targeted health interventions. This study aims to analyze these aspects among secondary school-going students in Dhaka, Bangladesh, focusing on dietary preferences, physical activity, screen time, and sleep patterns. Methods: This observational cross-sectional study involved 600 secondary school students in Dhaka. Data were collected through structured questionnaires by assessing age, gender, BMI, dietary habits, meal frequency, water intake, fruit and vegetable consumption, fast-food and sweets intake, breakfast habits, physical activity, screen time, sleep patterns, self-perceived health status, and chronic health conditions. Bivariate correlations were analyzed to understand the relationships between these variables. Result: The majority of participants were 15 years old (37.83%), with more females (61.33%) than males. Most students were in grade 10 (77.67%), and the predominant BMI category was normal (54.67%). Dietary preferences showed a preference for a mixed diet (56.17%). Regular fruit and vegetable consumption was reported by 34.00% and 59.83% of students, respectively. High rates of fast food (23.00% regularly) and sweets (33.00% regularly) consumption were observed. Breakfast was often skipped by 15.50% of participants. Physical activity levels indicated that 45.33% engaged in physical training, but 19.67% were not involved in any sports. The average screen time was 2.42 hours, and the mean sleep time was 7.02 hours. Most students rated their health as good (61.17%), and 95.17% had no known chronic health conditions. Conclusion: The study highlights a mix of healthy and unhealthy dietary and lifestyle patterns among secondary school students in Dhaka. While there is a reasonable intake of fruits and vegetables, the prevalence of fast food and sweets consumption, combined with suboptimal breakfast habits and physical ..........

Ultra-processed food consumption and cardiovascular events rate: An analysis from Isfahan Cohort Study (ICS)

Background and aimsThe contribution of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) to daily energy intake and, therefore, their health effects may vary between countries. We aimed to investigate the association between UPFs and the incidence risk of cardiovascular events (CVEs) and cardiovascular mortality in the Isfahan cohort study. Methods and resultsIn 2001, 6504 participants aged ≥35 years were enrolled and followed until 2017. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire, and the NOVA system was applied for UPF classification. Any new case of CVE, including fatal and non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI) or stroke, unstable angina (UA), and CVD death, was recorded. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated through Cox proportional hazards regression models. A total number of 819 CVE, 164 MI, 348 UA, 172 strokes, and 181 cardiovascular deaths were recorded during 61352.5 person-years of follow-up. The median (IQR) of UPF consumption was 2.47 (1.00–5.23) times/week. In the fully adjusted model, individuals in the fourth quartile of UPFs had no higher risk for incident MI and UA (HR = 1.12, 95% CI: 0.87, 1.46; P for trend = 0.364), stroke (HR = 0.93, 95% CI: 0.58, 1.46; P for trend = 0.601), cardiovascular mortality (HR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.61, 1.47; P for trend = 0.596), and CVE (HR = 1.08, 95% CI: 0.88,1.34; P for trend = 0.515) in comparison with those in the first quartile. ConclusionThis mid-term prospective cohort study provides no evidence for a significant association between UPF and CVE risk. Longer studies are required to confirm this association.

Ageing and mating status affect food utilization efficiencies and assimilation of macronutrients in adults of Parthenium beetle, Zygogramma bicolorata Pallister

AbstractInvestigations of age‐based food conversion and utilization efficiencies in phytophagous insects are very few. Studies examining the effects of age, sex and mating status on biochemical assimilation of macronutrients by phytophagous insects are scarce as well. Hence, we designed the present study to evaluate the combined effect of age, sex and mating status on food consumption and utilization efficiencies, and the assimilation of macronutrients by the Parthenium beetle, Zygogramma bicolorata Pallister (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), on the invasive weed, Parthenium hysterophorus Linnaeus (Asterales: Asteraceae). We hypothesized that mated adults would consume and utilize more food than unmated adults, that assimilation of nutrients by old adults would be lower than young adults and that females would consume and utilize food more efficiently than males. However, our results revealed that as adults aged, their food consumption and utilization efficiencies decreased, and they assimilated less proteins and glucose in their body. Despite that, their mean body biomass and assimilation of triglycerides increased. While mated adults had higher food utilization efficiencies and increased assimilation of triglycerides and glucose, unmated adults assimilated more proteins. Females had higher food consumption rates and increased assimilation of nutrients, whereas males had higher food conversion efficiencies and growth rates. Furthermore, middle‐aged adults had higher food utilization efficiencies and they assimilated more nutrients than young and old adults. Our results therefore suggest compensatory feeding in adults of Z. bicolorata with ageing. We also recommend the release of more numbers of mated middle‐aged females to control P. hysterophorus in agro‐ecosystems.

Safety assessment of transgenic maize CC-2 by 90-day feeding study in Sprague-Dawley rats.

The purpose of this study was to assess the safety of transgenic maize CC-2 through a 90-day feeding study in Sprague-Dawley rats. Transgenic maize CC-2 and its parental counterpart maize Zhengdan 958 were respectively incorporated into diets at levels of 70%, 35% or 17.5% (w/w) and were administrated to rats (n=10/sex/group) for 90days. An additional control group of rats (n=10/sex/group) were fed with the AIN93 breeding diet. All formulated diets were nutritionally balanced. There was no death and obvious toxic symptom in all rats. Food consumption, body weight, total food consumption rate, hematology, urinalysis, organ weight and organ coefficient were comparable between transgenic groups and the corresponding dose parental groups. There were significant differences of food consumption rate on some timepoint between high dose transgenic group and high dose parental group; male rats in high dose transgenic group showed significantly higher ALT/AST than high dose parental group on the middle or end of the experiment; but the differences showed no biological significance. There were no significant differences of other serum biochemistry parameters and pathological changes. The results in this study demonstrated that the transgenic maize CC-2 didn't cause any related toxicity in rats.

Junk Food Consumption Rate Among Children and Adolescents From the Rural and Urban Areas of a Tertiary Hospital in Puducherry, India

Junk Food Consumption Rate Among Children and Adolescents From the Rural and Urban Areas of a Tertiary Hospital in Puducherry, India

Larvae of Cryptolaemus montrouzieri(Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) Prioritize Secretion of Protective Wax Over Daily Consumption and Growth.

In holometabolous insects, the immature or larval stage is characterized by a high rate of food consumption. The nutrients obtained from which are directed towards the maintenance of metabolism, growth, pupation, and metamorphosis. However, when resources are scarce, the lack thereof can affect the growth rate and compromise the metamorphosis and formation of adults. Do increased energy expenditures yield outcomes similar to those resulting from restricted food intake during the larval stage? We hypothesized that removing the wax layer from the larvae of the ladybird Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant, 1850 would result in increased energy expenditure, which can compromise both larval growth and adult size. We compared the development time, feeding rate, and adult size of larvae with an intact wax layer, and those with constantly removed wax layers. We found that the production of the wax layer was continuous. Unlike the waxed larvae, the larvae of C. montrouzieri extended their development time in response to energy depletion through wax removal. The total number of mealybugs consumed by waxless larvae was higher than the total number consumed by waxed larvae; however, the daily consumption of waxless larvae was lower than that of waxed larvae. Furthermore, the adults of waxless larvae were smaller than those whose larvae had intact wax layers. This suggests that the cost associated with wax layer secretion is a pivotal factor in larval growth. Removing this layer does not get compensated by increased larval feeding or extended development time.

Defense Responses of Different Rice Varieties Affect Growth Performance and Food Utilization of Cnaphalocrocis medinalis Larvae

Rice leaf folder, Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Guenée), is one of the most serious pests on rice. At present, chemical control is the main method for controlling this pest. However, the indiscriminate use of chemical insecticides has non-target effects and may cause environmental pollution. Besides, leaf curling behavior by C. medinalis may indirectly reduce the efficacy of chemical spray. Therefore, it is crucial to cultivate efficient rice varieties resistant to this pest. Previous studies have found that three different rice varieties, Zhongzao39 (ZZ39), Xiushui134 (XS134), and Yongyou1540 (YY1540), had varying degrees of infestation by C. medinalis. However, it is currently unclear whether the reason for this difference is related to the difference in defense ability of the three rice varieties against the infestation of C. medinalis. To explore this issue, the current study investigated the effects of three rice varieties on the growth performance and food utilization capability of the 4th instar C. medinalis. Further, it elucidated the differences in defense responses among different rice varieties based on the differences in leaf physiological and biochemical indicators and their impact on population occurrence. The results showed that the larval survival rate was the lowest, and the development period was significantly prolonged after feeding on YY1540. This was not related to the differences in leaf wax, pigments, and nutritional components among the three rice varieties nor to the feeding preferences of the larvae. The rate of superoxide anion production, hydrogen peroxide content, and the activity of three protective enzymes were negatively correlated with larval survival rate, and they all showed the highest in YY1540 leaves. Compared to other tested varieties, although the larvae feeding on YY1540 had higher conversion efficiency of ingested food and lower relative consumption rate, their relative growth was faster, indicating stronger food utilization capability. However, they had a lower accumulation of protein. This suggests that different rice varieties had different levels of oxidative stress after infestation by C. medinalis. The defense response of YY1540 was more intense, which was not conducive to the development of the larvae population. These results will provide new insights into the interaction mechanism between different rice varieties and C. medinalis and provide a theoretical basis for cultivating rice varieties resistant to this pest.