Food Frequency Questionnaire Responses Research Articles

Healthy Prenatal Dietary Pattern and Offspring Autism

Prenatal diet may be causally related to autism; however, findings are inconsistent, with a limited body of research based on small sample sizes and retrospective study designs. To investigate the associations of prenatal dietary patterns with autism diagnosis and autism-associated traits in 2 large prospective cohorts, the Norwegian Mother, Father, and Child Cohort Study (MoBa), and the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). This cohort study used data from MoBa and ALSPAC birth cohort studies conducted across Norway and in the Southwest of England, respectively. Participants were people with singleton pregnancies with self-reported food frequency questionnaire responses. MoBa recruited between 2002 and 2008, and ALSPAC recruited between 1990 and 1992, and children were followed-up until age 8 years or older. Recruitment rates were 41% (95 200 of 277 702 eligible pregnancies) in MoBa and 72% (14 541 of 20 248 eligible pregnancies) in ALSPAC. Data analysis occurred February 1, 2022, to August 1, 2023. A healthy prenatal dietary pattern was derived using factor analysis and modeled as low, medium, and high adherence. In MoBa, the offspring outcomes were autism diagnosis and elevated social communication questionnaire score at ages 3 years and 8 years, with further analysis of the social communication difficulties and restrictive and repetitive behaviors subdomains. In ALSPAC, offspring outcomes were elevated social communication difficulties checklist score at age 8 years. Odds ratios (ORs) were estimated using generalized nonlinear models. MoBa included 84 548 pregnancies (mean [SD] age, 30.2 [4.6] years; 43 277 [51.2%] male offspring) and ALSPAC had 11 760 pregnancies (mean [SD] age, 27.9 [4.7] years; 6034 [51.3%] male offspring). In the final adjusted models, high adherence to a healthy dietary pattern, compared with low adherence, was associated with reduced odds of autism diagnosis (OR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.66-0.92) and social communication difficulties at age 3 years in MoBa (OR 0.76, 95% CI, 0.70-0.82) and age 8 years in ALSPAC (OR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.55-0.98). There was no consistent evidence of association with the other outcomes. In this cohort study of mother-child dyads, adherence to a healthy prenatal dietary pattern was associated with a lower odds of autism diagnosis and social communication difficulties but not restrictive and repetitive behaviors.

Assessing Sodium Intake in Middle-Aged and Older Adults with Elevated Blood Pressure: Validation of Spot Urine Excretion and Dietary Survey-Derived Estimates.

This cross-sectional study evaluated the validity of three alternative methods compared to the gold standard 24-h urine collection for estimating dietary sodium intake, a modifiable risk factor for hypertension, among middle-aged and older adults with elevated blood pressure. These included spot urine collection (using Kawasaki, Tanaka, and INTERSALT equations), 24-h dietary recall, and food frequency questionnaire responses, compared to 24-h urine collection in a subset of 65 participants (aged 50-75 years, 58.5% women, 61.6% hypertensive) from the DePEC-Nutrition trial. The validity of the methods was assessed using bias, the Spearman correlation coefficient (SCC), the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and Bland-Altman analysis. Among the alternative methods, spot urine collection using the Kawasaki equation showed the strongest correlation (SCC 0.238; ICC 0.119, 95% CI -0.079 to 0.323), but it exhibited a significant bias (1414 mg/day, p-value < 0.001) relative to 24-h urine collection. Conversely, dietary surveys had a smaller bias but wider limits of agreement. These findings underscore the complexities of accurately estimating dietary sodium intake using spot urine collection or dietary surveys in this specific population, suggesting that a combination or the refinement of existing methodologies might improve accuracy. Further research with larger samples is necessary to develop more reliable methods for assessing sodium intake in this high-risk group.

Abstract P199: Oral Microbiome Potentially Modifies the Cardiometabolic Benefits of Nitrate Consumption: Results From the Oral Infections Glucose Intolerance and Insulin Resistance Study (ORIGINS)

Background: Dietary nitrate consumption is associated with cardiometabolic health in many but not all studies. The enterosalivary nitrate-nitrite-nitric oxide (NO 3 - NO 2 - NO) pathway requires the oral microbiome for NO production (a signaling molecule beneficial to cardiometabolic health) following nitrate intake. We hypothesize that the oral microbiome modifies the cardiometabolic benefits of nitrate intake. Methods: We analyzed cross-sectional data from 657 ORGINS participants. Dietary nitrate intakes and alternative healthy eating index (AHEI) scores were calculated from food frequency questionnaire responses and a US food database. Subgingival 16S rRNA microbial genes (Illumina, MiSeq) were sequenced, and PICRUSt2 estimated metagenomic content. The Microbiome Induced Nitric oxide Enrichment Score (MINES) was calculated as a microbial gene abundance ratio representing enhanced net capacity for NO generation. Cardiometabolic biomarker (systolic and diastolic blood pressure, HbA1C, glucose, insulin, and HOMA-IR) Z-scores were averaged to form a cardiometabolic Z-score (CMZ). Adjusted multivariable linear models regressed CMZ and individual Z-scores on nitrate intake tertiles. Results: Participants were mean age 31±9, 72% female, 31% White, 14% Black, and 28% Hispanic. Mean nitrate intake was 189±171 mg/day. Higher nitrate intake was significantly associated with lower CMZ, glucose, insulin, and HOMA-IR. Mean CMZ(SE) across dietary nitrate tertiles were 0.53(0.30), 0.35(0.31), and -0.11(0.30), p for trend=0.04; findings were attenuated after adjustment for AHEI (p for trend=0.12). In subgroup analysis by MINES level, higher nitrate intake was only associated with lower cardiometabolic biomarker levels among participants with a &lt;median MINES even after AHEI adjustment (Table). Conclusion: Higher dietary nitrate intake was associated with lower cardiometabolic risk biomarker levels only among those with reduced potential for oral microbiome-dependent NO generation.

Skin Carotenoids Measured by Reflection Spectroscopy Correlate With Dietary Carotenoid Intake in Racially and Ethnically Diverse US Toddlers From Houston, Texas

BackgroundMethods to objectively assess fruit and vegetable (FV) intake in young children are needed in order to support rigorous assessments of policies and interventions. Noninvasive skin carotenoid concentration measurements may provide a rapid assessment of toddler carotenoid and carotenoid-rich FV intake. ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between pressure-mediated reflection spectroscopy-measured skin carotenoid score (SCS) with proxy-reported carotenoid and FV intake in racially and ethnically diverse US toddlers. DesignThis study was a secondary analysis of data obtained from a randomized controlled 10-week study of the effect of an interactive healthy playgroup intervention vs classroom parent education on the diet and physical activity of toddlers. This study collected skin carotenoid and 1-week dietary intake using a 31-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire analyzed by the Nutrient Data System for Research nutrient database. The current study determined dietary predictors of toddler SCS. Participants/settingParticipants were racially and ethnically diverse US toddlers (12 to 36 months) and adult guardian dyads (n = 50) recruited from the community in Houston, TX from fall 2018 to spring 2019. Main outcome measuresAt baseline and 10 to 12 weeks after baseline, SCS was measured by means of pressure-mediated reflection spectroscopy (Veggie Meter, Longevity Link Corporation), guardians reported toddler diet using a food frequency questionnaire, and carotenoid intake was estimated from the food frequency questionnaire responses using a nutrient database. Statistical analysisThe relationship between toddler SCS and intake of total and individual carotenoid species and FV servings was tested using generalized linear mixed models, controlling for body mass index-for-age percentiles, group assignment, and age. ResultsSCS was positively and significantly predicted by estimated intakes of total carotenoids (P = .002), β-carotene (P ≤ .001), and lutein and zeaxanthin (P = .003). Reported intakes of α-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, and lycopene were not predictors of SCS. SCS was predicted by estimated total FV intake (P = .047) and vegetable intake (P = .006), but not fruit intake (P = .580). ConclusionsThese results showed that reported dietary carotenoid intake is a significant predictor of SCS in an ethnically and racially diverse population of US toddlers. Toddler skin carotenoid measurement holds promise as a rapid, objective, noninvasive biomarker of dietary carotenoid intake.

CMIND Diet, Indoor Air Pollution, and Depression: A Cohort Study Based on the CLHLS from 2011 to 2018.

This study aims to explore the interaction between a Chinese version of the Mediterranean-DASH intervention for neurodegenerative delay (cMIND) diet and indoor air pollution and its effect on depression among older adults. This cohort study used 2011-2018 data from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey. Participants included 2724 adults aged 65 and older without depression. The Chinese version of the Mediterranean-DASH intervention for neurodegenerative delay (cMIND) diet scores ranged from 0 to 12 based on validated food frequency questionnaire responses. Depression was measured using the Phenotypes and eXposures Toolkit. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to explore the associations, and the analysis was stratified using the cMIND diet scores. A total of 2724 participants (54.3% males and 45.9% 80 years and older) at baseline were included. Living with severe indoor pollution was associated with a 40% increase in the risk of depression (HR: 1.40, 95% CI: 1.07, 1.82) compared to living without indoor pollution. Indoor air pollution exposure was significantly associated with cMIND diet scores. Participants with a lower cMIND diet score (HR: 1.72, 95% CI: 1.24, 2.38) had a greater association with severe pollution than those with a higher cMIND diet score. The cMIND diet may alleviate depression caused by indoor pollution among older adults.

Accuracy of a Gluten-Free Dietary Assessment: An Examination of Food Frequency Questionnaire Responses in Those with Celiac Disease

Understand the challenges of utilizing a food frequency questionnaire to assess nutrient intake in those following a gluten-free diet.

Associations Between Meal Planning and Food Ordering Features of a Digital Precision Nutrition Platform and Improvements in Diet Quality

ObjectivesFoodsmart is a digital precision nutrition platform that seeks to address barriers to healthy eating with features including (but not limited to) personalized dietary recommendations based on food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) responses, a meal planner, grocery list, and food ordering capabilities. We investigated the association between engagement with these features and changes in diet quality over time. MethodsWe included 9939 obese adults ages 18–80 living in the U.S. who enrolled in Foodsmart. Usual dietary intake, age, weight, height, and sex were reported through a 53-item FFQ, modified from the National Cancer Institue’s Diet History Questionnaire. A healthy diet score was calculated, which contains 7 components: fruits, vegetables, protein ratio (white meat/vegetarian protein: red/processed meat), carbohydrate ratio (fiber: carbohydrate), fat ratio (polyunsaturated: saturated/trans fats), sodium, and hydration (% of daily fluid goal). Change in diet quality was calculated by subtracting users’ first score from their last score. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of improvement in diet quality per engagement with each feature, adjusted for gender, age, baseline BMI, baseline diet score, and enrollment time. ResultsOf the 9,939 adults included in the analysis, 57% were between 40 and 59 years old and 21% were male. In multivariate regression models, each additional engagement with personalized dietary recommendations was associated with a 27% higher likelihood of improving diet (OR: 1.27, 95% CI: 1.16–1.39, P < 0.001). Each additional engagement with the meal planner, grocery list, and food ordering was associated, respectively, with a 12% (OR: 1.12, 95% CI: 1.02–1.22, >P = 0.01), 15% (OR: 1.15, 95% CI: 1.05–1.26, P < 0.001), and 18% (OR: 1.18, 95% CI: 1.00–1.38, P = 0.05) higher likelihood of improving diet quality. ConclusionsIn our prospective study of obese users of a digital precision nutrition platform, we found that more frequent engagement with features related to meal planning and food ordering was associated with diet quality improvement. Funding SourcesThis study was funded by Foodsmart.

Lifestyle changes associated with COVID-19 quarantine among young Saudi women: A prospective study.

BackgroundNegative lifestyle behaviors are associated with an increased risk of adverse outcomes from coronavirus disease (COVID-19). This study aimed to assess lifestyle changes affecting weight, sleep, mental health, physical activity, and dietary habits prospectively from before COVID-19 to during lockdown.MethodsA total of 297 Saudi women, aged 19–30 years (mean age, 20.7 ± 1.4 years), were interviewed at two time points, before and during the quarantine. The data collected included anthropometrics, sociodemographic data, clinical history, food frequency questionnaire responses, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scores, Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) responses, and Perceived Stress Scale measures. In addition, during quarantine, COVID-19 and nutrition-related information and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 scores were collected. Multivariate multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to examine the indicators of weight gain and loss from before COVID-19 (baseline) until during lockdown.ResultsAlthough approximately half of the participants did not report a weight change, 30% revealed weight loss and 18%, weight gain. The variables associated with increased weight gain were self-quarantine since COVID-19 started (OR: 5.17, 95% CI: 1.57–17.01, p = 0.007), age (OR: 1.53, 1.03–2.28, p = 0.04), and stress at baseline and during lockdown (OR: 1.15, 1.03–1.29, p = 0.01; OR: 1.10, 1.01–1.19, p = 0.03, respectively). The variables associated with a reduced risk of weight gain were the GPAQ score during lockdown (OR: 0.16, 0.04–0.66, p = 0.01), coffee consumption (OR: 0.36, 0.19–0.67, p = 0.01), and total sleep time (OR: 0.70, 0.51–0.97, p = 0.03).ConclusionWhile most young Saudi women experienced no weight change during the COVID-19 lockdown, one-third lost weight and a significant proportion gained weight. Factors associated with weight, such as stress, sleep hours, physical activity, and coffee consumption, highlight the need to carefully consider those at risk during future circumstances that may require lockdowns. These factors could also aid in implementing policies for future lockdowns and support those most at risk of gaining weight.

Development of Empirical Dietary Inflammatory Pattern (EDIP) scores with Different Food Groups and Biomarkers

Background: The empirical dietary inflammatory pattern (EDIP) is a hypothesis-driven dietary pattern used to assess the inflammatory potential of diet in the US population. Food-frequency questionnaire responses are used to build regression models comparing this dietary information to circulating inflammatory profiles, to help determine which food groups have more or less inflammatory potential on specific individuals. We will eventually use this tool in a cancer patient intervention to modify inflammation and improve chances of survival.&#x0D; Methods: EDIP scores were calculated for 4 models from 24hr recalls reported by 67 women noncancer controls that had signed an informed consent prior to participation. The Luminex Human Chemokine Multiplex Assay was used to measure 11 chemokines and cytokines. As seen in previous studies, we first derived a model, EDIP-Limited (EDIP-L), by using a reduced rank regression model of all 17 food groups followed by a multivariable regression analysis to identify a dietary pattern that predicts concentrations of two inflammatory biomarkers: IL-6 and TNF-a. We derived a secondary EDIP score using a new model, EDIP-All Inclusive (EDIP-AI), which included the same 17 food groups to predict all 11 circulating biomarkers in our panel. Lastly, we developed two additional EDIP models to test how the biomarker predication may change when we regrouped our food variables from 17 to 14 groupings. EDIP-Limited New (EDIP-LN) used 14 new food groups derived from the same 24hr recalls, only predicting IL-6 and TNF-a. EDIP-All New (EDIP-AN) used those same 14 food groups with all 11 biomarkers.&#x0D; Results: In this study, we optimize models for EDIP and report the differences in EDIP scores based on the inflammatory biomarkers and food groups used in analysis. Briefly, the components of EDIP-L were not significant. After including all the biomarkers, the components of EDIP-AI were: “fruit juice” (p = 0.0009), “snacks” (p = 0.0008), “leafy green vegetables” (p = 0.0074), “low-energy beverages” (p = 0.0098), “red meat” (p = 0.0038), “fruit” (p = 0.0002) and “whole wheat grains” (p = 0.0138). Similarly, after reorganizing our food items into 14 food groups, the components of EDIP-LN were not significant. However, components of EDIP-AN were: “fruit juice” (p = 0.0107), “snacks” (p = 0.0116) and “fruit” (p = 0.0026).&#x0D; Conclusions: Findings demonstrate the EDIP scores differ based on the inflammatory biomarkers and food groups used in the analysis on the same noncancer controls. Depending on the methods used, an individual’s diet may be considered more pro- or anti-inflammatory. This study provides insight into the inflammatory potential of an individual’s diet and the factors that may affect how we calculate this potential.

The Association Between Dietary Pattern Adherence, Cognitive Stimulating Lifestyle, and Cognitive Function Among Older Adults From the Quebec Longitudinal Study on Nutrition and Successful Aging.

This study examined the effect of dietary patterns and engagement in cognitive stimulating lifestyle (CSL) behaviors on the trajectory of global cognition, executive function (EF), and verbal episodic memory (VEM). Western and prudent dietary patterns were empirically derived using food frequency questionnaire responses from 350 community-dwelling older adults (mean age: 73.7 years) participating in the Quebec Longitudinal Study on Nutrition and Successful Aging. CSL was represented by a binary composite indicator based on education, occupational complexity, and social engagement. Global cognition, EF, and VEM were assessed prospectively. Primary effect models revealed an association between higher Western dietary pattern score and a greater rate of decline in global cognition and EF. Higher Western dietary pattern adherence was also associated with poorer baseline VEM. Primary effect models also revealed that CSL was independently associated with baseline global cognition and EF. Effect modification models suggested an interactive effect between Western dietary pattern and CLS on global cognition only. No associations were found for prudent dietary pattern score. Contributing to existing research supporting the negative impact of consuming an unhealthy diet on cognitive function, the current study suggests increased vulnerability among older adults who do not engage in a CSL. These findings can inform the development of lifestyle intervention programs that target brain health in later adulthood.

Adherence to Dietary Patterns and Risk of Incident Dementia: Findings from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study.

Previous studies have suggested that adherence to healthy dietary patterns during late life may be associated with improved cognition. However, few studies have examined the association between healthy dietary patterns during midlife and incident dementia. Our study aimed to determine the association between adherence to healthy dietary patterns at midlife and incident dementia. We included 13,630 adults from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study in our prospective analysis. We used food frequency questionnaire responses to calculate four dietary scores: Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI-2015), Alternative Healthy Eating Index-2010 (AHEI-2010), alternate Mediterranean (aMed) diet, and Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH). Participants were followed until the end of 2017 for incident dementia. Cox regression models adjusted for covariates were used to estimate risk of incident dementia by quintile of dietary scores. Over a median of 27 years, there were 2,352 cases of incident dementia documented. Compared with participants in quintile 1 of HEI-2015, participants in quintile 5 (healthiest) had a 14% lower risk of incident dementia (hazard ratio, HR: 0.86, 95% confidence interval, CI: 0.74-0.99). There were no significant associations of incident dementia with the AHEI-2010, aMed, or DASH scores. There were no significant interactions by sex, age, race, education, physical activity, hypertension, or obesity. Adherence to the HEI-2015, but not the other dietary scores, during midlife was associated with lower risk of incident dementia. Further research is needed to elucidate whether timing of a healthy diet may influence dementia risk.

A Hospital Based Cross Sectional Study on Dietary Status and Associated Factors among People Living with HIV/AIDS in Kigali, Rwanda

Background&#x0D; &#x0D; Good nutrition empowers PLWH with the ability to fight against infection ultimately slowing down disease progression. Consequently, nutrition management is a crucial component of HIV treatment, care, and support. This study aimed at assessing dietary status and associated factors among PLWH in Kigali, Rwanda.&#x0D; &#x0D; Methods&#x0D; &#x0D; We conducted a cross sectional study in three selected hospitals in Kigali from over a six-week period in July &amp;ndash; August, 2019 to collect data from 204 HIV positive adults enrolled using systematic random sampling. Data was collected using an adapted, validated and pre-tested food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Descriptive and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed using SPSS version 25 for windows.&#x0D; &#x0D; Results&#x0D; &#x0D; The proportion of participants with poor dietary status was 15% based on FFQ responses. The study found only three factors to be independently associated with dietary status. There was an association between dietary status and HIV status disclosure (AOR 2.5; CI 1.25 - 4.83; p=0.014). There was an association between dietary status and travel time to place of collection of ARVs (AOR 3.2; CI 1.7 - 5.8; p=0.006). There was an association between dietary status and BMI (AOR 10.2; CI 8.30 &amp;ndash; 16.0; p&amp;lt;0.001).&#x0D; &#x0D; Conclusions&#x0D; &#x0D; Poor dietary status among PLWH remains a concern. The strong association between dietary status and BMI underlines the need for interventions that target PLWH to improve dietary status and ultimately nutrition status

Burnout, eating behaviour traits and dietary patterns

PurposeThe purpose of this research has been to investigate whether burnout and eating behaviour traits were associated with food intake.Design/methodology/approachParticipants (n=109) 78 per cent female, mean age 39 years, were recruited from various occupations within a UK university to complete an on-line survey. Dietary habits were measured using Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), burnout using the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and eating behaviour traits using the Three Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ) R18.FindingsPrincipal component analyses of FFQ responses revealed four dietary patterns: fast/junk food (+chicken and low fruit/vegetables); meat/fish; dairy/grains; beans/nuts. Dietary patterns were examined using multiple regression analysis as outcome variables with age, gender, burnout and eating behaviour traits as explanatory variables. More frequent consumption of “junk/fast food” was associated with lower TFEQ-Cognitive Restraint, higher TFEQ-Uncontrolled Eating (UE), lower MBI-Emotional Exhaustion and higher MBI-Depersonalisation. More frequent consumption of beans/nuts was associated with higher TFEQ-UE and higher MBI-Emotional Exhaustion. Models for meat/fish and grains/dairy dietary patterns were not significant.Research limitations/implicationsBurnout may need to be considered to reduce junk food consumption in higher education employees. Causality between burnout, eating behaviour traits and food consumption requires further investigation on larger samples.Originality/valueThis appears to be the first study to have explored associations between burnout, eating behaviour traits and dietary patterns.

Validation of an Online Screener, the Mediterranean Eating Pattern for Americans-III in Older Patients with Parkinson’s Disease

Mediterranean diet accordance has been associated with slower rates of cognitive decline, a common feature in more advanced Parkinson’s disease (PD). Thus, a brief tool was needed to monitor Mediterranean diet accordance of older adults with PD. Relative validity, acceptability, and feasibility of the 21-item online screener, Mediterranean Eating Pattern for Americans (MEPA-III) was assessed. Maximum diet accordance is reflected by a MEPA III score of 21 points. Forty-four adults completed the online reference tool, the VioScreen™ Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), and then the MEPA-III screener three to seven days later. MEPA-III scores averaged 10.7 ± 2.7. When FFQ responses were coded to match those of MEPA-III screener components, agreement for individual components averaged 71.5%, with 8 of 21 component scores with kappas ≥ 0.31 (p < 0.05). Total MEPA-III scores were concordant with those from the FFQ (r = 0.50, p < 0.001). Participants reported that the MEPA-III screener was acceptable (median score 8 out of a possible 10). The screener was feasible because the median completion time was 4.1 min (range 1.6–14.9). The online MEPA-III screener demonstrates good validity, acceptability and feasibility and can be used to characterize a Mediterranean-style diet pattern among participants with PD.

Inflammatory Potential of Diet, Inflammation-Related Lifestyle Factors, and Risk of Pancreatic Cancer: Results from the NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study.

Chronic inflammation is implicated in pancreatic cancer, and can be modulated by diet and other lifestyle factors. We examined the association between Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) scores and pancreatic cancer risk in the NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study, and examined effect modification by inflammation-related lifestyle factors, including body mass index, cigarette smoking, diabetes, alcohol drinking, and use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Energy-adjusted DII scores (E-DII) were computed on the basis of food frequency questionnaire responses for foods and dietary supplements. Cox proportional hazards models were fitted and effect modification was examined by adding a cross-product of each effect modifier with E-DII quintile in the multivariable-adjusted model. There were 2,824 primary incident pancreatic cancers diagnosed during a median of 13.4 years follow-up, and there was no association between E-DII scores and pancreatic cancer risk among either men [HRQ5vsQ1, 1.00; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.86-1.16] or women (HRQ5vsQ1, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.82-1.21) in the multivariable-adjusted model, and no association was detected by any cancer stage. The E-DII and pancreatic cancer association was not modified by any of the inflammation-related lifestyle factors examined. Results from this large prospective study did not support an association between inflammatory potential of diet and pancreatic cancer, or effect modification by other inflammation-related lifestyle factors. Inflammatory potential of diet may not be related to pancreatic cancer risk. Future cohort studies with more frequent dietary measures could be useful in determining the appropriate timing of dietary intake in relation to pancreatic cancer etiology.

Does Season of Reported Dietary Intake Influence Diet Quality? Analysis From the Women's Health Initiative.

We evaluated the role of seasonality in self-reported diet quality among postmenopausal women participating in the Women's Health Initiative (WHI). A total of 156,911 women completed a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) at enrollment (1993-1998). FFQ responses reflected intake over the prior 3-month period, and seasons were defined as spring (March-May), summer (June-August), fall (September-November), and winter (December-February). FFQ data were used to calculate the Alternate Healthy Eating Index (AHEI), a measure of diet quality that has a score range of 2.5-87.5, with higher scores representing better diet quality. In multivariable linear regression models using winter as the reference season, AHEI scores were higher in spring, summer, and fall (all P values < 0.05); although significant, the variance was minimal (mean AHEI score: winter, 41.7 (standard deviation, 11.3); summer, 42.2 (standard deviation, 11.3)). Applying these findings to hypothesis-driven association analysis of diet quality and its relationship with chronic disease risk (cardiovascular disease) showed that controlling for season had no effect on the estimated hazard ratios. Although significant differences in diet quality across seasons can be detected in this population of US postmenopausal women, these differences are not substantial enough to warrant consideration in association studies of diet quality.

Alcohol Consumption and Incident Kidney Disease: Results From the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study

Moderate alcohol consumption has been found to be associated with lower risk of coronary heart disease and myocardial infarction, which share similar risk factors and pathophysiology with chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, there is inconsistent evidence on the association between alcohol consumption and CKD. We conducted a prospective analysis of 12,692 participants aged 45-64 years from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study. We categorized participants into 6 alcohol consumption categories: never drinkers, former drinkers, ≤1 drink per week, 2 to 7 drinks per week, 8 to 14 drinks per week, and ≥15 drinks per week based on food frequency questionnaire responses at visit 1 (1987-1989). Incident CKD was defined as estimated glomerular filtration rate <60mL/minute/1.73m2 accompanied by ≥25% estimated glomerular filtration rate decline, a kidney disease-related hospitalization or death or end-stage renal disease. During a median follow-up of 24years, there were 3,664 cases of incident CKD. Current drinkers were more likely to be men, whites, and to have a higher income level and education level. After adjusting for total energy intake, age, sex, race-center, income, education level, health insurance, smoking, and physical activity, there was no significant association between being a former drinker and risk of incident CKD. Participants who drank ≤1 drink per week, 2 to 7 drinks per week, 8 to 14 drinks per week, and ≥15 drinks per week had, respectively, a 12% (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.88, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.79-0.97), 20% (HR: 0.80, 95% CI: 0.72-0.89), 29% (HR: 0.71, 95% CI: 0.62-0.83), and 23% (HR: 0.77, 95% CI: 0.65-0.91) lower risk of CKD compared with never drinkers. Consuming a low or moderate amount of alcohol may lower the risk of developing CKD. Therefore, moderate consumption of alcohol may not likely be harmful to the kidneys.

An Estrogen-Related Dietary Pattern and Postmenopausal Breast Cancer Risk in a Cohort of Women with a Family History of Breast Cancer.

Background: The results of previous studies on diet and postmenopausal breast cancer risk have been inconclusive, but there is some evidence that dietary patterns developed to correlate with estrogen levels are associated with breast cancer. We aimed to examine the association of a previously developed estrogen-related dietary pattern (ERDP) with postmenopausal breast cancer in the Sister Study.Methods: The ERDP was calculated from food frequency questionnaire responses among Sister Study participants without a personal history of cancer and who contributed postmenopausal person-time at risk. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate HRs and 95% confidence intervals for the association between the ERDP and postmenopausal breast cancer.Results: With more than 261,959 person-years of follow-up and 1,968 incident cases, the ERDP was not associated with total, invasive, estrogen receptor (ER)-positive or ER-negative subtypes of breast cancer. Results were robust to various sensitivity analyses.Conclusions: The results do not support previous studies observing a positive association between a proestrogenic dietary pattern and postmenopausal breast cancer risk. Null results may be partially explained by high levels of other breast cancer risk factors within the study population, such as a family history of breast cancer.Impact: An estrogen-related dietary pattern may not be a strong predictor of breast cancer risk in all populations. Future studies of diet and breast cancer should evaluate the potential for effect modification by family history and consider differences in dietary assessment tools when comparing results across study populations. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 27(10); 1223-6. ©2018 AACR.

Dietary and Plasma Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Are Inversely Associated with Asthma and Atopy in Early Childhood

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) influence immune function and risk of allergic disease. Prior evidence of the effect of PUFA intake on childhood asthma and allergy is inconclusive. To investigate associations of PUFA plasma levels and dietary intake with asthma and allergy at age 3 years in this ancillary study of the Vitamin D Antenatal Asthma Reduction Trial. Plasma PUFA levels were reported as relative abundances from mass spectrometry profiling, and dietary PUFA intake was derived from food frequency questionnaire responses. Associations between PUFA and outcomes, including asthma and/or recurrent wheeze, allergic sensitization, and total IgE at age 3 years, were evaluated in adjusted regression models. Additional regression models analyzed the combined effects of antenatal vitamin D and early childhood PUFA on outcomes. Total, omega-3, and omega-6 plasma PUFA relative abundances were significantly (P < .05) inversely associated with both asthma and/or recurrent wheeze and allergic sensitization. Likewise, dietary PUFA intake was inversely associated with asthma and/or recurrent wheeze (P < .05 for omega-6 PUFA only). For both dietary and plasma measures of total, omega-3, and omega-6 PUFAs, inverse associations with outcomes were strongest among subjects with both high umbilical cord blood 25-hydroxyvitamin D and high PUFA at age 3 years. PUFA dietary intake and plasma levels are inversely associated with asthma and/or recurrent wheeze and atopy at age 3 years. Antenatal vitamin D could modulate the effect of early childhood PUFA on risk of asthma and allergy.

Prevalence of Fructose Malabsorption in Patients With Irritable Bowel Syndrome After Excluding Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth.

Background/AimsFructose malabsorption (FM) mimics symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and its prevalence has increased. Diagnosing FM in IBS is challenging because of its overlap with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). We assessed the prevalence of FM by comparing patients with IBS with asymptomatic control individuals after excluding SIBO using the glucose hydrogen breath test (HBT).MethodsPatients diagnosed with IBS and asymptomatic control individuals were enrolled prospectively. Dietary habits were assessed with the Food Frequency Questionnaire. After excluding SIBO, participants underwent HBTs with both 15 g and 25 g of fructose.ResultsThirty-five patients with IBS and 35 age- and sex-matched asymptomatic control individuals were enrolled. The 15-g fructose HBT yielded positive results in 7 of the 35 (20.0%) patients with IBS and in 2 of 35 (5.7%) controls (P = 0.070). The 25-g fructose HBT was positive in 16 of the 35 (45.7%) patients with IBS and in 8 of the 35 (22.9%) controls (P = 0.040). Analysis of the Food Frequency Questionnaire responses showed no significant differences between the 2 groups in dietary intake, although patients with IBS showed a significantly higher mean fiber intake than controls (21.24 ± 11.35 g vs 15.87 ± 7.07 g, respectively, P = 0.040).ConclusionsThe 25-g fructose HBT identified FM in a significantly higher percentage of SIBO-negative patients with IBS than in asymptomatic control individuals, suggesting that FM may correlate with IBS. Education regarding dietary control of foods containing fructose may be useful for the management of patients with IBS.