Greater Fruit Intake Research Articles

Prospective association between fruit and vegetable intake and the risk of type 2 diabetes amongst Chinese adults: the China Health and Nutrition Survey

This study aimed to prospectively explore the relationship between fruit and vegetable intake (FVI) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) risk amongst 13,175 Chinese adults. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate the hazard ratios (HRs) of T2D events in relation to FVI. Results showed that the highest quintile of FVI was inversely associated with T2D risk in men (HR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.50, 0.98) and women (HR = 0.74, 95% CI: 0.55, 0.97), whereas no such associations were observed between total vegetable intake and T2D in either men (HR = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.65, 1.26) or women (HR = 1.02, 95% CI: 0.77, 1.38). In addition, greater fruit intake was inversely associated with T2D risk in men (HR = 0.42, 95% CI: 0.28, 0.63) and women (HR = 0.64, 95% CI: 0.45, 0.90). Overall, FVI and total fruit intake were inversely associated with T2D risk amongst Chinese adults.

Availability of public outlets and regular consumption of fruits and vegetables among adolescents in public schools.

ABSTRACTObjective:To assess the association between the presence of public outlets selling fruits and vegetables and the regular intake of these foods by adolescents from public schools in the city of Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil.Methods:Data collection was carried out by a questionnaire answered by the adolescents. Regular intake was defined as eating fruits and vegetables five or more times a week. Environmental data were obtained by assessing the availability and prices of fruits and vegetables traded in public outlets within a 1.6-km radius from 30 randomly selected public schools.Results:A total of 1,232 students from 30 public schools participated in the study. 43.4% of the adolescents reported a regular intake of fruits; 67.0% of them reported a regular intake of vegetables. In the schools, fruit intake ranged from 26.8 to 68.0%, and the vegetables intake ranged from 54.8 to 82.2%. A total of 22 schools had fruit and vegetables being traded in their surroundings. Regular intake of vegetables was positively correlated with their variety (r=0.82; p=0.007). The Moran’s local index indicated low fruit intake in a high-supply region; in other three regions with low supply, there was a high intake of fruits; and there was a high consumption of vegetables in a high-supply region.Conclusions:There are differences in the supply of fruits and vegetables of public outlets in the school’s surroundings as well as in the distribution of regular intake among regions. The density of public outlets and the variety were both associated with greater intake of fruits and vegetables among adolescents of public school.

Prospective associations between multidimensional religiosity/spirituality and cardiovascular risk factors in the English longitudinal study of ageing

Abstract Background Religiosity/Spirituality (R/S) is usually associated with improved cardiovascular disease (CVD) outcomes. If such findings are genuine, they may be explained by the relationship between different R/S dimensions and CVD behavioural and biological risk factors. However, previous studies were mostly cross-sectional, used attendance as main R/S measure and dealt with cofounders inadequately. Hence, more longitudinal research is needed. Purpose This study explored whether multidimensional R/S predicted improvements in future CVD behavioural and physiological risk factors. Methods Participants were 6,844 adults aged 50+ from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Smoking, exercising, drinking, eating fruits/vegetables and R/S were evaluated by self-report at waves 5 (2010/11) and 7 (2014/15). Physical examination and blood samples at waves 4 (2008/09) and 6 (2012/13) involved measurement of blood pressure (BP), body-mass index (BMI), C-reactive Protein (CRP), fibrinogen and HbA1c. Hierarchical multiple regressions controlled for age, gender, wealth, education and ethnicity. Models assessing biomarkers were further adjusted for the four health behaviours and BMI. Data on HbA1c, drinking and eating fruits/vegetables were log-transformed to ensure normal distribution. Results Greater reported spirituality (B=−0.018; CI: −0.035, −0.002; p=.029), praying/meditating daily (B=−0.017; CI: −0.033, −0.002; p=.025) and involvement in organised religion (B=−0.018; CI: −0.033, −0.003; p=0.017) were independently associated with lower fibrinogen at wave 6. Daily prayer/meditation also predicted a higher intake of fruits and vegetables at wave 7 (B=0.004; CI: 0.000, 0.008; p=0.049). However, frequent attendance (OR=0.846; CI: 0.730, 0.982; p=0.027), importance of faith (OR=0.935; CI: 0.879, 0.994; p=0.031) and religious purpose (OR=0.939; CI=0.884, 0.997; p=0.040) independently reduced the odds of meeting exercise recommendations at wave 7. Similarly, frequent attendance predicted higher HbA1c at wave 6 (B=0.002; CI: 0.000, 0.005; p=0.033). R/S was associated with lower systolic and diastolic BP, lower alcohol consumption and greater sedentary behaviour, but these relationships were explained by covariates. Smoking and CRP were unrelated to R/S. Conclusions We found that higher R/S offered partial future cardiovascular protection as it was independently associated with lower fibrinogen and greater intake of fruits and vegetables. However, somewhat unexpectedly, higher R/S also aggravated some CVD risk factors such as HbA1c and engagement in moderate/vigorous exercise. Besides, R/S was associated with lower BP and alcohol consumption at follow-up, but this relationship did not survive adjustment for covariates. Finally, we found no prospective association between R/S and smoking status and CRP. R/S is complicated, and further research should include measures of adverse aspects of religious involvement to clarify the drivers of these detrimental effects of R/S on CVD risk factors. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): National Institute on AgeingUK Government Departments

Serving a Larger Proportion of Vegetables and Fruits Improved Children’s Intake Over 5 Days

ObjectivesAlthough current guidelines recommend that vegetables and fruits make up half the diet, it is not known whether serving a greater proportion of vegetables and fruits will have sustained effects on children’s consumption over multiple days. This study tested the effects on children’s intake of two strategies for increasing the proportion of vegetables and fruits served over 5 days, either adding or substituting extra portions. MethodsIn a crossover design with 3 periods, all meals and snacks for 5 days were provided to 3- to 5-year-old children in their childcare centers (n = 53; 47% girls; 16% with overweight). In the Baseline condition, typical portions for all food groups were served. In the Addition condition, the portions of vegetables and fruits were increased by 50% while other meal items remained unchanged, and in the Substitution condition, vegetable and fruit portions were increased by 50% while the portions of other foods were reduced. Vegetables and fruits provided 40% of the weight of food served in Baseline, 50% in Addition, and 60% in Substitution. All foods and beverages were weighed to determine daily intakes. ResultsFor vegetables, the Addition strategy increased daily intake compared to Baseline by 24% (12 ± 3 g; P = 0.0002) and the effect of Substitution was even greater with a 41% increase (22 ± 3 g; P < 0.001). These greater vegetable intakes were sustained across all 5 days by both strategies. For fruits, the two strategies increased overall daily intake by similar amounts: 33% by Addition (60 ± 6 g/d) and 38% by Substitution (69 ± 8 g/d; both P < 0.0001). For Substitution, this greater fruit intake was sustained across all 5 days; for Addition, mean daily fruit intake decreased across the 5 days (P < 0.0001) but was still greater than Baseline by 20% (34 ± 11 g; P = .004). Children’s age and body mass index did not significantly affect vegetable and fruit intakes in response to serving greater proportions. ConclusionsChildren’s daily vegetable and fruit intakes increased when greater proportions were served, and these intakes were sustained above baseline for 5 days. These findings indicate that following dietary guidance to make vegetables and fruits half the diet can improve children’s intake, especially when vegetables and fruits are substituted for other foods. Funding SourcesNIDDK.

Influence of the degree of adherence to the mediterranean diet and its components on cardiometabolic risk during pregnancy. The GESTAFIT project

Background and aimsStudies regarding dietary patterns and cardiometabolic risk markers during pregnancy are scarce. The aim of the present study was to analyse whether different degrees of adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) and the MD components were associated with cardiometabolic markers and a clustered cardiometabolic risk during pregnancy. Methods and resultsThis study comprised 119 pregnant women from the GEStation and FITness (GESTAFIT) project. Dietary habits were assessed with a food frequency questionnaire at the 16th and 34th gestational weeks (g.w.). The Mediterranean Diet Score was employed to assess MD adherence. The following cardiometabolic markers were assessed: pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), fasting glucose, triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). A greater MD adherence was associated with a better cardiometabolic status in cross-sectional (16th g.w. and 34th g.w.) and prospective analyses (MD adherence at the 16th g.w. and cardiometabolic markers at the 34th g.w.; SBP, DBP and HDL-C; all, p < 0.05). Participants with the highest MD adherence (Tertile 3) had a lower clustered cardiometabolic risk than those with the lowest MD adherence (Tertile 1) at the 16th and 34th g.w. (both, p < 0.05). A higher intake of fruits, vegetables and fish and a lower intake of refined cereals and red meat and subproducts were associated with a lower cardiometabolic risk during pregnancy (all, p < 0.05). ConclusionA higher MD adherence, a greater intake of fruits, vegetables and fish and a lower intake of refined cereals and red meat and subproducts showed a cardioprotective effect throughout gestation.

Influence of Dietary Habits and Mediterranean Diet Adherence on Sleep Quality during Pregnancy. The GESTAFIT Project.

We examined the association of the dietary habits and the Mediterranean diet (MD) adherence with sleep quality during pregnancy. A food frequency questionnaire and the Mediterranean Food Pattern were employed to assess dietary habits and MD adherence, respectively. Sleep quality was assessed with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) global score (n = 150; mean age 32.9 ± 4.6 years). A higher consumption of fruits was associated with better sleep quality at the 16th gestational week (g.w.; p < 0.05). A greater olive oil consumption and a higher MD adherence were associated with better sleep quality at the 16th and 34th g.w. (all, p < 0.05). Contrarily, a higher red meat and subproducts consumption was associated with worse sleep quality at the 34th g.w. (p < 0.05). The group with the highest adherence to the MD (Tertile 3) showed better sleep quality than the group with the lowest adherence (Tertile 1) at the 16th and 34th g.w. (both, p < 0.05). A higher adherence to the MD, a greater intake of fruits and olive oil and a lower intake of red meat and subproducts were associated with better sleep quality along the pregnancy course, especially among sedentary women.

Fruit and vegetable consumption in relation to primary headaches: the MEPHASOUS study.

Fruit and vegetable consumption may beneficially affect the odds of primary headaches due to their antioxidant contents. However, no study has examined the association between fruit and vegetable consumption and primary headaches among university students. To assess the relation between fruit and vegetable intakes and primary headaches among Iranian university students. Overall, 83,214 university students with an age range of ≥ 18years participated in the present study. Dietary intakes and also data on confounding variables were collected using validated questionnaires. Data on dietary intakes were collected using a validated dietary habits questionnaire. We used the International Classification of Headache Disorders-3 (ICHD-3) criteria to define primary headaches. Fruit consumption was negatively associated with primary headaches; such that after controlling for potential confounders, greater intake of fruits was associated with 30% lower odds of primary headaches (OR: 0.70, 95% CI 0.58-0.84). Such an inverse association was also found for vegetable consumption. In the fully adjusted model, students in the top category of vegetable consumption were 16% less likely to have primary headaches compared with those in the bottom category (OR: 0.84, 95% CI 0.74-0.95). Subgroup analysis revealed that fruit consumption was inversely associated with primary headaches in females, unlike males, and vegetable consumption was inversely associated with these headaches in males, as opposed to females. Moreover, fruit and vegetable consumption was related to lower odds of primary headaches in normal-weight students. Fruit and vegetable intakes were associated with reduced odds of primary headaches. Level III, cross-sectional analytic studies.

Relationships Between Food Security, Fruit and Vegetable Availability, and Fruit and Vegetable Intake in Elementary Children and Their Parents.

The purpose of this cross-sectional analysis is to explore baseline findings on the relationships between food security, fruit and vegetable availability, and fruit and vegetable intake in elementary children and their parents before the start of a school-garden program. Third-grade students (n=154) and their parents were recruited from a Texas elementary school that participates in a school-garden program. Prior to the start of the program, student participants along with one of their parents completed the National Cancer Institute's All-Day Screener to assess fruit, juice, and vegetable intake. Parent participants also completed other validated questionnaires to assess home availability of fruits and vegetables and food security. Regression and ANOVA were used to examine the relationships between food security, fruit and vegetable availability at home, and fruit and vegetable intake in parent and student participants. A total of 64 students provided consent, and 39 students (∼58% female), each with one parent (∼97% female), completed the questionnaires. Parents who reported low food security had significantly greater total fruit and vegetable intake (4.7 servings/day) along with their children (6.0 servings/day) compared with parents (2.8 servings/day) and children (3.3 servings/day) with high food security. Fruit availability at home was positively correlated with fruit intake in parents (β = 0.18; P=.0261; R2=0.13; ) but not children (P=.8931). No significant associations were found between vegetable availability and vegetable intake in student or parent participants. These baseline findings indicate greater fruit and vegetable intake for children and parents with low food security, which may be due to differences in fruit intake rather than vegetable intake. Although greater fruit intake was associated with fruit availability in the home for parents, this association was not observed for children. None.

Associations between area socioeconomic status, individual mental health, physical activity, diet and change in cardiometabolic risk amongst a cohort of Australian adults: A longitudinal path analysis.

Presumed pathways from environments to cardiometabolic risk largely implicate health behaviour although mental health may play a role. Few studies assess relationships between these factors. This study estimated associations between area socioeconomic status (SES), mental health, diet, physical activity, and 10-year change in glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c), comparing two proposed path structures: 1) mental health and behaviour functioning as parallel mediators between area SES and HbA1c; and 2) a sequential structure where mental health influences behaviour and consequently HbA1c. Three waves (10 years) of population-based biomedical cohort data were spatially linked to census data based on participant residential address. Area SES was expressed at baseline using an established index (SEIFA-IEO). Individual behavioural and mental health information (Wave 2) included diet (fruit and vegetable servings per day), physical activity (meets/does not meet recommendations), and the mental health component score of the 36-item Short Form Health Survey. HbA1c was measured at each wave. Latent variable growth models with a structural equation modelling approach estimated associations within both parallel and sequential path structures. Models were adjusted for age, sex, employment status, marital status, education, and smoking. The sequential path model best fit the data. HbA1c worsened over time. Greater area SES was statistically significantly associated with greater fruit intake, meeting physical activity recommendations, and had a protective effect against increasing HbA1c directly and indirectly through physical activity behaviour. Positive mental health was statistically significantly associated with greater fruit and vegetable intakes and was indirectly protective against increasing HbA1c through physical activity. Greater SES was protective against increasing HbA1c. This relationship was partially mediated by physical activity but not diet. A protective effect of mental health was exerted through physical activity. Public health interventions should ensure individuals residing in low SES areas, and those with poorer mental health are supported in meeting physical activity recommendations.

Dysfunctional Eating Behaviors and Dietary Intake in Adults Residing in Puerto Rico

Abstract Objectives To document the level of dysfunctional eating behaviors, specifically emotional eating (EE), uncontrolled eating (UE) and cognitive restraint (CR), among adults in Puerto Rico (PR), and explore the association between each behavior and dietary intake (i.e., percentage of calories from fats, saturated fats and servings of fruits and vegetables). Methods Cross-sectional study of adults (n = 94) recruited from three health clinics serving low-income communities in Ponce, PR. The Three Factor Eating Questionnaire R18-V2 was used to measure EE, UE and CR; each score ranged from 1 to 4 (higher values indicate stronger behaviors). The Block Fat and Fruits and Vegetables Screener was used to capture percentage of calories from fats, saturated fats and servings of fruits and vegetables. Analysis included adjusted means (SD) and proportions, and linear regressions adjusted for sex, age and marital status. Results Mean age was 45 years, 52% were female and 55% were married. Adjusted mean (SD) scores for EE, UE and CR were 1.92 (0.78), 1.85 (0.66), and 2.32 (0.85), respectively. Adjusted proportions showed that 76%, 88% and 87% experienced any level of EE, UE and CR, respectively. EE and UE scores were significantly associated with greater percentage of calories from total fats (b = 12.0, 95% CI = 0.42, 3.60 for EE; and b = 1.99, 95% CI = 0.05, 3.93 for UE) and saturated fats (b = 3.36, 95% CI = 0.71, 6.01 for EE; and b = 3.31, 95% CI = 0.09, 6.54 for UE). CR scores were significantly associated with greater intake of fruits and vegetables (b = 0.69, 95% CI = 0.20, 1.19). Conclusions Dysfunctional eating behaviors are prevalent among adults in PR and were associated with dietary intake. Results support the need for larger representative studies of dysfunctional eating behaviors, dietary intake and health in PR to shed light into potential intervention targets to decrease the observed health disparities among adults in PR. Funding Sources National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Ponce Health Sciences University Seed Program.

Implementation of a Brazilian Cardioprotective Nutritional (BALANCE) Program for improvement on quality of diet and secondary prevention of cardiovascular events: A randomized, multicenter trial

BackgroundAppropriate dietary recommendations represent a key part of secondary prevention in cardiovascular disease (CVD). We evaluated the effectiveness of the implementation of a nutritional program on quality of diet, cardiovascular events, and death in patients with established CVD. MethodsIn this open-label, multicenter trial conducted in 35 sites in Brazil, we randomly assigned (1:1) patients aged 45 years or older to receive either the BALANCE Program (experimental group) or conventional nutrition advice (control group). The BALANCE Program included a unique nutritional education strategy to implement recommendations from guidelines, adapted to the use of affordable and regional foods. Adherence to diet was evaluated by the modified Alternative Healthy Eating Index. The primary end point was a composite of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular death, cardiac arrest, myocardial infarction, stroke, myocardial revascularization, amputation, or hospitalization for unstable angina. Secondary end points included biochemical and anthropometric data, and blood pressure levels. ResultsFrom March 5, 2013, to Abril 7, 2015, a total of 2534 eligible patients were randomly assigned to either the BALANCE Program group (n = 1,266) or the control group (n = 1,268) and were followed up for a median of 3.5 years. In total, 235 (9.3%) participants had been lost to follow-up. After 3 years of follow-up, mean modified Alternative Healthy Eating Index (scale 0-70) was only slightly higher in the BALANCE group versus the control group (26.2 ± 8.4 vs 24.7 ± 8.6, P < .01), mainly due to a 0.5-serving/d greater intake of fruits and of vegetables in the BALANCE group. Primary end point events occurred in 236 participants (18.8%) in the BALANCE group and in 207 participants (16.4%) in the control group (hazard ratio, 1.15; 95% CI 0.95-1.38; P = .15). Secondary end points did not differ between groups after follow-up. ConclusionsThe BALANCE Program only slightly improved adherence to a healthy diet in patients with established CVD and had no significant effect on the incidence of cardiovascular events or death.

Does where you shop or who you are predict what you eat?: The role of stores and individual characteristics in dietary intake.

Interventions to address diet, a modifiable risk factor for diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease, have increasingly emphasized the influence of the physical environment on diet, while more traditional approaches have focused on individual characteristics. We examined environmental and individual influences on diet to understand the role of both. Household interviews were conducted in 2011 with 1372 individuals randomly selected from two low-income, predominantly African American neighborhoods in Pittsburgh, PA. Participants reported their sociodemographic characteristics, food shopping behavior, and dietary intake. Both food shopping frequency at different types of food stores and sociodemographic characteristics showed significant associations with diet in adjusted regression models. More frequent shopping at convenience and neighborhood stores and being younger, male, without a college degree, and receiving SNAP benefits were associated with greater intake of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), added sugars, and discretionary fats. Being older, male, and having a college degree were associated with greater intake of fruits and vegetables. However, while food shopping behavior and sociodemographic characteristics accounted for similar amounts of nonoverlapping variance in fruit and vegetable intake, food shopping behavior accounted for much less variance, and little unique variance, in SSBs, added sugars, and discretionary fats in models with sociodemographic characteristics. The current study reinforces the need for policies and interventions at both the environmental and individual levels to improve diet in food desert residents. Individual interventions to address food choices associated with certain sociodemographic characteristics might be particularly important for curbing intake of SSBs, added sugars, and discretionary fats.

Dietary Patterns Associated with the Metabolic Syndrome in Adults over 40 Years

Background: Changing health behaviors is the most effective intervention to prevent and manage chronic diseases. Of the health behaviors, which include diet, physical activity, and smoking, diet are the most influential factors over the entire life. In this study, we investigated the association between diet and chronic diseases as well as the association between diet and metabolic syndrome. Methods: Using city-based cohort data for the years 2004–2008, we collected information about health behaviors using a structured questionnairebased interview and performed anthropometric measurements and blood tests. We collected data on food consumption using a quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Subjects were divided into three groups based on dietary pattern (Healthy, Grain, and White rice), after K-means clustering analysis, and metabolic syndrome was defined according to the National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATPIII, 2006). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the relationship between metabolic syndrome and dietary patterns. Results: The Healthy, Grain, and White rice dietary pattern groups represented 6.5%, 49.1%, and 44.5% of the subjects, respectively. Adults in urban areas generally had Grain or White rice dietary patterns. The Healthy pattern consisted of plenty of fruits, vegetables, legumes, and fish. With metabolic syndrome as the outcome and the Healthy pattern as the reference group, the odds ratios for Grain and White rice patterns were 1.42 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.21–1.67) and 1.47 (95% CI, 1.25–1.73), respectively. Conclusion: A dietary pattern consisting of greater intake of fruits, vegetables, legumes, and fish reduces the risk of metabolic syndrome.

Dietary intake of antioxidant in ELSA-Brasil population: baseline results.

To quantify the antioxidant consumption (vitamins A, C and E and minerals selenium and zinc) and to identify factors associated to low consumption of these nutrients. Cross-sectional study with 14,660 participants (35 to 74 years-old) investigated in the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil) baseline. Consumption of antioxidants and energy was determined by a Food Frequency Questionnaire and analyzed using the NDSR software. Antioxidant consumption was adjusted to total energy and divided in quintiles. A logistic regression analysis was used to identify socioeconomic factors associated with low intake of these nutrients. Consumption of energy (kcal/day) was higher in men (3,152 ± 1,026 versus 2,613 ± 905; p < 0.001) whereas the consumption of all antioxidants (mainly vitamins A and E and selenium) was higher in females. Low antioxidant consumption was associated to male sex (OR = 3.5; 95%CI 3.11 - 4.0) and to lower education (OR = 3.1; 95%CI 2.42 - 3.87), income (OR = 4.4; 95%CI 3.67 - 5.36) and age (OR = 5.5; 95%CI 4.27 - 7.16), as well as to thinness (OR = 2.7; 95%CI 1.36 - 5.18) and when participants did not reported the use of supplements (OR = 1.95; 95%CI 1.6 - 2.38) or change of eating habits in the last six months (OR = 2.0; 95%CI 1.75 - 2.29). The greater intake of fruits and vegetables is likely to be involved in the higher consumption of antioxidants in females. General policies to increase the consumption of such nutrients should be directed to groups of lower income, education and age.

High School Diet and Risk of Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis.

Diet may play an important role in the pathogenesis of Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC); yet, there are few prospective studies of dietary factors. None have examined the association between adolescent diet and risk of inflammatory bowel diseases (CD and UC). This study included women enrolled in Nurses' Health Study II who completed a validated high school dietary questionnaire in 1998. We examined the effect of dietary patterns (prudent or Western diet) and individual components of each patterns. We documented incident cases of CD and UC through 2011 based on physician review of medical records and used Cox proportional hazards models adjusting for confounders to estimate hazard ratios and confidence intervals for CD and UC. Over 763,229 person-years of follow-up, we identified 70 incident cases of CD and 103 cases of UC. Compared with women in the lowest quartile of a prudent diet score (characterized by greater intake of fruits, vegetables, and fish), women in the highest quartile had a 53% lower risk of CD (hazard ratio, 0.47; 95% confidence interval, 0.23-0.98; P trend = 0.04). Specifically, greater intake of fish (P trend = 0.01) and fiber (P trend = 0.06) were associated with lower risk of CD. In contrast, Western diet score was not associated with risk of CD. Neither dietary patterns nor individual food or nutrient groups was associated with UC. Adolescent diet is associated with risk of CD, but not UC, offering insights into disease pathogenesis.

Relationship between fruit and vegetable intake and interference control in breast cancer survivors.

Nutrition plays an important role in brain structure and function, and the effects of diet may even be greater in those at greater risk of cognitive decline, such as individuals with cancer-related cognitive impairment. However, the relation of dietary components to cognitive function in cancer survivors is unknown. The objective of this study was to determine whether breast cancer survivors (BCS) evidenced impairments in interference control, a component of cognitive control, compared to age-matched women with no prior history of cancer, and to examine the moderating role of diet on cognitive function. In this cross-sectional study, a modified flanker task was used to assess interference control in BCS (n=31) and age-matched women with no prior history of cancer (n=30). Diet was assessed with 3-day food records. Differences between BCS and age-matched controls were assessed using linear mixed models, and multilevel regression analyses were conducted to assess the moderating role ofdiet on cognitive performance. Cognitive performance was not different between groups. Fruit intake and vegetable intake were significantly associated with better performance on the incompatible condition of the flanker task (i.e., shorter reaction time and increased accuracy), independent of disease status. The association between dietary components and cognition was stronger for the incompatible incongruent condition, suggesting that fruit and vegetables may be important for the up-regulation of cognitive control when faced with higher cognitive demands. There was no difference in performance on an interference control task between BCS and age-matched controls. The data suggest that greater fruit intake and vegetable intake were positively associated with interference control in both BCS and age-matched controls.

Relationship between dietary energy density and dietary quality in overweight young children: a cross-sectional analysis.

Observational research has found that lower energy density (ED) diets are related to reduced intake of fat and greater intake of fruits and vegetables. No study has examined the relationship between dietary ED and dietary quality, as determined by the Healthy Eating Index-2005 (HEI), in children who are overweight and obese. Examine the relationship between dietary ED and HEI, determined from 3-d food records, in 156 children, aged 4-9 years, who had ≥85th percentile body mass index presenting for family-based obesity treatment. Dietary ED, in kcal/g, was calculated using two methods: food and all beverages consumed (food+bev) and food only consumed (food). For calculation of HEI, all components of the HEI were included except oils. Participants were classified as consuming a low-ED, medium-ED or high-ED diet using tertile cut-off points with ED calculated using food and beverages(food+bev) or food only(food) . After controlling for group difference in child sex and race and parent sex, LOW(food+bev) and LOWfood had significantly (P < 0.05) higher total HEI scores, and total fruit, total vegetable and saturated fat HEI scores than HIGH(food+bev) and HIGHfood , with higher scores indicating greater quality. Lower dietary ED is associated with higher dietary quality in children presenting for obesity treatment. Additional research investigating an ED prescription on dietary quality in children who are overweight or obese is needed to better understand this relationship.

Executive functions and consumption of fruits/ vegetables and high saturated fat foods in young adults.

Executive functions play a critical role in regulating eating behaviors and have been shown to be associated with overeating which over time can result in overweight and obesity. There has been a paucity of research examining the associations among healthy dietary behaviors and executive functions utilizing behavioral rating scales of executive functioning. The objective of the present cross-sectional study was to evaluate the associations among fruit and vegetable consumption, intake of foods high in saturated fat, and executive functions using the Behavioral Rating Inventory of Executive Functioning-Adult Version. A total of 240 university students completed the Behavioral Rating Inventory of Executive Functioning-Adult Version, the 26-Item Eating Attitudes Test, and the Diet subscale of the Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities Questionnaire. Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted with two separate models in which fruit and vegetable consumption and saturated fat intake were the outcomes. Demographic variables, body mass index, and eating styles were controlled for in the analysis. Better initiation skills were associated with greater intake of fruits and vegetables in the last 7 days (standardized beta = -0.17; p < 0.05). Stronger inhibitory control was associated with less consumption of high fat foods in the last 7 days (standardized beta = 0.20; p < 0.05) in the multiple linear regression analysis. Executive functions that predict fruit and vegetable consumption are distinct from those that predict avoidance of foods high in saturated fat. Future research should investigate whether continued skill enhancement in initiation and inhibition following standard behavioral interventions improves long-term maintenance of weight loss.

From the April Issue of JAMDA

From the April Issue of JAMDA

Greater Fruit Intake was Associated With Better Bone Mineral Status Among Chinese Elderly Men and Women: Results of Hong Kong Mr. Os and Ms. Os Studies

ObjectivesAlthough studies in white populations have reported the beneficial effects of intakes of fruit and vegetables (F&V) on bone mass, limited data are available in Asians, especially among the elderly population. We examined the association of F&V intakes and bone mineral status in Chinese elderly adults and explored the potential mechanisms. Design, setting, and participantsThe study was a population-based cross-sectional study among 4000 Hong Kong Chinese men and women aged 65 years and older. MeasurementsHabitual F&V intakes were ascertained from a validated food frequency questionnaire. Bone mineral measurements of the whole body, hip, lumber spine, and femoral neck were made by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Information on demographic, health, and lifestyles factors was obtained by standardized questionnaire. Relations between F&V intakes and bone mass at various sites were assessed by regression models. ResultsWhole-body and femoral neck bone mineral density and content were significantly and positively associated with fruit intake in both men and women, even when adjustment for a range of potential confounders was made. A daily increase of 100 g/kcal total fruit intake was associated with 4.5% and 6.4% increase of BMD at whole body, and 3.9% and 4.8% increase at the femoral neck in men and women, respectively. No significant association was found between vegetable intake and bone mass. The adjustment for vitamin C intake, but not dietary acid load, attenuated the association between fruit intake and bone mass. ConclusionsGreater fruit intake was independently associated with better bone mineral status among Chinese elderly men and women. The association is probably modified by dietary vitamin C.