High-energy Foods Research Articles

Food energy content influences food portion size estimation by nutrition students

Food portion size estimation involves a complex mental process that may influence food consumption evaluation. Knowing the variables that influence this process can improve the accuracy of dietary assessment. The present study aimed to evaluate the ability of nutrition students to estimate food portions in usual meals and relate food energy content with errors in food portion size estimation. Seventy-eight nutrition students, who had already studied food energy content, participated in this cross-sectional study on the estimation of food portions, organised into four meals. The participants estimated the quantity of each food, in grams or millilitres, with the food in view. Estimation errors were quantified, and their magnitude were evaluated. Estimated quantities (EQ) lower than 90% and higher than 110% of the weighed quantity (WQ) were considered to represent underestimation and overestimation, respectively. Correlation between food energy content and error on estimation was analysed by the Spearman correlation, and comparison between the mean EQ and WQ was accomplished by means of the Wilcoxon signed rank test (P < 0.05). A low percentage of estimates (18.5%) were considered accurate (+/-10% of the actual weight). The most frequently underestimated food items were cauliflower, lettuce, apple and papaya; the most often overestimated items were milk, margarine and sugar. A significant positive correlation between food energy density and estimation was found (r = 0.8166; P = 0.0002). The results obtained in the present study revealed a low percentage of acceptable estimations of food portion size by nutrition students, with trends toward overestimation of high-energy food items and underestimation of low-energy items.

Foraging strategy of little auks under divergent conditions on feeding grounds

A dual foraging strategy (long versus short trips) has been described for some species of seabirds, such as petrels, albatrosses (Procellariiformes) and penguins (Sphenisciphormes). Such a strategy has recently been reported for little auks (Alle alle) from the central coast of west Spitsbergen, Svalbard. This has been explained as a response to poor trophic conditions close to the breeding colony, and better conditions further away (150 km). In the present study, we investigated the foraging strategy of little auks in Hornsund, southern Spitsbergen, during two seasons with contrasting oceanographic conditions. During 2004, foraging conditions for little auks were good: cold Arctic waters rich in profitable high-energy food were dominant in their feeding grounds. Conversely, during 2006 there was a great influx of warm Atlantic water in the feeding area, inducing poor foraging conditions. In both seasons we examined the pattern of foraging trip lengths automatically with a video camera (both adults from four nests in each year), and by direct non-stop observation of 20–54 individually marked birds. Our results showed that the dual strategy and the ratio of short and long trips were consistent, regardless of the conditions in the feeding grounds. This suggests that the strategy is inherent and may be crucial for the self-maintenance of adults.

Foraging strategy of little auks under divergent conditions on feeding grounds

A dual foraging strategy (long versus short trips) has been described for some species of seabirds, such as petrels, albatrosses (Procellariiformes) and penguins (Sphenisciphormes). Such a strategy has recently been reported for little auks (Alle alle) from the central coast of west Spitsbergen, Svalbard. This has been explained as a response to poor trophic conditions close to the breeding colony, and better conditions further away (150 km). In the present study, we investigated the foraging strategy of little auks in Hornsund, southern Spitsbergen, during two seasons with contrasting oceanographic conditions. During 2004, foraging conditions for little auks were good: cold Arctic waters rich in profitable high-energy food were dominant in their feeding grounds. Conversely, during 2006 there was a great influx of warm Atlantic water in the feeding area, inducing poor foraging conditions. In both seasons we examined the pattern of foraging trip lengths automatically with a video camera (both adults from four nests in each year), and by direct non-stop observation of 20–54 individually marked birds. Our results showed that the dual strategy and the ratio of short and long trips were consistent, regardless of the conditions in the feeding grounds. This suggests that the strategy is inherent and may be crucial for the self-maintenance of adults.

Energy metabolism of Inuit sled dogs

We explored how seasonal changes in temperature, exercise and food supply affected energy metabolism and heart rate of Inuit dogs in Greenland. Using open flow respirometry, doubly labeled water, and heart rate recording, we measured metabolic rates of the same dogs at two different locations: at one location the dogs were fed with high energy food throughout the year while at the other location they were fed with low energy food during summer. Our key questions were: is resting metabolic rate (RMR) increased during the winter season when dogs are working? Does feeding regime affect RMR during summer? What is the proportion of metabolic rate (MR) devoted to specific dynamic action (SDA), and what is the metabolic scope of working Inuit sled dogs? The Inuit dogs had an extremely wide thermoneutral zone extending down to -25 degrees C. Temperature changes between summer and winter did not affect RMR, thus summer fasting periods were defined as baseline RMR. Relative to this baseline, summer MR was upregulated in the group of dogs receiving low energy food, whereas heart rate was downregulated. However, during food digestion, both MR and HR were twice their respective baseline values. A continuously elevated MR was observed during winter. Because temperature effects were excluded and because there were also no effects of training, we attribute winter elevated MR to SDA because of the continuous food supply. Working MR during winter was 7.9 times the MR of resting dogs in winter, or 12.2 times baseline MR.

Inheritance of Acquired Behaviour Adaptations and Brain Gene Expression in Chickens

BackgroundEnvironmental challenges may affect both the exposed individuals and their offspring. We investigated possible adaptive aspects of such cross-generation transmissions, and hypothesized that chronic unpredictable food access would cause chickens to show a more conservative feeding strategy and to be more dominant, and that these adaptations would be transmitted to the offspring.Methodology/Principal FindingsParents were raised in an unpredictable (UL) or in predictable diurnal light rhythm (PL, 12∶12 h light∶dark). In a foraging test, UL birds pecked more at freely available, rather than at hidden and more attractive food, compared to birds from the PL group. Female offspring of UL birds, raised in predictable light conditions without parental contact, showed a similar foraging behavior, differing from offspring of PL birds. Furthermore, adult offspring of UL birds performed more food pecks in a dominance test, showed a higher preference for high energy food, survived better, and were heavier than offspring of PL parents. Using cDNA microarrays, we found that the differential brain gene expression caused by the challenge was mirrored in the offspring. In particular, several immunoglobulin genes seemed to be affected similarly in both UL parents and their offspring. Estradiol levels were significantly higher in egg yolk from UL birds, suggesting one possible mechanism for these effects.Conclusions/SignificanceOur findings suggest that unpredictable food access caused seemingly adaptive responses in feeding behavior, which may have been transmitted to the offspring by means of epigenetic mechanisms, including regulation of immune genes. This may have prepared the offspring for coping with an unpredictable environment.

Obesity and Blood Pressure Variations among the Bengali Kayastha Population of North Bengal, India

Obesity is defined either by increased waist circumference (WC), waist-height ratio (WHtR), conicity index (CI) waist-hip ratio (WHR) and/or body mass index (BMI). As individuals from the developing countries consume more quantities of high-energy food and have less physical activity, the number of overweight and obese individuals increase. Obesity has a detrimental effect on blood pressure and increases cardiovascular events. One important issue that is currently assuming relevance in studies involving blood pressure and anthropometric parameters is the mean arterial pressure (MAP). There exists limited data on such issues among different Indian population and caste groups. This cross sectional study was carried out during the period October-December 2007 in four localities of Alipurduar town (Alipurduar sub-division, Jalpaiguri district, West Bengal, India). A total of 150 individuals (75 males and 75 females) agreed to take part in the same. Blood pressure (SBP and DBP) was measured on left arm by auscultatory method using a mercury sphygmomanometer. The anthropometric measurements have been recorded using standard procedures. The male individuals show higher means with respect to the anthropometric measurements and the blood pressure values, as compared to the females. The prevalence of hypertension was almost 50.00%. Obesity accounted for 80.00% of the individuals. Using step-wise regression analysis, it has been observed that all the anthropometric parameters play a role in blood pressure. It can be observed that the Bengali Kayastha population of Alipurduar town has a high prevalence of obesity. Moreover, BMI, WC and WHtR have strong correlations with DBP and MAP.

EVALUATION OF ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY, PHENOLICS, SUGAR AND MINERAL CONTENTS IN DATE PALM FRUITS

ABSTRACT Sugar and mineral compositions of 10 Tunisian date varieties were investigated. Hydrophilic (aqueous extract) and hydrophobic extracts (ethanol extract) were used to determine the phenol contents and the total antioxidant activities of these dates. Results showed that date fruit varieties were rich in soluble sugars, which varied from 35.57 (Smiti variety) to 77.88 g/100 g fresh weight (FW) (Korkobbi variety). Several minerals were also present in the following order; K, Ca, P, Mg, Na, Fe, Cu, Zn and Mn. The potassium content reached 0.74 g/100 g dry weight in Smiti variety. For all date varieties, the phenol content did not exceed 9.70 (milligram of gallic acid equivalent/100 g FW). The original antioxidant activity reached 31.86 mg of ascorbic acid equivalent antioxidant capacity/100 g (FW) for Garn ghzal variety. However, it was only 17.77 for the Nefzaoui. Therefore, it can be deduced from these results that all these fruit varieties can be considered as high-energy food and only Garn ghzal seems to be interesting for technological purposes as food antioxidants. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS The date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) has a very important economic, social and ecological role for the people of the arid and semiarid regions. The date world production tripled while passing from 2,289,511 tons in 1974 to 6,772,068 tons in 2004. In Tunisia, dates witnessed a remarkable development during the last years and the production reached an average of 110,000 tons per year. Unfortunately, this progress in production is accompanied by an increasing loss of secondary varieties. Among these abandoned varieties are those of Gabès oasis. In this context, our work focuses on valorizing these secondary varieties by determining their nutritional and medicinal properties.

Disponibilidade familiar de alimentos na Zona da Mata e Semi-Árido do Nordeste do Brasil

OBJETIVO: Este trabalho teve como objetivo caracterizar a disponibilidade de alimentos em domicílios de Gameleira (PE) e São João do Tigre (PB), municípios das referidas regiões, considerando a freqüência dos alimentos, o número de pessoas no domicílio e a escolaridade do chefe da família. MÉTODOS: A amostra foi constituída de 502 e 458 famílias, em Gameleira (PE) e São João do Tigre (PB), respectivamente, de área urbana e rural de cada município. As informações, referentes aos sete dias anteriores à entrevista, foram fornecidas pelo responsável pela preparação dos alimentos. RESULTADOS: Verifica-se a disponibilidade de 33 alimentos em Gameleira (PE) e 30 em São João do Tigre (PB), em mais de 20% das famílias; restringindo-se a 16 e 15 alimentos nos dois municípios respectivamente, quando considerada a disponibilidade em 50% das famílias. Os alimentos disponíveis na maioria dos domicílios possuíam alto valor energético e pertenciam aos grupos de cereais e leguminosas, em detrimento de hortaliças, frutas e produtos de origem animal. A disponibilidade alimentar sofreu pouca variação em decorrência do número de pessoas no domicílio e da escolaridade do chefe da família. CONCLUSÃO: O estímulo ao aumento qualitativo e quantitativo da disponibilidade familiar de alimentos deve ser o foco dos esforços governamentais em programas sociais de combate à fome.

Meal termination using oral sensory satisfaction: a study in non-obese women

Non-obese individuals limit energy intake and maintain weight long-term. Knowledge of the mechanism they use to accomplish this could help in weight maintenance after weight loss and prevention of unneeded weight gain. The objective of the present study was to determine whether non-obese women use orosensory cues to limit short-term intake of high-energy density foods. Forty non-obese women consumed two high-energy rice puddings of equal energy density, one with high sugar and one with high fat. There were four study conditions. Participants ate until satisfied (basal), satisfied based on taste (taste), satisfied based on fullness (fullness) and while watching television (distraction). The participants were asked to refrain from eating and drinking after 2200. The treatments were done between 0830 and 0900. The order of treatments was randomized and all subjects completed all treatments. The quantity consumed and variation in hunger and taste intensity were the primary measures. Results were subjected to within subjects analysis of variance (ANOVA). Intake was significantly greater in the high-fat groups than in the high-carbohydrate groups (P = 0.0001). Study condition had a significant effect on intake (P = 0.0000) with the taste condition generally resulting in the lowest intake. Hunger intensity significantly decreased after meal intake (P = 0.0156). There was a significant effect of condition (P = 0.0001) with base and taste conditions showing the greatest decrease. In the taste condition, specifically, the intensity of taste and hunger declined after intake (P = 0.0000). These results indicate that taste satisfaction can limit meal intake in non-obese women. Taste satisfaction could be a mechanism that is used to reduce food intake to compensate for previous excess consumption.

Paradoxical nutritional deficiency in overweight and obesity: the importance of nutrient density

Overweight and obese patients may develop paradoxical nutritional deficiency from eating high-energy foods with a poor nutrient content. In such patients, this condition is probably under-recognised, and thus untreated. The nutrient density of foods has recently been defined by a score--the naturally nutrient-rich (NNR) score--which assesses the contribution a food makes to the nutrient intake of a 2000 calorie (8360 kJ) daily diet and includes 14 key macronutrients. NNR foods are whole foods that provide the highest nutrient-to-kilojoule ratio. An awareness of the importance of the nutrient density of foods can assist health practitioners to recognise and effectively manage paradoxical nutritional deficiency. Knowledge of the nutrient density of foods helps people wanting to reduce their kilojoule intake to maintain a nutritionally sound diet, providing adequate vitamins, minerals and macronutrients.

The role of fruit consumption in the prevention of obesity

SummaryThe global obesity epidemic is associated with a sedentary lifestyle and diets rich in high-fat, high-energy foods. The potential role of fruit in preventing overweight and obesity is related to their relatively low energy density, high content of dietary fibre, and associated increasing satiety effect. The physical disruption of fruit is of considerable importance for satiety, as shown in studies in which fruit juices were less satisfying compared to sugar-equivalent intakes of purées and whole fruits. The potential role of fruit in the prevention of overweight and obesity may be connected to the dietary pattern of fruit intake, and with the possibility that fruit intake may substitute for other, more energy-dense foods. The majority of human prospective cohort studies in adults suggest a preventive effect of increased fruit intake on body weight gain; whereas a few studies have suggested the opposite, in the case of fruit juices. Prospective studies on children are few and inconclusive, but suggest associations between fruit intake and body weight that are related to the initial nutritional status. In behavioural intervention studies, subjects are often advised to undergo several changes towards a healthy diet and lifestyle, making it impossible to quantify the specific effect of fruit intake on body weight. In the few available intervention studies in adults, the study period was often too short to allow measures of body weight changes, and studies on overweight or obese subjects may not apply to subjects of normal weight. Intervention studies targeted at school children showed that such schemes can be effective in increasing fruit intake, but a convincing role for increased fruit intake in the prevention of overweight and obesity in children still needs to be established. The present evidence suggests that fruit consumption has a potential role in the prevention of overweight and obesity.

Why cattle feed much and humans think much – New approach to confirm the expensive tissue hypothesis by molecular data

The “expensive tissue hypothesis” states that large brains are active at high metabolic rates, which have to be financed by a significant trade-off with other organs such as the alimentary tract. Recent morphological findings on primate brains and guts support this idea also considering the importance of high-energy diets as a possible driving power of this process. However, the trade-off correlation between brain and alimentary tract, the essence of the “expensive tissue hypothesis”, has not yet been tested using molecular data to complement morpho-functional findings. We therefore hypothesize that the activity of marker proteins expressed both in brain and alimentary tract should parallel functional morphology in organs at the molecular level. Thus, in animals feeding on hard to digest diet, we would expect a high concentration per unit mass of that marker protein in the digestive tract and reversely a lower concentration in the brain. In contrast, in animals feeding on easily-digested, high-energy food we would expect the reverse pattern. Recent preliminary studies suggest that carbonic anhydrase II (CA-II) could act as a marker. The enzyme concentration was found to increase in the brain with higher cerebral activity from cattle to humans and to reversely decrease in salivary secretions. The reverse concentration of CA-II in saliva and brains of cattle and primates might be the first molecular evidence of the validity of the “expensive tissue hypothesis”.

The brain tracks the energetic value in food images

Do our brains implicitly track the energetic content of the foods we see? Using electrical neuroimaging of visual evoked potentials (VEPs) we show that the human brain can rapidly discern food's energetic value, vis à vis its fat content, solely from its visual presentation. Responses to images of high-energy and low-energy food differed over two distinct time periods. The first period, starting at ∼165 ms post-stimulus onset, followed from modulations in VEP topography and by extension in the configuration of the underlying brain network. Statistical comparison of source estimations identified differences distributed across a wide network including both posterior occipital regions and temporo-parietal cortices typically associated with object processing, and also inferior frontal cortices typically associated with decision-making. During a successive processing stage (starting at ∼300 ms), responses differed both topographically and in terms of strength, with source estimations differing predominantly within prefrontal cortical regions implicated in reward assessment and decision-making. These effects occur orthogonally to the task that is actually being performed and suggest that reward properties such as a food's energetic content are treated rapidly and in parallel by a distributed network of brain regions involved in object categorization, reward assessment, and decision-making.

Extraction performances of polar and non-polar solvents on the physical and chemical indices of African breadfruit (Treculia africana) seed oil

The physical and chemical indices of African breadfruit (Treculia Africana) seed oil extracted with polar (isopropanol, Hexane and butanol) and non polar (Acetone) solvents were investigated. The oil (19.85%) and energy contents 452.35 (Kcal) suggest that African breadfruit seeds are a high-energy food. The yields were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) different with hexane extracted (non-polar solvent) oil having 19.85% whilst oil extracted with polar solvents ranged from 15.58 -19.30%. Melting points were 34, 27, 26, 21 I¦C for oil extracted with hexane, isopropanol, butanol and acetone respectively. Smoke points were within the limits of 170 – 255 I¦C for the four oil samples. Iodine values ranged from 14.50 (hexane extracted) t0 25.17 (acetone extracted). Saponification values ranged from 125.89-267.85 while peroxide values were 3.20 mg/kg (hexane) and 3.60-3.83 mg/kg for polar solvents. Free fatty (oleic) acid of oil extracted with hexane was 1.71% and polar solvent extraction ranged from 1.65-1.78%. Hexane had the least peroxide value (8.74 mg/kg) compared to higher values for oil extracted with the polar solvents (9.10 - 9.83 mg/kg). Keywords: African breadfruit, Treculia Africana, oil extraction, saponification, fatty acids, peroxide value, thiobarbituric acid.

Human Obesity: A Heritable Neurobehavioral Disorder That Is Highly Sensitive to Environmental Conditions

The recent increase in the worldwide prevalence of obesity has understandably focused attention on the environmental determinants of this epidemic. Whereas identifying the relative contributions of the factors underlying this recent trend is critical, a comprehensive understanding of the causes of obesity will need to explain why, even in high-risk populations, many people remain lean. Contemporary studies indicate that the heritability of adiposity remains high, even in the face of a strongly obesogenic environment. Whereas the role of inheritance has long been appreciated, only recently have we begun to develop a genuine understanding of the critical role of specific molecules in sensing the state of nutrient storage and regulating food intake and energy expenditure. Notably, a number of single gene disorders resulting in human obesity have been uncovered and, strikingly, all of these defects impair the central control of food intake. Early indications are that common genetic variants influencing adiposity on a population level affect the same processes. While the rising prevalence of obesity is related to increasing ease of access to high-energy palatable food combined with diminishing requirement for physical activity, differences in inter-individual susceptibility to obesity are likely to be related to inherited variation in the efficiency of central control mechanisms influencing eating behavior. Such a construct understandably courts unpopularity, since it can appear to diminish the importance of human free will and is perceived by some as representing a counsel of despair and an ﾓexcuseﾔ for otherwise controllable behavior. We argue that a view of obesity that emphasizes the profound biological basis for inter-individual differences in responding to the challenges of achieving a healthy control of nutrient intake should result in a more enlightened attitude toward people with obesity with a consequent reduction in their experience of social and economic discrimination. In the longer term, this may also lead to more efficacious individually targeted approaches to the treatment and prevention of obesity.

Diet selection by calves facing pairs of nutritionally complementary foods

Experimental evidence suggests that ruminant animals are capable of selecting a nutritionally balanced diet (i.e. a diet appropriate to their metabolic needs) from imbalanced but complementary foods. We tested this hypothesis by offering calves different combinations of the same complementary foods. A 5 × 5 Latin square design was used to assess the effect on diet selection of different combinations (termed as food A and food B) of two complementary foods (alfalfa-grass hay and maize grain) offered in separate feed bunks. In Treatment 1, food A and food B had the same composition, 50.0% hay and 50.0% grain (T50:50). In the rest of the treatments, hay–grain combinations in foods A and B were, respectively: 62.5–37.5% and 37.5–62.5% (T63:37); 75.0–25.0% and 25.0–75.0% (T75:25); 87.5–12.5% and 12.5–87.5% (T88:12); and 100.0–0.0% and 0.0–100.0% (T100:0). Daily intake data were analysed through repeated measures analysis. Crude protein intake was similar across treatments ( P = 0.28). An increasing tendency ( P = 0.01) in food B intake (the food with more grain content) from T50:50 to T100:0, however, led into a decreasing tendency ( P < 0.001) in the protein: energy ratio of the diet across treatments. Grain consumption in treatments T75:25, T88:12 and T100:0 was higher than expected, leading to protein levels in the diet below those required for a balanced diet (predicted vs. observed: 19.38 vs. 16.67, P = 0.004; 20.53 vs. 16.10, P = 0.001; and 20.23 vs. 16.79 g kgMW − 1 d − 1 , P = 0.015, for T75:25, T88:12 and T100:0, respectively). Although calves were potentially able to select a balanced diet in all feeding treatments, they failed when offered high grain foods at choice (75% of maize grain or more). Evolved mechanisms to regulate macronutrient intake under natural conditions may fail to adequately operate in artificial environments involving high-energy density foods (e.g. maize grain).

A study of analysis and comparison to the low nutrient density foods that more normality for children age (3 –5 years)

Through the early childhood and after the ablactating the child learns acquired food habbits that might studying with him throughout his life. Here the parents role arises: teaching the child the sound food habits and hygienic styles and whatever beneficial to the health and with the sufficient quantities for the body. In this way the experiences the child learns at home will be of great help in his future life in choosing the suitable food after becoming more dependent in making his decisions and choices away from his parents. The results in this study showed that the averages of the children’s consumption of the high energy foods in comparison with the other highest consumption average , after that comes the con sumption of soft drills , then the lollipops , gums and cacao , finally , the confectioneries recorded the lowest percentage in purchase , the child’s wish recorded the highest average.

A study of analysis and comparison to the low nutrient density foods that more normality for children age (3 –5 years)

Through the early childhood and after the ablactating the child learns acquired food habbits that might studying with him throughout his life. Here the parents role arises: teaching the child the sound food habits and hygienic styles and whatever beneficial to the health and with the sufficient quantities for the body. In this way the experiences the child learns at home will be of great help in his future life in choosing the suitable food after becoming more dependent in making his decisions and choices away from his parents. The results in this study showed that the averages of the children’s consumption of the high energy foods in comparison with the other highest consumption average , after that comes the con sumption of soft drills , then the lollipops , gums and cacao , finally , the confectioneries recorded the lowest percentage in purchase , the child’s wish recorded the highest average.

Osteoporosis in Patients With Diabetes Mellitus

Demographic trends with longer life expectancy and a lifestyle characterized by low physical activity and high-energy food intake contribute to an increasing incidence of diabetes mellitus and osteoporosis. Diabetes mellitus is a risk factor for osteoporotic fractures. Patients with recent onset of type 1 diabetes mellitus may have impaired bone formation because of the absence of the anabolic effects of insulin and amylin, whereas in long-standing type 1 diabetes mellitus, vascular complications may account for low bone mass and increased fracture risk. Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus display an increased fracture risk despite a higher BMD, which is mainly attributable to the increased risk of falling. Strategies to improve BMD and to prevent osteoporotic fractures in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus may include optimal glycemic control and aggressive prevention and treatment of vascular complications. Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus may additionally benefit from early visual assessment, regular exercise to improve muscle strength and balance, and specific measures for preventing falls.

Dietary Intake of Hospitalized, Activity-Restricted Pregnant Women

Approximately 18 % of pregnant women are activity restricted (AR) in hospital each year for high-risk pregnancies, with many of these women carrying multiple fetuses. There are no specific Institute of Medicine Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI) recommendations for women with multi-fetal pregnancies (MFP). Current evidence suggests that women with MFP may have additional need for energy, essential fatty acids (EFAs), iron, calcium, vitamins D, C, and folic acid. Given the lack of specific guidelines for women with MFP, it has been suggested that the use of current DRI recommendations for singleton pregnancies is the prudent course of action for managing diet in these women. PURPOSE: The purpose was to a) compare dietary intake between women with singleton and MFP who were AR in hospital for a high-risk pregnancy, as well as b) determine if the women with MFP were meeting current DRI recommendations for a singleton pregnancy. METHODS: Dietary intake was analyzed over 7 days in hospitalized AR pregnant women (n=14). All subjects were in the 3rd trimester, and had been AR for at least 3 days. All women in the MFP group (n=5), and 7/9 women in the singleton pregnancy group were taking daily micronutrient supplementation. Mann-Whitney U tests were used to compare groups. Mean intake of energy and nutrients by the MFP group was compared to DRI recommendations for singleton pregnancy using one sample t-tests. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the singleton and MFP groups, with the exception of the MFP group having a greater intake of protein (p=0.03). There were also no significant differences between mean MFP group intake and DRI recommendations for energy, linolenic acid, iron, vitamin C and folic acid. The MFP group had a significantly higher (p<0.05) intake of protein, calcium and vitamin D, compared to DRI recommendations, while significantly lower (p<0.05) intake of linoleic acid. CONCLUSION: AR women with MFP do not have significantly greater intake of energy and nutrients compared to AR women with singleton pregnancies. Women with MFP may benefit from increased intake of high energy foods, and those containing linoleic acid (vegetables, fruits, nuts, grains, and seeds).