Higher Dietary Diversity Research Articles

Psychological Aspects and Eating Habits of Indonesian College Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results of the IDLC-COVID-19 Indonesian Online Survey

ObjectivesThe Covid-19 pandemic has affected the daily lives of the education practice worldwide. This study aims to determine the psychological aspects and eating habits of Indonesian college students during the Covid-19 pandemic. MethodsA survey was conducted online during social isolation from April to June 2021 among the Indonesian population. A total of 952 Indonesian students participated in this cross-sectional online survey. Students reported their psychological aspects such as status of emotional eating and emotional state and their eating habits such as dietary pattern and dietary diversity score (DDS) using a self-administered online questionnaire in Qualtrics platform. The bivariate analysis was used to describe and assess their psychological aspects and eating habits in relation to their socio-demographic during the Covid-19 pandemic. ResultsStudents’ mean aged was 21.60 ± 4.20 years. The average BMI of all subjects was 22.20 ± 4.10 kg/m2, 16.30% were underweight and 34.00% were overweight/obese. Most students frequently eat staple foods such as rice and bread also eat animal source food like egg and chicken minimum 1x/day. Of 58.4% and 29% reported to have moderate and high dietary diversity status, respectively. Students with emotional eating status found 30.40% and significantly associated with female students (p = 0.005). Emotional eating status was associated with nutritional status (p = 0.002) and its common in overweight/obese students (43.90%), normal (42.30%), and underweight (13.80%). It was examined that increasing BMI followed with increasing emotional eating status (p = 0.001). Students who had emotional states were related to uncontrol eating during pandemic (OR = 1.8, 95%CI 1.33–2.42, p < 0.001). ConclusionsIn this study, it has been provided that the Covid-19 pandemic has heavily influenced students’ psychological and eating habits. However, as the COVID-19 pandemic is still ongoing, the data need to be confirmed for further research. Funding SourcesThis research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

ASSESSMENT OF FOOD SECURITY AND DIETARY DIVERSITY OF FONIO (Digitaria spp.) FARMING HOUSEHOLDS IN PLATEAU STATE, NIGERIA

The study assessed the food security and dietary diversity among Fonio farming households in Jos-South LGA, Plateau state, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 157respondents for the study. Primary data was used for this study through the administration of a well-structured questionnaire aided by interview schedule. The analytical techniques used include descriptive statistics, USDA Food Security model, Dietary Diversity score and Logit Regression model. The results of the socioeconomic characteristics; age, marital status, household size, education, farming experience, farm size, membership of cooperative societies, access to credit and access to extension services were identified and described. The result of household food dietary diversity indicates that 64% of the respondents’ households had high food dietary diversity while 36% accounted for low household food dietary diversity. The result further indicates that 14% of the households consumed cereals, followed by legumes (14.49%), milk had 1.75%, and eggs had 2.47%. Oil/fats, Meats, Vegetables and Roots and Tubers accounted for 13.13%, 9.99%, 7.66% and 6.59% of the respondents’ households respectively. The result of logit regression indicated that the coefficients of age, household size, farm size, cooperative membership, and access to credit were significant. The study recommend that government should make credit accessible through the anchor borrower’s scheme, inputs heavily subsidized easily through the anchor borrower’s scheme and there should be education of farming households on different classes of food for healthy living through the National Orientation Agency

Long-Term High Dietary Diversity Maintains Good Physical Function in Chinese Elderly: A Cohort Study Based on CLHLS from 2011 to 2018.

(1) Objective: This study aimed to explore the correlation between dietary factors and physical function in Chinese elderly. (2) Methods: A cohort study was conducted on the association of long-term dietary intake status with physical function in older people based on the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS) from 2011 to 2018. The physical function of the subjects was judged according to the scores of basic activities of daily living (BADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL). The dietary diversity score was established according to the intake frequency of the food groups, and the dietary pattern score was obtained by factor analysis. The associations between dietary factors and functional impairment was investigated by logistic regressions. (3) Results: A total of 2282 subjects were included in our cohort study, 458 and 1439 of whom had BADL limitation and IADL limitation, respectively. The risk of functional impairment decreased in the consistent high dietary diversity groups compared with the consistent low dietary diversity group (p < 0.05). The fruit-egg-milk pattern, vegetable-meat-fish pattern, and condiment and tea pattern reduced the risk of functional impairment (p < 0.05). (4) Conclusions: Long-term maintenance of high dietary diversity and increasing total dietary intake can help maintain good physical function of Chinese elderly.

Factors Influencing Adolescents' Dietary Behaviors in the School and Home Environment in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

BackgroundMalnutrition affects many adolescents in Ethiopia. Over one-third of adolescent girls and two-thirds of boys are thin. Overweight and obesity in Ethiopia is mostly a concern in urban populations of higher wealth quintiles. Urbanization and globalization of diets is shifting food environments. The objective of this study was to assess whether food environments in and around schools in urban Ethiopia influence dietary diversity, quality, BMI status or perceptions of adolescents.MethodsTwelve high schools were selected in Addis Ababa (private/government). From each school, 20 pupils aged 15–19 years were randomly selected (n = 217) and interviewed about assets in their households, their diets (categorized into 10 food groups of the Minimum Dietary Diversity, the Global Dietary Recommendations scores and four categories of the NOVA classification based on level of processing) and their use of pocket money. In addition, food environment audits were conducted within the school compound and a 0.5 km radius around each school and types of food outlets.ResultsOn average there were 436 food outlets and 246 food or drink advertisements around each school. The majority of the advertisements (89.9%) were of ultra-processed foods, mostly sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs). Most were positioned on food outlets (89.1%). SSBs or sweets were visibly on display in 26.3% of the outlets and fresh fruits and vegetables in 17.9% of outlets. Dietary diversity of adolescents was poor with an average of 3.6 food groups out of 10 consumed in the last 24 h. Ultra-processed foods and beverages were consumed by 23.5% of adolescents. The majority of adolescents spent their pocket money on SSBs, sweets or fried foods. Our analysis found that higher assets in adolescents' households were associated with higher dietary diversity and consumption of healthy food groups. We found no association between the food environment and dietary indicators or the BMI-z-score.ConclusionWhile the school food environments investigated were not conducive with promoting healthy dietary behaviors, we cannot conclude that these environmental factors directly influence adolescents' diets. The pervasive advertising and availability of unhealthy foods and beverages requires policy action for healthy school food environments.

Higher dietary diversity as a protective factor against depression among older adults in China: a cross-sectional study.

Evidence suggests that poor mental health (MH) is a risk factor for the health of older adults. Dietary diversity is considered to be related to healthy aging. However, the relationship between diet and MH is still unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between dietary diversity score (DDS) and anxiety and depression among centenarians and their offspring and spouses. Our study was observational and cross-sectional. The Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), the 15-item version of the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15), and the dietary frequency questionnaire were used to measure the status of anxiety, depression, and dietary diversity. Data were analyzed by Student's t-test, χ2 test, Mann-Whitney U test, correlational analysis, and univariate or multivariate logistic regression. Among the 288 older adults, 12.8% reported symptoms of depression, and 8.7% reported anxiety. People with a lower dietary diversity had higher rates of anxiety and depression. After controlling for age, place of residence, economic status, alcohol drinking, and physical activity, a lower DDS was found to be a risk factor for depressive symptoms [odds ratio (OR): 2.237; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.009-4.959; P=0.048]. DDS was negatively correlated with depression score in older adults (r=-0.224; P<0.001), especially offspring and their spouses (r=-0.275; P<0.001). However, no significant relationship was observed between DDS and anxiety. In addition, eating legumes (OR: 0.415; 95% CI: 0.188-0.920; P=0.030) and nuts (OR: 0.255; 95% CI: 0.116-0.561; P=0.001) at least once a week can act as protective factors for depression. Eating nuts (OR: 0.405; 95% CI: 0.168-0.978; P=0.044) and meat (OR: 0.396, 95% CI: 0.161-0.975; P=0.044) at least once a week can act as protective factors for anxiety. These results suggest an association between low dietary diversity and a higher incidence of mental disorders. Further, the possibility of reverse causality cannot be ruled out. It is necessary to conduct further prospective studies.

Measuring rural households’ food consumption pattern using HDDS. A case of Mopani District Municipality, Limpopo province, South Africa

Inadequate consumption of nutritious food is still a challenge in most rural areas, as majority of households are in between jobs. This leads to rural households not having stable jobs and this affects their income, and it results to rural household not been able to acquire nutritious food as level of income is one of the major factors that influence households’ dietary diversity and dietary quality. The purpose of this study was to measure household food consumption pattern using Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS), with food groups over a recall period of seven days in rural household of Mopani District Municipality. The study estimated the determinants of rural household dietary diversity. The sample size of the study was 173 rural households, the sample size was determine using multi-stage sampling procedure and proportional random sampling as its sampling to select the rural households in Mopani district municipality. The descriptive statistics results indicated that majority of rural households have a high dietary diversity status and the average HDDS of food consumption was 80.75%. Regarding the regression results, household income, gender, level of education, access to a home garden and ownership of livestock suggested a positive influence of rural households in attaining high dietary diversity.

Anaemia among school-aged adolescent boys in the Sagnarigu District of Northern Ghana

Background: The increased nutritional requirement in pregnancy and that associated with growth spurt in adolescence has skewed nutritional interventions towards pregnant women and girls. Among school-aged adolescents, physical and cognitive development peaks. This affects both males and females but overall nutritional deficiency in males has not been fully described. We assessed prevalence of anaemia and its predictors among school-aged adolescent boys in the Sagnarigu district, Northern Region. Method: We used cross-sectional design with multi-stage sampling involving 349 adolescents in eleven (11) public JHSs. We included adolescent girls for comparison on the prevalence of anaemia and to answer the question whether anaemia in the boys was any different from their female colleagues. We estimated household wealth using Principal Component Analysis (PCA). We assessed Dietary Diversity and food security using 24-hour recall and FANTA-USAID Household Hunger Scale (HHS) module respectively. We analysed capillary blood samples using HaemoCue (Hb-301) to determine anaemia. We measured weight and height and determined nutritional status using the WHO 2007 growth reference. We conducted data analysis using STATA Version 15 and used Two-sample t-test to determine mean differences and Chi-square (χ2) or fisher’s exact tests for associations. We fitted logistic regression models to the data to determine factors associated with anaemia among boys. Findings: We found overall mean haemoglobin concentration of 13.3±1.7g/dl and anaemia prevalence of 25.2%. We found no statistical difference between anaemia in boys and girls (24.2% for boys vs. 26.8% for girls, p=0.59). Low dietary diversity was 29.5%, medium dietary diversity was 33.5%, high dietary diversity was 37.5% and food insecurity was (21.2%). In total, 14.3% of children had nutritional challenges, with 8.5% underweight, 5.8% Overweight/obese and 9.9% stunted. Among boys, anaemia was predicted by wealth (OR=0.5, 95% CI=0.2 -1.0, P=0.049) and stunting (OR=2.7, 95%CI=1.1 - 6.8, p=0.034). Living in upper 60% household wealth was a protective factor with 50% less odds of anaemia as compared to their counterparts living in the lower 40%. Similarly, stunted boys had 2.7times odds of anaemia as compared to those not stunted. Conclusion: We concluded that anaemia equally affects boys and girls in the Sagnarigu district. Family/household circumstances may determine anaemia among these adolescents rather than biology (menstruation in girls). Indeed, irrespective of the age, educational level of parents and household food security, anaemia among boys in the district was predicted by household wealth and stunting.

The Impact of Dietary Diversity, Lifestyle, and Blood Lipids on Carotid Atherosclerosis: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Carotid atherosclerosis is a common arterial wall lesion that causes narrowing and occlusion of the arteries and is the basis of cardiovascular events. Dietary habits, lifestyle, and lipid metabolism should be considered integrally in the context of carotid atherosclerosis (CAS). However, this area has been investigated less often in China. To understand the prevalence of CAS in China and the impact of dietary diversity and habits, lifestyle, and lipid metabolism on CAS as well as its predictive factors, a cross-sectional study was performed in two northern and southern Chinese tertiary hospitals from 2017 to 2019. Included participants underwent carotid artery color Doppler ultrasonography, blood lipid examination and dietary evaluation. In total, 11,601 CAS patients and 27,041 individuals without carotid artery lesions were included. The prevalence of CAS was 30.0% in this group. High BMI (OR: 1.685, 95% CI [1.315–2.160]), current (1.148 [1.077–1.224]) or ex-smoking (1.349 [1.190–1.529]), abstinence from alcohol ((1.223 [1.026–1.459]), social engagement (1.122 [1.050–1.198]), hypertension (1.828 [1.718–1.945]), and total cholesterol (1.438 [1.298–1.594]) were risk factors for CAS, while higher dietary diversity according to DDS-2 (0.891 [0.805–0.989]), HDL-C (0.558 [0.487–0.639]), sugar-sweetened beverages (0.734 [0.696–0.774]), and no midnight snack consumption (0.846 [0.792–0.903]) were protective factors. This current study demonstrated that higher dietary diversity was a protective factor against CAS in a healthy population. In addition, current recommendations of healthy lifestyle and dietary habits for preventing CAS should be strengthened. In addition, dietary diversity should concentrate on food attributes and dietary balance, rather than increased quantities.

Ecoregions Occupied are More Related to Diet Diversity than Body Mass in Artibeina Bats

Understanding the factors that explain animals' diet diversity is important to comprehend niche partitioning, co-existence, biotic interactions, and the vulnerability of species populations to habitat transformation. Species body mass and their geographical range are positively related to the diversity of food items they consume and consequently with their potential ecological niche occupied. However, the relative weight of these factors to explain diet diversity in mammals is poorly known. Using Artibeina frugivorous bats as a biological model, we evaluate the importance of body mass and ecoregions occupied to explain the diet diversity of these bats. We analyzed our data using phylogenetic correlations and Bayesian statistics techniques. Our results show a stronger phylogenetic correlation between bats' diet diversity with the number of ecoregions they occupied than with their body mass. These results suggest Neotropical frugivorous bats that occupy different habitats had a major possibility to have a higher diet diversity. In addition, these results are related with the ‘bottom-up’ diet diversity hypothesis that postulates that diet diversity in frugivorous bats is related to ecosystem plant diversity.

Musculoskeletal Pain Is Associated with Dietary Diversity Score among Community-Dwelling Older Adult: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background Musculoskeletal pains (MSP) are the most common cause of long-term severe pain and physical disability among older adults. This study is aimed at determining the relationship between dietary diversity score (DDS) and MSP in Tehran's older adults. Methods The study was a cross-sectional one that employed 213 participants with and without MSP complaints between May and October 2019 in Tehran, Iran. A 100 mm length visual analog scale questionnaire was used to assess pain along with a validated 147-item food frequency questionnaire for DDS evaluation. Statistical analyses included descriptive analysis and multiple linear regression with a significance level of p < 0.05. Results 85% of the participants had a range of MSP with a low but insignificant DDS compared to individuals without pain (p = 0.12, 3.24 (±0.86) vs. 3.43 (±0.85), respectively). A significant association was observed among the quartiles of DDS that most of the subjects with MSP were in the lowest quartile relative to the highest one (p = 0.02). Moreover, the association between DDS and MSP remained significant in the adjusted model (OR = 0.28, 95%(CI) = 0.08 − 0.99). Conclusion A high-quality diet is important. Our study showed that a higher dietary diversity might be associated with lower MSP in older adults. More robust interventional studies are thus warranted to confirm the results.

Prevalence and correlates of diabetes distress and depressive symptoms among individuals with type-2 diabetes mellitus during Ramadan fasting: A cross-sectional study in Bangladesh amid the COVID-19

AimsPsychological concerns relating to “diabetes distress” (DD) and depressive symptoms (DS) in individuals with type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) may negatively impact adherence to medical treatments and overall mental health. Thus, this study was undertaken to investigate DS and DD in relation to fasting during the month of Ramadan. MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted among 735 patients with T2DM in 2021. DD and DS were measured by the Problem Areas in Diabetes scale and Patient Health Questionnaire-9, respectively. Logistic regression and correlation analyses were executed. ResultsMore than one-third of the participants (41.2%) had DD and DS (36.9%). DS was significantly higher in participants who did not fast (p = 0.027). Participants who had higher dietary diversity were less likely to have DD (p = 0.004) and DS (p = 0.001). Females (AOR = 1.89, 95% CI: 1.25–2.85) and those who lived alone (AOR = 1.89, 95% CI: 1.25–2.85) were more likely to have DS. Participants with diabetes-related complications were more likely to experience DS (AOR = 2.17; 95% CI: 1.5–3.13) and DD (AOR = 3.46; 95% CI: 2.42–4.95). DD was also associated with being younger (p = 0.003), having hypertension (p = 0.030), having heart disease (p = 0.012), and taking insulin (p = 0.010). ConclusionsIndividuals with T2DM who were not fasting experienced more mental health concerns. Psychosocial support and other interventions from health professionals should be examined and empirical interventions should be implemented to promote the mental health and well-being of individuals with T2DM.

Diversify, produce or buy? An analysis of factors contributing to household dietary diversity among shrimp and non-shrimp farmers in coastal Bangladesh

Until the Covid-19 pandemic, Bangladesh had reported consistent improvements regarding its food and nutrition security (FNS) status, and yet, the country still features poor FNS outcomes among parts of its population. In rural coastal regions of the Ganges–Brahmaputra-Meghna delta, farming households’ vulnerability is particularly exacerbated by a range of environmental hazards, increasing challenges for agriculture to contribute to higher FNS levels. In the context of existing literature on the trade-offs between subsistence agriculture and cash-earning livelihood activities, vis-à-vis food and nutrition security outcomes, this article assesses the relative contribution of crop diversification vis à vis other factors on the households’ Food Consumption Score (FCS) in specific livelihood contexts. We provide differentiated analyses between primarily export-oriented shrimp farming and non-shrimp farming households, so policy makers can better address FNS targets. Quantitative data from 1,188 sample households across the delta were analysed through descriptive and linear regression analyses. Results show that households cultivating shrimp have a significantly higher dietary diversity than households that do not. Among shrimp farmers, crop diversification has the relatively strongest significant positive effect on dietary diversity, suggesting part of the aquacultural crops are geared towards subsistence. By contrast, crop diversification seems to have a negative effect on dietary diversity among households that do not produce shrimp, especially when different agricultural crops are combined. Importantly, both for shrimp and non-shrimp farmers, crop diversification systems combining agriculture with aquaculture, and agroforestry seem to improve diverse diets among households. While by no means a panacea to solving FNS challenges among rural households, we suggest that promoting specific crop diversification systems could be a beneficial pathway to improved FNS outcomes.

Prevalence and determinants of dietary practices among pregnant women in eastern Ethiopia

IntroductionAppropriate dietary practices in pregnancy are critical to meet the increased metabolic and physiological demands; however, information about dietary practices among pregnant women, particularly rural residents, is limited. The study aimed to assess the level of appropriate dietary practices and associated determinants among pregnant women in Haramaya District, eastern Ethiopia, 2021.MethodsA community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 448 pregnant women in Haramaya District, Eastern Ethiopia. Data was collected through face-to-face interviews by trained research assistants, using a validated frequency questionnaire. The pregnant women were labeled as “appropriate dietary practice” when they consumed at least four meals daily, had a good food variety score, high dietary diversity score, and high consumption of animal source foods during the reference period. Otherwise, they were defined as “inappropriate.” A Poisson regression model with robust variance estimation was used to investigate the association of the independent variables with the dietary practice. An adjusted prevalence ratio with a 95% confidence interval was reported to show an association using a p-value < 0.05.ResultsThe appropriate dietary practice among the study participants was 15.2% (95% CI = 12–18%). Of the respondents, 29.46, 37.5, and 24.7% had a high dietary diversity, high food variety score, and high consumption of animal source foods. The appropriate dietary practice was more prevalent among merchant women (APR = 2.07; 95% CI 1.07–4.02) and those whose husbands have at least a high school educational level (APR = 1.96; 95% CI 1.06–3.46). However, the prevalence of appropriate dietary practice was significantly lower among those who chewed khat (APR = 0.58; 95% CI 0.37–0.90) and among respondents who reported restriction of the intake of some foods (APR = 0.36; 95% CI 0.20–0.65).ConclusionWe found sup-optimal appropriate dietary practice among pregnant women in this predominantly rural setting. Additionally, the lower appropriate dietary practice was observed among women who reported chewing khat and experienced restriction of dietary consumption during pregnancy. Therefore, nutrition policy programs and interventions aimed at encouraging maternal nutritional guidance and counseling are recommended.

Dietary diversity score (DDS) and odds of colorectal cancer and adenoma: a case-control study.

Despite mounting evidence that dietary factors might have a protective role against risk of cancer, few studies have assessed the relationship between diet diversity with colorectal cancer (CRC) and colorectal adenoma (CRA). Thus, we examined the relationship between dietary diversity score (DDS) and the odds of CRC and CRA. Overall, 129 CRC diagnosed patients, 130 CRA diagnosed cases and 240 healthy hospitalised controls were studied. DDS was calculated based on information on the usual diet that was assessed by a valid and reliable food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Multivariate logistic regression was used to estimate the relationship between DDS and odds of colorectal cancer and adenoma. After adjusting for potential confounders, the diversity of grains is associated with the increased odds of CRC (ORgrains: 2·96 (1·05-8·32); P = 0·032), while the diversity of vegetables and fruits are associated with decreased odds of CRC (ORvegetables: 0·31 (0·16-0·62); P = 0·001, ORfruits: 0·37 (0·23-0·61); P < 0·001). The diversity of vegetables, fruits and dairy are inversely associated with odds of CRA (ORvegetables: 0·41 (0·21-0·78); P = 0·007, ORfruits: 0·58 (0·36-0·93); P = 0·021, ORdairies: 0·56 (0·37-0·83); P = 0·004). Also, higher DDS was related to decreased odds of both CRC (OR: 0·41 (0·23-0·72); P for trend = 0·002) and CRA (OR: 0·36 (0·21-0·65); P for trend = 0·001). Our results indicated that higher dietary diversity and particularly a diet varied in fruits and vegetables may reduce the odds of CRC and CRA. Also, the consumption of dairy products may decrease the odds of CRC, whereas the consumption of grains may increase the odds of CRC.

High dietary and habitat diversity indicate generalist behaviors of northern bog lemmings Synaptomys borealis in Alaska, USA

The northern bog lemming Synaptomys borealis (NBL) is a rare small mammal that is undergoing a federal Species Status Assessment (SSA) under the US Endangered Species Act. Despite a wide North American distribution, very little is known about NBL dietary or habitat needs, both of which are germane to the resiliency of this species to climate change. To quantify diet composition of NBL in Alaska, we used DNA metabarcoding from 59 archived specimens to describe the taxonomic richness and relative abundance of foods in recent diets. DNA analyses revealed a broad diet composed of at least 110 families and 92 genera of bryophytes (mosses and liverworts), graminoids, fungi, forbs, and woody shrubs. Nine bryophyte genera and Carex sedges composed the largest portions of NBL diets. To quantify habitat preference, we intersected 467 georeferenced occurrence records of NBL in Alaska with remotely sensed land cover classes and used a compositional analysis framework that accounts for the relative abundance of land cover types. We did not detect significant habitat preferences for specific land cover types, although NBL frequently occurred in evergreen forest, woody wetlands, and adjacent to water. Our research highlights the importance of bryophytes, among a high diversity of dietary components, and describes NBL as boreal habitat generalists. Results will inform the current federal SSA by quantifying the extent to which ecological constraints are likely to affect NBL in a rapidly changing boreal environment.

Dietary Diversity during Early Infancy Increases Microbial Diversity and Prevents Egg Allergy in High-Risk Infants.

We aimed to investigate associations of dietary diversity (DD) with gut microbial diversity and the development of hen's egg allergy (HEA) in infants. We enrolled 68 infants in a high-risk group and 32 infants in a control group based on a family history of allergic diseases. All infants were followed from birth until 12 months of age. We collected infant feeding data, and DD was defined using 3 measures: the World Health Organization definition of minimum DD, food group diversity, and food allergen diversity. Gut microbiome profiles and expression of cytokines were evaluated by bacterial 16S rRNA sequencing and real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. High DD scores at 3 and 4 months were associated with a lower risk of developing HEA in the high-risk group, but not in the control group. In the high-risk group, high DD scores at 3, 4, and 5 months of age were associated with an increase in Chao1 index at 6 months. We found that the gene expression of IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, and IL-8 were higher among infants who had lower DD scores compared to those who had higher DD scores in high-risk infants. Additionally, high-risk infants with a higher FAD score at 5 months of age showed a reduced gene expression of IL-13. Increasing DD within 6 months of life may increase gut microbial diversity, and thus reduce the development of HEA in infants with a family history of allergic diseases.

Association of soybean-based food with the prevalence of anaemia among reproductive-aged men and women in rural Central Java, Indonesia.

To assess the association between soybean consumption and anaemic status in Central Java, Indonesia. As part of an overarching sanitation improvement intervention in Central Java, Indonesia, we conducted a cross-sectional study in four rural villages. The study consisted of a 24-h food recall, anthropometric measurements, blood Hb measurement and stool sampling to test for soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infection status. A binary logistic regression model was fitted to test the association between soybean consumption and anaemic status after adjusting for socio-demographic factors, STH infection, dietary diversity and anthropometric status. This study took place in four rural villages of Wonosobo regency, Central Java, Indonesia. Participants were rural villagers aged between 15 and 49 years. A total sample size of 763 was attained, of which 231 were anaemic. The prevalence of anaemia was 30·2 % among men and women of reproductive age, and highest among young males. Consumption of soybean was high (79·8 %). After adjusting for covariates, the protective association between soybean consumption and anaemia was statistically significant (AOR = 0·53, 95 % CI = 0·30, 0·95, P < 0·05). There was a positive association with anaemia among underweight (AOR = 2·75, 95 % CI = 1·13, 6·69, P < 0·05) and those with high diet diversity (AOR = 1·40, 95 % CI = 1·00, 1·97, P < 0·05). Our results were consistent with studies from other countries finding a protective association between soybean consumption and anaemia. This association appeared stronger for tofu than for tempeh. The prevalence of anaemia in rural Central Java is relatively consistent with nation-wide statistics indicating that interventions targeting anaemia are still largely required.

Steller sea lion diet in the Eastern Kamchatka

We studied the diet of Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus) on the eastern coast of Kamchatka based on the remains of undigested food parts found in feces at terrestrial sites near Cape Kozlova (rookery) and Cape Kekurny (haulout) in the summer. A total of 276 fecal samples were analyzed from 2004 to 2008. Forty eight food items of 17 fish families and one family of cephalopod mollusks were identified. Steller sea lion diet was diverse yet dominated by only several species. The pollock Gadus chalcogrammus, Atka mackerel Pleurogrammus monopterygius, Pacific sand lance Ammodytes hexapterus and Hemilepidotus sp. were dominant by frequency of occurrence in decreasing order at both sites. Differences were found in the Steller sea lion diet in the studied sites. Prey diversity at Kekurny Cape within scat samples ranged from one to twelve objects within the median of four prey item per a sample. The median of prey diversity at Kozlov Cape within scat samples was two food objects within a range of one to nine prey types per sample. Of the 37 scats (24,5 %) collected at Kozlov Cape that contained a single prey item, 75,7% contained Atka mackerel. Among scats collected at Kekurny Cape that contained a single prey species (n=10, 8,0 %), 50,0 % contained Atka mackerel and 40,0 % pollock. In contrast to the high diet diversity at Kekurny Cape haulout, breeding Steller sea lions at Kozlova Cape rookery fed on a narrow set of prey items. Interannual changes in the diet structure at each site were not statistically significant.

ЛЕТНЕЕ ПИТАНИЕ СИВУЧА В ВОДАХ ДАЛЬНЕГО ВОСТОКА РОССИИ В 2004–2008 ГОДАХ

The diet of Steller sea lion Eumetopias jubatus was studied based on undigested food parts found in feces collected in the summer season on 20 rookeries in the Russian Far East. A total of 915 samples were analyzed between 2004 and 2008, in which 65 food items were identified. The frequency of occurrence of 11 diet items was greater than 5%, including Atka mackerel Pleurogrammus monopterygius (64.8%), Pollock Theragra chalcogramma (44.3%), Pacific salmon Salmonidae (20.5%), Irish lord Hemilepidotus sp. (20.4%), Pacific sand lance Ammodytes hexapterus (15.8%), Pacific herring Clupea pallasi (9.5%), Squid and Octopus Cephalopoda (8.4%), Pacific cod Gadus macrocephalus (5, 9%), Pacific sandfish Trichodon trichodon (5.9%), Flatfishes Pleuronectidae (5.8%), Threespine stickleback Gasterosteus aculaeatus (4.9%). Three regions with different diets were identified – the Sea of Okhotsk, the Kuril Islands, and Kamchatka with the Commander Islands. In the Sea of Okhotsk, Pollock and Herring (83.6% by frequency of occurrence) dominated among undigested food remains in feces. The diet at the Kuril Islands rookeries was variable within the region. The general pattern was a low diversity of diet at each Kuril Island sites and predominance of 1-3 food items, probably the most accessible near the sites (Pollock, Squid and Octopus, Atka mackerel, Pacific salmon). The diet pattern in Kamchatka and the Commander Islands in the summer season was characterized by a high diet diversity. In contrast to other regions, the diet includes in high proportion small non-commercial species – Sand lance, Irish lord, Pacific sandfish, Flatfishes, Threespine stickleback and others. The regional patterns of sea lion diets show the spatial distribution and areas of abundant biomass of the main food items. The diet patterns of sea lions from rookeries differed from haulouts in having a higher content of abundant food items. Long-term changes in diet structure were not statistically significant.

Food security and related health risk among adults in the Limpopo Province of South Africa

Food insecurity, obesity and hypertension remain major public health issues related to nutrition in South Africa. The purpose of this study was to determine household food security and the health risk of the adult population in the Limpopo Province using cross-sectional designs. A stratified random sampling method was used to recruit adults aged 18 to 65 years in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. Data were collected using a validated, structured questionnaire. All data were analysed using SPSS version 25.0. The study included 640 participants with an average age of 36.2±17.6 years and a household size of five persons; 74.5% of participants fell in the low monthly income bracket (≤ZAR3000). The mean dietary diversity score was 3.99 (CI: 2.79–5.19). The prevalence of food insecurity was 31.3%, obesity 35.2% and hypertension 32.3%. Being a woman, older and married significantly positively influenced obesity and hypertension. Also, a healthy eating lifestyle such as high dietary diversity was found to positively influence obesity status, while daily eating of fruit and vegetables positively significantly influenced the hypertension status of participants (p&lt;0.05). Food insecurity, obesity and hypertension rates remain high among adults in the Limpopo Province of South Africa with consumption of a diet low in dietary variety. Aged and married women were more likely to be obese and hypertensive, while daily fruit and vegetable intake were found to be a protective factor. Educational and nutritional intervention should be designed and geared towards promoting fruit and vegetable intake in the community.Significance: Households had a diet low in dietary variety, with dietary diversity revealed as a determinant of health risk. Dietary diversity is inversely correlated with household food security. The findings also identified household determinants of obesity and hypertension, which are major public health issues in South Africa.