Higher Dietary Energy Density Research Articles

Dietary fat and high energy density diet: Influence on intestinal health, oxidative stressand performance of weaned piglets.

The utilization of dietary components to support gut function and the health of young animals is an important factor for improved performance. The influence of high dietary fat levels in a lowor high energy density diet on the performance of weaned piglets in relation to intestinal absorptive function, amino acid utilization, oxidative stress, and microbial metabolites was assessed in this study. The study examined the effect of two different diets containing either a low energy density/high-fat level or a high energy density/high-fat level. A total of 16 healthy weaners (9.60 ± 0.13 kg) were allocated to one of the two dietary treatments. There were eight weaners per treatment. Results showed that feed intake and body weight gain of weaners were increased by the diet of high energy density/high-fat level (p < 0.05), but the feed efficiency showed an increased tendency of significance (p = 0.05). In the duodenum, the villus height(VH) and VH/crypt depth (CD) ratio (VH:CD) were increased by dietary high energy density/high fat. In the jejunum and ileum, the CD was increased by low energy density/high-fat diet, while the goblet cell count and VH:CD were increased by dietary high energy density/high-fat level. Methionine, lysineand phenylalanine concentrations were increased by high energy density/high-fat diet while low energy density/high-fat diet showed an increased tendency to increase citrulline and ornithine concentrations in the piglet. Oxidative stress marker, lactase enzyme activity and serum calcium concentration were increased by a high energy density/high-fat diet. Increased dietary fat in all diets induced diarrhoea in the weaners (p < 0.01). It was concluded that a dietary high energy density/high-fat diet seems to positively modulate gut absorptive function, serum amino acid (methionine and lysine), calcium levels and increased oxidative stress markers in the weaned piglets.

Shorter sleep among adolescents is associated with lower fruit and vegetable consumption the following day

BackgroundInsufficient sleep has been associated with weight gain and metabolic dysregulation, with one suggested mechanism being through reduction in diet quality. Experimental evidence supports a causal effect of sleep timings on diet but this may not be applicable to a free-living adolescent population. In this analysis we use daily measures of sleep timings and diet quality, to examine the effect of sleep duration and timing on diet quality the following day among free-living adolescents.MethodsThe ROOTS study is a prospective cohort recruited from secondary schools in Cambridgeshire and Suffolk (UK). Participants (n = 815) at mean age 15.0y (SD 0.3y) completed a diet diary and wore a combined heart rate and accelerometer device over 4 consecutive days. Sleep duration and timing (midpoint) were derived from acceleration and heart rate traces, while daily energy density and fruit and vegetable intake were calculated from dietary data. Analyses were performed at day-level (1815 person-days). Multilevel random effects models were used to test associations between sleep each night and subsequent day diet, with daily sleep and diet measures nested within individuals and schools, and adjusted for day-level and individual-level confounding variables.ResultsAdolescents slept a mean of 7.88 hrs (SD 1.10) per night, reporting a mean energy density of 2.12 kcal/g (SD 0.48) and median energy-adjusted daily fruit and vegetable intake of 137.3 g (IQR 130.4). One hour shorter sleep duration was associated with lower intake of fruit and vegetables (-6.42 g, 95%CI -1.84, -10.99) the following day. An association with higher dietary energy density (0.016 kcal/g, 95%CI 0.034, -0.002) the following day was observed but did not reach statistical significance. Sleep timing was not associated with either fruit and vegetable intake (-2.52 g/d, 95%CI -7.66, 2.62) or dietary energy density (-0.001 kcal/g, 95%CI -0.022, 0.020).ConclusionsOur observational findings from a free-living adolescent population support the experimental evidence for a causal role of sleep on diet, with shorter sleep duration at night leading to a small decrease in diet quality the following day. These findings support experimental evidence to suggest inclusion of sleep duration as one component of interventions designed to improve diet quality and weight status in adolescents.

Association between a dietary pattern high in saturated fatty acids, dietary energy density, and sodium with coronary heart disease

This study aimed to determine the association between dietary pattern (DP) and coronary heart disease (CHD) among high-risk adults as determined by metabolic syndrome (MetS) criteria in Malaysia. This cross-sectional study involved 365 participants with (CHD = 178; non-CHD = 187) who were recruited from selected health clinics. Dietary intake was measured using a 189-item semi-quantitative foods frequency questionnaire (FFQ) whilst anthropometry and clinical data were measured by trained researcher and biochemical data were obtained from medical records. The reduced rank regression (RRR) method was used to derive DPs scores and binary logistic regression was used to assess the associations between identified DPs and CHD. The main DP found in this study was characterised by “high saturated fatty acid (SFA), high dietary energy density (DED), high sodium”. This DP, which is attributed to high consumption of coconut-based dishes, fast foods and snacks, rice dishes, fat spread, seasoning sauces, salted and processed foods, and low intake of fruits, green leafy vegetables, white rice and other vegetables were associated with CHD (OR:1.32, 95% CI:1.03, 1.69) p value = 0.026 when, adjusted for age, sex, race, education level, household income, family history of CHD, marital status, smoking status, physical activity, stress level and BMI. This study suggests that individuals with a DP of high SFA, high DED, and high sodium have a significantly increased likelihood of having CHD compared to those who do not practice this DP.

Prenatal programing of motivated behaviors: can innate immunity prime behavior?

Prenatal programming during pregnancy sets physiological outcomes in the offspring by integrating external or internal stimuli. Accordingly, pregnancy is an important stage of physiological adaptations to the environment where the fetus becomes exposed and adapted to the maternal milieu. Maternal exposure to high-energy dense diets can affect motivated behavior in the offspring leading to addiction and impaired sociability. A high-energy dense exposure also increases the pro-inflammatory cytokines profile in plasma and brain and favors microglia activation in the offspring. While still under investigation, prenatal exposure to high-energy dense diets promotes structural abnormalities in selective brain regions regulating motivation and social behavior in the offspring. The current review addresses the role of energy-dense foods programming central and peripheral inflammatory profiles during embryonic development and its effect on motivated behavior in the offspring. We provide preclinical and clinical evidence that supports the contribution of prenatal programming in shaping immune profiles that favor structural and brain circuit disruption leading to aberrant motivated behaviors after birth. We hope this minireview encourages future research on novel insights into the mechanisms underlying maternal programming of motivated behavior by central immune networks.

Ultraprocessed Food Consumption, Diet Patterns, and Perception of Diet Quality and Body Weight in the US

ObjectivesUltraprocessed foods (UPF) have recently been examined as a risk factor for diet-related disease in adults. Studies have demonstrated changes in trends in consumption patterns of UPF over the past several decades, but few studies have evaluated the association between UPF and perception of diet along with measured dietary intake. The objective of this study was to examine the association between UPF consumption, dietary intake patterns, and self-perceived diet quality in a nationally representative sample of US children and adults. MethodsData from the 2017–2018 NHANES was used for this study. Dietary intake information was collected using 24-hour recall; recalled foods were classified using the NOVA classification system and NOVA Category 4 (ultraprocessed) were identified. All data were analyzed using SAS 9.4 survey procedures to account for the unequal sampling probability and complex survey design of the. ResultsConsumption of ultraprocessed foods is associated with poor diet in US children and adults. In adults, higher consumption of ultraprocessed foods was is associated with higher dietary energy density (p = 0.0001), lower vegetable consumption (p = 0.002), greater intake of added sugars (p < 0.0001), and lower intake of plant-based protein foods (p < 0.0001). In children, consumption of ultraprocessed foods was associated with higher dietary energy density (p < 0.0001), lower consumption of vegetables (p < 0.0001) even when including fewer servings of white potatoes (p = 0.04). Interestingly, perception of diet quality was also strongly associated with ultraprocessed food consumption. Individuals who self-reported a ‘poor’ diet consumed 84% of daily calories from ultraprocessed foods, compared to individuals who self-reported an ‘excellent’ diet reporting 52% of daily calories from ultraprocessed foods, p < 0.0001. Adults who perceived themselves to be overweight also reported higher consumption of processed foods than adults who perceived themselves to be about the right weight (60% vs. 56%, p = 0.004). There was no association with processed food consumption and parent perception of child weight. ConclusionsUltraprocessed food consumption is associated with lower diet quality in US children and adults. Additionally, UPF consumption is associated with perception of diet quality and body weight. Funding SourcesNone.

Longitudinal Association of Dietary Energy Density with Abdominal Obesity among Chinese Adults from CHNS 1993-2018.

Few studies have explored the longitudinal association between dietary energy density and waist circumference and abdominal obesity in adults in China. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between dietary energy density and waist circumference and abdominal obesity in Chinese residents aged 18–64. Using data from the CHNS from 1993 to 2018, 25,817 adult residents aged 18 to 64 were selected for the study. Three consecutive 24-h dietary recalls and home-weighed seasonings were used to assess food intake. A multilevel model was used to analyze the relationship between dietary energy density and waist circumference and abdominal obesity. The results showed that compared with the lowest dietary energy density group, females had an increased risk of abdominal obesity (OR = 1.16, 95% CI: 1.05, 1.29), and females’ waist circumference increased significantly by 0.24 cm (95% CI: 0.39–1.09) in the highest dietary energy density group. No association between dietary energy density and waist circumference and abdominal obesity was observed in males. This study shows that higher dietary energy density is significantly associated with females’ waist circumference and abdominal obesity. Further research on high dietary energy density and abdominal obesity will provide scientific basis for the effective control of abdominal obesity.

Metabolomics Reveals the Effects of High Dietary Energy Density on the Metabolism of Transition Angus Cows.

Simple SummaryThe increase in the metabolic demand and the dramatically decreased feed intake of cows around parturition often cause a negative energy balance status in cows, which can cause metabolic disorders. Before parturition, dry matter intake of cows starts to decline, and this decline is practically unavoidable. Therefore, increasing the energy density of the diet is extremely important. We used untargeted metabolomics to reveal the effect of high dietary energy density on body metabolism and explore whether it can alleviate negative energy balance. Our research shows that feeding a high-energy diet could significantly improve antioxidant capacity, maintain phosphatidylcholine homeostasis and reduce the negative energy balance of cows by regulating lipid mobilization, muscle mobilization, and protein turnover.The diet energy level plays a vital role in the energy balance of transition cows. We investigated the effects of high dietary energy density on body metabolism. Twenty multiparous Angus cows were randomly assigned to two treatment groups (10 cows/treatment), one receiving a high-energy (HE) diet (NEm = 1.67 Mcal/kg of DM) and the other administered a control (CON) diet (NEm = 1.53 Mcal/kg of DM). The results indicated that feeding a high-energy diet resulted in higher plasma glucose concentration and lower concentrations of plasma NEFA and BHBA on d 14 relative to calving in the HE-fed cows compared to the CON-fed ones. The postpartum plasma levels of T-AOC were lower in cows that received the CON diet than in cows in the HE group, while the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) showed an opposite trend. Among the 51 significantly different metabolites, the concentrations of most identified fatty acids decreased in HE cows. The concentrations of inosine, glutamine, and citric acid were higher in HE-fed cows than in CON-fed cows. Enrichment analysis revealed that linoleic acid metabolism, valine, leucine as well as isoleucine biosynthesis, and glycerophospholipid metabolism were significantly enriched in the two groups.

Effect of prepartum dietary energy density on beef cow energy metabolites, and birth weight and antioxidative capabilities of neonatal calves

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of prepartum diets that differ in energy density on beef cow energy metabolites and birth weight, immunity and antioxidative capabilities of neonatal calves. On d 0 (approximately 45 d before calving), 90 multiparous Angus cows (BW = 510 ± 16 kg) were randomly allocated into 1 of 9 drylot pens (10 cows/pen). Each pen was randomly assigned to a treatment condition (three pens/treatment), the cows in each treatment were assigned randomly to receive a high-energy (HE) density diet (NEm = 1.67 Mcal/kg of DM), medium-energy (ME) density diet (NEm = 1.53 Mcal/kg of DM), or low-energy (LE) density diet (NEm = 1.36 Mcal/kg of DM). Blood samples were collected − 45, − 21, − 14, and − 7 d from calving, and plasma concentrations of cortisol, glucose, total protein, β-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA), and nonesterified fatty acids (NEFAs) were measured. After calving, the birth weights, body height, body length, thoracic girth and umbilical girth of the calves in each group were recorded, and blood samples were collected for analysis of IgG, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and maleic dialdehyde levels. The amounts of feed offered and orts were recorded for individual cows 4 d/wk. The results indicated that although dry matter intake (DMI) levels did not differ among the LE, ME, and or HE groups before parturition, the group that received the HE diet had higher plasma glucose concentrations and lower prepartum blood NEFA concentrations than the other groups. Birth weight, body height, thoracic girth, and levels of IL-2, cortisol, total antioxidant capacity, and superoxide dismutase were increased in calves of the HE group compared with those of the LE group. The plasma IL-4 and serum IgG concentrations tended to be decreased in the ME group compared with the HE group, and the ME group had lower maleic dialdehyde concentrations; maleic dialdehyde levels were significantly increased in the LE group compared with the HE group. Overall, these results indicate that feeding of a low-energy diet during the last 45 d before parturition has negative effects on the growth, immunity, and antioxidative capabilities of neonatal calves. Increasing maternal energy density during late gestation may be useful to improve the energy status of cows.

Effects of metabolizable energy intake on post weaning lamb growth performance, carcass tissue composition and internal fat depend on animal characteristics: A meta-analysis

This study aimed to establish the quantitative relationship between metabolisable energy intake (MEI) and growth performance, carcass tissue composition and internal fat, taking into consideration animal precocity, maturity and tail nature. Data from 67 publications were used in the meta-analysis. Diets were characterized and three classes were identified (low medium and high energy density diets). Breeds were characterized according to tail nature, precocity and maturity stage. Average daily gain (ADG) responded to MEI in all animals weighing less than 60% of their adult weight regardless their precocity or their tail nature. At the same level of MEI, the higher the diet energy density, the higher the ADG. In animals weighing less than 42% of adult weight and receiving a high starch diet, carcass muscle and internal fat responded to MEI. Whereas, for animals that weighed between 43% and 75% of adult weight, increases in MEI influenced carcass adipose tissue.

MCP-1 Signaling Disrupts Social Behavior by Modulating Brain Volumetric Changes and Microglia Morphology.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a disease characterized by reduced social interaction and stereotypic behaviors and related to macroscopic volumetric changes in cerebellar and somatosensory cortices (SPP). Epidemiological and preclinical models have confirmed that a proinflammatory profile during fetal development increases ASD susceptibility after birth. Here, we aimed to globally identify the effect of maternal exposure to high-energy dense diets, which we refer to as cafeteria diet (CAF) on peripheral and central proinflammatory profiles, microglia reactivity, and volumetric brain changes related to assisting defective social interaction in the mice offspring. We found a sex-dependent effect of maternal exposure to CAF diet or inoculation of the dsARN mimetic Poly (I:C) on peripheral proinflammatory and social interaction in the offspring. Notably, maternal exposure to CAF diet impairs social interaction and favors an increase in anxiety in male but not female offspring. Also, CAF diet exposure or Poly (I:C) inoculation during fetal programming promote peripheral proinflammatory profile in the ASD-diagnosed male but not in females. Selectively, we found a robust accumulation of the monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in plasma of ASD-diagnosed males exposed to CAF during fetal development. Biological assessment of MCP-1 signaling in brain confirms that systemic injection of MCP-1-neutralizing antibody reestablished social interaction and blocked anxiety, accompanied by a reduction in cerebellar lobule X (CbX) volume and an increase volume of the primary somatosensory (SSP) cortex in male offspring. These data highlight the contribution of diet-dependent MCP-1 signaling on volumetric brain changes and microglia morphology promoting ASD-like behavior in male mice.

Effect of dietary folic acid and energy density on immune response, gut morphology, and oxidative status in blood and breast muscle of broiler chickens

Folic acid (FA) plays essential roles in many metabolic functions and has been reported to have antioxidant effects. Therefore, dietary supplementation with high levels of FA may improve gut health and prevent potential oxidative stress caused by feeding a high energy density diet to broiler chickens. Broiler chickens were assigned into eight treatments, consisting of either a normal energy (NE) or high energy (HE) density diet, and four FA levels (2.2, 5, 10, and 15 ppm). Data were analyzed by SAS 16 GLM procedure. Birds-fed HE diets had increased (P &lt; 0.05) plasma concentrations of calcium and albumin but reduced (P &lt; 0.005) weights of ceca and bursa compared with those fed NE diets. Dietary supplementation with 10 ppm FA significantly increased (P &lt; 0.05) birds’ heart weight and bile acid concentration. Folic acid and energy density interactions were significant for jejunal villus height (VH; P = 0.0226), villus width (VW; P &lt; 0.0001), and crypt depth (CD; P = 0.0332). Among the NE group, birds fed 5–15 ppm FA had reduced (P &lt; .0001) VW, while in the HE groups, 15 ppm FA supplementation resulted in an increased jejunal VH (P = 0.0317) compared with other treatments. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with increased levels of FA in HE diets could be beneficial for the intestinal health of broiler chickens.

Association between hypertension, obesity and dietary intake in post-menopausal women from rural Zambian communities.

BackgroundAmongst the cardiovascular risk (CVR) factors, hypertension (HT) and obesity appear to be prominent in post-menopausal women. The underlying mechanisms of HT development in menopause are not fully understood.AimTo determine the association between HT, obesity and dietary intakes in post-menopausal women from rural Zambia.SettingThis study was conducted in Twatasha Compound of Kitwe and Ndeke Community of Ndola.MethodsBlood pressure (BP), weight, height and dietary intakes (24-h recall) were measured in 153 women (> 50 years) from households. The South African Hypertension Society (SAHS), the World Health Organization (WHO) and estimated average requirements (EARs) guidelines were followed for HT, obesity and dietary intake definitions, respectively. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26 was used for descriptive and inferential statistical analyses.ResultsPrevalence of HT was 70%, whilst 37.25% and 28.10% of the participants were overweight and obese, respectively. The median interquartile range (IQR) dietary intakes showed inadequate intakes for most nutrients, except for carbohydrates (170 g [133; 225]). The total fat intake represented 14% of total energy intake. All median fatty acid intakes and sodium intakes (409 mg [169; 662]) were below the recommended levels. Only body mass index (BMI) correlated with HT (r = 0.268; p = 0.001).ConclusionsDespite low dietary intakes, an alarming prevalence of HT and obesity was found in our population. Hormonal changes, a high energy-dense diet and poor treatment adherence, may be possible underlying factors. We recommend measures to better manage HT as a CVR factor.ContributionThis article supplements evidence on the prevalence of obesity-related hypertension in post-menopausal women and the link to dietary intake.

Self-Reported Olfactory Dysfunction and Diet Quality: Findings From the 2011–2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)

ObjectivesTo identify associations of self-reported olfactory dysfunction (OD) with attributes of diet quality in a nationally-representative sample of US adults. MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, we utilized self-reported taste and smell, and dietary data collected from participants 40 years and older (n = 6356) in the NHANES 2011–2014. In the home-interview, a taste and smell questionnaire asked about smell-related problems, treatments and related conditions. Dietary information was collected by trained dietary interviewers using an in-person 24-h dietary recall interview and an automated multi-pass method. Self-reported OD was based on 3 questions, and defined as affirmative response to either a smell problem in the last 12 months, worse ability to smell since age 25, or smelling phantom odors. Diet quality was assessed using the Healthy Eating Index 2015 (HEI-2015) and its adequacy and moderation components (higher scores indicating higher diet quality). Other qualitative attributes included energy density of all foods (kcal/g), % energy from fat, and added sugar. Independent associations between self-reported OD and dietary attributes were estimated with survey-weighted linear regression models adjusting for age, gender, race/ethnicity, education, income-poverty ratio, and chronic disease score (based on reported diabetes, cancer, stroke and heart attack). ResultsThe prevalence of OD was 22.3% (95% CI: 20.4%--24.2%) and the average HEI-2015 score was 53.2 (0.4 SE). Compared to those without OD, adults with OD had higher energy density diets and higher % of energy from total fat, saturated fat and added sugar. Adjusted βs (95% CI) reflecting mean differences between those with and without OD were 0.06 (0.00, 0.12) for energy density of foods, 0.45 (0.10, 0.80) for % energy from saturated fat, 0.94 (0.19, 1.69) for % energy from total fat, and 0.96 (0.27, 1.65) for % energy from added sugar. Additionally, OD was significantly associated with lower scores on the moderation component of the HEI-2015 [βs (95% CI) = –0.62 (–1.19, –0.05). ConclusionsThese findings may help inform dietary screening and recommendations for adults who perceive OD, including those experiencing transient or persistent smell loss with COVID-19. Funding SourcesNIDCD; NCATS.

Dietary Energy Density and Fertility: Results from the Lifestyle and Fertility Study

ABSTRACTBackgroundDiet is a modifiable lifestyle factor linked with fertility in a growing number of studies.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to evaluate the association between dietary energy density (ED), a summary measure of diet quality that estimates the amount of energy per unit food (kcal/g) consumed, and conception and pregnancy outcomes.MethodsA prospective cohort study of couples planning their first pregnancy was conducted in the Northeast region of the USA. Dietary data were collected prior to conception via 3 unannounced interviewer-administered 24-h dietary recalls. Multivariable-adjusted logistic regression (ORs and Cox proportional hazards models [RR] and 95% CIs) were estimated for continuous and categorical (tertile [T]) variables of dietary ED.ResultsThe majority of women (n = 80; 61%) achieved clinical pregnancy. Median time to conception of a clincal pregnancy(TTC) for those who conceived was 4.64 mo with an IQR of 4.37 mo. ED modeled as a continuous variable was not associated with clinical pregnancy, live birth, or TTC after controlling for race, physical activity, and male partner's ED. When ED was categorized to consider nonlinear associations, 60%, 73%, and 50% of the participants in the tertiles (from lowest ED to highest) achieved clinical pregnancy. In multivariable logistic analyses with the middle group as the referent (ED = 1.37–1.60), membership in the highest ED group (ED >1.60) was associated with lower odds of clinical pregnancy (OR = 0.30; 95% CI: 0.11, 0.81, P = 0.02). In Cox proportional hazards analyses, membership in the highest ED group was associated with significantly longer TTC compared with the middle category (HR = 0.41; 95% CI: 0.21,0.82, P = 0.01).ConclusionsThese results suggest that high dietary ED is associated with reduced fertility.This study evaluated associations between dietary energy density and the probability of conceiving clinical pregnancy, having a live birth, and the time to conception among couples planning pregnancy.

Energy Density of New Food Products Targeted to Children.

High dietary energy density (ED) is linked to childhood obesity and poor diet quality. The Australian Health Star Rating (HSR) system aims to assist consumers in making healthful food choices. This cross-sectional study used 2014–2018 data from the Mintel Global New Products Database to describe the ED of new food products targeted to children (5–12 years) released after the introduction of HSR and examine relationships between ED and HSR. Products were categorised by ED (low < 630 kJ/100 g, medium 630–950 kJ/100 g, high > 950 kJ/100 g) and HSR (no, HSR < 2.5 low, HSR ≥ 2.5 high). Non-parametric statistics were used to examine ED and HSR. A total of 548 products targeted children: 21% low, 5% medium, 74% high ED. One hundred products displayed an HSR: 24% low, 76% high; 53 products with both high HSR and ED. The EDs of products differed by HSR (p < 0.05), but both group’s medians (HSR < 2.5: 1850 kJ/100 g, HSR ≥ 2.5: 1507 kJ/100 g) were high. A high proportion of new products had a high ED, and the HSR of these foods did not consistently discriminate between ED levels, particularly for high ED foods. Policies to promote lower ED foods and better alignment between ED and HSR may improve childhood obesity and diet quality.

Consumption of a high energy density diet triggers microbiota dysbiosis, hepatic lipidosis, and microglia activation in the nucleus of the solitary tract in rats

IntroductionObesity is a multifactorial chronic inflammatory disease. Consumption of high energy density (HED) diets is associated with hyperphagia, increased body weight and body fat accumulation, and obesity. Our lab has previously shown that short-term (4 weeks) consumption of a HED diet triggers gut microbiota dysbiosis, gut inflammation, and reorganization of the gut-brain vagal communication.ObjetivesThe aim of this study was to investigate the effect of long-term (6 months) consumption of HED diet on body composition, gut microbiome, hepatocellular lipidosis, microglia activation in the nucleus of the solitary tract, and systemic inflammation.MethodsMale Sprague–Dawley rats were fed a low energy density (LED) diet for 2 weeks and then switched to a HED diet for 26 weeks. Twenty-four-hour food intake, body weight, and body composition were measured twice a week. Blood serum and fecal samples were collected at baseline, 1, 4, 8, and 26 weeks after introduction of the HED diet. Serum samples were used to measure insulin, leptin, and inflammatory cytokines using Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay. Fecal samples were assessed for 16 S rRNA genome sequencing.ResultsHED diet induced microbiota dysbiosis within a week of introducing the diet. In addition, there was significant microglia activation in the intermediate NTS and marked hepatic lipidosis after 4 weeks of HED diet. We further observed changes in the serum cytokine profile after 26 weeks of HED feeding.ConclusionsThese data suggest that microbiota dysbiosis is the first response of the organism to HED diets, followed by increased liver fat accumulation, microglia activation in the brain, and circulating levels of inflammatory markers. To our knowledge, this is the first study to present longitudinal and cross-sectional results on effect of long-term consumption of HED diets on all these parameters in a single cohort of animals.

Dietary inflammatory index and dietary energy density are associated with menopausal symptoms in postmenopausal women: a cross-sectional study.

No previous study has evaluated the association of the dietary inflammatory index (DII) and dietary energy density (DED) with menopausal symptoms and its subclasses in postmenopausal women. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of DII score and DED with menopausal symptoms and its subtypes in Iranian postmenopausal women. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 393 postmenopausal women who attended health centers in the south of Tehran, Iran. The DII score was calculated using dietary factors obtained by a validated food frequency questionnaire. DED was defined as average daily energy intake (kcal) per gram of food. The Menopause Rating Scale questionnaire was used to evaluate the menopausal symptoms. The total Menopause Rating Scale score (TMRSS) was the sum of the somatic score (SS), psychological score (PS), and urogenital score. Linear regression analysis was used to assess the association of the DII score and DED with menopausal symptoms. After adjusting for covariates, participants in the highest tertile of DII score had greater SS compared to those in the lowest tertile (βDIIt3vs1= 0.032, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.004-0.068, P = 0.04). No significant relationship was found between DII score and PS, urogenital score or TMRSS. Furthermore, higher DED was associated with greater SS (βDIIt3vs1 = 0.071, 95% CI: 0.028-0.115, P = 0.001), PS (βDIIt3vs1 = 0.065, 95% CI: 0.012-0.121, P = 0.01) and TMRSS (βDIIt3vs1 = 0.053, 95% CI: 0.017-0.088, P = 0.004). A proinflammatory diet was associated with higher menopause-specific somatic symptoms and higher DED was positively associated with menopausal symptoms.

Associations of an empirical dietary pattern with cardiometabolic risk factors in Malaysian adolescents

sBackgroundThis study aimed to identify a dietary pattern (DP) characterised mainly by high intakes of free sugar and other nutrients hypothesised to be associated with obesity such as dietary energy density (DED), percentage of energy from total fat and fibre density in adolescents from three southern states of Peninsular Malaysia, and its associations with cardiometabolic risk factors.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional study among 335 adolescents who provided both dietary information assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and biochemical parameters including lipid profile, blood glucose, serum insulin and homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Anthropometric measurements included weight (kg), height (cm) and waist circumference (cm), while body mass index (BMI) in kg/m2 was estimated, respectively. Reduced rank regression (RRR) identified a DP with percentage of energy from sugar and total fat, DED and fibre density intake as response variables.ResultsThe identified ‘high sugar, high fibre, high DED and low fat’ DP was characterised by high intakes of sugar-sweetened beverages, fruits, sweets and low intakes of meat and cereal. Adolescents in the highest tertile of the identified DP had about 3.0 (OR = 2.7; 95%CI: 1.3, 5.6) and 2.0 (OR = 1.9; 95%CI: 1.0, 3.5) times higher odds of having dyslipideamia or elevated total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol level, respectively compared to adolescents in the lowest tertile DP after adjusting for sex, school location, maternal education, physical activity, dietary misreporting and BMI z-score. This DP was not significantly associated with overweight and obesity.ConclusionsHigher adherence to a DP characterised mainly by free sugars and DED was associated with greater odds of having dyslipideamia, elevated total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels in Malaysian adolescents.

Cancer Risk and Barbeque Trend in Indonesia: Efforts to Reduce Cancer Burden

In the last decades, concerns have been raised about the shift in the dietary patterns towards a high energy dense diet, mainly higher red meat consumption. The amount of meat consumption per person has almost doubled between 1961 and 2013 from 23 kilograms to 43 kilograms per year worldwide.

Abstract MP29: Chronotype is Associated With Diet Quality and Energy Intake, and Dietary Energy Density Mediates a Relation of Chronotype With Cardiovascular Health in a Diverse Sample of US Women

Background: An individual’s chronotype, the innate preference for the timing of behaviors such as eating and sleeping, has been linked to various health outcomes. Indeed, we recently demonstrated that evening chronotype was related to poorer cardiovascular health (CVH) in US women. However, the associations of chronotype with specific health behaviors are not well characterized in this population. This is particularly true for diet, the CVH metric for which recommendations are least likely to be met. Therefore, the current study examined the association of chronotype with diet and the role of diet in the chronotype-CVH relation in a diverse sample of women. Hypotheses: Evening chronotype will be associated with higher energy intake and poorer diet quality, including higher dietary energy density (ED), the total kcal per weight of food consumed and an index of the types and amounts of food eaten; these diet factors will mediate an association of chronotype with CVH. Methods: Baseline data from 506 participants enrolled in the AHA Go Red for Women SFRN were examined. Women were 20-76 y of age (mean±SD: 37±16 y); 49% had overweight/obesity and 61% were racial/ethnic minority. Women were categorized as either morning/intermediate or evening chronotype based on their Morningness/Eveningness Questionnaire scores. Dietary ED and daily intakes of food [by weight (g) and energy (kcal)], nutrients (g/1000 kcal), and fruits and vegetables [FV (servings/1000 kcal)] were assessed using the validated Block Brief Food Frequency Questionnaire. Linear regression models were used to examine associations of chronotype with diet. Causal mediation analyses tested whether dietary ED or energy intake mediated a relation between chronotype and CVH (AHA Life’s Simple 7 score). Models were adjusted for age, BMI, race/ethnicity, education, and health insurance. Results: On average, women consumed 1433±862 kcal with a dietary ED of 1.44±0.40 kcal/g. Evening (n=64) vs. morning/intermediate (n=442) chronotype was associated with higher dietary ED (β=0.21, P=0.0001), energy intake (β=448, P=0.0001), and weight of food consumed (β=129.3, P=0.06). Evening chronotype was also related to greater consumption of animal protein (β=1.1, P=0.04) and lower intakes of plant protein (β=-0.66, P=0.006), fiber (β=-2.2, P=0.0005), and FV (β=-1.3, P&lt;0.0001). Dietary ED was a significant partial mediator of the association between chronotype and CVH (percent mediated: 28%, P=0.01). Results were similar when chronotype was analyzed on the continuous scale. Conclusions: In a diverse sample of women, evening chronotype was associated with a less heart-healthy diet, including greater energy intake and poorer diet quality. Moreover, that dietary ED partially mediated the relation between evening chronotype and poor CVH suggests that behavioral interventions to reduce dietary ED may improve CVH in women with evening chronotype.