Increased Food Diversity Research Articles

Associations between diet diversity during infancy and atopic disease in later life: Systematic review

The incidence of allergic disease remains high, and many studies have focused on the association between food diversity in infancy and allergic disease later in life, but their conclusions are still controversial. We aimed to synthesize the literature on the association between childhood diet diversity and atopic disease. We searched the PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Scopus, VPCS, and Wanfang databases for studies about food diversity and atopic disease. Seventeen high-quality studies, 14 cohort studies, and 1 case-control study were included from 5244 studies with sample sizes ranging from 100 to 5225. All high-quality cohort studies showed that increasing food diversity in infancy can effectively prevent the occurrence of food allergies (5/5). Moderate evidence showed that increased food diversity reduced the risk of asthma (4/6), food sensitization (3/5), and atopic dermatitis (3/5). However, its effect on eczema (5), allergic rhinitis (4), and other diseases remains controversial. Increasing food diversity during infancy is a potential method for preventing food allergy, asthma, atopic dermatitis, and food sensitization later in life. There is little or no comparative evidence about the protective effect of food diversity on other atopic diseases.

Increased Food Diversity in the First Year of Life is Inversely Associated with Allergic Outcomes in the Second Year

Increased Food Diversity in the First Year of Life is Inversely Associated with Allergic Outcomes in the Second Year

Increased food diversity in the first year of life is inversely associated with allergic outcomes in the second year.

The evidence on the relationship between diet diversity in early life and allergic outcomes was few and inconsistent. We sought to determine the association of food diversity in the first year of life with allergic outcomes in the second year. Two thousand two hundred fifty-one mother-infant pairs from Tongji Maternal and Child Health Cohort (TMCHC) were involved in the study. Information on complementary foods introduction was obtained by telephone interview at 6- and 12-month postpartum follow-up. Any doctor-diagnosed allergic diseases in the second year were recorded at 2-year postpartum follow-up. Food allergies in infancy were assessed and self-reported by mothers at each postpartum follow-up. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the effect of food diversity at 6 and 12months of age on later allergic diseases and food allergy. A total of 135 (6.0%) infants reported allergic diseases at between 1 and 2years of age. Independent of food allergy history of infants and other potential confounders, less food diversity at 6months of age was associated with increased risk of later allergic diseases (OR 2.17, 95% CI 1.04-4.50 for 0 vs. 3-6 food groups). By 12months of age, significant inverse associations with later allergic diseases (OR 2.35, 95% CI 1.03-5.32 for 1-5 vs. 8-11 food groups, and OR 1.98, 95% CI 1.16-3.37 for 6-7 vs. 8-11 food groups) and food allergy (OR 2.10, 95% CI 1.29-3.42 for 1-5 vs. 8-11 food groups) were observed. Children with higher food diversity in both periods had the lowest risk of allergic diseases during the second year of life. A more diverse diet within the first year of life was associated with reduced risk of allergic diseases at 1-2years of age. Introducing higher diversity of foods from 6 to 12months of age might be an effective strategy to improve the allergy outcomes of infants in later life.

Inverse associations between food diversity in the second year of life and allergic diseases

BackgroundThe influence of diet in early childhood on later allergic diseases is currently a highly debated research topic. We and others have suggested that an increased diet diversity in the first year of life has a protective effect on the development of allergic diseases. ObjectiveThis follow-up study aimed to investigate associations between diet in the second year of life and later allergic diseases. MethodsA total of 1014 children from rural areas in 5 European countries (the Protection against Allergy: Study in Rural Environments or PASTURE birth cohort) were included. Information on feeding practices in their second year of life and allergic diseases were collected up to age 6 years. Multivariate logistic regressions were performed with different models considering reverse causality, such as excluding children with a positive sensitization to egg and those with a positive sensitization to cow's milk at the age of 1 year. ResultsAn increased food diversity score during the second year of life was negatively associated with the development of asthma. Consumption of dairy products and eggs in the second year of life found an inverse association with reported allergic outcomes. Consumption of butter was strongly associated with protection against asthma and food sensitization. Egg was inversely associated with atopic dermatitis (odds ratio [OR], 0.17; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.04-0.77). Yogurt and cow's milk were inversely associated with food allergy (OR for yogurt, 0.05; 95% CI, 0.01-0.55; OR for cow's milk, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.11-0.89). ConclusionIncreased food diversity in the second year of life is inversely associated with the development of asthma, and consumption of dairy products might have a protective effect on allergic diseases.

Can small farms benefit from big companies’ initiatives to promote mechanization in Africa? A case study from Zambia

After years of neglect, there is a renewed interest in agricultural mechanization in Africa. Since government initiatives to promote mechanization are confronted with major governance challenges, private-sector initiatives may offer a promising alternative. However, given limited scientific studies on such private-sector options such approaches are often viewed skeptically. One concern is that multi-national agribusiness companies take advantage of smallholder farmers. Another concern is that mechanization causes rural unemployment. To shed light on these concerns, this paper analyzes an initiative of the agricultural machinery manufacturer John Deere to promote smallholder mechanization in Zambia through a contractor model. The analysis focuses on the impact of this initiative on farmers who receive tractor services using Propensity Score Matching. The results indicate that farmers can almost double their income by cultivating a much larger share of their land. The analysis suggests that the increased income is used for children’s education and more food, but does not result in increased food diversity. The demand for hired labor increases due to land expansion and due to a shift from family labor, including that of children, to hired labor. Questions that require further investigation are identified, including strategies to incentivize tractor owners to provide services, to also increase land productivity, and to avoid new forms of dependency of agricultural laborers that may result from a shift in the timing of the labor demand.

Can Big Companiess Initiatives to Promote Mechanization Benefit Small Farms in Africa? A Case Study from Zambia

After many years of neglect, there is a renewed interest in agricultural mechanization in Africa. Since government initiatives to promote mechanization, e.g., by importing and subsidizing tractors, are confronted with major governance challenges, private-sector initiatives offer a promising alternative. This paper analyzes an initiative of the agricultural machinery manufacturer John Deere and its dealership partner AFGRI to promote smallholder mechanization in Zambia through a contractor model. The analysis focuses on the impact of this initiative on smallholder farmers who receive tractor services and on the demand for hired labor. The analysis is based on a survey of 250 smallholders and focus group discussions using Participatory Impact Diagrams. The results of a Propensity Score Matching (PSM) analysis indicate that farmers who access tractor services for land preparation can almost double their income by cultivating a much larger share of the land that they own. The analysis also suggests that the increased income is used for children’s education and for purchasing more food, but does not result in increased food diversity. The findings indicate that the demand for hired labor increases due to the expansion of the cultivated area and due to a shift from family labor, including that of children, to hired labor. Questions that require further investigation are identified, including policies and strategies to increase the incentives of tractor owners to provide services to smallholders, to use mechanization more effectively to increase land productivity, and to avoid new forms of dependency of agricultural laborers that may result.

Vitamin A deficiency and determinants of vitamin A status in Bangladeshi children and women: findings of a national survey.

Using data from the national micronutrients survey 2011-2012, the present study explored the status of subclinical vitamin A nutrition and the underlying determinants in the Bangladeshi population. A nationwide cross-sectional study. Settings The survey covered 150 clusters; fifty in each of rural, urban and slum strata. Three population groups: (i) pre-school age children (6-59 months; PSAC); (ii) school age children (6-14 years; SAC); and (iii) non-pregnant non-lactating women (15-49 years; NPNLW). National prevalence of subclinical vitamin A deficiency was 20·5, 20·8 and 5·3 % in PSAC, SAC and NPNLW, respectively. Slum populations had higher prevalence compared with urban (PSAC: 38·1 v. 21·2 %, P0·05 for differences in β between <3 months v. 3-6 months, 6-9 months and 9-12 months). Prevalence of subclinical vitamin A deficiency was high in children in Bangladesh. Intakes of animal-source foods and leafy vegetables were associated with higher and lower retinol status, respectively. Increased food diversity through animal-source foods is required.

TRANSIÇÃO ALIMENTAR EM COMUNIDADE QUILOMBOLA NO LITORAL SUL DE SÃO PAULO/BRASIL (Dietary transition in marroom community in the south coast of São Paulo/Brazil)

This research aimed to evaluate the agrifood system remaining marroom community Mandira, located in Cananéia/Sao Paulo/Brazil and relate it to the productive activities of families. The survey was conducted between the years 2011 and 2013, using quali-quantitative techniques with semi-structured interviews, informal conversations, participant observation and 24 hour recall. Families who have the economic base in agriculture have increased food diversity, control of production of food consumed. In contrast, families who have the economic base for the management of marine resources are more market-dependent, with higher consumption of processed items and less diversity of items consumed. Most families presents a process feed transition, leading to more westernized diet.

Nutritional condition of two coastal rocky fishes and the potential role of a marine protected area

Knowledge of the nutritional conditions of coastal commercial fish populations is key to understanding stock health status, and is essential when making reasonable exploitation and management plans. Here, we present the first results on the condition and feeding preferences of two coastal fish species, Diplodus sargus (Linnaeus, 1758) and Pagellus erythrinus (Linnaeus, 1758). Using stable isotope and biochemical analyses, we tested the potential effects of a marine protected area (MPA) and the occurrence of a dramatic coastal storm on the condition and quality of nutrition. The results suggest that both condition (lipids) and nutrition quality (fatty acids, FAs) in P. erythrinus and D. sargus depend upon on food availability in the area in which they were captured. Pagellus erythrinus individuals inside the MPA stored higher quantities of lipids [46.73 ± 19.00 μg lipid·mg organic matter (OM)−1] than those outside the MPA (15.63 ± 5.30 μg lipid·mg OM−1) only before the storm. Diplodus sargus showed different FA signatures inside and outside the MPA before and after the storm. These results suggest that D. sargus increased their quality of nutrition inside (16.62 ± 3.17 μg FA·mg OM−1) versus outside (7.88 ± 2.36 μg FA·mg OM−1) the MPA, owing to increased food diversity and availability. Conversely, P. erythrinus did not show differences in nutritional quality inside (18.12 ± 1.13 μg FA·mg OM−1) or outside (18.81 ± 1.42 μg FA·mg OM−1) the MPA, possibly because of the increase in ingestion not affecting the studied parameters. In P. erythrinus, the FA concentration decreased after the storm, but in D. sargus, a change in lipid composition was observed. These results suggest that P. erythrinus appears to be more impacted by food quality (different saturated and unsaturated FAs) than D. sargus, owing to a more restrictive diet. We hypothesize that the observed differences between inside and outside the MPA are not only related to the degree of protection, but also to the feeding preferences and behaviour of both fishes.

Increased food diversity in the first year of life is inversely associated with allergic diseases.

C Roduit, R Frei, M Depner; PASTURE study group. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2014;133(4):1056–1064 The investigators sought to test the relationship between food diversity in the first year of life and outcome of allergic diseases. There were a total of 856 children included in this study with data available on allergic diseases up to 6 years of age. They were part of a prospective birth cohort called Protection Against Allergy Study in Rural Environments/EFRIAM in which pregnant women were recruited during the third trimester of pregnancy in 2002–2005 in rural Austria, Finland, France, Germany, and Switzerland. Data were collected by using questionnaires identifying a physician’s diagnosis of asthma or food allergy, as well …

72nd Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology

In his presentation on the co-morbidities of pediatric AD, Associate Professor Eric Lawrence Simpson (Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA) discussed the higher prevalence of food allergy compared with the general pediatric population. Unfortunately, possible preventative measures such as breastfeeding or delaying solid food have not been proven to be helpful. In fact, a recent study has shown that increased food diversity in the first year of life is inversely associated with allergic diseases [1], and current recommendations are that there should be no restriction on food introduction after 6 months of age. Interestingly, various studies including one by Simpson’s group [2] have shown an increased prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in patients with AD. This association was confirmed by Deckert et al. [3] in their 2014 overview of systematic reviews. It is uncertain if all of these AD patients truly have ADHD or whether the effect of their AD on sleep is contributing to their symptoms. However, severe AD should be treated aggressively to decrease co-morbidities such as neuropsychological effects. 2 New Rosacea Therapies

Increased food diversity in the first year of life is inversely associated with allergic diseases

The role of dietary factors in the development of allergies is a topic of debate, especially the potential associations between infant feeding practices and allergic diseases. Previously, we reported that increased food diversity introduced during the first year of life reduced the risk of atopic dermatitis. In this study we investigated the association between the introduction of food during the first year of life and the development of asthma, allergic rhinitis, food allergy, or atopic sensitization, taking precautions to address reverse causality. We further analyzed the association between food diversity and gene expression of T-cell markers and of Cε germline transcript, reflecting antibody isotype switching to IgE, measured at 6 years of age. Eight hundred fifty-six children who participated in a birth cohort study, Protection Against Allergy Study in Rural Environments/EFRAIM, were included. Feeding practices were reported by parents in monthly diaries during the first year of life. Data on environmental factors and allergic diseases were collected from questionnaires administered from birth up to 6 years of age. An increased diversity of complementary food introduced in the first year of life was inversely associated with asthma with a dose-response effect (adjusted odds ratio with each additional food item introduced, 0.74 [95% CI, 0.61-0.89]). A similar effect was observed for food allergy and food sensitization. Furthermore, increased food diversity was significantly associated with an increased expression of forkhead box protein 3 and a decreased expression of Cε germline transcript. An increased diversity of food within the first year of life might have a protective effect on asthma, food allergy, and food sensitization and is associated with increased expression of a marker for regulatory T cells.

Dietary Behaviour in Students with Different Body Fat Percent

Abstract Eating habits with uniform food preferences and increased energy intake can contribute to increased gain of body fat. An adequate diet, body self-evaluation, and recognition of unhealthy nutrition patterns should promote appropriate corrective actions. The aim of the present study was to determine whether energy intake, food diversity and corrective modification of body mass differed among student groups with low, normal and high body fat percentage. The study involved 737 (158 male and 579 female) students of the Rîga Stradiòð University (age 18-49 years). Dietary behaviour was determined using self-administered questionnaire. Body fat percentage was determined with a Tanita MC-180 bioimpedance analyser. Fluid and food intake, as well as physical activity before the test was restricted. The results showed that 15% of students in the low, 38% in the normal and 62% in the high body fat percentage groups considered that they eat too much. In the low, normal and high body fat percentage groups of students, 27%, 37% and 42%, respectively, agreed that they do restrict food intake. There were no significant differences in normalised energy intake and food diversity indexes between these student groups. Students in the high body fat percentage group more frequently admitted eating to much, and their corrective behaviour was associated more with reduced amounts of eaten food rather than minimisation of energy intake and increased food diversity. In all fat percentage groups, female students more frequently admitted that they eat too much and more often tended to restrict food intake than male students.

Dental Indicators Suggest Health Improvement Associated with Increased Food Diversity in Modern Age Spain

The aim of this study is to investigate the health impact of the introduction of new food resources into the Spanish diet in the early Modern Age. For this purpose we compare the pathological conditions of teeth from skeletal remains dating from the Middle (Mediaeval) Ages (11th–15th century) with others of the Modern era (16th–18th century), sampled from historic cemeteries of north Iberia (Spain). Dental alterations like abscesses, periodontitis, calculus and dental wear, indicate oral hygiene and habits, and linear enamel hypoplasia (LEH) is considered as an indicator of nutritional status. Significant decreases of LEH occurred in Modern Age individuals in comparison to Mediaeval values, suggesting the positive influence of increased diversity of nutritional resources mainly due to intercontinental (America–Europe) trade.