Individual Dietary Surveys Research Articles

A Community-Based Approach to Integrating Socio, Cultural and Environmental Contexts in the Development of a Food Database for Indigenous and Rural Populations: The Case of the Batwa and Bakiga in South-Western Uganda.

Comprehensive food lists and databases are a critical input for programs aiming to alleviate undernutrition. However, standard methods for developing them may produce databases that are irrelevant for marginalised groups where nutritional needs are highest. Our study provides a method for identifying critical contextual information required to build relevant food lists for Indigenous populations. For our study, we used mixed-methods study design with a community-based approach. Between July and October 2019, we interviewed 74 participants among Batwa and Bakiga communities in south-western Uganda. We conducted focus groups discussions (FGDs), individual dietary surveys and markets and shops assessment. Locally validated information on foods consumed among Indigenous populations can provide results that differ from foods listed in the national food composition tables; in fact, the construction of food lists is influenced by multiple factors such as food culture and meaning of food, environmental changes, dietary transition, and social context. Without using a community-based approach to understanding socio-environmental contexts, we would have missed 33 commonly consumed recipes and foods, and we would not have known the variety of ingredients’ quantity in each recipe, and traditional foraged foods. The food culture, food systems and nutrition of Indigenous and vulnerable communities are unique, and need to be considered when developing food lists.

Developing an online food composition database for an Indigenous population in south-western Uganda.

To develop an online food composition database of locally consumed foods among an Indigenous population in south-western Uganda. Using a community-based approach and collaboration with local nutritionists, we collected a list of foods for inclusion in the database through focus group discussions, an individual dietary survey and markets and shops assessment. The food database was then created using seven steps: identification of foods for inclusion in the database; initial data cleaning and removal of duplicate items; linkage of foods to existing generic food composition tables; mapping and calculation of the nutrient content of recipes and foods; allocating portion sizes and accompanying foods; quality checks with local and international nutritionists; and translation into relevant local languages. Kanungu District, south-western Uganda. Seventy-four participants, 36 Indigenous Batwa and 38 Bakiga, were randomly selected and interviewed to inform the development of a food list prior the construction of the food database. We developed an online food database for south-western Uganda including 148 commonly consumed foods complete with values for 120 micronutrients and macronutrients. This was for use with the online dietary assessment tool myfood24. Of the locally reported foods included, 56 % (n 82 items) of the items were already available in the myfood24 database, while 25 % (n 37 items) were found in existing Ugandan and Tanzanian food databases, 18 % (n 27 items) came from generated recipes and 1 % (n 2 items) from food packaging labels. Locally relevant food databases are sparse for African Indigenous communities. Here, we created a tool that can be used for assessing food intake and for tracking undernutrition among the communities living in Kanungu District. This will help to develop locally relevant food and nutrition policies.

Energy and macronutrient intakes in Brazil: results of the first nationwide individual dietary survey.

To characterize energy and macronutrient intakes in Brazil and to describe the top food items contributing to energy and macronutrient intakes. Two non-consecutive 24 h dietary records were collected and energy and macronutrient data were adjusted for usual intake distribution. Descriptive statistics and ANOVA with the Bonferroni post hoc test were analysed using SAS version 9·1. Means and standard deviations were estimated for sex, age and income strata. Nationwide cross-sectional survey, 2008-2009. Nationally representative sample of individuals ≥10 years old (n32 749), excluding pregnant and lactating women (n 1254). The average energy intake was 7958 kJ/d (1902 kcal/d) and mean energy density was 6·82 kJ/g (1·63 kcal/g). Added sugar represented 13 % of total energy intake and animal protein represented 10 %. The mean contribution of total fat to energy intake was 27 %, while the mean saturated fat contribution was 9 %. Compared with the lowest quartile of income, individuals in the highest income quartile had greater mean intakes of energy, added sugar, alcohol, animal protein, total fat, saturated fat, monounsaturated fat and trans fat. Rice, beans, beef, bread and coffee were among the top five foods contributing most to the intakes of energy, carbohydrates, protein, fat and fibre. In general, Brazilians' dietary intake is compatible with a high risk of obesity and non-communicable chronic diseases, being characterized by high intakes of added sugar and saturated fat. Income may be a major determinant of diet nutritional characteristics.

Beverage consumption in Brazil: results from the first National Dietary Survey.

To provide an overview of beverage consumption patterns using the first nationally representative survey of dietary intake in Brazil. Beverage consumption data were obtained by 1 d food records in an individual dietary survey. Nationwide cross-sectional survey, 2008-2009. Nationally representative sample of individuals aged ≥10 years (n 34 003). Beverages contributed 17.1 % of total energy consumption. Caloric coffee beverages provided the greatest level of energy overall (464 kJ (111 kcal)/d). Individuals aged 10-18 years (243 kJ (58 kcal)/d) and 19-39 years (230 kJ (55 kcal)/d) consumed a higher proportion of energy from sugar-sweetened soft drinks than individuals over this age (142 kJ (34 kcal)/d for those aged 40-59 years and 79 kJ (19 kcal)/d for those aged ≥60 years). Overall, the contribution of beverages, particularly sugary beverages, to total energy consumption in Brazil represents an important public health challenge and is comparable with those from other countries.

Sources of excessive saturated fat, trans fat and sugar consumption in Brazil: an analysis of the first Brazilian nationwide individual dietary survey

Sources of excessive saturated fat, trans fat and sugar consumption in Brazil: an analysis of the first Brazilian nationwide individual dietary survey

Sources of excessive saturated fat, trans fat and sugar consumption in Brazil: an analysis of the first Brazilian nationwide individual dietary survey.

To examine the patterns of consumption of foods high in solid fats and added sugars (SoFAS) in Brazil. Cross-sectional study; individual dietary intake survey. Food intake was assessed by means of two non-consecutive food records. Foods providing >9·1% of energy from saturated fat, or >1·3% of energy from trans fat, or >13% of energy from added sugars per 100 g were classified as high in SoFAS. Brazilian nationwide survey, 2008-2009. Individuals aged ≥10 years old. Mean daily energy intake was 8037 kJ (1921 kcal), 52% of energy came from SoFAS foods. Contribution of SoFAS foods to total energy intake was higher among women (52%) and adolescents (54%). Participants in rural areas (43%) and in the lowest quartile of per capita family income (43%) reported the smallest contribution of SoFAS foods to total energy intake. SoFAS foods were large contributors to total saturated fat (87%), trans fat (89%), added sugar (98%) and total sugar (96%) consumption. The SoFAS food groups that contributed most to total energy intake were meats and beverages. Top SoFAS foods contributing to saturated fat and trans fat intakes were meats and fats and oils. Most of the added and total sugar in the diet was supplied by SoFAS beverages and sweets and desserts. SoFAS foods play an important role in the Brazilian diet. The study identifies options for improving the Brazilian diet and reducing nutrition-related non-communicable chronic diseases, but also points out some limitations of the nutrient-based criteria.

Foods consumed away from home and energy intake in urban areas of Brazil

In order to estimate energy sources from the consumption of away‐from‐home foods (AFHF) and investigate the association between AFHF and energy intake, day‐1 food records from 25,753 individuals (≥10yrs), living in urban areas, investigated in the 2008–2009 Brazilian nationwide Individual Dietary Survey were analyzed. The share of energy from AFHF was calculated for 33 food groups and linear regression models were developed to evaluate the association between AFHF and energy intake. All statistical analyses were weighted and took into account the sample design effect. Foods that were highly consumed away from home were alcoholic beverages (59%), baked and deep‐fried snacks (54%), pizza (42%), soft drinks (40%), sandwiches (40%), and sugar and desserts (30%). The mean energy intake from foods consumed away from home was 337 kcal, representing 18% of total energy intake. AFHF consumption was higher among men, adults and higher income. 43% of the sample reported AFHF, presenting higher energy intake than non‐consumers (2072 vs. 1802 kcal; p<0.01), even after controlling for age, sex and income (βlog energy=0.09, p<0.01). These findings suggest that the habit of consuming AFHF in Brazil may be linked to adverse health outcomes, in particular, weight gain. Funding: CAPES‐Brazil (PDEE nº6748‐10‐4).

Rationale, design, and analysis of combined Brazilian household budget survey and food intake individual data

BackgroundData on food intake at the individual level and its statistical distribution in population groups defined by age, gender, or geographic areas are important in planning public health and nutrition programs. However, individual-based surveys in representative population samples are expensive to perform.Methods/DesignIn Brazil, an individual based survey is under consideration to be conducted alongside the household budget survey (HBS), which will be carried out in 2008–2009. This paper presents the methodological framework of dietary data collection and indicates the directions to combining both sources of data.The 2008–2009 Brazilian HBS sample will include 60,000 households. Of the selected HBS households, 30% will be randomly sampled to gather data on individual food intake. Therefore, individual dietary intake data is expected to be gathered for 70,000 individuals. Data collection procedures will comprise: completion of a diary with information regarding food purchases during a seven-day period; registration of all items consumed during two non-consecutive days for all 10 year-old or older members of the household. The sample will be large enough to capture the variation between individuals, and the two records will assure the estimation of the variation within individuals for food groups, energy and nutrients. Data on individual dietary intake and food family budget will be stratified by the five regions of the country and by rural or urban. A pilot study has been conducted in two states, and it indicated that combining individual and budgetary data in a survey is feasible.DiscussionThis kind of study will allow us to estimate correlations between individual intake and household purchases, overcoming the limitations of individual dietary surveys, and enhancing the HBS with information on eating out and intra-familiar distribution of food.

Estimated Asian Adult Soy Protein and Isoflavone Intakes

: There is substantial interest in the possible anticancer effects of soy foods. In part, this is because of the historically low incidence rates of breast and prostate cancer in Asia. Of the several putative soybean chemopreventive agents, isoflavones have received the most attention. Awareness of this research has led increasing numbers of consumers to use soy foods, isoflavone-fortified foods, and isoflavone supplements. Therefore, there is a need for guidance regarding appropriate isoflavone intake levels. To this end, this article analyzed soy protein (as a surrogate for isoflavones) and isoflavone intake of the major soy food-consuming countries using individual dietary surveys for the bulk of the information. In total, 24 surveys from 4 countries that met the inclusion criteria were identified: Japan (n = 11), China (n = 7), Hong Kong (n = 4), and Singapore (n = 2). The results indicate that older Japanese adults consume approximately 6-11 g of soy protein and 25-50 mg of isoflavones (expressed as aglycone equivalents) per day. Intake in Hong Kong and Singapore is lower than in Japan, whereas significant regional intake differences exist for China. Evidence suggests that ≤10% of the Asian population consumes as much as 25 g of soy protein or 100 mg of isoflavones per day. The applicability of these findings for making soy intake recommendations for non-Asians is discussed.

European food availability databank based on household budget surveys: the Data Food Networking initiative.

There is a need in Europe for sources of dietary data that would provide a regular flow of comparable nutrition information. In this context, the Data Food Networking (DAFNE) project has been developing a cost-effective food databank that allows monitoring of food availability within and between countries. The DAFNE project has developed a common classification system for the food and socio-demographic variables recorded in the national household budget surveys. Daily individual food availability was estimated for each participating country and basic descriptive statistics were used to depict the nutritional habits of the populations. The DAFNE databank is freely accessible through DafneSoft (www.nut.uoa.gr). Three figures, based on Greek, Norwegian and UK data respectively, were selected to indicatively present the potential of the DAFNE data in order to monitor changes in the availability of 12 food groups over time; to study the effect of education in the total added lipid availability; and to follow time changes in fresh vegetable availability between manual and non-manual households. The HBS data allows the highlighting of issues related to nutrition surveillance. The application of the DAFNE methodology in developing a databank of standardized dietary data offers a realistic option for monitoring dietary habits in Europe. Benefiting from this potential, the European Union may additionally consider the undertaking of a pan-European individual dietary survey, in a sub-sample of the household budget population.

Food availability and consumption at national, household and individual levels: implications for food-based dietary guidelines development.

The three levels of dietary data national, household and individual, are analysed and compared, and their use and misuse in FBDG development and monitoring are discussed. Food Balance Sheets (FBS) estimate the national availability of foods, and are an appropriate tool to evaluate food policies; they tend to overestimate food consumption, particularly for those foods with higher waste. Household Budget Surveys (HBS) estimate the household availability of foods, and are useful to evaluate dietary family interventions. Individual Dietary Surveys (IDS) evaluate individual food and nutrient intake and provide a unique estimation of nutritional status and are the best tool for planning FBDG; however, they are expensive and may be biased towards underreporting. The understanding of the relationship between the different levels of food information is very important when formulating, evaluating and monitoring a nutrition policy in a country or region.

Recombinant human growth hormone therapy in malnourished dialysis patients: A randomized controlled study

Recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH; Saizen, Serono, Spain) has been recently used as an anabolic agent in several catabolic states, including malnourished chronic dialysis patients. However, up-to-date, comparative studies with control groups of dialysis patients have not been reported. The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of rhGH on nutritional status in a group of malnourished adult chronic dialysis patients undergoing both continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and hemodialysis (HD). The patients were randomly assigned to the control group (nine patients; 6 women, 3 men; mean age, 58.3 +/- 5.6 years; seven undergoing CAPD, two undergoing HD) or the rhGH group (eight patients; three women, five men; mean age, 63.9 +/- 3.1 years; four undergoing CAPD, four undergoing HD). Both groups were similar at baseline. All patients were given dietary prescriptions (35 kcal/kg/d and 1 g protein/kg ideal body weight/d) during 4 weeks. In the rhGH group, rhGH was administered at 0.2 IU/kg/d subcutaneously (SC) during this period. Anthropometric and analytic parameters were assessed before (0 weeks) therapy and at 2 and 4 weeks after starting therapy. The rhGH group showed an increase of 1.238 kg in body weight from 64.3 +/- 4.3 (mean +/- standard error of the mean [SEM]) to 65.6 +/- 4.9 kg (P < 0.05). Serum insulin-like growth factor type 1 (IGF-1) concentrations increased from 216.6 +/- 42.5 to 581.2 +/- 171.5 ng/mL (4 weeks; P < 0.01) and transferrin levels increased from 271.2 +/- 16.3 to 314.5 +/- 21.2 mg/dL (4 weeks; P < 0.05). A significant reduction in blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level was observed (62.1 +/- 1.8 v 46.8 +/- 3.8 mg/dL; 4 weeks; P < 0.05). Mean daily protein intake, determined by individual dietary survey, at 0 and 4 weeks, remained constant in both groups. In conclusion, weight gain and IGF-1 and transferrin level increases and BUN level decreases, despite the constant oral intake, suggest that short-term rhGH administration is associated with an anabolic reaction in malnourished dialysis patients. (Am J Kidney Dis 1998 Sep;32(3):454-63)

Value of Food and Agriculture Organization data on food-balance sheets as a data source for dietary fat intake in epidemiologic studies

The relationships between the per person supply (expressed as percent of total energy supply) of saturated fatty acids (SFAs), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) obtained from 1979-1981 Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) data, and the per person intake obtained from 52 individual dietary surveys performed in 19 countries, were examined. In particular, the ratio of PUFAs to SFAs (P:S) and the ratio of unsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs and PUFAs) to SFAs (U:S) obtained from both data sources were examined. Significant correlations (P less than 0.001) were found between the two data sources for the P:S, U:S, SFAs, and MUFAs and PUFAs (P less than 0.02) in 19 countries. It is concluded that the data on fat intake from the FAO are valid for use in epidemiologic studies. In view of the variability of the data, it is recommended to use them either expressed as percentage of energy or as ratios of the different components.

Individual dietary surveys: purposes and methods.

Individual dietary surveys: purposes and methods.

An investigation of very low calorie intakes reported in Jamaica

1. A previous dietary survey has reported some very low calorie intakes in a farming community in rural Jamaica. Subsequently, ten subjects were specially selected on the basis of being very poor and underfed and individual dietary surveys were carried out in their homes for 7 days.2. The accuracy of the dietary surveys was tested in a metabolic ward by feeding the subjects with the same meals as were recorded in their homes. Body-weight, calorie and nitrogen intakes, and urinary and faecal N outputs were measured.3. Basal metabolic rates and the calorie expenditure during sleep were measured to investigate whether any metabolic adaptations to the low calorie intakes had occurred. The calorie cost of performing a standard step-test was measured and compared with that of well-fed control subjects to find out if there were differences in physical efficiency.4. Nine of the subjects were found to be thinner than the average person of the same age and sex in their district, and were considerably thinner than the average American.5. Five of the dietary surveys were thought to have given a correct picture of the normal dietary pattern. The remaining five surveys were unsatisfactory.6. In the five correct surveys, calorie intakes were 61, 69, 72, 78 and 98% of the FAO recommended requirements.7. No clear-cut evidence of an adaptive change in basal metabolic rate was found.8. Few calories were available for physical exertion and there was an apparent increase in the physical efficiency of work.

Long-term individual dietary surveys.

Long-term individual dietary surveys.

A dietary and clinical survey of pregnant women with particular reference to toxaemia of pregnancy

An individual dietary survey of 111 primiparae was carried out in Bristol during 1947. Compared with a group studied by McCance in 1938, these women were getting twice as much milk, more bread, potatoes, vegetables and fish; they were getting less meat, butter and margarine. 84 % were taking supplements of vitamins A and D.Compared with the N.R.C. standard for pregnant women the diets were very poor, not one reaching the standard. It is felt that the N.R.C. standard for pregnant women is set too high. Compared with the standard for sedentary women there were deficiencies in vitamins B and C, the most marked being in nicotinic acid (74% of diets). As a group they appeared to be well nourished, only 8 % had a Hb below 80% and only one a plasma protein below 5·5 g./100 c.c.; there were no stigmata usually attributable to nutritional deficiencies. The only complication of note was toxaemia, which occurred in 15% of cases. The only deficiency in the diet common to all cases of toxaemia was in nicotinic acid. The mean intake of nicotinic acid was 2·0 mg. lower in the toxaemic group than the mean intake of nicotinic acid in the normal subjects. This difference was statistically significant. Evidence is presented which suggests that deficiency of nicotinic acid or vitamin B6 may be a predisposing factor in the production of toxaemia of pregnancy. The main cause of defective nutrition appears to be ignorance and not lack of money, this is an additional reason for the promotion of an intensive nutritional education programme.The appointment of dietitians to ante-natal clinics is stressed as an important step in promoting education in nutritional matters during pregnancy.The use and abuse of recommended allowances in pregnancy is discussed and the following diet is suggested as a reasonable practical allowance for pregnant women: calories, 2500; protein, 1·5 g. per kg. body weight; calcium, 1·5 g.; iron, 15 mg.; vitamin A, 3500 units (pre-formed); vitamin D, 800 units; vitamin B1; 1·5 mg.; riboflavin, 2·0 mg.; nicotinic acid, 14 mg.; vitamin C, 50 mg.

Comparison of Results obtained by Different Methods of Individual Dietary Survey

Comparison of Results obtained by Different Methods of Individual Dietary Survey