Intake Of Different Food Groups Research Articles

The potential causal path between periodontitis stage diagnosis and vegetable consumption is mediated by loss of posterior functional tooth units and masticatory function.

Emerging evidence points to a two-way relationship between periodontitis and dietary choices and, thus, nutrition. This study aimed to assess the potential cause-effect relationship between the periodontitis stage, loss of functional tooth units (FTUs), masticatory function, and intake of different food groups using path analysis. A single calibrated examiner determined the periodontitis stage of a consecutive sample of 241 Chinese subjects reporting for tooth replacement. Their masticatory function was quantified by the mixing ability of a two-colour chewing gum. Validated food frequency questionnaires were used to calculate the intake of 33 food group items by an experienced calibrated rater. After verification of assumptions, visual structural equation modeling was performed with Amos 23. The consistency of results and the potential modifying effect of age were assessed in 9043 subjects from the NHANES database. Highly significant models were constructed using periodontitis stage and age as exogenous factors. Periodontitis stage diagnosis significantly affected the number of posterior FTUs and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL, path coefficient [PC] = -0.55 and -0.20, p < .05, respectively). In the model, FTUs also had an independent effect on OHRQoL (PC = 0.23, p < .05). FTUs determined the level of masticatory function (PC = -0.38, p < .05), which in turn affected vegetable intake but not fruit or meat intake (PC = -0.18, p < .0.5, PC = 0.06, NS and PC = 0.11, NS, respectively). The effect of age was significant for vegetable and meat intake and was also correlated with periodontitis stage diagnosis. Analysis of the NHANES database confirmed the negative impact of periodontitis on the number of occluding pairs and vegetable consumption for the 18-44, 45-60 and >60 age groups. Periodontitis showed a potential cause-effect pathway affecting vegetable intake across cultures and age groups. The size of the effect is potentially of clinical and public health significance. Additional studies, including intervention trials, are required to test this potential mechanism linking oral health to nutrition.

Evaluating the Dietary Gaps and Anthropometric Parameters of the Government School Children Aged 11-14 Years in Accordance with ICMR Standards

Introduction: Malnutrition is a major global health crisis that needs immediate attention. Adolescence is a crucial stage where nutrition plays a major role on account of their growth and development. There is a need to assess the nutritional status of Government school children in Tamil nadu to take appropriate policy decisions and implement nutritional interventions. Aim: To assess the dietary gaps of Government school children and compare their anthropometric parameters with Indian Council of Medical Reasearch (ICMR) standards. Also, to associate their daily intake of five food groups with their weight status. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted by the Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre (SRMIST), Kattankulathur, Chengalpattu District, Chennai,Tamil Nadu, India as a part of a nutritional awareness camp in month of March 2022 to examine the eating pattern of school-going children aged 11-14 years, in a Government school of Kalivanthapattu village, Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu. Data was collected randomly among 73 school children during a nutritional awareness camp conducted by study Institute. A validated tool was used to identify the dietary gaps in food group intake and the anthropometric parameters were assessed using standard measures and were compared with ICMR and World Health Organisation (WHO) standards to analyse their nutritional status. The acquired data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software. Results: Out of the 73 children, there were 52 girls and 21 boys and the mean age of the children was 12.09±0.80 years. The dietary gap assessment tool indicated the gross deficiency in the intake of different food groups by the children. The majority of the samples 52 (71.2%) had an average dietary pattern, 9 (12.3%) students were found to have poor dietary habits and only 12 (16.4%) students had a good dietary pattern. Body Mass Index (BMI) assessment indicated that 39 students (53.4%) were normal (-2SD to +1SD) and others were found to be malnourished. A substantial variation in the mean weight of 12-year-old-male students (p-value=0.025) as well as female students (p-value=0.003) was observed when compared to ICMR standards. There was high significant difference between mean height of 13-year-old female students and the mean height as per ICMR standards (p-value=0.004). Conclusion: The dietary intake of Government school children was average and the anthropemetric assessment indicated that many of them were malnourished.

Association between Obesity and Intake of Different Food Groups among Japanese with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus-Japan Diabetes Clinical Data Management Study (JDDM68).

Background: We investigated the association between various food groups and obesity in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: 2070 patients with type 2 diabetes who attended 26 diabetes clinics throughout Japan were analyzed and were divided into obese and non-obese groups. Intakes of food groups determined by a food frequency questionnaire were compared. Odds ratios for obesity for quartiles of individual food groups were calculated using a logistic regression model. Results: Non-obese patients consumed a larger variety of food groups than obese patients, with the diets of non-obese individuals closer to the traditional Japanese diet characterized by fish, seaweed, and soybeans/soy products. Among 21 food groups, low vegetable intake and high sweets intake were the most strongly associated with obesity in both men and women. Low intake of both fruits and vegetables and the combination of high intake of sweets and low intake of fruits were associated with obesity. Conclusions: Food groups and their combinations that were strongly associated with obesity in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes were identified. Our findings also suggested an inverse association between the traditional Japanese diet and obesity.

Dietary Food Groups and Nutrient Intake in Association with Multiple Sclerosis: A Case-Control Study

Introduction: It has been proposed that dietary intake is associated with multiple sclerosis (MS). The present case-control study was conducted to investigate the relationship between intake of different food groups and occurrence of MS among the recently diagnosed adult patients in Yazd City, Iran.&#x0D; Materials and Methods: In the current study, a group of 45 patients who have recently been diagnosed with MS and 100 healthy controls were investigated in this research. Participants were matched regarding their gender. Dietary intakes were assessed using a self-administered semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Participants also completed a demographic questionnaire including information such as age, gender, marital status, job, education, sun exposure, smoking, sunscreen, body mass index (BMI), economic status, as well as their spouses' occupations and education. Logistic regressions in crude and multivariable-adjusted models were used to investigate the relationship between food groups and the odds of developing MS.&#x0D; Results: The findings showed that participants with high consumption of fruits, potatoes, refined grains, pickles, and fibers had a significantly lower chance for developing MS after adjustment for the maximum possible confounding variables (P &lt; 0.05).&#x0D; Conclusion: The present study revealed that several food groups or nutrients are associated with the development of MS. Further multi-central prospective studies including more participants are needed to confirm these results

Associations between Food Group Intake and Physical Frailty in Irish Community-Dwelling Older Adults.

Background:Certain nutrients have shown protective effects against frailty, but less is known about the influence of individual food groups. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between the intake of different food groups and physical frailty in a cohort of community-dwelling older adults in Cork, Ireland.Methods:One hundred and forty-two (n = 81 females, n = 61 males, age 74.1 ± 6.80 years) Irish community-dwelling volunteers aged ⩾65 years participated in this cross-sectional study. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Frailty was identified as having 3 or more of the following criteria: weight loss, exhaustion, weakness, slow walking speed and low physical activity. Relationships between intakes of food groups and frailty score were determined using Spearman’s rank (and partial rank) correlations and ordinal logistic regression analysis.Results:Negative Spearman’s rank correlations were observed between frailty score and fish and fish products, fruit and vegetables and nuts and seeds, while positive correlations were found between frailty score and potatoes, fats and oils and sugars, preserves and snacks (P < .05). After adjustment for confounders, partial rank correlations remained statistically significant (P < .05) for all of the above dietary variables, with the exception of nuts and seeds (P > .05). Following ordinal logistic regression, the odds ratios (ORs) (95%CI) for frailty incidence for those in the lowest tertile of food group intake compared to the highest were; 3.04 (1.09-8.85) for fish and fish products, 4.34 (1.54-13.13) for fruit and vegetables, 1.52 (0.58-4.15) for nuts and seeds, 0.54 (0.19-1.51) for potatoes, 0.58 (0.17-1.95) for fats and oils and 0.49 (0.16-1.47) for sugars, preserves and snacks.Conclusion:This study suggests that intakes of selected food groups are independently associated with frailty. These findings may hold significant relevance for the development of future frailty prevention strategies.

Dietary changes 1 year after sleeve gastrectomy compared with gastric bypass in an rct

Rationale: Bariatric surgery may affect food tolerance and food choices, which may influence cardiometabolic risk. We examined the intake of different food groups and macronutrients 1 year after sleeve gastrectomy (SG) and gastric bypass (GB).

Sweet Snacks Are Positively and Fruits and Vegetables Are Negatively Associated with Visceral or Liver Fat Content in Middle-Aged Men and Women

ABSTRACTBackgroundVisceral adipose tissue (VAT) and hepatic triglyceride content (HTGC) are major risk factors for cardiometabolic diseases.ObjectiveWe aimed to investigate the association of dietary intake of the main food groups with VAT and HTGC in middle-aged men and women.MethodsWe used data from the Netherlands Epidemiology of Obesity study, a population-based study including 6671 participants aged 45–65 y at baseline. In this cross-sectional analysis, VAT and HTGC were assessed by magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy, respectively, as the primary outcomes. Habitual intake of main food groups (dairy, meat, fish, fruits and vegetables, sweet snacks, and fats and oils) was estimated through the use of a food-frequency questionnaire. We examined associations of intake of different food groups with VAT and HTGC by linear regression analysis stratified by sex and adjusted for age, smoking, education, ethnicity, physical activity, basal metabolic rate, energy-restricted diet, menopausal state, and total energy intake.ResultsIn women, a 100-g/d higher intake of dairy was associated with 2.0 cm2 less VAT (95% CI: −3.4, −0.7 cm2) and a 0.95-fold lower HTGC (95% CI: 0.90-, 0.99-fold). Moreover, a 100-g/d higher intake of fruit and vegetables was associated with 1.6 cm2 less VAT (95% CI: −2.9, −0.2 cm2) in women. Fruit and vegetables were negatively associated (0.95; 95% CI: 0.91, 1.00) with HTGC, and sweet snacks were positively associated (1.29; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.63). Patterns were weaker but similar in men. Fish intake was not associated with VAT or HTGC and plant-based fat and oil intake were only associated with VAT after adjustment for total body fat.ConclusionsDespite some variation in the strength of the associations between men and women, dietary intake of sweet snacks was positively associated with HTGC, and fruit and vegetable intake were negatively associated with visceral and liver fat content. Prospective studies are needed to confirm these results. The Netherlands Epidemiology of Obesity study is registered at clinicaltrials.gov with identifier NCT03410316.

Adherence to the Mediterranean diet, dietary factors, and S-Klotho plasma levels in sedentary middle-aged adults.

The ageing process can be influenced by different dietary patterns and dietary factors. To analyse the association of dietary factors, which include the Mediterranean diet adherence, the compliance with the "Sociedad Española de Nutrición Comunitaria" food portion recommendations, and the intake of different food groups, with the secreted form of the α-Klotho gene (S-Klotho as an anti-ageing marker) in middle-aged sedentary adults. A total of 74 (39 women) middle-aged sedentary adults participated in the study. Dietary factors were assessed with a food frequency questionnaire and the PREDIMED questionnaire. The S-Klotho plasma levels were measured using a soluble α-Klotho ELISA assay kit. We observed: (i) a negative association between the adherence to the Mediterranean diet and the S-Klotho plasma levels (β = -53.219; R2 = 0.078; P = 0.020), (ii) a higher intake of wine (>7 glasses/week), was associated with lower S-Klotho plasma levels (P = 0.039), and (iii) a positive association between nuts portion intake and the S-Klotho plasma levels (β = 26.087; R2 = 0.070; P = 0.029). All the associations disappeared after controlling for lean mass index (LMI) (all P > 0.05). Our study suggests that, although dietary factors could be related to S-Klotho plasma levels in middle-aged sedentary adults, LMI is the main determinant in this regard.

Nutritional status and Mediterranean diet quality among Spanish children and adolescents with food neophobia

Food neophobia is a personality trait that can influence children’s food preferences and, therefore, their intake of different food groups. The association between food neophobia and nutritional status (both anthropometric and body composition measures) remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine whether Spanish children and adolescents with food neophobia show a different Mediterranean diet quality and different body composition measures compared with their non-neophobic peers. A community sample of 831 participants (368 males and 463 females) aged between 8 and 16years were classified into three groups based on scores obtained on the Spanish Child Food Neophobia Scale. The results showed that food neophobia was not related to either BMI or body fat percentage, although neophobic children did have slightly lower weight and skeletal muscle mass than their neophilic counterparts. The KidMed index showed that neophobic children and adolescents presented a poorer quality of Mediterranean diet, due to a lower intake of fruit, vegetables, and fish, a higher intake of sweets or candy, and by reason of having an unbalanced breakfast. Neophobia was more common among females than males, but its occurrence was similar across age groups. These findings support previous research suggesting that neophobia impacts on diet quality. However, no relationship between diet and BMI was found.

Dietary components and risk of total, cancer and cardiovascular disease mortality in the Linxian Nutrition Intervention Trials cohort in China.

Although previous studies have shown that dietary consumption of certain food groups is associated with a lower risk of cancer, heart disease and stroke mortality in western populations, limited prospective data are available from China. We prospectively examined the association between dietary intake of different food groups at baseline and risk of total, cancer, heart disease and stroke mortality outcomes in the Linxian Nutrition Intervention Trials(NIT) cohort. In 1984–1991, 2445 subjects aged 40–69 years from the Linxian NIT cohort completed a food frequency questionnaire. Deaths from esophageal and gastric cancer, heart disease and stroke were identified through up to 26 years of follow-up. We used Cox proportional hazard models to calculate hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals for associations between intake of groups of food items and these mortality endpoints. We concluded that higher intake of certain food groups was associated with lower risk of gastric cancer, heart disease and stroke mortality in a prospective cohort in rural China. Our findings provide additional evidence that increasing intake of grains, vegetables, beans, fruits and nuts may help reduce mortality from these diseases.

Relationship of the intake of different food groups by pregnant mothers with the birth weight and gestational age: Need for public and individual educational programs.

Objective:This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between the intake of different food groups by pregnant mothers and neonatal low birth weight and premature births.Materials and Methods:In this cohort, the target population was 225 pregnant women, randomly selected from different geographical areas of the city of Isfahan, Iran (from April to September, 2012). The main variables in the study were weight and gestational age of the neonates and the type and amount of different food groups used by the mothers. All nutritional variables were compared according to different groups of infants (normal, premature, and low birth weight). In the multivariate analysis, multiple linear and logistic regression models were used to identify those different food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) variables independently associated with the newborn's weight and gestational age, adjusted by maternal consumption of calcium supplementation, folic acid, and omega-3, during pregnancy.Results:A total of 214 (47.7% boys) infants with complete information were included. They had a mean gestational age of 38.72 ± 1.2 weeks. The mean birth weight was 3.11 ± 0.384 kg. The percentages of premature and low birth weight (LBW) infants were 7 and 5%, respectively. At multiple logistic regression controlling for potentially confounding factors that were significantly associated with prematurity and LBW at univariate analysis (maternal consumption of calcium supplementation, folic acid, and omega-3, during pregnancy), type of nutritional groups containing dairy products, proteins, fish, and shrimp group, as well as fruits and vegetables, had a significant positive association with increasing the gestational age (P < 0.05). The group that consumed proteins, fish, and shrimp, as well as fruits and vegetables had a significant positive association with the newborn's weight (P < 0.05).Conclusion:This study indicated the importance of proper nutrition on reducing the rates of LBW and premature births. Comprehensive educational programs at individual and public levels are warranted in this regard.

Dietary diversity as a proxy measure of blood antioxidant status in women

ObjectiveDietary diversity is recognized as a key indicator of dietary quality. However, its association with blood antioxidant levels has not been investigated. The aim of this study was to assess the association of the dietary diversity score (DDS) with blood antioxidant status in women who attend the sports clubs of a municipality in western Tehran, Iran. MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted with 397 randomly selected women from the sport clubs of a Tehran municipality. Sociodemographic data were recorded and the women's weight and height were measured. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated by dividing the weight (kg) by height squared (m2). A 24-h recall questionnaire was used to estimate food intake. Biochemical indices, including serum total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and erythrocyte activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), were measured in 90 women selected randomly from all participants. DDS was computed according to the guidelines of the Food and Agriculture Organization. The mean of SOD, TAC and GPx were compared across DDS quartiles after adjustment for age, education level, physical activity, energy intake, and BMI using analysis of covariance test. ResultsThe mean of TAC, SOD, and GPx was linearly increased with increasing the quartile of DDS, after adjustment for age, education level, physical activity, energy intake, and BMI (Ptrend < 0.001). Significant differences were observed for intake of different food groups, except cereals and white roots, between the DDS quartiles. ConclusionDDS is associated with blood antioxidant markers. Increasing the dietary diversity might be associated with a reduction in oxidative stress.

Dietary Intake and Nutritional Status of Dialysis and Non-dialysis Patients in Selected Specialized Hospitals of Dhaka City

The objective of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate dietary intake and nutritional status of chronic renal failure patients with and without dialysis. A total of 105 subjects from three different specialized hospitals located in Dhaka city were included in this study. The subjects were selected purposively. Fifty-nine patients were on dialysis whose median age was 56 years, and forty-six patients were without dialysis whose median age was 52 years. An interviewer administered questionnaire was developed to obtain socio-demographic, anthropometric, and dietary data. Dietary intake was obtained by 24-hour recall. The findings of this study showed that 8.5% of the patients on dialysis were underweight and 39% were overweight while prevalence of underweight and overweight in non-dialysis patients was the same (17.4%). More than 40% of these chronic renal failure patients were found to have no knowledge about potassium rich foods and only 20% were found to have good knowledge about potassium rich foods. Majority of the patients (about 70%) do not have knowledge about uric acid rich foods irrespective of dialysis and non-dialysis condition. Mean intake of different food groups were not significantly different between two groups except that egg consumption was significantly higher (/7=0.01) for dialysis group. Estimated average energy intake was about 17kcal/kg/day in dialysis patients and 18kcal/kg/day in non-dialysis patients. Mean protein intake was 0,95g/kg/day in dialysis and 0.85g/kg/day in non-dialysis patients. No significant difference regarding macro and micro nutrients intake was observed between two groups. All the patients were found to have lower intake of energy than the recommended level. About 68% of dialysis patients and 76% of non-dialysis patients were found to have protein intake below the recommended level. It can be concluded that prevalence of overweight was high in dialysis patients while malnutrition was prevalent in non-dialysis patients. Knowledge about the sources of potassium and uric acid rich-food amongst the subjects was very poor. The consumption of nutrients among the patients belonging to both groups was also grossly inadequate and below the recommended level. Bangladesh J. Nutr. Vol. 26-27, December 2014, P: 41-51

Intake of food groups and idiopathic asthenozoospermia: a case-control study

Is there any association between the intake of different food groups and the risk of idiopathic asthenozoospermia? A high intake of processed meat and sweets was positively associated with a higher risk of asthenozoospermia, whereas a high intake of fruits, vegetables, poultry, skim milk and sea foods was associated with a lower risk. A high intake of lipophilic foods like meat products or milk may be negatively associated with semen quality in humans, whereas some fruits or vegetables may maintain or improve semen quality. A case-control study including 72 asthenozoospermic men and 169 normozoospermic men all from infertile couples who underwent face-to-face private interviews, from January 2011 to December 2011. Semen was assessed by volume, sperm concentration, motility and morphology. Usual dietary intakes were assessed using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Odds ratios (ORs), 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and evaluation of trends were calculated using logistic regression. The first tertile served as the reference category for regression analyses. After adjusting for potential confounders, the risk of asthenozoospermia was significantly higher in the highest tertiles of processed meat (OR: 2.03, 95% CI: 1.70-2.44) and sweets intake (OR: 2.05, 95% CI: 1.09-2.26). Conversely, being in the highest tertile of total fruits and vegetables, the intake of dark green vegetables, skim milk, poultry and sea food intake was associated with a lower risk of asthenozoospermia (P for trend = 0.04, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03 and 0.04, respectively). Recall bias, selection bias and measurement bias are inevitable in this kind of study and residual confounding due to omission or imprecise measurement of important covariates remains possible. Patients with asthenozoospermia should be advised to adhere to a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, poultry, skim milk and sea foods while low in processed meat and sweets. This study was financially supported by the National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute, Faculty of Nutrition and Food Technology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran. No conflict of interests to declare.

Nutritional Status of Iranian Women with Rheumatoid Arthritis: An Assessment of Dietary Intake and Disease Activity

Long-standing chronic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis are known to be associated with impairment of nutritional status to some degree. The present study aimed to assess nutritional status of women with rheumatoid arthritis and compare their ingestion of certain micronutrients with dietary reference intakes. In this cross-sectional study, 90 eligible women were recruited. After examination, all patients were evaluated on the basis of disease activity score, calculated using the number of tender and swollen joints, patient global assessment of pain and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP). A three-day 24 h recall was completed and a 10 ml fasting blood sample was obtained to assess the plasma levels of malondialdehyde, total antioxidant and CRP. Despite normal BMI, intake of energy and micronutrients including calcium, folic acid, zinc, magnesium and vitamin B6 were considerably lower compared with the dietary reference intakes. There was no significant relationship between intake of different nutrients or food groups and disease activity score and the biochemical markers including malondialdehyde, CRP and total antioxidant. Intake of energy and some micronutrients were significantly lower than the recommended values. However, no relationship was found between intake of different food groups or nutrients with disease activity or serum antioxidant capacity.

Sex differences among Swedish adolescents in mother–child relationships in the intake of different food groups

The present study has explored mother-child relationships in the intake of different food groups and the sex differences in these relationships. A population-based sample of 471 mother-child pairs from Stockholm completed a dietary questionnaire to assess habitual dietary intake. Girls showed overall stronger correlations with their mothers' diet than boys did. The strongest correlations found, in both girls and boys, were for the intakes of fruit juice and sweet bakery goods (r 0.30-0.37, P < 0.001). There was a wide range in correlation strength between food groups. Milk/yoghurt and desserts showed no mother-child relationship at all. Breakfast cereals was the only food group with a significant sex interaction (P = 0.01; mothers-girls, r 0.30, P < 0.001; mothers-boys, r0.05, NS). There were significant positive correlations between mothers and daughters in the intake of all macronutrients, whereas none between mothers and sons (sex interactions: protein, P = 0.001; fat, P = 0.004; carbohydrates, P = 0.001). Mothers and daughters (r 0.29, P < 0.001), but not mothers and sons, showed significant correlation in total energy intake, (P = 0.001 for sex interaction). There were generally more differences between mothers and children than between boys and girls in the relative intake (percentage of energy) of different food groups. Since teenaged children have a similar intake of especially snack foods as their mothers, it could be meaningful to educate mothers when aiming at improving the diet of teenaged children, both boys and girls.

Trends in food intake in French children from 1999 to 2007: results from the INCA (étude Individuelle Nationale des Consommations Alimentaires) dietary surveys

The objectives of the present study were to assess the intake of different food groups in French children aged 3-17 years (n 1455), and to analyse trends since a dietary survey undertaken 8 years ago. Dietary intake was evaluated using data from the 2006-7 cross-sectional INCA2 national dietary survey (étude Individuelle Nationale sur les Consommations Alimentaires), based on a 7 d food record. Dietary intake (percentage of subjects consuming the food group and amount eaten) was assessed for thirty-nine food categories. We observed variations in food consumption by age, sex, North-South regional gradient, seasonal period and educational level of the responding parent. Trends in dietary intake between 1999 and 2007 were determined by comparing the INCA1 (n 1126) and the INCA2 surveys. Both surveys had been carried out using the same methodology. The findings showed a decrease in energy intake in children aged 3-14 years, due to a reduction in the consumption of foods of animal origin and sweetened products. In adolescents aged 15-17 years, energy intake remained rather stable; during this 8-year period, the consumption of meat decreased, whereas the consumption of savoury snacks such as sandwiches and hamburgers significantly increased. These trends occurred during a time of growing concern about overweight and the associated co-morbidities in France. A number of public health measures were implemented over this period to improve dietary habits and physical activity patterns in children and adults. The periodic monitoring of dietary patterns through the INCA surveys is an essential part of the surveillance network in France.

Diet in the Italian EPIC cohorts: presentation of data and methodological issues.

One of the aims of the EPIC study is to produce accurate descriptions of the dietary habits of the participants recruited in the 27 EPIC centers of 10 European countries. To do this, different dietary assessment instruments were developed and applied to capture the wide range of diets characterizing the different European populations. Three different food frequency questionnaires were developed for Italy: one for the centers of Varese, Turin and Florence, one for Ragusa and one for Naples. These inquired about eating habits over the previous year and were completed by 46,839 Italian EPIC participants. Specially developed software analyzed the responses and linked them to food composition tables in order to provide a nutritional breakdown of individual and collective diets. A further aim of EPIC was to develop a method of rendering data from different dietary questionnaires comparable. To do this, dietary data were collected from a sample of about 8% of the Italian EPIC cohort, using a standardized computer-driven 24-hour dietary recall interview, and then compared with the dietary data collected by the questionnaires. This paper provides an extensive description of the technical features and performance of the food frequency questionnaires and the 24-hour recall interview, including a comparison of estimates of the intake of different food groups provided by the two instruments. From this comparison, the repeatability and reliability of consumption estimates was assessed, resulting in indications for improving data comparability. The paper also presents food frequency questionnaire estimates of the daily intake of foods and nutrients by center, sex and age group, as well as information on dietary habits such as place and time of intake, and food preparation and preservation methods as provided by the 24-hour recall interview. The picture that emerged is that Italian eating habits are undergoing marked changes, with a tendency to less healthy eating. Documentation of these changes in relation to age, sex and region provides an essential starting point for investigating the influence of diet on the development of cancer and other chronic diseases.

Food group intake patterns in relation to nutritional adequacy of young adults

Food group intake patterns of young adults were determined in relation to Food Guide Pyramid food groups, and were related to nutritional adequacy and selected Dietary Guidelines for Americans. One-day food intake records of 2489 subjects were analyzed for average intake of different food groups; % of diets below or above the recommended servings of Food Guide Pyramid; nutritional density and MAR-5 in relation to food group scores (0–5) and food group intake patterns; the number of different foods included in a day; and percentages of kcalories from total fat and added sugar. Although mean intakes of major nutrients and five food groups of the subjects were above the recommended amount, at least 89% of the young adults consumed less than the recommended number of servings from more than one food group (i.e., food group score 0–4). Inadequate servings of grain, vegetable, fruit, dairy and meat groups were consumed by 39%, 31%, 38%, 40% and 55% of the subjects, respectively. Diets which were chosen by the young adults and contained the minimum number of servings of the Pyramid were nutritionally adequate based on MAR-5 scores, but high in fat, sugar and kcal. In using the Food Guide Pyramid for nutrition education with young adults, we suggest emphasizing the importance of Dietary Guidelines for total fat, added sugar, and energy balance.

韓国の食物摂取構造に関する研究

The authors performed principle component analysis on the data of Korean (1969-1990) and Japanese (1949-1990) intakes of foods of different groups and compared changes in intakes over time. Although the analysis revealed that both Korea and Japan shifted from a diet which had put much importance on a staple food to one which stressed a variety of food items, it wasn't until between 1985 and 1990 that the Korean diet became comparable to Japan's diet between 1963 and 1965. While Korea shifted within the vegetable-oriented intake type, Japan shifted from the potato bean-oriented intake type to the vegetable-oriented one. In order to grasp the diet components of contemporary Korea, the authors performed a principal component analysis, using the 1988-1990 intake of different food groups in 14 regional blocks (n= 41). The analysis revealed that the first principle component indicated either the modern diet type or the traditional diet type. The second principle component indicated that the subsidiary food was either the fresh vegetable/seafood type or the processed vegetable/livestock type. The third component indicated either the fresh food type or the stored food type. Furthermore, the relationship between the 9 commonest diseases and diet in Korea showed that the occurrence of cerebrovascular diseases, malignant neoplasm of stomach, hypertensive diseases, malignant neoplasm of lung, and diabetes mellitus was lower among people with a modern diet, while it was higher among those with the traditional diet. And thier relationship showed that the occurrence of cerebrovascular diseases, malignant neoplasm of liver, ischemic heart diseases, and tuberculosis of respiratory system was lower among those with a diet of processed vegetables/ livestock type as the subsidiary food, while on the other hand, it was higher among those with a fresh vegetables/seafood type as the subsidiary food. In addition, among the food groups, the correlation of meat with all diseases, except ischemic heart diseases, that of eggs with all diseases, except diabetes mellitus, that of milk products with all diseases, except malignant neoplasm of liver and ischemic heart diseases, and that of processed vegetables with malignant neoplasm of liver and tuberculosis of respiratory system had a significant negative correlation coefficient, while the correlation of cereals with cerebrovascular diseases, maligant neoplasm of stomach, hypertensive diseases, malignant neoplasm of liver, and diabetes mellitus, and that of vegetables with cerebrovascular disease, malignant neoplasm of liver, ischemic heart diseases, and tuberculosis of respiratory system had a significant positive correlation coefficient.