Lower Fat Intake Research Articles

Associations between dietary consumption and sleep quality in young Japanese males

Poor sleep quality has been reported to be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome, as well as mental disorders including depression and anxiety. However, few studies have investigated the association between sleep quality and diet in young males. We aimed to assess this association, adjusting for psychological factors. In this study, a total of 124 male Japanese students were analyzed. Sleep quality, diet, and psychological symptoms were assessed using self-reported questionnaires, including the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), brief-type self-administered diet history questionnaire (BDHQ), 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ12), and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) A-Trait scale. Among participants, 40% exhibited a PSQI total score≥6, indicating poor sleep quality. Poor sleep quality was associated with poor mental health status and higher levels of anxiety. After adjusting for covariates including these psychological factors, poor sleep quality was significantly associated with low intakes of fat, beta-carotene, retinol, alpha-tocopherol, vitamin K, vitamin B1, daidzein, genistein, and iron. Poor sleep quality was also associated with low intake of pulses, fat and oil, as well as high intakes of sugar-sweetened beverages. Our findings demonstrated that sleep quality among young Japanese males was associated with specific dietary features, independently of psychological status, which may help to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the link between sleep and sleep-related diseases.

SUN-369 Different Association of Dietary Fat Intake with Femoral Neck Strength According to Gender: A Nationwide Population-Based Study

Purpose: Despite the general belief that higher fat intake may be harmful for bone health, its impact on bone strength has not been thoroughly studied. Methods: We conducted a population-based cross-sectional study derived from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, including 2,590 participants. Composite indices of femoral neck strength, such as the compression strength index (CSI), bending strength index (BSI), and impact strength index (ISI), were generated by combining bone mineral density, body mass, and height with the femoral axis length and width. Results: Dietary fat intake (%) was inversely related to CSI and ISI in men, but not in women. Men in the highest three fat intake quintiles had lower CSI, BSI, and/or ISI than those in the lowest quintile (P=0.003–0.024). In women, compared with participants in the third fat intake quintile, those in the other four quintiles had lower CSI, BSI, and/or ISI (P=0.004–0.049). When the participants were allocated to three groups according to the dietary reference intake of fat in Koreans [low (<15%), moderate (15–30%), or high (≥30%)], men with a moderate or high fat intake had significantly lower ISIs than those with a low fat intake (P=0.046 and 0.039, respectively). By contrast, compared with women consuming a moderate amount of fat, those with a high intake had lower CSI, BSI, and ISI (P = 0.025–0.047). Conclusion: These findings suggest that higher fat intake in men and low or high fat intake in women may contribute to deteriorations in bone strength.

Inequalities in education and national income are associated with poorer diet: Pooled analysis of individual participant data across 12 European countries.

BackgroundMalnutrition linked to noncommunicable diseases presents major health problems across Europe. The World Health Organisation encourages countries to conduct national dietary surveys to obtain data to inform public health policies designed to prevent noncommunicable diseases.MethodsData on 27334 participants aged 19-64y were harmonised and pooled across national dietary survey datasets from 12 countries across the WHO European Region. Weighted mean nutrient intakes were age-standardised using the Eurostat 2013 European Standard Population. Associations between country-level Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and key nutrients and nutrient densities were investigated using linear regression. The potential mitigating influence of participant-level educational status was explored.FindingsHigher GDP was positively associated with total sugar intake (5·0% energy for each 10% increase in GDP, 95% CI 0·6, 9·3). Scandinavian countries had the highest vitamin D intakes. Participants with higher educational status had better nutritional intakes, particularly within lower GDP countries. A 10% higher GDP was associated with lower total fat intakes (-0·2% energy, 95% CI -0·3, -0·1) and higher daily total folate intakes (14μg, 95% CI 12, 16) in higher educated individuals.InterpretationLower income countries and lower education groups had poorer diet, particularly for micronutrients. We demonstrate for the first time that higher educational status appeared to have a mitigating effect on poorer diet in lower income countries. It illustrates the feasibility and value of harmonising national dietary survey data to inform European policy regarding access to healthy diets, particularly in disadvantaged groups. It specifically highlights the need for strong policies supporting nutritional intakes, prioritising lower education groups and lower income countries.

Effects of 20-year infancy-onset dietary counselling on cardiometabolic risk factors in the Special Turku Coronary Risk Factor Intervention Project (STRIP): 6-year post-intervention follow-up

Primordial and primary prevention is the cornerstone for cardiometabolic health. In the randomised, controlled Special Turku Coronary Risk Factor Intervention Project (STRIP; n=1116), a 20-year dietary counselling intervention was given to children biannually from infancy, and cardiometabolic health benefits had been observed among the participants in the intervention group. Here, we report on the key results of the first follow-up done 6 years after the end of the intervention, at age 26 years. The randomised controlled STRIP study recruited children at age 5 months from well-baby clinics in Turku, Finland, and randomly assigned them to either an intervention or control group; group allocation was unmasked. The intervention introduced participants to a heart-healthy diet, characterised by low proportional intake of saturated fat and cholesterol, by dietary counselling and nutrition education sessions to parents and children from the age of 7 months to 20 years. Children in the control group received only the basic health education given at Finnish well-baby clinics and school health care. We assessed diet, lifestyle, and cardiometabolic risk factor data, including blood pressure, anthropometry, serum biochemistry (lipids, apolipoproteins, glucose, and insulin), and homoeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in the participants at age 26 years. 1116 children were included in the original STRIP study, of whom 551 provided data at the age 26 years follow-up, and data for 507 participants were analysed (243 in the intervention group and 264 in the control group). At follow-up, those who had been in the intervention group had slightly lower mean intake of saturated fat as a proportion of total energy intake than the control group (13·0% [SD 3·3] vs 13·7% [3·6], p=0·049). A higher proportion of participants in the intervention group achieved the targeted monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fat to saturated fat ratio of more than 2:1 than the control group (78 [39%] of 200 vs 70 [30%] of 235; risk ratio [RR] 1·16 [95% CI 1·01-1·33]; p=0·035). A higher proportion of intervention group participants met the ideal total cholesterol concentration of less than 5·17 mmol/L (194 [81%] of 240 vs 187 [72%] of 261; RR 1·45 [1·05-2·01], p=0·024) and optimal LDL cholesterol concentration of less than 3·0 mmol/L (166 [69%] of 240 vs 158 [61%] of 251; RR 1·30 [1·03-1·66], p=0·031). Those who received the intervention had lower glucose (5·00 mmol/L [SD 0·43] vs 5·07 mmol/L [0·46], p=0·040) and HOMA-IR (median 1·44 [IQR 1·09-1·91] vs 1·62 [1·22-2·09], p=0·037) than the participants in the control group. Previously observed intervention effects during the 20-year counselling were largely maintained into adulthood 6 years after the withdrawal of the intervention. Dietary counselling introduced in infancy thus provided a sustained benefit to diet quality and cardiometabolic risk factor levels. Academy of Finland, Juho Vainio Foundation, Finnish Foundation for Cardiovascular Research, Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture, Finnish Cultural Foundation, Sigrid Jusélius Foundation, Special Governmental grants for Health Sciences Research (Turku University Hospital), Yrjö Jahnsson Foundation, Finnish Medical Foundation, and Turku University Foundation.

Dietary Factors and Risks of Cardiovascular Diseases: An Umbrella Review.

Unhealthy diet is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Therefore, this umbrella review aims to comprehensively review the effects of dietary factors, including dietary patterns, food groups, and nutrients on CVD risks. Medline and Scopus databases were searched through March 2020. Systematic reviews with meta-analyses (SRMA) of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or observational studies measuring the effects of dietary factors on CVD risks were eligible. Fifty-four SRMAs, including 35 SRMAs of observational studies, 10 SRMAs of RCTs, and 9 SRMAs of combined RCT and observational studies, were included for review. Findings from the SRMAs of RCTs suggest the significant benefit of Mediterranean and high-quality diets for lowering CVD risk, with pooled risk ratios (RRs) ranging from 0.55 (95%CI: 0.39–0.76) to 0.64 (95%CI: 0.53–0.79) and 0.70 (95%CI: 0.57–0.87), respectively. For food nutrients, two SRMAs of RCTs found that high intake of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) significantly reduced CVD risks, with pooled RRs ranging from 0.89 (95%CI: 0.82, 0.98) to 0.90 (95%CI: 0.85–0.96), while evidence of efficacy of n-6 PUFA and combined n-3 and n-6 PUFA were inconsistent. Moreover, results from the SRMAs of RCTs did not find a significant benefit of a low-salt diet and low total fat intake for CVD prevention. For food groups, results from the SRMAs of cohort studies suggest that high intakes of legumes, nuts, and chocolate, as well as a vegetarian diet significantly reduced the risk of coronary heart disease, with pooled RRs of 0.90 (95%CI: 0.84–0.97), 0.68 (95%CI: 0.59–0.78), 0.90 (95%CI: 0.82–0.97), and 0.71 (95%CI: 0.57–0.87), respectively. Healthy dietary patterns had a significant benefit for CVD prevention. With the substitutional and synergistic interactions between different food groups and nutrients, dietary recommendations for CVD prevention should be focused more on healthy dietary patterns than single food groups or nutrients.

Cognition and hospitalizations are linked with salivary and faecal microbiota in cirrhosis cohorts from the USA and Mexico.

Gut microbiota are affected by diet and ethnicity, which impacts cognition and hospitalizations in cirrhosis. Study interactions of diet with microbiota and impact on hospitalizations and cognition in American and Mexican cohorts. Controls and age-balanced patients with compensated/decompensated cirrhosis were included and followed for 90-day hospitalizations. A subset underwent minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) testing. Parameters such as dietary, salivary and faecal microbiota (diversity, taxa analysis, cirrhosis dysbiosis ratio CDR:high=good) between/within countries were analysed. Regression analyses for hospitalizations and MHE were performed. In all, 275 age-balanced subjects (133 US [40 Control, 50 Compensated, 43 Decompensated] and 142 Mexican [41 Control, 49 Compensated, 52 Decompensated]) were enrolled. MELD/cirrhosis severity was comparable. Diet showed lower protein and animal fat intake in all decompensated patients, but this was worse in Mexico. Diversity was lower in stool and saliva in decompensated patients, and worse in Mexican cohorts. Prevotellaceae were lower in decompensated cirrhosis, particularly those with lower animal fat/protein consumption across countries. Hospitalizations were higher in Mexico vs the USA (26% vs 14%, P=.04). On regression, Prevotellaceae, Ruminococcaceae and Lachnospiraceae lowered hospitalization risk independent of MELD and ascites. MHE testing was performed in 120 (60/country and 20/subgroup) subjects and MHE rate was similar. MELD and decompensation increased while CDR and Prevotellaceae decreased the risk of MHE. Changes in diet and microbiota, especially related to animal fat and protein intake and Prevotellaceae, are associated with MHE and hospitalizations in Mexican patients with cirrhosis compared to an American cohort. Nutritional counselling to increase protein intake in cirrhosis could help prevent these hospitalizations.

Relationships between Obesity, Nutrient Supply and Primary Open Angle Glaucoma in Koreans.

To investigate the association between nutrient intake and primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) in Koreans, a population-based, cross-sectional survey, the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, was analyzed. Glaucoma diagnosis was based on criteria established by the International Society of Geographic and Epidemiologic Ophthalmology. Multivariate regression analysis was used to assess the correlation between dietary intake and the prevalence of POAG in all enrolled subjects. In the low Body mass index(BMI) group (BMI <18.5), females with POAG had significantly lower intakes of energy, protein, fat, carbohydrate, ash, calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, vitamin A, B-carotene, thiamin, riboflavin, and vitamin C than their non-glaucoma counterparts, based on a multivariate logistic regression analysis (all p < 0.05). In females with a medium BMI (18.5 ≤ BMI < 23), POAG showed a significant association with lower food intake, energy, protein, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, thiamin and niacin. (all p < 0.05). Lower protein thiamine intake in medium BMI males was related to POAG. Low dietary intake of several nutrients showed an association with glaucoma in low BMI female subjects. An insufficient intake of certain nutrients may be associated with an increased risk of glaucoma in Koreans. Further large-scale cohort studies are needed to determine how specific nutrients alter the risk of glaucoma.

Associations of fat and carbohydrate intake with cardiovascular disease and mortality: prospective cohort study of UK Biobank participants

ObjectiveTo investigate the association of macronutrient intake with all cause mortality and cardiovascular disease (CVD), and the implications for dietary advice.DesignProspective population based study.SettingUK Biobank.Participants195 658 of the 502 536...

Comparison of hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis patients\u2019 dietary behaviors

BackgroundNutritional factors are associated with high mortality and morbidity in dialysis patients, and protein-energy wasting is regarded as an important one. The modality of dialysis may affect patients’ dietary behavior and nutritional status, but no study has compared the dietary behavior, nutrient intake, and nutritional adequacy of hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients.MethodsFrom December 2016 to May 2017, a dietary behavior survey and Semi-quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire (Semi-FFQ) were conducted on 30 HD patients and 30 PD patients in Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital, and laboratory parameters were obtained. The results of prevalent HD and PD patients were then compared.ResultsThe mean age of HD patients was higher than that of PD patients; HD: 58.5 ± 9.1 years, PD: 49.3 ± 9.7 years (p = 0.001). In the dietary behavior survey, HD patients showed more appropriate dietary behavior patterns overall than PD patients. In the dietary intake analysis with the Semi-FFQ, energy intake was significantly lower in the PD group than in the HD group due to the lower intake of carbohydrates, fat, and protein. A comparison of nutrient intake-to-recommended allowance ratio between the HD and PD groups revealed that the HD group showed higher nutrient intake than the PD group. Serum albumin and potassium levels were significantly higher in HD than in PD patients.ConclusionAccording to this study, the dietary behavior and nutritional intake of prevalent PD patients were worse than those of HD patients.

Cluster analysis of nutritional factors associated with low muscle mass index in middle-aged and older adults.

Sarcopenia, or age-related muscle loss, is an enormous health problem in an aging world because of its many clinical and societal adverse effects. The uncovering of healthy dietary patterns is an important strategy to prevent or delay sarcopenia. We used K-means clustering to identify subgroups of men and women based on nutritional and health-related factors and investigated risk factors for low muscle mass in the subgroups and in the study population as a whole. We analyzed a total 10,863 participants over 40 years of age who participated in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Survey from 2008 to 2011. Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to determine the appendicular lean mass (ALM) of the participants. Participants with low ALM adjusted BMI (ALM/BMI) were then identified using the criteria of the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health sarcopenia project. K-means clustering and multivariate logistic regression were used to analyze associations between nutritional and health-related variables and low ALM/BMI in the population as a whole and in the individual clusters. A total of 712 (15.8%) men and 869 (13.7%) women had low ALM/BMI. Five clusters were identified in men and women, respectively. Two clusters of men and one cluster of women exhibited an increased risk of low ALM/BMI. Old age, low total energy intake, low levels of physical activity, and a high number of chronic diseases were consistent risk factors for low ALM/BMI in all Korean men and women. Low protein was a common risk factor for low ALM/BMI in men. After dividing all subjects by the K-means clustering algorithm, two risk factors (high fat intake and smoking) and four factors (low intakes of carbohydrate, protein and fat, and high alcohol consumption) were additionally proposed in Korean men and women, respectively. Age, low total energy intake, low level of physical activity, and an increased number of chronic diseases were consistent risk factors for low ALM/BMI in men and women. Cluster-specific risk factors were also noted in men and women.

Meat analog as future food: a review.

The definition of meat analog refers to the replacement of the main ingredient with other than meat. It also called a meat substitute, meat alternatives, fake or mock meat, and imitation meat. The increased importance of meat analog in the current trend is due to the health awareness among consumers in their diet and for a better future environment. The factors that lead to this shift is due to low fat and calorie foods intake, flexitarians, animal disease, natural resources depletion, and to reduce greenhouse gas emission. Currently, available marketed meat analog products are plant-based meat in which the quality (i.e., texture and taste) are similar to the conventional meat. The ingredients used are mainly soy proteins with novel ingredients added, such as mycoprotein and soy leghemoglobin. However, plant-based meat is sold primarily in Western countries. Asian countries also will become a potential market in the near future due to growing interest in this product. With the current advance technology, lab-grown meat with no livestock raising or known as cultured meat will be expected to boost the food market in the future. Also, insect-based products will be promising to be the next protein resource for human food. Nevertheless, other than acceptability, cost-effective, reliable production, and consistent quality towards those products, product safety is the top priority. Therefore, the regulatory frameworks need to be developed alongside.

Breakfast size is associated with daily energy intake and diet quality.

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of breakfast consumption and breakfast size on daily energy, nutrient intakes, and diet quality. One-day 24-h recall data from the 2011 to 2012 National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey (n=9341, adults ≥ 19 y) were analyzed, and respondents were classified into breakfast consumers or skippers. Breakfast consumers were further classified into quartile of breakfast size (energy intake [EI] from breakfast×100%/daily EI). Diet quality was assessed using the Healthy Eating Index for Australian Adults. General linear modeling was undertaken to compare groups, adjusting for potential confounders. Overall, 85.9% of adults consumed breakfast, contributing a mean of 19.9 ± 10.9% of daily EI for consumers. Among breakfast consumers, obtaining a higher proportion of daily EI from breakfast was associated with lower daily intakes of energy, added sugars, saturated fat, and alcohol (%E); higher intakes of dietary fiber (%E) and most micronutrients (per 1000 kJ); and better Healthy Eating Index for Australian Adults scores (Ptrend < 0.0001). Additionally, those in the highest quartile of breakfast size (>25.5% EI) had higher diet quality scores (P < 0.001) but similar daily EI (P=0.751) compared with breakfast skippers. These findings indicate that obtaining a higher proportion of daily EI from breakfast may result in more favorable dietary profiles and lower daily EI. Further research is needed to confirm this.

Measures of Poor Sleep Quality Are Associated With Higher Energy Intake and Poor Diet Quality in a Diverse Sample of Women From the Go Red for Women Strategically Focused Research Network.

BackgroundPoor sleep increases cardiovascular disease risk, and diet likely contributes to this relationship. However, there are limited epidemiological data on the relationship between measures of sleep quality and habitual dietary patterns. This study examined these associations in a diverse sample of women.Methods and ResultsBaseline data from 495 participants in the AHA Go Red for Women prospective cohort study (age: 20–76 years; 61% racial/ethnic minority) were examined. Sleep quality and sleep‐onset latency were measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and insomnia using the Insomnia Severity Index. The validated Block Brief Food Frequency Questionnaire was used to assess diet quantity and quality. Linear regression models adjusted for confounding variables tested relationships between sleep and diet variables. Results showed that higher PSQI scores, indicative of poorer sleep quality, were associated with lower unsaturated fat intake (β=−0.14, P<0.05) and higher food weight (β=14.9, P=0.02) and added sugars consumed (β=0.44, P=0.04). Women with sleep‐onset latency >60 minutes had higher intakes of food by weight (β=235.2, P<0.01) and energy (β=426, P<0.01), and lower intakes of whole grains (β=−0.37, P=0.01) than women with sleep‐onset latency ≤15 minutes. Greater insomnia severity was associated with higher food weight (β=9.4, P=0.02) and energy (β=17, P=0.01) consumed and lower total (β=−0.15, P=0.01) and unsaturated fat intakes (β=−0.11, P<0.01).ConclusionsPoor sleep quality was associated with greater food intake and lower‐quality diet, which can increase cardiovascular disease risk. Future studies should test whether promoting sleep quality could augment efforts to improve cardiometabolic health in women.

Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Lipid Peroxidation Products in Donor Human Milk in the United Kingdom: Results From the LIMIT 2-Centre Cross-Sectional Study.

Donor human milk (DHM) is used as alternative to maternal milk to feed preterm infants; however, it may provide less long-chain (LC) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and more oxidized lipids, which may be detrimental to preterm infant health and development. Levels have not been reported for DHM in the United Kingdom. DHM (n = 19) from 2 neonatal units, preterm milk from a neonatal unit (n = 10), and term milk from the community (n = 11) were analyzed for fatty acids, malondialdehyde, 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal, and hexanal. NCT03573531. DHM had significantly lower absolute LCPUFA content than term (P < .001) and significantly lower ω-3 PUFAs than preterm milk (P < .05), although relative LCPUFA composition did not differ. Exclusive DHM feeding leads to significantly lower fat (3.7 vs 6.7g/d) and LCPUFA (docosahexaenoic acid [DHA]: 10.6 vs 16.8 mg/d; arachidonic acid [ARA]: 17.4 vs 25.2mg/d) intake than recommended by the European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, and provides 17.3% and 43.1% of the in utero accreted ARA and DHA. DHM had the highest proportion of lipid peroxidation. This study confirms that DHM in the United Kingdom has insufficient LCPUFAs for preterm infants. It demonstrates for the first time that DHM has the highest level of lipid peroxidation, compared with preterm or term milk. This has important implications for preterm infant nutrition, as exclusive DHM feeding might not be suitable long term and may contribute to the development of major preterm neonatal morbidities.

Effects of Feeding Multinutrient Blocks Including Avocado Pulp and Peels to Dairy Goats on Feed Intake and Milk Yield and Composition.

Simple SummaryThe high and volatile prices of conventional ingredients for animal feeding has directed the attention of ruminant nutritionists toward local alternative resources such as agroindustrial by-products and fruits wastes. The inclusion of these resources in the diet might contribute to reducing feeding costs and environmental issues associated with both livestock production and by-products and wastes accumulation might be prevented. The global production and consumption of avocado have risen sharply in recent years, partly due to the recognition of its health-promoting potential in humans. The increased consumption of avocado and its derivatives is producing great amounts of wastes and by-products that might be reutilized in ruminant feeding. Our hypothesis was that avocado wastes (a mixture of pulp and peels) could be included in multinutrient blocks for dairy goats and improve the quality of the milk fatty acid profile without negatively affecting milk yield. However, the intake of multinutrient blocks containing 14.8% avocado wastes was low probably due to avocado lipids oxidation and rancidity. No changes were observed in milk production, but feeding blocks with avocado wastes increased milk fat content with only subtle changes in the fatty acid profile of fat milk.Twelve Murciano-Granadina dairy goats were divided into two homogeneous groups, which were fed either a control diet composed of 40% alfalfa hay and 60% concentrate or a diet based on 40% alfalfa hay, 40% concentrate and 20% multinutrient blocks, including 14.8% avocado pulp and peels (APP). Total dry matter (DM) intake was similar (p = 0.709) for both diets, but APP-fed goats had lower (p = 0.024) concentrate intake and tended (p = 0.063) to have lower fat intake compared with those fed the control diet. The average intake of blocks was low (66.4 g DM/d), which was attributed to avocado lipids oxidation and rancidity. Neither milk yield (p = 0,921) nor the efficiency of energy and nitrogen use were affected (p = 0.909 and 0. 840, respectively) by the diet, but milk fat tended to be greater (p = 0.057) in the APP-fed goats compared with the animals fed the control diet. Other milk components were similar (p ≥ 0.110) for both diets, and only subtle changes in the milk fatty acid profile were observed. In summary, the intake of blocks containing avocado wastes by dairy goats was low probably due to avocado lipids oxidation causing off-flavors and reduced palatability.

The Effect of High Carbohydrate-to-fat Intake Ratios on Hypo-HDL-cholesterolemia Risk and HDL-cholesterol Levels over a 12-year Follow-up

Considering the strong correlation between carbohydrate and fat intake, we defined and assessed the association of the carbohydrate-to-fat ratio with the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) level using 12-year follow-up data from the community-based cohort of the Korean Genome Epidemiology Study. We evaluated the long-term changes in HDL-c levels according to quartiles of carbohydrate-to-fat ratio using a mixed model. We also assessed the effect of the carbohydrate-to-fat ratio on the prevalence and incidence of hypo-HDL-cholesterolemia. Of 6,627 subjects, the prevalence of undiagnosed hypo-HDL-cholesterolemia at baseline was 35.3% (n = 2,339). Among the disease-free subjects, 56.8% developed hypo-HDL-cholesterolemia (incidence = 92/1,000 person-years). The prevalence and incidence of hypo-HDL-cholesterolemia were higher in females than in males. The highest carbohydrate-to-fat ratio quartile, which was characterized by high and low intake of carbohydrate and fat, was consistently associated with a lower HDL-c level during the 12-year follow up. Moreover, those in the highest quartile had a 1.14-fold greater risk of incident hypo-HDL-cholesterolemia than those in the lowest quartile, with a significant dose-response relationship. We found that high and low intake of carbohydrate and fat, respectively, was consistently associated with a low HDL-c level over a prolonged period. More research is needed to promote appropriate intake of macronutrients.

Characterising the plant based component of the Irish diet in terms of its nutritional quality

AbstractA diet rich in plant-based foods with fewer animal products may offer improved health and environmental benefits. There is little consensus on the definition for a plant-based diet in the literature with some defining it as one rich in vegetables, legumes, fruits, wholegrains, nuts and seeds, excluding animal foods and with heavy restrictions on processed foods. Other definitions make no reference to the inclusion/exclusion of processed foods and refer only to the exclusion of all animal foods from the total diet. This study aimed to examine the nutritional quality of the Irish diet using each of these plant-based diet definitions.A 4-day semi-weighed food record collected food intake data from 1500 Irish adults (18–90y) in the National Adult Nutrition Survey (NANS). Nutrient intake was analysed using WISP© based on UK and Irish food composition databases. All foods and beverages consumed in the NANS were categorised (included/excluded) into the two definitions; 1.plant-based component of the diet and 2.total diet excluding all animal components. The plant-based component included vegetables, legumes, fruits, wholegrains, nuts and seeds and excluded all animal foods and processed foods. The second categorisation included all non-animal foods regardless of processing. Nutritional quality was assessed by estimating energy-adjusted intakes of macronutrients, saturated fat, free sugars, dietary fibre and sodium. Stastical analysis was conducted using SPSS© v24.The plant-based component of the diet provided 309 ± 214kcal/d (1.3 ± 0.9MJ/d) comprising of 68% carbohydrate, 20% fat and 12% protein. Mean intakes of saturated fat and free sugars from the plant-based component of the diet were 5% of energy (%E) and 1%E, respectively. Mean intakes of dietary fibre and sodium were 70g/10MJ and 1855mg/10MJ, respectively.Allowing for inclusion of processed foods, mean energy intake from the total diet excluding all animal foods was 1051 ± 411kcal/d (4.4 ± 1.7MJ/d) comprising of 66% carbohydrate, 23% fat and 10% protein. Mean intakes of saturated fat and free sugars were 7%E and 14%E, respectively. Mean intakes of dietary fibre and sodium were 40g/10MJ and 2642mg/10MJ, respectively.Overall, the macronutrient profile of the plant-based component of the diet and the total diet excluding animal foods were similar. However, the plant-based component of the diet was of higher nutritional quality; providing lower intakes of saturated fat, free sugar and sodium and higher intakes of dietary fibre compared to the total diet excluding animal foods. This study highlights the variability in nutritional quality between different definitions of plant based-diets.

Associations between consumption of ready to eat cereal and nutrient intake in the United Kingdom

AbstractIntroductionReady to eat cereal (RTEC) is a nutrient dense food in a typical western diet. Studies have reported better nutrient intake associated with RTEC consumption in other countries, however, little is known in the United Kingdom. The objective of the study was to examine consumption patterns of RTEC and to investigate associations between RTEC consumption and nutrient intake in a nationally representative sample in the United Kingdom.Materials and MethodsChildren aged 1.5–18 years old (N = 2564) and adults aged 19 years or older (N = 2705) from the National Diet and Nutrition Survey rolling programme 2012/13–2015/16 were included in the study. The average of four-day food diary data was used for analysis. RTEC included all food items from the high fiber breakfast cereals and other breakfast cereals, excluding porridge and instant hot oat cereals. Participants were classified as RTEC eaters if they reported consumption of RTEC at least once during the four days. Percentage contribution of RTEC to daily intake of nutrients in RTEC eaters was calculated. Differences in energy and nutrient intake between RTEC eaters and non-eaters were compared using multiple linear regression analyses for surveys, adjusting for age, gender, and equivalized income level. Energy intake was also included as a covariate in the analyses of nutrients intake.ResultsAbout 75% of children were RTEC eaters, whereas 52% of adults reported RTEC consumption. Their daily intake of RTEC were 35.1 g and 42.8 g, respectively. RTEC is a critical source of several key vitamins and minerals. For example, RTEC contributed to over 20% of daily intake of iron, folate, vitamin D, riboflavin, and thiamin in both children and adults who consumed RTEC. Compared to non-eaters, both child and adult RTEC eaters had significantly higher intake of total energy, carbohydrate, fiber, calcium, potassium, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, niacin, folate, riboflavin, thiamin, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, as well as significantly lower intake of sodium and total fat. Adult RTEC eaters also had higher intake of vitamin C and vitamin D. There was no difference in intake of non-milk extrinsic sugar by RTEC consumption status in both children and adults, although total sugar intake was higher in adult RTEC eaters.DiscussionRTEC is an important dietary source of key nutrients in the United Kingdom. Consumption of RTEC is associated with higher intake of nutrients to encourage and lower intake of nutrients to limit, in both children and adults in the United Kingdom.

Associations between yogurt consumption and nutrient intake in the United Kingdom

AbstractIntroduction: The present study was conducted to examine yogurt consumption patterns and investigate associations between yogurt consumption and nutrient intake using data from the National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) rolling programme in the United Kingdom.Materials and Methods: Children aged 1.5–18 years old (N = 2564) and adults aged 19 years or older (N = 2705) from the NDNS 2012/13–2015/16 were included in the study. The average of four-day food diary data was used for analysis. Yogurt included all food items from the yogurt, fromage frais and dairy dessert food group, excluding dairy dessert products. Participants were classified as yogurt eaters if they reported consumption of yogurt at least once during the four days. Percentage contribution of yogurt to daily intake of nutrients in yogurt eaters was calculated. Multiple linear regression analyses for surveys were used to compare differences in energy and nutrient intake between yogurt eaters and non-eaters, adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics. Energy intake was also adjusted for in nutrient data analysis.Results: The prevalence of yogurt consumption was 53% in children and 39% in adults. The daily intake of yogurt was 105 g and 132 g, respectively. Yogurt is an important source of calcium and riboflavin in children and adults, as well as vitamin D in children, accounting for over 15% of daily intake of these nutrients. Compared to non-eaters, yogurt eaters had significantly higher energy intake in both children and adults; they also had significantly higher intake of protein, fiber, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, folate, riboflavin, thiamin, and vitamin C, as well as significantly lower intake of sodium. Child yogurt eaters also had significantly higher intake of vitamin A and vitamin B12, and lower intake of total fat, whereas adult yogurt eaters had significantly higher intake of carbohydrate, iron, zinc, vitamin D and vitamin E, compared to non-eaters. Both yogurt eaters in children and adults had higher intake of total sugar; nonetheless, non-milk extrinsic sugar intake did not differ by yogurt consumption status in children, and it was significantly lower in adult yogurt eaters. Saturated fat intake did not differ by yogurt consumption status in children and adults.Discussion: Yogurt is an important dietary source of several nutrients in the United Kingdom. Its consumption was positively associated with intake of total energy and many nutrients to encourage, but not positively associated with intake of sodium, total fat, saturated fat, and non-milk extrinsic sugar in both children and adults.

Pasta Consumption and Connected Dietary Habits: Associations with Glucose Control, Adiposity Measures, and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in People with Type 2 Diabetes-TOSCA.IT Study.

Background: Pasta is a refined carbohydrate with a low glycemic index. Whether pasta shares the metabolic advantages of other low glycemic index foods has not really been investigated. The aim of this study is to document, in people with type-2 diabetes, the consumption of pasta, the connected dietary habits, and the association with glucose control, measures of adiposity, and major cardiovascular risk factors. Methods: We studied 2562 participants. The dietary habits were assessed with the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) questionnaire. Sex-specific quartiles of pasta consumption were created in order to explore the study aims. Results: A higher pasta consumption was associated with a lower intake of proteins, total and saturated fat, cholesterol, added sugar, and fiber. Glucose control, body mass index, prevalence of obesity, and visceral obesity were not significantly different across the quartiles of pasta intake. No relation was found with LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, but there was an inverse relation with HDL-cholesterol. Systolic blood pressure increased with pasta consumption; but this relation was not confirmed after correction for confounders. Conclusions: In people with type-2 diabetes, the consumption of pasta, within the limits recommended for total carbohydrates intake, is not associated with worsening of glucose control, measures of adiposity, and major cardiovascular risk factors.