Median Intake Research Articles

A Comparison between Dietary Consumption Status and Healthy Dietary Pattern among Adults Aged 55 and Older in China.

The nutrition and health of middle-aged and elderly people is crucial to the long-term development of a country. The present study aimed to analyze the dietary consumption status in Chinese adults by using baseline and follow-up data from the community-based Cohort Study on Nervous System Diseases between 2018–2020 and selecting those aged 55 and older (n = 23,296). Dividing 65 food items into 17 subgroups on the basis of a valid semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire, we analyze the consumption amount and consumption rate of foods in relation to wave and sociodemographic factors by employing the Wilcoxon rank sum test, Kruskal–Wallis analysis, the Chi-squared test, and the Cochran–Armitage trend test and evaluate food intake status using the Chinese Dietary Guidelines Recommendations (2022). Compared to 2018, the median daily intake of livestock meat, poultry, and eggs increased in 2020 (p < 0.05), while the median daily intake of wheat, other cereals, tubers, legumes, fruits, and fish and seafood decreased (p < 0.05). The proportion of subjects with excessive intake of grain, livestock and poultry, and eggs was 46.3%, 36.6%, and 26.6%, respectively, while the proportion of subjects with insufficient intake of whole grains and mixed beans, tubers, legumes, dairy products, fruits, vegetables, and fish and seafood were 98.4%, 80.3%, 74.0%, 94.6%, 94.3%, 75.8%, and 86.5%, respectively, and more than 50% of subjects were non-consumers of dairy products, nuts, and whole grains and mixed beans. In conclusion, the problem of unhealthy dietary structure is prominent among adults aged 55 and older in China; insufficient or excessive intakes of various types of foods are common; and excessive consumption of edible oil and salt remains a serious problem.

Fat intake from pre-packaged foods among Chinese residents of 16 provinces in 2018

To investigate the impact of prepackaged food consumption on fat intake in 16 provinces of China in 2018. Data used in present study was derived from the eleventh round of China Health and Nutrition Survey(CHNS), 17312 residents aged 6 and over were selected and their consumed information of pre-packaged food was collected. The consumption of pre-packaged food and fat intake from pre-packaged food in urban and rural areas, different age groups, different regions and different genders were calculated and compared. The median intake of fat from pre-packaged food among subjects and consumers were 33.6 g/d and 34.7 g/d, respectively.73.5% of the intake of fat from pre-packaged food comes from vegetable oil. Vegetable oil was the main source of fat from pre-packaged food for Chinese residents.

Biomarker-Calibrated Red and Combined Red and Processed Meat Intakes with Chronic Disease Risk in a Cohort of Postmenopausal Women

The associations of red and processed meat with chronic disease risk remain to be clarified, in part because of measurement error in self-reported diet. We sought to develop metabolomics-based biomarkers for red and processed meat, and to evaluate associations of biomarker-calibrated meat intake with chronic disease risk among postmenopausal women. Study participants were women who were members of the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) study cohorts. These participants were postmenopausal women aged 50-79 y when enrolled during 1993-1998 at 40 US clinical centers with embedded human feeding and nutrition biomarker studies. Literature reports of metabolomics correlates of meat consumption were used to develop meat intake biomarkers from serum and 24-h urine metabolites in a 153-participant feeding study (2010-2014). Resulting biomarkers were used in a 450-participant biomarker study (2007-2009) to develop linear regression calibration equations that adjust FFQ intakes for random and systematic measurement error. Biomarker-calibrated meat intakes were associated with cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes incidence among 81,954 WHI participants (1993-2020). Biomarkers and calibration equations meeting prespecified criteria were developed for consumption of red meat and red plus processed meat combined, but not for processed meat consumption. Following control for nondietary confounding factors, hazard ratios were calculated for a 40% increment above the red meat median intake for coronary artery disease (HR: 1.10; 95% CI: 1.07, 1.14), heart failure (HR: 1.26; 95% CI: 1.20, 1.33), breast cancer (HR: 1.10; 95% CI: 1.07, 1.13) for, total invasive cancer (HR: 1.07; 95% CI: 1.05, 1.09), and diabetes (HR: 1.37; 95% CI: 1.34, 1.39). HRs for red plus processed meat intake were similar. HRs were close to the null, and mostly nonsignificant following additional control for dietary potential confounding factors, including calibrated total energy consumption. A relatively high-meat dietary pattern is associated with somewhat higher chronic disease risks. These elevations appear to be largely attributable to the dietary pattern, rather than to consumption of red or processed meat per se.

Associations of Macronutrient Intake Determined by Point-of-Care Human Milk Analysis with Brain Development among very Preterm Infants.

Point-of-care human milk analysis is now feasible in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and allows accurate measurement of macronutrient delivery. Higher macronutrient intakes over this period may promote brain growth and development. In a prospective, observational study of 55 infants born at <32 weeks’ gestation, we used a mid-infrared spectroscopy-based human milk analyzer to measure the macronutrient content in repeated samples of human milk over the NICU hospitalization. We calculated daily nutrient intakes from unfortified milk and assigned infants to quintiles based on median intakes over the hospitalization. Infants underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging at term equivalent age to quantify total and regional brain volumes and fractional anisotropy of white matter tracts. Infants in the highest quintile of energy intake from milk, as compared with the lower four quintiles, had larger total brain volume (31 cc, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 5, 56), cortical gray matter (15 cc, 95%CI: 1, 30), and white matter volume (23 cc, 95%CI: 12, 33). Higher protein intake was associated with larger total brain (36 cc, 95%CI: 7, 65), cortical gray matter (22 cc, 95%CI: 6, 38) and deep gray matter (1 cc, 95%CI: 0.1, 3) volumes. These findings suggest innovative strategies to close nutrient delivery gaps in the NICU may promote brain growth for preterm infants.

Relationship of Daily Coffee Intake with Vascular Function in Patients with Hypertension.

We evaluated the relationship of daily coffee intake with endothelial function assessed by flow-mediated vasodilation and vascular smooth muscle function assessed by nitroglycerine-induced vasodilation in patients with hypertension. A total of 462 patients with hypertension were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. First, we divided the subjects into two groups based on information on daily coffee intake: no coffee group and coffee group. The median coffee intake was two cups per day in the coffee group. There were significant differences in both flow-mediated vasodilation (2.6 ± 2.8% in the no coffee group vs. 3.3 ± 2.9% in the coffee group, p = 0.04) and nitroglycerine-induced vasodilation (9.6 ± 5.5% in the no coffee group vs. 11.3 ± 5.4% in the coffee group, p = 0.02) between the two groups. After adjustment for confounding factors, the odds ratio for endothelial dysfunction (OR: 0.55, 95% CI: 0.32–0.95) and the odds ratio for vascular smooth muscle dysfunction (OR: 0.50, 95% CI: 0.28–0.89) were significantly lower in the coffee group than in the no coffee group. Next, we assessed the relationship of the amount of daily coffee intake with vascular function. Cubic spline curves revealed that patients with hypertension who drank half a cup to 2.5 cups of coffee per day had lower odds ratios for endothelial dysfunction assessed by flow-mediated vasodilation and vascular smooth muscle dysfunction assessed by nitroglycerine-induced vasodilation. Appropriate daily coffee intake might have beneficial effects on endothelial function and vascular smooth muscle function in patients with hypertension.

Dietary Plant Sterols and Phytosterol-Enriched Margarines and Their Relationship with Cardiovascular Disease among Polish Men and Women: The WOBASZ II Cross-Sectional Study.

Dietary cholesterol has been suggested to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Phytosterols, present in food or phytosterol-enriched products, can reduce cholesterol available for absorption. The present study aimed to investigate the association between habitual intake of total and individual plant sterols (β-sitosterol, campesterol, and stigmasterol) or a diet combined with phytosterol-enriched products and CVD in a cross-section of Polish adults, participants of the Multicenter National Health Survey II (WOBASZ II). Among men (n = 2554), median intakes of plant sterols in terciles ranged between 183–456 mg/d and among women (n = 3136), 146–350 mg/d in terciles. The intake of phytosterols, when consumed with food containing phytosterols, including margarine, ranged between 184–459 mg/d for men and 147–352 mg/d for women. Among both men and women, beta-sitosterol intake predominated. Plant sterol intake was lower among both men and women with CVD (p = 0.016) compared to those without CVD. Diet quality, as measured by the Healthy Diet Index (HDI), was significantly higher in the third tercile of plant sterol intake for both men and women and the entire study group (p < 0.0001). This study suggests that habitual dietary intake of plant sterols may be associated with a lower chance of developing CVD, particularly in men.

Low polyphenol intake among highly scholarity population: CUME cohort.

In the absence of a recommendation for daily intake of phenolic compounds, to compare the intake of the main dietary polyphenols between populations is a really challenge. This study aimed to estimate the total dietary intake of polyphenols, classes and their food sources among Brazilian graduates and postgraduates. This was a cross-sectional study using baseline data from the Cohort of Universities of Minas Gerais (CUME project). Food consumption was assessed using a quantitative food frequency questionnaire with 144 food items. Polyphenol intake was estimated from the Phenol-Explorer and US Department of Agriculture database, and previous studies that evaluated the phenolic content of specific foods. A total of 4130 individuals of both sexes with a median age of 34 (18-86) years old were finally included. The median intake of total polyphenols adjusted for energy was 753.41mg/day (interquartile range - IQR=461.80; p<0.001), and the most consumed classes were phenolic acids and flavonoids, with median intakes of 552.30mg/d (IQR=429.78; p<0.001) and 154.70mg/day (IQR=108.70; p<0.001), respectively. The main food sources of polyphenols were coffee, peanuts, beans, and fruits. A lower intake of total polyphenols and their classes was observed in a population with similar characteristics to those from developed countries. The results demonstrate the importance of disseminating nutritional information about foods, so that the consumption of natural foods is prioritized. New studies that evaluate the consumption of polyphenols and their impact on human health are recommended to establish a daily recommendation for the consumption of such compounds.

Macronutrient intake modulates impact of EcoRI polymorphism of ApoB gene on lipid profile and inflammatory markers in patients with type 2 diabetes

We sought to examine whether dietary intakes may affect the relationship between ApoB EcoRI and lipid profile, as well as serum inflammatory markers, in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). This current study consisted of 648 diabetic patients. Dietary intake was calculated by a food frequency questionnaire. Biochemical markers (high-density lipoprotein (HDL), total cholesterol (TC), LDL, TG, CRP, IL-18, PGF2α) were measured based on standard protocols. Genotyping of the Apo-B polymorphisms (rs1042031) was conducted by the PCR–RFLP method. The gene-diet interactions were evaluated using GLMs. In comparison to GG homozygotes, A-allele carriers with above the median -CHO intake (≥ 54 percent of total energy) had considerably greater TC and PGF2a concentrations. Furthermore, as compared to GG homozygotes, A-allele carriers with above the median protein intake (≥ 14 percent of total energy) had higher serum levels of TG (P = 0.001), CRP (P = 0.02), TG/HDL (P = 0.005), and LDL/HDL (P = 0.04) ratios. Moreover, A-allele carriers with above the median total fat intake (≥ 35 percent of total calories) had significantly higher TC level (P = 0.04) and LDL/HDL (P = 0.04) ratios compared to GG homozygotes. Furthermore, when compared to GG homozygotes, A-allele carriers who consumed above the median cholesterol (> 196 mg) had greater TG (P = 0.04), TG/HDL (P = 0.01) ratio, and IL-18 (P = 0.02). Furthermore, diabetic patients with the GA, AA genotype who consume above the median cholesterol had lower ghrelin levels (P = 0.01). In terms of LDL/HDL ratio, ApoB EcoRI and dietary intakes of specific fatty acids (≥ 9 percent for SFA and ≥ 12 percent for MUFA) had significant interaction. LDL/HDL ratio is greater in A-allele carriers with above the median SFA intake (P = 0.04), also when they consumed above the median MUFA this association was inverse (P = 0.04). Our study showed that plasma lipid levels in participants carrying the (AA or AG) genotype were found to be more responsive to increasing the percentage of energy derived from dietary fat, CHO, protein, SFA, and cholesterol consumption. Therefore, patients with a higher genetic susceptibility (AA or AG) seemed to have greater metabolic markers with a higher percentage of macronutrient consumption. Also, ApoB EcoRI correlations with metabolic markers might be attenuated with above the median MUFA consumption.

Inadequate Dietary Nutrient Intake in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis in Southwestern Sweden: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BackgroundPatients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), who suffer from impaired physical function and fatigue, may have difficulties with grocery shopping and preparing meals. Also, to improve symptoms, patients often experiment with diets but seldom consult a dietitian. Although this could lead to a nutritiously deprived diet, an up-to-date, thorough description of the nutrient intake in Swedish patients with RA is absent. Here, we investigated the habitual dietary energy and nutrient intake in patients with RA living in southwestern Sweden.Materials and MethodsThree-day food records performed at two time points during the ADIRA (Anti-inflammatory Diet In Rheumatoid Arthritis) trial, were used. The intake of energy and nutrients was analyzed using The Swedish Food Composition Database.ResultsA total of 62 participants (50 females, 12 males) were included in the study, where 18 participants completed one 3-day food record and 44 participants completed two 3-day food records. Median (IQR) intake of total fat was above or in the upper range of recommendations (females: 37.1 [32.5, 41.7] energy percent (E%), and males: 40.3 [37.5, 42.9] E%). Median (IQR) intake of saturated fatty acids exceeded recommendations (females: 14.9 [12.5, 17.0] E% and males: 15.4 [12.2, 17.0] E%), while median (IQR) carbohydrate and fiber intakes were below recommendations (females: 41.7 [36.3, 45.4] E% and 17.2 [12.8, 20.9] g, respectively, and males: 38.8 [35.2, 40,3] E% and 18.5 [15.7, 21.0] g, respectively). The reported intake of other macronutrients was in line with recommendations. For several micronutrients, e.g., vitamin A and D, folate, and calcium, median intake was below recommended intake. Vitamin A intake was especially low and did not reach lower intake level (LI) for 14 and 17% of females and males, respectively. For females, about 10% did not reach LI for vitamin D, calcium, and riboflavin.ConclusionWe found that patients with RA residing in southwestern Sweden reported a high intake of saturated fatty acids and low intake of fiber and several micronutrients.Clinical Trial Registration[https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02941055?term=NCT02941055&draw=2&rank=1], identifier [NCT02941055].

Beverage intake and ovarian reserve among women from a fertility center

To evaluate the associations of caffeinated, alcoholic, and sweetened beverage intakes with antral follicle count (AFC), a well-accepted biomarker of ovarian reserve. Observational prospective cohort study. Fertility center at an academic hospital. This study includes 567 women seeking fertility care at the Massachusetts General Hospital who participated in the Environment and Reproductive Health Study. None. Women self-reported consumption of caffeinated (coffee, tea, soda), alcoholic (wine, beer, liquor), sugar-sweetened, and artificially sweetened beverages using a validated food-frequency questionnaire. Antral follicle count was assessed using a transvaginal ultrasound performed on the 3rd day of an unstimulated menstrual cycle or on the 3rd day of a progesterone withdrawal bleed. Median (interquartile range) age and AFC were 35.0 (32.0-38.0) years and 13.0 (9.0-18.0), respectively. Median (range) intake of caffeinated, alcoholic, sugar-sweetened, and artificially sweetened beverages in servings/day were 1.08 (0-7.08), 0.35 (0-3.84), 0.04 (0-4.80), and 0.04 (0-7.50), respectively. All examined beverages were unrelated to AFC. The multivariable adjusted mean AFC (95% confidence interval) for women in the top and bottom quartiles of intake were 13.8 (13.0-14.7) and 13.8 (12.9-14.7) for caffeinated beverages; 13.8 (13.0-14.7) and 13.8 (13.0-14.6) for alcoholic beverages; 13.5 (12.6-14.4) and 13.3 (12.4-14.2) for sugar-sweetened beverages; and 13.2 (12.4-14.1) and 13.4 (12.6-14.3) for artificially sweetened beverages. Low-to-moderate intakes of caffeinated, alcoholic, sugar-sweetened, and artificially sweetened beverages were unrelated to ovarian reserve, as measured by AFC, in a cohort of women seeking fertility care.

Quantification of naturally occurring prebiotic fiber in Italian foods

Prebiotic fiber may have a beneficial effect on the human’s microbiota. However, due to the lack of comprehensive food composition data (FCD), it is challenging to assess their dietary intake. The aim of present study is to quantify naturally occurring prebiotics, such as inulin-type fructans (ITFs), fructo-oligosacharides (FOSs), and galacto-oligosacharides (GOSs), in raw and processed Italian foods and to estimate their intake in a healthy population (N = 4154) belonging to an Italian case-control study on colorectal cancer. ITFs were determined using enzymatic method and high-performance anion exchange chromatography coupled with pulsed amperometric detection (HPAEC-PAD). FOSs and GOSs were determined by alkaline hydrolysis and HPAEC-PAD. Garlic (25.1 g/100 g) and jerusalem artichoke (16.7 g/100 g) were the ITFs-richest foods. Jerusalem artichoke was also the richest in FOSs (4.45 g/100 g). GOSs were mainly detected in dry and canned pulses (0.01–2.04 g/100 g). In our population, the median intake of ITFs, FOSs and GOSs was 0.797, 0.187 and 0.283 g/day, respectively. Given the unclear definition of inulin due to the heterogenicity of methodologies, it was challenging to compare published prebiotic fiber’s FCD and use them in epidemiological research. Within the present work we produced novel FCD able to preliminary estimate the intake of prebiotic fiber.

Cruciferous Vegetable Intake and Bulky DNA Damage within Non-Smokers and Former Smokers in the Gen-Air Study (EPIC Cohort).

Epidemiologic studies have indicated that cruciferous vegetables can influence the cancer risk; therefore, we examined with a cross-sectional approach the correlation between the frequent consumption of the total cruciferous vegetables and the formation of bulky DNA damage, a biomarker of carcinogen exposure and cancer risk, in the Gen-Air study within the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) cohort. DNA damage measurements were performed in the peripheral blood of 696 of those apparently healthy without cancer controls, including 379 never-smokers and 317 former smokers from seven European countries by the 32P-postlabeling assay. In the Gen-Air controls, the median intake of cruciferous vegetables was 6.16 (IQR 1.16–13.66) g/day, ranging from 0.37 (IQR 0–6.00) g/day in Spain to 11.34 (IQR 6.02–16.07) g/day in the UK. Based on this information, participants were grouped into: (a) high consumers (>20 g/day), (b) medium consumers (3–20 g/day) and (c) low consumers (<3.0 g/day). Overall, low cruciferous vegetable intake was correlated with a greater frequency of bulky DNA lesions, including benzo(a)pyrene, lactone and quinone-adducts and bulky oxidative lesions, in the adjusted models. Conversely, a high versus low intake of cruciferous vegetables was associated with a reduction in DNA damage (up to a 23% change, p = 0.032); this was particularly evident in former smokers (up to a 40% change, p = 0.008). The Generalized Linear Regression models indicated an overall Mean Ratio between the high and the low consumers of 0.78 (95% confidence interval, 0.64–0.97). The current study suggests that a higher intake of cruciferous vegetables is associated with a lower level of bulky DNA adducts and supports the potential for cancer prevention strategies through dietary habit changes aimed at increasing the consumption of cruciferous vegetables.

Association between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) dietary exposure and mortality risk in the E3N cohort

Most studies have explored the adverse health effects of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) occupational exposure. However, the general population is also exposed to PAH, mainly through the diet. The goal of the present study is thus to investigate the association between PAH dietary exposure and mortality risk in middle-aged women of the E3N (Étude Épidémiologique auprès de femmes de la mutuelle générale de l'Éducation Nationale) French prospective cohort.The study included 72,513 women, whom completed a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire on 208 food items in 1993. Food contamination levels were assessed using data provided by the Anses (French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety) in the framework of the French second total diet study. PAH dietary exposure was studied as the sum of four PAH (PAH4), namely benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), chrysene (CHR), benzo[a]anthracene (BaA) and benzo[b]fluoranthene (BbF). Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) and their 95 % confidence intervals (CI) for the risk of all-cause mortality as well as all-cancer, specific cancer (separately from breast, lung/tracheal, and colorectal cancer), cardiovascular disease (CVD), and specific CVD (including only stroke and coronary heart disease) mortality.During follow-up (1993–2011), 4620 validated deaths were reported, of which 2726 due to cancer and 584 to CVD. The median PAH4 dietary intake was 66.1 ng/day. There was no significant association between PAH4 dietary intake and the risk of all-cause, all-cancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, all-CVD and stroke and coronary heart disease mortality. On the contrary, we observed a positive and statistically significant association between PAH4 dietary intake and lung/tracheal cancer mortality risk, with a stronger association among current smokers than among former smokers and never smokers.In this study, we observed an association between PAH dietary exposure and lung/tracheal cancer mortality risk, especially among current smokers.

Calculator for inadequate micronutrient intake for Ethiopia (CIMI-Ethiopia): Validation of the software for lactating mothers and their children under 2years.

Early identification of inadequate intake of nutrients from a person's diet is usually crucial to prevent the development of micronutrient malnutrition. However, there is no single dietary assessment tool for Ethiopia that can assess the nutrient intake of a person from the type of food she or he consumed with a given amount. Therefore, the Calculator for Inadequate Micronutrient Intake (CIMI) application was adapted in consideration of food and nutrition contexts in Ethiopia and validated for its suitability to compute nutrient intake and identify nutrient intake inadequacy. For this, a 24‐h recall quantitative dietary data of children aged 12–23 months (n = 781) and lactating mothers (n = 1086) were collected between February 15 and 30, 2017, from rural Genta Afeshum district, Tigray region, Ethiopia. An individual nutrient intake was estimated by calculating using CIMI‐Ethiopia and also by NutriSurvey (NS) software for comparison. The average (mean and median) intake of energy and most nutrients and the prevalence of inadequacy calculated by the two software for the children aged 12–23 months and lactating mothers were comparable, except that of the vitamin A. The correlation coefficients for the intake results calculated by CIMI‐Ethiopia and NS were between 0.85 and 0.97 for the children and between 0.5 and 0.96 for the lactating mothers' group. Most of the mean intake differences calculated by the two methods were within the acceptable limits, except for the vitamins A, D, and B12 in the Bland–Altman plots. CIMI‐Ethiopia is very sensitive to identifying energy, protein, and selected micronutrients inadequacy included in this study, both for the lactating mothers (84.1%–100%) and 12–23‐month‐old children (77.6%–100%) group. Our results showed that CIMI‐Ethiopia estimates the energy and nutrient intake, and can be also used as a screening tool to identify energy, protein, and selected micronutrients inadequacy from an individual woman's and child's diet in rural Tigray, Ethiopia.

Dietary and Supplemental Iodine Intake and Urinary Iodine Concentration in a Large Pregnancy Cohort in the United States

ObjectivesThe EAR and RDA for iodine (I) intake in pregnancy are 160 and 220 µg/d, respectively; however, dietary I intake by United States (US) pregnant women is unknown. Several professional organizations have recommended a supplement of 150 µg/d during pregnancy, though, the current use of prenatal supplements with I is also unknown. Our objective was to determine I intake from diet and supplements and relate I intake to I status, measured by urinary I concentration (UIC).MethodsPregnant women (n = 966) were interviewed about their dietary intake by the Diet History Questionnaire 2.0 or multiple 24-hour recalls at baseline and their dietary I intake was estimated using the USDA, FDA and ODS-NIH Database for the Iodine Content of Common Foods (ICCF). Participants were interviewed monthly until delivery to assess I intake from prenatal supplements. Urine samples were collected between 12–20 weeks of gestation, and UIC was measured by the modified Sandell-Kolthoff reaction. A chi-square test compared groups with insufficient and adequate I status to the proportion who met the EAR for I intake.ResultsThe group median intake of I from diet was below the EAR (108.8 µg/d) however, median intake increased to 188.5 µg/day when supplemental I was included. Seventy-three % of participants (707/966) had a dietary intake below the EAR and 45% (436/966) remained below the EAR after including supplemental I. The group median UIC of 154.2 µg/L indicated a population with marginally adequate I status by WHO standards. Almost half (48%) had a UIC considered to be I insufficient (≤150 µg/L) by WHO. Although slightly more than half (55%, 529/966) were taking a supplement containing I, only 27% (259/966) were taking the recommended 150 µg/d. Iodine status was significantly associated with EAR intake, with 52.1% (227/436) of those with an intake below the EAR being I insufficient (UIC ≤ 150 µg/L) compared to 44.7% (237/530) of those with an I intake above the EAR (p = 0.0229).ConclusionsWhile consuming a prenatal supplement with I improved the proportion of participants with an intake above the EAR, nearly 45% of the group who consumed more than the EAR had insufficient I status.Funding SourcesThe Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) (HD R01083292).

Choline Intake and Sensory Processing Symptoms in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

ObjectivesSensory processing differences are frequently experienced by both children and adults diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and can greatly influence quality of life. Evidence exists to suggest a potential relationship of one carbon metabolism (OCM) nutrients with core diagnostic aspects of autism, but little is known about OCM nutrients in relation to sensory processing symptoms in autism. This study sought to observe associations between OCM nutrient intake and sensory assessment scores in school-age children with ASD.MethodsFamilies with a child aged 6–10 with ASD were recruited, and a parent completed all questionnaires on their child's behalf (n = 28). The Harvard Youth and Adolescent food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was used to assess nutrient intake, and the Child Sensory Profile 2 (SP2) was used to assess sensory processing across 13 sensory domains. Linear regression models were developed for all sensory domains with respect to intake of each individual OCM micronutrient (categorized as lower or higher than the median intake, to account for skewing). The following nutrients were included: choline, vitamins B1, B2, B6, B12, folate, and zinc. Models were adjusted for age and use of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder medication.ResultsIntake exceeded the DRI values for the OCM nutrients, with 26 of 28 the children's intake meeting the DRI for each nutrient except choline (11 of 28). Regression analysis showed that dietary choline intake was positively associated with SP2 scores in the avoider, visual, and touch domains (p < 0.05), and was approaching significance in the seeker, auditory, and conduct domains (p < 0.10). Regression analysis of the other OCM nutrients did not produce significant associations with any SP2 score.ConclusionsInitial results from this small observational study suggest that nutritional intake of choline may be associated with sensory processing symptoms in children with ASD, which identifies choline as a potential nutritional support in future studies. Additional research is first needed to confirm these findings in a larger sample, and to explore directionality of potential relationships.Funding SourcesAmerican Egg Board/Egg Nutrition Center.

Infants With Different Weight for Age Percentiles May Benefit From Stratified Daily Formula Milk Intake Recommendations

ObjectivesCurrently available guidelines on the daily formula milk requirements of infants, including those from the Institute of Medicine (IOM) and FAO/WHO/UNU, are based on the needs of infants with median body weight and the fact that their growth pattern follows the 50th percentile of the weight-for-age growth curve. Hence, current recommendations might not be sufficiently detailed to meet the needs of infants across the broad spectrum of body weight percentiles. This study aimed to provide stratified recommendations for daily formula milk intake of fully formula-fed infants across different weight-age categories from 0 to 4 months.MethodsAt first, theoretical age- and gender- specific weight ranges were constructed for infants across five predefined weight-for-length percentile categories of the WHO growth standard: small (10th percentile), medium-small (15th to 25th percentiles), medium (50th percentile), medium-large (75th to 85th percentiles), and large (90th percentile) infants. Thereafter, total daily energy requirements for each category were calculated using IOM equation and converted to daily formula milk needs. Subsequently, these stratified age- and weight- formula milk recommendations were compared to actual daily and relative formula milk of infants in these categories retrieved from pooled individual infant formula milk intake (6.174 data points, from 13 clinical intervention studies).ResultsQualitative comparison between theoretical calculation and actual formula milk intakes were both following the same trend with the median daily formula milk volume intake of infants increasing across increasing weight-for-age categories at each timepoint, with larger variations observed in “real life” data compared to theoretical recommendations. Interestingly, the relative daily formula milk volume intake (ml/kg/day) was relatively stable over time but was relatively higher in smaller infants compared to larger infants.ConclusionsQualitative evaluation of both theoretical calculations as well as real-life daily formula intake data showed that one fixed value as formula milk volume intake recommendation may not be optimal for the nutritional needs of infants growing at different percentiles of weight for age.Funding SourcesDanone Nutricia Research.

Folate and Vitamin B12 Usual Intake and Biomarker Status in U.S. Adults: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007–2018

Abstract Objectives There are 3 major folic acid intake sources in the US—enriched cereal grain products (ECGP), ready-to-eat cereals (RTE), and folic acid containing supplements (SUP), generating 4 mutually exclusive consumption groups. This study aims to describe the contribution of these sources to folic acid intakes above the tolerable upper intake level (UL, 1000 mg/d), and their impact on red blood cell (RBC) folate and serum vitamin B12 concentrations. Methods We used data for nonpregnant US adults (≥19 y) from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007–2018 (n = 31,128); serum vitamin B12 data were only available for 2011–2014 (n = 9,298). Median usual intake was estimated from two 24-h dietary recalls using the National Cancer Institute (NCI) method. Statistical analyses accounted for complex survey design using appropriate weights. Results The proportions of those who consumed folic acid from ECGP only, ECGP +RTE, ECGP +SUP, and ECGP +RTE +SUP were 50%, 18%, 22%, and 10%, and the median modelled usual folic acid intakes (mg/d) were 126 (interquartile range (IQR): 92,168), 308 (IQR: 267, 360), 490 (IQR: 347, 586), and 687 (IQR: 577, 767), respectively. Overall, 1.97% (95% CI: 1.96%, 1.98%) of adults consumed &amp;gt;UL. Adults who did not consume SUP did not have intakes &amp;gt;UL. The median usual vitamin B12 intake was 6.4 (IQR: 4.1, 11.7) mg/d. Consumption of RTE and/or SUP was associated with higher RBC folate concentrations (nmol/L) (ECGP only: 976 [95% CI: 963, 989], ECGP +RTE: 1130 [95% CI: 1110, 1150], ECGP +SUP: 1307 [95% CI: 1283, 1332], ECGP +RTE +SUP: 1467 [95% CI: 1439, 1495]). Serum vitamin B12 concentrations (pmol/L) were 350 (95% CI: 343, 356; ECGP only), 380 (95% CI: 366, 393; ECGP +RTE), 456 (95% CI: 440, 473; ECGP +SUP), and 485 (95% CI: 462, 509; ECGP +RTE +SUP). RBC folate deficiency (&amp;lt;305 nmol/L) was &amp;lt; 2% and vitamin B12 deficiency (&amp;lt;148 pmol/L) was &amp;lt; 6% across all folic acid consumption groups. Conclusions Folate and vitamin B12 deficiencies are low in the US population. At current fortification levels, US adults who do not consume supplements do not have usual folic acid intake exceeding the UL. Vitamin B12 intake among most US adults meets the recommended daily allowance (2.4 mg/d). Funding Sources This project was conducted with no specific support..

Occurrence, Distribution, and Human Exposure of Emerging Liquid Crystal Monomers (LCMs) in Indoor and Outdoor Dust: A Nationwide Study.

Liquid crystal monomers (LCMs) are a class of emerging, persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic organic pollutants. They are detected in various environmental matrixes that are associated with electronic waste (e-waste) dismantling. However, their occurrence and distribution in indoor and outdoor dust on a national scale remain unknown. In this study, a dedicated target analysis quantified a broad range of 60 LCMs in dust samples collected across China. The LCMs were frequently detected in indoor (n=48) and outdoor dust (n=97; 37 sampled concomitantly with indoors dust) from dwellings, and indoor dust from cybercafés (n=34) and phone repair stores (n=22), with median concentrations of 41.6, 94.7, 106, and 171ng/g, respectively. No significant spatial difference was observed for the concentrations of the total LCMs among distinct geographical regions (p>0.05). The median daily intake values of the total LCMs via dust ingestion, dermal contact, and inhalation were estimated at 1.50×10-2, 2.90×10-2, and 8.57×10-6 ng/kg BW/day for adults and 1.47×10-1, 1.22×10-1, and 2.18×10-5 ng/kg BW/day for children, respectively. These estimates suggested higher exposure risks for children and indicated that dust ingestion and dermal contact significantly contribute to the human intake of LCMs. The microenvironmental pollution levels of LCMs together with the potential exposure risks associated with some of these chemicals are of concern for human health.

Characterizing Flavonoid Intake of Children in the U.S.: Results From What We Eat in America, NHANES 2017–2018

ObjectivesFlavonoids, bioactive compounds found in plants, exhibit multiple actions that may protect against chronic disease. While flavonoid intakes by adults have been reported, little is known concerning current intakes by children. The objective of this study is to estimate intake of flavonoids and identify top dietary sources among U.S. children. MethodsOne day of dietary intake from children 2–19 years (n = 2,380) participating in What We Eat in America, NHANES 2017–2018 was analyzed. USDA’s Database of Flavonoid Values for USDA Food Codes 2007–2010 was updated to reflect all foods/beverages reported in 2017–2018. The resulting database provides flavonoid composition profiles (total flavonoids and 29 individual flavonoids in six flavonoid classes) for 7,083 foods. The What We Eat in America Food Categories were applied to amalgamate similar items in order to summarize dietary contributors to flavonoid intake. ResultsEstimated mean total flavonoid intakes were 79.9 mg/day among children 2–19 years; corresponding intakes by age group were 71.3 mg/d for 2–5 years, 73.2 mg/d for 6–11 years, and 88.9 mg/d for 12–19 years. Among all children, daily intakes of the flavonoid classes were as follows: flavan-3-ols, 47.2 mg; flavanones, 11.5 mg; anthocyanidins, 10.6 mg; flavanols, 8.8 mg; isoflavones, 1.3 mg, and flavones, 0.5 mg. Median intake estimates reflected the positive skew of the flavonoid dietary data. For all children, total intake at the 50th percentile was 34.8 mg/day, and ranged from 30.4 to 41.4 mg/day among the age groups. Though tea was only reported by 15.0% of this population, it contributed 46.3% of total flavonoid intake among children overall and ≥33.1% for all three age groups. Other major contributors to total flavonoid intake for all children were 100% fruit juices (11.6%), berries (7.0%), apples (6.2%), oranges (5.8%) and snacks and sweets (4.5%). ConclusionsAssessing flavonoid intake and its dietary sources in children provides important context when investigating associations between these dietary compounds and diseases which develop over the life cycle. Funding SourcesARS, USDA.