National Nutrition Recommendations Research Articles

PNPLA3 Genotype and Dietary Fat Modify Concentrations of Plasma and Fecal Short Chain Fatty Acids and Plasma Branched-Chain Amino Acids.

The GG genotype of the Patatin-like phosphatase domain-containing 3 (PNPLA3), dietary fat, short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) and branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) are linked with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. We studied the impact of the quality of dietary fat on plasma (p) and fecal (f) SCFA and p-BCAA in men homozygous for the PNPLA3 rs738409 variant (I148M). Eighty-eight randomly assigned men (age 67.8 ± 4.3 years, body mass index 27.1 ± 2.5 kg/m2) participated in a 12-week diet intervention. The recommended diet (RD) group followed the National and Nordic nutrition recommendations for fat intake. The average diet (AD) group followed the average fat intake in Finland. The intervention resulted in a decrease in total p-SCFAs and iso-butyric acid in the RD group (p = 0.041 and p = 0.002). Valeric acid (p-VA) increased in participants with the GG genotype regardless of the diet (RD, 3.6 ± 0.6 to 7.0 ± 0.6 µmol/g, p = 0.005 and AD, 3.8 ± 0.3 to 9.7 ± 8.5 µmol/g, p = 0.015). Also, genotype relation to p-VA was seen statistically significantly in the RD group (CC: 3.7 ± 0.4 to 4.2 ± 1.7 µmol/g and GG: 3.6 ± 0.6 to 7.0 ± 0.6 µmol/g, p = 0.0026 for time and p = 0.004 for time and genotype). P-VA, unlike any other SCFA, correlated positively with plasma gamma-glutamyl transferase (r = 0.240, p = 0.025). Total p-BCAAs concentration changed in the AD group comparing PNPLA3 CC and GG genotypes (CC: 612 ± 184 to 532 ± 149 µmol/g and GG: 587 ± 182 to 590 ± 130 µmol/g, p = 0.015 for time). Valine decreased in the RD group (p = 0.009), and leucine decreased in the AD group (p = 0.043). RD decreased total fecal SCFA, acetic acid (f-AA), and butyric acid (f-BA) in those with CC genotype (p = 0.006, 0.013 and 0.005, respectively). Our results suggest that the PNPLA3 genotype modifies the effect of dietary fat modification for p-VA, total f-SCFA, f-AA and f-BA, and total p-BCAA.

Actions to support local charitable organizations in countering the spread of food insecurity

Abstract Background According to the Italian Statistic Institute data, in Italy between 2007 - 2020 individual absolute poverty (AP) grew from 4.1 to 9.4%. In 2020 13.5% of minors lived in AP, furthermore in 2017 22.3% of Italians lived in conditions of food poverty or food insecurity (FI), between 2018 - 2019 1 in 7 minors lived in conditions of FI. The scientific literature underlines how inadequate food access is one of the risk factors for the onset of chronic non-communicable diseases. The aims of the project were to evaluate in the 3 main local charitable organizations (LCOs) the qualitative - quantitative profile of the food basket and the content of protective components present in fruits and vegetables (FV) available for socially disadvantaged communities (SDCs); determine the main nutritional critical points (NCPs); and identify possible corrective actions (CAs). Methods The average composition of the food baskets available in 2021 for 1600 users by the 3 LCOs was compared with national nutritional recommendations. In February 2022, 23 samples of FV were collected from the LCOs for chemical analyses by the University of Trieste (UT). The outcomes were compared with the food composition database of the UT. Results The food baskets at the LCOs were characterized by: daily average availability of 50 to 145 g of FV (8 to 22% of the recommended requirement); weekly average availability from 26 to 200g of cheeses, from 0 to 132g of meat. The quantitative profile of the protective molecules present in FV samples was reduced by 11 to 40 % compared to the UT database. The main NCPs were lack of nutrition guidelines on targeted food programmes and of monitor systems to evaluate the food basket balance for SDCs. CAs have been planned to integrate food safety and food security in public health programs to support LCOs. Conclusions The results of the project can significantly support LCOs towards integrated actions in the food and nutritional policies at local and regional level. Key messages

Advancing Healthy Food Service in the United States: State Food Service Guidelines Policy Adoption and Implementation Supports, 2015-2019.

Food service guidelines (FSG) policies can impact the nutritional quality of millions of meals sold or served to government employees, citizens in public places, or institutionalized persons. This study examines state FSG policies adopted January 1, 2015 to April 1, 2019, and uses a FSG Classification Tool (FSG Tool) to quantify alignment with nutrition recommendations for public health impact. Quantitative Content Analysis. State Government Worksites and Facilities. 50 states and District of Columbia (D.C.) in the United States. Frequency of policies and percent alignment to FSG tool. FSG policies were identified using legal databases to assess state statutes, regulations, and executive orders. Content analysis and coding determined attributes of policies across 4 FSG Tool domains, (1) nutrition standards referenced; (2) behavioral design strategies encouraging selection of healthier offerings; (3) facility efficiency and environmental sustainability; and (4) FSG implementation supports. From 2015-2019, 5 FSG policies met study inclusion criteria. Four out of 5 policies earned a perfect nutrition score (100%) by referencing nutrition standards that align with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) and are operationalized for use in food service venues. Four out of 5 policies included at least 1 implementation supports provision, such as naming an implementing agency, and 2 included provisions that encourage local food sourcing. From 2015-2019, overall FSG policy comprehensiveness scores ranged from 24% to 73%, with most policies referencing food and nutrition standards that align to national nutrition recommendations. Public health practitioners can educate decision makers on the potential impact of FSG policies on diet-related health outcomes and associated cost savings, as well as other important co-benefits that support locally grown products and environmental sustainability practices.

HomeStyles-2 for SNAP-Ed families with children in middle childhood: Cluster randomized trial protocol

BackgroundChildhood obesity prevention efforts are needed in the United States, especially for families with low income. The purpose of this study is to determine whether HomeStyles-2, a nutrition education and childhood obesity prevention program for families with children in middle childhood (ages 6 to 11 years), motivates parents to re-shape their home environments and weight-related lifestyle practices to be more supportive of meeting national nutrition and physical activity recommendations and weight status of their children more so than those in the control condition. MethodsA research-practice partnership with Florida's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed) program was formed to conduct a cluster randomized trial to evaluate the HomeStyles-2 intervention. SNAP-Ed-eligible individuals who are parents/caregivers of children aged 6–11 living in the study catchment area will be invited to enroll in the study and participate in a six-lesson series using the HomeStyles-2 program or an attention control program. The primary outcome measures related to parent weight-related behaviors will be assessed on the individual level. Linear mixed models with a hierarchical design will be used to assess outcomes of interest. DiscussionThis study has the potential to demonstrate the effectiveness of a new curriculum implemented in a federal nutrition education program. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, adjustments were made to the intervention design to allow for virtual delivery of the intervention through SNAP-Ed. This unanticipated change will offer much-needed research on the effectiveness of virtual nutrition education, which may help to expand SNAP-Ed's reach across the country.Trial registration: NCT05019339.

Current use of nutrition facts tables and attitudes towards new red and green front-of-package labels among Israeli consumers

Front-of-package labels (FOPL) are designed to simplify nutrition information and to help consumers make healthier food choices. The Israeli government has implemented new regulations requiring mandatory red warning FOPL for high levels of sodium, sugar, or saturated fats. A voluntary green positive FOPL for products fitting the national nutritional recommendations was concurrently encouraged. In order to characterise adult consumers' current use of Nutrition Facts Tables (NFT) and their attitudes towards the new FOPL, a nationally representative cross-sectional telephone survey was conducted. Most of the 1,042 survey respondents reported frequent NFT use (76.2%) and intentions to purchase fewer red-labelled (81.1%) and more green-labelled products (85.0%). Consumers with higher BMI and lower education expressed higher intentions to use the new FOPL, but not higher current use of NFT. This finding suggests that these high-risk groups, which the new labels are meant to target, may indeed benefit from the new policy.

Evaluation of the Ability of Nutri-Score to Discriminate the Nutritional Quality of Prepacked Foods Using a Sale-Weighting Approach.

The implementation of mandatory front-of-pack nutrition labelling is currently being discussed in the European Union (EU). The Nutri-Score (NS) was developed in France to empower consumers to make informed and healthier food choices. Based on strong evidence of its efficacy in supporting healthy choices, it has already been implemented for voluntary use in some EU member states, making it relevant to developing a harmonised EU scheme. This study aimed to evaluate the NS’s discriminating ability on products available in the food supply and compare it with Slovenian national nutritional recommendations based on an adapted WHO Europe (WHOE) profile. The innovative approach of the study is that we used sale-weighting to address the public health importance of available foods, with consideration of market share. We profiled 15,822 products available in the Slovenian food supply in 2017. The NS had a high ability to discriminate food products based on nutritional composition. Products that are generally encouraged in dietary recommendations (fruits, vegetables, cereals) had, in most cases, better NS grades than less favourable products (confectionery, snack foods, added fats), which is also in line with the national nutrition policy programme. The discriminating ability of the model was also shown within food (sub)categories (e.g., plain and flavoured yoghurt). Sale-weighting showed that offerings do not always reflect sales. Major differences between offerings and sales were observed for beverages, dairy, fruits/vegetables, and edible oils/emulsions. Additionally, sale-weighted distribution tended towards less favourable nutritional composition, particularly in categories with overall smaller offerings of products with favourable composition. The NS showed moderate agreement with the WHOE profile (κ = 0.57); differences were particularly observed in flavoured yoghurts, juices, cooking oils, and cheeses. Modelling the operation of the NS with representative real-life food samples provided insight valuable for developing and implementing harmonised mandatory front-of-pack nutrition labelling in Europe.

Diet quality in the population of Norway and Poland: differences in the availability and consumption of food considering national nutrition guidelines and food market

BackgroundAdequate nutrition is a public health challenge due to the increase in the incidence of diet-related diseases. The aim of this study was to examine food and nutrient intakes in the light of the current dietary guidelines of Poland and Norway. This is a suitable model for studying the diet quality in countries with different degrees of government intervention in the food market, which may affect food diversity available for citizens.MethodsThe food diversity on the market was assessed using national food balance sheets. To show the actual food and nutrient intake within countries, data from 24-h recalls from the national surveys, NORKOST 3 from Norwegians and WOBASZ II from Poles, were used. In order to evaluate whether dietary patterns comply with nutritional and dietary recommendations, the Norwegian and Polish recommendations for nutrition and the national food based dietary guidelines (FBDGs) were analyzed.ResultsSignificant differences between the national supplies for most food products were found. Only subtle differences in the national FBDGs and nutritional recommendations were found. Low compliance with the national FBDGs for milk, fish and sugar consumption in Poland was observed. The intakes of most nutrients were in line with the countries’ nutrition recommendations. The intakes of folate and vitamin D by both genders and the intake of iron among women, were inadequate in both countries. Calcium and magnesium intakes were below the recommended intake among the adult population of Poland, additionally, insufficient intake of potassium and thiamine was found among Polish women.ConclusionsDespite the limited availability of certain food products on the market, the diet of Norwegians was better balanced in terms of food consumed and micronutrient intakes. The good supply of various groups of food has not, however, reduced the problem of widespread deficiency of vitamin D and folic acid in the diet, and action should be taken at national level to eliminate their inadequacy. In view of increasing risk of non-communicable diseases, low compliance with the dietary guidelines requires educational campaigns aimed at increasing dietary literacy in vulnerable groups.

Eat Healthy, Be Active Community Workshops implemented with rural Hispanic women

BackgroundIn the U.S., obesity disproportionately affects some racial/ethnic groups more than others; 42.5% of Hispanic adults are obese, compared to 32.6% of non-Hispanic whites (NHW). Research also shows that Mexican American women are 40% more likely to be overweight, as compared to NHW women. With high obesity rates among Hispanics, improving healthier lifestyle practices is an important step for reducing health disparities. The Eat Healthy, Be Active (EHBA) community workshops were developed to assist individuals in translating national nutrition and physical activity recommendations into action. Promotora-led EHBA workshops could be used to promote obesity-related health behavior lifestyle changes among Hispanics.MethodsHispanic women from rural communities in Washington state were recruited to participate in a six-week Promotora-led workshop series. This pilot study used a pre- and post-test study design to examine differences in healthy lifestyle knowledge and practices.ResultsA total of 49 Hispanic women participated in the workshops, of whom 45% were obese. Six-weeks after implementation of EHBA, women had improvements in healthy lifestyle practices, including an increase in nutrition label literacy, decrease in consumption of food eaten in restaurants, and an increase in the number of times a woman performed physical activity long enough to make them sweat.ConclusionThe findings from this pilot study indicate that delivering EHBA workshops through promotoras is a feasible culturally relevant approach to promoting healthier lifestyle practices among Hispanic women. Further, focusing on females, who do the food shopping and preparation in their homes, may help increase awareness among whole families.

Periodic Revisions of the International Choices Criteria: Process and Results.

Unhealthy diets contribute to an increased risk of non-communicable diseases, which are the leading causes of deaths worldwide. Nutrition policies such as front-of-pack labeling have been developed and implemented globally in different countries to stimulate healthier diets. The Choices Programme, including the International Choices criteria, is an established tool to support the implementation of such policies. The Choices criteria were developed to define the healthier choices per product group, taking saturated fatty acids, trans fatty acids, sodium, sugars, energy, and fiber into account. To keep these criteria updated, they are periodically revised by an independent international scientific committee. This paper explains the most important changes resulting from revisions between 2010 and 2016 and describes the process of the latest revision, resulting in the International Choices criteria version 2019. Revisions were based on national and international nutrition and dietary recommendations, large food composition databases, and stakeholders’ feedback. Other nutrient profiling systems served as benchmarks. The product group classification was adapted and new criteria were determined in order to enhance global applicability and form a credible, intuitively logical system for users. These newly developed criteria will serve as an international standard for healthier products and provide a guiding framework for food and nutrition policies.

Culturally Optimised Nutritionally Adequate Food Baskets for Dietary Guidelines for Minimum Wage Estonian Families.

Although low socioeconomic groups have the highest risk of noncommunicable diseases in Estonia, national dietary guidelines and nutrition recommendations do not consider affordability. This study aims to help develop nutritionally adequate, health-promoting, and culturally acceptable dietary guidelines at an affordable price. Three food baskets (FBs) were optimised using linear programming to meet recommended nutrient intakes (RNIs), or Estonian dietary guidelines, or both. In total, 6255 prices of 422 foods were collected. The Estonian National Dietary Survey (ENDS) provided a proxy for cultural acceptability. Food baskets for a family of four, earning minimum wage, contain between 73 and 96 foods and cost between 10.66 and 10.92 EUR per day. The nutritionally adequate FB that does not follow Estonian dietary guidelines deviates the least (26% on average) from ENDS but contains twice the sugar, sweets, and savoury snacks recommended. The health-promoting FB (40% deviation) contains a limited amount of sugar, sweets, and savoury snacks. However, values for vitamin D, iodine, iron, and folate are low compared with RNIs, as is calcium for women of reproductive age. When both the RNIs and dietary guidelines are enforced, the average deviation (73%) and cost (10.92 EUR) are highest. The composition of these FBs can help guide the development of dietary guidelines for low income families in Estonia.

Validation of a revised General Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaire for Australia.

This study aimed to validate a nutrition knowledge questionnaire appropriate for use in Australia. Nutrition knowledge is essential in establishing and maintaining strategies that reduce the burden of disease and promote wellbeing. The General Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaire (GNKQ) was developed in the United Kingdom in 1999 and validated for Australia in 2008. Changes in national nutrition recommendations and food availability prompted the redevelopment and revalidation of the UK questionnaire in 2016. However, the Australian questionnaire had not been subsequently updated. Australia. Content validity was determined using a sample of academic dietitians in Australia (n 8). Face validity was undertaken with retail employees (n 11) whose highest level of education was secondary school. Ninety-three undergraduate nutrition and engineering students at Queensland University of Technology completed the questionnaire for construct validity, and nineteen students were contacted a week later for test-retest reliability. In the 117-scored questionnaire, nutrition students scored consistently higher in each of the four sections and overall (87 %, M 102, IQR 95,107) compared with engineering students (77 %, M 82, IQR 76, 87·25, P < 0·01). Internal reliability of the questionnaire was high (α = 0·92) as was test-retest reliability (rs = 0·96, ICC2,1 = 0·99). AUS-R NKQ determined significant differences between individuals with known higher levels of nutrition knowledge and obtained high validity, reliability and consistency within an Australian sample. AUS-R NKQ refined through this research is valid and would be an appropriate questionnaire for assessing the effectiveness of nutrition knowledge-based interventions for public health programmes, clinicians and researchers.

Monitoring intake of free sugars: benefits of assessing the usual intake distribution of population groups

AbstractFree sugars, especially in the form of sugar-sweetened beverages, easily provide excess energy leading to increased risk of obesity and various NCDs. Free sugar intake below 10 E% is a public health nutrition target established in international (WHO) and many national nutrition recommendations across Europe. However, representative population-based data on free sugar intakes from the overall diet (i.e. free sugars from both liquid and solid foods) remain sparse. Besides mean intakes, the usual intake distributions of free sugar intake overall and in sociodemographic groups are infrequently reported. We aimed to study the intake of free sugars in the Finnish adults, and evaluate the proportion of the population reaching the recommendation. We used the data of the nationally representative FinDiet 2017 Survey consisting of two non-consecutive 24-hour dietary recalls obtained from 1655 subjects aged 18–74 years (53% participation rate). Weighing factors were used to correct non-participation bias. Assessment of daily free sugar intake was based on a food disaggregation procedure utilizing the national food composition database Fineli® (including standard recipes and ingredient level values for all different monosaccharides and disaccharides). Usual intake distribution modelling was performed using the SPADE program (RIVM, the Netherlands). We used SAS version 9.3 and R statistical software version 3.4.1 for the analyses. P-values &lt; 0.05 were considered statistically significant.The mean intake of free sugars was 9.2 E% in men (n = 780) (P25: 6.4 E%, P50: 8.7 E%, P75: 11.5 E%), and 9.3 E% in women (n = 875) (P25: 6.6 E%, P50: 8.8 E%, P75: 11.4 E%). However, the recommendation (free sugars &lt; 10 E%) was not reached by 37% of the population. Across the age groups (18–24, 25–44, 45–64, 65–74 years, respectively), the proportion of not reaching the recommendation varied between 28%−40% (men) and 44%−32% (women). Regarding educational groups (categories: low, middle, high), mean free sugar intake in men was higher in the lowest educational group (9.9 E%) compared with the highest educational group (8.8 E%) (P-value: 0.01). In women, free sugar intake did not differ between the educational groups. Overall, despite mean free sugar intakes below 10 E%, at least one third of Finnish adults did not reach the recommendation. Population groups with high free sugar intakes and the determinants of intake deserve further studying. Such information is needed in targeting interventions and policy actions to improve and sustain an optimal free sugar intake in all population groups.

Age-Appropriate Feeding Practices in Cambodia and the Possible Influence on the Growth of the Children: A Longitudinal Study.

Age-appropriate feeding practice (ADF) during early childhood are vital for optimal nutrition. This longitudinal study determined the effect of selected risk factors and ADF, as described by the National Nutritional Recommendations, on linear and ponderal growth of children below 24 months of age. Weight and length measures were used to calculate z-scores of anthropometric measures by WHO standards. The prevalence of stunting increased from 13.2% to 32.4% over time, while prevalence of wasting remained stable (14.5%). At first visit, 43% of children of all ages complied with ADF criteria, a proportion which decreased to 7.1% in follow-up. The quality of feeding practices for children above 12 months of age was the poorest, where at the last visit, only 6% complied with the criteria for ADF. The linear mixed-effect models found the association between ADF and ponderal growth to be significant (weight-for-height estimate: 0.05 SD). In Cambodia, Ratanakiri province, ADF was the second largest determinant for ponderal growth. We recommend province specific public health actions. For children above 6 months, the quantity of food given needs to be increased, followed by the meal frequency. Mothers’ educational level, improved sanitation, and drinking water quality were among strongest predictors of a child’s growth.

Energy and nutrient intakes in relation to National Nutrition Recommendations in a Norwegian population-based sample: the Tromsø Study 2015-16.

IntroductionAccording to the Global Burden of Disease project, unhealthy diet accounts for most of the disease burden in Norway. Current recommendations on nutrient intake in Norway reflect those published in the evidence-based Nordic Nutrition Recommendations from 2012 (NNR2012).AimTo study energy and nutrient intakes and compliance with the NNR2012 among women and men in a population-based study.MethodsA total of 15,146 participants (aged 40–99 years) completed a validated food frequency questionnaire (261 questions on food items, meals, and beverages) in the seventh survey of the Tromsø Study in 2015–16; 11,425 participants were eligible for the current analysis. Nutrient intake was estimated by a food and nutrient calculation system at the University of Oslo, Norway. We compared energy, macronutrient, and micronutrient intakes with the NNR2012.ResultsIn total, 85% of the women and men were not in compliance with the maximum recommended intake of saturated fat, and 40 and 77% of women and men, respectively, were not in compliance with the lowest recommended intake of fiber. More than 30% of women and 25% of men had a relatively high probability of inadequate intake of vitamin D, and more than 10% of the men had a relatively high probability of inadequate intake of vitamin B6 and vitamin C. More than 20% of women and men had a high probability of excessive intake of niacin, and almost 40% of women had a high probability of excessive intake of vitamin A.ConclusionAlthough most participants were in compliance with NNR2012, a large proportion of participants had higher intakes than maximum recommended for saturated fat, and lower than recommended for fiber and vitamin D.

Association of diet quality and physical activity with healthy ageing in the French NutriNet-Santé cohort.

A growing number of studies have explored overall health during ageing in a holistic manner by investigating multidimensional models of healthy ageing (HA). However, little attention has been given to the role of adherence to national nutrition guidelines in that context. This study aimed to investigate the prospective association between adherence to the French nutrition guidelines and HA. The authors analysed data from 21 407 participants of the NutriNet-Santé study with a median baseline age of 55·6 years (2009-2014) and initially free of major chronic diseases. HA was defined as not developing major chronic disease, no depressive symptoms, no function-limiting pain, independence in instrumental activities of daily living, good physical, cognitive and social functioning, as well as good self-perceived health. Adherence to guidelines of the French Nutrition and Health Programme (Programme National Nutrition Santé or PNNS) was measured via the PNNS Guideline Score (PNNS-GS), using baseline data from repeated 24-h dietary records and physical activity questionnaires. After a median follow-up of 5·7 years, 46·3 % of participants met our HA criteria. Robust-error-variance Poisson regression revealed that higher PNNS-GS scores, reflecting higher adherence to nutrition recommendations (including both diet and physical activity guidelines), were associated with a higher probability to age healthily (relative riskquartile 4 v. quartile 1 = 1·17 (95 % CI 1·12, 1·22)). Supplementary analyses revealed that this association may, to a small part, be mediated by weight status. The results suggest that high adherence to the French national nutrition recommendations may be linked to better overall health throughout ageing.

Оцінка середньодобового споживання овочів та фруктів у раціоні студентської молоді

Vegetables and fruit make up 50 % of the recommended in Ukraine healthy daily diet. Sufficient consumption of their various kinds provides us with all required for the human body nutrients. A great variety of these food kinds in Ukraine offers the possibility of wide choice according to the taste and financial preferences of all population groups, including students’youth. Insufficient consumption or complete deficiency of some vegetables or fruit in the students’ diet disregards intake of all essential nutrients: vitamins, food fibers and low glycemic index carbohydrates in particular. Aim: evaluation of fruit and vegetables daily consumption, including the preserved ones, in order to correct the students’youth diet. Materials and methods: using the questionnaire [7] authors collected the data and evaluated the results on the medical students’diet. Participation in the survey was voluntary, with the previous consent of the respondents. The sample contains 858 respondents, 570 females and 288 males, aged from 18 to 25, representing the 2nd, 4th and 6th study years’students of the O. Bogomolets National medical university. The sample was randomly selected. Results: the article represents the results of comparative evaluation of the real vegetable - fruit daily consumption, including preserved food, regarding the recommended data. The authors estimated daily consumption of the following vegetables and fruit: potatoes, cabbage, beets, carrots, apples, pears and citrus fruit. The following scale was used for evaluation of the consumption of potatoes: “I don’t consume potatoes”, “I consume less than 100 g daily”, “I consume 100-250 g daily”; cabbage, beets and carrots: “I don’t consume them”, “I consume less than 200 g daily”, “I consume 200-300 g daily”, “I consume more than 300 g daily”; apples, pears and citrus fruit: “I don’t consume them”, “I consume less than 200 g daily”, “I consume 200-400 g daily”, “I consume more than 400 g daily”. The consumption of preserved vegetables and fruit was evaluated by the scale: “I don’t consume them”, “I consume not more than 100 g daily”, “I consume 100-200 g daily”. The authors established that half of all respondents consume traditional for the Ukrainians vegetables (cabbage, carrots and beets) according to the dietary recommendations, no dependence on the gender or study course revealed. One fifth of the male respondents and one tenth of female ones don’t consume cabbage and carrots, no dependence on the study year established; one third don’t consume the beets. Half of the surveyed consume not more than 100 g of potatoes, with no dependence on gender and study year. A third of the respondents consume daily 100-250 g of potatoes, a tenth of them don’t consume potatoes at all. Half of the surveyed daily consume apples (200 g), one third of the respondents consume more than 200 g, no dependence on the gender and study course established; one tenth of male and one twentieth of female respondents don’t consume apples at all. A third of the respondents daily consume citrus fruit in quantity which doesn’t exceed 200 g and another third don’t consume them. One fifth of respondents consume pears (not more than 200 g). About half of the surveyed males and females don’t consume pears. At the same time, more than half of the respondents consume preserved vegetables and fruit, with no dependence on the gender and study year. One fifth of male and more than one fifth of female respondents daily consume 100-200 g of preserved products. Conclusions. The results evidence that 50 % of students’diets don’t correspond to the national nutritional recommendations according to the products daily intake and variety of the consumed products. 10 % of respondents don’t consume vegetables and fruit, no dependence on the gender and study year established. More than 50 % of the respondents consume home-made preserved vegetables and fruit. Daily evaluation of vegetable and fruit consumption reveals insufficient consumption of the products, which represents a risk factor of vitamin and microelement deficiency, polynutrient deficiency and, consequently, alimentary-dependent diseases of students’ youth. The obtained data require for individual correction of essential nutrients in the students’ dietary ratios. Key Words: questionnaire, ratio, daily consumption, vegetables, fruit, alimentary diseases, correction, students’ youth.

Consumption of healthy foods and associated socio-demographic factors among Russian, Somali and Kurdish immigrants in Finland.

We evaluated the consumption of healthy foods among Russian, Somali and Kurdish immigrants in Finland, and examined the relationship between socio-demographic factors and food consumption. We used data from the Migrant Health and Wellbeing Study (Maamu), a population-based health interview and examination survey in six different municipalities in Finland between 2010 and 2012. Altogether, 635 men and 737 women, aged 18-64 years, of Russian ( n = 527), Somali ( n = 337) and Kurdish ( n = 508) origin were included. The important socio-demographic determinants of healthy food consumption - sex, age, education, place of residence and household size - were assessed by logistic regression. Based on the consumption frequencies of recommended healthy foods - fruits, berries, vegetables, fish and rye bread - immigrants of Russian origin had higher consumption of healthy foods than their peers of Kurdish and Somali origin. Low consumption of fresh vegetables, fruits and berries was found among Somali immigrants. Sex and age were the most important determinants of healthy food consumption, as women and older age groups had diets closer to the national nutrition recommendations. High educational level was also positively associated with healthy food consumption. We found ethnic differences in the consumption of healthy foods among the immigrant groups of Russian, Somali and Kurdish origin in Finland. Socio-demographic factors, especially age, sex and education, seem to also play an important role in immigrants' food consumption. Further studies examining the consumption of fruits, berries and fresh vegetables among Somali immigrants in Finland are needed.

Abstract P5-13-13: Enhancing compliance with national nutrition recommendations in breast cancer survivors. Experience in an underprivileged community

Abstract BACKGROUND: To enhance compliance with national nutrition recommendations in breast cancer survivors (BCS), a 3-year program granted by the Regional Health Authority began in 2013 in an area (Seine-Saint-Denis, SSD) which is among the poorest in France. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ac'Santé 93 is a non-profit organization whose aim is to provide supportive care, health education and individualized assistance to patients and families, and to facilitate timely access to quality medical and psychosocial care. Vulnerability was evaluated using an 11-item standardized score (EPICES) previously investigated by French Health Examination Centers. This score is more strongly related to health status than the administrative classification of poverty (Sass, Sante Publique 2006). Vulnerability was defined by a score &amp;gt;30 and considered as severe when &amp;gt;40. Given the high level of poverty in the area and the incidence of financial difficulties in cancer survivors, a particular attention was paid to comparing the costs of different foods in order to promote affordable dietary changes. Between March 2013 and December 2015, 109 BCS were enrolled in a 3-month education program including 3 sessions of a professionally led support group (with dieticians and social workers). RESULTS: Ten BCS were lost for follow-up before the end of the program; 54 BCS attended all the sessions. Mean age was 52. Median vulnerability score was 51.8 (0-93.48) and 59% of patients had a score &amp;gt;30. Dietary intakes were assessed at baseline, and 1 and 6 mos. after the last session. At 1 mo. 65% BCS had knowledge of healthy dietary choices and 63% were ready to translate it into practice. Of note, 47% BCS decided to enroll in a tailored 1-year physical activity program or planned to do it, although it was not the aim of the study. At 6 mos. 52% of BCS still had knowledge of healthy diet and 49% of turned it into practice. However, only 12% were still practicing physical activity. Barriers were reported in 67% BCS and included asthenia or other treatment side effects (40%), anxiety or depression (27%), reluctance of relatives (20%), social isolation (20%) or cost (18%). Semi-directive interviews revealed unexpected benefits from this program such as empowerment, socialization or improvement of body image. CONCLUSION: A short-term dietary intervention is feasible in vulnerable BCS living in an underserved area and improves adherence to higher quality diet in a meaningful number of patients. In spite of the attention paid to the affordability of dietary modifications, numerous barriers still exist in this population, the main one being treatment related side effects, including fatigue. Furthermore, compliance to a tailored physical activity program spontaneously decreases over time. Citation Format: Zelek L, Festa A, Bodere C, Morello S. Enhancing compliance with national nutrition recommendations in breast cancer survivors. Experience in an underprivileged community [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2016 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-13-13.

Development of NQ-A, Nutrition Quotient for Korean Adolescents, to assess dietary quality and food behavior

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop a nutrition quotient for (NQ-A) to assess overall dietary quality and food behavior of Korean adolescents. Methods: Development of the NQ-A was undertaken in three steps: item generation, item reduction, and validation. Candidate items of the NQ-A checklist were selected based on literature reviews, results of the fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data, dietary guidelines for Korean adolescents, expert in-depth interviews, and national nutrition policies and recommendations. A total of 213 middle and high school students participated in a one-day dietary record survey and responded to 41 items in the food behavior checklist. Pearsons correlation coefficients between the responses to the checklist items along with nutritional status of the were calculated. Item reduction was performed, and 24 items were selected for the nation-wide survey. A total of 1,547 from 17 cities completed the checklist questionnaire. Exploratory factor and confirmatory factor analyses were performed to develop a final NQ-A model. Results: Nineteen items were finalized as the checklist items for the NQ-A. Checklist items were composed of five factors (balance, diversity, moderation, environment, and practice). The five-factor structure accounted for 47.2% of the total variance. Standardized path coefficients were used as weights of the items. The NQ-A and five-factor scores were calculated based on the obtained weights of the questionnaire items. Conclusion: Nutrition Quotient for (NQ-A) would be a useful instrument for evaluating dietary quality and food behavior of Korean adolescents. Further research on NQ-A is needed to reflect changes in adolescents food behavior and environment.

Children’s Food Involvement is Related to Healthier Dietary Behaviors

The majority of American children fall far short of meeting national nutrition recommendations. Participation in home meal preparation has been associated with stronger preferences for fruits and vegetables and improved diet quality in school-aged children (10-11), but this association has never been examined in younger children. This study investigated predictors and eating behaviors related to food involvement (cooking, shopping, and meal planning) in children. Parents of children (n=295) participated in the Synergistic Theory and Research on Obesity and Nutrition Group (STRONG) Kids Study. Survey data were collected at three time points, data presented here were gathered during the second wave of the study when children were aged 3-8 (mean=4.4). Parents filled out the Comprehensive Feeding Practices Questionnaire (CFPQ), Mealtime Routines Survey, Problematic Eating Scale (PES), and the ECLS-K Children’s Nutrition Behavior Questionnaire. Multiple linear regression methods were used to analyze the data. Analyses indicated that mealtime routines, food refusal behaviors, number of siblings, and positive parental feeding behaviors explained 38.3% of the variance in food involvement, controlling for children’s gender and age. It was found that that mealtime routines (B=.045, p<.001), food refusal behaviors (b=-.194, p=.013), number of siblings (b=-.125, p=.023), and positive parental feeding behaviors (b=.100, p=.023) predicted food involvement. Additionally, food involvement independently predicted increased fruit (r2=.170, b=.186, p=.003) and vegetable consumption (r2=.223, b=.229, p<.001), and decreased fast food (r2=.129, b=-.023, p=.024) consumption. As these results suggest a strong relationship between food involvement and healthy dietary behaviors, increasing culinary education programs may be one method to encourage healthier eating in children.