Non-dietary Factors Research Articles

Renal Stones: A Clinical Review

Renal stones are a common condition causing significant morbidity and economic burden. The prevalence of urinary tract stones in the developed nations ranges from 4–20%. Renal stones are of different types, the most common being the calcium oxalate stones. Various dietary, non-dietary, and urinary risk factors contribute to their formation. Their frequent association with systemic diseases (like hypertension, diabetes, and obesity) highlights the role of dietary and lifestyle changes in their occurrence, recurrence, and possible prevention. Non-contrast computed tomography (CT) identifies almost every stone and is the preferred investigation for identification. Ultrasound has its advantages, as it is low cost and requires no radiation, but is observer dependent. Metabolic profiles (including blood calcium, phosphate, magnesium, creatinine, uric acid, sodium, and potassium) should be measured and a detailed urinalysis should be done. This review further discusses the formation in depth, and covers risk factors and management of renal stones, and lays down the importance of preventive measures to avoid their recurrence.

Absorption and Excretion of Vitamin K Varies by Age and Triglycerides: A Metabolic Study in Older and Younger Adults Using Deuterium‐Labeled Collard Greens

Vitamin K is an essential fat‐soluble nutrient, with its most established role as a cofactor in coagulation. Emerging roles in soft tissue calcification have been proposed. However, further progress in understanding absorption and metabolism is needed, including knowledge of the factors influencing the physiologic response to vitamin K. Phylloquinone (PK) is the primary form of vitamin K in the diet and circulation. Large intra‐individual variances in circulating PK exist, and little is known about the dietary and non‐dietary factors that influence PK metabolism.The purpose of this study was to compare absorption efficiency and body retention of PK in older and younger adults following dietary vitamin K depletion and repletion.Forty‐two older (55–80 y; n=21) and younger (18–40 y; n=21) adults were maintained on sequential 28‐day vitamin K depletion (~10 ug PK/day) and vitamin K repletion (~500 ug PK/day) diets. At the end of each phase, subjects were fed deuterated collard greens (2H‐PK) and monitored over 72 hours. Liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry (LC‐MS) was used to measure labeled and unlabeled PK in plasma and triglyceride‐rich lipoprotein (TRL) fractions, and labeled and unlabeled menadione (a PK metabolite) from 24‐hr urine collections.Absorption efficiency of 2H‐PK did not differ between PK depletion and repletion, but was significantly higher in older adults than in younger adults (p=0.02). 2H‐PK in TRL fractions was correlated with the total 2H‐PK in plasma (r=0.95, p<<0.001), corroborating previous data that PK is primarily transported in circulation associated with triglycerides. Age (p=0.015) and plasma triglycerides (p<0.001) were significant linear predictors of 2H‐PK area under the curve (AUC). Both age and plasma triglycerides retained significance in the multivariate model, and together explained 31.6% of the variance in absorbed plasma 2H‐PK during the depletion period, and 29.9% in the repletion period. Analysis of urinary 2H‐menadione showed no differences in body retention of vitamin K by age, sex, or depletion or repletion.In conclusion, age and circulating triglycerides are determinants of vitamin K absorption efficiency and together explained about 30% of the variance observed in absorbed PK. Body retention of vitamin K did not vary by age, sex, or dietary intake. There is a need to elucidate non‐traditional factors, such as genetics, that may influence absorption and metabolism of vitamin K.Support or Funding InformationStudy supported by the USDA ARS under Cooperative Agreement 58‐1950‐7‐707 and the NIH (5R01DK69341‐4).

Genetic, dietary, and non-dietary risk factors of obesity among preparatory-year female students at Taibah University, Saudi Arabia

Genetic factors have a strong influence on obesity and are associated with body mass index (BMI). No study has investigated the relationships between glucose, the fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) gene, obesity (BMI), and other metabolic-related traits in Saudi Arabia. This study was conducted to identify the association between glucose, BMI and the FTO rs9939609 variant with different metabolic traits among 186 female preparatory students at Taibah University in 2015. The subjects were divided into two categories based on glucose level and BMI. The results showed that 1/10th of the students were non-obese, while approximately 1/3rd had a high glucose level (HGL). The HGL group had higher mean levels of glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL, VLDL, and malondialdehyde compared to those of the normal glucose level (NGL) group. A highly positive correlation between glucose and some biochemical parameters was found in the HGL group (P<0.05), while no correlation was found between glucose and biochemical parameters, except for the cholesterol and triglyceride levels, in the NGL group. According to the t-test, none of the biochemical parameters were significant, and no correlation existed between these parameters and glucose, except for BMI. More than 90% of the students were not aware that they had an HGL or high cholesterol level according to their response to the questionnaire distributed at the beginning of this study. These problems mainly arose from the students’ diet, lack of exercise, and lifestyle. Of the 75% of students that had the T-allele, approximately 50% had the heterozygous FTO rs9939609 genotype AT. Genotypes were in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (P>0.05) in the whole population (n=186) in both obese and non-obese groups and both HGL and NGL groups. In conclusion, a positive correlation between glucose and some biochemical parameters was found in the HGL group; 24.5% of the population had the (A allele) risk factor, and 32% and 98% of the population were homozygous (AA) and heterozygous (AT) for the rs9939609 FTO obesity-risk allele that is responsible for greater energy intake. Future studies are required to study the FTO gene variant and its association with different biochemical parameters, mainly glucose, weight, and BMI, between males and females at different ages and locations in Saudi Arabia.

A Review on Dietary and Non-Dietary Risk Factors Associated with Gastrointestinal Cancer.

Cancer is a complex disease involving neoplasm of abnormal cells leading to development of tumor cells. Gene mutations result in aberrant gene expression, which is the major cause observed in all the cancers. The GLOBOCAN 2012 reported the highest age-standardized rates for cancer of the colorectum followed by stomach, liver, and esophagus, which are gastrointestinal cancers, and the new cases also followed the same order across the globe. Various risk factors are associated with different types of cancer which can be classified as dietary and non-dietary risk factors. The dietary risk factors include diet, alcohol, and nutrient deficiencies, whereas the non-dietary risk factors of cancers are tobacco, lifestyle choices, certain infections, occupational exposures, and environmental factors. The aim of this review is to focus on the dietary and non-dietary risk factors linked to gastrointestinal cancers, which could be beneficial in clinical decision-making.

The shapes of bird beaks are highly controlled by nondietary factors

Bird beaks are textbook examples of ecological adaptation to diet, but their shapes are also controlled by genetic and developmental histories. To test the effects of these factors on the avian craniofacial skeleton, we conducted morphometric analyses on raptors, a polyphyletic group at the base of the landbird radiation. Despite common perception, we find that the beak is not an independently targeted module for selection. Instead, the beak and skull are highly integrated structures strongly regulated by size, with axes of shape change linked to the actions of recently identified regulatory genes. Together, size and integration account for almost 80% of the shape variation seen between different species to the exclusion of morphological dietary adaptation. Instead, birds of prey use size as a mechanism to modify their feeding ecology. The extent to which shape variation is confined to a few major axes may provide an advantage in that it facilitates rapid morphological evolution via changes in body size, but may also make raptors especially vulnerable when selection pressures act against these axes. The phylogenetic position of raptors suggests that this constraint is prevalent in all landbirds and that breaking the developmental correspondence between beak and braincase may be the key novelty in classic passerine adaptive radiations.

Fresh Fruit Consumption and Major Cardiovascular Disease in China

BackgroundIn Western populations, a higher level of fruit consumption has been associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, but little is known about such associations in China, where the consumption level is low and rates of stroke are high.MethodsBetween 2004 and 2008, we recruited 512,891 adults, 30 to 79 years of age, from 10 diverse localities in China. During 3.2 million person-years of follow-up, 5173 deaths from cardiovascular disease, 2551 incident major coronary events (fatal or nonfatal), 14,579 ischemic strokes, and 3523 intracerebral hemorrhages were recorded among the 451,665 participants who did not have a history of cardiovascular disease or antihypertensive treatments at baseline. Cox regression yielded adjusted hazard ratios relating fresh fruit consumption to disease rates.ResultsOverall, 18.0% of participants reported consuming fresh fruit daily. As compared with participants who never or rarely consumed fresh fruit (the “nonconsumption” category), those who ate fresh fruit daily had lower systolic blood pressure (by 4.0 mm Hg) and blood glucose levels (by 0.5 mmol per liter [9.0 mg per deciliter]) (P<0.001 for trend for both comparisons). The adjusted hazard ratios for daily consumption versus nonconsumption were 0.60 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.54 to 0.67) for cardiovascular death, and 0.66 (95% CI, 0.58 to 0.75), 0.75 (95% CI, 0.72 to 0.79), and 0.64 (95% CI, 0.56 to 0.74), respectively, for incident major coronary events, ischemic stroke, and hemorrhagic stroke. There was a strong log-linear dose–response relationship between the incidence of each outcome and the amount of fresh fruit consumed. These associations were similar across the 10 study regions and in subgroups of participants defined by baseline characteristics.ConclusionsAmong Chinese adults, a higher level of fruit consumption was associated with lower blood pressure and blood glucose levels and, largely independent of these and other dietary and nondietary factors, with significantly lower risks of major cardiovascular diseases. (Funded by the Wellcome Trust and others.)

Dietary patterns and their associations with energy, nutrient intake and socioeconomic factors in rural lactating mothers in Tibet.

There is very limited published data on Tibetan dietary patterns and its association with nutrient intakes and socioeconomic factors. The aim of this study was to identify and describe the dietary patterns and the associations with nutrient intakes in rural Tibetan pregnant, lactating mothers. Dietary patterns and nutrient intakes were identified via a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). We identified dietary patterns using principle component analysis (PCA) of intakes of 17 food groups and specific Tibetan foods. Quartile categories of each dietary pattern were used, and non-dietary lifestyle factors and total energy intake were adjusted for the analysis. We identified two dietary patterns: "Varied pattern" and "Staple pattern". The "Varied pattern" was characterized by a high intake of vegetables, fruits and soy foods which showed significant positive associations with vitamins. Vitamin C (Ptrend<0.01) and vitamin E (Ptrend<0.01) were strongly associated with "Varied pattern" among mothers with children younger or older than 12 months. The "Staple pattern" was characterized by Tibetan staple foods, Tibetan beverages and Tibetan snacks and showed significant negative associations with protein (Ptrend<0.01) among mothers with children younger than 12 months or older than 12 months. Carbohydrate intakes significantly increased with "Staple pattern" among mother with children younger than 12 months only. The results presented here suggested our dietary patterns to great extent characterize the dietary behavior of Tibetan lactating mothers. There is, therefore, potential for dietary patterns to be used as a valid tool in assessing Tibetan diet.

Dietary anthocyanin intake and age-related decline in lung function: longitudinal findings from the VA Normative Aging Study1–3

Background: It is unknown whether habitual intake of dietary flavonoids, known for their antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties, affects longitudinal change in lung function.Objective: We investigated whether different flavonoid subclasses present in the habitual diet were associated with beneficial changes in lung function over time in the elderly.Design: This longitudinal analysis included 839 participants from the VA (Veterans Affairs) Normative Aging Study whose lung function [forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC)] was measured at 2 and up to 5 visits between 1992 and 2008 (n = 2623 measurements). Yearly average intake of major flavonoid subclasses (anthocyanins, flavanones, flavan-3-ols, flavonols, flavones, and polymers) was calculated from food-frequency questionnaires at each visit. We estimated adjusted differences in annual change in lung function associated with each flavonoid subclass, categorized into quartiles, in linear mixed-effects regression models after adjustment for lifestyle and dietary confounders.Results: Strong inverse associations were found between anthocyanin intake and age-related decline in lung function. Independent of dietary and nondietary risk factors, slower rates of FEV1 and FVC decline by 23.6 (95% CI: 16.6, 30.7) and 37.3 (95% CI: 27.8, 46.8) mL/y, respectively, were observed in participants in the fourth quartile of intake compared with participants in the first quartile (P-trend < 0.0001). The protective associations observed for anthocyanin intake were present in both current/former and never smokers. Compared with no or very low intakes, an intake of ≥2 servings of anthocyanin-rich blueberries/wk was associated with slower decline in FEV1 and FVC by 22.5 (95% CI: 10.8, 34.2) and 37.9 (95% CI: 22.1, 53.7) mL/y, respectively. To a lesser extent, higher flavan-3-ol intake was also associated with slower lung function decline.Conclusions: An attenuation of age-related lung function decline was associated with higher dietary anthocyanin intake in this longitudinal sample of predominantly elderly men. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm these novel associations.

A proteomics based approach for the identification of gastric cancer related markers.

Gastric cancer (GC) is the amongst the most common cancer types causing second largest number of cancer related deaths globally. GC is characterized as an aggressive malignancy which is very tough to be detected at an early stage. GC has been defined as a complex, multistep process involving multiple genetic and epigenetic alterations leading to aberrant expression of key regulating factors. GC according to WHO has been defined as malignant epithelial tumors of the gastric mucosa with glandular differentiation. About one half of the GCs are located in the lower stomach, and remaining is located in the corpus and fundus of the stomach (20%), lesser curvature (20%), cardia (10%) and greater curvature (3%). GC has been classified into intestinal and diffuse types based on epidemiological and clinico- and histopathological features. The etiology of GC is multifactorial and includes dietary as well as non-dietary factors. Despite a lot of research efforts, GC remains to be the cancer without clear symptoms at onset, poor prognosis, with metastasis and recurrence. Thus, there is an urgent need for identifying novel and diagnostic GC biomarkers and techniques with high sensitivity and specificity. In the present review, we provide a synopsis of proteomics based GC biomarkers discovered from various cancerous specimens such as blood, gastric fluid, tissues, cells and H. pylori infected cancer cell lines. The advent of proteomics based GC biomarkers will be a great asset for the early detection and treatment of GC.

Pre-pregnancy potato consumption and risk of gestational diabetes mellitus: prospective cohort study

Study question What is the association between potato consumption before pregnancy and the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM)?Methods This prospective cohort study included 15 632 women from the Nurses’...

Factors involved in the regulation of feed and energy intake of pigs

The ability of pigs to consume required energy and nutrients for optimal performance is an important consideration in commercial pork production. Voluntary feed intake (VFI) or energy intake in the pigs is affected by dietary factors (such as energy concentration, protein levels, and amino acid balance) and non-dietary factors (animal gender and body weight, health status, feed processing, thermal environment, and physical management). As producers continue to look for ways to manage high feed costs, a significant economic opportunity exists to achieve precise feeding based on predictable VFI. Optimization of dietary and non-dietary factors will be system dependent, and will rely heavily on gathering and interpreting information to make informed decisions, which will ultimately make pork production more efficient and competitive in the global protein production sector.

Food consumption and the actual statistics of cardiovascular diseases: an epidemiological comparison of 42 European countries

BackgroundThe aim of this ecological study was to identify the main nutritional factors related to the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in Europe, based on a comparison of international statistics.DesignThe mean consumption of 62 food items from the FAOSTAT database (1993–2008) was compared with the actual statistics of five CVD indicators in 42 European countries. Several other exogenous factors (health expenditure, smoking, body mass index) and the historical stability of results were also examined.ResultsWe found exceptionally strong relationships between some of the examined factors, the highest being a correlation between raised cholesterol in men and the combined consumption of animal fat and animal protein (r=0.92, p<0.001). The most significant dietary correlate of low CVD risk was high total fat and animal protein consumption. Additional statistical analyses further highlighted citrus fruits, high-fat dairy (cheese) and tree nuts. Among other non-dietary factors, health expenditure showed by far the highest correlation coefficients. The major correlate of high CVD risk was the proportion of energy from carbohydrates and alcohol, or from potato and cereal carbohydrates. Similar patterns were observed between food consumption and CVD statistics from the period 1980–2000, which shows that these relationships are stable over time. However, we found striking discrepancies in men's CVD statistics from 1980 and 1990, which can probably explain the origin of the ‘saturated fat hypothesis’ that influenced public health policies in the following decades.ConclusionOur results do not support the association between CVDs and saturated fat, which is still contained in official dietary guidelines. Instead, they agree with data accumulated from recent studies that link CVD risk with the high glycaemic index/load of carbohydrate-based diets. In the absence of any scientific evidence connecting saturated fat with CVDs, these findings show that current dietary recommendations regarding CVDs should be seriously reconsidered.

A pilot, short-term dietary manipulation of branched chain amino acids has modest influence on fasting levels of branched chain amino acids

BackgroundElevated fasting levels of branched chain amino acids (BCAAs: valine, isoleucine, leucine) in venous blood are associated with a variety of metabolic impairments, including increased risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Fasting BCAA levels are influenced by non-dietary factors. However, it is unknown whether fasting BCAAs can be altered through manipulation of dietary intake alone.ObjectiveTo test whether a specific dietary intervention, using differences in BCAA intake, alters fasting BCAA levels independent of other factors.DesignFive healthy male volunteers underwent 4 days of a low and 4 days of a high BCAA content dietary intervention (ClinicalTrials.gov [NCT02110602]). All food and supplements were provided. Fasting BCAAs were measured from venous blood samples by mass spectrometry at baseline and after each intervention.ResultsDiets were isocaloric; contained equal percentages of calories from carbohydrate, fats, and protein; and differed from each other in BCAA content (1.5±0.1 vs. 14.0±0.6 g for valine; 4.5±0.9 g vs. 13.8±0.5 g for isoleucine; 2.1±0.2 g vs. 27.1±1.0 g for leucine; p<0.0001 for all). Fasting valine was significantly lower (p=0.02) and fasting isoleucine and leucine were numerically lower following the low BCAA content vs. the high BCAA content diet levels. The inter-individual response to the dietary interventions was variable and not explained by adherence.ConclusionShort-term dietary manipulation of BCAA intake led to modest changes in fasting levels of BCAAs. The approach from our pilot study can be expanded to test the metabolic implications of dietary BCAA manipulation.

Factors Associated with Tocopherol Status in Obese Women: Effects of Diet Composition and Weight Loss

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess factors associated with plasma α-, β-, γ-, and δ-tocopherol in obese women and to examine change in tocopherol levels after a 1-year weight loss intervention across three dietary approaches. Factors examined were dietary factors (alcohol consumption, diet composition, and supplement use) and non-dietary factors (body mass index, physical activity, plasma cholesterol levels, waist circumference, and age). Methods: Overweight/obese, nondiabetic women were randomly assigned to one of three diets: lower carbohydrate (45% energy), higher fat (35% energy), lower fat (20% energy), higher carbohydrate (65% energy), or walnut-rich (18% energy), higher fat (35% energy), lower carbohydrate (45% energy). Data and blood samples were obtained at baseline, 6- and 12-month clinic visits (n=245, 213, and 194 respectively). Results: At baseline, age was directly related to plasma α-tocopherol and inversely related to γ- and δ-tocopherol (P<0.05 for each); body mass index was inversely associated with plasma α-tocopherol and positively associated with β-, γ- and δ-tocopherol (P<0.05 for each). Physical activity was directly associated with α-tocopherol at baseline (P<0.05) and inversely associated with β-tocopherol at 12 months (P=0.03). Dietary supplement use was positively associated with α-tocopherol at baseline (P<0.05) and 12 months (P=0.007), and negatively associated with 12- month γ-tocopherol (P=0.02). Plasma cholesterol was positively associated with 12-month α- (P<0.001), β- (P=0.003), and γ-tocopherol (P=0.007). The walnut-rich diet group had higher plasma γ-tocopherol concentration than other diet groups at 12 months (P=0.002). Conclusions: Plasma tocopherol levels generally declined in association with weight loss in obese women, although age, adiposity, physical activity, plasma cholesterol, and dietary supplement use influenced these levels. Responses were similar to lower carbohydrate and lower fat diets, and walnut prescription minimized the reduction in plasma γ-tocopherol.

Total and Full-Fat, but Not Low-Fat, Dairy Product Intakes are Inversely Associated with Metabolic Syndrome in Adults

Background: Growing evidence suggests that dairy products may have beneficial cardiometabolic effects. The current guidelines, however, limit the intake of full-fat dairy products.Objective: We investigated the association of dairy consumption, types of dairy products, and dairy fat content with metabolic syndrome (MetSyn).Methods: We analyzed baseline data of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil), a multicenter cohort study of 15,105 adults aged 35–74 y. We excluded participants with known diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, or other chronic diseases, and those who had extreme values of energy intake, leaving 9835 for analysis. Dairy consumption was assessed by a food-frequency questionnaire. We computed servings per day for total and subgroups of dairy intake. We computed a metabolic risk score (MetScore) as the mean z score of waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, HDL cholesterol (negative z score), fasting triglycerides, and fasting glucose. We performed multivariable linear regression to test the association of servings per day of dairy products with MetScore.Results: In analyses that adjusted for demographics, menopausal status, family history of diabetes, dietary intake, nondietary lifestyle factors, and body mass index, we observed a graded inverse association for MetScore with total dairy (−0.044 ± 0.01, P = 0.009 for each additional dairy servings per day) and full-fat dairy (−0.126 ± 0.03, P < 0.001) but not with low-fat dairy intake. Associations were no longer present after additional adjustments for dairy-derived saturated fatty acids.Conclusions: Total and especially full-fat dairy food intakes are inversely and independently associated with metabolic syndrome in middle-aged and older adults, associations that seem to be mediated by dairy saturated fatty acids. Dietary recommendations to avoid full-fat dairy intake are not supported by our findings.

Roles of Kermanshahi Oil, Animal Fat, Dietary and Non-Dietary Vitamin D and other Nutrients in Increased Risk of Premenopausal Breast Cancer: A Case Control Study in Kermanshah, Iran

Kermanshahi oil is one the most favorable oils in Iran especially in Kermanshah province. We aimed to evaluate the role of usual intake of Kermanshahi oil and other kinds of dietary fats as well as different meats, vegetables and fruits, carbohydrates, cereals, grains, sweets, candy and lifestyle habits in risk of breast cancer. A case-control study with 47 consecutive, newly diagnosed premenopausal breast- cancer patients and 105 age and socioeconomic matched healthy women was conducted from 2013-2014 in Imam Reza hospital of Kermanshah using a standardized, validated questionnaire assessing various anthropometric, socio-demographic, lifestyle and dietary characteristics. Kermanshahi oil intake was associated with a 2.1-fold (OR= 2.123, 95% CI 1.332- 3.38) (p= 0.002) higher likelihood of having breast cancer, while daily intake of other solid animal fats also increased the likelihood by 2.8-fold (OR = 2.754, 95% CI 1.43- 5.273) (p < 0.001), after various adjustments made. Lack of fish oil, white meat, vegetables, soy products, nuts and dairy products (especially during adolescence) in daily regimens and lack of sun exposure were significantly associated with premenopausal breast cancer risk in this region. This study suggested that animal fat increases the risk of premenopausal breast cancer but many other dietary and non-dietary factors including calcium and vitamin D deficiency are consistently associated with increased odds of breast cancer in this region.

Dietary factors associated with high serum ferritin levels in postmenopausal women with the Fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES V), 2010-2012.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVESSerum ferritin levels are significantly increased after menopause and greatly affect women's health. The aim of this study was to investigate the dietary and non-dietary factors associated with high ferritin levels in postmenopausal women.SUBJECTS/METHODSAmong adult women in 2010-2012, qualified postmenopausal women (n = 3880) were separated into quartiles of serum ferritin. The variable differences among the quartiles of ferritin were determined using either procsurvey chi-square test (χ2-test) among categorical variables, or GLM (Generalized Linear Model) among continuous variables. The odds ratio for high ferritin in relation to dietary factors was also determined using procsurvery logistic analysis.RESULTSAge, obesity, drinking habit, and blood glucose levels were found to be significant indicators of high serum ferritin level after adjusting for all confounding factors. Among the food groups, grain, milk, vegetable, and seaweed intakes were significantly associated with high ferritin levels, but after adjusting for all confounding factors, only grains and vegetables remained significant factors. Among the nutrient groups, calcium, vitamin A, and vitamin C intake were significant factors, but after adjustment, none of the nutrient groups analyzed were associated with a high risk of ferritin.CONCLUSIONAge, obesity, drinking habit, and glucose levels, as well as inadequate intakes of grains and vegetables, were found to be significantly associated with high serum ferritin levels in postmenopausal Korean women.

Iron intakes of Australian infants and toddlers: findings from the Melbourne Infant Feeding, Activity and Nutrition Trial (InFANT) Program.

Fe deficiency remains the most common nutritional deficiency worldwide and young children are at particular risk. Preventative food-based strategies require knowledge of current intakes, sources of Fe, and factors associated with low Fe intakes; yet few data are available for Australian children under 2 years. This study's objectives were to determine intakes and food sources of Fe for Australian infants and toddlers and identify non-dietary factors associated with Fe intake. Dietary, anthropometric and socio-demographic data from the Melbourne Infant Feeding, Activity and Nutrition Trial Program were analysed for 485 infants (mean age: 9·1 (sd 1·2) months) and 423 toddlers (mean age: 19·6 (sd 2·6) months) and their mothers. Dietary intakes were assessed via 24-h recalls over 3 non-consecutive days. Prevalence of inadequate Fe intake was estimated using the full probability approach. Associations between potential non-dietary predictors (sex, breast-feeding status, age when introduced to solid foods, maternal age, maternal education, maternal employment status and mother's country of birth) and Fe intakes were assessed using linear regression. Mean Fe intakes were 9·1 (sd 4·3) mg/d for infants and 6·6 (sd 2·4) mg/d for toddlers. Our results showed that 32·6 % of infants and 18·6 % of toddlers had inadequate Fe intake. Main food sources of Fe were Fe-fortified infant formula and cereals for infants and toddlers, respectively. Female sex and current breast-feeding were negatively associated with infant Fe intakes. Introduction to solid foods at or later than 6 months was negatively associated with Fe intake in toddlers. These data may facilitate food-based interventions to improve Australian children's Fe intake levels.

A review of feed efficiency in swine: biology and application.

Feed efficiency represents the cumulative efficiency with which the pig utilizes dietary nutrients for maintenance, lean gain and lipid accretion. It is closely linked with energy metabolism, as the oxidation of carbon-containing components in the feed drive all metabolic processes. While much is known about nutrient utilization and tissue metabolism, blending these subjects into a discussion on feed efficiency has proven to be difficult. For example, while increasing dietary energy concentration will almost certainly increase feed efficiency, the correlation between dietary energy concentration and feed efficiency is surprisingly low. This is likely due to the plethora of non-dietary factors that impact feed efficiency, such as the environment and health as well as individual variation in maintenance requirements, body composition and body weight.Nonetheless, a deeper understanding of feed efficiency is critical at many levels. To individual farms, it impacts profitability. To the pork industry, it represents its competitive position against other protein sources. To food economists, it means less demand on global feed resources. There are environmental and other societal implications as well.Interestingly, feed efficiency is not always reported simply as a ratio of body weight gain to feed consumed. This review will explain why this arithmetic calculation, as simple as it initially seems, and as universally applied as it is in science and commerce, can often be misleading due to errors inherent in recording of both weight gain and feed intake.This review discusses the importance of feed efficiency, the manner in which it can be measured and reported, its basis in biology and approaches to its improvement. It concludes with a summary of findings and recommendations for future efforts.

Dietary and non-dietary correlates of gastrointestinal distress during the cycle and run of a triathlon

The purpose of this investigation was to assess whether pre-race dietary and non-dietary factors were associated with gastrointestinal (GI) distress during the cycle and run of a 70.3-mile triathlon. Fifty three participants recorded dietary details the day before and morning of the triathlon and retrospectively reported GI symptoms from the cycle and run. Occurrence and severity of nausea, regurgitation and fullness were combined into an upper GI (UGI) category, while lower abdominal cramps, flatulence and urge to defecate were combined into a lower GI (LGI) category. Spearman's rho coefficients were used to examine whether UGI and LGI were associated with: (1) pre-race diet (kilocalories, carbohydrate, fibre, fat, protein, caffeine); and (2) non-dietary factors (age, body mass index, experience, weight change, GI distress history, finishing time). Of non-dietary factors, only a history of GI distress showed significant associations with GI symptoms during the triathlon (ρ = .32–.36; P < .05). Morning kilocalorie (ρ = .28, P = .04) and carbohydrate (ρ = .36, P < .01) intakes were modestly, positively associated with UGI during the cycle, while morning caffeine intake (ρ = .30, P = .03) showed a modest positive association with LGI during the run. The associations between diet and GI distress variables remained significant after adjusting for non-dietary factors. Competitors of 70.3-mile triathlons should carefully weigh the benefits of higher race-morning energy, carbohydrate and caffeine intakes against their potential to increase GI distress.