Estimates Of Nutrient Intake Research Articles

Dietary intake variations from pre-conception to gestational period according to the degree of industrial processing: A Brazilian cohort

ObjectiveTo estimate food intake changes from pre-conception to gestational period according to the degree of food processing. MethodsProspective cohort conducted in a public health care center in Rio de Janeiro with Brazilian pregnant women (n = 189). A food frequency questionnaire was applied at the first (5th–13th) and third (30th–36th) gestational trimesters. The food items were classified according to characteristics of food processing in four groups: unprocessed/minimally processed foods; sugar/fat; processed foods and ultra-processed foods. The variation of food intake according to the degree of processing between the pre-conception and gestational period was compared using paired Student’s t-test. Linear regression models were performed to estimate the association of mother’s characteristics on the variation of food group contribution to the total energy intake between periods. ResultsTotal energy intake was 2415 (SD = 813) in the pre-conception and 2379 (750) kcal in the gestational period. We excluded women who had implausible total energy intake (<600 and >6000 kcal/day). The contribution of unprocessed/minimally processed food group to total energy intake during pregnancy when compared to the pre-conception period was higher [50.5 (14.1) vs. 48.8 (12.4), p-value = 0.048], while the caloric share of ultra-processed food group was lower [41.3 (14.6) vs. 43.1 (12.5), p-value = 0.032]. We observed a negative association of age (p-value = 0.009) and a positive association of pre-pregnancy BMI (p-value = 0.060) with the variation of ultra-processed food intake. ConclusionsUltra-processed food intake decreased, while minimally/unprocessed food intake slightly increased from the pre-conception to gestational period. These results indicate potential for a larger improvement in the women’s diet quality and that nutritional counseling interventions in pregnant women are still needed.

Nutritional analysis of hospital meals and comparison with European standards

Introduction & aim: Nutritional analysis of meals offered toy hospitalized patients is an indication of dietetic intake when 100% consumption of meal offered is consumed. When nutritional analysis is accompanied with simple visual techniques like food plate consumption it can become an accurate estimation of food intake and thus it is useful for nutritional assessment of hospitalized patients. Materials and methods: Nutritional analysis based on USDA 2011 nutrition composition base and the use of the IDIKA computer application was performed to 4 weekly hospital menus of different seasonality. Then the menus were compared as far as energy and protein content is concerned to RDVs for hospital nutrition published at ‘’The Nutrition and Hydration Digest: Improving Outcomes through Food and Beverage Services’’ guidelines of the British Dietetic Association/ the FoodCounts Group. Results: The “general’’ menu of the hospital provided: mean 2504 kcal/ day (min 2300-max 2804 kcal/ day) vs. EARs min 1810-max 2550 kcal/ day, πρωτεΐνη: mean 109,8 g/day vs. RNI 56 g/day. The number of serving by various food groups provided by the menu was for dairy 2,57 vs. min 3 servings/day, for meat and meat equivalents 2,24 servings/day vs min 2 servings/day, for fruits and vegetables 5,57 servings/day vs. min 5 servings/day and for bread and starchy equivalents 9,28 servings/day vs. min 5 servings/day. Conclusions: The performance of nutritional analysis of meals offered at hospitals exhibited the adherence of hospital meals offered as far as energy, protein and servings of food groups (with the exception of dairy products) to European guidelines and is a useful tool in the overall nutritional assessment of hospital patients.

Three 24-Hour Recalls in Comparison with One Improve the Estimates of Energy and Nutrient Intakes in an Urban Mexican Population

Background: Population surveys often collect dietary intake data by using one or two 24-h recalls (24HR), mainly to minimize cost and respondent burden. However, in order to increase accuracy in estimating usual intake distributions, a larger number of 24HRs may be advisable.Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify whether estimates of the intake and prevalence of nutrient inadequacy based on 3 d are better than those that are based on 1 d of information.Methods: We conducted a national survey in 31 cities in Mexico using a sample that included 1073 individuals of both sexes, from birth through 79 y of age. Dietary information was collected by using 3 multiple-pass 24HRs (on nonconsecutive days). We estimated intake, adequacy, and prevalence of energy and nutrient inadequacy using information from 1 d and also from 3 d, adjusted for day-to-day variability, using PC-SIDE software. The prevalence of inadequacy was estimated by using the reference values proposed by the US Institute of MedicineResults: We found high prevalences of inadequacy for fiber (73–99%), iron (31–94%), calcium (2–85%), vitamin A (0.1–61%), and folates (2–80%) among various age and sex groups. Energy intake results showed that the variance in the estimated usual 3-d intake distribution was smaller than the variance of distribution estimated from a single daily intake. We observed bigger differences in prevalence of inadequacy between 1 and 3 d for several nutrients. For example, in preschool children, the prevalence of inadequacy of folate and calcium was 30% and 43%, respectively, with 1-d recalls and 3.7% and 4.6%, respectively, with 3-d recalls.Conclusions: We conclude that the adjusting-by-variance method using 3 d of 24HR allows for a more accurate estimation of usual intake, dietary adequacy, and prevalence of inadequacy, thereby reducing the measurement error that could compromise the results and conclusions of surveys.

Development, reproducibility and validity of a food frequency questionnaire among pregnant women adherent to the Mediterranean dietary pattern

Accurate dietary assessment tools are required to ensure that maternal diet supplies all the nutrients needed for fetal development. However, no dietary method could accurately estimate food intake during gestation. Food Frequency Questionnaires (FFQ), frequently used in epidemiological studies, estimate long term nutritional status of the target population. However, it is recommended to create and validate a FFQ compatible with the dietary habits of the studied population, to avoid cultural and social discrepancies. This study aimed to develop and test the reproducibility and the validity of a semi-quantitative FFQ compatible with the diet of Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern population, in a sample of Lebanese pregnant women. 128 women participated in the validation study, while 38 took part in the reproducibility phase, which was repeated in a time frame of 21 days. The FFQ was validated against a 24h dietary recall (DR). The intra class correlation coefficient (ICC) ranged from 0.935 for calcium to 0.984 for vitamin D (p value<0.001), indicating an excellent reproducibility. A satisfactory agreement between the two dietary tools was demonstrated using Bland-Altman plot and Spearman's and Pearson's correlations coefficients which varied between 0.294 for iron to 0.762 for caloric intake (p value<0.01). The newly developed FFQ englobing Mediterranean food items was culture specific and assessed the nutrient intake of our population. Administering this tool in future researches will help monitor the nutritional status of pregnant women, aiming at improving maternal and newborn health.

Nutritional status of calcium and other bone-related nutrients in Japanese type 2 diabetes patients

ObjectivesTraditional Japanese food appears to be healthy but contains a small amount of milk products. Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) patients commonly reduce their energy intake to control their blood glucose levels. However, nutritional guidance for diabetes does not emphasize calcium (Ca) consumption. The aim of this study is to estimate the nutritional status of Ca and other nutrients, which affect bone and Ca metabolism, in T2DM patients. MethodsThis observational study was conducted with Japanese T2DM patients (n = 96; M/F = 50/46; age: 61.6 ± 10.1 years). We estimated nutrient intake using a simple food frequency questionnaire. ResultsMedian total energy intake was 1750 kcal/day (1440–1970). Their median daily intake of Ca, vitamin D, and vitamin K was 451 mg (336–560), 10.2 μg (8.5–12), and 206 μg (84–261), respectively. Only 17.7% of the study subjects were found to take more than 600 mg/day of Ca. Protein and salt intake was 78 (64–90) and 10.6 (9.3–12.2) g/day, respectively. Male subjects had more salt, less Ca and vitamin K than female. Daily Ca intake was positively associated with total energy, protein, and lipid intake but not with carbohydrates. Vitamin D intake correlated only with protein intake. ConclusionsThe daily Ca intake of Japanese T2DM patients appears to be insufficient and could depend on protein and lipid intake. Additionally, these patients should have specific recommendations to ensure sufficient intake of Ca with protein and lipid during energy restriction.

Monitoring Clinical Characteristics and Lifestyle Factors to Reduce Confounding in Studies of Peripheral Vascular Function

Peripheral vascular function may be influenced by multiple factors, including age, baseline clinical characteristics, and environmental factors. Thus, monitoring these attributes is likely to be an important consideration when developing protocols for studies that measure vascular function. This study was conducted to examine the association between peripheral vascular function and baseline clinical measures (heart rate, blood pressure, and various blood markers), and lifestyle factors, including, recent nutrient intake and previous night hours of sleep, in healthy women between the ages of 18–70 y. A secondary analysis was conducted with baseline data from 20 non‐smoking Caucasian that had fasted overnight and reported to the laboratory in the morning for fasting blood draws. Fasting glucose and triglyceride concentrations were measured from fingertip blood; height, weight, and blood pressure were also measured. A 24‐hour dietary recall was conducted to estimate nutrient intake the previous day. Subjects were then fed a meal of 2 waffles, with 1.4 oz syrup, 10 g margarine, and 177 mL flavored water, providing a total of 390 calories, 21 g fat, 43 g carbohydrate, and 4 g protein. At 2.5 hours post meal, reactive hyperemia index, a marker for endothelial dependent vasodilation, and augmentation index, a marker for arterial stiffness, were measured by peripheral arterial tonometry. These data were subjected to stepwise regression (SAS 9.4) to examine the association between vascular function (reactive hyperemia index, augmentation index) and a list of predictors, including age, systolic and diastolic pressure, previous night‐hours of sleep, heart rate, fasting blood glucose, fasting blood triglyceride, and dietary factors from previous day food intake including 12 nutrients (total fat, saturated and trans fat, omega‐3 fatty acids, total carbohydrate, added sugars, protein, arginine, fiber, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin A, total carotenoids). The significance level was set at 0.05. Normality of the residuals was checked for both dependent variables. Multicollinearity between predictors was examined by correlation analysis. Results showed that previous day protein intake was inversely associated with reactive hyperemia index and accounted for 39.8% of the total variance, where 50.8% of the variance was explained by the model. Both age and protein intake were positively associated with augmentation index. Hours of sleep on the previous night were inversely associated with augmentation index. Age, hours of sleep, and protein intake accounted for 52%, 9.5% and 7.9%, respectively, of the total variance explained by the model for augmentation index. These data demonstrate the importance of monitoring and controlling subjects’ recent dietary intake and to encourage adequate sleep to reduce confounding effects from these sources, when exploring vascular function as an outcome marker to study any intervention, especially in repeated measure crossover studies.Support or Funding InformationIndiana University

Sandwich Consumption in the U.S.: Contributions to Intake and Associations with Dietary Quality among Adults, What We Eat in America, NHANES 2009–2012

Sandwiches are a mainstay of the American diet, yet little research has characterized their contributions to intake or investigated whether their consumption is associated with diet quality. This study's purpose was to (1) measure the contribution of sandwiches to adults’ intakes of nutrients and USDA Food Patterns components and (2) compare nutrient intakes and Healthy Eating Index (HEI) 2010 scores between individuals who consumed a sandwich on the intake day (reporters) and those who did not (nonreporters). One day of WWEIA, NHANES 2009–2012 dietary data from 10,563 adults age 20+ years was analyzed to produce nationally representative estimates. The percentage of adults reporting sandwiches on the intake day and the percentage contributions of sandwiches to total nutrient and Food Patterns component intakes were determined. To identify differences between sandwich reporters and nonreporters, adjusted nutrient intake estimates and HEI component scores by reporting status were calculated using linear regression techniques and compared using t‐tests. On any given day, sandwiches were reported by 47% of adults. Sandwiches provided 12% of total energy intake and equal or larger percentages of many nutrients (e.g., protein; total, saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fat; folate; calcium; iron; and sodium) and Food Patterns components (e.g., tomatoes; “other” vegetables such as onions, cucumbers, and iceberg lettuce; whole and refined grains; protein foods; dairy–mainly cheese; oils; and solid fats). Compared to nonreporters, sandwich reporters had higher absolute intakes of energy. Whereas sandwich reporters’ higher absolute intakes of total, saturated, and monounsaturated fat and calcium were paralleled by higher density (on a per‐1,000‐kcal basis) of those nutrients, their higher intakes of sodium and iron appear to reflect higher intake alone rather than higher nutrient density. Moreover, density per 1,000 kcal was lower for reporters than for nonreporters for many nutrients, including fiber, vitamins A, C, and E, magnesium, and potassium. Mean total HEI score did not differ significantly between sandwich reporters (50.6) and nonreporters (52.0; p&gt;0.001). However, sandwich reporters had higher HEI scores for whole grains and total protein foods and lower HEI scores for total vegetables, greens/beans, seafood and plant proteins, and sodium (low score = high sodium intake) than did nonreporters. Sandwiches contribute substantially to dietary intakes by adults. Despite several lower HEI component scores for sandwich reporters versus nonreporters, scores regardless of sandwich reporting status were particularly low for greens/beans and whole grains. Diet quality may be enhanced by modifying sandwiches to contain foods lower in sodium, a larger quantity and variety of vegetables, more whole grains, and more seafood/fish/plant protein foods, among other strategies.Support or Funding InformationARS, USDA.

Comparison of a Web‐Based Food Frequency Questionnaire with Photograph‐Assisted Food Records in Assessing Nutrient Intake of Adolescents

In assessing dietary intake of adolescents, utilizing computer and electronic media has several practical advantages over written media since this age group is more adept with modern technology. In recent years, digital dietary assessment methods have been developed in an effort to improve the accuracy of food and nutrient consumption estimates and to decrease respondent burden in quantifying food intake. We developed a web‐based food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) for adolescents and compared its performance in assessing the intake of 20 nutrients with multiple non‐consecutive photograph‐assisted food records. Data were provided by 33 female and 22 male adolescents of multi‐ethnic composition (~46% non‐Hispanic whites) with mean age of 15.3 ± 1.7 years, who met the selection and compliance criteria and consented to use their own mobile phones for the food records. Participants completed the self‐administered 151‐item semi‐quantitative web‐based FFQ and six 1‐day food records. Personal mobile phones were used to take photographs of foods to be eaten then sent together with the 1‐day food record via text messaging to a designated secure webmail address for the study. The Nutrition Data System for Research was used for nutrient composition and analysis of food records to determine intake of 20 nutrients (energy, carbohydrates, total fat, SFA, MUFA, PUFA, trans‐fats, total protein, vegetable protein, animal protein, fiber, β‐carotene, retinol, vitamins E, C, and B12, folate, calcium, iron, and zinc). Comparisons between the methods were done using Wilcoxon Signed Ranks test, correlations with energy adjustment and correction for attenuation with multiple measurements, and cross‐classification analyses. Compared to the food records, the web‐based FFQ has significantly higher absolute intake estimates for 17 nutrients except carbohydrates, trans‐fats, and vitamin E. Deattenuated correlation for energy is 0.37; deattenuated energy‐adjusted correlations ranged from 0.11 (vitamin B12) to 0.82 (animal protein), with 11 nutrients having deattenuated correlations greater than 0.50. Within‐subject variances in the multiple food records range from 0.02 (carbohydrates) to 2.12 (β‐carotene). Agreement within one quartile ranges from 61.8% (vitamin B12) to 99.0% (vegetable protein) while gross misclassification ranges from 0% (animal and vegetable proteins and vitamin E) to 12.7% (zinc). Overall, there is moderate to strong agreement (r &gt; 0.30) between the two methods in ranking nutrient intake estimates of adolescents. Given that photograph‐assisted food records are considered appropriate as a reference method in evaluating FFQs, our results demonstrate the usefulness of this web‐based tool in ranking the nutrient intake of this adolescent population. However, care must be taken when using absolute intake estimates as the exposure variable. The web‐based FFQ needs further improvement to reduce overestimation bias.Support or Funding InformationSoy Nutrition Institute

A multicomponent, school-initiated obesity intervention to promote healthy lifestyles in children

ObjectivesIn the context of a 6-mo obesity program, incorporating school- and family-based components, nutritional education, fun-type skill-learning physical activities, and exercise training, this study examined relationships among changes in nutritional status, physical fitness, and some psychosocial and behavioral treatment-related outcomes, using a before and after comparison. MethodsEighteen obese and overweight children ages 10 to 12 y were assessed with respect to body weight, height, circumferences, skinfold thickness, and fat mass. Health-related fitness tests, and self-reported physical activity enjoyment and perceived physical ability also were administered. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was evaluated using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory; dietary habits were collected using a 7-d food diary. The WinFood software was used for the estimation of nutrient and caloric intake. ResultsAfter treatment, children showed decreases in body mass index z-score (P = 0.001), body fat percentage (P < 0.001), arm (P = 0.003) and waist circumferences (P = 0.004), and skinfold thickness (P < 0.008). Actual (P < 0.001) and perceived (P < 0.03) physical abilities, physical activity enjoyment (P = 0.03), and psychosocial HRQoL (P < 0.05) also improved from pre- to postintervention. Participants reported reductions in total and commercial food caloric intakes (P < 0.001), with higher protein and lower fat consumptions (P < 0.001) after the program. ConclusionsThe findings from the present study highlight the importance of combined dietary–behavioral–physical activity interventions in overweight children, and place emphasis on directing such interventions toward improving perceived physical competence that could lead to increased exercise adherence and promotion of the health benefits associated with it.

Evaluation of a digital food photography atlas used as portion size measurement aid in dietary surveys in Greece.

To evaluate how well respondents perceive digital images of food portions commonly consumed in Greece. The picture series was defined on the basis of usual dietary intakes assessed in earlier large-scale studies in Greece. The evaluation included 2218 pre-weighed actual portions shown to participants, who were subsequently asked to link each portion to a food picture. Mean differences between picture numbers selected and portions actually shown were compared using the Wilcoxon paired signed-rank test. The effect of personal characteristics on participants' selections was evaluated through unpaired t tests (sex and school years) or through Tukey-Kramer pairwise comparisons (age and food groups). Testing of participants' perception of digital food images used in the Greek national nutrition survey. Individuals (n 103, 61 % females) aged 12 years and over, selected on the basis of the target population of the Greek nutrition survey using convenience sampling. Individuals selected the correct or adjacent image in about 90 % of the assessments and tended to overestimate small and underestimate large quantities. Photographs of Greek traditional pies and meat-based pastry dishes led participants to perceive the amounts in the photos larger than they actually were. Adolescents were more prone to underestimating food quantities through the pictures. The digital food atlas appears generally suitable to be used for the estimation of average food intakes in large-scale dietary surveys in Greece. However, individuals who consistently consume only small or only large food portions may have biased perceptions in relation to others.

Measures of food intake in mantled howling monkeys.

Food intake (i.e., the amount of food consumed by an individual) is a crucial measure for studying feeding behavior, but its measurement requires high visibility of individuals and long recording sessions, which are often difficult to accomplish under field conditions. As a consequence, studies on the feeding behavior of primates typically do not estimate food intake directly, and focus rather on studying dietary patterns through indirect measures of food intake, such as time spent feeding, number of food bites and food intake rates. The aim of the present study was to determine the validity of these estimators of food intake in mantled howling monkeys (Alouatta palliata) by comparing the estimations with the direct measurement of food intake. We recorded 97 feeding episodes of two male and two female adults, during which we determined the number of ingested food units (i.e., number of leaves and number of fruits), the number of bites taken and time spent feeding. After weighing units of food similar to those consumed, we calculated food intake and mean intake rates per food type (ripe fruits, unripe fruits, mature leaves, and young leaves). The number of bites taken by mantled howling monkeys during feeding episodes was strongly related to food intake, and this relationship was not affected by the type of food ingested. In contrast, neither time spent feeding nor food ingestion rate were related to food intake. These results suggest that the number of bites could be used as a valid proxy to study food intake in this species, whereas the other two measures are likely to yield inaccurate estimates of food intake.

High compliance with dietary recommendations in a cohort of meat eaters, fish eaters, vegetarians, and vegans: results from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition–Oxford study

The aim of this study was to investigate differences in dietary intakes between 30251 participants in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition–Oxford study, comprising 18 244 meat eaters, 4 531 fish eaters, 6 673 vegetarians, and 803 vegans aged 30 to 90 years who completed semiquantitative food frequency questionnaires. We hypothesized that these groups characterized by varying degrees of animal product exclusion have significantly different intakes of many nutrients, with possible implications for dietary adequacy and compliance with population dietary goals. Nutrient intakes were estimated including fortification in foods, but excluding dietary supplements. Dietary supplementation practices were also evaluated. Highly significant differences were found in estimated nutrient intakes between meat eaters and vegans, with fish eaters and vegetarians usually having intermediate values. Meat eaters had the highest energy intakes, followed by fish eaters and vegetarians, whereas vegans had the lowest intakes. Vegans had the highest intakes of polyunsaturated fatty acids, dietary fiber, vitamins C and E, folate, magnesium, iron, and copper. Meat eaters had the highest intake of saturated fatty acids, protein, vitamin B2, vitamin B12, vitamin D, zinc, and iodine. Fish eaters had the highest intakes of calcium and selenium. There were no statistically significant differences in sodium and potassium intakes between dietary groups. With the exception of sodium intake, compliance with population dietary goals was high across diet groups. The results suggested a high prevalence of inadequacy for dietary vitamin B12 and iodine in vegans. The diet groups under study showed striking differences in dietary intakes, with possible implications for compliance with dietary recommendations, as well as cardiometabolic diseases risk.

Urinary Water-Soluble Vitamins as Potential Nutritional Biomarkers to Assess Their Intakes

To determine micronutrient intake by dietary assessment is difficult because of high variations in habitual micronutrient intake. A nutritional biomarker can be an indicator of nutritional status with respect to intake or metabolism of dietary constituents. Recent validation studies have developed the urinary compounds as nutritional biomarkers to estimate nutrient intakes, and urinary nitrogen and sodium have been well established as nutritional biomarkers. Recent studies have conducted to establish urinary water-soluble vitamins as nutritional biomarkers to assess their intakes, and made the following findings to contribute to the establishment and effective use of urinary water-soluble vitamins as potential nutritional biomarkers. Only urinary vitamin B12 content reflects urine volume but not its intake. Eight of nine water-soluble vitamin levels in 24-hr urine increase in dose-dependent-manner, and are strongly correlated with vitamin intakes. Each urinary water-soluble vitamin level, except for vitamin B12, is positively correlated with the mean intake over the recent 2-4 days in free-living children, young and elderly. These findings suggest that urinary water-soluble vitamins can be used as nutritional biomarkers to assess their mean intakes in groups. Based on previous findings, the reference values for urinary water-soluble vitamins are proposed to show adequate nutritional status.

Validation of nutrient intake estimates derived using a semi-quantitative FFQ against 3 day diet records in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging

To examine the relative validity of a multicultural FFQ used to derive nutrient intake estimates in a community dwelling cohort of younger and older men and women compared with those derived from 3 day (3d) diet records during the same time-frame. Cross-sectional analyses. The Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA) conducted in the Baltimore, MD and District of Columbia areas. A subset (n=468, aged 26 to 95 years (y), 47% female, 65% non-Hispanic white) from the BLSA, with complete data for nutrient estimates from a FFQ and 3d diet records. Pearson’s correlation coefficients (energy adjusted and de-attenuated) for intakes of energy and 26 nutrients estimated from the FFQ and the mean of 3d diet records were calculated in a cross-sectional analysis. Rankings of individuals based on FFQ for various nutrient intakes were compared to corresponding rankings based on the average of the 3d diet records. Bland Altman plots were examined for a visual representation of agreement between both assessment methods. All analyses were stratified by sex and age (above and below 65 y). Median nutrient intake estimates tended to be higher from the FFQ compared to average 3d diet records. Energy adjusted and de-attenuated correlations between FFQ intake estimates and records ranged from 0.23 (sodium intake in men) to 0.81 (alcohol intake in women). The FFQ classified more than 70 percent of participants in either the same or adjacent quartile categories for all nutrients examined. Bland Altman plots demonstrated good agreement between the assessment methods for most nutrients. This FFQ provides reasonably valid estimates of dietary intakes of younger and older participants of the BLSA.

Relative validity and reproducibility of a parent-administered semi-quantitative FFQ for assessing food intake in Danish children aged 3-9 years.

To assess the relative validity and reproducibility of the semi-quantitative FFQ (SFFQ) applied in the evaluation of a community intervention study, SoL-Bornholm, for estimating food intakes. The reference measure was a 4 d estimated food record. The SFFQ was completed two times separated by a 1-month period in order to test reproducibility. The Capital Region and the Regional Municipality of Bornholm, Denmark. A total of fifty-four children aged 3-9 years were enrolled in the study. In terms of validity, the SFFQ generally overestimated intakes compared with the food records, especially for vegetables. For most intakes, the mean difference increased with increasing intake. Gross misclassification was on average higher for energy and nutrients (17%) than for foods (8%). Spearman correlation coefficients were significant for twelve out of fourteen intakes, ranging from 0·29 to 0·63 for foods and from 0·12 to 0·48 for energy and nutrients. Comparing the repeated SFFQ administrations, the intakes of the first SFFQ were slightly higher than those of the second SFFQ. Gross misclassification was low for most intakes; on average 6% for foods and 8% for energy and nutrients. Intra-class correlations were significant for all intakes, ranging from 0·30 to 0·82 for foods and from 0·46 to 0·81 for energy and nutrients. The results indicate that the SFFQ gives reproducible estimates. The relative validity of the SFFQ was low to moderate for most intakes but comparable to other studies among children.

Food composition data and public health

AbstractGovernment has funded a programme of nutrient analysis of foods for many decades and resulting data have been published in successive editions of McCance and Widdowson's The Composition of Foods. Latest data were published in the seventh summary edition of The Composition of Foods in 2014 and in a revised Composition of Foods Integrated Dataset in 2015. The main purpose of the nutrient analysis programme is to provide data to support estimation of nutrient intakes in the National Diet and Nutrition Survey and other dietary surveys. Changes in the nutrient content of the UK food supply over time are driven by a number of factors including reformulation of processed foods resulting from policies to improve public health. Up‐to‐date nutrient composition data are key to ensuring that estimates of nutrient intakes in UK dietary surveys remain robust.

Macronutrient and Energy Contributions of Insects to the Diet of a Frugivorous Monkey (Cercopithecus ascanius)

Most extant primates feed on insects to some degree, yet the nutritional contributions of insects to primate diets are poorly characterized. Like many small-bodied frugivorous primates, redtail monkeys (Cercopithecus ascanius) also eat insects. We quantified the nutritional contributions of insects to the diets of female redtail monkeys in Kibale National Park, Uganda, from July 2010 to June 2012 through full day follows (N = 64) using weight-based estimates of food intake. Female redtail monkeys targeted insects for 41 % of feeding bouts, plant reproductive parts (including ripe fruits, unripe fruits, flowers, seeds) for 15 % of feeding bouts, and leaves (including young leaves, mature leaves, leaf petioles, leaf buds) for 17 % of feeding bouts. However, females spent just under 10 % of feeding time on insects, in contrast to 42 % on plant reproductive parts and 39 % on leaves. Redtail monkeys fed primarily on solitary, as opposed to eusocial, insects. Identification of consumed insects is challenging, but of consumed insects that could be identified 74 % were cicadas (order Homoptera), 14 % caterpillars (order Lepidoptera), and 7 % long-horned grasshoppers (order Orthoptera). On a dry matter basis, insects were fairly low in fat (<10 %, except for caterpillars) and high in crude protein content (mean ca. 69 %) compared to other foods, and contained low levels of indigestible chitin. Because insects are small, an insect feeding bout is much shorter than a feeding bout on vegetation or fruit. Despite the small proportion of time spent feeding on insects, redtail monkeys obtained a mean of 24 % of their daily protein intake and 14 % of energy through insectivory, though intake varied widely across females. Our findings demonstrate that female redtail monkeys gain more nutrients than expected given that they spend <10 % of feeding time ingesting insects. The many primates that complement plant diet items with insects may gain substantial nutrition through minimal feeding time.

Food and nutrient intake among workers with different shift systems

ObjectivesOver 20% of employees in Europe work in shifts. Shift work increases the risk for chronic diseases, but a healthy lifestyle may attenuate the adverse effect of shift work. The...

Validation of Nutrient Intake Estimates Derived Using a Semi-Quantitative FFQ against 3 Day Diet Records in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging.

To examine the relative validity of a multicultural FFQ used to derive nutrient intake estimates in a community dwelling cohort of younger and older men and women compared with those derived from 3 day (3d) diet records during the same time-frame. Cross-sectional analyses. The Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA) conducted in the Baltimore, MD and District of Columbia areas. A subset (n=468, aged 26 to 95 years (y), 47% female, 65% non-Hispanic white) from the BLSA, with complete data for nutrient estimates from a FFQ and 3d diet records. Pearson's correlation coefficients (energy adjusted and de-attenuated) for intakes of energy and 26 nutrients estimated from the FFQ and the mean of 3d diet records were calculated in a cross-sectional analysis. Rankings of individuals based on FFQ for various nutrient intakes were compared to corresponding rankings based on the average of the 3d diet records. Bland Altman plots were examined for a visual representation of agreement between both assessment methods. All analyses were stratified by sex and age (above and below 65 y). Median nutrient intake estimates tended to be higher from the FFQ compared to average 3d diet records. Energy adjusted and de-attenuated correlations between FFQ intake estimates and records ranged from 0.23 (sodium intake in men) to 0.81 (alcohol intake in women). The FFQ classified more than 70 percent of participants in either the same or adjacent quartile categories for all nutrients examined. Bland Altman plots demonstrated good agreement between the assessment methods for most nutrients. This FFQ provides reasonably valid estimates of dietary intakes of younger and older participants of the BLSA.

Validation of a Brief Dietary Assessment Tool for Estimating Dietary EPA and DHA Intake in Australian Adults at Risk of Cardiovascular Disease

Background: Short food frequency questionnaires (FFQs) are powerful screening instruments for estimating nutrient intakes and play an important role in risk stratification in vulnerable populations. Omega-3 fatty acids are of increasing importance in the prevention of chronic and degenerative disease, especially in older adults who are at higher risk of these chronic conditions. A short FFQ exists to rapidly assess omega-3 intake from marine sources, however it has not previously been validated for agreement with total omega-3 intake and ability to identify suboptimal omega-3 intakes in older adults or for use in Australia.Objective: The aim of the study was to validate a 9-item marine omega-3 FFQ (MFQ) for assessment of omega-3 intake against a validated 74-item semiquantitative FFQ.Methods: One hundred and eight participants (mean age 67 ± 10 years, 47% male) completed the MFQ designed to estimate omega-3 intake from marine sources and the 74-item FFQ designed to estimate usual omega-3 and total energy intake in addition to other nutrients. To test agreement between the two questionnaires for estimating total omega-3 intake, mean bias and 95% limits of agreement (LOA) were calculated. Sensitivity and specificity were assessed using 2 × 2 contingency tables based on whether participants did or did not meet National Heart Foundation (NHF) recommendations for omega-3 intake per day.Results: Mean intake of omega-3 estimated from the MFQ was 210 ± 235 mg/day compared with 295 ± 260 mg/day as estimated by the FFQ. Mean bias (95% LOA) for omega-3 assessed by the two questionnaires was 89 mg/day (−475 mg to 653 mg). The MFQ achieved 98% sensitivity and 31% specificity for the omega-3 cut-off of 500 mg/day. When nutrient composition of the marine products were replaced with Australian data, mean intake of omega-3 was 230 ± 253 mg and the mean bias improved to 64 mg (−681 mg to 553 mg) and achieved 93% sensitivity and 40% specificity.Conclusions: The MFQ shows promise as a rapid screening tool for identifying older adults with intakes of omega-3 fatty acids likely to be below recommendations for chronic and degenerative disease risk reduction. Given the clinically meaningful mean bias and wide LOA, it cannot be recommended as an appropriate tool for the purpose of reporting average intake of individuals. Use of Australian nutrient data improved the mean bias of the tool in estimating total omega-3 intake. The values should be replaced and the MFQ could then be a useful tool for research purposes at the population level.