Nutrient Rich Foods Index Research Articles

Development and Validation of the Meiji Nutritional Profiling System per Serving Size.

Serving size may be the appropriate reference for calculating food nutritional value. We aimed to assess the nutritional values of Japanese foods based on serving sizes rather than per 100 g by adapting the Meiji Nutritional Profiling System (Meiji NPS). Given the variability in serving sizes across countries, we used Japanese serving sizes to calculate the Meiji NPS scores. We confirmed the convergent validity of the Meiji NPS scores per serving size with the Nutrient-Rich Food Index 9.3 using Spearman's correlation coefficients (r = 0.51, p < 0.001). Food groups recommended by official guidelines, such as pulses, nuts and seeds, fish and seafood, fruits, vegetables, and milk and milk products, scored relatively high. Furthermore, the nutrient density scores of food items with small serving sizes, such as mushrooms, algae, seasonings, and fats and oils, were moderated when calculated by per serving size, despite having considerably higher or lower scores per 100 g. These results indicate that calculating NPS per serving size allows for the assessment of the nutritional value of food items in accordance with actual consumption quantities. Therefore, the Meiji NPS calculated per serving size, alongside the per 100 g version, may be useful for dietary management depending on specific purposes.

Trends in Plant-Based Diets and the Associated Health Characteristics among Canadians.

In Canada, unhealthy dietary patterns comprise diets with poor nutrient density and are associated with chronic conditions. Plant-based diets have gained popularity due to their ability to provide a nutritionally adequate healthy diet. This study aims to compare sociodemographic, socioeconomic, and health characteristics, and diet quality between Canadian adults following plant-based and omnivore diets as well as assess the extent to which key nutrient intakes are of public health concern among Canadians following plant-based diets. The study used nationally representative nutritional data from the 2015 Canadian Community Health Survey and descriptive statistics were computed. The analysis determined that Canadians following strict plant-based diets (1% of total population) were significantly more likely to be an immigrant to Canada, less likely to meet national physical activity guidelines, and less likely to be overweight, compared to Canadians following omnivore diets. Compared to omnivore diets, plant-based diets were nutritionally superior according to the Nutrient-Rich Food index. Continued knowledge translation on what comprises healthy plant-based diets, public guidance on the intersection between diet and health, and the completion of prospective cohort studies are needed. To conclude, the research suggests well-planned plant-based diets, in comparison to omnivore diets, offer a nutrient-dense diet.

Association of Overnight Fasting and Meal Irregularity with Nutrient Quality and Anthropometric Measures in Adults

Background: Timing, frequency, and regularity as chrono-nutrition are emerging fields in nutritional epidemiology. The authors investigated the association of irregularity in energy intake, frequency, and overnight fasting with nutrient quality and health. Methods: Iranian adults who attended the health center of Tehran participated in this cross-sectional study. Dietary intake was derived from 3-day 24-h dietary recalls of 850 participants. Weight, height, and blood pressure of the participants were measured, and frequency, irregularity, and overnight fasting were recorded from 24-h dietary recall. Then, intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to obtain the consistency of time regarding three main meals. Following that, energy density was measured and nutrient density was calculated using the nutrient rich food (NRF 9.3) index. Obesity was defined as body mass index (BMI) &gt;30 kg/m2, and blood pressure was measured. Results: The highest consistency regarding the time of meal was observed at breakfast. Frequency was positively related to the intake of fruit, energy, carbohydrate, and NRF 9.3 index (P&lt;0.05). Overnight fasting was negatively associated with fruit, vegetable, grain, energy intake, and NRF 9.3 index (P&lt;0.05). Moreover, irregularity in energy intake showed a negative and significant association with fruits, vegetables, and NRF9.3 (P&lt;0.05). Frequency was significantly associated with weight and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) after adjustment with covariates (P&lt;0.05) and overnight fasting was negatively related to body weight (P=0.009). Moreover, irregularity in energy intake showed a significant association with systolic blood pressure (SBP) (P=0.03). Conclusions: Frequency and regularity may have a potential positive association with dietary intake which is not associated with BMI. Nutrient density is higher among the participants with a higher number of eating occasions, more regular eaters, and shorter overnight fasting.

Association of the Length of Service in the 24/48 Shift of Firefighters of the State Fire Service in Wroclaw on Selected Serum Biochemical Parameters of Nutritional Status.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the association of the quality of diet as calculated by the Nutrient Rich Food index (NRF9.3), and length of service (LS) (≤10 years vs. >10 years) with selected serum biochemical parameters, the proportions of different lipid profile fractions and advanced glycation endproduct (AGE) values of 108 firefighters from the State Fire Service in Wroclaw. The LS officers > 10 years had significantly higher total cholesterol (211.50 (184.00-254.00) vs. 184.00 (166.00-194.00)), LDL (123.75 (108.20-167.90) vs. 105.18 (90.24-119.00)) non-HDL (151.70 (132.00-196.70) vs. 122.00 (106.00-140.00)), triglycerides (118.50 (96.00-158.00) vs. 78.00 (67.00-103.00)) and lower HDL concentrations (51.30 (45.60-56.70) vs. 58.00 (51.70-66.10)) compared to firefighters in the LS ≤ 10 years group. Significant differences between the seniority groups were also noted for all lipid profile ratios. Regardless of the officers' seniority, systolic blood pressure was observed at the highest normal level of 134.4 ± 14.4 in the LS ≤ 10 years group and 139.5 ± 14.3 in the LS > 10 years group. Advanced glycation endproduct values were significantly dependent on diet quality, as expressed by the NRF9.3 index and on the TG/HDL ratio, but not on seniority. Diet quality, as expressed by the NRF9.3 index, had a significant association with GLU and FI levels, and components of the lipid profile between seniority groups. As NRF9.3 increased, TG/HDL, LDL/HDL, TC/HDL, and non-HDL/HDL ratios decreased. AGEs were significantly affected by NRF9.3 and significantly associated with TG/HDL. Firefighters' diets, as assessed by the NRF9.3 index, had a significant association with predictors of insulin resistance, diabetes, and cardiometabolic predictors between seniority groups. The nutritional education of firefighters (and other professional groups working irregularly), especially those with longer tenure (e.g., >10 years), is necessary to prevent the development of, e.g., CVD, MetS, and T2DM, which contribute towards a reduced ability to perform professional duties.

Japanese Diet Indices and Nutrient Density in US Adults: A Cross-Sectional Analysis with NHANES Data.

Previous studies have shown that Japanese dietary patterns are associated with high nutrient density. However, these studies were limited to the Japanese population. We examined this association in the US population. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2017-2018. We included 3138 people aged 20-79 years. Food and nutrient intake data were based on the 24 h recall method. Three Japanese diet indices were used: (1) Japanese Diet Index (JDI, based on 9 food items), (2) modified JDI (mJDI, based on 12 food items), and (3) weighted JDI (wJDI, selected and weighted from mJDI food items). The nutrient density (ND) score was calculated based on the Nutrient-Rich Food Index 9.3. Spearman's rank correlation coefficients were calculated. The correlation coefficients with the ND score were 0.24 (p < 0.001) for the JDI and 0.38 (p < 0.001) for the mJDI. The correlation coefficient between the wJDI and ND score was 0.48 (p < 0.001). The three Japanese diet indices were correlated with the ND score in all racial groups (p < 0.001). Even among the US population, higher degrees of Japanese diet defined by the JDI or mJDI were associated with higher nutrient density.

The International Breakfast Research Initiative—Evaluation and Comparison of Breakfast Nutrient Intakes in Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines with a View to Proposing a Harmonised Nutrient-Based Breakfast Recommendation

The International Breakfast Research Initiative is a global study of breakfast nutrition, involving 17 countries in four continents, aiming to derive nutrient-based regional recommendations for breakfast. This study aimed to propose a harmonised recommendation for three South-East Asian countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. For each country, data from nationally representative dietary surveys on the contribution of breakfast to daily nutrient intakes at both the adult population level and at the level of the upper tertile of daily nutrient density using the Nutrient Rich Food (NRF) Index were collated and examined. Energy intakes at breakfast ranged from 26 to 27% of daily energy intake. In all three countries, breakfast was carbohydrate-rich, providing 52 to 72% of breakfast energy intake, while it was higher in total and saturated fat in Malaysia and Indonesia. Intakes of fibre and vitamin C were low in all countries, while Malaysia tended to have higher intakes of most minerals, including sodium. Daily and breakfast nutrient intakes (at the population level and in the upper tertile of the NRF Index) were compared to the Codex Alimentarius nutrient reference values (NRVs) to assess adequacy. A decision tree was established based on these data to guide the development of recommendations for nutrient intakes at breakfast across the three countries.

Evaluation of nutritional value of common cooked food in Hubei Province by nutrient profiling

To understand the nutritional components of common cooked foods in Hubei Province. Forty-nine common cooked foods consumed by residents in Hubei Province were collected, and their edible parts were homogenized and tested for various nutrient contents according to the national standard method. The nutrient-rich foods index(NRF)model was used to calculate the NRF index(NRF 9.3) of various cooked foods, and the nutritional value of common cooked foods in Hubei Province was evaluated. The result of the nutrient-rich food index model showed that the NRF 9.3 index of all cooked dishes ranged from-176.9 to 224.4, the NRF 9.3 index ranking of all types of cooked food was mainly related to cooking method. The NRF 9.3 index of cold mixed vegetable dishes was generally higher than the 75th percentile value(66.9) of the monitoring result, indicating higher nutritional value. The mean NRF 9.3 index of fish and shrimp cooked foods(72.4)monitored in this study was higher than that of meat cooked foods(21.5). The sodium content of pickled vegetables and some pre-packaged cooked foods was relatively high, RESULTS: ing in negative NRF 9.3 index and lower nutritional value. The NRF 9.3 index of Xiangyang beef noodles(33.1)and tofu noodles(37.1)was higher than that of beef offal noodles(5.1). Vegetables and fish and shrimp are better sources of nutrition, and "cold and dressed with sauce" are a better way to cook. Pickled vegetables contain too many restricted nutrients, and their consumption frequency and amount should be reduced.

Lower intake of plant-derived nitrate is associated with higher odds of frailty: a cross- sectional study in community-dwelling older women

Frailty is a distinctive health state related to the ageing process in which multiple body systems gradually lose their in-built reserves, and is associated with declines across sensory, neurological, cardiovascular, and musculoskeletal systems(1). Previously, relationships have been identified between high dietary nitrate intake and several components of frailty including muscle strength and cognitive function, as well as vascular disease(2). However, little is known about the relationship between dietary nitrate intake and frailty in older adults. We investigated if higher habitual nitrate intake, derived from plant (e.g., vegetables, grains, beans, and fruits) and animal foods (e.g., meats, cheese, yoghurt) was associated with frailty in older women.1390 community-dwelling older women (mean age 75.1 ± 2.7 years) from the Perth Longitudinal Study of Ageing Women completed a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) at baseline (1998). Nitrate concentrations in food were obtained from our recently published international plant and animal nitrate databases and applied to each of the plant and animal foods within the FFQ (described in3). Frailty was operationalised using a standardised frailty index (FI) of cumulative deficits from 33 variables across multiple health domains (physical, mental, comorbidities), with a score ≥0.25 indicating frailty. Cross-sectional associations between dietary nitrate derived from plant and animal foods (separately) with frailty were analysed using multivariable-adjusted logistic regression models as part of restricted cubic splines. Models were adjusted for lifestyle and dietary factors (not used in the FI) that included age, smoking history, protein, alcohol, and energy intake.Frailty was observed in 276 (19.9 %) women. Median (IQR) daily plant and animal nitrate were 72.1 (55.6-90.0) mg/day and 3.5 (2.2-5.1) mg/day, respectively. A significant non-linear relationship was observed between higher plant nitrate intake and frailty, with a nadir recorded once intakes of ~64 mg/day were achieved (median of quartile [Q]2). Specifically, compared to women with the lowest intake of plant-derived nitrate (Q1, median 45 mg/day), women in Q2 (OR 0.69 95%CI 0.56-0.84), Q3 (OR 0.67 95%CI 0.50-0.90) and Q4 (OR 0.66 95%CI 0.45-0.98) had lower odds for frailty (all p&lt;0.05). Additional adjustment for diet quality (Nutrient Rich Food Index per 1000 kJ) or total plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D did not alter the findings. Nitrate derived specifically from vegetables and grains were found to drive these results. No relationship was observed between animal-derived nitrate and frailty.Community-dwelling older women consuming higher amounts of nitrate derived primarily from plants were less likely to present with frailty. Consuming 1-2 servings (75-150 g) per day of nitrate- rich green leafy vegetables, as part of total vegetable intake, will provide adequate nitrate levels (&gt;70 mg/day) that could serve as a novel intervention to limit frailty.

Development of Health-Promoting Edible Cricket Products by Using Sensory Evaluation Techniques.

In the fields of food science and technology, sensory evaluation is extensively studied to assess personal perception and acceptability. However, studies on Thai consumers' personal perceptions of and acceptability of food products containing crickets have not been conducted. The overall goal of this study was to find out how well-liked two food products containing house crickets were by Thai customers in good health regarding their sensory qualities. The 3-point Just-About-Right (JAR) scale measured the foods' sensory characteristics, including thickness, color, odor, sweetness, and saltiness. Food product approval among consumers was assessed using the 9-point Hedonic scale. Nutrient density was measured using the nutrient-rich foods (NRF) index, highlighting the potential health benefits of these products. For every attribute, the goodness-of-fit score of the cricket puffed rice (CPR) was higher than 70%. The cricket-galangal chili paste (CGCP) received a score of greater than 70% for color and odor, but the sweetness was required more since it had a JAR score of 53.3 percent. The customer acceptance scores of CPR and CGCP were 6.63-7.60 and 6.60-7.50 on the 9-point Hedonic scale. The NRF indices of the CPR and CGCP were 19.19 and 20.44 (intermediate levels). There was no need for improvements in the cricket puffed rice product, but cricket-galangal chili paste should be improved. Further study on nutrition facts is required.

Association between Diet Quality and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Patients with Coronary Heart Disease: Findings from the CORDIOPREV Study.

The incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is growing in Western countries. Nutritional interventions that promote high-quality dietary patterns could help reverse this trend. We aimed to evaluate whether changes in Nutrient-Rich Food Index 9.3 (NRF9.3) were related to the risk of developing T2DM in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). The study was carried out in the context of two healthy dietary interventions (a Mediterranean and a low-fat diet). For this purpose, we evaluated all the patients in the CORDIOPREV study without T2DM at baseline. Data were obtained during the first 5 years of dietary intervention. The score was calculated using the Food Frequency Questionnaires at baseline and after 1 year of intervention. After 5 years of follow-up, 106 patients developed T2DM (incident-T2DM), while 316 subjects did not (non-T2DM). Total NRF9.3 score and changes during the first year of intervention were compared between incident-T2DM and non-T2DM. Incident-T2DM showed less improvement in NRF9.3 than non-T2DM (p = 0.010). In the multi-adjusted Cox proportional hazard study, patients with greater improvement in NRF9.3 had over 50% less risk of developing T2DM compared with the lowest tertile (HR 2.10, 95%, CI = 1.12-3.56). In conclusion, improved diet quality in terms of nutrient density after the dietary intervention was associated with a lower risk of T2DM in patients with CHD.

Building nutritionally meaningful classification for grocery product groups: the LoCard Food Classification process.

Analysing customer loyalty card data is a novel method for assessing nutritional quality and changes in a population's food consumption. However, prior to its use, the thousands of grocery products available in stores must be reclassified from the retailer's original hierarchical structure into a structure that is suitable for the use of nutrition and health research. We created LoCard Food Classification (LCFC) and examined how it reflects the nutritional quality of the grocery product groups. Nutritional quality was considered the main criterion guiding the reclassification of the 3574 grocery product groups. Information on the main ingredient of the product group, purpose of use and carbon footprint was also used at the more granular levels of LCFC. The main challenge in the reclassification was a lack of detailed information on the type of products included in each group, and some of the groups included products that have opposite health effects. The final LCFC has four hierarchical levels, and it is openly available online. After reclassification, the product groups were linked with the Finnish food composition database, and the nutrient profile was assessed by calculating the Nutrient-Rich Food Index (NRFI) for each product group. sd in NRFI decreased from 0·21 of the least granular level to 0·08 of the most granular level of LCFC indicating that the most granular level of LCFC has more homogeneous nutritional quality. Studies that apply LCFC to examine loyalty card data with health and environmental outcomes are needed to further demonstrate its validity.

Development and Validation of the Meiji Nutritional Profiling System (Meiji NPS) to Address Dietary Needs of Adults and Older Adults in Japan.

This study introduces the Meiji Nutritional Profiling System (Meiji NPS), which was specifically designed to respond to age-related shifts in nutrient requirements among Japanese adults (<65 years old) and older adults (≥65 years old). Japan has one of the most aged societies in the world. The health issues of interest are malnutrition and lifestyle-related diseases among adults and frailty among older adults. Two versions of the NPS were developed based on nutrients to encourage (protein, dietary fibers, calcium, iron, and vitamin D), food groups to encourage (fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, and dairy), and nutrients to limit (energy, saturated fatty acids, sugars, and salt equivalents). The Meiji NPS for older adults did not include iron or saturated fatty acids. The algorithms were based on the Nutrient-Rich Foods Index (NRF). The convergent validity between the Meiji NPS and the existing NPSs for the same foods was confirmed using Spearman's correlation coefficients (NRF: r = 0.67 for adults and r = 0.60 for older adults; Health Star Rating: r = 0.64 for adults and r = 0.61 for older adults). The Meiji NPS may be useful for nutritional evaluation and reformulation of food products, tailored to adults and older adults to ameliorate health issues in Japan.

The dynamics in food selection stemming from price awareness and perceived income adequacy: a cross-sectional study using 1-year loyalty card data

BackgroundHigher cost of healthy foods may explain unhealthy dietary patterns in lower-income households. Unfortunately, combining food selection and nutrient intake data to price and expenditure is challenging. Food retailer’s customer loyalty card data, linked to nutrient composition database, is a novel method for simultaneous exploration of food purchases, price, and nutrition. ObjectivesWe studied the associations between perceived income adequacy (PIA) as a grouping variable with price (per kilogram or megajoule) and the volume of purchases (percentage of expenditure or energy) simultaneously as outcome variables for 17 most purchased food groups. MethodsWe used 1-year (2018) loyalty card data from the largest grocery chain in Finland. Participants were 28,783 loyalty cardholders who made ≥41% of food purchases from the retailer and answered an online questionnaire at the midpoint of data collection. The 5-level PIA described the perceived financial situation in the household. Energy and nutrient content of foods purchased were from the Finnish Food Composition Database Fineli. We calculated the Nutrient Rich Food Index per 100 g food using 11 nutrients. Trends in prices and expenditures between PIA levels were analyzed using 2-sided Jonckheere–Terpstra tests, with false discovery rate control (Benjamini–Hochberg method) and confounder adjustments (inverse probability weighting). ResultsLower PIA participants selected cheaper foods per kilogram and megajoule within most food groups. They also favored unhealthy food groups cheap in energy [<1 € (USD 1.18)/MJ]. Despite lower purchase price, the expenditure (%) among lower PIA was higher on alcohol, snacks, sugar-sweetened beverages, and sweets and chocolates. ConclusionsParticipants with lower PIA showed stronger price awareness. It is crucial to consider the pricing of competing alternative food groups, when steering toward environmentally sustainable and healthier food purchases. Package labeling might also direct the selection of healthier choices among the less expensive items within a food group.

Nutrient-rich food index 9.3 score and food choice values among female online food delivery users during COVID-19 pandemic

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has transformed eating habits, leading to an increased reliance on online food delivery. It's crucial to comprehend the diet quality and food choices among female users during this period.&#x0D; Objective: This study aims to explore the association between diet quality score and the food choice motives among female online food delivery users during the COVID-19 pandemic&#x0D; Methods: This online cross-sectional study involved surveying 405 female users recruited through consecutive sampling. The Food Choice Values Questionnaire (FCVQ) was utilized to understand their food choices, while nutrient intake and diet quality were assessed using the Nutrient-Rich Food 9.3 Index Score (NRF 9.3). Subsequently, the collected data underwent both univariate and multivariate analyses. Potential biases might arise due to time constraints during the pandemic and reliance on self-reported online data. Moreover, the method used to measure nutrient intake might not be ideal for this demographic, lacking tailored tests. Nonetheless, it’s important to highlight that the survey underwent prior validation among Indonesian adults, affirming its broad applicability.&#x0D; Results: Female users showed low average NRF 9.3 scores (241.67), indicating poor diet quality. Their prioritized food choice motives were also low. Significant associations surfaced between NRF 9.3 scores and food choice motives—tradition (p&lt;0.01, r: 0.229), comfort (p&lt;0.01, r: 0.223), organic (p&lt;0.01, r: 0.231), safety (p&lt;0.001, r: 0.162), weight control/health (p&lt;0.01, r: 0.171), and income (p&lt;0.05).&#x0D; Conclusion: The NRF 9.3 score is likely to increase when there are higher scores for tradition, comfort, and organic factors, and when income exceeds the minimum regional wage.

Ready-to-eat cereal consumption is associated with improved nutrient intakes and diet quality in Canadian adults and children across income levels.

Results from observational studies suggest ready-to-eat cereal (RTEC) consumption is associated with higher diet quality. In the United States, studies have shown that RTEC is an important contributor to nutrient intakes across income levels. However, it is unknown if this association varies by income level in the Canadian population. Given its affordability, RTEC may represent an important source of nutrients for lower-income individuals. This study evaluated the association of RTEC consumption with nutrient intakes and diet quality across household income levels in Canadian adults and children. Income and dietary data from 24 h dietary recalls were obtained from the 2015 Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS)-Nutrition in 6,181 children (2-18 years) and 13,908 adults (19+ years). Diet quality was assessed with a modified Nutrient Rich Food Index (NRF) 9.3. Income levels were stratified into low, middle, and high based on family size, and data were analyzed by RTEC consumption and income level using multivariate linear regression adjusted for energy, age, and sex. Diet quality was greater in adult and child RTEC consumers across all household income levels. Children and adults consuming RTEC also had higher nutrient intakes, including shortfall nutrients such as calcium, dietary fiber, iron, magnesium, and vitamin D. RTEC provided <10% of energy intake, <4% of saturated fat intake, and <9% of total sugar intake across all ages and income levels, while also providing one-third of daily iron intake and at least 10% of daily intake of dietary fiber, thiamin, folate, and vitamin B6. RTEC consumption was associated with improved nutrient intakes and diet quality in adults and children across household income levels. Nutrient dense and affordable food choices, such as RTEC, may be a helpful strategy to improve the diet quality of Canadians, particularly those with a lower household income.

A novel Nutrient Rich Food (NRFa11.3) score uses flavonoids and carotenoids to identify antioxidant-rich spices, herbs, vegetables, and fruit.

Nutrient profiling (NP) models designed to evaluate the healthfulness of plant-based foods ought to incorporate bioactive phytochemicals. Herbs and spices are one food group of current interest. Two new versions of the well-established Nutrient Rich Food (NRF) index were applied to spices, herbs, vegetables, fruit, and other plant-based foods. Analyses used the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) SR-28 nutrient composition database merged with the USDA Expanded Flavonoid database 3.3. The NRF4.3 model was based on protein, fiber, potassium, and vitamin C. The NRFa11.3 model was based on micronutrients with reported antioxidant activity (vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, copper, and zinc), carotenoids (alpha and beta carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, lycopene, lutein/zeaxantin) and flavonoids. Saturated fat, added sugar, and sodium were nutrients to limit. The NRF algorithm was based on sums of percent daily values (%DVs) capped at 100%. The NRF4.3 model awarded high scores to herbs and spices, cocoa powder, and nuts, but did not discriminate well among vegetables and fruit. The NRFa11.3 model performed better. Green leafy, red orange and cruciferous vegetables had the highest carotenoid content. Highest in flavonoids were cocoa powder, herbs and spices, and berries. Highest combined NRFa11.3 values were observed for herbs and spices, green leafy vegetables, cocoa, nuts, and red-orange and cruciferous vegetables. Fresh and dry herbs and spices, often ignored by NP models, were particularly nutrient-rich and may provide non-negligible amounts of key phytonutrients to the human diet.

Nutritional intake and determinants of nutritional quality changes from pregnancy to postpartum-a longitudinal study.

Nutrient requirements vary across the reproductive cycle, but research on changes in nutritional intake and quality from pregnancy to beyond the lactation period is limited. Thus, we aimed to study nutritional intake and quality changes, among Swedish pregnant participants from late pregnancy to 18 months postpartum and to study the determinants of nutritional quality changes. Participants (n = 72) were studied longitudinally from the third trimester of pregnancy and postpartum (2 weeks 4, 12, and 18 months postpartum). At each visit, participant characteristics and 4-day food diaries were collected. Nutritional quality was assessed by energy adjusted Nutrient Rich Food Index 11.3. Linear mixed models were used to analyze the determinants of change in nutritional quality. Intakes of carbohydrate energy percentage (E%), fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, and potassium were higher in the third trimester compared to postpartum, whereas intakes of E% protein and monounsaturated fat were lower. Adherence to recommended intakes was low at all study visits for saturated fat (4%-11%), fiber (15%-39%), vitamin D (8%-14%), folate (0%-2%), and iron (6%-21%). Overall, nutritional quality did not differ significantly from third trimester to postpartum. Shorter duration (<4 months) of lactation was negatively related to nutritional quality changes, whereas higher age was positively related to changes. In conclusion, nutritional intake from pregnancy to postpartum changed, whereas quality remained relatively stable, with age and lactation duration as determinants. Identification of people at risk of adverse dietary changes from pregnancy to the postpartum period should be further addressed in future larger and more diverse study populations.

Criterion validation of nutrient profiling systems: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundNutrient profiling systems (NPSs) use algorithms to evaluate the nutritional quality of foods and beverages. Criterion validation, which assesses the relationship between consuming foods rated as healthier by the NPS and objective measures of health, is essential to ensure the accuracy of NPSs. ObjectiveWe examined and compared NPSs that have undergone criterion validity testing in relation to diet-related disease risk and risk markers. MethodsAcademic databases were searched for prospective cohort and cross-sectional studies published before November, 2022. NPSs were eligible if they incorporated multiple nutrients or food components using an algorithm to determine an overall summary indicator (e.g., a score or rank) for individual foods. Studies were included if they assessed the criterion validity of an eligible NPS. Validation evidence was first summarized in narrative form by NPS, with random effects meta-analysis where ≥2 prospective cohort studies assessed the same NPS and outcomes. ResultsOf 4519 publications identified, 29 describing 9 NPSs were included in the review. The Nutri-Score NPS was assessed as having substantial criterion validation evidence. Highest compared with lowest diet quality as defined by the Nutri-Score was associated with significantly lower risk of cardiovascular disease (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.74; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.59, 0.93; n = 6), cancer (HR: 0.75; 95% CI: 0.59, 0.94; n = 5), all-cause mortality (HR: 0.74; 95% CI; 0.59, 0.91; n = 4) and change in body mass index (HR: 0.68; 95% CI: 0.50, 0.92; n = 3). The Food Standards Agency NPS, Health Star Rating, Nutrient Profiling Scoring Criterion, Food Compass, Overall Nutrition Quality Index, and the Nutrient-Rich Food Index were determined as having intermediate criterion validation evidence. Two other NPSs were determined as having limited criterion validation evidence. ConclusionsWe found limited criterion validation studies compared with the number of NPSs estimated to exist. Greater emphasis on conducting and reporting on criterion validation studies across varied contexts may improve the confidence in existing NPSs.

A three-component Breakfast Quality Score (BQS) to evaluate the nutrient density of breakfast meals.

Nutrient profiling methods can be applied to individual foods or to composite meals. This article introduces a new method to assess the nutrient density of breakfast meals. This study aimed to develop a new breakfast quality score (BQS), based on the nutrient standards previously published by the International Breakfast Research Initiative (IBRI) consortium. BQS was composed of three sub-scores derived from the weighted arithmetic mean of corresponding nutrient adequacy: an eLIMf sub-score (energy, saturated fat, free sugars, and sodium), a PF (protein and fiber) sub-score, and a VMn1 - 14 micronutrient sub-score, where n varied from 0 to 14. The effects of assigning different weights to the eLIMf, PF, and VMn were explored in four alternative models. The micronutrients were calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium, zinc, vitamin A, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B5, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, vitamin C, and vitamin D. Micronutrient permutations were used to develop alternate VMn1 - 14 sub-scores. The breakfast database used in this study came from all breakfasts declared as consumed by adults (>18 years old) in the French dietary survey INCA3. All models were tested with respect to the Nutrient Rich Food Index (NRF9.3). BQS sensitivity was tested using three prototype French breakfasts, for which improvements were made. The correlations of the models with NRF9.3 improved when the VMn>3 sub-score (n > 3) was included alongside the PF and eLIMf sub-scores. The model with (PF+VMn) and eLIMf each accounting for 50% of the total score showed the highest correlations with NRF9.3 and was the preferred final score (i.e., BQS). BQS was sensitive to the changing quality of three prototype breakfasts defined as tartine, sandwich, and cereal. The proposed BQS was shown to valuably rank the nutritional density of breakfast meals against a set of nutrient recommendations. It includes nutrients to limit along with protein, fiber, and a variable number of micronutrients to encourage. The flexible VMn sub-score allows for the evaluation of breakfast quality even when nutrient composition data are limited.

Association of the Length of Service of 24/48 Firefighters with the Quality of Their Diet and Selected Anthropometric Parameters.

The aim of the study was to examine the association of lengths of service (LS) ≤ 10 years and >10 years in 24/48 shifts with the quality of the observed diet based on the Nutrient Rich Food Index (NRF9.3) and selected anthropometric parameters of 130 firefighters of the State Fire Service (SFS) in Wroclaw, Poland. The study also analysed the individual components of the men's diets required to calculate the NRF9.3 index in both seniority groups. Men with LS > 10 years had statistically significant higher body weight (89.00 kg vs. 81.59 kg), body-fat level (22.80 kg vs. 17.95 kg), waist circumference (96.50 cm vs. 89.00 cm), body-fat percentage (21.94 ± 4.06% vs. 25.00 ± 5.45%), body mass index (BMI) (28.10 kg/m2 vs. 25.40 kg/m2) and waist-hip ratio (WHR) (0.84 0.92 vs. 0.84), compared to the LF ≤ 10 years group. In contrast, the quality of the men's dietary adherence, based on the calculated NRF9.3 index, did not differ between the study groups, and was 662.50 ± 103.1 and 664.78 for the LS ≤ 10 years and LS > 10 years groups, respectively. Based on a statistical analysis using the NRF9.3 diet quality index by tertile (NRF9.3-C), a leading and statistically significant association of LS > 10 years vs. ≤10 years was observed as to most of the anthropometric parameters studied. In contrast, the association of participants' diet quality, as assessed by the NRF9.3 index value, was insignificant for all anthropometric parameters studied.