Recall Method Research Articles

Effect of school feeding program on dietary folate intake among school adolescent girls in Sidama region, southern Ethiopia

BackgroundEthiopia recently initiated a school feeding program (SFP) that provides nutritious meals to vulnerable students during school to combat malnutrition and improve their nutrition. However, there is limited evidence regarding the program’s impact on dietary folate intake among adolescent girls. Improving folate status in adolescent girls is important to prevent neural tube defect and anemia This study was aimed at assessing the effect of the SFP on dietary folate intake among school adolescent girls in the Sidama Region, Southern Ethiopia.MethodsThis school-based cross-sectional study compared dietary folate intake among adolescent girls enrolled in schools with (n = 290) and without (n = 290) SFP. Multistage sampling method was used to select adolescent girls from 12 schools. The multiple pass 24-h dietary recall method was used to estimate the dietary intake of adolescent girls. Dietary diversity in the preceding day of the survey was assessed with the standard nine-food group score. Nutrient inadequacy was defined as a proportion of adolescents with dietary value of nutrient intake less than the recommended daily allowance (RDA). The dietary folate intake was compared between two groups using multilevel mixed effects linear regression model adjusted for potential confounders.ResultsThe result showed significantly higher mean (±SD) dietary folate intake in SFP beneficiaries (421.12 ± 78.60 μg/day) than the non-beneficiaries (393.26 ± 74.57 μg/day; β = 27.19, p < 0.001). SFP beneficiary girls had a significantly higher mean (±SD) dietary diversity score (5.24 ± 1.35) compared to non-beneficiary girls (4.83 ± 1.54; β = 0.40, p = 0.001). The prevalence of inadequate folate intake was significantly higher among no-beneficiaries (47.4%) compared to beneficiaries (36.9%; p = 0.01).ConclusionThe SFP in Sidama region improved folate intake and dietary diversity of adolescent girls. The evidence from this study supports the expansion of the program to enhance dietary intake of nutrients of adolescent girls in the region.

Synergistic impact of Composite Dietary Antioxidant Index and physical activity on fatty liver disease

BackgroundThe relationship between dietary antioxidants and fatty liver disease remains a topic of debate. This study aimed to examine the association between the Composite Dietary Antioxidant Index (CDAI) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)/metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD).MethodsThe study analyzed data from the 2003–2018 cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The study included 16,321 individuals aged 20–85 years. Food and nutrient intake data were based on the 24-h recall method. Multivariate logistic regression models were employed to examine the relationship between CDAI and NAFLD/MAFLD.ResultsIn the fully adjusted multivariate logistic regression model, CDAI demonstrated a significant negative correlation with NAFLD and MAFLD. Mediation analysis showed that inflammatory factors partially mediated the relationship between CDAI and NAFLD/MAFLD prevalence. The combination of high CDAI levels with effective physical activity was associated with a greater reduction in NAFLD/MAFLD prevalence than high CDAI levels alone.ConclusionOur study highlighted a negative association between CDAI and NAFLD/MAFLD, mediated by inflammatory factors. Additionally, participants with characteristics of active physical activity and high levels of CDAI were more strongly correlated with the reduced prevalence of NAFLD/MAFLD. Further research in clinical cohorts should be conducted to comprehensively investigate the impact of CDAI on NAFLD/MAFLD prevalence.

Determinants of malnutrition among adolescent females of age 15–19 years in an urban slum of Raipur city

ABSTRACT Context: Adolescent girls suffer the brunt of malnutrition due to increased nutritional needs to facilitate rapid growth spurt including menstruation and increased physical activity. This vulnerable group has low social power and is subjected to peer and social pressures related to body image and weight. All these factors along with the sociocultural milieu may lead to a spectrum of nutritional problems in them. Aims: To determine factors associated with malnourishment among adolescent females of age 15–19 years in an urban slum of Raipur City. Settings and Design: The study setting was the urban field practice area of the institute in Raipur. The study was an analytical cross-sectional study done from January 2022 to June 2023 among 401 adolescent girls of age 15–19 years. Methods and Material: The sampling was done using the consecutive sampling method. The study tools used were a semi-structured questionnaire on sociodemographic variables and details of the respondents, anthropometric measurements, dietary assessment using the 24-hour food recall method, and food consumption patterns using a food frequency questionnaire. Statistical Analysis Used: The Chi-square test of significance was applied to find the association between malnourishment with the input variables. For calculating the strength of the association, the odds ratio was estimated for those variables with P value < 0.2 in the Chi-square test, and later the odds ratio was adjusted for confounding with the same variables, using multivariable logistic regression. Results: According to BMI-for-age Z scores, 2% were severely thin (< −3 SD), 9.7% were thin (−3 to − 2 SD), 5% were overweight (1 to 2 SD), and 1.5% were obese (>2SD). While measuring the height-for-age Z scores, 5.5% had severe stunting and 21.9% had moderate stunting. Those respondents with educational status of high school or below [AOR 3.5 (1.8–6.8), P < 0.001] and those who did not consume a non-vegetarian diet [AOR 2.1 (1.1–4.1), P = 0.02] had significantly higher adjusted odds of being undernourished (severely thin or thin) as compared to those with educational status above high school and those who consumed a mixed diet, respectively. The respondents who are currently not going to school/college had significantly higher adjusted odds [AOR 2.2 (1.2–3.8), P = 0.007] of being stunted when compared to those who are attending school/college. Conclusions: The significant levels of malnutrition observed in this study among late adolescent girls aged 15–19 years—11.7% undernourishment, 6.5% overnourishment, and 27.4% stunting—highlight the concerning vulnerability of this population. The higher prevalence of stunting throws light onto the chronicity of malnutrition. As seen from the significant associations, proper education, and a mixed diet will help nurture a healthy female adolescent population.

Methodology for developing and validating Bangladesh healthy eating index: A study protocol.

One of the widely used methods for evaluating the overall quality of a diet is the Healthy Eating Index. In the present study protocol, we lay out the methodological approach to the development and validation of a healthy eating index specific for the Bangladeshi population (hereinafter referred to as Bangladesh Healthy Eating Index (BD-HEI)). Bangladesh Healthy Eating Index will be developed based on the Food-based dietary guidelines (FBDG) of Bangladesh. Using a scoring system that aligns with the eleven food groups outlined in the FBDG, the index will consist of eleven eating components. A cross-sectional community nutrition survey will be carried out among 1080 reproductive-aged women. Through this survey, quantitative dietary data will be collected following multiple pass 24h dietary recall method. Repeated 24-hour dietary data (of two consecutive days) will be collected from one-third of the respondents. Evaluating usual food and nutrient intake as well as the probability of nutrient intake adequacy, the study will examine the validity of the BD-HEI. Following a suitable statistical procedure, the reliability and construct validity of BD-HEI will be evaluated. Country-specific HEI can be used to assess the dietary quality of the people of that country. The findings from this research can inform policy decisions and strategies to promote healthier eating habits and combat the rising burden of diet-related diseases in the country.

Development and validation of a geographic search filter for MEDLINE (PubMed) to identify studies about Germany.

While geographic search filters exist, few of them are validated and there are currently none that focus on Germany. We aimed to develop and validate a highly sensitive geographic search filter for MEDLINE (PubMed) that identifies studies about Germany. First, using the relative recall method, we created a gold standard set of studies about Germany, dividing it into 'development' and 'testing' sets. Next, candidate search terms were identified using (i) term frequency analyses in the 'development set' and a random set of MEDLINE records; and (ii) a list of German geographic locations, compiled by our team. Then, we iteratively created the filter, evaluating it against the 'development' and 'testing' sets. To validate the filter, we conducted a number of case studies (CSs) and a simulation study. For this validation we used systematic reviews (SRs) that had included studies about Germany but did not restrict their search strategy geographically. When applying the filter to the original search strategies of the 17 SRs eligible for CSs, the median precision was 2.64% (interquartile range [IQR]: 1.34%-6.88%) versus 0.16% (IQR: 0.10%-0.49%) without the filter. The median number-needed-to-read (NNR) decreased from 625 (IQR: 211-1042) to 38 (IQR: 15-76). The filter achieved 100% sensitivity in 13 CSs, 85.71% in 2 CSs and 87.50% and 80% in the remaining 2 CSs. In a simulation study, the filter demonstrated an overall sensitivity of 97.19% and NNR of 42. The filter reliably identifies studies about Germany, enhancing screening efficiency and can be applied in evidence syntheses focusing on Germany.

Exploration of physical activity, sedentary behavior and insulin level among short sleepers.

Sufficient physical activity and sleep duration are essential for overall health. While one-third of the US population reports short sleep (<7 h), which is proven to link with negative health status. Current evidence on the relationship between physical activity, sedentary behavior, and serum insulin level in short sleep groups is limited. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) was used to conduct this cross-sectional study of 8,494 adults (NHANES) 2007-2018. Serum insulin was quantitatively tested by human insulin immunoassay. Short sleep conditions were defined as ≤7 h per night. Physical activity conditions, including work activity, recreational activity, and sedentary behavior, were self-reported in NHANES by the Physical Activity Questionnaire using a 7-day recall method. The main analyses utilized weighted linear regression models due to the complex multistage sampling design of NHANES. Subgroup analysis and the influence of different lipid indices were explored in this study. In addition, a sensitivity analysis of participants without diabetes was conducted. In fully adjusted models, increased levels of work and recreational activity significantly reduced insulin levels, with β values 95% CI = -0.002 (-0.003, 0.001) and β values 95% CI = -0.008 (-0.012, -0.003), respectively. However, sedentary behavior was positively associated with insulin levels, with a β value 95% CI =0.022 (0.009, 0.034). The sensitivity analysis further confirmed the benefits of recreational activity in controlling insulin levels. Through sex stratification analysis, it seemed that physical activity was more obviously impacted in the male than female groups. Overall, our analysis demonstrates that in short sleepers, an increased level of work and recreational activity is beneficial to control the insulin level, and more sedentary time is harmful. However, this association might be discrepant in different sexes and different levels of lipid indices.

Short-term impact of bariatric surgery on the dietary intake of patients with type 2 diabetes.

The prevalence of overweight and obesity and an unhealthy diet and lifestyle are the key causes of rising diabetes burden in India. Bariatric surgery is gaining popularity in India as a favored approach to manage obesity and its accompanying comorbidities. Despite this, there is a scarcity of Indian studies evaluating dietary intake. Our goal was to analyse the dietary intake of Indian patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who have undergone laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) or duodeno-jejunal bypass with sleeve gastrectomy (DJB-SG) or surgeries. The longitudinal observational study included 64 T2DM patients (32 in each procedure) enrolled through purposive sampling. The patients underwent surgery (LSG or DJB-SG procedure) between January 2017 and July 2019. Dietary data was collected at baseline and postsurgery (12 months) using a 24-h dietary recall method for 2 days (one working and one holiday). The total sample consisted of 27 (42.2%) females and 37 (57.8%) males. The mean age was 46.8 years. At 12 months, the follow-up for the LSG and DJB-SG procedures was 100% and 78%, respectively. In the short term, a significant reduction was seen in weight, body mass index and haemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) in both surgical groups. The two procedures were comparable with respect to weight loss but improvement in glycaemia was higher in the DJB-SG group. The dietary intake (food groups and nutrients) was similar in the two surgical groups at baseline and 12 months postsurgery. Dietary intake assessment showed significant reduction in calorie dense foods (cereals, roots and tubers, fats and oils, table sugar, and biscuits) in both surgical groups. Among nutrients, intake of energy, fats, carbohydrates, dietary fibre, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, folate and iron were reduced significantly in both procedures. Vitamin D (84.4% patients in LSG group and 81.3% patients in DJB-SG) and iron (62.5% patients in LSG group and 68.8% patients in DJB-SG) were commonly prevalent nutritional deficiencies at baseline and were significantly reduced at 12 months. In the short term, bariatric surgery resulted in weight loss and improvement in glycaemia. Bariatric surgery does significantly affect dietary intake leading to nutritional deficiencies. Therefore, patients should be recommended vitamin and mineral supplements and regular patient education and counselling by a trained bariatric dietitian to prevent nutritional deficiencies and maintain nutritional status.

Employing Different Algorithms of Lightweight Convolutional Neural Network Models in Image Distortion Classification

The majority of applications use automatic image recognition technologies to carry out a range of tasks. Therefore, it is crucial to identify and classify image distortions to improve image quality. Despite efforts in this area, there are still many challenges in accurately and reliably classifying distorted images. In this paper, we offer a comprehensive analysis of models of both non-lightweight and lightweight deep convolutional neural networks (CNNs) for the classification of distorted images. Subsequently, an effective method is proposed to enhance the overall performance of distortion image classification. This method involves selecting features from the pretrained models’ capabilities and using a strong classifier. The experiments utilized the kadid10k dataset to assess the effectiveness of the results. The K-nearest neighbor (KNN) classifier showed better performance than the naïve classifier in terms of accuracy, precision, error rate, recall and F1 score. Additionally, SqueezeNet outperformed other deep CNN models, both lightweight and non-lightweight, across every evaluation metric. The experimental results demonstrate that combining SqueezeNet with KNN can effectively and accurately classify distorted images into the correct categories. The proposed SqueezeNet-KNN method achieved an accuracy rate of 89%. As detailed in the results section, the proposed method outperforms state-of-the-art methods in accuracy, precision, error, recall, and F1 score measures.

MTC-NET: A Multi-Channel Independent Anomaly Detection Method for Network Traffic.

In recent years, deep learning-based approaches, particularly those leveraging the Transformer architecture, have garnered widespread attention for network traffic anomaly detection. However, when dealing with noisy data sets, directly inputting network traffic sequences into Transformer networks often significantly degrades detection performance due to interference and noise across dimensions. In this paper, we propose a novel multi-channel network traffic anomaly detection model, MTC-Net, which reduces computational complexity and enhances the model's ability to capture long-distance dependencies. This is achieved by decomposing network traffic sequences into multiple unidimensional time sequences and introducing a patch-based strategy that enables each sub-sequence to retain local semantic information. A backbone network combining Transformer and CNN is employed to capture complex patterns, with information from all channels being fused at the final classification header in order to achieve modelling and detection of complex network traffic patterns. The experimental results demonstrate that MTC-Net outperforms existing state-of-the-art methods in several evaluation metrics, including accuracy, precision, recall, and F1 score, on four publicly available data sets: KDD Cup 99, NSL-KDD, UNSW-NB15, and CIC-IDS2017.

“Food frequency questionnaire for dietary intake of iron in pregnancy- A validation study”

Background and objectiveNutrition in pregnancy plays an important role for wellbeing of mother and fetus, later it further influences the development of child. Iron is one among the most important micronutrients required in pregnancy. There is no validated Food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) to assess iron intake in pregnant women. This initiated the process to develop and validate a FFQ to assess dietary intake of Iron in Pregnant women. MethodologyBased on the food habits in study region and foods rich in iron, in reference to the standard literature, the FFQ was prepared. FFQ was designed in the following categories-cereal grains and products, pulses & legumes, green leafy vegetables, roots-tuber & other vegetables, nuts & seeds, Fruits, non-veg foods and milk & milk products. Content validity carried out by subject experts. To perform construct validity, 25 Primary health centre and 25 Tertiary care hospital pregnant women were interviewed using this FFQ and 24 h diet recall method. The results of both records were analyzed using Wilcoxon signed rank test. Internal reliability (Cronbach's alpha) and construct validity (Pearson correlation) of the questionnaire were determined. ResultsOverall internal reliability of questionnaire is 0.804, indicating good reliability and showing satisfactory construct validity. Median dietary iron intake from FFQ method was 7.67 mg/day and 24 h dietary recall method was 15.70 mg/day. There was a significant difference between both method in assessing dietary iron intake. ConclusionThe FFQ designed in this study is reliable and valid tool to assess dietary iron intake among pregnant women.

Longitudinal associations of dietary fiber and its source with 48-week weight loss maintenance, cardiometabolic risk factors and glycemic status under metformin or acarbose treatment: a secondary analysis of the March randomized trial

AimsTo examine longitudinal and dose-d ependent associations between dietary fiber intake and various clinical outcomes over 48 weeks of pharmacological treatment in T2DM patients.MethodsIn this secondary analysis, we used data from the MARCH trial, which was designed to compare the efficacy of acarbose or metformin monotherapy as the initial therapy in Chinese patients newly diagnosed with T2DM. Dietary data were obtained using a 24-h dietary recall method to evaluate the intakes of dietary fiber from different sources as well as the carbohydrate-to-fiber ratio.ResultsA total of 551 newly-diagnosed patients with T2DM complete dietary records (286 in the acarbose group and 265 in the metformin group) were included. Higher intake of total fiber and whole grain fiber was positively associated with better β‐cell function, insulin sensitivity and postprandial glycemic control under acarbose treatment. Higher intake of legume fiber was associated with better glycemic control under both acarbose and metformin treatment but with better weight loss only under metformin treatment. A high-carbohydrate–low-fiber diet was associated with worse glycemic control and lower HDL-C under acarbose treatment but with higher insulin sensitivity and better weight loss under metformin treatment.ConclusionsThe notable effects of various dietary fibers when combined with different oral glucose-lowering medications should be considered to maximize therapeutic benefit.

Evaluation of immunisation coverage and its determinants among children aged 12–23 months in urban slum areas of Jhalawar city

ABSTRACT Background: Immunisation services does not reach over one third of urban poor children. There is clear cut difference of children completely immunised in the low as compared to high standard of living index in urban areas. This difference is more marked in low performing states like Rajasthan and this difference as compared to better performing states like Kerala. Such inter-state differentials indicate the importance of extra focus on low performing states like Rajasthan. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 550 children aged 12–23 months in an urban slum of a district in southern Rajasthan. Along with the immunisation coverage, determinants associated with incomplete immunisation was assessed. The child’s immunisation was ascertained using the immunisation cards/Mamta cards or in whom cards not available WHO recall method was used. The Chi-square test was used to find out statistical significance. Results: Of 550 children studied, 417 (75.8%) were fully immunised, 117 (21.3%) were partially immunised and 16 of them were non immunised (2.9%). When the determinants of incomplete immunisation were assessed, all were found statistically significant. Conclusion: The present study concluded that immunisation coverage is lower than that of the target. The factors thought to have influenced immunisation such as religion, family composition, education of mother and gender of child were discovered to be statistically significant.

Radio frequency interference identification using dual cross-attention and multi-scale feature fusing

Radio astronomy plays a very important role in promoting scientific progress and unraveling the mysteries of the universe. However, radio telescopes are inevitably affected by radio frequency interference (RFI) when receiving radio signals, which leads to a reduction in data quality and has a serious impact on the formation of correct scientific conclusions. Therefore, it is essential to identify the RFI present in the observational data. In order to effectively identify RFI, improve the existing RFI identification methods that suffer from missed detections, and enhance the performance of RFI identification, this paper proposes a novel method that combines a dual cross-attention mechanism with multi-scale feature fusion. Experimental studies were conducted using the observational data from the 40-meter radio telescope at the Yunnan Astronomical Observatory of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The proposed method achieved scores of 92.49%, 83.90%, and 87.99% in terms of precision, recall, and F1−score, respectively. It outperformed existing methods (U-Net, RFI-Net, R-Net6, RFI-GAN, EMSCA-UNet) in recall and F1−score, effectively reducing the occurrence of missed detections and improving the overall performance of radio frequency interference identification.

Comparison of estimated sodium intake by dietary recall method and spot urine samples in patients with CKD

Comparison of estimated sodium intake by dietary recall method and spot urine samples in patients with CKD

SOURCES AND CONSEQUENCES OF HIGH SALT CONSUMPTION IN MOSCOW: A STUDY OF DIETARY HABITS

The aim of this study was to examine the level of salt consumption among various population groups in Moscow. The study was conducted using the 24-hour dietary recall method (24hDR) and the food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) over the course of one year. The results showed that 49.6% of Muscovites have excessive salt consumption, with this phenomenon being more prevalent among men (60.3%) compared to women (41.9%). Data analysis revealed significant consumption of high-salt foods and dishes, highlighting the need for monitoring and adjusting salt intake in the diet to prevent hypertension and cardiovascular diseases.

Food consumption and adherence to dietary guidelines among Jordanian children and adolescents

Background Early-life food consumption patterns may affect children’s health by increasing susceptibility to developing non-communicable chronic diseases (NCDs) in adulthood. Aims To evaluate Jordanian children and adolescents’ energy and macronutrient intake and how closely they adhere to dietary recommendations. Methods This cross-sectional study used data from Jordan’s Population-based Food Consumption Survey, a household population-based study conducted in Jordan between 2021 and 2022 (561 children and adolescents 8-19 years). Dietary intake was assessed using the two non-consecutive 24-hour dietary recall methods (24-h DR). The estimated food group and nutrient intakes were compared to nutritional recommendations, including MyPlate dietary guidelines. Results The prevalence of overweight/obese individuals based on body mass index (BMI) was 44%, and the average waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) was 24.7%. Compared to MyPlate dietary guidelines, children and adolescents had a higher added sugar intake (57g/day). Also, consuming vegetables, fruits, and dairy fell short of MyPlate dietary guidelines. The total discretionary calorie intake in children and adolescents was approximately one-third of the total energy intake. Conclusion The food consumption of Jordanian children and adolescents includes high intakes of discretionary calories, with a low intake of fruits, vegetables, and dairy products. The prevalence of overweight/obesity was elevated compared to international norms.

Nutritional Status and Food Habits of Child Labor in Rangpur City, Bangladesh

Background: In Bangladesh, the harsh reality of child labor persists, with over 8 million children engaged in such work. This not only deprives them of their childhood but also has severe implications for their mental and physical health. This study seeks to investigate the daily food intake and nutritional status of child laborers in Rangpur City, shedding light on the broader health impacts of child labor in this region. Methods: The study employed a structured questionnaire and anthropometric measurements to assess the socioeconomic status and dietary habits of participants. Pretesting ensured questionnaire accuracy, while daily and weekly recall methods captured comprehensive food consumption data. Socioeconomic inquiries included income, education, employment, and family details, providing a holistic understanding of participants' circumstances. Results: The survey highlights that most working children are aged 12-14, predominantly employed in mechanics and sales, working long hours under precarious conditions for low wages, primarily to support their families. Despite some attending primary school and receiving employer-provided meals and medical aid, these children struggle with inadequate education and nutrition, and a high incidence of workplace accidents. Conclusion: Child laborers have often poorer nutritional status than the average person. They are not provided with a proper diet. Consequently, they are dealing with various health problems.

Average Carbohydrate and CaLoric Intake of Patients with Type-2 diabetes at a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan: ACCLIP study.

Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is one of the most common chronic non-communicable diseases and a serious health issue worldwide because of its rising prevalence amongst the young adults. Dietary diversity, rapid economic development and sedentary lifestyle are amongst the common factors contributing for the rapid rise of diabetes. Our objective was to assess the average carbohydrate (CHO) and caloric consumption and its association with obesity and disease status in patients with Type-2 diabetic patients in an outpatient setting. This study was performed at an outpatient department (OPD), of Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar. Patients with T2DM were interviewed who completed dietary assessment using 24 hours dietary recall method. A total of 150 patients with Type-2 diabetes were interviewed. The mean carbohydrate intake was 400.3±106 mg/day, out of which 43.3 % participant's had carbohydrate intake above recommendations. The mean energy intake for all participants was 2504.5±587.4 Kcal/day. Majority of the participants were overweight and obese with mean BMI of 28kg/m2 ± 4.4. There was no significant difference in energy and carbohydrate intake between male and female participants. Majority of Pakistani patients with Type-2 diabetes consume foods rich in carbohydrate as well as have high caloric value. These finding were more in patients with no formal education compared to those who were well educated with a degree.

Dietary Sugar and Saturated Fat Consumption Associated with the Gastrointestinal Microbiome during Pregnancy

BackgroundGrowing evidence supports changes in the gastrointestinal microbiome over the course of pregnancy may have an impact on the short- and long-term health of both the mother and the child. ObjectiveOur objective was to explore the association of diet quality, as measured by the Healthy Eating Index (HEI), with the composition and gene ontology (GO) representation of microbial function in the maternal gastrointestinal microbiome during pregnancy. MethodsWe conducted a retrospective, observational analysis of n = 185 pregnant participants in the Pregnancy Eating Attributes Study. Maternal dietary intake was assessed in the first trimester using the automated self-administered 24-h recall method, from which the HEI 2015 was calculated. Rectal swabs were obtained in the second trimester and sequenced using the NovaSeq 6000 system shotgun platform. We used unsupervised clustering to identify microbial enterotypes representative of maternal taxa and GO functional term composition. Multivariable linear models were used to identify associations between taxa, functional terms, and food components while controlling for relevant covariates. Multinomial regression was then used to predict enterotype membership based on a participant’s HEI food component score. ResultsThose in the high diet quality tertile had a lower early pregnancy BMI [mean (M) = 23.48 kg/m2, SD = 3.38] compared with the middle (M = 27.35, SD = 6.01) and low (M = 27.49, SD = 6.99) diet quality tertiles (P < 0.01). There were no statistically significant associations between the HEI components or the total HEI score and the 4 alpha diversity measures. Differences in taxa and GO term enterotypes were found in participants with, but not limited to, a higher saturated fat component score (β = 1.35, P = 0.01), added sugar HEI component (β = 0.07, P < 0.001), and higher total dairy score (β = 1.58, P = 0.01). ConclusionsSpecific dietary components are associated with microbial composition and function in the second trimester of pregnancy. These findings provide a foundation for future testable hypotheses.

The effects of shift work on sleep quality, diet quality, and obesity-related factors: A male population study

ABSTRACT Recent studies suggest that shift working may trigger health issues through disrupted circadian rhythms and altered eating habits. This study aimed to examine the possible associations of shift work with sleep quality, diet quality and obesity-related parameters. This study was conducted with 150 males (75 shift and daytime workers) aged 24–50 years. Dietary intake was determined using the 24-hour recall method, and dietary quality was evaluated using the Healthy Eating Index-2010 (HEI-2010). Anthropometrical measurements and body composition were assessed. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index was used to evaluate sleep quality. Fasting and postprandial glucose and insulin, and fasting lipid levels were analyzed. HOMA-IR was calculated, and blood pressure was measured. The total HEI-2010 score of shift workers (52.6 [45.4–58.8]) was lower than the daytime workers (55.9 [49.1–64.9]) (p = 0.016). Among individuals with good sleep quality, the total HEI-2010 score, seafood and plant proteins, fatty acids, and sodium scores were lower in shift workers compared to others (p < 0.05 for each). Non-obese shift workers had higher body weight, waist circumference, waist/hip ratio, VLDL-cholesterol, triglyceride, postprandial glucose, and insulin levels compared to daytime workers (p < 0.05 for each). This study demonstrates that shift working is associated with lower diet quality independent of sleep quality.