Semi-quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire Research Articles

The Association Between Inflammatory Dietary Pattern and Risk of Cognitive Impairment Among Older Adults with Chronic Diseases and Its Multimorbidity: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The present study aimed to explore the association between the inflammatory potential of diet, assessed by energy-adjusted dietary inflammatory index (E-DII) and reduced rank regression (RRR)-derived inflammatory dietary pattern, and the risk for cognitive impairment (CI) in community-dwelling older adults, especially in older adults with chronic diseases and multimorbidity. A total of 549 older adults from Taiyuan city were included in the present cross-sectional study. The Chinese Version of the Mini-Mental State Examination (CMMSE) was used for the evaluation of cognitive function. E-DII score was calculated based on semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Blood samples, including interleukin (IL)-1β, interleukin (IL)-18, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and C-reactive protein (CRP), were tested for calculating RRR-derived inflammatory dietary pattern. Logistic regression was used to assess the association between inflammatory dietary pattern and risk of CI. In addition, patients with diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and multimorbidity were screened for further analysis among 549 older adults. In those 549 older adults, adjusting for demographic characteristics and chronic disease status, there was no association between E-DII score tertile (OR T3VST1 : 1.357, 95%CI:0.813~2.265, P trend = 0.267), RRR-derived inflammatory dietary pattern score tertile (OR T3VST1 : 1.092, 95%CI:0.679~ 1.758, P trend = 0.737) and risk of CI. However, in older adults with diabetes and multimorbidity, the score tertile of E-DII and RRR-derived inflammatory dietary pattern were positively correlated with risk of CI in a dose-responsive manner (All P trend < 0.05). There is insufficient evidence to reach similar conclusion in patients with hypertension and hyperlipidemia (All P trend > 0.05). In the present study, pro-inflammatory diet contributed to the increased risk of CI in older adults with diabetes and multimorbidity. These results supplemented vital evidence for the prevention and treatment of CI in older adults with chronic diseases.

Biochemical and nutritional determinants of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in Omani adult patients: a case-control study

Background: Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is a risk factor for atherosclerosis, diabetes, kidney disease, and liver cirrhosis. Limited research exists on the biochemical and nutritional elements influencing NAFLD among adult patients in Oman. Objective: This study aimed to characterize the biochemical parameters and nutritional factors of Omani adults diagnosed with NAFLD at the Diwan Polyclinic in Muscat, Oman. Methods: This retrospective case–control study included 104 participants (52 cases and 52 controls) who have 2 or more risk factors for NAFLD and were referred to the Radiology department from January 2021 to January 2022 for abdominal ultrasound after Internal Medicine consultations. A validated scale, incorporating a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire, was employed. Results: The study revealed a significantly higher risk of NAFLD among men (69%) compared to women (31%). A common characteristic among participants was a prior diabetes diagnosis, 61.5% of the case group and 65% of the control group. While average liver enzyme levels were within the normal range for both groups, alanine transaminase levels were notably elevated in the case group. The case group exhibited a significantly higher average caloric intake than the control group. Conclusion: NAFLD is significantly more common among men. Alanine transaminase is significantly high in NAFLD group, which might be considered as a biochemical marker for NAFLD, but further investigations are needed. Moreover, high daily caloric intake is directly related to NAFLD.

Application of machine learning algorithm incorporating dietary intake in prediction of gestational diabetes mellitus.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) significantly affects pregnancy outcomes. Therefore, it is crucial to develop prediction models since they can guide timely interventions to reduce the incidence of GDM and its associated adverse effects. A total of 554 pregnant women were selected and their sociodemographic characteristics, clinical data and dietary data were collected. Dietary data was investigated by a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). We applied random forest mean decrease impurity for feature selection and the models are built using Logistic Regression, XGBoost, and LightGBM algorithms. The prediction performance of different models was compared by Accuracy, Sensitivity, Specificity, Area Under Curve (AUC) and Hosmer-Lemeshow test. Blood glucose, age, pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) were the top five features according to the feature selection. Among the three algorithms, XGBoost performed best with an AUC of 0.788, LightGBM came second (AUC = 0.749), and Logistic Regression performed the worst (AUC = 0.712). In addition, XGBoost and LightGBM both achieved a fairly good performance when dietary information was included, surpassing their performance on the non-dietary dataset (0.788 vs. 0.718 in XGBoost; 0.749 vs. 0.726 in LightGBM). XGBoost and LightGBM algorithms outperform Logistic Regression in predicting GDM among the Chinese pregnant women. In addition, dietary data may have a positive effect on improving model performance, which deserves more in-depth investigation with larger sample size.

Vitamin C Intake and Anti-Tuberculosis Drugs-Induced Hepatitis in Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients

Introduction: Drug-induced hepatitis (DIH) is one of the serious side effects of anti-tuberculosis drugs (ATD) that can reduce patient compliance with tuberculosis (TB) treatment, increase the risk of treatment failure, or develop drug resistance. Vitamin C is a potential antioxidant known to have a protective effect against DIH. This study examined the relationship between vitamin C intake and the incidence of ATD-induced hepatitis (ATDIH) in pulmonary TB patients at Persahabatan National Respiratory Referral Hospital, Jakarta. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 108 patients with drug-sensitive pulmonary TB. Data was collected using a sociodemographic questionnaire, anthropometric measurements, semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (SQ FFQ), and data on the subject's liver function laboratory results in the last 1 month. Fisher exact test was utilized to analyze the association between adequacy of vitamin C intake and DIH. Results: The proportion of DIH in pulmonary TB patients in this study was 6.5%. Most subjects were males (54.6%) with a median age of 41. The median vitamin C intake was 66.65 mg/day, with 63.0% of patients having an intake below the recommendation. Fisher's exact test showed that vitamin C intake was not statistically significantly associated with the incidence of ATDIH (OR 3.77 95% CI 0.44-32.55, p-value 0.256). No factors also influenced the incidence of ATDIH in this study. Conclusion: No association was found between vitamin C intake and other factors related to the incidence of ATDIH. This is the first study in Indonesia to link vitamin C and E intake with the incidence of DIH in drug-sensitive pulmonary TB patients, providing information for future studies.

High dietary antioxidant index associated with reduced insulin resistance in female Mexican children and adolescents

Antioxidant intake is inversely associated with different health outcomes; however, its association with insulin resistance (IR) has not been well documented. We hypothesized that the Dietary Antioxidant Index (DAI) is inversely associated with IR in Mexican children and adolescents. A cross-sectional analysis was performed using data from the Health Workers Cohort Study. A total of 830 children and adolescents aged 7 to 18 years were enrolled. The DAI was evaluated in three categories defined by tertiles using a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. IR was defined using previously reported cutoff points in the homeostasis model assessment. This association was evaluated using a multiple logistic regression model. Stratified analysis was performed using body mass index and sex. The prevalence of IR based on the DAI categories (low, medium, high) was 23.8%, 24.2%, and 15.3%, respectively. The IR odds ratio (OR) for participants in the highest DAI category was 0.49 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.30-0.80). Notably, female Children and Adolescents in the highest DAI category had significantly lower odds of developing IR than those in the lowest DAI category (OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.29-0.98). Participants with overweight/obesity showed a similar association (OR 0.37, 95% CI 0.18-0.76). These results suggest that the DAI is inversely associated with IR, particularly in females, highlighting the potential role of antioxidants in preventing IR. This underscores the need to establish recommendations for antioxidant consumption in female children and adolescents.

Association between nut consumption and mortality risk: a 20-year cohort study in Korea with a stratified analysis by health-related variables.

Although nuts are a well-known healthy food group, the relationship between nut consumption and mortality remains unclear, particularly among Asians. This prospective cohort study examined the association between nut consumption and the risk of all-cause, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and cancer mortality in Korean adults. Data from two cohorts (the Ansan-Ansung and Health-Examinees) from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study were used. A total of 114,140 individuals aged 40-79 years were included in the data analyses. Nut consumption was assessed using a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire and categorized into four groups: non-consumers, less than 1 serving/week, 1-2 servings/week, and 2 or more servings/week (one serving was 15g of nuts). Mortality outcomes were determined based on the 2001-2021 death records from Statistics Korea. Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for mortality across nut consumption categories. A stratified subgroup analysis by health-related variables was also performed. During a mean follow-up of 12.3 years, 4,559 deaths were recorded. After adjusting for covariates, the HR for all-cause mortality was 0.877 (95% CI = 0.772-0.996, p for trend = 0.006) in individuals with a nut consumption of 2 or more servings/week compared with that in non-consumers. Multivariable HRs for CVD mortality were 0.800 (95% CI = 0.681-0.939) in individuals consuming less than 1 serving/week, 0.656 (95% CI = 0.469-0.918) in those consuming 1-2 servings/week, and 1.009 (95% CI = 0.756-1.347) in those consuming 2 or more servings/week compared with that in non-consumers (p for trend = 0.080). No association was observed between nut consumption and cancer mortality. Stratified analysis identified significant interactions in the association between nut consumption and all-cause mortality by age, body mass index, and physical activity. Nut consumption was linearly associated with the reduced risk of all-cause mortality and showed a non-linear dose-response relationship with CVD mortality in Koreans, but had no association with cancer mortality. The effects of nut consumption, which have been inadequately investigated in this population, varied across different subgroups. These findings suggest that incorporating nuts into the diet should be encouraged for long-term health of Korean adults.

Influence of dietary cholesterol on metabolic syndrome risk in middle-aged Korean adults: using the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES)

BackgroundThe association between dietary cholesterol and metabolic diseases remains controversial. However, the majority of studies focus on egg intake, and there is a limitation in the availability of prospective cohort studies. Our study examined the association between dietary cholesterol and the incidence risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in middle aged adults using large prospective cohort study in Republic of Korea.MethodsThe Health Examinees cohort from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study was used from baseline to follow-up. Dietary cholesterol intake was assessed by the validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Participants were classified as quintile groups according to adjusted dietary cholesterol for total energy intake. MetS was defined as more than 3 of the 5 components of MetS. Hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for MetS were evaluated by multivariable cox regression analyses.ResultsOf the total 40,578 participants, metabolic syndrome developed in 4,172 (10.28%) individuals during an average follow-up period of approximately 4.76 years. Dietary cholesterol did not exhibit a significant association with the risk of MetS after adjusting for potential confounding factors, but a trend was observed indicating an increased risk with higher intake (p for trend = 0.044). Among the components of MetS, the incidence risk of high waist circumference (HR: 1.164, 95% CI: 1.049–1.290), high blood pressure (HR: 1.188, 95% CI: 1.075–1.313), high serum triglyceride (HR: 1.132, 95% CI: 1.044–1.227) and high fasting blood glucose (HR: 1.217, 95% CI: 1.132–1.308) in the group that consumed the highest dietary cholesterol intake was increased compared with the group that consumed the lowest dietary cholesterol intake. Dose-response relationship suggested a positive linear association between dietary cholesterol intake and the risk of high waist circumference (p-linearity = 0.004), blood pressure (p-linearity = 0.012), and triglycerides (p-linearity = 0.005).ConclusionThis study suggests a positive association between dietary cholesterol intake and the risk of MetS and its components (abdominal obesity, hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, and hyperglycemia) in middle-aged Korean adults.

Diet quality indices are associated with breast cancer by molecular subtypes in Mexican women.

Inconclusive epidemiological evidence suggests that diet quality indices may influence breast cancer (BC) risk; however, the evidence does not consider the molecular expression of this cancer. We aimed to evaluate if diet quality is related to molecular subtypes of BC, in women residing in Northern Mexico. This is a secondary analysis of 1,045 incident cases and 1,030 population controls from a previous case-control study, conducted between 2007 and 2011 in Northern Mexico. Information about the expression of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2) was obtained from medical records to classify BC as luminal (ER + and/or PR+/HER2-), HER2+ (ER+/-and/or PR+/-/HER2+), or triple-negative (TN) (ER- and PR-/HER2-) cases. Food consumption was assessed with a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Diet quality was evaluated using the Mexican Diet Quality Index (MxDQI) and the Mexican Alternative Healthy Eating Index (MxAHEI). We used unconditional logistic regression models to estimate the association between Mexican diet quality indices and BC molecular subtypes. The MxDQI was related to lower odds of BC (ORT3vsT1=0.24; 95%CI: 0.18, 0.31). Similarly, MxAHEI was negatively associated with BC (ORT3vsT1=0.43; 95%CI: 0.34, 0.54). The associations of both indices remained significant in the ER + and ER- tumors, and in the BC luminal and HER2 + molecular subtypes, except in the TN molecular subtype for MxAHEI, which was not statistically significant. Our findings showed that MxDQI and MxAHEI were negatively associated with BC risk regardless of its molecular subtype.

Correlation of mediterranean diet pattern and lifestyle factors with semen quality of men attending fertility clinics: A cross-sectional study

BackgroundWhile numerous studies have examined the impact of individual or combined nutrients on semen quality, research on the correlation between overall dietary patterns and semen quality remains limited. This cross-sectional study investigates the relationship between adherence to the alternative Mediterranean diet (aMED) and semen quality. MethodsA total of 274 men, presenting with both normal and abnormal semen parameters, participated in this study. Dietary data were collected using a 147-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Participants were divided into three groups based on their adherence to the Mediterranean diet (T1, T2, and T3). Statistical analyses, including ANOVA for numerical data and Chi-square tests for categorical data, were conducted. Multivariable logistic regression models were employed to estimate the association between aMED scores and abnormal semen parameters. ResultsParticipants in the highest adherence group (T3) were younger and had lower BMI compared to those in the other tertiles. Significant differences in sperm parameters were observed across the tertiles. T3 recorded the highest levels of sperm concentration, total sperm count, motility, progressive motility, and normal morphology (57.53 ± 36.16, 213.8 ± 158.9, 73.4 ± 25.9, 61.2 ± 24.6, and 6.42 ± 1.51, respectively), whereas T1 had the lowest values (11.92 ± 22.29, 43.3 ± 73.8, 36.7 ± 33.8, 4.6 ± 5.7, respectively). No significant differences were found in semen volume and viscosity. The regression analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between aMED scores and sperm concentration (B = 1.32, P = 0.001), total sperm count (B = 1.12, P = 0.001), and total motility (B = 0.71, P = 0.001). ConclusionAdherence to a high-quality Mediterranean diet is positively associated with improved semen quality and increased male fertility potential. Promoting healthy dietary patterns may be an effective strategy to enhance sperm motility and overall male reproductive health.

Diet Impacts on Gene Expression in Healthy Colon Tissue: Insights from the BarcUVa-Seq Study.

(1) Introduction: The global rise of gastrointestinal diseases, including colorectal cancer and inflammatory bowel diseases, highlights the need to understand their causes. Diet is a common risk factor and a crucial regulator of gene expression, with alterations observed in both conditions. This study aims to elucidate the specific biological mechanisms through which diet influences the risk of bowel diseases. (2) Methods: We analyzed data from 436 participants from the BarcUVa-Seq population-based cross-sectional study utilizing gene expression profiles (RNA-Seq) from frozen colonic mucosal biopsies and dietary information from a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Dietary variables were evaluated based on two dietary patterns and as individual variables. Differential expression gene (DEG) analysis was performed for each dietary factor using edgeR. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis was conducted with STRINGdb v11 for food groups with more than 10 statistically significant DEGs, followed by Reactome-based enrichment analysis for the resulting networks. (3) Results: Our findings reveal that food intake, specifically the consumption of blue fish, alcohol, and potatoes, significantly influences gene expression in the colon of individuals without tumor pathology, particularly in pathways related to DNA repair, immune system function, and protein glycosylation. (4) Discussion: These results demonstrate how these dietary components may influence human metabolic processes and affect the risk of bowel diseases.

A U-shaped association between selenium intake and cancer risk

While selenium is a cofactor of several antioxidant enzymes against cancer and is essential for human health, its excess intake may also be harmful. Though a safe intake of selenium has recently been recommended, it is not well understood in the Asian population. We aimed to determine the association between dietary intake of selenium and cancer risk in a case–control study of 3758 incident cancer cases (i.e., stomach, colon, rectum, lung cancers, and other sites) and 2929 control subjects in Vietnam. Daily intake of selenium was derived from a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. The unconditional logistic regression model was used to calculate the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between selenium intake and cancer risk. We observed a U-shaped association between selenium intake and cancer risk. A safe intake ranged from 110.8 to 124.4 µg/day (mean 117.8 µg/day). Compared to individuals with the safe intake of selenium, individuals with the lowest intake (i.e., 27.8–77.2 µg/day) were associated with an increased risk of cancer (OR = 3.78, 95% CI 2.89–4.95) and those with the highest intake (169.1–331.7 µg/day) also had an increased cancer risk (OR = 1.86, 95% CI 1.45–2.39). A U-shaped pattern of association between selenium intake and cancer risk was stronger among participants with body mass index (BMI) < 23 kg/m2 and never smokers than BMI ≥ 23 kg/m2 and ever smokers (P’sheterogeneity = 0.003 and 0.021, respectively) but found in both never and ever-drinkers of alcohol (Pheterogeneity = 0.001). A U-shaped association between selenium intake and cancer risk was seen in cancer sites of the stomach, colon, rectum, and lung cancers. In summary, we found a U-shaped association between selenium intake and cancer risk and a safe selenium intake (mean: 117.8 µg/day) in the Vietnamese population. Further mechanistic investigation is warranted to understand better a U-shaped association between selenium intake and cancer risk.

A higher dietary alpha-linolenic acid intake is associated with lower colorectal cancer risk based on MUC4 rs2246901 variant among Korean adults

Alpha-linolenic acid (C18:3n-3 [ALA]) intake may have a beneficial effect in reducing cancer risk; however, its association with colorectal cancer (CRC) risk remains conflicted. Additionally, ALA was emphasized as being associated with mucins, an important glycoproteins family within the intestine. Thus, we hypothesized that a higher dietary ALA intake may reduce the risk of CRC and this preventive effect has an interaction with mucin 4 (MUC4) rs2246901. We conducted a case-control study at the National Cancer Center in Korea, involving 1039 cases and 1982 controls, aiming to determine the interaction of the MUC4 rs2246901 polymorphism and ALA intake in CRC risk. Dietary ALA intake was collected via semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire (SQFFQ), categorizing by 4 quartiles. We evaluated the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) through unconditional logistic regression models. Higher dietary ALA intake was found to be inversely associated with CRC risk (adjusted OR = 0.58; 95% CI, 0.45–0.75, P for trend < .001). No significant association between MUC4 rs2246901 polymorphism and CRC risk was found. In a recessive model, MUC4 rs2246901 seemed to modify this association; participants with at least 1 major allele and higher ALA intake had a significantly lower CRC risk than those who had a lower intake (adjusted OR = 0.56; 95% CI, 0.43–0.72; P interaction = .047). A higher dietary ALA was proposed as a potential protective nutrient against CRC. Moreover, this association might be influenced by presence of the MUC4 rs2246901 polymorphism.

Consumption of different types of meat and the risk of chronic limb-threatening ischemia: the Singapore Chinese Health Study

BackgroundAlthough red meat consumption has been associated with risk of atherosclerotic coronary artery disease and stroke, no prospective study has examined this with the risk of chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI).MethodsIn a prospective study of 63,257 Chinese in Singapore, who were aged 45–74 years old at recruitment, diet was assessed via a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Incident CLTI cases were ascertained via linkage with nationwide hospital records for lower extremity amputation or angioplasty for peripheral arterial disease. Multivariable Cox models were used to examine associations between quartiles of meat intake and CLTI risk.ResultsAfter a mean follow-up of 18.8 years, there were 1069 cases of CLTI. Higher intake of red meat intake was associated with increased risk of CLTI in a stepwise manner. Comparing extreme quartiles of red meat intake, the hazard ratio (HR) for the association with CLTI risk was 1.24 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.03–1.49; P-trend = 0.02]. In stratified analysis, red meat intake had a stronger association with CLTI risk among those without diabetes [HR (95% CI) comparing extreme quartiles = 1.41 (1.10–1.80); P-trend = 0.03] than among those with diabetes at baseline [HR (95% CI) comparing extreme quartiles = 1.04 (0.79–1.38); P-trend = 0.05] (P-interaction = 0.03). Otherwise, the associations were not different by sex, BMI, smoking status, hypertension, alcohol consumption, or history of cardiovascular diseases. Using a theoretical model in substitution analysis that substituted three servings per week of red meat with poultry or fish/shellfish, the relative risk of CLTI was reduced by 13–14%.ConclusionsConsumption of red meat was associated with higher CLTI risk in this Asian cohort. Substituting red meat with poultry or fish/shellfish may reduce this risk.

Is there an Association between Dietary Micronutrients Intake and Bone Fractures among Malaysian Reproductive-Age Women? The PURE Malaysia Study.

Background: Bone fractures represent a significant health issue and impose a considerable burden on healthcare systems globally. However, data pertaining to bone fractures, especially among reproductive-age women in Malaysia, are very limited. Micronutrients like calcium, magnesium and phosphorus play vital roles in bone health, influencing bone mineral density and fracture risk. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of bone fractures among reproductive-age women and the association with dietary micronutrient intakes. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 1,730 participants of reproductive-age women from the Malaysia Prospective Urban and Rural Epidemiological (PURE) study were recruited. The participants' dietary intakes were assessed using a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Selected micronutrients in the participants' diets were calculated using the Malaysian food composition and the US Department of Agriculture food composition databases. The association between micronutrient intakes, comorbidities and physical activity levels with bone fractures were evaluated to identify predictors of bone fractures among reproductive-age women. Results: The prevalence of bone fractures among Malaysian reproductive-age women was low (3.7%). The multiple logistic regression analysis showed that none of the micronutrients was associated with bone fractures. However, factors of diabetes and passive smoking in this study showed 2.6- and 4.0-times-higher odds of having bone fractures, respectively (AOR 2.580; 95% CI: 1.173-5.672) and (AOR 4.012; 95% CI: 2.265-7.107). Conclusions: It was found that the majority of women in this study were taking lower micronutrient intakes of calcium, magnesium, and vitamin K than the Malaysia recommended nutrient intakes (RNI). Although this study showed that a low micronutrient intake is not significantly associated with bone fractures, it is recommended that future studies focus on controlled trials or prospective data analyses to establish causal relationships and the optimal micronutrient requirements for maintaining strong and healthy bones in women of reproductive age.

Correlation of offspring thyroid function and maternal iodine status in iodine deficient-coastal area

Thyroid hormone is vital for children's growth and metabolism, relying on sufficient iodine levels for synthesis. Maternal intake determines iodine supply to fetuses and children under two years old. This study aimed to correlate offspring thyroid function with maternal iodine status in coastal areas. A cohort study was conducted, involving pregnant coastal residents. Maternal urinary iodine levels were measured via the ammonium persulfate method, while offspring thyroid stimulating hormones (TSHs) and free thyroxine hormone (fT4) levels were assessed using electro-chemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA). Iodine intake was determined through a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). The correlation between offspring thyroid function and maternal iodine status was analyzed using Pearson’s correlation test. Differences in TSHs and fT4 levels among iodine status groups were examined using the One way-ANOVA test. Maternal iodine status was insufficient with a median urinary iodine of 125 μg/L, resulting in a 60.8% prevalence of iodine insufficiency. Iodine intake (62.20±43.45 μg/day) fell short of recommended levels (RDA). Offspring TSH was 2.29±1.07 μIU/mL, fT4 was 1.26±0.14 ng/dL. TSH and fT4 concentrations showed no significant inter-group differences (p=0.852, p=0.075). Offspring thyroid function did not correlate with maternal iodine status (TSHs: p=0.314; fT4: p=0.258). Offspring thyroid function did not correlate to maternal iodine status in a population of iodine-insufficient and mercury-contaminated coastal areas.

Dietary Patterns and Geriatric Syndromes in older Mexican adults: Analysis of the 2018-19 National Health and Nutrition Survey

BackgroundThe study of dietary patterns in older adults (OA) and their association with geriatric syndromes (GS) is scarce in Latin America. ObjectiveTo describe the association of dietary patterns with GS in the Mexican older adult population, using data from the 2018-19 National Health and Nutrition Survey. MethodsDietary data were collected from 3,511 adults (≥60 years of age, both sexes) using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Dietary patterns were derived by principal component analysis based on the consumption of 162 foods from 24 food groups. The GS studied were: frailty, depressive symptoms (DS), low appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASMM), and inflammation. Logistic regression models were used. ResultsFour major dietary patterns were identified: a) “Western”, b) “Prudent”, c) “Soups”, and d) “Traditional”. The middle and higher tertiles of the “Prudent” pattern were associated with lower odds of DS (OR 0.71, p = 0.04; and OR 0.61, p = 0.008), respectively. The second tertile of the “Soups” pattern was associated with lower odds of low ASMM (OR 0.68, p = 0031) and inflammation (OR 0.58, p = 0.022). The highest tertile of the “Traditional” pattern was associated with low ASMM (OR 1.55, p = 0.008) and lower odds of inflammation (OR 0.69, p = 0.044). No association was found between the “Western” dietary pattern and GS. ConclusionsThree of four major dietary patterns were associated with GS in older Mexican adults. Further studies are needed to address strategies to improve diet quality in this age group and its association with health and functional outcomes.

The association between dietary patterns before pregnancy and gestational diabetes mellitus: a matched case-control study in China.

We aimed to explore the relationship between dietary patterns and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) during pre-pregnancy six months using principal component analysis (PCA) and the geometric framework for nutrition (GFN). We conducted a case-control study that included 210 GDM pregnant women and 210 controls. The dietary intake of all participants was assessed by a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Major dietary patterns were extracted by PCA. A conditional logistic regression model was used to determine whether specific dietary patterns are associated with the risk of GDM. Meanwhile, the relationship between dietary patterns and GDM was visualized using GFN. Four major dietary patterns were identified: "protein-rich pattern," "plant-based pattern," "oil-pickles-desserts pattern," and "cereals-nuts pattern." After adjustment for confounders, the "plant-based pattern" was associated with decreased risk of GDM (Q4 vs. Q1: OR = 0.01, 95% CI: 0.00-0.08), whereas no significant association was found in other dietary patterns. Moreover, there was no dietary intake of ice cream cones and deep-fried dough sticks for the population, which would produce fewer patients with GDM. Deep-fried dough sticks had statistically significant differences in the case and control groups (p < 0.001), while ice cream cones had the opposite result. The "plant-based pattern" may reduce the risk of GDM. Besides, although the "cereals-nuts pattern" had no association with GDM risk, avoiding the intake of deep-fried dough sticks could decrease GDM risk.

Higher maternal bread and thiamine intakes are associated with increased infant allergic disease.

A mother's diet during pregnancy may influence her infant's immune development. However, as potential interactions between components of our dietary intakes can make any nutritional analysis complex, here we took a multi-component dietary analysis approach. Nutritional intake data was collected from 639 pregnant women using a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire to reflect their dietary intakes during 32-36 weeks of gestation. To investigate their dietary intake pattern, we calculated Dietary Inflammatory Index scores. Maternal consumption of 12 food groups, 20 individual whole foods, and 18 specific nutrient intakes, along with any vitamin and mineral supplementation, were determined. Infant outcomes included eczema, allergen sensitization, and IgE-mediated food allergy. Regression-based analyses with covariates adjustment were applied. Women with higher white bread consumption were more likely to have an infant with doctor-diagnosed eczema (adjusted relative risk [aRR] 1.16; 95% CI 1.08, 1.24; p < .001) and IgE-mediated food allergy (aRR 1.14; 95% CI 1.02, 1.28; p = .02). Higher maternal intakes of fiber-rich bread (aRR 1.14; 95% CI 1.04, 1.25; p = .01) and legumes (aRR 1.11; 95% CI 1.02, 1.21; p = .02) were also associated with infant doctor-diagnosed eczema. Higher maternal thiamine intakes were associated with increased parent-reported infant eczema (aRR 1.08; 95% CI 1.03, 1.12; p < .001). In Australia, where bread flour is fortified with thiamine, we identified consistent links between higher maternal thiamine-rich diets and increased risk of infant eczema and food allergy. Our results highlight a need for further investigation of potential effects of high thiamine exposures on immune development, especially in-utero.

The association between dietary phytochemical index and bacterial vaginosis risk: secondary analysis of case-control study

IntroductionBy studying the dietary habits of patients with bacterial vaginosis (BV) and the controls, we aim to find out whether the dietary intakes of phytochemicals could reduce the odds of BV. To the best of our knowledge, no study has ever examined the matter before. Therefore, we decided to conduct this secondary analysis of case-control study to examine the association between dietary phytochemicals and BV.MethodThis case-control study was conducted at the gynecological clinic of Imam Hossein Hospital using a convenience sampling method from November 2020 to June 2021. To diagnose BV, all participants underwent examination by a gynecologist, assessing the presence of 3 or 4 criteria from the Amsel criteria. A validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire was used. The phytochemical index was determined using McCarty’s method. To assess the association between dietary phytochemical intake and the odds of BV, binary logistic regression was utilized.ResultsAfter adjusting for potential confounders, the association between phytochemical index and BV remained significant (odds ratio (OR) = 0.349, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.176–0.695, p-value = 0.003). Furthermore, each unit increase in fat intake was associated with higher odds of BV (OR = 1.008, 95% CI: 1.002–1.014, p-value = 0.006), and a positive family history of BV continued to show significantly increased odds of BV (OR = 3.442, 95% CI: 2.068–5.728, p-value < 0.001).ConclusionIn summary, the findings of this study indicate that increased consumption of dietary phytochemicals is associated with a reduced risk of BV among Iranian women of reproductive age. Additional research, especially longitudinal dietary studies, is required to explore the potential impact of dietary modifications on BV.

Dietary Macronutrient and Micronutrient Intake Among Corporate Employees Aged 30 to 40 Years Residing in Mumbai, India

The rising burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in India necessitates more studies on nutritional intake and dietary behaviour. While data exists on low-income groups, rural populations and the population at large, limited information exists on that of urban, working professionals – a demographic that has the means and access to make informed choices, and yet, have a disproportionately high risk of NCDs. The aim of this study was to investigate nutrient intake in Indian professionals. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 214 working professionals (aged 30-40 years; 69 females and 145 males) in Mumbai. Habitual food intake was investigated by two 24-hour recalls and a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Nutrient adequacy ratios were calculated in comparison to Indian estimated average requirements. Compared to recommendations, a lower total energy and carbohydrate intake, while a higher protein and fat intake was observed among the participants. However, the intake of omega-3 fats, and overall fruit and vegetable intake was poor. A significantly higher energy from proteins and fats was observed among non-vegetarians, while vegetarians consumed more energy from carbohydrates. Insufficient intake of vitamins and minerals was prevalent with over 50% of study participants consuming &lt;50% of their required intake of Vitamin A, B12, folate, riboflavin, zinc and potassium. Intake of copper, pyridoxine and iron were also suboptimal. To conclude, the insufficient intake of micronutrient and macronutrient imbalances in the studied population, highlights the urgency of targeted nutritional interventions and education in urban, corporate populations in India, to mitigate the risk of NCDs.