Semi-quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire Research Articles

Is there a link between the inflammatory potential of a diet and mental health among patients with migraine? Findings from a cross-sectional survey

ABSTRACT Aims In this study, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between the dietary inflammatory index (DII) and mental health outcomes among patients with migraine headaches. Methods In this cross-sectional study, 262 subjects were included. The dietary intakes were collected using a validated 168-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Items were scored according to their inflammatory potential, so a higher DII indicated a more pro-inflammatory diet. The association between DII and the mental health of participants was investigated using multinomial logistic regression and odds ratio (OR) with a corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) was reported. Results Overall, 224 women and 38 men, with a mean (standard error) DII of −2.96 (0.06), age of 36.1 (0.53) years, and BMI of 25.55 (0.21) kg/m2, comprised our study population. DII was positively associated with a higher risk of depression in patients with the highest adherence to a pro-inflammatory diet compared to those with the lowest adherence (OR = 1.76; 95%CI: 1.04, 3.00; Ptrend = 0.035). Adjustments for age, sex, marital status, smoking status, migraine headache index score, number of family members, mean arterial pressure, medication, physical activity, and BMI intensified the association in a way that the risk of depression was 2.03 times higher in patients with the highest adherence to a pro-inflammatory diet compared to those with the lowest adherence to a pro-inflammatory diet (OR = 2.03; 95%CI: 1.18, 3.49; Ptrend = 0.011). Conclusion Our findings suggest that depression was positively associated with adherence to a pro-inflammatory diet. However, no significant association was observed between anxiety and stress with DII.

Association between Dietary Inflammatory Index and Bone Mineral Density Changes among Pregnant Women: A Prospective Study in China.

This study aims to examine the relationship between dietary inflammatory index (DII) and bone mineral density (BMD) changes among Chinese pregnant women, offering valuable insights for dietary guidance during pregnancy. 289 pregnant women were enrolled in this cohort. Serum inflammatory factors and ultrasonic BMD were measured at the first, second, and the third trimesters. DII scores were calculated based on a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and divided into tertiles. We compared the differences in inflammatory factors in serum across the tertiles of DII and changes in BMD at the second and third trimesters across the tertiles. The participants with higher DII scores had higher total energy intakes than those with lower DII scores. The serum level of interleukin-6 (IL-6) was significantly different across the tertiles of the DII. Women who had lower DII scores had higher T-scores and Z-scores in the BMD assessment. In the test of trends, after adjusting potential covariates, including educational level, physical activity, body mass index, and calcium, vitamin D, or multivitamin supplements, DII values were determined to be positively related to the maternal BMD lost. DII was positively associated with serum IL-6. Meanwhile, higher DII scores were associated with more bone mass loss in pregnant women. We recommend adhering to a lower-DII diet to preserve BMD during pregnancy.

The relative validity of a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire among pregnant women in the United Arab Emirates: The Mutaba'ah study.

Background: Food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) is the most frequently used dietary assessment method in estimating dietary intakes in epidemiological studies. Aim: This study aimed to assess the relative validity of a semiquantitative FFQ in evaluating dietary intake among pregnant women in the United Arab Emirates. Methods: Within the Mutaba'ah study, a subsample of 111 pregnant women completed a semiquantitative FFQ and a single 24-hour dietary recall (24-HDR) regarded as the reference method. Absolute and energy-adjusted nutrient and food intakes between the FFQ and 24-HDR were compared using the Wilcoxon signed ranks test, correlations, Bland-Altman analysis, cross-classification, and weighted kappa analysis. Results: There were no significant differences in reported absolute intakes between the FFQ and 24-HDR for carbohydrates, whole grains, white meat, beta-carotene, vitamin K, sodium, and selenium. Spearman's correlation coefficients between the FFQ and 24-HDR ranged from 0.09 (trans fatty acids) to 0.5 (potassium) for absolute intakes. Correlation decreased after energy adjustment. Bland-Altman analysis showed that the FFQ overestimated intakes compared with 24-HDR and that the limits of agreement were wide. The average percentage of pregnant women classified into the same or adjacent quartile of intake by both methods was 73%. Weighted kappa values ranged from -0.02 (white meat) to 0.33 (magnesium). Conclusion: Our findings showed that the semi-quantitative FFQ is a useful tool in ranking pregnant women from the Emirati population according to their dietary intake. However, the validity of some estimated intakes was poor; hence, certain intakes should be interpreted with caution.

Dietary pattern and precocious puberty risk in Chinese girls: a case-control study

BackgroundThe role of dietary intake on precocious puberty remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the association between the amount and frequency of dietary intake and the risk of precocious puberty in Chinese girls.MethodsIn this case-control study, we enrolled 185 precocious puberty girls and 185 age-matched controls. Their dietary intake was assessed through a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Their sociodemographic and lifestyle data were collected. The associations between dietary intake and risk of precocious puberty were assessed by conditional logistic regression models.ResultsAfter multivariate adjustment, consuming a higher amount of red meat was associated with higher precocious puberty risk (OR = 2.74, 95% CI: 1.25–6.02), while a higher frequency of fruit ( P for trend = 0.024) and amount of vegetable intake was associated with a lower risk of precocious puberty (P for trend = 0.002). The high vegetable and protein dietary pattern was significantly negatively associated with precocious puberty (OR = 0.78, 95% CI: 0.63–0.97), whereas the high animal food and fruits dietary pattern was remarkably positively associated with precocious puberty (OR = 1.36, 95% CI: 1.09–1.69), after adjusting for age and body mass index.ConclusionsHigh vegetable and protein dietary pattern is a protective factor against precocious puberty, while high animal food and fruits dietary pattern is a risk factor for precocious puberty in Chinese girls. Attentions should be paid to a reasonable intake of red meat, eggs, and fruits in children’s daily diet, increase their intake of vegetables, in order to reduce the risk of precocious puberty.

The Relationship between Folic Acid Intake and Depression among College Students

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between folic acid intake and the incidence of depression among students of Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta, department of Nutrition. This cross-sectional study recruited 40 participants following the inclusion criteria. Sample collection was done by random sampling. Data collection on the adequacy of folic acid intake was carried out using the non-consecutive three days 24 four Food recall. The prevalence of depression was obtained by measuring the level of depression in the last two weeks using the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) questionnaire. The results showed that 2.5% of the subjects had sufficient folic acid intake and 97.5% had insufficient folic acid intake with mean 78,5 mcg. About 47.5% of subjects experienced minimal depression, 20% experienced mild depression, 25% experienced moderate depression, and 7.5% experienced major depression with mean score 13.4. Futher analysis, the p-value (p=0.145) indicated that there was no significant relationship between folic acid and depression status. Recommended for using the Semi-Quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire (SQ-FFQ) to see acid intake folate and pay attention to other factors that cause depression.

The association of dietary patterns with latent tuberculosis infection among young adults: A case-control study in Shanghai.

In developing and underdeveloped countries, undernutrition plays a major role in subverting the immune system, leading to an increase in TB infections; this study investigated the associations between dietary patterns and latent tuberculosis infection risk among young adults in Shanghai. In a case-control study, 96 cases of latent tuberculosis infection and 192 healthy controls were studied among contacts of students in clusters of tuberculosis epidemics in colleges from January 2021 to March 2023. A standardized questionnaire assessing sociodemographic, lifestyle, and dietary characteristics was applied. Food intake was estimated using a 95-item semiquantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire. Using the principal component analysis to extract dietary patterns from food groups intake. Logistic regression models were applied. Four dietary patterns were identified: "traditional balanced" pattern, "unsaturated fatty acid" pattern, "snack" pattern, and "protein and fruit" pattern. Four components explaining 64.52% of the total variation in consumption were derived. In a conditional logistic regression analysis, three models were created. After adjusting for various confounders, compared to "snack" pattern, the risk of latent TB infection was 91% lower in the "traditional balanced" pattern (OR 0.05, 95% CI 0.01, 0.38, p = 0.004). To prevent TB infection among young adults living in high TB burden areas, a balanced dietary pattern rather than a "snack" pattern should be promoted in school settings. Future research should explore the risk of developing active tuberculosis in Mtb-infected people with different dietary patterns and the prevention of this risk by healthy dietary patterns.

Development of Semiquantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire for Identification of Indigenous Dietary Patterns in Prediabetic Adult Women

Dietary patterns influence the progression of prediabetes, so it is necessary to develop representative instruments for measuring eating habits, primarily indigenous dietary consumption. The research aimed to develop a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire to identify indigenous dietary patterns in prediabetes sufferers in Gorontalo Regency. The research was a descriptive study that tested the validity and reliability of the food frequency questionnaire semiquantitative (FFQ-SQ). The research was conducted in Limboto Barat Health Center, based on the prevalence of diabetes mellitus. Selection samples using purposive sampling with 30 adult women. The validity test used internal validity Pearson correlation, while the reliability test used internal consistency Cronbach α. Comparison of average FFQ-SQ and recall 2 x 24-hours using Wilcoxon test. The results showed that 12 food groups consisted of 207 food items and indigenous food products with validity tests 123 items valid, 67 items invalid, and 17 items never consumed by the subject study in the previous month; the reliability test showed food group category low 10, moderate 5 and high 3. Comparative analysis of the energy and nutrient intake between FFQ-SQ with recall 2 x 24 hours showed significant differences in intake of carbohydrates, fiber, vitamin E, vitamin B1, folic acid, vitamin C, potassium and zinc (p-value < 0.005), and comparison of energy and nutrient intake between FFQ-SQ1 and FFQ-SQ2 showed no significant difference (p-value> 0.005). The conclusion was FFQ-SQ with 123 items of foods and derived products is valid and reliable for measuring the eating habits of prediabetic adult women.

Association between Processed Meat Protein Consumption and Incident Osteoporosis in Adults Aged 50 Years and Older: A Prospective Cohort Study Based on Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study Data (2005-2020).

Osteoporosis is one of the inevitable diseases affecting an aging society, substantially impacting the quality of life of its population. Protein intake has been shown to be beneficial in reducing the incidence of osteoporosis, and the effects of both animal and vegetable proteins have been studied. However, the relationship between processed meat consumption and osteoporosis has not been studied in Korea. Therefore, we aimed to analyze the correlation between processed meat consumption and incident osteoporosis in adults. Our analysis included 1,260 adults aged 50 years and older from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES), recruited between 2005 and 2020. Participants were categorized into two groups according to their processed meat intake, assessed using a semi-quantitative 103-food item food frequency questionnaire. Diagnosis of osteoporosis was based on questionnaire answers. Multiple Cox hazard regression analyses were conducted to examine the association between processed meat intake and incident osteoporosis. During an average follow-up period of 8.8 years, 230 participants developed osteoporosis. According to the Cox proportional regression models, the hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) of incident osteoporosis in the high intake group was 0.62 (0.41-0.94), compared to the low intake group after adjusting for confounding variables. These findings reveal that processed meat protein intake is inversely related to the incidence of osteoporosis in adults aged 50 years and older. This in turn suggests that processed meat intake can be proposed as an additional strategy to prevent osteoporosis.

Vitamin E and Fiber Intake with HDL and LDL Levels in Overweight Female Students at Islamic Boarding School University

Background: Excess fat will trigger a pathogenic response in adipose and adipocyte tissue. Characterized by an increase or decrease in lipid fractions in blood plasma. An alternative effort to normalize lipid fraction abnormalities in the blood is by regulating intake of micronutrients (vitamin E and fiber). Vitamin E is known as a fat-soluble antioxidant and soluble fiber in the small intestine will form a gel that acts as a fat binder so that blood lipid profile levels will decrease.Objective: To see the relationship between vitamin E and fiber intake with HDL and LDL levels in overweight female studentsMethods: This crosssectional study was conducted with 50 samples using purposive sampling techniques, namely students of Universitas Darussalam Gontor who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Fiber and vitamin E intake were obtained using the Semiquantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire (SQ-FFQ). HDL and LDL levels are obtained from the results of blood tests.Results: Our results showed a significant relationship between fiber intake with HDL levels with a p value of 0.009 and vitamin E intake with LDL levels with a p value of 0.000 While fiber intake with LDL levels did not have a significant relationship, as well as the relationship between vitamin E intake and HDL levels.Conclusion: Our data suggests that overweight persons should increase consumption of fiber and vitamin E to improve their blood lipid profile.International Journal of Human and Health Sciences Vol. 08 No. 01 Jan’24 Page: 32-37

The association between dietary inflammatory index (DII) scores and c-reactive protein (CRP) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in a general population cohort

Although there is extensive literature showing the ability of the dietary inflammation index (DII®) to predict concentrations of plasma inflammatory markers, few studies are testing the association between DII scores and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Considering the high prevalence of NAFLD and its complications, we conducted a validation study of DII scores and examined its association with NAFLD in the general adult population of Iran. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 3110 adult participants in the Amol Cohort Study (AmolCS) who underwent abdominal ultrasonography to diagnose NAFLD. DII and energy-adjusted DII (E-DII™) scores were computed using data from a valid semi-quantitative 168-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Multivariable logistic regression adjusting for socio-demographic, lifestyle, and health-related factors was used to assess association. The EDII was associated with CRP inflammatory biomarker. Participants in the highest, i.e., most pro-inflammatory tertile had the highest odds of NAFLD by ultrasound in all models [fully adjusted model: OR (95% CI) tertile3vs.1:1.54 (1.05-2.05); Ptrend=0.04, and 1.63 (1.19-2.21); Ptrend=0.03 in women and men, respectively]. The highest tertile had the highest OR for NAFLD by fatty liver index (FLI) only in men [fully adjusted model OR (95% CI) tertile3vs.1: 1.77 (1.15-2.71); Ptrend=0.01]. Similar results were also obtained for NAFLD by hepatic steatosis index (HSI) in women [fully adjusted model: OR (95% CI) tertile3vs.1: 1.70 (1.12-2.58); Ptrend=0.03]. The results of the fully adjusted multivariable model of liver markers and NAFLD status, stratified by gender and abdominal obesity, revealed that the highest tertiles had the highest OR for NAFLD by ultrasound and NAFLD by FLI only in men without abdominal obesity [fully adjusted model: OR (95% CI) tertile3vs.1: 1.83 (1.17-2.84); Ptrend=0.03, and, respectively]. NAFLD by FLI tended to increase strongly with tertile E-DII scores in men without abdominal obesity in crude and three adjusted models [full-adjusted model: OR (95% CI) tertile3vs.1: 3.64 (1.56-8.46); Ptrend=0.005]. By contrast, women with abdominal obesity in the highest tertile had the highest OR for NAFLD by ultrasound in all models [full-adjusted model: OR (95% CI) tertile3vs.1: 1.67 (1.07-2.62); Ptrend=0.02]. Our results suggest that diet plays a role in regulating inflammation. Additionally, we observed an inflammatory diet predicts the risk of NAFLD in Iranian adults. However, longitudinal studies are required in order to further substantiate the utility of the DII in the development of more effective dietary interventions among populations at risk of chronic disease.

Dietary Assessment Methods in Surveillance Systems Targeted to Adults: A Literature Review

Accurate and reliable evaluation of dietary consumption is essential for understanding individual dietary profiles. Proper dietary practices should provide sufficient amounts of both macronutrients and micronutrients for leading a healthy life. Choosing the best dietary assessment method for a certain objective leads to greater evidence for effective nutrition projects, policies, and programs. This review provides a clear understanding of dietary diversity assessment methods and the problems associated with choosing the best method. The resource guide aims to improve the quality and accuracy of nutrition information and provides a description of its applications, validity, strengths, and limitations. The databases searched for relevant papers for this review were Science Direct, Google Scholar, PubMed, Hindawi, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, etc. The review focused on collecting data from the last ten years of published articles, and duplicate papers were excluded from the database. Assessment methods described and compared in this study were the 24-hour recall method, food frequency questionnaires (FFQs), food records (FRs), quantitative food frequency questionnaires (QFFQs), non-quantitative food frequency questionnaires (Non-QFFQs), semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaires (SQFFQs), weighed FRs, and estimated FRs. In conclusion, this study highlights the need for a surveillance system for adults that collects comprehensive dietary information using standardized techniques and minimizes bias. This review’s extensive information can help national authorities choose appropriate protocols for their own dietary assessment surveys.

Nutrient patterns and risk of diabetes mellitus type 2: a case-control study

BackgroundsAlthough the significance of diet in preventing or managing diabetes complications is highlighted in current literature, there is insufficient evidence regarding the correlation between nutrient patterns and these complications. The objective of this case-control study is to investigate this relationship by analyzing the dietary intake of nutrients in participants with and without type 2 diabetes (T2D).MethodsA case-control study was conducted at the Tabriz Center of Metabolism and Endocrinology to investigate the relationship between nutrient patterns and type 2 diabetes (T2D). The study enrolled 225 newly diagnosed cases of T2D and 225 controls. The dietary intake of nutrients was assessed using a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Principal component analysis using Varimax rotation was used to obtain nutrient patterns. Logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate the risk of T2D.ResultsThe participants’ mean (SD) age and BMI were 39.8 (8.8) years and 27.8 (3.6) kg/m2, respectively. The results identified three major nutrient patterns. The first nutrient pattern was characterized by high consumption of sucrose, animal protein, vitamin E, vitamin B1, vitamin B12, calcium, phosphorus, zinc, and potassium. The second nutrient pattern included fiber, plant protein, vitamin D, Riboflavin, Vitamin B5, copper, and Magnesium. The third nutrient pattern was characterized by fiber, plant protein, vitamin A, riboflavin, vitamin C, calcium, and potassium. Individuals in the highest tertile of nutrient pattern 3 (NP3) had a lower risk of T2D compared to those in the lowest tertile after adjusting for confounders. The odds ratio was 0.52 with a 95% confidence interval of 0.30–0.89 and a P_trend of 0.039.ConclusionThis study found that conforming to a nutrient pattern consisting of plant protein, vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin B2, potassium, and calcium is linked to a lower likelihood of developing T2D.The initial results suggest that following a nutrient pattern that includes these nutrients may reduce the risk of T2D. However, further research is required to confirm the relationship between nutrient patterns and T2D.

Association of combined healthy lifestyle with general and abdominal obesity.

Data linking joint healthy lifestyle factors to general and abdominal obesity are scarce, in particular in the Middle East. The aim of this study was to examine the association of combined healthy lifestyle factors with general and abdominal obesity in a large population of Iranian adults. This cross-sectional study was done on 3,172 Iranian adults aged ≥18 years. We constructed healthy lifestyle score using information on dietary intakes, physical activity, smoking status, and psychological distress. To evaluate components of healthy lifestyle, we applied a validated 106-item semi-quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), General Practice Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPPAQ), General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), and other pre-tested questionnaires. General obesity was defined as having a body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m2 and abdominal obesity as a waist circumference (WC) of ≥102 cm in men and ≥88 cm in women. Mean age of participants was 36.54 ± 7.97 years. General and abdominal obesity were prevalent among 8.7% and 21.5% of study participants, respectively. Linear analysis showed a significant positive relationship between healthy lifestyle score and BMI among men (β: 0.30, 95% CI: 0.05, 0.54). However, no significant association was found between healthy lifestyle and abdominal obesity in men. Among women, one score increase in healthy lifestyle score was associated with a reduction of 0.65 cm in WC. In terms of individual components of healthy lifestyle, we found that low-distressed women had lower odds of abdominal obesity compared with high-distressed women. We found a significant inverse association between healthy lifestyle and WC among women. However, healthy lifestyle was positively associated with BMI among men.

Association between dietary inflammatory index and mental disorders using multilevel modeling with GLIMMIX.

The Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) is a composite nutritional index that has gained significant attention in the past decade due to its association with physical and mental well-being. To accurately assess the precise effects of DII on health outcomes, the effects of nutrients and foods need to be adjusted. This study aimed to investigate the association between DII and mental disorders (depression, anxiety, and stress) using multilevel modeling to minimize the bias of the previous methods. This cross-sectional analytical study was conducted using data from the initial phase of the Tehran University of Medical Sciences Employees' Cohort Study (TEC). Nutritional information was obtained through a dish-based semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (DFQ), while psychological data were collected using the depression, anxiety and stress scale (DASS-42). The acquired data were analyzed using multilevel modeling in three levels (foods, nutrients, and DII, respectively) through GLIMMIX in the SAS software. A total of 3,501 individuals participated in this study. The results of the multilevel model demonstrated a significant statistical association between DII and mental disorders after adjusting for baseline characteristics, nutrients and foods. For each unit increase in DII, the mean scores for stress, anxiety, and depression increased by 3.55, 4.26, and 3.02, respectively (p < 0.001). Based on the multilevel model's findings, it is recommended to minimize the use of pro-inflammatory nutrients and foods to increase the mental health. Multilevel data analysis has also been recommended in nutritional studies involving nested data to obtain more accurate and plausible estimates.

Maternal diet in pregnancy and acute leukemia in infants: a case-control study in Mexico City.

Epidemiological studies around the world on acute leukemia (AL) and risk factors in infants are scarce. Infant AL has been proposed to originate in utero, which facilitates its study by establishing a short exposure time in pregnant women to environmental and dietary factors that could contribute to the risk of or protection against leukemia. We hypothesized that maternal diet during pregnancy may be an important factor involved in AL in offspring. We conducted a hospital-based case-control study from 2010 to 2019 on maternal diet during pregnancy in nine high-specialty public hospitals of different health institutions that diagnose and offer treatment to children with AL in Mexico City. Cases (n=109) were children ≤24 months of age with de novo diagnosis of AL, and controls (n=252) were children obtained in hospitals from second-level medical care matched for age, sex, and health institution. Maternal diet during pregnancy was obtained by a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. Unconditional logistic regression models were used to assess the association between food groups and infant AL. Potential confounders were assessed by constructing directed acyclic graphs (DAGs) with Dagitty software in which adjusted options were identified for the construction of unconditional logistic regression models. Cases were slightly predominantly female (52.3%). The years of education of the mother in cases and controls was 0-9 on average, and those who reported smoking cigarettes and consuming alcohol during pregnancy did so at a low frequency. Regarding the mother's diet, the main findings were that the consumption of allium vegetables during pregnancy was inversely associated with AL for medium and high consumption (OR=0.26, 95% CI 0.14-0.46; P-trend< 0.001). In contrast, the high consumption of high-fat dairy products had a positive association with AL (OR=2.37, 95% CI 1.30-4.34; P-trend<0.001). No association was found between consumption of topoisomerase II inhibitor foods during pregnancy and AL. The results suggest that maternal intake during pregnancy of allium vegetables, specifically garlic, is inversely associated with the development of AL in children ≤24 months old. On the other hand, consumption of high-fat dairy products is positively associated with AL in children ≤24 months old.

Diet quality indices and odds of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease: a case-control study.

There are only limited studies investigating the impact of dietary quality indicators, such as dietary quality index (DQI), dietary diversity score (DDS), and alternative healthy eating index (AHEI), on metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MASLD). Furthermore, these indicators may have different components that could lead to varying results. Therefore, this study aims to assess the nutritional quality indicators and their potential association with MASLD. The study included 128 recently diagnosed MASLD patients and 256 controls aged between 20 and 60 years. The dietary intake of participants was evaluated using a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire that consisted of 168 items. In this study, the method used to evaluate dietary diversity was based on five main food groups, specifically bread and grains, vegetables, fruits, meat, and dairy. The AHEI-2010 was computed using data collected from the FFQ. After adjusting for confounders in the fully adjusted model, a significant negative correlation was observed between DDS and the risk of MASLD (OR 0.41, 95% CI 0.20, 0.97). Participants in the top quartile of AHEI had a 76% lower risk of MASLD compared with those in the bottom quartile after controlling for all potential confounders in the fully adjusted model (OR 0.24, 95% CI 0.12, 0.56). The results of our study suggest that there is a significant association between adherence to a high-diversity diet and a reduced likelihood of developing MASLD. Similarly, we observed a similar association between adherence to the AHEI diet and a lower risk of MASLD.

Association between ischemic heart disease and dietary intake of lycopene: a case-control study.

The effect of dietary lycopene on ischemic heart disease (IHD) is not clear. Hence, this study aimed to determine the association between dietary lycopene and IHD. This case-control study was conducted on 443 patients with physician confirmed diagnosis of IHD as the case group and 443 healthy individuals as the control group. Data on demographic, medical history, anthropometric, and physical activity of the participants were collected. Food intake was evaluated using a 237-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). The dietary intake of lycopene was assessed using Nutritionist IV software. A negative association was found between IHD and lycopene (OR: 0.98, CI 95%: 0.963-0.996, p = 0.02). The results remained significant after adjustment for age and sex, additional adjustment for dietary intake of calorie and fat, further adjustments for BMI, and additional adjustment for smoking, drinking alcohol, and physical activity. The risk of IHD in people with the highest quartile of dietary intake of lycopene was significantly lower than those with the lowest quartile (OR = 0.67, CI 95%: 0.46-0.97, p = 0.036). There was a significant inverse relationship between intake of lycopene and IHD. Further prospective studies in different populations are required to elucidate the roles of lycopene against IHD.

Prenatal air pollution exposure and childhood obesity: Effect modification by maternal fruits and vegetables intake

Background & aimsPrenatal exposure to air pollution is robustly associated with fetal growth restriction but the extent to which it is associated with postnatal growth and the risk of childhood obesity remains unknown. We examined the association of prenatal exposure to air pollution with offspring obesity related measures and evaluated the possible protective effect of maternal fruits and vegetables intake (FV). MethodsWe included 633 mother-child pairs from the Rhea pregnancy cohort in Crete, Greece. Fine particles (PM2.5 and PM10) exposure levels during pregnancy were estimated using land-use regression models. We measured weight, height and waist circumference at 4 and 6 years of age, and body composition analysis was performed at 6 years using bioimpedance. Maternal diet was evaluated by means of a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire in mid-pregnancy. Adjusted associations were obtained via multivariable regression analyses and multiplicative interaction was used to evaluate the potential modifying role of FV intake. ResultsExposure to PMs in utero was not associated with measures of adiposity at 4 or 6 years of age. Associations at 4 years did not differ according to maternal consumption of FV. However, at 6 years, among children whose mothers reported consuming less than 5 servings of FV per day, one SD increase in PM10 during pregnancy was associated with increased BMI (beta 0.41 kg/m2, 95% CI: −0.06, 0.88, p-interaction = 0.037) and increased waist circumference (beta 0.83 cm, 95% CI: −0.38, 2.05, p-interaction = 0.043) and one SD increase in PM2.5 was associated with increased fat mass (beta 0.5 kg, 95% CI: 0.0, 0.99, p-interaction = 0.039) and increased percentage of body fat (beta 1.06%, 95% CI: −0.06, 2.17, p-interaction = 0.035). Similarly, higher prenatal PM2.5 and PM10 exposure was associated with increased risk for obesity and abdominal obesity at 6 years only in the low FV group. ConclusionsExposure to fine particulate matter during pregnancy was not associated with obesity-related measures at 4 and 6 years. However, only among offspring of mothers who consumed inadequate FV, we observed higher obesity-related measures at 6 years. Our results indicate that mothers' diet during pregnancy may play a role in the relationship between air-pollution and childhood obesity.

Ultra-processed food consumption and semen quality parameters in the Led-Fertyl study.

Is ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption associated with semen quality parameters? Higher UPF consumption was inversely associated with total sperm count, sperm concentration, and total motility in men of reproductive age. The consumption of UPF, which has been rising during the last decades, has been demonstrated to be positively associated with several chronic diseases such as diabetes or cardiovascular diseases. However, the scientific evidence on its potential impact on semen quality remains notably limited. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using data from 200 healthy men (mean age 28.4 ± 5.5 years) enrolled in the Led-Fertyl (Lifestyle and Environmental Determinants of Seminogram and Other Male Fertility-Related Parameters) study between February 2021 and April 2023. UPF consumption (% of energy from UPF) was estimated according to the NOVA classification system using a validated 143-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Total sperm count, sperm concentration, sperm vitality, total motility, progressive motility, and normal sperm forms were set as the main outcomes. Microscopic parameters were analyzed using a phase-contrast microscope and a computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) system. Semen samples were collected and tested according to World Health Organization 2010 standards. Multivariable linear regression models were fitted to estimate the associations between UPF tertile and semen quality parameters. Sperm concentration (β: -1.42 × 106 spz./ml; 95% CI: -2.72 to -0.12) and motility (β: -7.83%; 95% CI: -15.16 to -0.51) were lower in participants in the highest tertile of UPF compared to the lowest. A similar association was observed for sperm count when UPF was analyzed per 10% increment of energy from UPF consumption (β: -1.50 × 106 spz.; 95% CI: -2.83 to -0.17). Theoretically replacing 10% of energy from UPF consumption with 10% of energy from unprocessed or minimally processed food consumption was associated with a higher total sperm count, sperm concentration, total motility, progressive motility, and normal sperm forms. Cross-sectional studies do not permit the drawing of causal inferences. Measurement errors and reporting bias cannot be entirely ruled out. This work suggests that consumption of UPF may have an impact on certain semen quality parameters. Furthermore, opting for unprocessed or minimally processed foods instead of UPFs could potentially benefit semen quality. If these results are replicated in future epidemiological studies with different long-term designs, these novel findings could provide valuable insights for updating or even designing preventive and interventional programs to address infertility among men of reproductive age. This study was supported by the Spanish government's official funding agency for biomedical research, ISCIII, through the Fondo de Investigación para la Salud (FIS), the European Union ERDF/ESF, 'A way to make Europe'/'Investing in your future' [PI21/01447], and the Diputació de Tarragona (2021/11-No.Exp. 8004330008-2021-0022642). J.S.-S. gratefully acknowledges the financial support of ICREA under the ICREA Academia program. C.V.-H. received a predoctoral grant from the Generalitat de Catalunya (2022 FI_B100108). M.Á.M. was supported by the Sara Borrell postdoctoral fellowship (CD21/00045-Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII)). M.F.d.l.P. was supported by a predoctoral grant from the Rovira i Virgili University and Diputació de Tarragona (2020-PMF-PIPF-8). All authors have no conflict of interest to declare. N/A.

The role of ultra-processed food consumption in protein-energy wasting and sarcopenia development in patients with chronic kidney diseases

BackgroundThe effect of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) on chronic kidney disease (CKD) has been studied in some studies. The present study aimed to investigate the association between UPF consumption and the risk of protein-energy wasting (PEW) and sarcopenia in patients with CKD in the Iranian population.MethodsThe current cross-sectional study included 110 patients with CKD referred to two clinics in Shiraz, Iran. The International Society of Renal Nutrition and Metabolism (ISRNM) criteria and the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) guideline were considered for the diagnosis of PEW and sarcopenia, respectively. The valid semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire was used to assess participants' dietary intake. The logistic regression was used to examine the association of UPFs with PEW and sarcopenia.ResultsWe observed no significant association between sarcopenia and PEW with UPFs in the crude model. After adjusting for confounders, we observed a significantly higher odds of sarcopenia in the upper versus lower median of UPF intake (odds ratio (OR) = 3.59, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.02–12.62, P = 0.046).ConclusionsOur findings suggest a positive relationship between UPF intake and sarcopenia among CKD patients. Therefore, reducing the intake of UPFs may decrease the odds of sarcopenia in patients suffering from CKD.