Variations In Dietary Habits Research Articles

Food consumption pattern for hypertension patient in Klaten Regency, Central Java Province, Indonesia

Hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, is a grave medical condition that serves as a catalyst for the onset of various other ailments, each bearing significant consequences that may ultimately lead to fatality. Unhealthy eating habits, such as consuming foods heavy in sugar, sodium, or saturated fat, are the primary cause of elevated incidences of hypertension. This research aimed to determine the relationship between food consumption patterns in hypertensive patients. This study used a cross-sectional study design conducted on outpatients at the Prambanan Health Center, Prambanan District, Klaten Regency, from December 2022 to February 2023. The population used in this study were all patients with hypertension in Klaten Regency, which amounted to 2,884 people from January until December 2021. The research sample was taken randomly with a value a of 5%. Based on the sample calculation, the sample size was 339 hypertension sufferers. Data analysis used in this study was univariate and bivariate analysis using the chi-square test with a degree of confidence of 95%. The results of this study indicate that the level of salt, fiber, and fat consumption is not related to sufferer hypertension. Maintaining a nutritious diet and engaging in physical activity as part of a healthy lifestyle may also help lower blood pressure. This study supports the hypothesis that dietary variety might be important for the future. Future research endeavors ought to delve into the intricate relationship between dietary practices and blood pressure across diverse cultural contexts, elucidating how variations in dietary habits influence blood pressure levels. Furthermore, it is imperative to investigate the potential repercussions of elevated blood pressure on various cultural groups, shedding light on tits unique impacts ondifferent societal frameworks.

Dietary habits of pastoralists on the Tibetan plateau are influenced by remoteness and economic status

In general, dietary habits of pastoralists are livestock-derived, but are also influenced by external food sources under globalization. We hypothesized that dietary habits of pastoralists would be influenced by their remoteness, and that changes from the traditional diet would result in deviations in the local ecological chain. To test this hypothesis, we determined the δ13C and δ15N values of soil, plants, and hair of animals and pastoralists (n = 885). The δ13C value in human hair reflects the proportions of protein originating from C3 and C4 plants; whereas, the δ15N value reflects the proportions of protein derived from plants and animals, with higher values indicating a greater consumption of meat. The isotopic signatures enabled us to estimate the variation in dietary habits of pastoralists across a socio-economic gradient of easily accessible to remote areas on the Tibetan plateau, and to determine the trophic transfer of the isotopes along an ecological chain. The trophic magnification factor (TMF) evaluated the trophic transfer of δ15N in the soil-plants-animals-pastoralists ecological chain. The high δ15N values in soil and plants were not recovered in animals and pastoralists in easily accessible and developed areas, indicating the use of external feed and food resources, and that they deviated from the ecological chain. The mean δ13C (−22.0 ‰) and δ15N values (6.9 ‰) of pastoralists indicated diets consisting mainly of local C3 plants and animal products. However, pastoralists in remote areas relied more on meat protein and on the local ecological chain than pastoralists in easily accessible areas, as their δ15N values and trophic magnification factor of δ15N in the ecological chain were greater. In addition to remoteness, per capita GDP influenced dietary changes in pastoralists, with richer pastoralists consuming more external food. We concluded that dietary changes of pastoralists in the easily accessible areas were due to external food resources and alterations in the local ecological chain of animals and plant-based foods available to the pastoralists.

Diet and gut microbial associations in irritable bowel syndrome according to disease subtype

ABSTRACT The role of diet and the gut microbiome in the etiopathogenesis of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is not fully understood. Therefore, we investigated the interplay between dietary risk factors and gut microbiota in IBS subtypes using a food frequency questionnaire and stool metagenome data from 969 participants aged 18–65 years in the ZOE PREDICT 1 study, an intervention study designed to predict postprandial metabolic responses. We identified individuals with IBS subtype according to the Rome III criteria based on predominant bowel habits during symptom onset: diarrhea (i.e. looser), constipation (i.e. harder), and mixed. Participants with IBS-D (n = 59) consumed more healthy plant-based foods (e.g. whole grains, leafy vegetables) and fiber, while those with IBS-C (n = 49) tended to consume more unhealthy plant-based foods (e.g. refined grains, fruit juice) than participants without IBS (n = 797). Microbial diversity was nominally lower in patients with IBS-D than in participants without IBS or with IBS-C. Using multivariable-adjusted linear regression, we identified specific microbiota variations in IBS subtypes, including slight increases in pro-inflammatory taxa in IBS-C (e.g. Escherichia coli) and loss of strict anaerobes in IBS-D (e.g. Faecalibacterium prausnitzii). Our analysis also revealed intriguing evidence of interactions between diet and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii. The positive associations between fiber and iron intake and IBS-diarrhea were stronger among individuals with a higher relative abundance of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, potentially driven by carbohydrate metabolic pathways, including the superpathway of β-D-glucuronide and D-glucuronate degradation. In conclusion, our findings suggest subtype-specific variations in dietary habits, gut microbial composition and function, and diet-microbiota interactions in IBS, providing insights into potential microbiome-informed dietary interventions.

Lessons from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) Study for the Development of Cross-Country Nutritional Epidemiologic Research in East Asia.

The European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) study is a prospective cohort study with about 520,000 study participants enrolled from 23 centers in 10 western European countries (Greece, Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway). This study is unique in that food frequency questionnaire-based dietary assessment methods are tailored to different eating habits in different countries, while maximum efforts were made for standardization of the food composition database and dietary intake calculations. Such an international collaboration project has not been conducted in East Asian countries, where dietary habits are considerably different from those in European and other countries. Accurate assessment of dietary intake in Asian countries is particularly challenging, as Asian diets are generally complex, consisting of many variations of compsite and mixed dishes. Nevertheless, these large variations in dietary habits warrant thorough investigation into the association between dietary factors and chronic diseases within each country. On the other hand, with technological advancement, more and more large-scale prospective cohort studies have used repeated measurements of dietary intake based on a more detailed dietary assessment method, such as multiple-day dietary records, which have not been incorporated in EPIC. Here, the author briefly summarizes the experiences and considerations in the conduct of EPIC as well as the current situation of dietary habits and research methodology in East Asian countries, and then discusses the importance of the development of cross-country nutritional epidemiologic research in East Asia in the near future.

Eating Habits and Body Weight Changes Induced by Variation in Smell and Taste in Patients with Previous SARS-CoV-2 Infection

Olfactory and gustatory dysfunction are recognized as common symptoms in patients with COVID-19, with a prevalence ranging, respectively, between 41-61% and 38.2-49%. This review focused on relating the variations in dietary habits with the reduction/loss of smell and/or taste in patients who contracted the COVID-19 infection. Primarily, we reviewed the main pathological mechanisms involved in COVID 19-induced anosmia/dysosmia and ageusia/dysgeusia. Then, we explored and summarized the behavioural changes in food intake and body weight during the COVID-19 pandemic in relation to sensory impairment and the underlying mechanisms. Most studies on this topic argue that the altered chemosensory perception (taste and smell) mainly induces reduced appetite, leading to a faster fullness sensation during the consumption of a meal and, therefore, to a decrease in body weight. On the other hand, a reduced perception of the food's sensory properties may trigger compensatory responses that lead some individuals to increase food intake with a different effect on body weight. Regarding body weight, most studies evaluated malnutrition in patients hospitalized for COVID-19; more studies are warranted to investigate nutritional status specifically in non-hospitalized patients with olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions caused by COVID-19 infection.

Significance of dental age assessment in forensic science: A review

Age assessment is the preliminary step in the positive identification of an individual. It is considered as one of the essential and frequently utilized method by the forensic anthropologists or forensic odontologists to determine the approximate age of living or deceased. There are certain circumstances when the chronological age of an individual or subject is missing, or chronological age needs to be verified in case of juvenile delinquency. Moreover, age determination can be made possible in the positive identification of victims of mass disasters, illegal immigration of juveniles, child marriage, imprisonment of juveniles, as well as in orthodontic treatment. Certain methods like radiographic assessment, physiological assessment, morphological assessment of teeth and bones have been implemented to assess age of such individuals. It is hard to utilized one-specific method for age determination due to variation in population size, variation in dietary habits, variation in growth and development. The appraisal has been formulated to assess age by radiographic method as it is user-friendly, quick to access and could considered to be more reliable as compared to physiological method,yet most such age-assessing frameworks are based on European population and their pertinence has still up in the air with regards to the Indian population.

ID: 3526678 SEASONAL AND TEMPORAL VARIATIONS IN ESOPHAGEAL FOOD IMPACTIONS: A LONG-TERM TERTIARY CARE ANALYSIS

Based on the impact of allergen driven conditions such as eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) and seasonal variations in dietary habits, the possibility of a seasonal variation in esophageal food impaction (EFI) has been postulated. Some studies have demonstrated a higher prevalence of EoE diagnoses during the allergen-heavy periods (Summer and Spring) whereas others have demonstrated no variation. We performed a long-term retrospective analysis to help clarify seasonal and temporal changes in EFI.

Effects of Time-Restricted Feeding during Ramadan on Dietary Intake, Body Composition and Metabolic Outcomes.

Ramadan fasting is a form of time-restricted feeding which combines a fast and feast period daily for a duration of one month every year. During Ramadan, Muslims abstain from food and drink consumption from dawn till sunset and this change in the meal schedule and frequency results in significant changes to the composition of the diet, such as energy and nutrient intake. These changes in dietary habits and their corresponding effects on cardiometabolic disease risk are compiled in this review. Ramadan fasting shows limited benefits to body composition via reductions in body mass in both healthy and obese individuals, although the results are often found to be transient and heterogeneous. There is, however, a more consistent improvement in blood lipid profile during Ramadan fasting, which often lasts beyond the Ramadan period. The results for glucose homeostasis, on the contrary, are more conflicting and inconclusive. The heterogeneity in the findings from the various studies can be generally attributed to cultural variations in dietary habits, differences in the duration of fasting due to seasonal/climatic differences at various geographical locations, age, gender and socioeconomic status, as well as other health and lifestyle factors of the various study populations.

Interspecific and interpopulation variation in individual diet specialization: Do environmental factors have a role?

Individual diet specialization (IS) has important community- and population-level implications and its ecological drivers are actively investigated. Here, to test the hypothesis that local environmental conditions may influence IS in wild populations, we analyzed the stomach contents of 395 individuals from eight populations of five allopatric species of European cave salamanders (genus Hydromantes). We assessed whether their degree of individual diet specialization (1) scaled positively with the respective niche widths, in agreement with Van Valen's niche variation hypothesis (NVH), and (2) could be predicted by satellite-derived climatic and vegetation characteristics of the sites where the populations live. Consistent with the NVH, the degree of individual diet specialization increased with the populations' total niche width. Furthermore, two variables describing local nonarboreal vegetation cover and habitat heterogeneity successfully predicted the variation in individual specialization across the eight populations. Climatic factors had a generally low predictive power, with individual specialization in low- and high-elevation populations showing contrasting patterns of co-variation with air temperature in the warmest quarter of the year. However, independently from elevation, specialization peaked under conditions of high nonarboreal vegetation cover and high precipitation regimes. We discussed the results against two mutually nonexclusive scenarios hypothesizing different mechanisms linking environmental factors to salamanders' trophic strategy at an individual and population level. We concluded that satellite-derived climatic and vegetation variables to date generally adopted to model Grinnellian niches might also be useful in predicting spatial variations in dietary habits of populations, that is, their Eltonian niches.

Cultural selection and human food preferences

Genes and culture co-evolve to determine variations in dietary habits. Our evolutionary heritage regarding food choice and food preferences is responsible for the mismatch with the food environments we have created, which leads to problems such as overweight and obesity. Several hypotheses have attempted to explain the high rate of obesity present in today’s world. The thrifty genotype hypothesis suggested that obesity today is a throwback to our ancestors having undergone positive selection for genes that favored energy storage. The drifty genotype hypothesis contends that the prevalence of thrifty genes is not a result of positive selection for energy-storage genes but, rather, is attributable to genetic drift resulting from the removal of predatory selection pressures. Both hypotheses focus on environmental changes over time, positive selection and genetic drift. While genetics plays a significant role, we believe that cultural selection is also responsible for the spread of obesogenic phenomena in Albania. The high rates of overweight and obesity among Albanians today can be explained as a mismatch between our evolutionary past and maladaptive behaviors.

Dental microwear textural analysis as an analytical tool to depict individual traits and reconstruct the diet of a primate.

Dental microwear is a promising tool to reconstruct animals' diet because it reflects the interplay between the enamel surface and the food items recently consumed. This study examines the sources of inter-individual variations in dietary habits in a free-ranging population of mandrills (Mandrillus sphinx) using a combination of feeding monitoring and in vivo dental microwear textural analysis (DMTA). We investigated the impact of seasonality and individual traits on four DMTA parameters. In parallel, we further studied the influence of the physical properties of the food items consumed on these four parameters, using three proxies (mechanical properties, estimates of phytolith and external grit contents). We found that seasonality, age, and sex all impact DMTA parameters but those results differ depending on the facet analyzed (crushing vs. shearing facets). Three DMTA parameters (anisotropy, complexity, and heterogeneity of complexity) appear sensitive to seasonal variations and anisotropy also differs between the sexes while textural fill volume tends to vary with age. Moreover, the physical properties of the food items consumed vary seasonally and also differ depending on individual sex and age. Considering the interplay between the tested variables and both dental microwear and diet, we reaffirm that food physical properties play a major role in microwear variations. These results suggest that DMTA parameters may provide valuable hints for paleoecological reconstruction using fragmentary fossil dental remains.

A cross sectional analysis of eating habits and weight status of university students in urban Cameroon

BackgroundThe changeover from high school to university is characterized by the inability to make informed food choices and unhealthy eating habits. This study sets out to determine the prevalence of overweight/obesity, examine variations in dietary habits and assess the relationships between some dietary factors and overweight/obesity in university students.MethodsUniversity students (N = 906, mean age 21.4 ± 2.1 years) that included 434 males and 472 females were recruited using a simple random sampling technique from six departments in two universities in a cross sectional study in the North West Region of Cameroon. Weight and height were measured and body mass index calculated. Eating habits and weekly consumption of selected food items were self-reported by the students using a pre-tested questionnaire.ResultsThe prevalence of overweight and obesity were 24.6% and 2.2% respectively. A majority (60.7%) of the students had less than three meals a day. Also, 53.4% ate fried foods, 46.0% had sweets/chocolates and 39.5% had sugar sweetened beverages twice or more times in a week. Skipping/rarely having breakfast (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.2–2.9) and having snacks in-between meals three or more times a day (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.4–5.5) were associated with overweight/obesity after controlling for confounding variables. In addition, skipping/rarely having breakfast (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.3–3.5) independently predicted overweight/obesity in a model that included confounding variables and selected dietary behaviors.ConclusionThe unhealthy eating habits exhibited by students in this study is worrying. Qualitative studies need to be carried out in the future to identify determinants (of Cameroon ethnicity) of poor eating habits in university students.

Variation in the Markers of Nutritional and Oxidative State in a Long-Lived Seabird: Associations with Age and Longevity

Age-related declines in life-history traits have been widely observed in free-living animals. Several theories link senescence to oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to measure several widely used markers of oxidative and nutritional state in a long-lived seabird, the common gull (Larus canus), in order to assess the suitability of these markers for describing deterioration in physiological condition associated with chronological age and survival. Associations with longevity and individual consistency of these parameters over the years (repeatability) were also assessed. Senescence in fitness parameters was observed during the study period: in females, laying date and clutch mass were related to bird age in a curvilinear manner, with middle-aged birds breeding earlier and laying heavier eggs. The only parameter associated with aging processes was glutathione concentration in erythrocytes, which was lower in female birds with longer life spans. Of indexes of nutritional state, plasma triglyceride concentration showed a between-individual increase with age, suggesting selective mortality of birds with low levels. Additionally, total plasma protein levels of individual males increased with age. The mostly negative results of this study hint that the commonly used parameters of physiological condition and oxidative state used in this study do not adequately reflect an individual's long-term health condition. Alternatively, it is possible that in common gulls, senescence occurs in reproductive mechanisms but not in mechanisms responsible for maintaining an organism's redox balance, consistent with the idea that different aspects of an organism's physiological condition age at different rates. Significant interannual repeatability was detected in three plasma constituents-carotenoids, uric acid, and total protein-all of which can possibly be linked to variation in dietary habits.

Cost-effectiveness of personalized supplementation with vitamin D-rich dairy products in the prevention of osteoporotic fractures.

SummaryTitrated supplementations with vitamin D-fortified yogurt, based on spontaneous calcium and vitamin D intakes, can be cost-effective in postmenopausal women with or without increased risk of osteoporotic fractures.IntroductionThe objective of this study is to assess the cost-effectiveness of the vitamin D-fortified yogurt given to women with and without an increased risk of osteoporotic fracture.MethodsA validated cost-effectiveness microsimulation Markov model of osteoporosis management was used. Three personalized supplementation scenarios to reflect the Ca/Vit D needs taking into account the well-known variations in dietary habits and a possible pharmacological supplementation in Ca/Vit D, given above or in combination with anti-osteoporosis medications: one yogurt per day, i.e., 400 mg of Ca + 200 IU of Vit D (scenario 1 U), two yogurts per day, i.e., 800 mg of Ca + 400 IU of Vit D (scenario 2 U), or three yogurts per day, i.e., 1,200 mg of Ca + 600 IU of Vit D (scenario 3 U).ResultsOne yogurt is cost-effective in the general population above the age of 70 years and in all age groups in women with low bone mineral density (BMD) or prevalent vertebral fracture (PVF). The daily intake of two yogurts is cost-effective above 80 years in the general population and above 70 years in the two groups of women at increased risk of fractures. However, an intake of three yogurts per day is only cost-effective above 80 years old in the general population, as well as in women with low BMD or PVF.ConclusionsOur study is the first economic analysis supporting the cost-effectiveness of dairy products, fortified with vitamin D, in the armamentarium against osteoporotic fractures.

Food-group and nutrient-density intakes by Hispanic and Latino backgrounds in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos

Hispanics are a heterogeneous group of individuals with a variation in dietary habits that is reflective of their cultural heritage and country of origin. It is important to identify differences in their dietary habits because it has been well established that nutrition contributes substantially to the burden of preventable diseases and early deaths in the United States. We estimated the distribution of usual intakes (of both food groups and nutrients) by Hispanic and Latino backgrounds by using National Cancer Institute methodology. The Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos is a population-based cohort study that recruited participants who were 18-74 y of age from 4 US cities in 2008-2011 (Miami, Bronx, Chicago, and San Diego). Participants who provided at least one 24-h dietary recall and completed a food propensity questionnaire (n = 13,285) were included in the analyses. Results were adjusted for age, sex, field center, weekend, sequencing, and typical amount of intake. Overall, Cubans (n = 2128) had higher intakes of total energy, macronutrients (including all subtypes of fat), and alcohol than those of other groups. Mexicans (n = 5371) had higher intakes of vitamin C, calcium, and fiber. Lowest intakes of total energy, macronutrients, folate, iron, and calcium were reported by Dominicans (n = 1217), whereas Puerto Ricans (n = 2176) had lowest intakes of vitamin C and fiber. Food-group servings reflected nutrient intakes, with Cubans having higher intakes of refined grains, vegetables, red meat, and fats and Dominicans having higher intakes of fruit and poultry, whereas Puerto Ricans had lowest intakes of fruit and vegetables. Central and South Americans (n = 1468 and 925, respectively) were characterized by being second in their reported intakes of fruit and poultry and the highest in fish intake in comparison with other groups. Variations in diet noted in this study, with additional analysis, may help explain diet-related differences in health outcomes observed in Hispanics and Latinos.

Development of a food frequency questionnaire for Sri Lankan adults

BackgroundFood Frequency Questionnaires (FFQs) are commonly used in epidemiologic studies to assess long-term nutritional exposure. Because of wide variations in dietary habits in different countries, a FFQ must be developed to suit the specific population. Sri Lanka is undergoing nutritional transition and diet-related chronic diseases are emerging as an important health problem. Currently, no FFQ has been developed for Sri Lankan adults. In this study, we developed a FFQ to assess the regular dietary intake of Sri Lankan adults.MethodsA nationally representative sample of 600 adults was selected by a multi-stage random cluster sampling technique and dietary intake was assessed by random 24-h dietary recall. Nutrient analysis of the FFQ required the selection of foods, development of recipes and application of these to cooked foods to develop a nutrient database. We constructed a comprehensive food list with the units of measurement. A stepwise regression method was used to identify foods contributing to a cumulative 90% of variance to total energy and macronutrients. In addition, a series of photographs were included.ResultsWe obtained dietary data from 482 participants and 312 different food items were recorded. Nutritionists grouped similar food items which resulted in a total of 178 items. After performing step-wise multiple regression, 93 foods explained 90% of the variance for total energy intake, carbohydrates, protein, total fat and dietary fibre. Finally, 90 food items and 12 photographs were selected.ConclusionWe developed a FFQ and the related nutrient composition database for Sri Lankan adults. Culturally specific dietary tools are central to capturing the role of diet in risk for chronic disease in Sri Lanka. The next step will involve the verification of FFQ reproducibility and validity.

Development of a food frequency questionnaire to estimate habitual dietary intake in Japanese children.

BackgroundFood frequency questionnaires (FFQ) are used for epidemiological studies. Because of the wide variations in dietary habits within different populations, a FFQ must be developed to suit the specific group. To date, no FFQ has been developed for Japanese children. In this study, we developed a FFQ to assess the regular dietary intake of Japanese children. The FFQ included questions regarding both individual food items and mixed dishes.MethodsChildren (3-11 years of age, n = 621) were recruited as subjects. Their parents or guardians completed a weighed dietary record (WDR) for each subject in one day. We defined FOOD to be not only as a single food item but also as a mixed dish. The dieticians conceptually grouped similar FOODs as FOOD types. We used a contribution analysis and a multiple regression analysis to select FOOD types.ResultsWe obtained a total of 586 children's dietary data (297 boys and 289 girls). In addition, we obtained 1,043 FOODs. Dieticians grouped into similar FOODs, yielding 275 FOOD types. A total of 115 FOOD types were chosen using a contribution analysis and a multiple regression analysis, then we excluded overlapping items. FOOD types that were eaten by fewer than 15 subjects were excluded; 74 FOOD types remained. We also added liver-based dishes that provided a high amount of retinol. A total of 75 FOOD types were finally determined for the FFQ. The frequency response formats were classified into four type categories: seven, eight, nine and eleven, according to the general intake frequency of each FOOD type. Information on portion size was obtained from the photographs of each listed FOOD type in real scale size, which was the average amount of the children's portion sizes.ConclusionsUsing both a contribution analysis and a multiple regression analysis, we developed a 75-food item questionnaire from the study involving 586 children. The next step will involve the verification of FFQ reproducibility and validity.

Postprandial Lipid Metabolism: The Missing Link Between Life-Style Habits and the Increasing Incidence of Metabolic Diseases in Western Countries?~!2009-09-30~!2010-01-26~!2010-03-30~!

Postprandial lipemia is the transient increase in blood lipids which occurs after a meal containing fat and is caused by raised levels of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (TRLs) in the blood. Delayed clearance of TRLs leads to postprandial hyperlipidemia, and there is now a great deal of evidence to support the idea that this condition is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Western lifestyle habits including: diets low in fresh fruit and vegetables and high in fat and processed food, alcohol consumption, smoking, and lack of exercise tend to promote postprandial hyperlipidemia, and it is a characteristic feature of increasingly common metabolic diseases such as obesity, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes which are also linked to modern lifestyle behaviour and which carry an increased risk of CVD development. Modification of lifestyle factors such as changing to a healthier diet, weight loss, reducing alcohol consumption and increasing exercise can cause significant reductions in postprandial hyperlipidemia and thus help to reduce this risk. Despite the growing recognition that the extent of postprandial lipemia is a good predictor of CVD, no standardized methodology for its measurement is currently available. Determination of blood TG levels after consumption of a standard test meal is likely to be the most convenient approach for a routine clinical test, and we propose a standard test meal which is easily adaptable for the variations in dietary habits in different countries. Greater use of postprandial lipid determination will aid in the translation of our extensive knowledge on the role of nutrition in health into national and international policy.

The gourmet ape: evolution and human food preferences

This review explores the relation between evolution, ecology, and culture in determining human food preferences. The basic physiology and morphology of Homo sapiens sets boundaries to our eating habits, but within these boundaries human food preferences are remarkably varied, both within and between populations. This does not mean that variation is entirely cultural or learned, because genes and culture may coevolve to determine variation in dietary habits. This coevolution has been well elucidated in some cases, such as lactose tolerance (lactase persistence) in adults, but is less well understood in others, such as in favism in the Mediterranean and other regions. Genetic variation in bitter taste sensitivity has been well documented, and it affects food preferences (eg, avoidance of cruciferous vegetables). The selective advantage of this variation is not clear. In African populations, there is an association between insensitivity to bitter taste and the prevalence of malaria, which suggests that insensitivity may have been selected for in regions in which eating bitter plants would confer some protection against malaria. Another, more general, hypothesis is that variation in bitter taste sensitivity has coevolved with the use of spices in cooking, which, in turn, is thought to be a cultural tradition that reduces the dangers of microbial contamination of food. Our evolutionary heritage of food preferences and eating habits leaves us mismatched with the food environments we have created, which leads to problems such as obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Assessment of the dietary exposure to non-dioxin-like PCBs of the Italian general population

The dietary intake of non-dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (NDL-PCBs) has been estimated using the sum of six indicator PCBs (Σ 6(PCBs)) in the Italian general population. Data from a national food consumption survey were combined with the mean concentration values of the individual six indicator PCBs (IUPAC Nos. 28, 52, 101, 138, 153, and 180) in foodstuffs available on the European market. Mean concentrations were estimated from the raw data set provided by the European Commission (DG SANCO). The purpose was to describe the distribution of NDL-PCB dietary intake in the Italian population, and to investigate to what extent the variability in dietary habits may cause higher exposures to the aforesaid contaminants. Results indicated a mean dietary intake of Σ 6(PCBs) corresponding to 24.6, 16.1, and 10.9 ng kg-bw −1 day −1 for toddlers (0.5–6 years old, excluding breastfeeding), children (7–12 year old), and adults (13–94 years old), respectively. Fish and fishery products and milk and dairy products were the major contributors to the total dietary intake. The highest exposures due to variation in dietary habits were in general two–three times higher than the corresponding mean values and they were generally due to a higher fish consumption rate. The NDL-PCB dietary intake decreased with age until about 10–12 years; afterwards it appeared to remain constant. The tolerable daily intake (TDI) has not been established for these contaminants; however, action and maximum allowed levels in feeding stuffs and food recently established by the European Commission for dioxin-like PCBs could also protect consumers from exposure to NDL-PCBs.