Vegetable Intake Research Articles

Risk Factors and Prevention of Stomach Cancer, Excluding Helicobacter pylori

Gastric cancer is a significant health problem owing to its high incidence and mortality rate. The risk factors for gastric cancer include both uncontrollable (e.g., age, sex, and genetic predisposition) and controllable factors (e.g., <i>Helicobacter pylori</i> infection, smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity, and high-salt diets). Although treatment of <i>H. pylori</i> infections has been implemented as a primary preventive measure, the risk of gastric cancer may persist, highlighting the need for additional preventive measures. This review discusses various risks and protective factors associated with gastric cancer, studies conducted on these factors, and chemoprevention. Smoking is a risk factor for this disease; thus, is not recommended and current smokers are encouraged to quit because cessation can reduce the risk of gastric cancer. Excessive alcohol intake has been reported to increase the risk of gastric cancer as has the consumption of high-salt foods that can damage the gastric mucosa. Additionally, increasing the intake of fruits and vegetables, known for their protective effects against gastric cancer, can aid in its prevention. Studies on chemopreventive agents, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g., aspirin), statins, and metformin, have been reported; however, evidence of their effectiveness remains insufficient to recommend these agents as preventive treatments. Additional well-planned studies on preventive medications and dietary approaches are necessary.

Risk factor profile for non-communicable diseases: findings of a STEPS survey among the support staff at the University of Pretoria, South Africa

Background: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are an important problem in South Africa; they account for 60% of all deaths. Early screening could help lower NCD incidences and long-term consequences. Objective: The study aimed to profile NCD risk factors among insourced support staff at the University of Pretoria in 2018. Design: A cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted at the University of Pretoria, Hatfield Campus. The World Health Organization (WHO) STEPwise approach to chronic disease risk factor surveillance (STEPS) questionnaire was administered to collect data in three steps. The participants’ behavioural risk profiles were gathered using the face-to-face interview technique (STEP I), followed by their physical risk profile using anthropometric and blood pressure measurements (STEP II). Last was the biochemical risk profile, including finger-prick blood glucose and cholesterol measurement (STEP III). Data were analysed using Epi-Info, version 3.54. Subjects: A convenient sample of participants aged 18–64 years from the Departments of Industrial Hygiene and Building Services, Landscape Services, Sports Fields Management, and Security Services (n = 146, 60% were females) took part in the study. Results: Most participants (97.8%) had low daily fruit and vegetable intake. Some 80% of the study population always or often added salt to their food when cooking. Daily alcohol consumption was reported by a quarter of the sample. More than two-thirds of all the participants were overweight or obese and 61% had central obesity. Conclusion: The study identified a high prevalence of several NCD risk factors. Tailored nutrition education and monitoring are needed to lower the elevated risk.

A prospective study of health-related lifestyle changes among police cadets

The objectives of this prospective study were to explore the health-related lifestyle of police cadets and assess changes in their health behaviors following entry into the police force. To do so, 190 police cadets completed an online questionnaire assessing their physical activity level, sedentary behaviors, diet quality, sleep hygiene, alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking, and stress level. One year following their graduation from the police training program, participants were invited to, once again, complete the questionnaire. Our results suggest that police cadets generally display healthy lifestyles, with very few cadets being physically inactive, smokers, reporting insufficient sleep duration, and displaying obesity. Nevertheless, paired-sample comparisons highlighted significant decreases in physical activity, fruit and vegetable intake, sleep duration, and sleep quality at the follow-up. Likewise, significant increases in fast-food consumption and BMI were observed.

Investigation of functional constipation in elderly inpatients and analysis of its influencing factors: A cross-sectional study.

To investigate the prevalence of functional constipation (FC) in elderly hospitalized patients and analyze the influencing factors. This was a cross-sectional study in which 506 patients hospitalized in general surgery from February to June 2020 were selected. Information on patients' age, gender, ethnicity, body mass index, intake of vegetables, fruits, meat, and spicy foods, sleep, smoking, alcohol consumption, time of defecation, and mode of defecation was collected through questionnaires, and the factors affecting functional constipation were analyzed using binary logistic regression models; among 506 patients, 254 had FC, with a prevalence of 50.19%. Among the clinical symptoms of FC, the most common ones were straining to defecate (83.85%) and lumpy or hard stools (81.80%). Univariate analysis revealed statistically significant differences in family history of constipation (P = .033), sedentary (P = .004), self-care ability (P = .001), body mass index (P = .013), defecation time (P < .0001), spicy food intake in dietary preference (P = .001), age (P = .004), and education level (P = .016), and binary logistic regression analysis showed that defecation time and spicy food consumption were independent influencing factors of FC. For hospitalized elderly people, regular morning defecation and not eating spicy foods can more helpful to slow the occurrence of functional constipation.

Overweight and vitamin D deficiency are common in patients with irritable bowel syndrome - a cross-sectional study

BackgroundIrritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disease with unknown etiology. Poor dietary intake with nutritional deficiency and overweight have been described to increase the risk of IBS. The aim of the present study was to compare weight and circulating levels of micronutrients in IBS compared with healthy controls.DesignCross-sectional study.MethodsPatients diagnosed with IBS and healthy volunteers were recruited. Participants had to complete a dietary diary book and the questionnaires Rome IV, IBS-severity scoring system (IBS-SSS), and visual analog scale for IBS (VAS-IBS). Weight and height were measured, and blood samples were drawn. C-reactive protein (CRP), cobalamin, folate, iron, total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), and 25-hydroxy (25-OH) vitamin D were analyzed. Differences were calculated between groups and generalized linear model for regressions was adjusted for false discovery rate (FDR).ResultsIBS patients (n = 260) were elder than controls (n = 50) (44.00 (33.25-56.00) vs. 37.85 (30.18–45.48) years; p = 0.012). After adjustment for age, both weight (β: 5.880; 95% CI: 1.433–10.327; p = 0.010, FDR = 0.020) and body mass index (BMI) (β: 2.02; 95% CI: 0.68–3.36; p = 0.003, FDR = 0.012) were higher in patients. Among IBS participants, 48.1% were overweight/obese compared with 26.0% in controls (p = 0.007). Diarrhea-predominated IBS had highest weight (p < 0.001) and BMI (p = 0.077). CRP and cobalamin were higher in patients than controls (p = 0.010 vs. p = 0.007), whereas folate was highest in controls (p = 0.001). IBS patients had lower intake of vegetables (p = 0.026), dairy products (p = 0.004), and cereals (p = 0.010) compared with controls. Despite 21.5% of IBS patients were taking vitamin D supplements, 23.65% of them had vitamin D levels below 50 nmol/L, compared with 26.0% observed in the control group (p = 0.720). Vitamin D levels were lower in overweight than in normal weight IBS patients (60 (48–73) nmol/L vs. 65 (53–78) nmol/L, p = 0.022). Vitamin D correlated with cobalamin and folate but correlated inversely with TIBC and BMI. IBS patients had a high degree of gastrointestinal and extraintestinal symptoms, which were inversely associated with iron levels. Extraintestinal symptoms were associated with increased BMI.ConclusionIBS patients were often overweight or obese, with low vitamin D levels. High burden of extraintestinal symptoms were associated with overweight and lower iron levels.RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05192603 (Date of registration 11/29/2021) and NCT03306381 (Date of registration 09/18/2017), respectively.

Bridging oral health and nutrition: Assessing produce prescription programs in pediatric dental clinics serving low-income communities.

This study assesses the needs and feasibility of conducting a produce prescription (produce Rx) program in a pediatric dental clinic setting serving low-income patients. We conducted a cross-sectional quantitative survey examining several household characteristics including demographics, benefits received, fruit and vegetable intake patterns, food security, feasibility of a produce Rx program, and respondents' answers to questions based on social cognitive theory constructs. The survey was administered at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) pediatric dental clinic, a pediatric dental residency clinical training site. One hundred adult respondents with low income completed a 36-item questionnaire during their child's dental appointment. Almost half of respondents reported experiencing food insecurity (45%). Respondents who were food insecure experienced higher levels of nutrition insecurity (p = 0.012), less confidence in choosing fruits and vegetables (FVs) (p = 0.026), difficulty in purchasing FVs in their neighborhood (p = 0.012), and more concern that FVs cost too much (p < 0.001) when compared to respondents who were food secure. Notwithstanding the barriers they face, almost all respondents reported that they eat FVs because of health benefits (95%) and to set a good example for their family (91%). Additionally, most respondents expressed an interest in produce Rx programs (80%) and nutrition education activities (81%). This study demonstrated the potential for produce Rx program uptake in a pediatric dental clinic setting through positive caregiver-reported need and interest. Future studies should explore how produce Rx programs can be adapted most effectively in this novel setting.

Cruciferous vegetables lower blood pressure in adults with mildly elevated blood pressure in a randomized, controlled, crossover trial: the VEgetableS for vaScular hEaLth (VESSEL) study

BackgroundHigher cruciferous vegetable intake is associated with lower cardiovascular disease risk in observational studies. The pathways involved remain uncertain. We aimed to determine whether cruciferous vegetable intake (active) lowers 24-h brachial systolic blood pressure (SBP; primary outcome) compared to root and squash vegetables (control) in Australian adults with mildly elevated BP (SBP 120–160 mmHg inclusive).MethodsIn this randomized, controlled, crossover trial, participants completed two 2-week dietary interventions separated by a 2-week washout. Cruciferous vegetables were compared to root and squash vegetables (~ 300 g/day) consumed with lunch and dinner meals. Participants were blinded to which interventions were the active and control. Adherence was assessed using food diaries and biomarkers (S-methyl cysteine sulfoxide (SMCSO, active) and carotenoids (control)). Twenty-four-hour brachial ambulatory SBP and secondary outcomes were assessed pre- and post each intervention. Differences were tested using linear mixed effects regression.ResultsEighteen participants were recruited (median (IQR) age: 68 (66–70); female: n = 16/18; mean ± SD clinic SBP: 135.9 ± 10.0 mmHg). For both interventions, 72% participants had 100% adherence (IQR: 96.4–100%). SMCSO and carotenoids were significantly different between interventions (mean difference active vs. control SMCSO: 22.93 mg/mL, 95%CI 15.62, 30.23, P < 0.0001; carotenoids: − 0.974 mg/mL, 95%CI − 1.525, − 0.423, P = 0.001). Twenty-four-hour brachial SBP was significantly reduced following the active vs. control (mean difference − 2.5 mmHg, 95%CI − 4.2, − 0.9, P = 0.002; active pre: 126.8 ± 12.6 mmHg, post: 124.4 ± 11.8 mmHg; control pre: 125.5 ± 12.1 mmHg, post: 124.8 ± 13.1 mmHg, n = 17), driven by daytime SBP (mean difference − 3.6 mmHg, 95%CI − 5.4, − 1.7, P < 0.001). Serum triglycerides were significantly lower following the active vs. control (mean difference − 0.2 mmol/L, 95%CI − 0.4, − 0.0, P = 0.047).ConclusionsIncreased intake of cruciferous vegetables resulted in reduced SBP compared to root and squash vegetables. Future research is needed to determine whether targeted recommendations for increasing cruciferous vegetable intake benefits population health.Trial registrationClinical trial registry ACTRN12619001294145. https://www.anzctr.org.au

The association between carbohydrate quality index and conventional risk factors of cardiovascular diseases in an Iranian adult population

ObjectiveCardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the most common cause of death worldwide. Diet plays an important role among many risk factors for CVDs. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between carbohydrate quality index (CQI) and conventional risk factors of CVDs in Iranian adults.ResultsA higher CQI was related to a higher intake of energy, fiber, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, and dairy products. Additionally, a significant negative association was observed between CQI and triglycerides (TG) (odds ratio (OR) = 0.85; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.73–0.98, highest versus the lowest tertile, p for trend = 0.026) and non-high density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) (OR = 0.85; 95% CI: 0.75–0.96, highest versus the lowest tertile, p for trend = 0.012). No significant correlation was shown between CQI and other cardiovascular risk factors. The findings indicate that the CQI is inversely associated with TG and non-HDL-C. Further studies are proposed to confirm these findings.

Dietary patterns during pregnancy and maternal and birth outcomes in women with type 1 diabetes: the Environmental Determinants of Islet Autoimmunity (ENDIA) study

Aims/hypothesisDietary patterns characterised by high intakes of vegetables may lower the risk of pre-eclampsia and premature birth in the general population. The effect of dietary patterns in women with type 1 diabetes, who have an increased risk of complications in pregnancy, is not known. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between dietary patterns and physical activity during pregnancy and maternal complications and birth outcomes in women with type 1 diabetes. We also compared dietary patterns in women with and without type 1 diabetes.MethodsDiet was assessed in the third trimester using a validated food frequency questionnaire in participants followed prospectively in the multi-centre Environmental Determinants of Islet Autoimmunity (ENDIA) study. Dietary patterns were characterised by principal component analysis. The Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire was completed in each trimester. Data for maternal and birth outcomes were collected prospectively.ResultsQuestionnaires were completed by 973 participants during 1124 pregnancies. Women with type 1 diabetes (n=615 pregnancies with dietary data) were more likely to have a ‘fresh food’ dietary pattern than women without type 1 diabetes (OR 1.19, 95% CI 1.07, 1.31; p=0.001). In women with type 1 diabetes, an increase equivalent to a change from quartile 1 to 3 in ‘fresh food’ dietary pattern score was associated with a lower risk of pre-eclampsia (OR 0.37, 95% CI 0.17, 0.78; p=0.01) and premature birth (OR 0.35, 95% CI 0.20, 0.62, p<0.001). These associations were mediated in part by BMI and HbA1c. The ‘processed food’ dietary pattern was associated with an increased birthweight (β coefficient 56.8 g, 95% CI 2.8, 110.8; p=0.04). Physical activity did not relate to outcomes.Conclusions/interpretationA dietary pattern higher in fresh foods during pregnancy was associated with sizeable reductions in risk of pre-eclampsia and premature birth in women with type 1 diabetes.Graphical

P157 THE USE OF PARTICIPATORY ACTION RESEARCH TO PROMOTE INCREASED CONSUMPTION OF VEGETABLES AMONG AFRICAN WOMEN WITH/AT RISK OF HYPERTENSION IN GQEBERHA, SOUTH AFRICA

Background and objectives: Poor vegetable and fruit intake are reported in multiple studies of the South African population, especially among people with less income and lower educational status and it is a known risk factor for non-communicable diseases such as hypertension. “South Africa has one of the highest levels of hypertension globally, coupled with poor rates of diagnosis, treatment and control” Ware et al., (2019). It has been suggested that indigenous vegetables may aid in increasing vegetable intake, a recommendation of the South African Food Based Dietary Guidelines. As urbanisation and the nutrition transition increases in South Africa, the loss of indigenous knowledge and utilisation of indigenous vegetables is significant and is worse compared to countries such as Kenya and Tanzania. The aim of this study was to collaboratively promote the use of indigenous vegetables by African women in a peri-urban area with/at risk of hypertension with the goal of improving agency to increase vegetable intake. Methods: A qualitative participatory action research (PAR) methodology was utilised. African adult women with hypertension or at risk of hypertension were recruited from a local healthcare facility for a one year long project, with a total enrolment of 12-24 participants. Data collection included observations, focus groups, key informant interviews and the research journal of the researcher. Results: Participants worked collaboratively to co-construct relevant nutrition education materials, recipe development using local indigenous vegetables, clinic open day and a seminar for other community members. There was greater uptake of vegetable gardening at home and at the local community centre. Conclusions: using PAR methodologies to address inadequate vegetable intake and promote the use of indigenous vegetable crops may benefit personal agency which includes an individual's perceptions about how much control they have over themselves and their environment, in order to carry out a certain behaviour; self-confidence or efficacy; the ability to self-regulate and monitor behaviour and the ability to identify and use good coping skills.

The Influence of Dietary Isothiocyanates on the Effectiveness of Mitomycin C and Bacillus Calmette-Guérin in Treating Nonmuscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer.

Nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) has high recurrence rates and is often treated with mitomycin C (MMC) and bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG). Their efficacy relies on phase 2 enzyme metabolism and immune response activation, respectively. Dietary isothiocyanates, phytochemicals in cruciferous vegetables, are phase 2 enzyme inducers and immunomodulators, and may impact treatment outcomes. We investigated the modifying effects of cruciferous vegetable and isothiocyanate intake on recurrence risk following MMC or BCG treatment. Self-reported cruciferous vegetable intake, estimated isothiocyanate intake, and urinary isothiocyanate metabolites were collected from 1158 patients with incident NMIBC in the prospective Be-Well Study. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs were calculated from Cox proportional hazards regression models for risk of first recurrences, and random effects Cox shared frailty models for multiple recurrences. Over median follow-up of 23 months, 343 (30%) recurrences occurred. Receipt of MMC and BCG was associated with decreased risks of first recurrence (MMC: HR = 0.58; 95% CI: 0.46-0.73; BCG: HR = 0.66; 95% CI: 0.49-0.88) and multiple recurrences (MMC: HR = 0.55; 95% CI: 0.44-0.68; BCG: HR = 0.72; 95% CI: 0.55-0.95). Patients receiving BCG and having high intake (>2.4 servings/mo), but not low intake, of raw cruciferous vegetables had reduced risk of recurrence (HR: 0.56; 95% CI: 0.36-0.86; P for interaction = .02) and multiple recurrences (HR: 0.51; 95% CI: 0.34-0.77; P for interaction < .001). The inverse association between MMC receipt and recurrence risk was not modified. For NMIBC patients who receive induction BCG, increasing consumption of raw cruciferous vegetables could be a promising strategy to attenuate recurrence risk.

Correlation between Nutrition Education and Dietary Habits in College Athletes

This study investigates the relationship between nutrition education and dietary habits among college athletes, focusing on volleyball and football players at the Federal College of Education, Zaria. With a sample size of 52 Physical and Health Education (PHE) students, the research aims to understand how nutrition knowledge influences dietary choices across different sports. The study used a quasi-experimental design with tests given before and after the intervention. Three types of data were collected: a validated nutrition knowledge questionnaire based on Zinn et al. (2005), a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), and a 3-day food diary. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 25, with Pearson's correlation coefficient examining relationships between variables and independent t-tests comparing differences between sports. The findings suggest a significant positive correlation between nutrition education and improved dietary habits (r = 0.58, p &lt; 0.001), with volleyball players showing a stronger correlation (r = 0.63, p &lt; 0.001) compared to football players (r = 0.52, p &lt; 0.01). Post-intervention, both groups demonstrated improved dietary habits, with volleyball players showing greater improvements in fruit and vegetable intake and reduced consumption of processed foods. The study concludes that nutrition education has a positive impact on the dietary habits of college athletes, with the effect varying between different sports. The stronger correlation observed in volleyball players suggests that sport-specific factors may influence the effectiveness of nutrition education. Based on these findings, the study recommends curriculum planners and experts implement a continuous nutrition education curriculum as part of athletic programs. This curriculum should not only provide foundational knowledge but also include ongoing education to reinforce and expand upon initial learning.

Does stress compromise fruit and vegetable intake? A randomized controlled trial testing a model with planning as a mediator and stress as a moderator

ObjectiveIndividuals experiencing higher stress levels tend to consume fewer fruits and vegetables compared to their less stressed counterparts. Thus, to promote fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption, action planning has been proven effective in translating behavioral intentions into actual dietary behaviors. This study aims to evaluate a 7-day intervention designed to improve FV planning and intake, while also examining the role of stress. MethodsThe trial employed a 3 (time: pretest, post-test, and follow-up) * 2 (group: intervention vs. control) between-participant factorial design. A total of 99 young Chinese adults (age = 23.84 years ± 4.63, 26 men) who had formed an explicit intention to consume more fruit and vegetables, participated in a 7-day online randomized controlled trial. ResultsThe intervention successfully enhanced FV planning as well as FV intake. Furthermore, a moderated mediation model revealed that FV planning mediated the relationship between experimental conditions and FV intake, with stress moderating this mediation. Specifically, planning facilitated FV intake for individuals with low stress levels, while this effect was not observed for those with high stress levels. ConclusionThese findings confirm the positive impact of the planning intervention on improving FV intake, particularly for individuals with low stress levels, and highlight stress as a barrier to health behavior change that warrants further attention in future studies.

P039 INTEGRATED SCREENING FOR HYPERTENSION AND DIABETES MELLITUS IN ROUTINE TUBERCULOSIS CARE IN DELHI, INDIA

Background: Evidence supports the integration of prevention and management for tuberculosis (TB) with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like hypertension and diabetes mellitus (DM). Bi-directional screening for TB and DM is already implemented in India, a country with a dual burden of TB and NCDs. However, very limited programmatic data are available on the feasibility of adding other NCDs and their risk factors in such screening programme. Objective: To assess the yield, feasibility, and acceptability of a two-stage integrated screening for NCDs and risk factors for NCDs among patients with TB ≥20 years and treated in DOTS centres of two medical colleges in Delhi, between October 2016 and March 2017. Methods: It was a mixed-methods, triangulation study with a quantitative component (cross-sectional study using questionnaires, anthropometric measurements and records review) and a qualitative component (descriptive study using interview data). Results: Amongst 403 patients screened, the prevalence of hypertension was 7% (n = 28) with 20 new cases detected and 8% for DM (n = 32) with 6 new cases diagnosed. The number needed to screen to find a new case was 20 and 63 for hypertension and DM respectively. The most frequent NCD-risk factors were inadequate vegetable (80%) and fruits (72%) intake, alcohol use (34%), use of smokeless tobacco (33%) and smoking (32%). Clustering of four or more risk factors was associated with increasing age and male sex (p&lt;0.05). Both patients and health providers considered the screening relevant and acceptable. However, waiting time and costs involved in blood tests were considered as bothersome by the patients, while health providers perceived increased workload, inadequate medical supplies and inadequate skills and knowledge as key challenges in implementation of the screening. Conclusion: Integrating screening for hypertension and DM and their risk factors in the existing TB programme produces high yield and it is feasible and acceptable by patients and health providers provided the challenges are overcome.

The role of vegetarianism, gender, and food choice motivations on vegetable intake among university students

Objective: This study investigated collegians’ (N = 466) vegetable consumption as a function of their food choice motivations, gender, and dietary habits. Method: Vegetarians and vegans (veg*ns, n = 94, 60% women), occasional meat eaters (n = 90, 66% women), and omnivores (n = 282, 43% women) completed the Food Choice Questionnaire and reported frequency of vegetable consumption. Results: Veg*ns consumed vegetables more frequently than omnivores and occasional meat eaters. Veg*ns’ and occasional meat eaters’ food choices were more motivated by natural content, health, and ethics, and less motivated by familiarity compared to omnivores. Women were more motivated than men by weight control. Health concerns predicted vegetable consumption for all dietary groups. Additionally, familiarity predicted veg*ns vegetable consumption, whereas mood, natural content, and convenience predicted omnivores’ vegetable consumption. Conclusions: Individual differences in dietary habits and food choice motivations should be considered when designing strategies to promote healthful diets for university students.

Fruit and Vegetable Intake and Its Association with the Metabolic Diseases in Korean Adults - The 2019∼2021 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys -

Fruit and Vegetable Intake and Its Association with the Metabolic Diseases in Korean Adults - The 2019∼2021 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys -

Burden of noncommunicable diseases and COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control strategies

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of death in 21st century. The risk factors for development and progression of NCDs include sedentary lifestyle, inadequate fruits and vegetables intake, tobacco use, high blood pressure, high total cholesterol levels, obesity, high salt intake, low physical activity, and air pollution. People with NCDs and comorbidities like hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, chronic respiratory infection and cancer are more vulnerable to severe COVID-19 infection that ultimately results into mortality. To reduce the impact of NCDs on COVID-19 cases, prevention is the best measure. Primary and secondary level prevention of NCDs plays a main role to control bad outcome in COVID-19 cases. The strategies that are required to address this comorbidity includes integration and convergence of the existing communicable and NCD programs, strengthening health care systems by giving major focus on primary health care services, health and wellness centers, universal health coverage, updating guidelines, enhancing community participation, capacity building, appropriate policy making, multi-sectoral participation and coordination.

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.

Analyzing the Effectiveness of Family-Based Interventions in Promoting Healthy Behaviors among Children in China

Objectives: The children's health has become every society's priority to promote a healthy future generation. In China, different measures are being taken by the government and other associated organizations to promote important family-based interventions to improve healthy behaviors among Children. Methods: This study has also focused on evaluating the effectiveness of a family-based (REDUCE) intervention in promoting health behaviors among children in China. For this study, a randomized-controlled trial (RCT) was implemented for the parents and children (with age of 7 to 10 years). These children were obese or overweight. Face-to-face sessions and social media were used for conducting the associated intervention. The "child eating behaviors questionnaire (CEBQ)" was used for assessing the children's eating behaviours. In contrast, a parental report was used for determining the dietary consumption of fruits and unhealthy snacks among the children for three days. The significance level was &lt; 0.05. About 124 parents participated in this study. Results: The results obtained show that at six-month of post-training, there was significant differences in the mean of food (p &lt; 0.0011), intake of fruits and vegetables (p &lt; 0.0011) and intake of unhealthy snacks (p &lt; 0.011) within the context of control and intervention groups. Conclusion: The current study provides important implications, focusing on improving the literature review concerning family-based intervention in improving the health behaviors among children.

The Effect of Nutrition and Diet on the Causes of Kidney Failure in Minors in Indonesia

Renal failure among minors in Indonesia has become a growing public health concern, with increasing evidence suggesting that dietary habits play a significant role in its development. This study investigates the influence of nutrition and diet on the causes of renal failure in minors, utilizing a quantitative analysis of 80 samples. Data were collected using a Likert scale (1 to 5) and analyzed with SPSS version 26. The results indicate significant positive correlations between the consumption of processed foods, sugary drinks, and the incidence of renal failure. Conversely, higher intake of fruits and vegetables was associated with a reduced risk of renal failure. Multiple regression analysis further confirmed the predictive power of these dietary factors, with processed foods and sugary drinks emerging as significant contributors to renal failure. The findings emphasize the need for targeted nutritional interventions and public health strategies to promote healthier eating habits among minors in Indonesia, aiming to reduce the incidence of renal failure and improve long-term health outcomes.