Weighed Food Diary Research Articles

Are Homemade and Commercial Infant Foods Different? A Nutritional Profile and Food Variety Analysis in Spain.

Complementary feeding (CF) is an important determinant of early and later life nutrition with great implications for the health status and the development of an adequate growth. Parents can choose between homemade foods (HMFs) and/or commercial infant foods (CIFs). There is no consistent evidence as to whether HMFs provide a better nutritional profile and variety over CIFs. The aim of this study was to compare the nutritional profiles and food variety of HMFs versus CIFs in the Spanish market targeted for infants (6–11 months) and young children (12–18 months). Thirty mothers with their children aged 6 to 18 months were included in this cross-sectional study, following a 3-day weighed food diary of which HMFs were collected and chemically analyzed. HMFs meals for infant provided significantly lower energy, higher protein and higher fiber, for young children provided significantly higher protein and fiber than CIFs meals. HMFs fruit purees for infant shown significantly higher fiber and for young children provided higher energy than CIFs. HMFs meals contained a significantly greater number of different vegetables than CIFs meals (3.7 vs. 3.3), with carrot as the most frequently used in both. However, in CIFs fruit purees shown higher different fruits than HMFs, in both the banana was the fruit most frequently used. There was a predominance of meat and lack of oily fish and legumes in both HMFs and CIFs meals. HMFs and CIFs were equally characterized by a soft texture and yellow-orange colours. Importantly, our findings emphasize the need for clear guidelines for the preparation of HMFs as well as the promotion of food variety (taste and textures) in both HMFs and CIFs to suit infants’ and young children’s nutritional and developmental needs.

Urine Metabolite Profiles and Nutrient Intake Based on 4-Day Weighed Food Diary in Habitual Vegans, Vegetarians, and Omnivores

BackgroundIncreasing interest in diets excluding meat and other products of animal origin emphasizes the importance of objective and reliable methods to measure dietary exposure, to evaluate associations and causation between diet and health, and to quantify nutrient intakes in different diets. ObjectivesThis study aimed to investigate if NMR analysis of urine samples can serve as an objective method to discriminate vegan, vegetarian with or without fish, and omnivore diets. A secondary aim was to assess the influence of dietary nutrient intake on the metabolomics results. MethodsHealthy individuals (43 men and 75 women, age 19–57 y) complying with habitual vegan (n = 42), vegetarian (n = 25), vegetarian + fish (n = 13), or omnivore (n = 38) diets were enrolled. Data were collected on clinical phenotype and lifestyle including a 4-d weighed food diary. Urine was analyzed for metabolites by NMR spectroscopy and data normalized using probabilistic quotient normalization and Pareto-scaled before multivariate analysis. Before orthogonal projections to latent structures with discriminant analysis, participants were assigned as meat consumers or nonmeat consumers (vegans and vegetarians), vegans or nonvegans (omnivores, vegetarian, and vegetarian + fish). ResultsThe main results showed that it was possible to discriminate meat and nonmeat consumers (91% correctly classified), but discrimination between vegans and nonvegans was less rigorous (75% correctly classified). Secondary outcomes showed that reported intake of protein was higher in omnivores, and saturated fat lower and fiber higher in vegans, compared with the other groups. Discriminating metabolites were mainly related to differences in protein intake. ConclusionsNMR urine metabolomics appears suitable to objectively identify and predict habitual intake of meat in healthy individuals, but results should be interpreted with caution because not only food groups but also specific foods contribute to the patterns.This trial was registered at http://clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02039609.

Dietary fat intakes in Irish children: changes between 2005 and 2019.

To examine current dietary fat intakes and compliance in Irish children and to examine changes in intakes from 2005 to 2019. Analyses were based on data from the Irish National Children's Food Survey (NCFS) and the NSFS II, two cross-sectional studies that collected detailed food and beverage intake data through 7-day and 4-day weighed food diaries, respectively. NCFS and NCFS II, Republic of Ireland. A nationally representative sample of 594 (NCFS) and 600 (NCFS II) children aged 5-12 years. Current intakes from the NCFS II were compared with those previously reported in the NCFS (www.iuna.net). Current intakes of total fat, SFA, MUFA, PUFA and trans fat as a percentage of total energy are 33·3, 14·0, 13·6, 5·6 and 0·5 %, respectively. Total fat, SFA and trans fat intakes since 2005 remained largely stable over time with all displaying minor decreases of <1 %. Adherence to SFA recommendations remains inadequate, with only 7 % of the population complying. Insufficient compliance with PUFA (71 %) and EPA and DHA (DHA; 16 %) recommendations was also noted. Children in Ireland continue to meet the total fat and trans fat target goals. Adherence to MUFA and PUFA recommendations has also significantly improved. However, deviations for some fats remain, in particular SFA. These findings are useful for the development of dietary strategies to improve compliance with current recommendations.

Estimated Intakes of Nutrients and Polyphenols in Participants Completing the MaPLE Randomised Controlled Trial and Its Relevance for the Future Development of Dietary Guidelines for the Older Subjects.

The evaluation of food intake in older subjects is crucial in order to be able to verify adherence to nutritional recommendations. In this context, estimation of the intake of specific dietary bioactives, such as polyphenols, although particularly challenging, is necessary to plan possible intervention strategies to increase their intake. The aims of the present study were to: (i) evaluate the nutritional composition of dietary menus provided in a residential care setting; (ii) estimate the actual intake of nutrients and polyphenols in a group of older subjects participating in the MaPLE study; and (iii) investigate the impact of an eight-week polyphenol-rich dietary pattern, compared to an eight-week control diet, on overall nutrient and polyphenol intake in older participants. The menus served to the participants provided ~770 mg per day of total polyphenols on average with small variations between seasons. The analysis of real consumption, measured using weighed food diaries, demonstrated a lower nutrient (~20%) and polyphenol intake (~15%) compared to that provided by the menus. The feasibility of dietary patterns that enable an increase in polyphenol intake with putative health benefits for age-related conditions is discussed, with a perspective to developing dietary guidelines for this target population.

Amount, Source and Pattern of Dietary Protein Intake Across the Adult Lifespan: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Objectives: Sub-optimal dietary protein consumption may partially underlie the age-related loss of muscle mass and function (sarcopenia). Specifically, dose, timing, source and distribution of dietary protein across the day might influence muscle anabolism in individuals from across the lifespan.Design: The present study aimed to assess daily and meal-specific protein intake, protein source and protein intake pattern in 40 young (23.8 ± 4.3 years), 40 middle-aged (51.6 ± 4.1 years), and 40 old (77.4 ± 7.4 years) individuals using 3-day weighed food diaries.Results: Old individuals consumed on average 83.4 ± 24.6 g of daily protein, which was significantly lower compared with young but not middle-aged individuals who consumed, respectively, 105.1 ± 43.0 g and 97.0 ± 31.1 g of daily protein (P = 0.013). No significant difference in daily protein intake was found with middle-aged individuals. Dietary protein intake pattern was uneven across meals for all groups (P < 0.001 for all). Sources of protein consumption were similar between groups except at lunch where old individuals ingested lower quality proteins compared with middle aged and young individuals.Conclusion: Although total daily protein intake was sufficient in the majority of participants, per-meal protein intake and protein distribution contend the current knowledge regarding optimal protein intakes. Increasing protein intake, especially at breakfast and lunch, could mitigate age-related muscle loss.

Changes in consumption of milk in Irish children (5–12 years): preliminary analysis from the National Children's Food Survey II

AbstractIntroduction:Milk is widely recognised as a nutrient dense food, supporting the growth and development of children. Nevertheless some milk types such as whole milk can consist of high levels of saturated fat, which is recognised for its association with chronic disease risk in adults when intakes are elevated. In Ireland, current dietary guidelines recommend that children from two years onwards should consume low fat milk. Previous research has shown low levels of compliance with this guideline. Therefore the aim of this study is to review the current consumption of milk and non-dairy milk-based alternatives among Irish children and compare these with previous intakes.Materials and methods:Analyses are based on data from the nationally representative National Children's Food Survey (NCFS, 2003–2004) and the National Children's Food Survey II (NCFSII 2017–2018) (www.iuna.net). The NCFS and NCFS II collected detailed food and beverage intake data from 7-d and 4-d weighed food diaries respectively, of Irish children aged 5–12 years (NCFS, n594; NCFS II, n600). Dietary intakes were analysed using WISP© in NCFS and Nutritics V5.02 (Nutritics, Dublin, Ireland) in NCFS II. Milk intakes were categorised into three food groups: ‘Whole milk’, ‘reduced fat milk’, and ‘non-dairy milk alternatives’. Mean daily intakes (MDIs) were calculated for the total population and consumers only using SPSS© V24.0.Results:Dietary intakes of ‘whole milk’ decreased over time from 232 ± 186g/d to current intakes of 131 ± 154g/d. In contrast, increases were noted in ‘reduced fat milks’ (26 ± 86g/d to 52 ± 110g/d) and ‘non-dairy alternatives’ (0.2 ± 4g/d to 3 ± 19g/d). A total of 68% of children were classified as consumers of whole milk (193 ± 151g/d) compared to 90% (257 ± 178g/d) previously. ‘Reduced fat milk’ consumers increased from 17% to 31% and ‘non-dairy alternatives’ consumers also increased from &lt; 1% to 3%.Conclusion:Our preliminary results indicate that the number of Irish children consuming whole milk have decreased over the last number of years. In contrast consumers of ‘reduced fat milks’ have significantly increased, indicating potential improvement to healthy eating guidelines adherence. Further analysis to examine current intakes and sources of saturated fat is warranted to establish additional changes in dietary patterns and compliance with recommendations within this age group.

The EnergyKids project: pilot study on the energy balance of primary school children during school days and summer camp days

AbstractSpecific nutritional requirements should be cover during childhood to ensure proper growth. The daily energy need is defined as the number of calories necessary to satisfy the total energy expenditure in a healthy and active organism. Since children are more inclined to be physically active during summer, their energy expenditure may vary during school days respect to summer days and a proper energy intake should be planned during both periods.The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the energy balance during school days and summer camp days in primary school children living in the city of Parma (Italy), attending the Giocampus programme.Participants were asked to complete a 3-day weighed food diary and to wear an activity tracker for the same 3 consecutive days twice: within a school week and a summer camp week. Height and body weight were measured at the beginning of each assessment week and BMI was calculated to define the weight status through the IOTF gender- and age-related cut-offs for children BMI. The mean energy balance was estimated as the difference between the mean total energy expenditure (calculated multiplying the daily physical activity level by the basal metabolic rate from the Schofield's predictive equation) and the mean daily energy intakes (obtained through the Italian food database of the European Institute of Oncology).Fifty-five children (49% F, 51% M, 8–10 y) correctly completed the study. In both periods, the mean BMI corresponded to normal weight status, without significant differences between genders. Energy intake did not change significantly between the assessment periods or between sexes. As expected, the minutes of inactivity decreased during the summer camp period. Moreover, males were more active than females, but the increase in the total energy expenditure from school to summer camp, related to the increased physical activity, was significant in both sexes. Energy balance was negative in both assessment periods and it changed significantly from school to summer camp days, decreasing in both sexes but being more negative for boys than for girls.Our results underline the importance of providing children with meals nutritionally adequate and suggest that the energy content of children's meals should be increased during particular conditions, like a summer camp, and continuously monitored to assure an adequate energy intake to cover the energy requirements during both school and summer camp days.

Intestinal permeability modulation through a polyphenol-rich dietary pattern in older subjects: MaPLE project outcomes and perspectives

AbstractIn recent years, research has been focusing on strategies to counteract inflammatory processes and age-related diseases(1). During ageing, a low-grade systemic inflammation is often associated to an altered intestinal permeability (IP) a condition that has been shown to promote inflammation possibly through the translocation of dietary and bacterial factors into the blood stream that activates the immune system(2).In this regard, dietary pattern and environmental factors could play a fundamental role because of their potential ability to modulate inflammation, IP and the gut microbial ecosystem (GME). Moreover, it has been hypothesized that bioactive compounds such as polyphenols may affect IP and GME(3).The MaPLE project (Microbiome mAnipulation through Polyphenols for managing gut Leakiness in the Elderly) aimed to investigate the hypothesis that a polyphenol-rich diet can improve IP condition in a target population with beneficial changes at intestine and systemic level. To this aim, a randomised, controlled, cross-over dietary intervention study (8-week polyphenol-rich diet versus 8-week control diet, separated by a wash-out period) was carried out in a group of older subjects (&gt; 60 years) living in a well-controlled setting (i.e. nursing home). Markers related with IP, inflammation, oxidative stress, vascular function and intestinal microbial ecosystem were investigated in serum, urine and/or fecal samples. Moreover, blood bacteria DNAemia, and serum/urine metabolomics has been assessed. Moreover, a consistent nutritional evaluation of the standard menu (provided by the nursing home) and of weighed food diaries was performed, providing also data on actual polyphenol intake during the intervention. The results show there were higher levels of IP in the older subjects, and that the polyphenol-enriched diet changed the levels of serum zonulin, a marker of IP. In addition, an association between zonulin and blood bacterial load was demonstrated. Ongoing in vitro and in vivo experiments are exploring the potential effects of different polyphenols on IP and the mechanisms involved. The MaPLE project will generate new data to improve the understanding on the role of polyphenols in the modulation of intestinal microbiome and its interactions with the host.

Measuring energy, macro and micronutrient intake in UK children and adolescents: a comparison of validated dietary assessment tools

BackgroundMeasuring dietary intake in children and adolescents can be challenging due to misreporting, difficulties in establishing portion size and reliance on recording dietary data via proxy reporters. The aim of this review was to present results from a recent systematic review of reviews reporting and comparing validated dietary assessment tools used in younger populations in the UK.MethodsValidation data for dietary assessment tools used in younger populations (≤18 years) were extracted and summarised using results from a systematic review of reviews of validated dietary assessment tools. Mean differences and Bland-Altman limits of agreement (LOA) between the test and reference tool were extracted or calculated and compared for energy, macronutrients and micronutrients.ResultsSeventeen studies which reported validation of 14 dietary assessment tools (DATs) were identified with relevant nutrition information. The most commonly validated nutrients were energy, carbohydrate, protein, fat, calcium, iron, folate and vitamin C. There were no validated DATs reporting assessment of zinc, iodine or selenium intake. The most frequently used reference method was the weighed food diary, followed by doubly labelled water and 24 h recall. Summary plots were created to facilitate comparison between tools. On average, the test tools reported higher mean intakes than the reference methods with some studies consistently reporting wide LOA. Out of the 14 DATs, absolute values for LOA and mean difference were obtained for 11 DATs for EI. From the 24 validation results assessing EI, 16 (67%) reported higher mean intakes than the reference. Of the seven (29%) validation studies using doubly labelled water (DLW) as the reference, results for the test DATs were not substantially better or worse than those using other reference measures. Further information on the studies from this review is available on the www.nutritools.org website.ConclusionsValidated dietary assessment tools for use with children and adolescents in the UK have been identified and compared. Whilst tools are generally validated for macronutrient intakes, micronutrients are poorly evaluated. Validation studies that include estimates of zinc, selenium, dietary fibre, sugars and sodium are needed.

Ensuring a healthy approach to long‐term weight management: Review of the Slimming World programme

AbstractWeight management programmes have been shown to be effective interventions that encourage clinically relevant weight loss. The aim of a weight management programme is not only to achieve weight loss, but also to support long‐term weight maintenance and for that reason their suitability in helping people to meet the key dietary recommendations for health must be considered. The British Nutrition Foundation was asked to investigate whether the Slimming World weight management programme is consistent with current nutrient and food‐based recommendations, and whether Slimming World members following the programme are typically eating diets meeting these recommendations in the ‘real world’. This was to help inform any potential refinements to their dietary approach. A three‐stage approach included a review of Slimming World's dietary approach resources, nutritional analysis of Slimming World's example menu plans and dietary analysis of 40 7‐day weighed food diaries completed by adult female Slimming World members. The Slimming World dietary approach reflects many of the main messages in the UK's Eatwell Guide and generally accepted healthy eating advice. Several observations were made with indications for potential changes in relation to key food groups. Nutritional analysis of the 7‐day menu plans suggests that a Slimming World member following a provided example menu plan could meet many of the UK dietary recommendations that were analysed in this review. Food diary analysis suggests the Slimming World study sample on average met dietary recommendations for total fat, saturated fat, calcium, salt and 5 A DAY. In comparison, national dietary surveys report that the average UK adult female population meets the total fat and calcium recommendations, but is not meeting the recommendations for saturated fat, salt and 5 A DAY. The study sample did not meet the recommendations for intakes of fibre and free sugars and oil‐rich fish, but these were still closer to recommendations than the average UK adult female population. High intakes of red and processed meat and alcohol were observed amongst some of the study sample. Overall, the findings suggest that despite a reduction in energy intake, adult females following this weight management programme may be consuming a diet that more closely meets UK dietary guidelines when compared with the average UK adult female population.

Serum metabolite profiles of habitual diet: evaluation by 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance analysis

ABSTRACTBackgroundObjective and reliable methods to measure dietary exposure and prove associations and causation between diet and health are desirable.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate if 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) analysis of serum samples may be used as an objective method to discriminate vegan, vegetarian, and omnivore diets. Specifically, the aim was to identify a metabolite pattern that separated meat-eaters from non–meat-eaters and vegans from nonvegans.MethodsHealthy volunteers (45 men and 75 women) complying with habitual vegan (n = 43), vegetarian (n = 24 + vegetarians adding fish n = 13), or omnivore (n = 40) diets were enrolled in the study. Data were collected on clinical phenotype, body composition, lifestyle including a food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ), and a 4-d weighed food diary. Serum samples were analyzed by routine clinical test and for metabolites by 1H-NMR spectroscopy. NMR data were nonnormalized, UV-scaled, and analyzed with multivariate data analysis [principal component analysis, orthogonal projections to latent structures (OPLS) and OPLS with discriminant analysis]. In the multivariate analysis volunteers were assigned as meat-eaters (omnivores), non–meat-eaters (vegans and vegetarians), vegans, or nonvegans (lacto-ovo-vegetarians, vegetarians adding fish, and omnivores). Metabolites were identified by line-fitting of 1D 1H-NMR spectra and the use of statistical total correlation spectroscopy.ResultsAlthough many metabolites differ in concentration between men and women as well as by age, body mass index, and body composition, it was possible to correctly classify 97.5% of the meat-eaters compared with non–meat-eaters and 92.5% of the vegans compared with nonvegans. The branched-chain amino acids, creatine, lysine, 2-aminobutyrate, glutamine, glycine, trimethylamine, and 1 unidentified metabolite were among the most important metabolites in the discriminating patterns in relation to intake of both meat and other animal products.Conclusions 1H-NMR serum metabolomics appears to be a possible objective tool to identify and predict habitual intake of meat and other animal products in healthy subjects. These results should be confirmed in larger cohort studies or intervention trials. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02039609.

Dietary intake and eating patterns of young children with type 1 diabetes achieving glycemic targets

IntroductionYoung children with type 1 diabetes (T1D) consume more saturated fat and less fruit and vegetables than recommended. A common challenge in this age group is unpredictable appetite potentially impacting...

An Assessment of the Validity of an Audio-Video Method of Food Journaling for Dietary Quantity and Quality.

Objective To validate an audio-video (AV) method of food journaling, in a free-living scenario, compared to direct, weighed food assessment. Design and Setting Data were collected in a cafeteria. Meals, selected by participants (n=30), were documented using the AV method: participants video-recorded their tray while audio-recording a description of their selected meal, after which the research team digitally weighed each food item and created an itemized diary record of the food. Variables Measured Data from the AV method and from the weighed food diaries were transcribed and entered into a nutrition software analysis program (Nutribase Pro 10.0). Nutrient outputs were compared between the two methods including kilocalories, macronutrients, and selected micronutrients. Analyses Using mean scores for each variable, Wilcoxon signed-rank test and Spearman's correlation coefficients were conducted. Interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was calculated for absolute agreement between the two methods to assess interrater reliability. Results With the exception of Vitamin E and total weight, nutrient values were highly correlated between methods and were statistically significant given alpha = 0.05, power = 0.95, and effect size of 0.70. Conclusions The AV method may be a meaningful alternative to diary recording in a free-living setting.

Microparticle Responses to Aerobic Exercise and Meal Consumption in Healthy Men.

Microparticles (MP) are shed extracellular vesicles that express the prothrombotic tissue factor (TF). Aerobic exercise may reduce MP count and TF expression. This study investigated the impact of acute running or rest followed by standardized meal consumption on MP phenotypes and TF expression. Fifteen males (age, 22.9 ± 3.3 yr; body mass, 81.9 ± 11.4 kg; V˙O2max, 54.9 ± 6.5 mL·kg·min; mean ± SD) completed 1 h of running (70% V˙O2max) or rest at 9:00 AM and consumed a standardized meal (1170 kcal, 43% CHO, 17% PRO, 40% fat) at 10:45 AM. Venous blood samples were taken at 9:00 AM, 10:00 AM, and 11:30 AM. The MP concentration, diameter, phenotypes, and TF expression were assessed using nanoparticle tracking analysis and flow cytometry. Nanoparticle tracking analysis identified no changes in MP concentration or diameter in response to time or trial. Flow cytometry revealed total MP count increased from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM (1.62 ± 2.28 to 1.74 ± 2.61 × 10 L, P = 0.016, effect size (η) = 0.105), but was unaffected by trial. TF platelet-derived MP % reduced from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM (44.0% ± 21.2% to 21.5% ± 9.3%, P = 0.001, η = 0.582) after exercise only (control, 36.8% ± 18.2% to 34.9% ± 11.9%; P = 0.972). TF neutrophil-derived MP percentage reduced from 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM (42.3% ± 17.2% to 25.1% ± 14.9%; P = 0.048, η = 0.801) in the exercise trial only (control, 28.5% ± 15.7% to 32.2% ± 9.6%; P = 0.508). Running induced a significant reduction in %TF platelet and neutrophil MP, suggesting a transient reduction in cardiovascular risk via reduced TF-stimulated thrombosis. This requires further investigation over longer periods in cardiovascular disease populations.

The Feasibility and Acceptability of Two Methods of Snack Portion Control in United Kingdom (UK) Preschool Children: Reduction and Replacement.

Large portions of high energy dense (HED) snacks are offered to children from a young age and are pervasive in our food environment. This study aimed to explore the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of two strategies of snack portion control: reduction and replacement. Forty-six mother-child dyads aged 22–56 months (36.6 ± 9.5 m, 48% female) completed a three-week intervention. In week 1 (baseline) no changes were made to the child’s diet; week 2 (acclimation) children received a standardised selection of HED snacks, and in week 3 (intervention) participants were randomly assigned to snack replacement (n = 24) or snack reduction (n = 22). Snack replacement involved swapping HED snacks for fruits and vegetables, whilst snack reduction involved reducing the size of HED snacks by 50%. Food and energy intake were measured using a weighed food diary for four consecutive days. Snack replacement resulted in more positive changes to children’s diets; vegetable intake increased (p < 0.01), and total daily energy intake decreased when compared to snack reduction (p < 0.05). Mothers expressed a more favourable attitude to snack replacement, although snack reduction was also well received by mothers. Despite increased preliminary efficacy of snack replacement on dietary intake, both strategies were feasible and acceptable. The current pilot study provides the necessary information to inform the design of future interventions.

Data Mapping From Food Diaries to Augment the Amount and Frequency of Foods Measured Using Short Food Questionnaires.

Collecting accurate and detailed dietary intake data is costly at a national level. Accordingly, limited dietary assessment tools such as Short Food Questionnaires (SFQs) are increasingly used in large surveys. This paper describes a novel method linking matched datasets to improve the quality of dietary data collected. Growing Up in Ireland (GUI) is a nationally representative longitudinal study of infants in the Republic of Ireland which used a SFQ (with no portion sizes) to assess the intake of “healthy” and “unhealthy” food and drink by 3 years old preschool children. The National Preschool Nutrition Survey (NPNS) provides the most accurate estimates available for dietary intake of young children in Ireland using a detailed 4 days weighed food diary. A mapping algorithm was applied using food name, cooking method, and food description to fill all GUI food groups with information from the NPNS food datafile which included the target variables, frequency, and amount. The augmented data were analyzed to examine all food groups described in NPNS and GUI and what proportion of foods were covered, non-covered, or partially-covered by GUI food groups, as a percentage of the total number of consumptions. The term non-covered indicated a specific food consumption that could not be mapped using a GUI food group. “High sugar” food items that were non-covered included ready-to-eat breakfast cereals, fruit juice, sugars, syrups, preserves and sweeteners, and ice-cream. The average proportion of consumption frequency and amount of foods not covered by GUI was 44 and 34%, respectively. Through mapping food codes in this manner, it was possible, using density plots, to visualize the relative performance of the brief dietary instrument (SFQ) compared to the more detailed food diary (FD). The SFQ did not capture a substantial portion of habitual foods consumed by 3-year olds in Ireland. Researchers interested in focussing on specific foods, could use this approach to assess the proportion of foods covered, non-covered, or partially-covered by reference to the mapped food database. These results can be used to improve SFQs for future studies and improve the capacity to identify diet-disease relationships.

Fast and Accurate Approaches for Large-Scale, Automated Mapping of Food Diaries on Food Composition Tables

Aim of Study: The use of weighed food diaries in nutritional studies provides a powerful method to quantify food and nutrient intakes. Yet, mapping these records onto food composition tables (FCTs) is a challenging, time-consuming and error-prone process. Experts make this effort manually and no automation has been previously proposed. Our study aimed to assess automated approaches to map food items onto FCTs.Methods: We used food diaries (~170,000 records pertaining to 4,200 unique food items) from the DiOGenes randomized clinical trial. We attempted to map these items onto six FCTs available from the EuroFIR resource. Two approaches were tested: the first was based solely on food name similarity (fuzzy matching). The second used a machine learning approach (C5.0 classifier) combining both fuzzy matching and food energy. We tested mapping food items using their original names and also an English-translation. Top matching pairs were reviewed manually to derive performance metrics: precision (the percentage of correctly mapped items) and recall (percentage of mapped items).Results: The simpler approach: fuzzy matching, provided very good performance. Under a relaxed threshold (score > 50%), this approach enabled to remap 99.49% of the items with a precision of 88.75%. With a slightly more stringent threshold (score > 63%), the precision could be significantly improved to 96.81% while keeping a recall rate > 95% (i.e., only 5% of the queried items would not be mapped). The machine learning approach did not lead to any improvements compared to the fuzzy matching. However, it could increase substantially the recall rate for food items without any clear equivalent in the FCTs (+7 and +20% when mapping items using their original or English-translated names). Our approaches have been implemented as R packages and are freely available from GitHub.Conclusion: This study is the first to provide automated approaches for large-scale food item mapping onto FCTs. We demonstrate that both high precision and recall can be achieved. Our solutions can be used with any FCT and do not require any programming background. These methodologies and findings are useful to any small or large nutritional study (observational as well as interventional).

A Low Energy–Dense Diet in the Context of a Weight-Management Program Affects Appetite Control in Overweight and Obese Women

BackgroundLow energy–dense (LED) foods reduce energy intake (EI); whether this effect is sustained over time and during weight loss is unknown.ObjectiveThis trial examined the effects of LED compared with high energy–dense (HED) meals on appetite, EI, and control over eating in the laboratory and during a weight-management program that encourages unrestricted intake of LED foods [Slimming World, UK (SW)] compared with a self-led Standard Care program [NHS weight-loss plan (SC)].MethodsOverweight and obese women [n = 96; mean ± SD age: 41.03 ± 12.61 y; mean ± SD body mass index (in kg/m2): 34.00 ± 3.61] were recruited from the SW or SC programs. Primary outcomes included appetite, food preferences (liking and wanting for LED and HED foods), cravings, and evening meal EI (LED, HED) in response to calorie-matched LED (≤0.8 kcal/g) and HED (≥2.5 kcal/g) breakfast and lunch meals. Probe-day tests were conducted at weeks 3 and 4 and repeated at weeks 12 and 13 in a within-day crossover design. Secondary outcomes, including body weight and program experience, were measured from weeks 1 to 14 in a parallel-group design. Dietary compliance was monitored with the use of weighed food diaries at weeks 3 and 12.ResultsIntention-to-treat (ITT) and completers analyses showed that the SW group lost more weight than the SC group [ITT: −5.9% (95% CI: −4.7%, –7.2%) compared with −3.5% (−2.3%, −4.8%), P < 0.05; completers: −6.2% (−4.8%, −7.6%) compared with 3.9% (−2.5%, −5.2%), P < 0.05]. The SW group reported greater control over eating and more motivation to continue the program compared with the SC group. LED meals increased sensations of fullness and reduced hunger on probe days (P < 0.001). Total-day EI was 1057 ± 73 kcal less (95% CI: 912, 1203 kcal; 36%) under LED compared with HED conditions (P < .001). Liking for LED and HED foods and wanting for HED foods were lower before lunch under LED compared with HED conditions, and liking decreased to a greater extent after the LED lunch. The SW group reported fewer cravings under LED compared with HED conditions (P < 0.05). On probe days, appetite and EI outcomes did not differ between weeks 3 and 12 or between the SW and SC groups.ConclusionLED meals improve appetite control in women attempting weight loss and the effect is sustainable. Consumption of LED meals likely contributed to weight loss in the SW program. This study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02012426.

Dietary patterns and obesity in preschool children in Australia: a cross-sectional study.

Dietary patterns have been linked to the risk of obesity in adults but little is known about such a link in young children. To examine the association between dietary patterns, nutrient intake and obesity in a representative population of preschool children in Australia. Dietary intake was assessed using a 3-day weighed food diary. Dietary patterns were identified by factor analysis. Children were classified as overweight or obesity if their BMI z-score was between the 85th-95th percentiles or was above the 95th percentile, respectively. Three dietary patterns were identified. The 'Traditional' pattern was characterised by grains, fruit, vegetables, and red meat. The 'Processed' pattern was characterised by processed meats, snack foods and confectionary. The 'Health conscious' pattern was characterised by eggs, fish, polyunsaturated margarines and low fat dairy products. The 'Traditional' pattern was positively associated with protein and zinc intake while the 'Processed' pattern was inversely associated. Both patterns were inversely associated with calcium intake. No associations were found between the 'Health conscious' pattern and macronutrients and key micronutrients intakes. The 'Traditional' pattern was positively associated with obesity but the association became non-significant after adjustment for energy and protein intake. No association was observed between the other two dietary patterns and weight status. In this cross-sectional study, dietary patterns were not associated with obesity. Longitudinal follow up will help to better understand the relationship between dietary patterns in early childhood and the risk of obesity later in life.

Energy balance components in persons with paraplegia: daily variation and appropriate measurement duration

BackgroundDespite obesity being highly prevalent in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI), our current understanding of the interactions between energy balance components, which may contribute to this, is limited. The primary aim of this study is to identify the intra-individual variability of physical activity dimensions across days and suggest an appropriate monitoring time frame for these constructs in adults with SCI. The secondary aim is to examine these parameters with regard to energy intake and dietary macronutrient composition.MethodsParticipants [33 men and women with chronic (> 1 year post injury) paraplegia; age = 44 ± 9 years (mean ± S.D.] wore an Actiheart™ PA monitor and completed a weighed food diary for 7 consecutive days. Spearman-Brown Prophecy Formulae, based on Intraclass Correlations of .80 (acceptable reliability), were used to predict the number of days required to measure energy balance components. Linear mixed-effects analyses and magnitude-based inferences were performed for all energy intake, expenditure and physical activity dimensions. Adjustments were made for age, injury level, wear time, sex, day of the week and measurement order as fixed effects.ResultsTo reliably measure energy expenditure components; 1 day [total energy expenditure (TEE)], 2 days [physical activity energy expenditure (PAEE), light-intensity activity, moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA)], 3 days [physical activity level (PAL)] and 4 days (sedentary behaviour) are necessary. Device wear time (P < 0.02), injury level (P < 0.04) and sex (P < 0.001) were covariates for energy expenditure components. Four and ≤24 days are required to reliably measure total energy intake (kcal) and diet macronutrient composition (%), respectively. Measurement order (from day 1–7) was a covariate for total energy intake (P = 0.01).ConclusionsThis is the first study to demonstrate the variability of energy intake and expenditure components in free-living persons with chronic (> 1 year) paraplegia and propose suitable measurement durations to achieve acceptable reliability in outcome measures. Device wear time and measurement order play a role in the quality of energy expenditure and intake data, respectively, and should be considered when designing and analysing studies of energy balance components in persons with SCI.Trial registrationN/A