Social determinants of fruit and vegetable intake and validation of Pro-Children Eating Habits Questionnaire for 3rd and 5th grade children

BACKGROUND: The Pro Children Eating Habits Questionnaire has been evaluated as a valid and reliable tool in Europe to measure determinants of fruit and vegetable intake for children; however, it has not been validation for United States populations. The purpose of this study was to (1) assess the reliability and discrimination validity of fruit and vegetable correlates for the Pro Children Eating Habits Questionnaire; (2) investigate the predictive validity of determinants of fruit and vegetable consumption for multi-ethnic elementary school children; and, (3) to assess the association of social determinants with fruit and vegetable consumption. METHODS: One hundred and thirty elementary school students from the 3rd and 5th grades completed this cross-sectional study. RESULTS: Fruit and vegetable determinants, had satisfactory internal consistencies. No differences were found between the test and the retest for the individual questions with the exception of the question for mean perceived vegetable intake. The discriminatory validity indicated the questionnaire could show differences across grade and gender levels for barriers of fruit and vegetables but not for other factors. Grade together with gender explained barriers to eating fruit and vegetables. Greater availability of fruit in the home and school was associated with higher frequency of consumption. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate the Pro-Children Eating Habits Questionnaire may be a reliable and valid tool for assessing fruit and vegetable consumption of children in the United States.

Phylloquinone (Vitamin K₁) Intake and Pulse Pressure as a Measure of Arterial Stiffness in Older Adults

This study examined the relationships among ethnicity/race, lifestyle factors, phylloquinone (vitamin K₁) intake, and arterial pulse pressure in a nationally representative sample of older adults from four ethnic/racial groups: non-Hispanic Whites, non-Hispanic Blacks, Mexican Americans, and other Hispanics. This was a cross-sectional study of U.S. representative sample with data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, 2007-2008 and 2009-2010 of adults aged 50 years and older (N = 5296). Vitamin K intake was determined by 24-hour recall. Pulse pressure was calculated as the difference between the averages of systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure. Compared to White non-Hispanics, the other ethnic/racial groups were more likely to have inadequate vitamin K₁ intake. Inadequate vitamin K₁ intake was an independent predictor of high arterial pulse pressure. This was the first study that compared vitamin K₁ inadequacy with arterial pulse pressure across ethnicities/races in U.S. older adults. These findings suggest that vitamin K screening may be a beneficial marker for the health of older adults.

Dietary Intake Of Flavonoids And HDL- And LDL- Cholesterol In Two Black Ethnicities With And Without Type 2 Diabetes

Flavonoids are a class of over 6,500 plant metabolites that have been associated with reduced mortality from cardiovascular disease. A cross-sectional analysis of dietary flavonoids and serum cholesterol in 507 Blacks with and without type 2 diabetes (258 Haitian-Americans and 249 African-Americans) showed differences by ethnicity and diabetes status. Haitian-Americans consumed more of most flavonoids as compared to African-Americans. Individuals with type 2 diabetes consumed less of most flavonoids as compared to those without diabetes. Flavonoids were differentially associated with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) by diabetes status. Flavanones were associated with lower LDL for participants without diabetes and higher LDL for those with diabetes, independent of ethnicity and adjusted for age, gender, cholesterol medications, daily energy, dietary fat, body mass index (BMI), and smoking. Flavan-3-ols were positively related to LDL while polyflavonoids (theaflavin and polymers, proanthocyanidins) were inversely related to LDL for the group without diabetes only. Higher anthocyanidins and flavan-3-ols and lower polyflavonoids were associated with higher HDL (same adjustments) for those without diabetes, whereas no flavonoids were associated with HDL for individuals with type 2 diabetes.

The impact of dieting status and restraint on post-exercise energy intake in overweight females

This study investigated the impact of an acute bout of physical activity on postexercise energy intake (PE-EI) in overweight females who were dieting with high restraint (D-HR) and non-dieting with either high restraint (ND-HR) or low restraint (ND-LR). PE-EI at lunch and 12-hours after was compared on the exercise (E) and a nonexercise (NE) day. There was a significant interaction (F (2,33)= 4.12, p = 0.025) of dieting/restraint status and condition (E vs. NE day) on the 12-hour El. The D-HR ate 519 ± 596 kcal more on the E than on the NE day; while the ND-HR ate 177 ± 392 kcal less on the E than on the NE day. The results of this study demonstrate that the impact of exercise on PE-EI is determined by both a physiological and psychological response. Dieting status, dietary restraint, level of disinhibition and cognitive factors may influence PE-EI and weight.

Low-fat food consumption by people with diabetes decreases fat saturated fat, and cholesterol intake

This study investigated the effect of providing free-access to several fat-modified foods on dietary energy and fat intake in free-living individuals with and without diabetes mellitus. Five low/no-fat products or their regular-fat versions were provided to volunteers to take home and use for 3 days. Energy and nutrient intakes of all foods consumed were determined through a weighed food diary and by weighing the food provided before and after consumption. Fifteen individuals with diabetes and 15 case-matched controls without diabetes participated in the study. Individuals with diabetes and controls responded similarly to the fat-modified foods. In both groups there was a significant reduction in the percent of kcals and grams of fat consumed during the low-fat condition compared to the regular-fat condition (p

Development and assessment of a method to estimate meal intake of nursing home residents

The objective was to develop and validate a method for estimating food intake of nursing home residents. The study was conducted with certified nursing assistants (CNAs) at a 180-bed nursing facility. CNAs assisted in the development of the new method by providing feedback on existing estimation methods. Four simulated resident trays were used to estimate both food intake and overall meal intake. Twelve CNAs' intake estimates for 34 simulated food items (n=384 estimates) were compared to weighed values. Eightyfive percent of the 384 intake estimates for the simulated food items were correct; Cohen's kappa was 0.80, p

Psychological and Cognitive Factors that Influence Post-Exercise Energy Intake in Normal Weight and Overweight Sedentary Males

The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a single bout of moderate-intensity exercise on acute (ad libitum lunch) post-exercise energy intake (PE-EI) and 12-hour energy intake in normal-weight and overweight sedentary males. Accuracy in estimating energy intake (EI) and energy expenditure (EE), solid vs. liquid carbohydrate intake, mood, and perceived hunger were also assessed. The study consisted of two conditions, exercise and rest, with each subject participating in each condition, in a counterbalanced-crossover design on two days. The participants were randomly assigned to either the exercise or resting (seated) control condition on the first day of the experiment, and then the condition was reversed on the second day. Exercise consisted of walking on a treadmill at moderate-intensity for 60 minutes. Eighty males, mean age 30+8 years were categorized into five groups according to weight status (overweight/normal-weight), dietary restraint status (high/low), and dieting status (yes/no). The main effects of condition and group, and the interaction were not significant for acute (lunch) or 12-hour PE-EI. Overall, participants estimated EE for exercise at 46% higher than actual exercise EE, and they estimated EE for rest by 45% lower than actual resting EE. Participants significantly underestimated EI at lunch on both the exercise and rest days by 43% and 44%, respectively. Participants with high restraint were significantly better at estimating EE on the exercise day, and better at estimating EI on the rest day. Mood, perceived hunger, and solid vs. liquid carbohydrate intake were not influenced by dietary restraint, weight, or dieting status. In conclusion, a single bout of moderate-intensity exercise did not influence PE-EI in sedentary males in reference to dietary restraint, weight, and dieting status. Results also suggested that among sedentary males, there is a general inability to accurately estimate calories for moderate-intensity physical activity and EI. Inaccurate estimates of EE and EI have the potential to influence how males manage their weight.

The Effect of Osteoporosis Education on Calcium Intake and Physical Activity in a Group of Community-Dwelling Black Older Adults

The unprecedented increase in the number of older adults is expected to increase the burden of osteoporosis on the individual and society. Blacks have been understudied in osteoporosis prevention education research. Although the risk of osteoporosis is low in this population, its consequences are significant. This study employs a two-group experimental design (experimental and wait-list control groups) to evaluate the effect of an osteoporosis education on two osteoporosis prevention behaviors (OPBs) – calcium intake (CI) and physical activity (PA), in a group of community-dwelling Black older adults, 50 years and older resident in South Florida. A final sample of 110 (mean age 70.15 years), 90% female and 10% male completed a battery of questionnaires at two assessment periods. The experimental group participated in six weekly education program sessions immediately following baseline assessment, and the wait-list control group received the education following end of program assessment by all participants. The weekly educational sessions were conducted in social settings (church or senior center) employing constructs of the Revised Health Belief Model. The sessions focused on improving CI; osteoporosis knowledge (OKT), self-efficacy (SE), health beliefs (HB) and PA. Findings revealed significantly greater increase in reported CI (M = 556 mg, Wilks’ λ = .47, F(1,108)=122.97, p< .001, η2=.53), OKT (p< .001), and SE (p< .001) among participants in the experimental compared to the wait-list control group. There was no significant difference between the two groups for PA and most of the HB subscales. OKT and SE were the best predictors of CI, while perceived barrier was a predominant factor predicting PA. Over the study period, a change in SE was the only variable related to changes in both OPBs. Attrition rate was lower than expected, which can be attributed to the settings utilized for the study. These findings support the importance of utilizing a familiar social setting. These results suggested the effectiveness of a program offered in multiple short sessions among this underserved minority population to improve OKT and SE resulting in a change in OPBs (increase in CI). However, there is need to explore alternative strategies to improve PA in this population group.

The relationship among serum levels of manganese superoxide dismutase and mitochondrial DNA 8-hydroxy-2'- deoxyguanosine, and dietary antioxidants intake in type 2 diabetes

Oxidative stress plays a key role in the development of Type 2 Diabetes (T2D). This cross-sectional study examined the relationship among serum levels of manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), 8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine (8OHdG), dietary antioxidant intakes and glycemic control in African Americans (n=209) and Haitian Americans (n=234) with and without T2D. ^ African Americans had higher BMI (32.8 vs. 29.3 kg/m2), higher energy intake (2148 vs. 1770 kcal), and were more educated as compared to Haitian Americans; all variables were significant at p < .001. Serum levels of 8OHdG and MnSOD for African Americans (1691.0 ± 225.1 pg/ml, 2538.0 ± 1091.8 pg/ml; respectively) were significantly higher than for Haitian Americans (1626.2 ± 222.9, 2015.8 ± 656.3 pg/ml; respectively). 8OHdG was negatively correlated with MnSOD ( r = -.167, p < .001) in T2D. Having T2D was negatively correlated with MnSOD (r = -.337; p < .01) and positively correlated with 8OHdG (r = .500; p < .01). African Americans and Haitian Americans with T2D had fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels of 143.0 ± 61.0 mg/dl and 157.6 ± 65.5 mg/dl, and A1C of 7.5 ± 1.8 % and 8.4 ± 2.4 %, respectively. African Americans and Haitian Americans without T2D had FPG levels of 95.8 ± 13.2 mg/dl and 98.7 ± 16.9 mg/dl, and A1C of 5.9 ± 0.4% and 6.0 ± 0.5%, respectively. Dietary intakes of vitamin C and vitamin D were negatively correlated with FPG (r = -.21; r = -.19, p < .05) respectively. Carotenoids negatively correlated with A1C (r = -.19, p < .05). Lower levels of MnSOD were associated with lower levels of zinc, r = .10, p < .05, and higher levels of carotenoids r = -.10, p < .05. Higher levels of 8OHdG were associated with lower levels of Vitamin D, r = -.14, p < .01, and carotenoids, r = -.09, p < .05. ^ The results demonstrate greater oxidative mtDNA damage in persons with T2D compared to those without T2D and in African Americans compared with Haitian Americans. The inverse relationship between dietary intake of antioxidants and oxidative stress implies a potential to reduce oxidative stress with diet. ^

Modelling the associations between fat-free mass, resting metabolic rate and energy intake in the context of total energy balance

Peer reviewed

The relationship between dietary magnesium intake, stroke and its major risk factors, blood pressure and cholesterol, in the EPIC-Norfolk cohort

Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.

Using food intake records to estimate compliance with the Eatwell plate dietary guidelines

Funded by Scottish Government's Rural and Environment Science and Analytical Services (RESAS) Division Food Standards Agency, UK Biscuit, Cake, Chocolate and Confectionery Association, London, UK

The relationship between dietary magnesium intake, stroke and its major risk factors, blood pressure and cholesterol, in the EPIC-Norfolk cohort

Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.

Using food intake records to estimate compliance with the Eatwell plate dietary guidelines

Funded by Scottish Government's Rural and Environment Science and Analytical Services (RESAS) Division Food Standards Agency, UK Biscuit, Cake, Chocolate and Confectionery Association, London, UK

Limits to sustained energy intake. XXIII. Does heat dissipation capacity limit the energy budget of lactating bank voles?

© 2016. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.