Socioeconomic differences in food preference and their influence on healthy food purchasing choices

Background: Studies have shown that socioeconomic groups differ in their dietary behaviours, and it has been suggested that these differences partly account for health inequalities between social groups. To-date, however, we have a limited understanding of why socioeconomic groups differ in their dietary behaviours. This paper addresses this issue by examining the relationship between socioeconomic status, food preference (likes and dislikes) and the purchase of 'healthy' food (i.e. food consistent with dietary guideline recommendations). Methods: This study was based on a dual-sample, dual-method research design. One sample was systematically selected from the Australian Commonwealth electoral roll and the data collected using a mail-survey methodology (81% response rate, n =403). The second consisted of a convenience sample of economically disadvantaged people recruited via welfare agencies (response rate unknown, n =70). A mail survey methodology was deemed inappropriate for this sample, so the data were collected by personally delivering the questionnaire to each respondent. Results: Socioeconomic groups differed significantly in their food purchasing choices and preferences. The food choices of respondents in the welfare sample were the least consistent with dietary guideline recommendations, and they reported liking fewer healthy foods (all results were independent of age and sex). Notably, socioeconomic differences in preference explained approximately 10% of the socioeconomic variability in healthy food purchasing behaviour. Conclusion: Whilst it is not clear why socioeconomic groups differ in their food preferences, possible reasons include: reporting bias, differential exposure to healthy food as a consequence of the variable impact of health promotion campaigns, structural and economic barriers to the procurement of these foods, and subculturally specific beliefs, values, meanings, etc.     

The dietary intake of homeless males sleeping rough in Central London

Data concerning the food and beverage intake (including alcohol) of 79 males, aged 19–50 years, sleeping rough in Central London, who did not appear to be under the influence of drink, drugs or suffering from mental illness were collected by prompted 24-h recall and food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ). The source of food was noted and the subjects were asked about food availability and food needs. The group had intakes significantly lower than Dietary Reference Values (DRV) for the UK for energy, carbohydrate, non-starch polysaccharides (NSP), folate, zinc and magnesium. Significantly higher values were seen for protein, fat, vitamin B₁₂, calcium and iron. Alcohol intake was higher than that assumed to approximate current intakes of the UK population. Mean macronutrient intakes for the group were similar to means for British adult men (OPCS, 1990), only protein and NSP were significantly lower. The FFQ showed very low consumption/week of fruit, vegetables, salad, fruit juice and wholewheat/brown products. Organized charities provided the major source of food energy for the group as a whole. Self-supplied sources provided the major source of total energy. It is suggested that the group may benefit from an increase in dietary fibre and energy, with an increase in the proportion of energy supplied by carbohydrate and a reduction in energy from fat and alcohol. A varied supply of food and hot meals during weekends as well as during the week may benefit the group both aesthetically and nutritionally. It may be advisable to increase the supply of wholemeal/brown bread, fruits, vegetables and salad foods without decreasing the energy content of the food available.     

脂蛋白脂酶基因PvuⅡ位点多态性与高脂血症人群膳食干预易感性的关系

为了解脂蛋白脂酶 (LPL)基因PvuⅡ位点多态性与高脂血症人群膳食干预效果的关系 ,从北京市西城区 8个社区居民中筛出 43 6名高脂血症患者 ,分为干预组 (2 48人 )和对照组 (188人 ) ;对两组人群进行血脂谱水平检测、膳食调查、体格检查及LPL基因PvuⅡ位点多态性检测 (PCR RFLP方法 ) ,并对干预组进行为期 6个月的膳食干预。结果表明与对照组相比 ,干预组膳食总能量、脂肪供能比及胆固醇摄入量明显降低 ,血清TC、LDL C和HDL C水平明显下降 (P <0 0 5 ) ,且LPL PvuⅡ位点 (+ +)基因型携带者TC和LDL C水平降低幅度大于 (+ - )及 (- - )基因型 ;多元线性回归分析显示膳食干预易感的因素包括LPL(+)等位基因、基限TC、LDL C水平较高以及超重等。本研究可初步得出LPL基因PvuⅡ位点 (+)等位基因与高脂血症人群膳食干预易感性密切相关 ,但限于研究对象的代表性该结论还需要进一步研究支持     

Nutritional considerations in intravenous drug misusers: a review of the literature and current issues for dietitians

Poor nutritional status and inadequate dietary intake in intravenous drug misusers (IVDMs) is a well-recognized problem among those involved in their care. However, there are very few published studies to substantiate these observations. This paper provides a review of the current literature and outlines the aims of dietary advice for IVDMs.     

膳食纤维分析方法的简化

对ＳｅｌｖｅｎｄｒａｎＲＲ等人的冷中性洗涤剂纤维提取分析法（ＣＮＤＦ）进行简化，改变了各溶剂的处理时间，省去了湿球研磨与超声波处理步骤。将原法中ＳＬＳ－ＰＡＷ－ＤＷＳＯ处理时间１５ｈ，３０ｍｉｎ和１６ｈ分别延长为２２ｈ，４０ｍｉｎ与２２ｈ，化学分析与透射电镜观察结果表明，简化法对膳食纤维的提取分析效果与原推荐法相同，更加方便与实用。     

美国汉学界区域史、地方史研究的兴起

六十年代以来，区域研究与地方史理论在美国汉学界开始流行。文章试图在全面厘清汉学区域研究及地方史视角兴起原因的基础上，分析这一现象在思想文化研究中的利弊得失，以期展现中国研究的复杂性并反思我们引进海外汉学成果时的态度。     

Histopathologic and dietary prognostic factors for canine mammary carcinoma

Summary Histologic and dietary prognostic factors for survival following naturally occurring breast cancer were studied for 145 pet dogs. Information was collected from the dog's owner and veterinarian regarding medical and reproductive history, nutritional status, treatment, tumor recurrence, and length of survival. The usual intake of all dog and table foods consumed 1 year prior to diagnosis was obtained using a validated quantitative food frequency questionnaire. A histologic malignancy score was derived based on 7 histopathologic criteria. The mean age of the dogs was 10.4 ± 2.5 years; 37% had been ovariohysterectomized prior to diagnosis. Product-limit estimates of survival indicated that 6 factors, namely body conformation 1 year prior to diagnosis (p = 0.03), histologic tumor type (p = 0.004), histologic malignancy score (p = 0.02), histologic invasion (p = 0.002), tumor recurrence (p<0.0001), and completeness of surgery (p = 0.01) were of prognostic significance. In addition, when dogs were characterized by the percent of total calories they derived from fat and protein, the median survival time for dogs in the low fat group (<39%) with protein >27%, 23–27%, and <23% was 3 years, 1.2 years, and 6 months, respectively (p = 0.008). For dogs in the high fat group (39%), there was no difference in survival for the different intake levels of dietary protein (p = 0.84). When these data were fitted to a proportional hazards model, recurrence, histologic score, tumor type, percent of calories derived from protein, fat group, and a protein-fat group interaction term were statistically significant. Predicted 1 year survival for dogs on a low fat diet with 15%, 25%, and 35% of total calories derived from protein was 17%, 69%, and 93%, respectively.     

Sputum induction as a research tool for the study of human respiratory mucus

The study objectives were to compare in vitro transportability and physical properties of respiratory mucus, obtained invasively by direct collection (DC) right after endotracheal intubation and non-invasively by sputum induction with 3% hypertonic saline solution inhalation (SI) 24 h before the anesthesia. Twenty-two patients with no pulmonary disease scheduled for elective abdominal surgical procedures were studied. The parameters analyzed and the main results are as follows. (1) Transportability by cilia (MCT), SI was higher than DC (0.94+/-0.25 and 0.62+/-0.25; P<0.001). There was a significant correlation between the two methods and DC could be estimated by: DC=0.21+(0.44 SI) (r=0.44; P<0.001). (2) Transportability by cough (CC), SI was higher than DC (68.23+/-32.1 and 33.58+/-19.04 mm; P=0.002). (3) Contact angle (CA), SI was lower than DC (10+/-3 degrees and 22+/-14 degrees ; P=0.025). (4) Rheological properties (no significant difference obtained between SI and DC). These results indicated that SI changes mucus physical properties and transportability in non-expectorators.     

Oxygen uptake-heart rate relationship in élite wheelchair racers

The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recommends that, as a general rule for health purposes, individuals should exercise at 40%–85% of their maximal oxygen uptakes. Moreover, it has been suggested that 55%–90% of the maximal heart rate may be used as an alternative estimate of these percentage maximal oxygen uptake values. The present study examined the relationship between percentage peak heart rate (% HR_peak) and percentage peak oxygen uptake (% ) during steady-state incremental intensity wheelchair propulsion of 16 élite, male wheelchair racers (WR). Oxygen uptake was determined during each submaximal exercise stage and heart rate (HR) was continuously monitored. The was subsequently determined using a separate protocol. Linear regression equations of % HR_peak versus % for each participant included % HR_peak values corresponding to 40%, 60%, 80% and 85% . The linear regression equation, derived as the group mean of the slope and intercept terms determined for each individual, was: . The group mean of the individual correlation coefficients for the relationship was 0.99. The values of % HR_peak for each of the % values below 85% were significantly greater (P<0.01) than those suggested by the ACSM. This suggests that the ACSM guidelines below 85% , based on % HR_peak, may underestimate the relative exercise intensity (i.e. % ) in the WR population. However, in élite level WR, % HR_peak can be recommended as an alternative estimate of % at wheelchair propulsion intensities of 85% or more. Electronic Publication