Early adopters of olestra-containing foods: who are they?

OBJECTIVE: To identify the characteristics of people consuming olestra-containing foods when first introduced at a test-marketing site. DESIGN: Data are from the Olestra Postmarketing Surveillance Study (OPMSS). After the introduction of olestra into a large test-marketing site, study participants received 3 follow-up telephone calls, at 3-month intervals, in which they were questioned about their diets during the previous month. SUBJECTS/SETTING: 1,007 adults in Indianapolis, Ind, who participated in a baseline clinic visit (before introduction of olestra into the food market) and completed at least 2 of 3 follow-up telephone calls (after the introduction of olestra into the market). STATISTICAL ANALYSES PERFORMED: Logistic regression was used to examine associations between olestra consumption and sociodemographic characteristics, health conditions, attitudes toward health and diet, and health-related behaviors. RESULTS: Olestra consumption on at least 1 of the follow-up telephone calls was reported by 41.5% of the study sample, and consumption on 2 or more telephone calls was reported by 20.0% of the sample. Factors associated with early adoption of olestra-containing foods included white ethnicity, higher education, overweight, absence of diabetes, attitudes indicative of diet and health concerns (e.g.; perceptions that there is a strong relationship between diet and disease), and a lower fat intake. APPLICATIONS/CONCLUSIONS: In spite of the controversy surrounding the introduction of olestra into the food market persons with attitudes indicative of diet and health concerns were likely to be early adopters of olestra-containing foods. Dietitians and other health care providers should inquire about intake levels of foods with fat substitutes and ensure that these foods are not being consumed in excessive amounts or being consumed instead of nutrient-dense foods that are naturally low in fat.     

Are changes in consumption of "healthy" foods related to changes in consumption of "unhealthy" foods during pediatric obesity treatment?

Increasing fruits and vegetables (FVs), a dietary recommendation for pediatric weight management, is theorized to reduce energy intake by reducing intake of more energy-dense foods, such as snack foods (SFs). This study examined the relationship between changes in FV, SF, and energy intake in children enrolled in a 6-month, family-based behavioral pediatric weight management trial. Secondary data analyses examined dietary intake in 80 overweight (≥ 85th to <95th percentile for body mass index [BMI]) and obese (≥ 95th percentile for BMI) children (7.2 ± 1.7 years) with complete dietary records at 0 and 6 months. Participants were randomized to one of three treatment conditions: (1) increased growth monitoring with feedback; (2) decrease SFs and sugar sweetened beverages; or (3) increase FVs and low-fat dairy. With treatment condition controlled in all analyses, FV intake significantly increased, while SF and energy intake decreased, but not significantly, from 0 to 6 months. Change in FV intake was not significantly associated with change in SF consumption. Additionally, change in FV intake was not significantly related to change in energy intake. However, reduction in SF intake was significantly related to reduction in energy intake. Changing only FVs, as compared to changing other dietary behaviors, during a pediatric obesity intervention may not assist with reducing energy intake.     

How well do adolescents determine portion sizes of foods and beverages?

In the present study, we examined how well adolescents (12-13 years) are able to select the correct dietary aid portion sizes after having been shown different food items. We also evaluated the effectiveness of two-dimensional life-size drawings and three-dimensional food models, used as dietary aids in this process. Fifty black children and 42 white children from Johannesburg participated in the study (N = 92). Trained interviewers individually tested each child following a prescribed sequence, throughout. Each participant was shown a plate of actual food of a pre-determined weight. The participant was required to select a two-dimensional drawing, and thereafter a three-dimensional food model, which most closely resembled the real food portion. In this manner, portion size estimation was evaluated with respect to 11 different food items. Correlations between nutrients calculated from actual weight of food portions and estimates ranged from 0.842 to 0.994 (P < 0.0001), indicating a significant positive linear association between the actual and estimated nutrients, using either of the dietary aids. However, findings also suggest that the drawings provided a better estimate of actual energy, fat and carbohydrates than did the food models (with respect to lying within the limits of agreement). On the other hand, the food models were more frequently selected correctly than the drawings. Hence, both methods had advantages and disadvantages. Overall, it was found that there were no gender differences (P < 0.05) when using either the models or drawings to estimate portion size, however, there were significant ethnic differences (P < 0.05). With two exceptions, black children selected the correct aids (drawings and models), more often compared with white children. It is recommended that in dietary interviews undertaken in black children in urban areas one could use either aid; while in white adolescents the use of the food models is recommended.     

Does consumption of processed foods explain disparities in the body weight of individuals? The case of Guatemala

Overweight/obesity, caused by the ‘nutrition transition’, is identified as one of the leading risk factors for non‐communicable mortality. The nutrition transition in developing countries is associated with a major shift from the consumption of staple crops and whole grains to highly and partially processed foods. This study examines the contribution of processed foods consumption to the prevalence of overweight/obesity in Guatemala using generalized methods of moments (GMM) regression. The results show that all other things remaining constant, a 10% point increase in the share of partially processed foods from the total household food expenditure increases the BMI of family members (aged 10 years and above) by 3.95%. The impact of highly processed foods is much stronger. A 10% point increase in the share of highly processed food items increases the BMI of individuals by 4.25%, ceteris paribus. The results are robust when body weight is measured by overweight/obesity indicators. These findings suggest that increasing shares of partially and highly processed foods from the total consumption expenditure could be one of the major risk factors for the high prevalence of overweight/obesity in the country. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effects of added PGX®, a novel functional fibre, on the glycaemic index of starchy foods

The development of lower-glycaemic index (GI) foods requires simple, palatable and healthy strategies. The objective of the present study was to determine the most effective dose of a novel viscous fibre supplement (PGX?) to be added to starchy foods to reduce their GI. Healthy subjects (n 10) consumed glucose sugar (50 g in water × 3) and six starchy foods with a range of GI values (52-72) along with 0 (inert fibre), 2.5 or 5 g granular PGX? dissolved in 250 ml water. GI testing according to ISO Standard 26,642-2010 was used to determine the reduction in GI. PGX? significantly reduced the GI of all six foods (P < 0.001), with an average reduction of 19 % for the 2.5 g dose and 30 % for the 5 g dose, equivalent to a reducing the GI by 7 and 15 units, respectively. Consuming small quantities of the novel functional fibre PGX?, mixed with water at the start of a meal, is an effective strategy to reduce the GI of common foods.     

Association of children's consumption of processed foods and family income in the city of São Paulo,Brazil

OBJECTIVE: To describe children's consumption of processed foods and its relationship with per capita family income based on a household survey. METHODS: Food consumption was studied in a statistical sample of 718 children living in the city of S?o Paulo in the period 1995-1996. A 24-hour dietary recall was used. Data regarding the association of children's consumption of 24 processed foods and per capita family income (arranged in quartiles) was analyzed. RESULTS: Consumption of sugar was higher among children of low income families whereas the consumption of chocolate powder, chocolate, yogurt, infant formula and soft drinks was higher among children of high income families (p< 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: It seems that per capita family income affects the consumption of some processed foods.     

Dietary Selenium for the counteraction of oxidative damage: fortified foods or supplements?

Since any significant modification in the Se status, leading to changes in the activity of the seleno-enzymes, may have important consequences on the susceptibility of tissues to oxidative stress, considerable efforts have been made upon increasing Se dietary intake. In this respect, an important debate is still open about the bioavailability and the effectiveness of Se, and more generally nutrients, in supplements compared with foods. Using male Wistar rats, we have compared the effectiveness of two different diets in which an adequate Se content (0.1 mg/kg) was achieved by adding the element as sodium selenite or as component of a lyophilized Se-enriched food, in the counteraction of an oxidative stress induced by intraperitoneal administration of adriamycin. Both Se-enriched diets were able to reduce the consequences of the oxidative stress in liver, mainly by increasing glutathione peroxidase activity. This increase was more evident in rats fed on the diet enriched with the lyophilized food, probably due to the different chemical forms of Se, or to other components of the food itself. Although further studies are needed, data herein presented may contribute to the characterization of the effectiveness of Se from different sources, foods or supplements, in the light of dietary advice to the population concerning improvement of Se intake.     

Should foods or nutrients be the focus of guidelines to promote healthful eating?

A variety of different dietary patterns can achieve the nutrient goals for a given population and therefore be considered as healthful. This means that guidelines for a healthy diet can be tailored to suit different cultures and food preferences. Although food‐based dietary guidelines are used worldwide, there is also authoritative dietary advice in relation to single nutrients, especially those of public health relevance. This includes recommendations to eat less salt, free sugars and ‘saturates’ as well as more fibre. However, it can be difficult for consumers to make simultaneous reductions in salt, sugars and saturated fatty acids as well as increases in dietary fibre, given that food choices are made according to a variety of considerations, including taste preferences, culture, convenience and cost, as well as health. In addition, media coverage of new scientific findings, especially those that challenge current dietary guidelines, can confuse consumers and hamper efforts to eat healthfully. Both food‐based dietary guidelines and recommended nutrient intakes can help consumers eat healthfully, providing they are supported by sound nutrition science, communicated well and delivered in a way that promotes beneficial changes in behaviour.     

Use of selected high‐fat foods by Hispanic adults in the Northeastern US

Objective. To add to the limited information of dietary fat intake of US Hispanic adults, in particular for subgroups other than Mexican Americans.

Methods. The frequency of eating 13 high‐fat food items commonly consumed in the US was examined in 665 Hispanic adults 20–74 years old in Connecticut and Long Island, New York, sampled from Spanish‐surname telephone listings and surveyed by telephone in 1992.

Results. Mean estimated fat intake from the 13 items was significantly greater for the 357 men than the 308 women; the largest gender differences were for hamburgers/ cheeseburgers and French fries. Whole milk was an important contributor to the fat intake of persons with the highest fat intakes. In multiple linear regression analyses, age (negative association) and gender, but not education and acculturation (based on language spoken, read and written), were statistically significant predictors of fat intake from the 13 items.

Conclusions. Longitudinal studies using diet diaries are needed in these Hispanic populations.     

Determinants of accuracy in estimating the weight and volume of commonly used foods: A cross‐cultural comparison

Inaccuracy of dietary self‐reports may result from an inability to estimate portion sizes of foods. To determine the influence of cultural factors, 162 subjects at three study locations in rural India and 100 subjects in Massachusetts, USA were asked to estimate weights and volumes of four commonly used food items. Compared with their Massachusetts counterparts, subjects in India evinced errors in their estimates of food weights which averaged only about 20% as large, with standard deviations less than half as large. In the combined data from the four study locations, relative to those with just primary education, individuals with some college overestimated the small and large reference weights by 79% and 52%, respectively (p <0.01). Implications of this research, including the use of quantitative dietary assessment methods in low literacy populations with relatively little formal education and possibilities of bias in epidemiologic studies, are discussed.     

Analysis of nutritional adequacy of local foods for meeting dietary requirements of children aged 6-23 months in rural central Tanzania

Background

Under nutrition remains a serious problem among children in Sub-Saharan Africa. Analysing how diets composed of local foods could achieve nutritional goals for infants and young children in low-income settings is essential. The objective of this study was to analyse how local foods can be used rationally and to what extent these foods can be supplemented to achieve nutrient requirements for children aged 6 – 23 months in resource-poor settings.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was carried out to estimate dietary intakes of 400 children aged 6-23 months using a 12-h weighed dietary record, 24-h dietary recalls, and 7-days food records. Anthropometric measurements on each subject were also taken. Analyses were done to establish the level of nutrient intake, and nutritional status of the study population using Microsoft Excel 2013 and ProPAN software version 2.0.

Results

The results showed that the prevalence of stunting, wasting and underweight for children aged 6–23 months was 30–41%, 1.5–3% and 4–9%, respectively. In addition, the results showed that diets that were consumed by the subjects comprised of local foods met vitamin A, vitamin C, protein and energy requirements for children aged 6–23 months. However, the extent of deficit in iron, zinc and calcium in baseline diets was large and difficult to meet under the existing feeding practices.

Conclusions

The study shows that local foods in the study area have a potential to achieve recommended dietary intakes of some essential nutrients, and that interventions are needed to meet the required amount of iron, zinc and calcium for children aged 6–23 months. The interventions we propose here may encourage changes in traditional feeding habits and practices of the target population. Possible intervention options are (1) supplementation of local foods with nutrient-dense foods that are not normally consumed in the locality (2) providing new avenues for increasing the production and wide consumption of local nutrient-dense foods, or optimizing the way local diets are constituted so as to achieve nutrient recommendations for infants and young children.

     

Is dietary fat intake related to liking or household availability of high- and low-fat foods?

OBJECTIVE: Despite the increasing availability of low- and reduced-fat foods, Americans continue to consume more fat than recommended, which may be a contributing factor to the obesity epidemic. This investigation examined relationships between liking and household availability of high- and low-fat foods and their association with dietary fat intake. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: A food frequency questionnaire assessed percent calories from fat consumed over the past year in 85 men and 80 women. Participants reported their degree of liking 22 "high-fat foods" (>45% calories from fat) and 22 "low-fat foods" (<18% calories from fat), and the number and percentage (number of high- or low-fat foods/total number of foods x 100) of these high- and low-fat foods in their homes. RESULTS: Hierarchical regression analyses examined the ability of liking and household availability of low- and high-fat foods to predict percent dietary fat intake. After controlling for age, sex, and BMI, liking ratings for high- and low-fat foods and the interaction of liking for low-fat foods by the percentage of low-fat foods in the household were significant predictors of percent dietary fat consumed. Greater liking of high-fat foods and lower liking of low-fat foods, both alone and combined with a lower percentage of low-fat foods in the home, were predictive of higher dietary fat intake. DISCUSSION: Interventions designed to reduce dietary fat intake should target both decreasing liking for high-fat foods and increasing liking for low-fat foods, along with increasing the proportion of low-fat foods in the household.     

Vitamin A in dietary supplements and fortified foods: too much of a good thing?

Vitamin A consumption by many Americans is quite high, in part because of the consumption of fortified foods and the use of vitamin supplements. Most multivitamin supplements provide two or more times the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for vitamin A because the daily value (DV) is based on 1968 and not current RDAs. Consumption of just one multivitamin often provides excessive vitamin A, the majority of it as preformed vitamin A esters. Given recent epidemiologic evidence that suggests a link between chronic intakes of vitamin A that exceed the RDA and hip fractures, it may be time to reexamine food and supplement fortification policies and to discontinue the clinical practice of prescribing two multivitamins to the elderly and other patients whose needs for certain micronutrients are high.     

Dairy foods intake and risk of Parkinson’s disease: a dose–response meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies

Dairy foods have been linked to Parkinson’s disease (PD), and a meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies on dairy foods intake and PD risk was conducted. Eligible studies were identified in a literature search of EMBASE and PubMed up to April 2014. Seven results from prospective studies were included, including 1,083 PD cases among 304,193 subjects. The combined risk of PD for highest vs. lowest level of dairy foods intake was 1.40 (1.20–1.63) overall, 1.66 (1.29–2.14) for men and 1.15 (0.85–1.56) for women. For highest vs. lowest level, the PD risk was 1.45 (1.23–1.73) for milk, 1.26 (0.99–1.60) for cheese, 0.95 (0.76–1.20) for yogurt and 0.76 (0.51–1.13) for butter. The linear dose–response relationship showed that PD risk increased by 17 % [1.17 (1.06–1.30)] for every 200 g/day increment in milk intake (P_{for non-linearity} = 0.22), and 13 % [1.13 (0.91–1.40)] for every 10 g/day increment in cheese intake (P_{for non-linearity} = 0.39). The absolute risk differences were estimated to be 2–4 PD cases per 100,000 person-years for every 200 g/day increment in milk intake, and 1–3 PD cases per 100,000 person-years for every 10 g/day increment in cheese intake. Dairy foods (milk, cheese) might be positively associated with increased risk of PD, especially for men.