Predicting adolescents' intake of fruits and vegetables

OBJECTIVE: To explore potential predictors of adolescents' fruit and vegetable intake by expanding on current theory and drawing from other adolescent research. DESIGN: This research reports on baseline and interim data from a school-based intervention study. Data were collected through surveys administered to students at the beginning and end of their 7th grade year. Setting: The students attended 16 public schools in Minnesota. PARTICIPANTS: Data were collected on 3878 students; approximately half were female and 67% were white. All students in the 7th grade cohort were invited to participate in the surveys and over 94% completed both surveys. Variables Measured: Our dependent variable, fruit and vegetable intake, was assessed by a validated fruit and vegetable food frequency scale. Predictive factors assessed included parenting style, spirituality/religiosity, depressive symptoms, and other commonly assessed predictors. ANALYSIS: Generalized linear mixed model regression. Omnibus test of association using P <.05 is reported. RESULTS: Subjective norms, barriers, knowledge, usual food choice, parenting style, spirituality/religiosity, and depressive symptoms were statistically significant predictors of intake. The model explained about 31% of the variance in fruit and vegetable consumption. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: To better understand adolescents' fruit and vegetable intake, we must explore novel predictors. Our results need to be replicated, and more exploratory research in this field is needed.     

Smaller food item sizes of snack foods influence reduced portions and caloric intake in young adults

Studies considering the impact of food-size variations on consumption have predominantly focused on portion size, whereas very little research has investigated variations in food-item size, especially at snacking occasions, and results have been contradictory. This study evaluated the effect of altering the size of food items (ie, small vs large candies) of equal-size food portions on short-term energy intake while snacking. The study used a between-subjects design (n=33) in a randomized experiment conducted in spring 2008. In a psychology laboratory (separate cubicles), participants (undergraduate psychology students, 29 of 33 female, mean age 20.3±2 years, mean body mass index 21.7±3.7) were offered unlimited consumption of candies while participating in an unrelated computerized experiment. For half of the subjects, items were cut in two to make the small food-item size. Food intake (weight in grams, kilocalories, and number of food items) was examined using analysis of variance. Results showed that decreasing the item size of candies led participants to decrease by half their gram weight intake, resulting in an energy intake decrease of 60 kcal compared to the other group. Appetite ratings and subject and food characteristics had no moderating effect. A cognitive bias could explain why people tend to consider that one unit of food (eg, 10 candies) is the appropriate amount to consume, regardless of the size of the food items in the unit. This study suggests a simple dietary strategy, decreasing food-item size without having to alter the portion size offered, may reduce energy intake at snacking occasions.     

Manipulating fat content of familiar foods at test-meals does not affect intake and liking of these foods among children

We investigated effects of manipulating fat content of familiar foods at two test-meals in 74, 4–6-year-old children. Liking, energy intake, and weight-based food intake were assessed for a meal consisting of macaroni and cheese, pudding, chocolate milk and regular milk in high-fat and low-fat versions. Liking ratings and consumption by weight did not differ between versions, but energy intake was 59% greater with the high-fat version. We conclude that manipulating fat content had little effect on liking and weight-based food intake, but markedly influenced overall energy intake, and thus might provide a means of lowering children's energy consumption.     

Seasonal variation in intake of carotenoids and vegetables and fruits among white men in New Jersey

In a population-based case-control study of lung cancer among New Jersey men, usual adult consumption of many vegetables and fruits was included in the interview to assess the protective potential of carotenoids. With data from 900 controls the percentage of New Jersey white men who eat specific vegetables and fruits primarily in certain seasons, the relative importance of in-season and out-of-season consumption, and the median length of season were determined. Although first asking whether a food item was consumed all-year-round or primarily in certain seasons and then asking for the appropriate frequency of consumption facilitated the interview, obtaining out-of-season frequency of consumption and length of season was not necessary. Substituting 0 for reported out-of-season frequencies and 3 mo for reported season lengths reduced slightly the observed associations between diet and lung cancer risk but did not modify the overall pattern noted. Carotenoid intake in winter-fall was estimated to be about two-thirds that in summer-spring.     

贵州省城乡居民蔬菜水果摄入情况调查

目的:探讨贵州省城乡居民蔬菜水果摄入情况。方法:采取分层多阶段整群随机抽样的方法随机抽取9504名18岁及以上常住人口作为调查对象。结果:贵州省居民每天食用蔬菜人群比例为94.3%,有55.9%居民蔬菜摄入量不足;贵州省居民每天食用水果人群的比例为16.2%,95.8%的居民水果摄入量不足。结论:贵州省居民蔬菜水果摄入严重不足,应予以重视,多措施综合干预,对预防慢性病发生、发展将起到积极的作用。     

Serving large portions of vegetable soup at the start of a meal affected children's energy and vegetable intake

This study tested whether varying the portion of low-energy-dense vegetable soup served at the start of a meal affects meal energy and vegetable intakes in children. Subjects were 3- to 5-year-olds (31 boys and 41 girls) in daycare facilities. Using a crossover design, children were served lunch once a week for four weeks. On three occasions, different portions of tomato soup (150, 225, and 300 g) were served at the start of the meal, and on one occasion no soup was served. Children had 10 min to consume the soup before being served the main course. All foods were consumed ad libitum. The primary outcomes were soup intake as well as energy and vegetable intake at the main course. A mixed linear model tested the effect of soup portion size on intake. Serving any portion of soup reduced entrée energy intake compared with serving no soup, but total meal energy intake was only reduced when 150 g of soup was served. Increasing the portion size increased soup and vegetable intake. Serving low-energy-dense, vegetable soup as a first course is an effective strategy to reduce children's intake of a more energy-dense main entrée and increase vegetable consumption at the meal.     

Portion size of common foods predicts energy intake among preschool-aged children

This study evaluated the relationship of food intake behaviors to total energy intake among children aged 2 to 5 years old (N=5447) who participated in the Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals, 1994-1996, 1998 (CSFII 94-96, 98). Food intake behaviors examined were portion size for 10 commonly eaten foods, number of eating occasions per day, and number of foods consumed per day. Using regression models, we examined these eating behaviors as predictors of energy intakes with adjustment for body weight. Eating behaviors and body weight were positively related to energy intake, together explaining 38% to 39% of the variability. Portion size alone accounted for 17% to 19% of the variance in energy intake, whereas body weight predicted only 4%. Feeding recommendations should highlight the importance of age-appropriate portion sizes and provide guidance on the frequency of eating and number of foods consumed.     

Hydrophilic antioxidant capacities of vegetables and fruits commonly consumed in Japan and estimated average daily intake of hydrophilic antioxidants from these foods

The sum of hydrophilic antioxidants of 23 vegetables and 13 fruits commonly consumed in Japan was evaluated by a modified hydrophilic-oxygen radical absorbance capacity (H-ORAC) method. The “typical vegetable” and “typical fruit” in Japan contained hydrophilic antioxidants that are equivalent to 6.95 and 12.23 μmol of Trolox per g of the edible portion, respectively, on average. Hence, the daily intake of hydrophilic antioxidants from vegetables and fruits was estimated to be 4423 μmol Trolox equivalent (TE)/d based on data of the National Health and Nutrition Survey in Japan. However, the biological significance of these antioxidant values has not yet been clarified. To address this issue, our data will provide a foundation for high-quality epidemiological studies aimed at elucidating the relationship between daily intake of antioxidants and health. In addition, the comparison of the results of the H-ORAC assay with those of polyphenol content and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay was also studied. The H-ORAC values had a strong positive correlation with polyphenol contents (r = 0.956), and were 1.0–18.2-times higher than the antioxidant capacities evaluated by the DPPH assay.     

Perceptions of older, low-income women about increasing intake of fruits and vegetables

Focus groups were conducted with 28 older, low-income women in order to identify factors that affected their fruit and vegetable (F&V) consumption. Themes emerging from data analysis include barriers to making dietary changes, specifically to increasing F&V consumption; beliefs about benefits of consuming F&V as compared with other dietary changes; and use of supplements as a substitution for eating F&V. A prominent subtheme concerned the conflict women felt between their desire to consume more F&V and their desire not to waste food. Focus group participants gave concrete suggestions on how to help older, low-income women increase F&V consumption, which included environmental supports.     

High intake of fruits and vegetables predicts weight loss in Brazilian overweight adults

To determine whether changes in dietary intakes predict weight loss, we studied 80 overweight adults who attended a nutritional counseling program during 6 months of follow-up at a primary health care center in Brazil. Habitual diet was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire at baseline and after 6 months. The mean age (±SD) of the participants was 46.5 ± 9.5 years, and their mean body mass index was 29 ± 3 kg/m² at baseline. After 6 months, the differences in body weight and fruit/vegetable intake were −1.4 ± 3 kg and ±109 ± 320 g daily, respectively. Using multiple linear regression models adjusted for age, sex, changes in walking time, and total energy intake, the increased intake of dietary fiber from fruits/vegetables was associated with a greater weight loss (β1 [95% confidence interval (CI)] = −0.180 [−0.269, −0.091]) after 6 months of follow-up. Similar results were observed for increased intake of vegetables (β1 [95% CI] = −0.00497 [−0.008, −0.002]) and fruits (β1 [95% CI] = −0.00290 [−0.005, −0.001]) as predictors of weight loss. The increase of 100 g/d of vegetables and fruits represented a body weight loss of 500 and 300 g after 6 months, respectively (P < .05). Our findings support the relevance of increased intakes of fruits and vegetables that may help avoid weight gain in overweight adults.     

Eating rate of commonly consumed foods promotes food and energy intake

We investigated the eating rate of commonly consumed foods and the associations with food intake and macronutrient composition. Ingestion time (s) of 50 g of 45 foods was measured to assess eating rate (g/min), after which ad libitum food intake (g) was measured. Thirteen men and 24 women (aged 23.3 (SD 3.4)y, BMI 21.7 (SD 1.7)kg/m(2)) participated, each testing 7 foods in separate sessions. We observed large differences in eating rate between foods, ranging from 4.2 (SD 3.7) to 631 (SD 507)g/min. Eating rate was positively associated with food intake (β=0.55) and energy intake (β=0.001). Eating rate was inversely associated with energy density (β=-0.00047) and positively with water content (β=0.011). Carbohydrate (β=-0.012), protein (β=-0.021) and fiber content (β=-0.087) were inversely associated with eating rate, whereas fat was not. This study showed that when foods can be ingested rapidly, food and energy intake is high. People may therefore be at risk of overconsumption, when consuming foods with a high eating rate. Considering the current food supply, where many foods have a high eating rate, long-term effects of eating rate on energy balance should be investigated.     

Barriers to the consumption of fruits and vegetables among older adults

Compared with younger adults, older people experience additional health, social, and environmental conditions that affect their dietary intake. To identify those additional dimensions and examine them in association with fruit and vegetable intake, data of 4,622 participants in NHANES III (1988-1994), ages 60 years and over, were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression modeling. Results showed that participants at highest risk of consuming fruits and vegetables in the lowest quartile were those socially isolated, with missing pairs of posterior teeth, with poor self-reported health and those who were obese. To prevent downward spiraling health, barriers must be addressed in intervention programs.     

Dietary intake and health outcomes among young children attending 2 urban day-care centers

Objective To assess the impact of the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) on diet and 3 health outcomes—weight-for-height status, dental caries (tooth decay) score, and number of days of illness—among preschool children attending 2 urban day care centers.

Design Dietary intake and health outcome measures were assessed and compared for children attending 2 day-care centers in an urban community. Data were obtained for 14 days of dietary intake, which were analyzed for energy and 15 nutrients and 6 food groups; anthropometric measures, including weight-for-height; dental caries; and days of illness.

Subjects/setting Forty 3- to 5-year-old black children from 2 day-care centers participated. One center participates in the CACFP. At the other center, children bring all meals and snacks from home.

Statistical analyses performed Data from the 2 groups of children were compared using parametric and nonparametric t tests.

Results Children receiving CACFP meals at day care had significantly higher mean daily intakes of vitamin A (804±191 vs 595±268 retinol equivalents), riboflavin (1.45±0.32 vs 1.21±0.22 mg), and calcium (714±180 vs 503±143 mg) than the children who brought all of their meals and snacks from home. Children who received CACFP meals also consumed significantly more servings of milk (2.9±0.9 servings vs 1.5±0.7) and vegetables (1.8±0.5 vs 1.2±0.5 servings) and significantly fewer servings of fats/sweets (4.6±1.3 vs 5.4±1.1 servings) than children who brought their meals. Weight-for-height status and dental caries scores did not differ between the 2 groups. Children from the center participating in the CACFP have significantly fewer days of illness (median 6.5 vs 10.5 days) than children from the nonparticipating center.

Applications Nutritious meals provided by the CACFP can improve diets and may promote health among young, urban children. Registered dietitians can contribute to food assistance programs by intervening to enhance the quality of meals served and by examining the impact of participation on measures of diet quality and diet-related health outcomes. J Am Diet Assoc. 1999;99:1529–1535.     

蛋白质及动物性食物摄入对中国女童初潮年龄的前瞻性影响

目的 探讨初潮前蛋白质及动物性食物摄入对中国女童初潮年龄的前瞻性影响,为预防中国女童初潮年龄提前提供科学依据.方法 利用1997-2015年“中国健康与营养调查(CHNS)”数据库的数据,选取初潮年龄、身高、体重、家庭人均年收入、母亲文化程度信息完整且初潮前1～4年内至少具有1次完整膳食调查数据的683名≥6岁女童作为...     

Preschool children maintain intake of other foods at a meal including sugared chocolate milk

Dietary self-selection was examined in 40 preschool children who were offered high-energy chocolate-flavored or plain milk with a lunchtime meal. Children aged 20-56 months were served various nutritious menus for lunch twice a week, for 8 weeks, and the chocolate milk was offered with half of the meals. The children consumed large quantities of the high-energy chocolate milk when it was offered, without decreasing their intake of other food items in the meal. Thus, significantly more energy was consumed during each of the different meals in which chocolate milk was served. These results open the possibility that, by offering palatable, high-energy drinks to preschool children at a mealtime, one might be able to increase children's caloric intake without compromising the rest of the diet at that meal. The effect of this increased caloric consumption on intake during subsequent meals, as well as the effect of repetition of the test meals, remains to be tested.     

Daily intake of copper from drinking water among young children in Sweden.

Copper is an essential trace element that may cause intoxication if intake becomes excessive. Young children are at risk of intoxication because of high consumption of drinking water and immature copper metabolism. The aims of this prospective study were to estimate concentrations of copper in drinking water, volumes of drinking water consumed by children, and children's daily intake of copper. Concentrations of copper in unflushed drinking water were analyzed for 1,178 children living in Uppsala and Malm?, Sweden, and concentrations and amounts of copper consumed from drinking water were estimated for 430 of these children, 9-21 months of age. The study children were from Swedish families, were not enrolled in publicly provided day care, and were not breast-fed more than three times a day. In the initial population, the 10th percentile for copper concentration in unflushed drinking water was 0.17 mg/L, the median was 0.72 mg/L, and the 90th percentile was 2.11 mg/L. In the subpopulation of 430 children, the 10th percentile for daily intake of copper from drinking water was 0.03 mg/L, the median was 0.32 mg/L, and the 90th percentile was 1.07 mg/L. The median daily intake of copper from drinking water was higher in Uppsala, at 0.46 mg, than in Malm?, at 0.26 mg. For groups of children whose families took part in a later prospective diary study, the copper concentration in consumed water could, to some extent, be predicted from the concentration of copper in unflushed drinking water. The lowest concentrations of copper in drinking water were found in households with old water-pipe systems and in those living in detached houses. A large proportion of the young children satisfied their daily requirement of copper solely from drinking water. About 10% of the children had a copper intake above the level recommended by the World Health Organization.     

Establishment of an isoflavone database for usual Korean foods and evaluation of isoflavone intake among Korean children

Asian populations including Koreans are assumed to have a higher isoflavone intake due to the higher consumption of soybean. However, it is difficult to estimate isoflavone intake because there is no isoflavone database in Korea. In this study, an isoflavone database was established with systematic review. Literature with analytical values of Korean soybeans and its products were collected and evaluated to establish an isoflavone database. A total of 142 food items containing isoflavones were selected among 2,932 food items in the Korean Nutrient Database. Among these, only 25 food items were evaluated with analytical values and the remaining 98 items were replaced with adaptations or calculations from similar items. Dietary intake of isoflavones was assessed for 426 boys and 365 girls aged 8 to 11 years with 3-day food records. The daily mean isoflavone intake was 8.3 mg among boys and 7.2 mg among girls. More than 70% of subjects had a daily isoflavone intake below 10 mg. The most contributory food item to the isoflavone intake among adolescents was tofu in quantity and soybean sauce in frequency. This database could be used to estimate isoflavone intakes from dietary data among various populations and to evaluate the relationships between isoflavone intake and chronic disease.