Development and validation of a short food list to assess the intake of total fat, saturated, mono-unsaturated, polyunsaturated fatty acids and cholesterol

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was the development and validation of a short list of food items to assess the intake of total fat, saturated, mono-unsaturated, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and cholesterol. The short list should be able to correctly classify persons according to their intake. METHODS: A short list of 20 food items was selected out of 1009 seven-day food records by means of the variance-based method Max_r. This list was validated using data from a further 479 persons who completed seven-day food records (validation sample 1, VS1) as well as a food frequency questionnaire (validation sample 2, VS2). The intake of total fat, different fatty acids, and cholesterol from the complete VS1 (VS1(complete)) and from the complete VS2 (VS2(complete)), respectively, was computed. Further, the intake in VS1 (VS1(short)) as well as in VS2 (VS2(short)) using only the 20 food items on the short list were calculated. RESULTS: Pearson correlation coefficients between the intake calculated from the items on the short list and the nutrient intake calculated from the full instrument in VS1 and VS2, respectively, were r = 0.81-0.91. In a quartile's cross-classification 53.4-64.1% of the participants were assigned to the same quartile. When comparing VS1(complete) with VS2(short), neither correlation coefficients nor the cross-classification differ much from the comparison of VS1(complete) with VS2(complete). CONCLUSIONS: The short list shows good results in both validation samples. Thus, the short list can assess the variability of fat intake and classify persons according to their intake.     

Validation of an Australian electronic food frequency questionnaire to measure polyunsaturated fatty acid intake

Objective

To develop and validate a simple non-invasive method that estimates the intakes of omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in a healthy adult population.

Methods

A new electronic PUFA food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was validated by comparison with a 3-d weighed food record and blood biomarkers (erythrocytes and plasma) using the method of triads model and tested for reproducibility. Healthy subjects were recruited from the local Illawarra Region, New South Wales, Australia.

Results

The PUFA FFQ adequately estimated intakes for eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, total long chain omega-3 PUFA, linoleic acid, total omega-6 PUFA, and total PUFA, which were comparable with results from the 3-d food record. Eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, and total long chain omega-3 showed high validity coefficients for erythrocytes (and plasma) 0.92 (0.87), 0.69 (0.64), and 0.78 (0.73) (P < 0.05), respectively. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients ranged from 0.48 to 0.76 when the PUFA FFQ was tested for reproducibility (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The electronic PUFA questionnaire was found to be reproducible and is a valid tool to assess PUFA intakes in a healthy adult population.     

Using the method of triads in the validation of a food frequency questionnaire to assess the consumption of fatty acids in adults

Background

It is of great value to develop valid instruments to estimate food consumption; for this purpose, the triads method has been applied in validation studies of dietary intake to evaluate the correlation between three measurements [food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), reference method and biomarker]. The main aim of the present study was to validate a FFQ for Brazilian adults by means of the method of triads by estimating the ingestion of total fatty acids based on the level of saturation.

Methods

The present study enrolled 152 Brazilian adults of both sexes, who were residents in the city of Viçosa, Brazil. The ingestion of total saturated, monounsaturated, polyunsaturated, trans, linoleic and linolenic fatty acids was assessed by means of a FFQ, two food records, and biomarkers, which were detected by gas chromatography. The validation coefficients were calculated using the method of triads and concordance was determined by Kappa statistics.

Results

The FFQ was considered an adequate dietary method, because, based on the validation coefficients, it estimates the intake of total fat (0.84), as well as linolenic (0.90) and linoleic acids (0.31). A high concordance rate was confirmed for all nutrients assessed by the FFQ and food records. Regarding the biomarkers, linolenic acid and linoleic acid presented greater concordance.

Conclusions

According to the validation coefficients, the FFQ precisely estimated total fat, linolenic acid and linoleic acid contents.     

Validation of a food frequency questionnaire to assess macro- and micro-nutrient intake among South Asians in the United Kingdom

Summary.Background: The South Asian population is one of the largest minority ethnic groups in the United Kingdom (UK), forming 2.7% of the UK population. Risk of diseases such as CHD, NIDDM is high in South Asians and risk of cancer low in this population compared both to the native UK population and other migrant groups. It is useful to investigate the experience of disease and dietary exposures for aetiological clues in South Asians. The FFQ was designed for a population-based case-control study of diet and breast cancer.Aims: To validate a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) to assess macro- and micronutrient intake among South Asians in the United Kingdom (UK).Methods: A one-year long study of current diet was conducted using monthly telephone 24-hour recalls followed by administration of an interviewer-administered FFQ to ascertain usual diet during this period. General practices in the Thames and West Midlands regions, England were used to sequentially recruit 100 women from a larger random sample of South Asian migrants from general practitioners patient lists participating as controls in a case-control study of diet and breast cancer.Results: A total of 133 women were invited to achieve the final sample of 100 (76% response rate). The proportion of individuals classified by the two dietary assessment methods into the same or adjacent quartiles was high ranging from 65% (vitamin A) to 96% (protein). Misclassification into opposite quartiles was very low (0 % to 5 %), except for vitamin A (10 %). Energyadjusted Spearman correlation coefficients were reasonable for almost all nutrients being highest for protein (0.76), NSP (0.71), folate (0.70) and cholesterol (0.69). Correction for within-person variation in monthly 24-hour recalls had little effect on the magnitude of the nutrient correlations between the FFQ and the 24-hour recalls. Calibration coefficients to correct relative risks for nutrient-disease associations were above 0.50 for most nutrients indicating that the degree of attenuation introduced by the FFQ would be acceptable.Conclusions: This FFQ was specifically designed for South Asian women in the UK. Despite the diversity of diets, the FFQ had reasonable validity. The role of diet in breast cancer disease aetiology in this population is being assessed with this instrument.Sponsorship: The study was supported by Cancer Research UK.     

Effects of different ratios of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids to saturated fatty acids on regulating body fat deposition in hamsters

ObjectiveEffects of monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acid consumption on regulating body fat accumulation and body weight gain are controversial between animal and human studies.MethodsWe designed a 2 × 2 factorial study, with two levels of MUFAs (60% and 30%) and two levels of polyunsaturated-to-saturated fatty acid (P/S) ratio (5 and 3) to prepare four kinds of experimental oils consisting of 60% MUFAs with a high or low P/S ratio (HMHR or HMLR, respectively) or 30% MUFAs with a high or low P/S ratio (LMHR or LMLR, respectively). Thirty-two male golden Syrian hamsters were randomly divided into four groups and fed the experimental diets containing 15% (w/w) fat for 12 wk.ResultsNo difference was observed in the mean daily food intake. Hamsters fed the LMLR diet had increased weight gain, epididymal and retroperitoneal white adipose tissues, plasma non-esterified fatty acids, insulin, hepatic acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase and malic enzyme activities, and mRNA expressions of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α and sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c among all groups (P < 0.05). Hamsters fed the HMHR diet had lower plasma insulin levels and hepatic acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase activities among groups (P < 0.05) and elevated hepatic acyl coenzyme A oxidase and carnitine palmitoyltransferase-I activities compared with those fed the LMLR diet (P < 0.05).ConclusionHamsters fed the LMLR diet had increased weight gain and body fat accumulation, whereas the HMHR diet appeared to be beneficial in preventing white adipose tissue accumulation by decreasing plasma insulin levels and increasing hepatic lipolytic enzyme activities involved in β-oxidation.     

Validation of a short food frequency questionnaire to assess folate intake

A short quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) to assess folate intake was developed and validated against a 7-d weighed food intake record (7d-WR) and biochemical indices of folate status. Thirty-six men and women completed the self-administered FFQ on two occasions a month apart, kept a 7d-WR and gave two fasting blood samples at the beginning and end of the study for measuring serum and erythrocyte folate, respectively. Mean folate intakes were similar by repeat FFQ and correlated strongly (r 077 and r 072, P<0.001, for men and women, respectively). All other comparisons were done using the results of the FFQ administered on the first occasion. Men reported similar folate intakes on the FFQ and 7d-WR, but women reported greater intakes on the FFQ compared with the 7d-WR (P<0.05). There was a statistically significant correlation (partial, controlling for gender) between folate intakes reported by FFQ and 7d-WR (r 0.53, P<0.01). Folate intakes estimated by FFQ correlated significantly with serum (r 0.47, P<0.01), but not erythrocyte folate (r 0.25, P>0.05), the strength of the association was greater in men than in women. Validity coefficients estimated using the method of triads were higher for the FFQ than for the 7d-WR when serum folate was used as the biomarker. Overall, these results suggest that this short FFQ is a useful method for assessing folate intake, particularly in men.     

Usefulness of a short food frequency questionnaire for screening of low intake of fruit and vegetable and for intake of fat

BACKGROUND: Simple screening tools to identify intake of fruit, vegetables and fat are necessary to design effective public health intervention strategies in order to increase intake of fruit and vegetable and to reduce fat intake. METHODS: 108 men recorded their food intake for 14 days and filled in a 27-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) 1.5-2 months later. Estimates of fruit, vegetables and fat intake from the FFQ were compared with those from the weighed records. RESULTS: Mean intake of vegetables and fruit estimated from the diet records increased with increasing categories for frequency of intake assessed by the FFQ. Spearman correlation coefficient between frequency of intake of vegetables and fruit from the FFQ and amount of these food items estimated from the weighed records was 0.46 and 0.66, respectively. The ability of the FFQ to predict those having inadequate intake of fruits and vegetables based on weighed record data, was more than 90%. Almost 95% who reported use of fat spreads by the FFQ also reported this by the records. The correlation coefficient between the amount of fat used on bread from the two methods was 0.79. The correlation between fat intake estimated from both methods was 0.36 and for saturated fat intake the correlation was 0.38. CONCLUSION: The FFQ could be used to screen for low consumers of fruit, vegetable and fat spread in intervention programmes. However, the ability of the FFQ to identify persons with high (or low) intake of fat and saturated fat was not good.     

n-3及n-6多不饱和脂肪酸与乳腺癌关系的Meta分析

目的 系统评价n-3多不饱和脂肪酸(n-3PUFAs)、n-6多不饱和脂肪酸(n-6PUFAs)及其比例与乳腺癌发病风险的关系。方法 系统检索Pubmed、Embase、Web of Science、知网、万方等数据库截止至2022年1月1日有关n-3及n-6多不饱和脂肪酸与乳腺癌关系的研究,对最终纳入的文献进行数据提取与质量评价,采用Stata 15.1软件进行Meta分析。结果 共纳入33项针对n-3及n-6PUFAs和乳腺癌发病风险关联的观察性流行病学研究,其中队列研究14项,病例对照研究20项,共纳入研究对象1 077 178例,患者19 207例。Meta分析结果显示:n-3多不饱和脂肪酸(OR=0.933,95%CI:0.858～1.014)、n-6多不饱和脂肪酸(OR=1.018,95%CI:0.914～1.133)与乳腺癌发病风险无统计学关联(P>0.05),而较高的n-6/n-3PUFAs比值会显著增加乳腺癌的发病风险(OR=1.166,95%CI:1.047～1.299,P=0.005)。结论 n-6/n-3多不饱和脂肪酸的比值与乳腺癌的发病风险呈正相关,提示合理的膳食脂肪摄入比可能会降低乳腺癌的患病风险。而n-3及n-6多不饱和脂肪酸与乳腺癌发病风险的单独效应关系尚不明确,仍需更多前瞻性实验流行病学证据进行支持。     

The technological challenges of reducing the saturated fat content of foods

Industrial food scientists modify oil formulations in order to meet their customers’ needs such as cost and nutritional content, but the fat formulae must also function during production of the food and in the finished food product. Unlike mono‐ and polyunsaturated fatty acids, saturated fatty acids (SFA) are resistant to oxidation and become solid at room temperatures. Reducing the level of SFA therefore creates technical difficulties. Techniques such as plant breeding to reduce polyunsaturated fat and so increase oxidative stability, and fractionation and interesterification to provide greater firmness, are discussed. Opportunities for SFA reduction are identified in baked goods, such as biscuits, cakes and pastries, using formulations which are already available on the market. Other products, such as meat, dairy and confectionery, would prove harder to reformulate. An example of a successful change in fatty acid profiles of foods is the removal of industrially produced trans fatty acids, which was largely complete in the UK by 2006. Similar methods could be used to bring about a reduction in intake of saturated fat, but the food industry would need compelling scientific, regulatory or public relations arguments to motivate these changes due to the costs involved.     

Validation of a food frequency questionnaire to assess intake of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in subjects with and without major depressive disorder

The role of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in psychiatric illness is a topic of public health importance. This report describes development and biomarker validation of a 21-item, self-report food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) intended for use in psychiatric research to assess intake of α-linolenic acid (18:3n-3 [ALA]), docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3 [DHA]), and eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n-3 [EPA]). In a cross-sectional study conducted from September 2006 to September 2008, sixty-one ethnically diverse adult participants with (n=34) and without (n=27) major depressive disorder completed this n-3 PUFA FFQ and provided a plasma sample. Plasma levels of n-3 PUFAs EPA and DHA, and n-6 PUFA arachidonic acid (20:4n-6 [AA]) were quantified by gas chromatography. Using Spearman's ρ, FFQ-estimated intake correlated with plasma levels of DHA (r=0.50; P<0.0001) and EPA (r=0.38; P=0.002), but not with ALA levels (r=0.22; P=0.086). Participants were classified into quartiles by FFQ-estimated intake and plasma PUFA concentrations. Efficacy of the FFQ to rank individuals into same or adjacent plasma quartiles was 83% for DHA, 78.1% for EPA, and 70.6% for ALA; misclassification into extreme quartiles was 4.9% for DHA, 6.5% for EPA, and 8.2% for ALA. FFQ-estimated EPA intake and plasma EPA were superior to plasma AA levels as predictors of the plasma AA to EPA ratio. This brief FFQ can provide researchers and clinicians with valuable information concerning dietary intake of DHA and EPA.     

Validation of a short food frequency questionnaire in Australian adults

The aim of this article is to report on the validity and internal consistency of a short food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) to measure dietary intake in Australian adults. A total of 407 individuals completed the short FFQ. The Cronbach’s alpha of 0.66 indicated acceptable internal consistency for the FFQ. Content validity was measured using factor analysis showed that 35% of total variance was explained by factor analysis. The FFQ was also validated against 31 3-day food records (FR). No significant difference between average intake of energy, most macronutrients, and some micronutrients between two instruments was identified. An acceptable levels of correlation (0.39–0.69) was observed between the two instruments. Bland and Altman’s plots showed relative agreement in both instruments with potential bias in measuring iron and iodine. The current FFQ can be an acceptable tool to quickly measuring dietary intake in Australian adults.     

An update on potato crisps contents of moisture,fat, salt and fatty acids (including trans-fatty acids) with special emphasis on new oils/fats used for frying

Eighteen brands of potato crisps, frequently consumed, were analyzed to establish their nutritional value in relation to salt, fat and fatty acid (FA) composition. The purpose of the present study was to determine moisture, total fat, salt contents and FA profiles (including trans-FAs), and to identify the oil/fat used for frying of the 18 brands of potato crisps. Our results show that salt content ranged from 0.127 to 2.77 g/100 g and total fat content of potato crisps varied between 20.0 and 42.8 g/100 g. With respect to FAs analysis, palmitic acid (C16:0), oleic acid (C18:1) and linoleic acid (C18:2) were the major FAs found in the analyzed potato crisps. It is clear from our work that nowadays most potato crisps are currently produced using oils with high contents in unsaturated FAs, which can be considered as healthier from a nutritional point of view. Nevertheless, some brands of potato crisps still use palm oil or a blend of palm oil and other fats/oils, which are very rich in saturated FAs.     

Exercise attenuates the increase in plasma monounsaturated fatty acids and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol but not high-density lipoprotein 2b cholesterol caused by high-oleic ground beef in women

We hypothesized that dietary monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and exercise increase high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) by independent mechanisms, so there would be additive effects between a single, intensive session of exercise and high-MUFA ground beef on HDL-C and blood risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Seventeen postmenopausal women completed a 2-way crossover design in which they consumed five 114-g ground beef patties per week for two 6-week periods separated by a 4-week washout (habitual diet) period. The ground beef patties contained 21% total fat with either 9.97 (low-MUFA) or 12.72 (high-MUFA) g total MUFA. Blood was taken at entry, at the end of each 6-week diet period, after the 4-week washout period, and 24 hours after aerobic exercise sessions (75% VO_2peak, 2.07 MJ). After the ground beef intervention, the high-MUFA ground beef increased plasma palmitoleic acid and oleic acid, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particle density, HDL-C, and HDL_2b-C (all P < .05), whereas the low-MUFA ground beef increased LDL density. After the washout (habitual diet) period, the single exercise session increased serum LDL cholesterol, HDL-C, and HDL_2a and decreased TAG and oleic acid. After the low-MUFA ground beef diet, exercise increased LDL size and HDL density and decreased LDL density and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, but had no effect on HDL-C fractions. After the high-MUFA ground beef intervention, exercise decreased palmitioleic acid, oleic acid, HDL-C, and HDL_2a-C, but not HDL_2b-C. Contrary to our hypothesis, the effects of exercise and a high-MUFA diet were not additive; instead, exercise attenuated the effects of the high-MUFA ground beef on HDL-C and plasma MUFAs. The differential effects of high-MUFA ground beef and exercise on HDL_2a-C and HDL_2b-C indicate that diet and exercise affect HDL-C by different mechanisms.     

Proximate composition of some ready-meal foods–total fat, fatty acids and tocopherols

Total fat, fatty acids and tocopherols of 21 ready-meal foods were determined. Of these, only two met the recommendations for the overall level of these nutrients. Sixteen of the foods were high both in total and saturated fats. Essential fatty acids were below the recommended lower limit in six of the meals and above the upper range in four. Most were virtually devoid of arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acids. Twelve of the samples had marginal to inadequate levels of a-tocopherol and this may be particularly significant because lipid hydroperoxides and other reactive free radicals may be generated during storage and reheating.
Ready-meal foods are often highly processed and important nutrients are lost and it is possible that harmful products are produced during preparation, storage, cooking and reheating. Consumers should therefore be encouraged to eat other foods along with these meals to offset possible nutrient imbalances and/or deficits. Nuts, seeds or grains would help to balance the relative insufficiency of a-tocopherol and complex carbohydrates such as rice and potatoes can provide bulk and reduce the proportions of energy from fat and saturates. Due to changes in life-style and purchasing patterns, ready meals are increasing in popularity and some are purported to promote health. Consequently, there is a need for comprehensive nutrient information.     

应用食物频率法评价普米族膳食多不饱和脂肪酸摄入与高血压、血脂异常的关系

目的研究普米族膳食中多不饱和脂肪酸的摄入与高血压、血脂异常的关系。方法选择云南省怒江州兰坪白族普米族自治县18岁以上376例普米族居民为研究对象,采用问卷调查收集研究对象过去一年中各种食物的摄入频率及摄入量、现病史和家族史情况;测量研究对象血压;采集调查对象空腹血测定甘油三酯(TG)、总胆固醇(TC)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)和高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)。结果普米族居民的膳食脂肪摄入量较高,占RNI的198.5%;三大产能营养素的供能比失衡,但n-3PUFA、EPA、DHA的人均摄入量并不高。普米族居民高血压患病率为15.4%;血脂异常类型主要表现为低高密度脂蛋白血症,占54.8%,高胆固醇血症占8%,高甘油三酯血症占19.1%,TC或TG异常人群占25.0%。PUFAs与血脂异常、n-6PUFA与高血压呈负相关关系。结论普米族居民应减少油脂类及高脂肪食物的摄入,增加富含DHA、EPA类食物的摄入,以防止心血管疾病的发生与发展,降低血脂。