Food insecurity among Canadian youth and young adults: insights from the Canada Food Study

ObjectiveThis study explored associations between socio-demographic characteristics, self-reported health, and household food security among young adults.MethodsNational cohort study participants from Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Edmonton, and Halifax, Canada, aged 16–30 years (n = 2149) completed online surveys. Multinomial logistic regression, weighted to reflect age and sex proportions from the 2016 census, was conducted to examine associations between food security status and covariates.ResultsAlmost 30% of respondents lived in food-insecure households, with 19% in “moderately” food-insecure and 10% in “severely” food-insecure households. Respondents identifying as Black or Indigenous were more likely to live in moderately (AOR = 1.96, CI: 1.10, 3.50; AOR = 3.15, CI: 1.60, 6.20) and severely (AOR = 4.25, CI: 2.07, 8.74; AOR = 6.34, CI: 2.81, 14.30) food-insecure households compared with those identifying as mixed/other ethnicity. Respondents who found it “very difficult” to make ends meet were more likely to be moderately (AOR = 20.37, CI: 11.07, 37.46) and severely (AOR = 101.33, CI: 41.11, 249.77) food insecure. Respondents classified as “normal” weight (AOR = 0.64, CI: 0.43, 0.96) or overweight (AOR = 0.53, CI: 0.34, 0.83) were less likely to be moderately food insecure compared with those affected by obesity. Compared with “very good or excellent,” “poor” health, diet quality, and mental health were each positively associated with severe food insecurity (AOR = 7.09, CI: 2.44, 20.61; AOR = 2.63, CI: 1.08, 6.41; AOR = 2.09, CI: 1.03, 4.23, respectively).ConclusionThe high prevalence of correlates of food insecurity among young adults suggests the need for policies that consider the unique challenges (e.g., precarious income) and vulnerability associated with this life stage.     

Una combinación de alto riesgo: obesidad,marcas de alimentación,menores y retos en YouTube

ObjectiveTo identify high-risk content in food advertising that combines obesogenic features with a highly emotionally engaging format.MethodComparison of 304 videos (47 hours and 41 minutes) from 13 food brand channels (traditional advertising) and from 15 child YouTuber channels (endorsement and influence) posted in 2019. Exploratory content analysis of variables describing the communication style of the “challenges” format.ResultsChallenges are the most common type of content (53.3%; n = 162), with a greater prevalence on child YouTuber channels (59%; n = 131) than on brand channels (41%; n = 31).ConclusionsContent created by consumers is not covered by current audiovisual communication legislation. Increased control of these practices is urgently needed, in terms of legislation, self-regulation and codes of ethics. Creativity, enjoyment or mere entertainment is not a sufficient argument for the persuasive promotion of behaviors that endanger the physical health of children.     

2015—2019年扬州市食品中化学污染物及有害因素监测结果分析

目的 了解扬州市食品中化学污染物及有害因素的污染状况,确定风险因子的可能来源及分布,为食品安全防控工作提供数据依据。方法 依据每年扬州市《食品安全风险监测方案》,2015—2019年在扬州市辖区内采集食品样品,并进行相关化学污染物及有害因素的检测。结果 5年共检测23大类1 311份食品样品208个指标,样品合格率为97.79%;其中8类29份食品样品中13个指标超标,样品超标率为2.21%。不合格指标为蔬菜中农药残留和镉、茶叶和水果中农药残留、水产动物中总砷、藻类中铅、粉丝和油条中含铝添加剂、小麦制品中脱氧雪腐镰刀菌烯醇、蜂蜜中甲硝唑。结论 扬州市食品中的化学污染情况总体较好,但部分食品中仍存在污染物超标现象,应引起相关部门的重视。     

Reduction in cadmium in blood and dietary intake among general populations in Japan

Blood samples and 24-h duplicates of food were collected in the years around 1980 and then in 1990's from inhabitants of nonpolluted regions in Japan. The 1990 study is still in progress with 286 blood samples and 125 food duplicates already collected from 7 regions. A preliminary analysis is made in the present study with the data obtained from the 7 study regions where the survey was conducted in 1980 and then in 1990, to examine possible changes in dietary cadmium intake (Cd-D) and consequently cadmium levels in blood (Cd-B) during this 10 year period. The food duplicate analysis showed that Cd-D in 1980 was 47.1 g/day (1.74):65 [GM (GSD):N] for men and 27.7 g/day (1.75):65 for women. The counterpart values in 1990 were 29.5 g/day (1.66):40 for men and 23.8 g/day (1.73):85 for women; the difference between the two values for the same sex is significant (P<0.05) both=" in=" men=" and=" in=" women,=" suggesting=" that=" there=" occurred=" about=" 37%=" and=" 14%=" reduction=" in=" dietary=" cadmium=" intake=" during=" this=" 10=" year=" period=" in=" men=" and=" in=" women,=" respectively.=" comparison=" in=" cd-b=" showed=" that=" cd-b=" for=" men=" and=" women=" in=" 1990=" were=" 1.79=">g/l (2.01):121 and 1.84 g/l; (1.67):165, respectively, whereas the counterpart values in 1980 were 3.84 g/l (1.64):123 and 3.57 g/l (1.42):141, respectively, indicating significant (P<0.01) reduction=" in=" cd-b=" in=" both=" sexes=" in=" parallel=" to=" the=" reduction=" in=" cd-d.=" the=" role=" of=" rice=" as=" a=" major=" source=" of=" cadmium=" among=" japanese=" population=" together=" with=" recent=" reduction=" in=" the=" importance=" is=" discussed;=" cd=" in=" rice=" accounted=" for=" 72%=" in=" late=" 1970's,=" whereas=" it=" is=" about=" 35%=" in=" the=" present=">     

Validity of observed differences in dietary surveys by two self-administered questionnaires over a 5-year period: Concordance with self-reported change

Differences observed by comparing the responses to two surveys taken 5 years apart were compared with self-reported changes in dietary habits in the second survey to examine the construct validity of dietary change. That is, when an observed difference about a certain food was consistent with a self-reported change, these two methods seemed to show a high validity regarding dietary change. Both surveys used the same self-administered food intake frequency questionnaire, and subjective changes in food intake were evaluated at the second survey (self-reported change). Eight hundred fifty-five males and one thousand females aged 30-69 years were analyzed. Since results by both methods showed a higher frequency of increased intake of green-yellow vegetables in general, pale- colored vegetables in general, carrots, and squash, these results were thought to be of high validity. However, cabbage, lettuce, and seaweeds showed inconsistent results regarding higher frequencies of intake. Changes among quintiles of lower frequency seemed to show lower validity because the results obtained by the two methods were often inconsistent for dairy foods and some other foods. Thus, self-reported changes may reflect respondents’ attitudes toward foods, not their actual behavior.     

The effect on the bones of condensed phosphate when used as food additives: Its Importance in Relation to Preventive Medicine

Based on the fact that chemical products such as binding agents are produced by mixing three kinds of phosphates with different ratios, we mixed metaphosphate, polyphosphate and pyrophosphate. Each was made to Na-phosphate, K-phosphate, and Ca-phosphate and each was mixed with commercial feeds so that the content of P would be approximately 0.1, 0.15, 0.3, 0.4, 0.6 and 1.0%. The prepared pellets were given to ICR, CF # 1 and AKR strains of mice at 29 days of age for 680 days and observations were made through this experimental period at different stages. The observations were also carried out on the mice administered with the experimental feeds for 1.5 months from 9 to 10.5 months of age. The observations were compared with those of the control group at all times. As a result, plasma 1 α, 25 (OH)₂ D₃ and P levels were always significantly higher in the phosphate administered groups relative to the control. Urine P and Fe increased while urine Ca decreased in the phosphate-treated groups. The effect of phosphates on the bones was studied taking soft X-ray pictures of hind legs and applying microdensitometry to them. Through these observations we recognized thinning of the cortex of bones, reduction of marrow trabecules and development of osteophyte. Histological observations disclosed that changes in knee joint tissues were apparent; that is, a decrease in or an irregular loss of the number of cells in superficial, intermediate, and radial strata of the joint cartilage, proliferation of subchondral bone, and the development of osteophytes were noted. As for muscles, diameters of musclar fibers became smaller; in particular, type II fibers showed greater shrinkage. Regarding kidneys, swelling and atrophy of glomerular capillaries, proliferation of mesangial cells, nephroselerosis, swelling, thinning, and loss of tubular epithelium, interstitial tissue inflammation, development of cylindruria, and deposition of calcium were observed. All these changes seem to be a particularly advanced aspect of the changes which are more pronounced with increasing dose and age. These changes were found even in the group administered with the feed containing 0.1% phosphorus, and, these changes were dependent on the concentration level of P. It was observed that administration to older subjects for a short term (1.5 months) produced effects stronger than those to younger subjects administered for a long term (10.5 months). The effects of condensed Ca-phosphate on bones were similar to those of condensed Na- and K-phosphates, and, hence, it was supposed that these effects were caused by phosphate radicals. An erratum to this article is available at .     

Accounting for susceptibility in risk assessment: The need for full disclosure

Many Environmental Laws create the unrealistic expectation that science can be used to determine ‘safety'. The many uncertainties surrounding environmental risks, as well as individual, group and societal differences about what is considered ‘safe', make it inevitable that policy decisions must be made. It is appropriate that such decisions be shaped by politics and social issues, as well as be informed by science and economics, but care should be taken to distinguish between policy and fact. Not much is known about the nature and magnitude of environmental susceptibilities. Credible environmental decisions require that scientists, risk assessors and decision-makers acknowledge this, and that they take care to distinguish policy calls from scientific fact.     

Induction of food intake by a noradrenergic system using clonidine and fusaric acid in the neonatal chick

To clarify noradrenergic systems on food intake of the neonatal chicks, we examined the effects of i.c.v injection of clonidine (CLON), an alpha2-receptor agonist, and fusaric (5-butylpicolinic) acid (FA), a dopamine (DA)-beta-hydroxylase (DBH) inhibitor. Although a high dose (250 ng) of CLON induced a narcoleptic response and reduced food intake, food intake at 30 min post-injection was enhanced by lower doses (25 and 50 ng) of CLON. Central administration of FA (25, 50 and 100 microg) increased food intake in a dose-dependent fashion. It is suggested that feeding behavior is stimulated by low levels of CLON and decreased by further production of norepinephrine (NE), and FA may play the disturbance of sleeping and then enhance food intake.     

一起布伦登卢普沙门氏菌食物中毒调查

报道了对一起食物中毒的调查.参加婚宴者131人,其中117人先后在餐后5～56h发生中毒.分析参加婚宴者进食不同食物后的发病情况,认为中毒与进食几种被污染的菜肴有关.现场调查,对可疑食物、中毒者与婚宴食物加工与服务人员粪便标本的检验结果,证实这起食物中毒是因为从业人员中的布伦登卢普沙门氏菌(S.Braenderup)带菌者污染食物所致.提示应加强食品从业人员的健康检查和职业道德教育.以避免类似事件的发生.