A benchmark dose study of prenatal exposure to di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate and behavioral problems in children

IntroductionPrenatal exposure to di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) has been reported to be associated with adverse effects on neurodevelopment that yield behavior syndromes in young children with an estimated median exposure lower than the currently recommended tolerable daily intake (TDI) and reference dose (RfD).ObjectivesOur aim was to derive the benchmark dose for prenatal exposure to DEHP for the neurodevelopmental health in children.MethodsA total of 122 mother-child pairs from the Taiwan Maternal and Infant Cohort Study were analyzed for the dose-response relationship between maternal exposure to DEHP and children's behavioral syndromes evaluated at 8 years (n = 122, 2009), 11 years (n = 96, 2012), and 14 years (n = 78, 2015) of age. We employed a multivariate regression model to assess the statistical associations between the estimated maternal average daily intake of DEHP and child's individual CBCL scores for boys and girls at each separate age, followed by a mixed model for all the children across three ages accounting for individual variations. We then employed structural equation models by combining the children's specific behavioral problem scores at different ages and obtained a simulated overall latent score in relation to maternal exposure. Based on the established dose-response relationship, we derived the benchmark dose (BMD) and the lower limit (BMDL).ResultsAssociations of maternal DEHP exposure (median 4.54$\mu g/kg\_bw/day$) with the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) scores were all significant, except for somatic complaints, adjusting for child's age, gender, IQ, and family income. The BMDL, given a benchmark response of 0.10 (0.05) and a background response of 0.05, was 6.01 (2.16) $\mu g/kg\_bw/day$for an integrated CBCL score.ConclusionsThe current TDI (RfD) of 50 (20) $\mu g/kg\_bw/day$ for DEHP might not protect pregnant women for their children from behavioral problems. There remains the lack of comparable toxicological data. Further investigations are needed.     

Increasing the Number of Chews before Swallowing Reduces Meal Size in Normal-Weight,Overweight, and Obese Adults

Eating slowly contributes to a lower risk of obesity, probably because it could aid appetite control. Chewing thoroughly is an effective strategy to reduce eating rate; however, insufficient data are available to demonstrate the relationship between such an eating behavior and energy intake. To investigate the effect of increasing the number of chews before swallowing on meal size, a randomized cross-over trial was conducted in 18- to 45-year-old normal-weight, overweight, and obese participants (n=45) who were recruited from the local community (Ames, IA). After assessment of baseline number of chews, participants were asked to attend three test sessions to eat pizza for lunch until comfortably full by chewing each portion of food either 100%, 150%, or 200% of their baseline number of chews before swallowing. Two-way analysis of variance was used to test the effect of treatment and body-weight status, as well as their interactions on food intake, meal duration, eating rate, and appetite at meal termination. Appetite data during 60 minutes were analyzed by repeated measures analysis of variance. Food intake in the sessions with 150% and 200% of their baseline number of chews was reduced significantly, by 9.5% and 14.8%, respectively, compared with the 100% session. Increasing the number of chews also prolonged meal duration and reduced eating rate. However, subjective appetite at meal termination or during the immediate postprandial period did not differ. These data indicate that increasing the number of chews before swallowing might be a behavioral strategy to reduce food intake and potentially aid body-weight management.     

Assessing the Public’s Comprehension of Dietary Guidelines: Use of MyPyramid or MyPlate Is Associated with Healthier Diets among US Adults

Background

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) provide a framework for food and nutrition programming in the United States as well as the foundation for individualized dietary guidance. Public utilization of the DGA, specifically the MyPyramid or MyPlate tool, is not well studied.

Perceived Stress and Eating Behaviors by Sex,Obesity Status,and Stress Vulnerability: Findings from the Vitamins and Lifestyle (VITAL) Study

Stress has been associated with eating patterns in human studies with differences due to the type and duration of stressor, type of food, and individual susceptibility factors. Laboratory and smaller epidemiological studies have reported stress-associated preferences for foods high in sugar and fat; associations have been found more consistently among women and people who are obese. Larger studies are needed to sufficiently test these relationships. The aim of this study was to evaluate associations between self-reported amount of stress and dietary nutrient intakes (percentage energy from fat, carbohydrates, added sugar) and dietary behaviors (number of eating occasions and servings of fruits and vegetables, high-fat snacks, fast-food items, and sweetened drinks) by sex, obesity status, and stress vulnerability. Linear regression was used to estimate associations of perceived stress with eating patterns among 65,235 older adults while adjusting for demographic factors, body mass index, physical activity, alcohol intake, number of comorbidities, and other relevant covariates. Higher perceived stress was associated with greater intake of energy from fat, high-fat snacks, and fast-food items as well as lower intake of energy from carbohydrates (all P for trend ≤0.002). Among those with high perceived stress vulnerability, perceived stress was associated with fewer eating occasions (P for interaction <0.0001). Although associations were small, significant relationships were found for perceived stress arising from everyday experiences among an older, mostly white population. These findings have public health implications and suggest that stress may be important to consider in programs promoting healthy eating.     

A comparison of the nutrient content of uncooked and cooked lean from New Zealand beef and lamb

The composition in terms of proximate analysis, cholesterol, vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids of the lean tissue of 17 beef cuts and 18 lamb cuts was determined on within-cut composite samples (each containing lean tissue from at least 7 animals), following the knife-separation of raw and cooked cuts into lean, fat, and bone. Composite lean samples for 4 beef cuts and 4 lamb cuts were also analysed for amino-acid composition. For analysis, different cuts were the experimental unit as individual animal data were not available. The composition of lean from beef and lamb was shown to be highly desirable with a high nutrient density (mg/kJ) for many nutrients. Although lean from beef and lamb were very similar in many respects, several significant differences were detected. Changes in composition with cooking were largely eliminated when considered on a dry-matter basis, but proportions of the n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids increased with cooking (P < 0.05). The amino acid composition was similar for lean from beef and lamb but showed small deviations from recommended patterns for human nutrition with branched chain amino acids being limiting.     

Self‐reported quantity of daily water intake and urine output in healthy young

Water is an essential nutrient and adequate intake and output of water is required for health maintenance. Water homeostasis is vital for life and optimal function and considerable interest surrounds the issue of recommendations for water consumption in healthy individuals. Few studies are available about self‐reported water intake and urine output. The aim of this study was to assess the quantity of water intake and urine output in 24‐h period in healthy young individuals. This prospective study was carried out on 31 students aged 18–24 years undergoing nursing education in a University during January 2011 in Sakarya, Turkey. Healthy young individuals were recruited for determination of the quantity of water taken in and urine excretion along 24 h; they recorded fluid input and urine output. The students collected the data during weekend break. In our study, the total daily fluid intake (mL) for females was 2082·6 ± 687·1 and the total daily fluid intake (mL) for males was 2720·8 ± 717·4. The total daily quantity of urine (mL) for females was 1623·4 ± 602·4 and the total daily quantity of urine (mL) for males was 1818·3 ± 420·6. This research may be the source for similar studies that could include seasonal changes, climates, cultures and different age groups.