Computer-generated vegan menus: The importance of food composition database choice

Precise data on food chemical composition is crucial for any quantitative nutrition research and indispensable for evaluation and planning of computer-based menus. Moreover, exact food chemical composition is of the utmost importance in composing specific diets that may be low in certain essential nutrients. Therefore, this research evaluated a weekly vegan menu using three different food composition databases (FCDB): the Croatian, the official Danish Food Composition Database and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) – National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were determined in evaluated and optimised offers for the same menu when using different FCDBs. Furthermore, in these menus quantities of some nutrients have not reached official daily recommendations needed for prevention of non-communicable diseases. In this research, new vegan menus that can provide adequate quantity of essential nutrients, regardless of FCDB utilized, were created with linear optimisation (LO). This resulted in high quality daily menu offers. However, depending on the FCDB that was used, optimal menus differed in daily meal combinations, and the effectiveness of the optimisation in the minimisation of differences caused by differences of data in FCDBs was tested. Linear optimisation has been proved to be an effective tool in planning of specific diets, such as vegan diets. Nonetheless, the quality of computer-planned menus depends heavily on the quality of FCDB used.     

幼儿园带量食谱营养素供给量的调查

目的 了解幼儿园每周带量食谱营养素供给量和儿童健康状况.方法 采用称重法对幼儿园的膳食进行分析,同时对17947名儿童进行生长发育监测分析.结果 幼儿园每周带量食谱营养素15个观察项目,在园标准供给量足够的项目占80%(12/15),营养素供给量低于在园标准供给量的项目占20%(3/15).中重度营养不良111例(0.62%),生长发育迟缓120例(0.67%).单纯性肥胖症1 040例(5.80%),贫血252例,患病率1.40%.结论 幼儿园每周带量食谱营养素在园标准供给量存在差异,营养素足够与摄入不足同时存在,儿童单纯性肥胖发生率远高于中重度营养不良.     

幼儿园带量食谱营养素供给量的调查

目的 了解幼儿园每周带量食谱营养素供给量和儿童健康状况.方法 采用称重法对幼儿园的膳食进行分析,同时对17947名儿童进行生长发育监测分析.结果 幼儿园每周带量食谱营养素15个观察项目,在园标准供给量足够的项目占80%(12/15),营养素供给量低于在园标准供给量的项目占20%(3/15).中重度营养不良111例(0.62%),生长发育迟缓120例(0.67%).单纯性肥胖症1 040例(5.80%),贫血252例,患病率1.40%.结论 幼儿园每周带量食谱营养素在园标准供给量存在差异,营养素足够与摄入不足同时存在,儿童单纯性肥胖发生率远高于中重度营养不良.     

Implementation of Minimum Nutrition Standards and Best Practices in Childcare Centers

BackgroundThe federal Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) provides reimbursable meals to 4.6 million children annually and sets nutrition standards for foods served. Licensing regulations in many states extend these rules to nonparticipating programs.ObjectiveTo evaluate the quality of meals and snacks served in Connecticut licensed childcare centers in 2019 and assess implementation of a state licensing requirement to adhere to CACFP minimum nutrition standards in all centers.DesignCross-sectional survey.Participants/settingTwo hundred licensed childcare centers in Connecticut in 2019.Main outcome measuresMeal/snack quality was assessed based on menus. Foods/beverages listed were compared to the minimum CACFP nutrition standards and optional best practices. Surveys completed by center directors measured center characteristics.Statistical analysisLogistic and linear multivariable regression models tested differences in centers’ adherence to nutrition standards and best practices by CACFP participation status.ResultsCACFP centers complied with more required nutrition standards than non-CACFP centers (an adjusted mean of 4.7 vs 3.4 standards among programs serving meals, P < 0.001), with particularly large mean differences for whole grains and low-fat milk. Implementation of optional best practices, except for beverages, was relatively low among all centers, especially for snacks. Compliance (adjusted mean number of minimum nutrition standards met) was greater among centers accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children and those using a registered dietitian or a sponsoring agency to prepare menus and receiving food from a vendor. Recent completion of nutrition training was associated with greater mean implementation of best practices.Conclusions and implicationsBetter adherence to minimum nutrition standards and best practices among CACFP-participating childcare centers contributed to higher nutritional quality of meals and snacks offered. Snack quality would benefit most from greater compliance with nutrition standards. Providers outside of CACFP need additional supports in the implementation of licensing regulations to improve the food environment for young children.     

Projecting the Influence of Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Warning Labels and Restaurant Menu Labeling Regulations on Energy Intake,Weight Status,and Health Care Expenditures in US Adults: A Microsimulation

BackgroundAccurate, readily accessible, and easy-to-understand nutrition labeling is a promising policy strategy to address poor diet quality and prevent obesity.ObjectiveThis study projected the influence of nationwide implementation of sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) warning labels and restaurant menu labeling regulations.DesignA stochastic microsimulation model was built to estimate the influences of SSB warning labels and menu labeling regulations on daily energy intake, body weight, body mass index, and health care expenditures among US adults.Participants/settingThe model used individual-level data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, and other validated sources.Statistical analyses performedThe model was simulated using the bootstrapped samples, and the means and associated 95% CIs of the policy effects were estimated.ResultsSSB warning labels and restaurant menu labeling regulations were estimated to reduce daily energy intake by 19.13 kcal (95% CI 18.83 to 19.43 kcal) and 33.09 kcal (95% CI 32.39 to 33.80 kcal), body weight by 0.92 kg (95% CI 0.90 to 0.93 kg) and 1.57 kg (95% CI 1.54 to 1.60 kg), body mass index by 0.32 (95% CI 0.31 to 0.33) and 0.55 (95% CI =0.54 to 0.56), and per-capita health care expenditures by $26.97 (95% CI $26.56 to $27.38) and $45.47 (95% CI $44.54 to $46.40) over 10 years, respectively. The reduced per-capita health care expenditures translated into an annual total medical cost saving of $0.69 billion for SSB warning labels and $1.16 billion for menu labeling regulations. No discernable policy effect on all-cause mortality was identified. The policy effects could be heterogeneous across population subgroups, with larger effects in men, non-Hispanic Black adults, and younger adults.ConclusionsSSB warning labels and menu labeling regulations could be effective policy leverage to prevent weight gains and reduce medical expenses attributable to adiposity.     

冠心病患者常规血脂谱检测的临床意义

目的:探讨冠心病患者常规血脂谱检测的临床意义。方法:将冠心病患者按病情分成3组,用相同方法空腹检测血脂。结果:不同类型冠心病患者血脂检测值具有较大差异,随着病情加重,出现TG增高和HDL降低。结论:TG可导致冠心病患者病情加重,而HDL表现出心血管保护作用。     

Dietary Intake and Status of Vitamin B12 in Slovenian Population

Vitamin B12 deficiency poses a health concern, especially in vulnerable populations. Dietary vitamin B12 intake was obtained by two 24 h dietary recalls and food propensity questionnaires in a representative Slovenian cross-sectional food consumption survey, SI.Menu (n = 1248 subjects; 10–74 years). For a subgroup of 280 participants, data on serum vitamin B12 were available through the Nutrihealth study. The estimated usual population-weighted mean daily vitamin B12 intakes were 6.2 µg (adults), 5.4 µg (adolescents), and 5.0 µg (elderly). Lower intakes were observed in females. Inadequate daily vitamin B12 intake (<4 µg) was detected in 37.3% of adolescents, 31.7% of adults, and 58.3% elderlies. The significant predictors for inadequate daily vitamin B12 intake were physical activity score in all age groups, sex in adolescents and adults, financial status and smoking in elderly, and employment in adults. Meat (products), followed by milk (products), made the highest vitamin B12 contribution in all age groups. In adolescents, another important vitamin B12 contributor was cereals. The mean population-weighted serum vitamin B12 levels were 322.1 pmol/L (adults) and 287.3 pmol/L (elderly). Low serum vitamin B12 concentration (<148 nmol/L) and high serum homocysteine (>15 µmol/L) were used as criteria for vitamin B12 deficiency. The highest deficiency prevalence was found in elderlies (7.0%), particularly in males (7.9%). Factors associated with high serum homocysteine were also investigated. In conclusion, although vitamin B12 status was generally not critical, additional attention should be focused particularly to the elderly.     

Menu Analysis

Abstract

The menu is a key factor in influencing the guest's first impression of the facility, the menu selections they are likely to order, and sets expectations about the food and beverages they are about to receive. Menu development is an ongoing process. To maintain a competitive advantage, menus must remain flexible. This study examines the dinner menus of successful restaurants and private clubs. The analysis compares menu design characteristics and pricing strategies used by restaurants and clubs that have been awarded honors in their industry segment. Each restaurant has received the DiRoNA award, and each club has received the Platinum Clubs of America honor. By identifying menu design techniques and pricing strategies used by these restaurants and clubs, other operators may benefit from applying these aspects to their businesses.     

上海某高校学生营养配餐干预效果分析

目的探讨营养配餐对学生膳食状况、营养素摄取的干预效果,为提高学生营养水平提供参考。方法实验分2期,每期在上海海洋大学各招募40名志愿者,男、女生各20名,进行3个月营养配餐干预。结果第1期荤素搭配比例适当,但采用强制菜色与份量的方法,坚持3个月的学生就餐率为33%;第2期营养摄入更均衡,膳食结构更合理,但水果和牛奶只做推荐。推出"6+1"的供应模式和"3C41"点餐方式,坚持3个月的学生就餐率上升到60%。结论营养配餐在一定程度上保证学生获得均衡且充足的营养素。在条件允许的情况下结合学生、餐厅、学校共同开展学生营养配餐推广工作很有必要。