Association of main meal frequency and skipping with metabolic syndrome in Korean adults: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Reduced meal frequency can increase the risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS). However, limited studies have examined the association between meal frequency and skipping meals with MetS. This study aims to analyze the association between main meal frequency and meal skipping with MetS in Korean adults aged ≥ 19 years. METHODS: In this study, we included data from 22,699 Korean adult participants from the 2016-2020 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). The 24-h dietary recall method was used to classify the participants into three groups based on main meal frequency (one, two, or three meals per day) and seven groups based on the type of main meal they skipped. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine the association between main meal frequency and the types of main meals skipped with the odds of MetS and its associated components. Appropriate estimates were accounted for using sampling weights, stratification, and clustering. RESULTS: The prevalence of MetS in the study population was 33.8%. The average age of the participants was 47.2 years with 42.6% being men, and 57.4% being women. Men who consumed two meals per day had higher odds of MetS than those who consumed three meals per day (odds ratio [OR] 1.16, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01-1.33). Women who consumed two meals per day, and skipped breakfast had increased odds of having elevated fasting blood glucose levels (OR 1.18, 95% CI 1.02-1.35), and elevated triglycerides (OR 1.19, 95% CI 1.02-1.39). However, women who skipped dinner had reduced odds of having elevated fasting blood glucose levels (OR 0.74, 95% CI 0.58-0.94). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that meal frequency and the type of main meal skipped may be associated with MetS and emphasize the importance of consuming breakfast to prevent MetS.

How Do Brown Seaweeds Work on Biomarkers of Dyslipidemia? A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis and Meta-Regression.

Dyslipidemia is a common chronic disease that increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. Diet plays an important role in the development of dyslipidemia. As people pay increased attention to healthy eating habits, brown seaweed consumption is increasing, particularly in East Asian countries. The association between dyslipidemia and brown seaweed consumption has been previously demonstrated. We searched for keywords associated with brown seaweed and dyslipidemia in electronic databases such as PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane. Heterogeneity was estimated using the I2 statistic. The 95% confidence interval (CI) of the forest plot and heterogeneity were confirmed using meta-ANOVA and meta-regression. Funnel plots and publication bias statistical tests were used to determine publication bias. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. In this meta-analysis, we found that brown seaweed intake significantly decreased the levels of total cholesterol (mean difference (MD): -3.001; 95% CI: -5.770, -0.232) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (MD: -6.519; 95% CI: -12.884, -0.154); nevertheless, the statistically significant association of brown seaweed intake with high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and triglycerides were not observed in our study (MD: 0.889; 95% CI: -0.558, 2.335 and MD: 8.515; 95% CI: -19.354, 36.383). Our study demonstrated that brown seaweed and its extracts decreased total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels. The use of brown seaweeds may be a promising strategy to reduce the risk of dyslipidemia. Future studies involving a larger population are warranted to investigate the dose-response association of brown seaweed consumption with dyslipidemia.

Unveiling the Therapeutic Potential and Healthcare Applications of Marine Therapy: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis and Meta-Regression.

This study was conducted to estimate the effectiveness of marine-derived resources for treating specific diseases, as well as identify the most effective methods for applying such resources in therapeutic applications. Bibliographic databases (PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane) were searched from their inception until May 2023 using Medical Subject Headings terms and text keywords related to seawater, mineral water, or ocean therapy. Fifteen eligible studies were included, involving 1325 participants aged 42.7-63.0 years. In the subgroup analysis based on treatment type, the mean difference was -1.581 (95% CI: -1.889, -1.274) for seawater with sun exposure and -1.210 (95% CI: -1.417, -1.002) for seawater with sun exposure, mud pack application, and sulfur pool therapy. The pooled standardized mean difference was calculated for different outcomes; the results were -1.110 (95% CI: -3.028, 0.806) for osteoarthritis severity, -0.795 (95% CI: -0.982, -0.607) for arthritis pain, -1.623 (95% CI: -2.036, -1.209) for fibromyalgia pain, and -1.498 (95% CI: -1.888, -1.108) for quality of life. Marine therapy is, therefore, promising for treating chronic skin issues, easing musculoskeletal discomfort, and enhancing the quality of life among patients with musculoskeletal pain.

Gene-Nutrient Interactions in Obesity: COBLL1 Genetic Variants Interact with Dietary Fat Intake to Modulate the Incidence of Obesity.

The COBLL1 gene is associated with leptin, a hormone important for appetite and weight maintenance. Dietary fat is a significant factor in obesity. This study aimed to determine the association between COBLL1 gene, dietary fat, and incidence of obesity. Data from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study were used, and 3055 Korean adults aged ≥ 40 years were included. Obesity was defined as a body mass index ≥ 25 kg/m2. Patients with obesity at baseline were excluded. The effects of the COBLL1 rs6717858 genotypes and dietary fat on incidence of obesity were evaluated using multivariable Cox proportional hazard models. During an average follow-up period of 9.2 years, 627 obesity cases were documented. In men, the hazard ratio (HR) for obesity was higher in CT, CC carriers (minor allele carriers) in the highest tertile of dietary fat intake than for men with TT carriers in the lowest tertile of dietary fat intake (Model 1: HR: 1.66, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.07-2.58; Model 2: HR: 1.63, 95% CI: 1.04-2.56). In women, the HR for obesity was higher in TT carriers in the highest tertile of dietary fat intake than for women with TT carriers in the lowest tertile of dietary fat intake (Model 1: HR: 1.49, 95% CI: 1.08-2.06; Model 2: HR: 1.53, 95% CI: 1.10-2.13). COBLL1 genetic variants and dietary fat intake had different sex-dependent effects in obesity. These results imply that a low-fat diet may protect against the effects of COBLL1 genetic variants on future obesity risk.

Interactions between Bitter Taste Receptor Gene Variants and Dietary Intake Are Associated with the Incidence of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Middle-Aged and Older Korean Adults.

The relationship between the variants of bitter taste receptor gene TAS2R4, dietary intake, and incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) remains unclear. Hence, we aimed to examine the association of TAS2R4 rs2233998 variants with T2DM incidence in middle-aged and older Korean adults to understand if their association was modulated by dietary intake. Data of the Ansan-Ansung cohort from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study were used in this study. A total of 4552 Korean adults aged 40-69 years with no history of T2DM or cancer at baseline were followed-up for 16 years. Dietary intake was assessed using a 103-item food frequency questionnaire, and new T2DM cases were defined based on the World Health Organization and International Diabetes Federation criteria. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for T2DM incidence. During the mean follow-up period of 11.97 years, 1082 (23.77%) new T2DM cases were identified. Women carrying the TT genotype of TAS2R4 rs2233998 exhibited 1.48 times higher incidence of T2DM (HR: 1.48; 95 CI: 1.13-1.93) than those carrying the CC genotype. TAS2R4 rs2233998 variants were positively associated with the incidence of T2DM among Korean women with high intakes of carbohydrates or sugars and low intakes of fruits or vegetables. TT carrier women in the highest tertile of carbohydrate or sugar intake exhibited an increased incidence of T2DM (HR: 2.08, 95% CI: 1.33-3.27 for carbohydrates; HR: 2.31, 95% CI: 1.53-3.51 for sugars) than CC carrier women. Women carrying the TT genotype in the lowest tertile exhibited an increased incidence of T2DM (HR: 1.55, 95% CI: 1.02-2.37 for vegetables; HR: 1.62, 95% CI: 1.06-2.48 for fruits) than women carrying the CC genotype in the highest tertile of vegetable or fruit consumption. However, no association was observed between TAS2R4 rs2233998 variants and dietary intake with T2DM incidence in Korean men. Our findings suggest that variants of TAS2R4 rs2233998 are associated with T2DM incidence, and their associations are strengthened by excessive intake of carbohydrates or sugars and inadequate intake of fruits or vegetables. Diet encompassing optimal intake of carbohydrates or sugars and high intake of fruits or vegetables may minimize the risk of developing T2DM.

Trends in intake and sources of dietary protein in Korean adults, 1998-2018.

Although a decrease in carbohydrate intake and an increase in fat intake among Koreans have been reported, investigations of changes in protein intake have been limited. Thus, this study aimed to explore trends in the dietary intake of total, plant and animal proteins overall and by socio-demographic subgroups in Korea over the past two decades. A total of 78 716 Korean adults aged ≥ 19 years who participated in the seven survey cycles of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1998-2018 were included. Dietary protein intake, overall and by source, was calculated using a single 24-h dietary recall data. Changes in dietary protein over 20 years were estimated using multiple linear regression analysis after adjusting for potential covariates. For total protein intake, a significant decrease was reported from 1998 to 2016-2018 (P for trendlinearity < 0·001), whereas an increasing trend was observed from 2007-2009 to 2016-2018 (P for trendlinearity < 0·001). In terms of protein intake by source, plant protein intake decreased while animal protein intake increased over the past two decades, indicating steeper trends during the recent decade (P for trendlinearity < 0·001). These trends were more pronounced among younger adults and those with higher household income and education levels. These findings suggest that continuous monitoring of dietary protein intake overall and by source (plant v. animal) across socio-demographic group is needed.

Pro-inflammatory diet associated with low back pain in adults aged 50 and older.

AIMS: To investigate the association between pro-inflammatory diets and low back pain in a nationally representative sample of Korean adults. BACKGROUND: Low back pain is one of the most common health issues. Evidence suggests a potential association between systemic inflammation and the development of low back pain, and the role of diet in mitigating the inflammation that, in turn, can alleviate low back pain. METHODS: This cross-sectional, correlational study used data from the 6th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey involving health interviews, examinations, and nutritional surveys. Dietary inflammatory index scores were generated based on 24-hour dietary recalls. Respondents were asked if they had experienced low back pain for at least 30 days in the past three months. Multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted to investigate the independent association between pro-inflammatory diets and low back pain. RESULTS: Of 7346 respondents, most participants were middle-aged, married, and non-/ex-smokers, lived in 2+ person households, consumed alcohol less than once a week, and had no allergies or underlying medical conditions. Respondents in the highest inflammatory diet quintile had nearly 0.25 higher odds of reporting low back pain than those in the lowest quintile (adjusted ORquintile5vs1: 1.25, 95%CI [1.01-1.54]; p = .043). CONCLUSIONS: Results from this study indicate a role of pro-inflammatory diets in the development of low back pain. Nurses can screen for those consuming pro-inflammatory foods, and thus, are vulnerable to back pain, and aid in the delivery of tailored nutritional education. Future studies should investigate how diet affects low back pain diagnosis and chronicity relative to pain phenotypes.

Predictability of Macrosomic Birth based on Maternal Factors and Fetal Aneuploidy Screening Biochemical Markers in Hyperglycemic Mothers.

Background: Macrosomic birth weight has been implicated as a significant risk factor for developing various adult metabolic diseases such as diabetes mellitus and coronary heart diseases; it has also been associated with higher incidences of complicated births. This study aimed to examine the predictability of macrosomic births in hyperglycemic pregnant women using maternal clinical characteristics and serum biomarkers of aneuploidy screening performed in the first half of pregnancy. Methods: A retrospective observational study was performed on a cohort of 1,668 pregnant women who 1) had positive outcomes after undergoing 50-g oral glucose challenge test (OGCT) at two university-based hospitals and 2) underwent any one of the following maternal biomarker screening tests for fetal aneuploidy: triple test, quadruple test, and integrated test. Logistic regression-based models for predicting macrosomic births using maternal characteristics and serum biomarkers were developed and evaluated for prediction power. A nomogram, which is a graphical display of the best predictable model, was then generated. Results: The study cohort included 157 macrosomic birth cases defined as birth weight ≥3,820 g, which was equivalent to the top 10 percentile of the modeling cohort. Three primary models solely based on serum biomarkers achieved area under curves (AUCs) of 0.55-0.62. Expanded models, including maternal demographic and clinical factors, demonstrated an improved performance by 25% (AUCs, 0.69-0.73). Conclusion: Our prediction models will help to identify pregnancies with an elevated risk of macrosomic births in hyperglycemic mothers using maternal clinical factors and serum markers from routine antenatal screening tests. Prediction of macrosomic birth at mid-pregnancy may allow customized antenatal care to reduce the risk of macrosomic births.

Positive association between dietary acid load and future insulin resistance risk: findings from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study.

BACKGROUND: Acid-base homeostasis is increasingly being recognized to play an important role in normal metabolic function. However, prospective studies on the relationship between diet-induced acid-base imbalance and insulin resistance among Asian populations have been limited. Thus, we investigated whether diet-induced metabolic acidosis was prospectively associated with insulin resistance risk in middle-aged and older Korean adults. METHODS: In total, 5406 participants from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study without type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, cancer, or renal diseases at baseline examination were included in this study. To estimate diet-induced metabolic acidosis, we used potential renal acid load (PRAL) and net endogenous acid production (NEAP) scores calculated from the usual dietary intake assessed by a validated 103-item food frequency questionnaire at baseline. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were applied to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of insulin resistance incidence. RESULTS: During a mean follow-up period of 7.4 years, we documented 3449 insulin resistance cases. In the fully adjusted model, the future insulin resistance risk was significantly higher among participants in the highest quartiles of PRAL (HR: 1.30, 95% CI: 1.13-1.48, Ptrend = 0.0002) and NEAP (HR: 1.30, 95% CI: 1.14-1.49, Ptrend = 0.0008) than among those in the lowest quartiles. Associations were slightly strengthened among men, adults < 50 years old, obese participants, or those with low physical activity levels. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggested that diet-dependent acid load was positively associated with the future development of insulin resistance, suggesting effect modification by sex, age, the presence of obesity, and physical activity levels.

Dietary Protein and Fat Intake Affects Diabetes Risk with CDKAL1 Genetic Variants in Korean Adults.

Cyclin-dependent kinase 5 regulatory subunit-associated protein 1-like 1 (CDKAL1) is one of the strongest diabetes loci identified to date; evidence suggests that it plays an important role in insulin secretion. Dietary factors that affect insulin demand might enhance the risk of diabetes associated with CDKAL1 variants. Our aim was to examine the interactions between dietary protein and fat intake and CDKAL1 genetic variants in relation to the risk of diabetes in Korean adults. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were selected with a genome-wide association study (GWAS) for diabetes after adjustment for age, gender, and examination site. Using data from the Health Examinees (HEXA) Study of the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES), 3988 middle-aged Korean adults between 40-76 years of age (2034 men and 1954 women) were included in the study. Finally, rs7756992 located within the CDKAL1 gene region was selected from GWAS (p-value < 5 × 10-8). Multivariable logistic regression models were used to evaluate the interactions between genotypes and dietary protein and fat intake in relation to diabetes risk after adjustment for age, gender, BMI, waist circumference, physical activity, smoking status, drinking habits, and examination site. Significant interactions between CDKAL1 rs7756992 and dietary protein and fat intake for the risk of diabetes were observed in men (p-value < 0.05). In women, significant interactions between dietary protein and fat intake and CDKAL1 variants (rs7756992) were associated with increased risk of diabetes (p-value < 0.05). Dietary protein and fat intake interacted differently with CDKAL1 variants in relation to the risk of diabetes in Korean adults of both genders. These findings indicate that CDKAL1 variants play a significant role in diabetes and that dietary protein and fat intake could affect these associations.

Association of Sleep Duration and Obesity According to Gender and Age in Korean Adults: Results from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007-2015.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate associations between self-reported sleep duration and general and abdominal obesity in Korean adults stratified according to gender and age. METHODS: Data from 41,805 adults, 18-110 years of age, collected by the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) in 2007 and 2015, were analyzed. Multivariable logistic regression was used to calculate adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for obesity and abdominal obesity by sleep duration after controlling for sociodemographic and lifestyle variables. RESULTS: Among individuals 30-49 years of age, there was an increased AOR for obesity only for sleep duration ≤ 5 hour/day compared with sleep duration 6 to 8 hour/day, both in men (OR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.02-1.54) and women (OR, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.29-1.90), after controlling for covariates. Regarding women, there was increased AOR for abdominal obesity for sleep duration ≤ 5 hour/day (OR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.18-1.78) and ≥ 9 hour/day (OR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.09-1.76) compared with sleep duration 6 to 8 hour/day. However, for elderly individuals (≥ 65 years), there was a negative association between sleep duration ≤ 5 hour/day and obesity, but not with abdominal obesity, in both men and women. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated a significant association between sleep duration and obesity, which varied according to gender and age.

Prevalences and Management of Diabetes and Pre-diabetes among Korean Teenagers and Young Adults: Results from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005-2014.

The rapid increases in childhood obesity and physical inactivity are linked to the incidence of diabetes among young individuals. However, few studies have evaluated the prevalence of diabetes among this population. Therefore, we used Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) data to evaluate the prevalence and management of diabetes and pre-diabetes among young Koreans. We evaluated KNHANES data (2005-2014) from 10-29-year-old individuals. Individuals were considered eligible if they had completed the health examination and the health interview survey, and we excluded individuals with missing data regarding fasting glucose or glycated haemoglobin levels. Among the 100,101 potentially eligible individuals who participated in KNHANES (2005-2014), we included 83,577 (37,677 male and 45,900 female) individuals. The overall prevalences of diabetes and pre-diabetes among 10-19-year-old individuals were 0.2% and 11.9%, respectively. Among 20-29-year-old individuals, the prevalences of diabetes and pre-diabetes were 0.9% and 9.6%, respectively. The overall rates of diabetes awareness during the study period were 36.6% for 10-19-year-old individuals and 50.8% for 20-29-year-old individuals. However, the prevalence of diabetes and pre-diabetes had noticeably increased at the 2013-2014 KNHANES: 0.6% and 25.9% among 10-19-year-old individuals, and 0.8% and 19.2% among 20-29-year-old individuals. The prevalence of diabetes and pre-diabetes is rapidly increasing among Korean teenagers and young adults. Pre-emptive interventions to diagnose and treat diabetes and pre-diabetes are needed to improve glycaemic control among this population.

Dietary Patterns During Pregnancy are Associated with Gestational Weight Gain.

Objective The role of diet during pregnancy on gestational weight gain is unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the hypothesis that dietary patterns during pregnancy are differentially associated with the adequacy of gestational weight gain at different stages of pregnancy. Methods A total of 391 pregnant women in National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003-2006 were included. Dietary intake was obtained using a National Cancer Institute's food-frequency questionnaire. Results Three dietary patterns were identified by factor analysis with 36 food groups among pregnant women, and they were named according to food group factor loadings: 'mixed', 'healthy', and 'western'. The 'mixed' pattern characterized by a high intake of meat, dairy products, fruits, vegetables, potatoes, nuts and seeds and sweets. After adjusting for maternal sociodemographic variables and physical activity level, women in the highest tertile of 'mixed' pattern score had significantly greater odds of being in the inadequate gestational weight gain compared to those in the lowest tertile (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 4.72; 95 % CI 1.07-20.94). Women in the mid tertile of the 'mixed' pattern had significantly lower odds of being in the excessive gestational weight gain compared to those in the lowest tertile (AOR 0.39; 95 % CI 0.15-0.99). Conclusion These results suggest that a diet high in meat, dairy products, fruits, vegetables, potatoes, and nuts and seeds during pregnancy might be associated with reducing excessive gestational weight gain.

Changes in iodine status among US adults, 2001-2012.

Urinary iodine concentrations (UICs) in the US have been reported to be stable since 1988-1994, although those in selected subgroups remained low. We aimed to investigate iodine status among adults (≥20 years) by two different criteria of assessing iodine deficiency in population. Utilizing National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys 2001-2012, we conducted linear logistic regressions adjusting for covariates. The prevalence of <50 µg/L UIC was higher in women than in men; increased from 11.6% (2001-2004) to 13.2% (2009-2012) at the national level and in young adults, non-Hispanic blacks (NHBs) and non-users of iodine-containing supplements (all, p <0.05); the adjusted odds ratios (95%CI) in young adults (1.54 [1.11-2.15], p = 0.0007) and NHBs (1.70 [1.15-2.52], p = 0.0078). Median UICs confirm women and NHBs being in borderline iodine status. Recognizing the critical consequence of iodine deficiency particularly in women and NHBs, regular monitoring of iodine status is important for public health in the US.

Snack patterns are associated with biomarkers of glucose metabolism in US men.

Few studies have made distinctions between dietary intake from meals and snacks in relating them to biomarkers. We aimed to examine if snack patterns are associated with biomarkers of glucose metabolism, specifically hemoglobin A1c and HOMA-IR in US adults. Using 24-h dietary recall data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) in 2007-2008, we derived snack patterns using factor analyses. Multivariate logistic regressions were performed to estimate adjusted odds ratios (AOR) for biomarkers of glucose metabolism by quintiles of snack pattern scores. Men in the highest quintile of dairy and sugary snack pattern had higher risk of having hemoglobin A1c ≥ 6.5% (AOR: 2.06; 95% CI: 1.20-3.51) and HOMA-IR > 3.0 (AOR: 1.73; 95% CI: 1.01-2.95) than did those in the lowest quintile. No significant association was found in women between snack patterns and biomarkers of glucose metabolism. Dairy and sugary snack patterns of US men had the greatest association with poor control of glucose metabolism.

Validity of prepregnancy weight status estimated from self-reported height and weight.

The Institute of Medicine's gestational weight gain guidelines are intended to reduce pregnancy complications, poor birth outcomes and excessive postpartum weight retention. The specific weight gain guidelines vary by prepregnancy weight status. We evaluated the validity of prepregnancy weight status (underweight, normal weight, overweight and obesity) classified from self-reported prepregnancy height and weight in reference to those from measured data during the first trimester of pregnancy and imputed data for both pregnant and age-matched non-pregnant women included in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003-2006. Self-reported prepregnancy weight status was validated by two ideal references: imputed data with the number of imputations as 10 (n = 5,040) using the data of age-matched non-pregnant women who had both self-reported and measured data, and weight status based on height and weight measured during the first trimester (n = 95). Mean differences, Pearson's correlations (r), and Kappa statistics (κ) were used to examine the strength of agreement between self-reported data and the two reference measures. Mean (standard error of the mean) differences between self-reported versus imputed prepregnancy weight was -1.7 (0.1) kg with an r = 0.98 (p < 0.001), and κ = 0.78 which indicate substantial agreement for the 504 pregnant women. Mean (SEM) differences between self-reported prepregnancy weight versus measured weight in the first trimester was -2.3 (0.7) kg with r = 0.98 (p < 0.001), and κ = 0.76, which also showed substantial agreements in 95 pregnant women. Prepregnancy weight status classified based on self-reported prepregnancy height and weight was valid.

Is gestational weight gain associated with diet quality during pregnancy?

The gestational weight gain (GWG) guidelines of the Institute of Medicine (IOM) aim to optimize birth outcomes and reduce pregnancy complications. The GWG guidelines are set based on the prepregnancy weight status and optimal weight gain at different trimesters of pregnancy. Dietary references intakes (DRIs) of the IOM are set for each trimester of pregnancy for energy intake and other essential nutrients by age groups (≤ 18, 19-30, 31-51 years). The DRIs, however, do not take into account the differing energy and nutrient requirements of women with different prepregnancy weights. In this cross-sectional study, we tested the hypothesis that diet quality during pregnancy is associated with adequate GWG at different stages of pregnancy. Diet quality during pregnancy was assessed from a 24-h recall measured by the healthy eating index of 2005 (HEI-2005). Both GWG and diet quality data were from 490 pregnant women aged 16-43 years included in National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003-2006, a program of studies designed to assess the health and nutritional status of adults and children in the US, during which pregnant women were oversampled. Logistic regression models adjusted for age, trimester of gestation, race/ethnicity, education level, marital status, family poverty income ratio, daily supplement use, physical activity, and prepregnancy BMI were used to investigate if HEI-2005 is a determinant of GWG status at different trimesters of pregnancy. We found that HEI-2005 scores were not determinants of adequate GWG, although inadequate intake of total vegetables (OR 3.8, CI 1.1-13.2, p = 0.03) and oils were associated with excessive GWG (OR 2.8, CI 1.2-6.4, p = 0.02) when covariates were controlled. Although adequate GWG was not associated with diet quality as measured by HEI-2005 during pregnancy in this study, comprehensive prenatal counseling is still important to reduce adverse birth outcomes.

Association of Dietary Fiber and Measures of Physical Fitness with High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein.

Dietary fiber intake and physical fitness are independently associated with high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels. Nevertheless, the association between dietary fiber intake, measures of physical fitness, and hs-CRP levels has not yet been fully evaluated. We investigated the influence of a combination of dietary fiber intake and measures of physical fitness, including hand grip strength, resistance training, and metabolic equivalents of tasks, on hs-CRP levels. Data collected from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) spanning 2015 to 2018 were used in this study. A total of 16,934 participants (7434 men and 9500 women aged ≥19 years) were included in this study. After adjusting for confounding factors (age, education, income, marital status, smoking status, drinking habits, total energy intake, and aerobic physical activity), we employed a multivariable logistic model to examine the association of dietary fiber intake and measures of physical fitness with hs-CRP levels. Among women, the odds of high hs-CRP levels were lower in those with the highest dietary fiber intake and superior grip strength compared to in women with the lowest dietary fiber intake and weaker grip strength (odds ratio [OR] = 0.40, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.24-0.68). The highest dietary fiber intake who participated in resistance exercise at least three times per week had a reduced odds of high hs-CRP levels compared with those with the lowest dietary fiber intake who did not engage in resistance exercise in both men and women (OR = 0.53, 95% CI = 0.32-0.89; OR = 0.40, 95% CI = 0.19-0.84, respectively). Our findings indicate that dietary fiber intake and high levels of physical fitness were associated with reduced odds of elevated hs-CRP levels.

Effects of Interaction between SLC35F3 and Carbohydrate Intake on the Incidence of Metabolic Syndrome in Korean Middle-Aged Adults.

Solute carrier family 35 member F3 (SLC35F3) mediates intracellular thiamine transport, which is crucial for carbohydrate metabolism as thiamine is required for key pathways such as glycolysis and the tricarboxylic acid cycle. This study aimed to investigate the impact of the interaction between SLC35F3 and dietary carbohydrate intake on the incidence of metabolic syndrome (MetS). The study included 3923 Korean adults over 40 years of age from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study. The association between dietary carbohydrate intake, SLC35F3 rs10910387 genotypes, and MetS incidence was studied using multivariable Cox proportional hazard models. Over an average of 8.5 years of follow-ups, we documented 1471 MetS cases. MetS incidence was 1.88 times greater in men with the TT genotype and the highest carbohydrate intake than in those with the CC genotype and lowest carbohydrate intake (Hazard Ratio (HR) 1.88, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03-3.41). MetS incidence were 2.22 and 2.53 times higher in women with the TT genotype and carbohydrate intake tertile 2 and 3, respectively, than those with the CC genotype and carbohydrate intake tertile 1 (HR 2.22, 95% CI 1.12-4.42; HR 2.53, 95% CI 1.38-4.61). In summary, we report a novel interaction between SLC35F3 rs10910387 genotypes and dietary carbohydrate intake on MetS in Koreans.

Association between alcoholic beverage intake and hyperuricemia in Chinese adults: Findings from the China Health and Nutrition Survey.

While prior research has shown that consuming alcohol may raise the risk of hyperuricemia, little is known about how individual types of alcohol are linked to levels of uric acid in China. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the independent impact of beer, wine, and liquor on serum uric acid (SUA) levels in the serum of Chinese adults. This study analyzed data from the 2009 China Health and Nutrition Survey and included 7083 participants (3418 men and 3665 women, ≥18 years of age). Multivariable logistic regression was used to analyze the potential association between alcohol intake and hyperuricemia risk, while linear regression analysis and general linear model were performed to examine the impact of alcohol consumption on SUA levels. This study revealed that men who drank alcohol daily had a greater odds ratio (1.68, 95% confidence interval: 1.01, 2.81) of hyperuricemia than those who drank alcohol no more than once a month. SUA levels of men significantly increased by 0.001 mg/dL for per additional gram of liquor consumed weekly. But men who drank ≤ 90.6 g of liquor per week had lower SUA levels compared with those in nondrinkers. SUA levels were inversely associated with wine intake in women (P = .03, P for trend = .02). Overall, consumption of beer, wine, and liquor differentially affected SUA levels in adult Chinese men and women.