Geographic Comparison of Dietary Intake and Quality in Manitoba Adolescents.

Purpose: The Food and Nutrition for Manitoba Youth (FANS) study examined dietary intakes, food behaviours, food security status, health indicators, and body mass index of a cohort of grade 9 students. This paper describes regional differences and similarities in dietary intake (food and nutrients) and quality of youth participants in the FANS study.Methods: Grade 9 students completed a web-based survey on dietary intakes (24-hour recall), food behaviours, self-reported health indicators, and sociodemographic variables. Nutrient intakes were compared with national guidelines and diet quality was assessed using a modified Healthy Eating Index.Results: A total of 1587 students participated from northern, rural, and urban regions in Manitoba. Northern and rural students had higher intakes of sugar, sodium, and saturated fat compared with urban. Northern students consumed fewer grain products compared to urban, and more servings of "other" foods compared with rural and urban. While most participants were classified into the "needs improvement" or "poor" Healthy Eating Index categories, significantly more northern participants were in the "poor" category.Conclusions: Most adolescents in the study are at nutritional risk; however, there are additional vulnerabilities for those in rural and northern communities. Dietitians can use results to advocate for and plan interventions to improve adolescent nutrition.

Comparison of diet quality tools to assess nutritional adequacy for adults living with kidney disease.

There is no specific diet quality tool recommended for adults living with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Identifying how diet quality tools assess nutritional adequacy and correlate with potassium and phosphorus (nutrients of interest in CKD) is warranted. Our aim was to compare Mediterranean Diet Scores (MDS), Healthy Eating Index (HEI), and Healthy Food Diversity (HFD) to determine their correlation with nutrient intake in adults living with diabetes and CKD. Using data from a longitudinal study of 50 participants with diabetes and CKD, diet quality was assessed at baseline and 1 or more times at annual visits up to 5 years (complete diet records n = 178). Diet quality was investigated for correlation with nutrient intake. Compared with HEI and HFD, MDS was poorly correlated with nutrient intake (all r values <0.40). HFD and HEI were moderately correlated with potassium (r = 0.66, P < 0.01 and r = 0.57, P < 0.01, respectively). HEI was weakly correlated with phosphorus (r = 0.365, P < 0.01). MDS recommends moderation of dairy and meat, this may have specific benefits for CKD as these are both sources of phosphorus, as such high MDS were associated with lower phosphorus intake. This study suggests that development of a renal specific diet quality assessment tool may be useful; however, further studies are needed.

Diet quality and risk factors for cardiovascular disease among South Asians in Alberta.

South Asians have a higher prevalence of early onset cardiovascular disease risk compared with other populations. Dietary intake is a modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Dietary patterns in immigrants and successive generations of South Asians settled in Western countries undergo adaptions. Little is known about the dietary intake of South Asians in Alberta, thus the objective of the present study was to describe the dietary patterns among South Asians and their risks for cardiovascular diseases. A retrospective analysis of data collected from 140 South Asian adults participating in the Alberta's Tomorrow Project was conducted. Dietary intake was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire and the Healthy Eating Index (HEI) was used an indicator of overall diet quality and adherence to dietary recommendations made by Health Canada. Central obesity (70%), hypercholesterolemia (27%), and hypertension (14%) were predominant health conditions observed in the study participants. About 56% and 44% of participants obtained moderate and poor HEI scores, respectively. The diet quality of the majority of participants was inadequate to meet macro- and micronutrient intake recommendations. The high prevalence of poor/moderate diet quality and pre-existing chronic health conditions across all body mass index groups is a cause for concern in this population.

Modelling optimal diets for quality and cost: examples from Inuit and First Nations communities in Canada 1.

This review summarizes aspects of the 2017 Canadian Nutrition Society symposium, "Modelling diets for quality and cost: examples from Inuit and First Nations in Canada". Indigenous peoples in Canada experience a high prevalence of nutrition-related chronic disease because of the poor quality and high cost of their food supply. Since European colonization, they have transitioned from a diet of minimally processed traditional foods (game, fish, and plants) procured using pursuits such as hunting, fishing, gathering, and horticulture to a diet comprised mostly of processed market foods. This nutrition transition is the result of factors such as colonial policies and practices; climate change; environmental degradation; contaminants in traditional foods; and limited availability of, or access to, economical and healthful market foods. Presenters Malek Batal and Laurie Chan characterized the contemporary diets of First Nations and Inuit populations and demonstrated novel methods for modelling more optimal diets using 2 datasets: the First Nations Food, Nutrition, and Environment Study and the Inuit Health Survey. It was demonstrated how the NOVA classification characterized the portion of the diet consisting of processed foods. Dietary components were then manipulated to reduce ultra-processed food and drink intake to increase the Healthy Eating Index score. Linear programming was explained as a way to mathematically design theoretical diets that aim to optimize food cost, nutrition quality, and contaminant level of traditional foods. While diet-modelling methodologies have limitations, they provide a basis for engaging Indigenous peoples and governments to develop nutrition goals and policies anchored in contemporary food realities.

Nutrient intake and dietary quality changes within a personalized lifestyle intervention program for metabolic syndrome in primary care.

A team-based 12-month lifestyle program for the treatment of metabolic syndrome (MetS) (involving physicians, registered dietitians (RDs), and kinesiologists) was previously shown to reverse MetS in 19% of patients (95% confidence interval, 14% to 24%). This work evaluates changes in nutrient intake and diet quality over 12 months (n = 205). Individualized diet counselling was provided by 14 RDs at 3 centres. Two 24-h recalls, the Canadian Healthy Eating Index (HEI-C), and the Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS) were completed at each time point. Total energy intake decreased by 145 ± 586 kcal (mean ± SD) over 3 months with an additional 76 ± 452 kcal decrease over 3-12 months. HEI-C improved from 58 ± 15 to 69 ± 12 at 3 months and was maintained at 12 months. Similarly, MDS (n = 144) improved from 4.8 ± 1.2 to 6.2 ± 1.9 at 3 months and was maintained at 12 months. Changes were specific to certain food groups, with increased intake of fruits, vegetables, and nuts and decreased intake of "other foods" and "commercial baked goods" being the most prominent changes. There was limited change in intake of olive oil, fish, and legumes. Exploratory analysis suggested that poorer diet quality at baseline was associated with greater dietary changes as assessed by HEI-C. Novelty Multiple dietary assessment tools provided rich information on food intake changes in an intervention for metabolic syndrome. Improvements in diet were achieved by 3 months and maintained to 12 months. The results provide a basis for further dietary change implementation studies in the Canadian context.

Associations between added sugar (solid vs. liquid) intakes, diet quality, and adiposity indicators in Canadian children.

Little is known about the influence of different forms of added sugar intake on diet quality or their association with obesity among youth. Dietary intake was assessed by three 24-h recalls in 613 Canadian children (aged 8-10 years). Added sugars (mean of 3-day intakes) were categorized according to source (solid or liquid). Dietary intake and the Canadian Healthy Eating Index (« HEI-C ¼) were compared across tertiles of solid and liquid added sugars separately as were adiposity indicators (body mass index (BMI), fat mass (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry), and waist circumference). Cross-sectional associations were examined in linear regression models adjusting for age, sex, energy intake, and physical activity (7-day accelerometer). Added sugar contributed 12% of total energy intake (204 kcal) on average, of which 78% was from solid sources. Higher consumption of added sugars from either solid or liquid source was associated with higher total energy, lower intake of micronutrients, vegetables and fruit, and lower HEI-C score. Additionally liquid sources were associated with lower intake of dairy products. A 10-g higher consumption of added sugars from liquid sources was associated with 0.4 serving/day lower of vegetables and fruit, 0.4-kg/m(2) higher BMI, a 0.5-kg higher fat mass, and a 0.9-cm higher waist circumference whereas the associations of added sugars from solid sources and adiposity indicators tended to be negative. In conclusion, higher consumption of added sugar from either solid or liquid sources was associated with lower overall diet quality. Adiposity indicators were only positively associated with added sugars from liquid sources.