Concurrent validity of skin carotenoid status as a concentration biomarker of vegetable and fruit intake compared to multiple 24-h recalls and plasma carotenoid concentrations across one year: a cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Biological markers of vegetable and fruit (VF) intake are needed both for nutrition surveillance and for the evaluation of nutrition interventions. Optically assessed skin carotenoid status (SCS) has been proposed as a marker of intake but there are few published validity studies to date. Therefore, the objective of the study was to examine the concurrent validity of multiple methods of assessing VF intake cross-sectionally and seasonally over one year and to discuss the relative merits and limitations of each method. METHODS: Fifty-two 40-60 y old women completed a 1-year longitudinal study that included 1) SCS assessment using resonance Raman spectroscopy (RRS) and using pressure-mediated reflection spectroscopy (RS) at 12 timepoints, 2) thirty-six 24-h recalls using the Automated Self-Administered 24-Hour Dietary Assessment Tool (ASA24; total 1866 recalls), and 3) plasma carotenoid concentrations measured every 3 months. Pearson correlation coefficients and mixed linear models were used to estimate pairwise correlations between RRS, RS, ASA24, and plasma carotenoids. RESULTS: RS and RRS were strongly correlated at baseline and over the year (r = 0.86 and 0.76; respectively, P < 0.001). RS was strongly correlated with plasma carotenoids at baseline (r = 0.70) and moderately across the year (r = 0.65), as was RRS (r = 0.77 and 0.69, respectively, all P < 0.001). At baseline, self-reported VF was weakly correlated with RRS (r = 0.33; P = 0.016), but not with RS or plasma carotenoids. Across the year, self-reported VF intake was weakly correlated with both RS (r = 0.37; P = 0.008), RRS (r = 0.37; P = 0.007), and with plasma carotenoids (r = 0.36; P < 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: SCS as measured by RS and RRS is moderately to strongly correlated with plasma carotenoid concentrations both cross-sectionally and longitudinally, indicating that it can be a powerful tool to assess carotenoid-rich VF intake in populations. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY: This trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov as NCT01674296.

Consumption of Honey, Sucrose, and High-Fructose Corn Syrup Produces Similar Metabolic Effects in Glucose-Tolerant and -Intolerant Individuals.

BACKGROUND: Public health recommendations call for a reduction in added sugars; however, controversy exists over whether all nutritive sweeteners produce similar metabolic effects. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to compare the effects of the chronic consumption of 3 nutritive sweeteners [honey, sucrose, and high-fructose corn syrup containing 55% fructose (HFCS55)] on circulating glucose, insulin, lipids, and inflammatory markers; body weight; and blood pressure in individuals with normal glucose tolerance (GT) and those with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). METHODS: In a crossover design, participants consumed daily, in random order, 50 g carbohydrate from assigned sweeteners for 2 wk with a 2- to 4-wk washout period between treatments. Participants included 28 GT and 27 IGT volunteers with a mean age of 38.9 ± 3.6 y and 52.1 ± 2.7 y, respectively, and a body mass index (in kg/m(2)) of 26 ± 0.8 and 31.5 ± 1.0, respectively. Body weight, blood pressure (BP), serum inflammatory markers, lipids, fasting glucose and insulin, and oral-glucose-tolerance tests (OGTTs) were completed pre- and post-treatment. The OGTT incremental areas under the curve (iAUCs) for glucose and insulin were determined and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) scores were calculated. RESULTS: Body weight and serum glucose, insulin, inflammatory markers, and total and LDL-cholesterol concentrations were significantly higher in the IGT group than in the GT group at baseline. Glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, and the OGTT iAUC for glucose or insulin did not differ by treatment, but all responses were significantly higher in the IGT group compared with the GT group. Body weight was unchanged by treatment. Systolic BP was unchanged, whereas diastolic BP was significantly lower in response to sugar intake across all treatments. An increase in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) was observed in the IGT group in response to all sugars. No treatment effect was observed for interleukin 6. HDL cholesterol did not differ as a result of status or treatment. Triglyceride (TG) concentrations increased significantly from pre- to post-treatment in response to all sugars tested. CONCLUSIONS: Daily intake of 50 g carbohydrate from honey, sucrose, or HFCS55 for 14 d resulted in similar effects on measures of glycemia, lipid metabolism, and inflammation. All 3 increased TG concentrations in both GT and IGT individuals and elevated glycemic and inflammatory responses in the latter. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01371266.

Validity of electronic diet recording nutrient estimates compared to dietitian analysis of diet records: randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Dietary intake assessment with diet records (DR) is a standard research and practice tool in nutrition. Manual entry and analysis of DR is time-consuming and expensive. New electronic tools for diet entry by clients and research participants may reduce the cost and effort of nutrient intake estimation. OBJECTIVE: To determine the validity of electronic diet recording, we compared responses to 3-day DR kept by Tap & Track software for the Apple iPod Touch and records kept on the Nutrihand website to DR coded and analyzed by a research dietitian into a customized US Department of Agriculture (USDA) nutrient analysis program, entitled GRAND (Grand Forks Research Analysis of Nutrient Data). METHODS: Adult participants (n=19) enrolled in a crossover-designed clinical trial. During each of two washout periods, participants kept a written 3-day DR. In addition, they were randomly assigned to enter their DR in a Web-based dietary analysis program (Nutrihand) or a handheld electronic device (Tap & Track). They completed an additional 3-day DR and the alternate electronic diet recording methods during the second washout. Entries resulted in 228 daily diet records or 12 for each of 19 participants. Means of nutrient intake were calculated for each method. Concordance of the intake estimates were determined by Bland-Altman plots. Coefficients of determination (R(2)) were calculated for each comparison to assess the strength of the linear relationship between methods. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed between the mean nutrient values for energy, carbohydrate, protein, fat, saturated fatty acids, total fiber, or sodium between the recorded DR analyzed in GRAND and either Nutrihand or Tap & Track, or for total sugars comparing GRAND and Tap & Track. Reported values for total sugars were significantly reduced (P<.05) comparing Nutrihand to GRAND. Coefficients of determination (R(2)) for Nutrihand and Tap & Track compared to DR entries into GRAND, respectively, were energy .56, .01; carbohydrate .58, .08; total fiber .65, .37; sugar .78, .41; protein .44, .03; fat .36, .03; saturated fatty acids .23, .03; sodium .20, .00; and for Nutrihand only for cholesterol .88; vitamin A .02; vitamin C .37; calcium .05; and iron .77. Bland-Altman analysis demonstrates high variability in individual responses for both electronic capture programs with higher 95% limits of agreement for dietary intake recorded on Tap & Track. CONCLUSIONS: In comparison to dietitian-entered 3-day DR, electronic methods resulted in no significant difference in mean nutrient estimates but exhibited larger variability, particularly the Tap & Track program. However, electronic DR provided mean estimates of energy, macronutrients, and some micronutrients, which approximated those of the dietitian-analyzed DR and may be appropriate for dietary monitoring of groups. Electronic diet assessment methods have the potential to reduce the cost and burden of DR analysis for nutrition research and clinical practice. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT01183520; http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01183520 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6VSdYznKX).

A comparison of the accuracy of self-reported intake with measured intake of a laboratory overeating episode in overweight and obese women with and without binge eating disorder.

PURPOSE: Research has demonstrated significant underreporting of food intake in obese individuals with and without binge eating disorder (BED). An improved understanding of the accuracy of self-reported food intake is central to diagnosis of eating disorders and monitoring response to treatment. The purpose was to: (1) confirm those with BED consume significantly more kilocalories (kcal) than overweight/obese controls when instructed to overeat in the laboratory and (2) compare dietary recall data with measured intake. METHODS: Fifteen women fulfilling BED criteria and 17 controls participated in an overeating episode and completed a 24-h dietary recall. RESULTS: BED participants consumed significantly more kilocalories according to both methodologies. The BED group self-reported 90% of the measured intake compared to 98% for the control group. Mean differences between the methods indicated that on average both groups underreported intake; however, the mean difference between methods was significantly greater in the BED group. CONCLUSIONS: Findings confirm that those with BED consume significantly more than controls during a laboratory binge and controls tended to be more accurate in recalling their intake 24 h later.

Serum ß-carotene concentrations are associated with self-reported fatty acid intake in United States adults from the National Health and Examination Surveys.

Bioavailability of dietary ß-carotene (BC) is dependent on dose, quantity, dispersion, and presence of fat in the diet. Fats are comprised of a variety of fatty acids, which may impact the bioavailability of carotenoids. However, there is a gap in research on whether specific fatty acid classes affect serum BC concentrations in population samples. The primary objective of this study was to assess the association between reported fat and fatty acid intake and serum BC concentrations utilizing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) 2003-2006. Data from 3278 NHANES participants 20-85 years old were analyzed to estimate the relationships between serum BC concentrations and reported saturated (SFA), monounsaturated (MUFA), and polyunsaturated (PUFA) fatty acid intakes. Multiple linear regression estimated ln(serum BC) based on reported fatty acid intakes adjusted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, and reported dietary BC intakes. Mean and standard error (SE) for serum BC concentrations were 14.31 ± 0.05 µg/dl. Means and SE for total fat, SFA, MUFA, and PUFA were 85.7 ± 1.3, 26.9 ± 0.4, 31.1 ± 0.5, and 17.8 ± 0.4 g, respectively. There was a significant trend for association between serum BC and reported total fat intakes (r = -0.002, p < 0.0001), but the association was not strong. Multiple linear regression showed positive associations between serum BC concentrations and higher reported dietary PUFA consumption. PUFA alpha-linolenic acid intakes are positively associated with serum BC concentrations, while MUFA palmitoleic acid and SFA stearic acid were inversely associated with serum BC. The inverse association between MUFA and SFA suggests there may be multiple post-digestion factors affecting serum carotenoid concentrations.

Breakfast frequency and quality may affect glycemia and appetite in adults and children.

Observational studies of breakfast frequency in children and adults suggest an inverse (protective) association between the frequency of eating breakfast and the risk for obesity and chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes. More prospective studies with stronger designs are needed, as are experimental studies on this topic. In addition, above and beyond breakfast frequency, the roles of dietary quality and composition need to be studied in the context of eating or skipping breakfast. Experimental studies are also necessary to rigorously test causality and biological mechanisms. Therefore, we conducted 2 pilot experimental studies to examine some of the effects of breakfast skipping and breakfast composition on blood glucose and appetite in children and adults. Our results suggest that breakfast frequency and quality may be related in causal ways to appetite controls and blood sugar control, supporting the hypothesis that the breakfast meal and its quality may have important causal implications for the risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Effect of dietary fat and omega-3 fatty acids on urinary eicosanoids and sex hormone concentrations in postmenopausal women: a randomized controlled feeding trial.

Substantial evidence relates increased sex hormone concentrations with increased breast cancer risk. Varying omega-3 (n-3) fatty acid (FA) intake may lead to alterations in eicosanoid balance and changes in circulating sex hormones that reduce risk. To clarify effects of dietary fat and n-3 FA intake on breast cancer risk markers, circulating sex hormones and urinary eicosanoids were measured in response to controlled feeding of diets designed to increase plasma concentrations of n-3 FA. A controlled cross-over feeding trial in postmenopausal women was conducted using 3 diets: high fat (HF; 40% energy from fat), low fat (LF; 20% energy from fat), and low fat plus n-3 FA (LFn3; 20% of energy from fat plus 3% of energy from n-3 FA) in 8-wk feeding periods. Plasma phospholipid fatty acid n-3 increased with the LFn3 relative to HF and LF (P < 0.0001). Plasma estradiol increased by 51% with HF (P = 0.03). Urinary prostaglandin E metabolite increased with HF relative to LF (P = 0.02) and urinary 11-dehydro-thromboxane B(2) increased with HF (P = 0.01). These results do not support a role of n-3 FA in the reduction of sex hormone levels.

Dietary Fat Chain Length, Saturation, and PUFA Source Acutely Affect Diet-Induced Thermogenesis but Not Satiety in Adults in a Randomized, Crossover Trial.

Structural differences in dietary fatty acids modify their rate of oxidation and effect on satiety, endpoints that may influence the development of obesity. This study tests the hypothesis that meals containing fat sources with elevated unsaturated fats will result in greater postprandial energy expenditure, fat oxidation, and satiety than meals containing fats with greater saturation. In a randomized, 5-way crossover design, healthy men and women (n = 23; age: 25.7 ± 6.6 years; BMI: 27.7 ± 3.8 kg/m2) consumed liquid meals containing 30 g of fat from heavy cream (HC), olive oil (OO), sunflower oil (SFO), flaxseed oil (FSO), and fish oil (FO). Energy expenditure and diet-induced thermogenesis (DIT) were determined by metabolic rate over a 240 min postprandial period. Serum concentrations of ghrelin, glucose, insulin, and triacylglycerol (TAG) were assessed. DIT induced by SFO was 5% lower than HC and FO (p = 0.04). Energy expenditure and substrate oxidation did not differ between fat sources. Postprandial TAG concentrations were significantly affected by fat source (p = 0.0001). Varying fat sources by the degree of saturation and PUFA type modified DIT but not satiety responses in normal to obese adult men and women.

Impact of beef consumption on saturated fat intake in the United States adult population: Insights from modeling the influences of bovine genetics and nutrition.

We sought to determine the impact of breed and finishing ration that reduces the saturated fat (SFA) content of beef on SFA intake (%E) in adults. Using National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (2001-2016), we replaced the current fatty acid profile of beef with that from two breeds (Angus, Wagyu) and three finishing rations (pasture, 15% flaxseed supplementation, 35% wet distiller's grain (WDG) supplementation). Dietary replacement levels in the model were 10%, 25%, 50%, 100%. Overall, men consumed more beef fat than women (12.0 g (11.6-12.4 g, 95%CI) and 6.6 g (6.4-6.9 g, 95%CI), respectively). The contribution of beef fat to SFA intake was 2.1%E (2.1-2.2%E, 95%CI) in men and 1.6%E (1.6-1.7%E, 95%CI) in women. SFA intake decreased with each increased replacement level for all beef types. At 100% replacement, SFA intake decreased 0.5% (Angus), 2.8% (Wagyu), 1.9% (pasture), 4.1% (flaxseed), 2.6% (WDG). Our findings demonstrate that breed and finishing ration that reduces the SFA content of beef can decrease population-level SFA intake.

Reported nutrient intake over 7 years after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass in the Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery-3 (LABS-3) psychosocial study.

BACKGROUND: Bariatric surgery is the most effective therapy for severe obesity. It reduces gastric capacity and may modify regulation of appetite, satiety, insulin, and other physiologic processes, resulting in weight loss. OBJECTIVE: Long-term data on postsurgical nutrient intake are lacking. SETTING: The Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery-3 psychosocial study. METHODS: Reported dietary intake was assessed in a subset of participants (n = 72) of the Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery-3 psychosocial study who underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery. Two 24-hour diet recalls at presurgery and annual assessments over 7 years were obtained. Reported diets were evaluated for energy, macro- and micronutrient intake, and assessed for adequacy by comparison to the dietary reference intakes. RESULTS: After surgery, reported intake of total energy, and all macronutrients were significantly reduced. At least a quarter of participants reported protein intake below the recommended dietary allowance. Over half of participants reported intake of several vitamins (C, D, A, E, thiamin, folate) and minerals (zinc, calcium) below recommended levels over 7 years. Compared with presurgery, reported energy intake was reduced over 7 years. This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov as NCT02495142. CONCLUSIONS: The reduction in energy resulted in intakes below the dietary reference intakes for many micronutrients among the majority of participants and below the recommended dietary allowance for protein in a substantial subgroup. These data support continued long-term nutrition education, monitoring, and supplementation.

Monetary costs associated with bulimia.

OBJECTIVE: The direct monetary costs for food and laxatives, diet pills, and diuretics used by individuals with bulimia nervosa (BN) have not been studied. METHOD: Ten participants with a presenting clinical diagnosis of BN completed a 7-day food record at the outset of treatment in order to provide estimates of weekly and yearly monetary costs for food and associated symptoms. RESULTS: Participants reported means of 3.6 purge episodes, 2.5 objective binge episodes, and 2.4 subjective binge eating episodes per week. Mean total food costs were $106.98/week (SD = $53.88) or $5,581.79/year (SD = $2,811.58). Costs associated with binge eating and purging were 32.7% of all food costs (average: $1,599.45/year). CONCLUSION: Financial costs of bulimia symptoms are significant, and appear to constitute a substantial minority of all food spending by individuals with BN.

Effect of fenugreek fiber on satiety, blood glucose and insulin response and energy intake in obese subjects.

Eighteen healthy obese subjects participated in a single blind, randomized, crossover study of three test breakfasts, containing 0 g (control), 4 g or 8 g of isolated fenugreek fiber. Subjects recorded ratings of hunger, satiety, fullness and prospective food consumption using visual analog scales (VAS) every 30 min for 3.5 h. Postprandial blood glucose and insulin responses were measured. Energy intake from an ad libitum lunch buffet and for the remainder of the day was assessed. The 8 g dose of fenugreek fiber significantly increased mean ratings of satiety and fullness, and reduced ratings of hunger and prospective food consumption (P < 0.05). Palatability was significantly reduced with increasing doses of fenugreek fiber (P < 0.05). No differences were observed for area under the curve (AUC) for blood glucose among treatments. An increase in insulin AUC was found with 8 g fenugreek fiber. Energy intake at an ad libitum lunch buffet was significantly lower for 8 g than 4 g fenugreek fiber, but not significantly different from control, although there was a trend towards a lower intake (p = 0.11). No differences were observed for energy intake for the remainder of the day. Fenugreek fiber (8 g) significantly increased satiety and reduced energy intake at lunch, suggesting it may have short-term beneficial effects in obese subjects. Satiety results were not related to postprandial blood glucose.

Evaluation of a Rapid Assessment Questionnaire Using a Biomarker for Dietary Intake of n-3 Fatty Acids.

While there is considerable evidence supporting health benefits of consuming diets high in omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids, there is no quick and effective tool to measure n-3 intake. The objective of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of a rapid assessment questionnaire (the Omega-3 Checklist) used to quantify intake of n-3 fatty acids. This was done by comparing n-3 intakes to blood biomarkers of n-3 exposure in a population of healthy men and women. In addition, a separate analysis was run including covariates age, sex, and weight, which have been shown to affect n-3 biomarker levels. Reported intake of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docoshexaenoic acid (DHA), and EPA + DHA was correlated with erythrocyte EPA (Spearman's rank correlation rs = 0.51, p < 0.001), DHA (rs = 0.54, p < 0.001), and the Omega-3 Index (rs = 0.57, p < 0.001). These associations remained significant when controlling for age, sex, and weight. Therefore, the Omega-3 Checklist can be a useful, rapid assessment tool to estimate individuals' EPA and DHA intake.

Intensive diet instruction by registered dietitians improves weight-loss success.

Multiple factors influence long-term weight-loss success, as shown by the National Weight Control Registry. We evaluated the influence of two of those factors, diet instruction by a registered dietitian (RD) and frequency of weigh-in visits, on initial weight-loss success. Twenty-six overweight subjects with a baseline body mass index of 33.2+/-3.7 and a mean age of 43+/-12 years were enrolled in a weight-loss study. The 11-week weight loss period included 33 total visits, with weekly RD-instructed classes with a weigh-in, and 22 semiweekly related weigh-in visits without an RD present. Classes covered topics in the areas of energy restriction, dietary change, exercise, and behavior modification. Subjects were enrolled at different time points within the class topic rotation but all completed the 11-week program. The mean weight loss for all subjects was 3.8+/-2.8 kg (P<0.001). Weight loss (%) was significantly correlated with attendance of RD-instructed classes (r=0.451, P=0.021) but not attendance at weigh-ins that did not include RD-instructed classes (r=0.329, P=0.101). We conclude that RD-led dietary instruction was more beneficial than frequent weigh-in visits alone in promoting weight loss.

Trends in linoleic acid intake in the United States adult population: NHANES 1999-2014.

Linoleic acid (LA), the primary polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) in the US diet, is an essential fatty acid. LA is available from a wide variety of foods, although it is primarily sourced from plant seed oils. Individual-level data on demography and food and nutrient intake were acquired from the NHANES waves 1999-2000, 2001-2002, 2003-2004, 2005-2006, 2007-2008, 2009-2010, 2011-2012, and 2013-2014. Mean daily intake of (LA) was estimated for each survey wave overall, and by age, gender, educational attainment, race/ethnicity, and income-to-poverty ratio. Linear temporal (1999-2014) trends in LA intake were estimated using univariate linear regression tests, with P < 0.05 and a two-tailed distribution. We found that US adults meet intake recommendation for LA and observed a trend of increasing intake of LA in the US overall and by sub-categories of age, sex, education, race/ethnicity, and income-to-poverty ratio.

Modeled replacement of traditional soybean and canola oil with high-oleic varieties increases monounsaturated fatty acid and reduces both saturated fatty acid and polyunsaturated fatty acid intake in the US adult population.

BACKGROUND: High-oleic (HO) seed oils are being introduced as replacements for trans fatty acid (TFA)-containing fats and oils. Negative health effects associated with TFAs led to their removal from the US Generally Recognized As Safe list. HO oils formulated for use in food production may result in changes in fatty acid intake at population levels. Objectives: The purposes of this study were to 1) identify major food sources of soybean oil (SO) and canola oil (CO), 2) estimate effects of replacing SO and CO with HO varieties on fatty acid intake overall and by age and sex strata, and 3) compare predicted intakes with the Dietary Reference Intakes and Adequate Intakes (AIs) for the essential fatty acids (EFAs) α-linolenic acid (ALA) and linoleic acid (LA). Design: Food and nutrient intakes from NHANES waves 2007-2008, 2009-2010, 2011-2012, and 2013-2014 in 21,029 individuals aged ≥20 y were used to model dietary changes. We estimated the intake of fatty acid with the replacement of HO-SO and HO-CO for commodity SO and CO at 10%, 25%, and 50% and evaluated the potential for meeting the AI at these levels. RESULTS: Each modeling scenario decreased saturated fatty acids (SFAs), although intakes remained greater than recommended for all age and sex groups. Models of all levels increased the intake of total monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), especially oleic acid, and decreased the intake of total polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), particularly LA and ALA. Replacement of traditional with HO oils at 25-50% places specific adult age and sex groups at risk of not meeting the AI for LA and ALA. Conclusions: The replacement of traditional oils with HO varieties will increase MUFA intake and reduce both SFA and PUFA intakes, including EFAs, and may place specific age and sex groups at risk of inadequate LA and ALA intake.

Recognition of Federal Dietary Guidance Icons Is Associated with Greater Diet Quality.

BACKGROUND: Although the purpose of federal dietary guidance is to improve eating habits, few studies have described awareness of guidance and concurrent diet quality. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the current study was to examine the prevalence of individuals who reported hearing of dietary guidance icons and to describe the association between having heard of the icons and diet quality. DESIGN: This study was a cross-sectional survey. PARTICIPANTS/SETTING: Participants (n=23,343) were from the National Health and Nutrition Examination-What We Eat in America survey 2005-2014 cycles. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Awareness of the Food Guide Pyramid, MyPyramid, or MyPlate icons by sociodemographic characteristics and diet quality were measured using Healthy Eating Index (HEI) scores derived from 24-hour recall data. STATISTICAL ANALYSES PERFORMED: Global Wald tests were used to test for differences in awareness of the icons within sociodemographic groups. Total HEI scores were calculated using the population-ratio method. Z-scores were used to test differences in HEI total scores between those with knowledge of the icons and those who responded negatively. RESULTS: In all cycles, those with less than a high school diploma were the least likely to report having heard of the icons (P<0.001). In every wave except 2011 to 2012, participants with low or marginal food security status were less likely to report affirmatively (P<0.001), and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants and SNAP-eligible nonparticipants were least likely to report having heard of the icons (P<0.001) except for 2005 to 2006. HEI scores were higher among those who had heard of MyPyramid in 2007-2012 (P<0.05) and MyPlate in 2013-2014 (P<0.001) compared with those who had not heard of the icon. CONCLUSIONS: Recognition of federal dietary guidance icons was associated with higher diet quality recently, but the cross-sectional nature of the data precludes conclusions of causality. Further research is needed to identify barriers and promoters for translating awareness of the federal dietary guidance icons into healthful food purchasing and food consumption decisions.

Effects of a parallel-arm randomized controlled weight loss pilot study on biological and psychosocial parameters of overweight and obese breast cancer survivors.

BACKGROUND: Weight gain often occurs after breast cancer (BC) diagnosis and obesity along with sedentary behavior are associated with increased risk of BC recurrence and mortality. The primary objective of this study was to determine whether a significant weight loss, of approximately 10%, would lead to beneficial changes in biomarkers associated with cancer and/or cancer recurrence, and quality of life (QOL) in overweight and obese BC survivors. METHODS: This parallel-arm study took place in Minneapolis, Minnesota, from January 2009 until March 2010. Participants were overweight and obese postmenopausal BC survivors who had completed treatment at least 3 months prior to enrollment and who did not smoke. Twenty-one BC survivors were randomized, via a random number generator computer software, to a 1000-calorie deficit feeding and exercise intervention (CR) or a weight management counseling intervention (WM) for 12 weeks followed by a 6-week follow-up. Body weight, biomarkers, and QOL were measured at baseline, weeks 6, 12, and 18. Body composition and fitness level were measured at only two time points. RESULTS: Twenty-one women were enrolled into the study and 20 completed all time points. Weight loss occurred with both interventions. Body weight in CR changed from 85.5 (95% confidence interval (CI) 77, 94) kg to 76.7 (95% CI 68.1, 85.2) kg, whereas in WM it changed from 98.3 (95% CI 89.8, 106.8) kg to 93.2 (95% CI 84.6, 101.7) kg. Fitness in CR changed from 4.9 (95% CI 4, 5.8) to 6.3 (95% CI 5.4, 7.2). CR led to lower plasma levels of leptin, F2-isoprostanes, and CRP. Quality of life seemed to improve with both interventions, while sleep quality decreased only in CR. CONCLUSIONS: Overweight and obese BC survivors were able to adhere to a strict diet and exercise program, which significantly decreased body weight, increased fitness level, and improved biomarkers and QOL. However, the strict dietary intervention in CR seemed to decrease participants' sleep quality and social relationships. Future larger randomized controlled trials should focus on behavioral modification and personalized nutrition counseling to help breast cancer survivors achieve a sustainable weight loss and fitness level. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02940470.

Selective enrichment of n-3 fatty acids in human plasma lipid motifs following intake of marine fish.

Plasma levels of n-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) are associated with a reduction in risk of cardiovascular disease and other chronic, age-related diseases like Alzheimer's disease. In this work, we tested the hypothesis that n-3 LCPUFA fatty acids in human plasma are incorporated into selective lipid species following intake of n-3 LCPUFA rich marine fish. To test this hypothesis, we performed lipidomic analysis on plasma samples from a clinical trial in which participants consumed increasing amounts of farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). Under basal conditions, n-3 and n-6 LCPUFA were selectively incorporated into plasma phosphatidylcholine (PC) species containing saturated fatty acids (SFA) versus unsaturated fatty acids as the complementary fatty acids. LCPUFA were incorporated into selective triacylglycerol (TAG) species with complementary diacylglyceryl environments of 34:1 or 34:2 (for 20:5 and 22:5) and 36:2>36:3>36:4 and 36:1 (for 20:4 and 22:6). High n-3 LCPUFA marine fish intake resulted in selective increases of PC SFA_n-3 LCPUFA species and LCPUFA-containing TAG species. Changes in cholesteryl esters and phosphatidylethanolamines also occurred following fish intake. Our results highlight the importance of discriminating phospholipid and TAG species and dietary background when evaluating lipidomic outcomes and disease associations.

Mineral content of eggs differs with hen strain, age, and rearing environment.

Egg nutrient quality is strongly influenced by hen diet but is also affected by rearing environment, hen strain, and hen age. The objective of the current study was to determine the effect of: 1) conventional battery cages, 2) enrichable cage systems, 3) enriched colony housing, 4) cage-free, and 5) free-range rearing systems on mineral concentrations of whole, dried egg (yolk and albumen combined) from TA Tetra White (TW) and Hy-Line Brown (HB) hens at 44, 68, and 88 wk of age. We hypothesized that mineral concentration of eggs would differ among rearing systems but not between strains or with hen age. Hens held in enriched colony housing systems produced eggs with 10% lower Mg and 11% lower Mn levels than conventional hens. Concentrations of Ca and Cu were higher (7 and 8%, respectively) in eggs from TW hens than from HB hens. Eggs from HB hens had 8% higher concentrations of Fe, 6% higher Mg and 5% higher Mn than TW hens. Mn was higher in eggs from 44-wk hens than from 68- or 88-wk hens (16 and 11%, respectively). Interaction effects between rearing environment and hen age were observed for K and Mn concentrations. Eggs from 68-wk hens in conventional rearing systems contained 14 to 21% more K than eggs from conventional hens at 44- and 88 wk and 14 to 18% more than eggs from 68-wk hens in other rearing systems. At 88 wk of age, hens in conventional rearing systems produced eggs with higher Mn concentration than hens in enrichable or enriched colony housing systems (22 and 23%, respectively). Interactions between rearing environment, hen strain, and hen age were observed for egg Zn levels among 44- and 68-wk hens but were not detectable among 88-wk hens regardless of rearing system or hen strain. Observed differences in egg mineral content in our study were small and are unlikely to have substantial impact on human nutrition.