Percepção do peso corporal e dificuldades encontradas pelas pessoas com deficiência visual na aquisição, na preparação e no consumo dos alimentos / Perception of body weight and difficulties encounteredby people with visual impairment in acquiring, preparing and consuming food

Objetivo: investigar a percepção do peso corporal e as dificuldades encontradas pelas pessoas com deficiência visual na aquisição, na preparação e no consumo dos alimentos. Metodologia: estudo observacional transversal, com adultos e idosos com deficiência visual em Pelotas/RS, realizado no período de abril a maio de 2023. Foi utilizado um questionário composto de 42 itens. Os dados coletados foram analisados por análise descritiva e analítica, e apresentados como média ± desvio padrão ou percentual. Resultados: a amostra contou com 20 pessoas, predominantemente do sexo feminino e idosas. Em relação ao consumo alimentar, 50% dos participantes consomem feijão, 75% frutas e hortaliças, 50% bebidas adoçadas, biscoitos recheados e doces. Referente à percepção do peso corporal, percebeu-se que a maior parte do grupo sente que está acima do peso adequado e se sentem "insatisfeitos(as)". Sobre as dificuldades encontradas, 85% dos participantes relataram dificuldade extrema para identificar a validade dos alimentos, 70% para comprar alimentos frescos e perecíveis e 40% para usar a faca para cortar e descascar os alimentos. Conclusão: verificou-se que a maior parte do grupo sente que está acima do peso adequado e estão "insatisfeitos(as)" em relação ao peso corporal. Além disso, dependem de outra pessoa para escolher os alimentos a serem comprados, saber o prazo de validade, preparar alimentos que precisam ser porcionados, servir refeições no prato, cortar carnes, descascar vegetais e frutas, utilizar faca, entre outros. Esta dependência pode influenciar diretamente no seu consumo alimentar quando essas pessoas se encontram sozinhas, optando por consumir alimentos industrializados de fácil preparo ou prontos.

Objective: to investigate the perception of body weight and the difficulties encountered by people with visual impairments in acquiring, preparing and consuming food. Methodology: cross-sectional observational study, with adults and elderly people with visual impairment in Pelotas/RS, carried out from April to May 2023. A questionnaire composed of 42 items was used. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive and analytical analysis, and presented as mean ± standard deviation or percentage. Results: the sample included 20 people, predominantly female and elderly. Regarding food consumption, 50% of participants consume beans, 75% fruits and vegetables, 50% sweetened drinks, stuffed cookies and sweets. Regarding the perception of body weight, it was noticed that the majority of the group feels that they are overweight and feel "dissatisfied". Regarding the difficulties encountered, 85% of participants reported extreme difficulty in identifying the expiration date of food, 70% in purchasing fresh and perishable foods and 40% in using a knife to cut and peel food. Conclusion: it was found that the majority of the group feels that they are overweight and are "dissatisfied" with their body weight. Furthermore, they depend on someone else to choose the food to be purchased, know the expiration date, prepare food that needs to be portioned, serve meals on the plate, cut meat, peel vegetables and fruits, use a knife, among others. This dependence can directly influence their food consumption when these people are alone, choosing to consume easily prepared or ready-made processed foods.

Association between Dietary Intake, Profibrotic Markers, and Blood Pressure in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease.

Background: Among profibrotic and oxidant factors, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) have a major impact on the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, very limited studies evaluated the relationships between nutrient intake and the mentioned factors in patients with CKD. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the correlation between dietary intake and the levels of MMPs, AGEs, and blood pressure (BP) in these patients. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 90 patients with CKD (stages 2-5). To evaluate the dietary intake of patients, three days of 24-hour food recall were completed through face-to-face and telephone interviews. Measurement of MMP-2 and MMP-9 concentration was done by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The fluorimetric technique was used to measure the total serum AGEs. Results: The patients' average dietary intake of sodium, potassium, phosphorus, energy, and protein was 725 mg/day, 1600 mg/day, 703 mg/day, 1825 kcal/day, and 64.83 g/day, respectively. After adjustment of confounding variables, a significant inverse relationship was observed between dietary intake of insoluble fiber and serum levels of MMP-2 (ß = -0.218, P = 0.05). In addition, a significant positive relationship was found between molybdenum (Mo) intake and diastolic BP (ß =0.229, P = 0.036). Conclusion: A higher intake of insoluble fiber might be associated with lower serum levels of MMP-2. Also, a higher Mo intake can be correlated to a higher DBP in patients with CKD. It is suggested to conduct future studies with longitudinal designs and among various populations to better elucidate the observed relationships.

Associations between longitudinal fluoride intakes from birth to age 23 and multi-row detector computed tomography bone densitometry outcomes at age 23.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the relationships between longitudinal fluoride intakes and bone densitometry outcomes in young adults. METHODS: Data were analyzed from the Iowa Fluoride Study and Iowa Bone Development Study, which followed 1,882 infants from birth in 1992. Daily fluoride intakes were assessed using detailed questionnaires sent every 1.5-6 months, and multi-row detector computed tomography (MDCT) scans of distal tibia were obtained from 330 participants aged 23 years. Sex-specific bivariate and multivariable associations with MDCT outcomes were examined using linear regression. Because of the multiple statistical analyses being conducted, p-values < 0.01 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: In fully adjusted analyses, no statistically significant (p < 0.01) or suggestive (0.01 < p < 0.05) associations were found between period-specific or cumulative fluoride intake and bone measures for either sex, although there were suggestive positive relationships in unadjusted analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Longitudinal fluoride intakes had little association with bone measures at age 23. As there were no adverse effects from fluoride intake on bone health in young adults, results support the continued use of fluorides, particularly community water fluoridation is the most cost-effective method of dental caries prevention.

Protein Supplement Tolerability and Patient Satisfaction after Bariatric Surgery.

PURPOSE: Disproportional fat-free mass loss often occurs post-bariatric surgery, partly due to insufficient protein intake during the post-surgery recovery phase. We compared five protein-enhancing strategies (PES) on patient tolerability, satisfaction and protein intake. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety-four participants, scheduled for bariatric surgery, were enrolled and allocated to either of the following: (1) whey powder, (2) hydrolysed collagen powder, (3) plant-based powder, (4) protein-rich products, (5) protein gel, or control. PES groups were instructed to add 30 g of powder or 2 gels or protein products to their diet. Patient satisfaction and tolerability were evaluated with questionnaires. Dietary intake was assessed prior to and during PES use. RESULTS: Seven patients dropped out (i.e. loss of contact, personal reasons or post-surgery complications) yielding an analytical cohort of 87 participants. The majority of patients (61%) did not experience dietary complaints from PES and could use PES ≥ 5 days of the week. PES non-usage was mainly related to taste dislike (58%). Hydrolysed collagen scored highest on tolerability and satisfaction: 86% of the participants could use HC ≥ 5 days and 71% were satisfied with the product. PES increased protein intake from 54.7 ± 21.5 g/day to 64.7 ± 23.4 g/day during the intervention (p = 0.002), which differed from the control group (+ 10.1 ± 24.5 g/day vs. - 6.3 ± 23.8 g/day for controls, p = 0.019). Whey showed the highest increase, namely + 18.3 ± 16.3 g/day (p = 0.009). CONCLUSION: PES were tolerated by the majority of participants, and an improved protein intake with PES use was seen. However, the taste of the products could be improved to further enhance satisfaction and tolerability.

The Prevalence of Low Vitamin D in Elite Para-Athletes: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D insufficiency (25OHD, 50-75 nmolˑl- 1) is a common issue within healthy adults and elite athletes and is associated with decreased musculoskeletal health and performance. However, few studies have identified the prevalence and risk factors associated with vitamin D insufficiency within elite Para-Athletes. METHODS: An electronic search was completed on the 5th January 2023 and updated on the 21st June 2024, searching Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library and EASY (originally OpenGrey). To meet the eligibility criteria, retrieved studies were required to include at least one baseline measure of a vitamin D biomarker from elite Para-Athletes performing at national or international levels and therefore all quantitative study designs could be included. Risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist (8-item) for analytical cross-sectional studies. Data from the eligible studies was extracted and charted, with a supporting narrative synthesis. RESULTS: The search strategy retrieved 3083 articles, of which ten studies met the inclusion criteria. In total there were n = 355 Para-Athletes, 69.6% of which comprised of males in the included studies. Across the ten included studies, n = 546 samples were taken from n = 355 Para-Athletes across different seasons and based upon the 25(OH)D insufficiency and deficiency thresholds set by each individual study 43.2% of the samples were considered insufficient and 28.1% deficient. During the winter months vitamin D insufficiency was at its most prevalent at 74.1%, compared to 57.1% in summer of the 25(OH)D samples measured in Para-Athletes. Wheelchair athletes who competed in indoor sports were also more susceptible to low vitamin D. CONCLUSION: This review has highlighted that vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency is highly prevalent in elite level Para-Athletes, all year, across both summer and winter months. Therefore, this review highlights the need for education, treatment, and preventative measures in elite Para-Athletes throughout the year. REGISTRATION: The following systematic review was prospectively registered through PROSPERO International prospective register of systematic reviews (PROSPERO registration ID number: CRD42022362149).

Analysis of 3-MCPD and 1,3-DCP occurrence in mayonnaise: A probabilistic risk assessment of dietary exposure for Iranians.

Mayonnaise is a commonly used oil-in-water emulsion food product. Due to their toxicological properties/genotoxicity and carcinogenicity, chloropropanols' oral exposure has raised concerns over the past decade. The present study reports the occurrence level of free forms of 3-chloropropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD) and 1,3-dichloro-2-propanol (1,3-DCP) in mayonnaise samples and the risk of oral exposure to these chemicals through consumption of the analyzed samples. Mayonnaise (low- and high-fat, from 6 brands, totally 120 samples) were analyzed for 1,3-DCP and 3-MCPD by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The mean level of chemicals was higher in the high-fat samples, with no significant difference among the brands. Generally, 1,3-DCP level was significantly lower in both high-fat and low-fat samples compared to 3-MCPD. Hazard Index (HI) values calculated for oral exposure to 3-MCPD for Iranian adults using probabilistic methods, were less than 1.0, reflecting no major risk. In the Margin of Exposure scenario, low- and high-fat mayonnaise samples were of de minimis health concern at the 50th, 80th, and 95th centiles. Nevertheless, in order to safeguard consumer interests, it is imperative to implement online real-time methodologies for monitoring reactions that result in generation of thermal process contaminants such as 3-MCPD and 1,3-DCP, and to innovate novel technologies to minimize the occurrence of such chemicals while preserving both safety and sensory attributes.

Fish and meat intake in relation to colorectal adenoma in asymptomatic Korean adults.

Introduction: Colorectal adenomas are recognized as precursors to colorectal cancer through the adenoma-carcinoma sequence. Identifying modifiable dietary factors that may inhibit cancer progression is critical, but epidemiologic studies in Asian populations are scarce. Methods: This study explored the impact of fish and meat intake on colorectal adenoma risk among Koreans. The study enrolled asymptomatic adults who visited Seoul National University Hospital Healthcare System Gangnam Center for health check-ups from May to December 2011. All participants underwent screening colonoscopy and completed a validated food frequency questionnaire. The study included 536 adenoma patients, 135 high-risk adenoma patients and 1,122 adenoma-free controls. Using multivariate logistic regression, we calculated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for fish and meat intake related to colorectal adenoma status, significant at p < 0.05. Results: The intake of total fish, meat, red meat, chicken or processed meat showed no clear association with the prevalence of colorectal adenoma after adjusting for age, education, smoking status, alcohol intake, physical activity, body mass index, metabolic syndrome, colorectal cancer family history, total energy intake, and total fruit and vegetable intake. However, higher fish intake was associated with lower odds of high-risk colorectal adenoma, with a significant trend observed across quartiles (P for trend = 0.04). This trend was more pronounced among men than women (P for trend = 0.01). Conclusion: In conclusion, we observed a significant inverse association between high fish intake and the prevalence of high-risk adenoma, but there were no clear associations between red and processed meat or chicken in the Korean population.

Does brain size of Asiatic toads (Bufo gargarizans) trade-off with other energetically expensive organs along altitudinal gradients?

Brain size variation is often attributed to energetic trade-offs with other metabolically expensive tissues and organs, which is a prediction of the expensive brain hypothesis (EBH). Here we examine Asiatic toads (Bufo gargarizans) along altitudinal gradients, and test size trade-offs between brain and four visceral organs (heart, liver, alimentary tract, and kidney) with altitude. Body size and scaled mass index (SMI; a proxy for total energy intake) decline with altitude, implying stronger energetic constraints at high altitudes. Relative brain size decreases along altitudinal gradients while visceral organs mostly increase in relative sizes. Using structural equation modelling, a significant negative relationship between brain size and a latent variable 'budget', which represents the energy allocation to the four visceral organs, is detected among high-altitudinal toads. Heart appears to have the largest and most consistent response to changes of energy allocation. No such relationships are observed among toads at middle and low altitudes, where high energy intake may allow individuals to forego energetic trade-offs. When applying EBH to poikilotherms, a great emphasis should be placed on total energy intake in addition to energy allocation. Future research on EBH will benefit from more intra-specific comparisons and the evaluation of fitness consequences beyond energy limitation.

Psychiatric Explanations of Poor Oral Intake: A Clinically Focused Review.

BACKGROUND: Poor oral intake (POI) among medical-surgical inpatients can cause malnutrition and delay recovery due to medical consequences and the need for more invasive nutritional support. Many psychiatric conditions can cause POI; however, the role that psychiatric conditions play in POI has received limited attention to date. OBJECTIVE: This review aggregates available information on POI due to psychiatric conditions and provides a framework for the clinical approach to these conditions in hospitalized adult patients. METHODS: We searched PubMed and EMBASE for reviews of POI due to psychiatric causes, but no relevant publications were identified. Diagnostic criteria for relevant conditions in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision and Rome IV were reviewed, as were C-L psychiatry textbooks and relevant society websites. This review was further supplemented by a case conference at the authors' institution. RESULTS: We have divided results into five sections for clinical utility: (1) the need to rule out medical causes of POI; (2) unpleasant somatic experiences, including psychotropic causes; (3) mood, psychotic, catatonic, and neurocognitive disorders that can present with POI; (4) eating and feeding disorders; and (5) personal and interpersonal explanations of POI. Within each section, we review how to identify and manage each condition, specifically considering the effects of treatment on oral intake. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical management of POI varies based on cause. For instance, psychostimulants can cause POI due to inappetence; however, they can treat POI due to abulia by improving motivation. The fact that such a broad range of psychiatric conditions can cause POI calls for a systematic clinical approach that considers the categories of potential causes. We also identified a need for prospective studies focused on the management of POI due to psychiatric conditions, as the literature on this topic is limited to case reports, case series, and retrospective cohort studies.

Effects of chickpea grain feeding on the growth and carcass features of growing lambs.

An investigation was conducted to find out how diet formulation of chickpea grains (CHPE) rather than soybean meal and barely grain affected the performance, blood metabolites, carcass, and meat quality features of Awassi lambs. Thirty lambs, with an average age of 73 ± 0.85 days and an initial body weight of 21.0 ± 1.29 kg, were randomly assigned into one of three diets, with 10 lambs per treatment diet. The diets were designed to replace a portion of the barley grain and soybean meal and included no CHPE (CON), 7.5% CHPE (CHPE7.5), and 15% CHPE (CHPE15). Lambs were individually housed, fed every day, and weighed every two weeks to measure performance characteristics over the 60-day study period. Four lambs per treatment were chosen at random on day 42 to participate in an N balance study and assess diet digestibility. All lambs were slaughtered at the termination of the trial period to measure the features of the carcass characteristics and meat quality. As the amount of CHPE included in the diets increased, the cost of diets reduced. As the amount of CHPE in the diets increased, so did the intake of ether extract (EE). The CON group's cost per kilogram of increase was higher (P = 0.017) than that of the CHPE7.5 and CHEP15 groups. The digestibility of EE was higher (P = 0.024) in the CHPE15 diet as opposed to the CHPE7.5 and CON diets. The various treatments did not impact blood metabolites, carcass features, or meat quality. Therefore, the present study suggested that chickpeas might be added to the diets of finishing lambs up to 15% of dry matter.

Association between dietary intake of carotenoids and metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease in US adults: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2017-March 2020.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between dietary intake of α-carotene, ß-carotene, ß-cryptoxanthin, lycopene and lutein+zeaxanthin (LZ) and occurrence of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). DESIGN: Cross-sectional study design. The MAFLD diagnosis was based on hepatic steatosis and metabolic dysregulation. Carotenoid intake was adjusted for using an energy-adjusted model. Logistic regression and restricted cubic spline (RCS) analyses were used to assess the relationships, with sensitivity analysis to validate the findings. Weighted quantile sum regression (WQS) was used to explore the combined effect of these carotenoids on MAFLD. Subgroup analyses were conducted to identify population-specific associations. SETTING: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2017-March 2020. PARTICIPANTS: This study included 5098 individuals aged 18 years and older. RESULTS: After adjusting for potential confounders, a weak inverse association was observed between α-carotene and ß-carotene intakes and MAFLD occurrence (all P value <0·05). The highest quartile of ß-carotene intake showed a significantly lower occurrence of MAFLD compared with the lowest quartile (OR = 0·65; 95 % CI: 0·44, 0·97). RCS analysis showed that a significantly lower occurrence of MAFLD was associated with a higher intake of the four carotenoids, excluding lycopene. Furthermore, the WQS analysis revealed a negative relationship between combined carotenoid intake and MAFLD occurrence (OR = 0·95, 95 % CI: 0·90, 1·00, P = 0·037). Subgroup analyses showed dietary carotenoid intake was associated with reduced MAFLD occurrence in populations aged 50-69 years, females, physically active individuals and non-drinkers. CONCLUSION: Higher dietary intake of carotenoids is associated with lower MAFLD occurrence. However, this relationship varies among individuals of different ages, sexes and lifestyles.

Carbohydrate quality index and risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in Iranian adults.

BACKGROUND/AIM: In the current study, we aimed to assess the association of carbohydrate quality index (CQI) with the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in Iranian adults. METHODS: This case-control study was conducted on 225 newly diagnosed NAFLD patients and 450 controls, aged 20-60 years. A food frequency questionnaire was used to calculate the CQI and its components, including fiber intake, glycemic index, whole grains: total grains ratio, and solid carbohydrates: total carbohydrates ratio. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) of NAFLD across the tertile of CQI and its components. RESULTS: The participant's mean ± SD of body mass index and age were 26.8 ± 4.3 kg/m2 and 38.1 ± 8.8 years, respectively. The median (interquartile) CQI score in participants of the case and control groups was 20 (15-25) and 23 (18-28), respectively. In the multivariable-adjusted model, the risk of NAFLD decreased significantly across the tertiles of the CQI [(OR: 0.20; %95CI: 0.11-0.39), Ptrend <0.001)]. Also, the odds of NAFLD decreased across tertiles of solid carbohydrates to total carbohydrates ratio [(OR: 0.39; 95%CI: 0.22-0.69), Ptrend <0.001)]. However, a high dietary glycemic index (GI) was associated with increased odds of NAFLD [(OR:7.47; 95%CI: 3.89-14.33, Ptrend<0.001)]. There was no significant relationship between other CQI components, including fiber intake and whole grain/total grains and the risk of NAFLD. CONCLUSIONS: Our results revealed that a diet with a high quality of carbohydrates, characterized by higher intakes of solid carbohydrates, whole grain, and low GI carbohydrates, can be related to a reduced risk of NAFLD.

Diet quality from early pregnancy through one year postpartum: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Although diet quality during pregnancy and postpartum is important for multiple parent and child outcomes, within-person changes in diet quality throughout these periods have not been extensively examined. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated diet quality from early pregnancy through 12 months postpartum and examined differences by sociodemographic characteristics in participants receiving obstetric care in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States. METHODS: Participants completed 24-hour dietary recalls at six study visits (each pregnancy trimester and 6 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months postpartum) (n=383). Between-visit mean HEI scores (Healthy Eating Index-2015; min=0, max=100) were compared using the population ratio method (PR). The NCI usual intakes method estimated the distribution of HEI scores in pregnancy and postpartum; unpaired t-tests compared usual mean HEI scores by covariates; paired t-tests compared differences between mean pregnancy and postpartum. RESULTS: The total HEI mean ± SE scores (NCI method) were 61.4 ± 0.8 in pregnancy and 61.7 ± 0.9 in postpartum. Mean HEI scores differed by sociodemographic characteristics, particularly education, marital status, and federal assistance participation. The highest scores were observed in participants with at least a bachelor's degree (64.1 ± 0.9 in pregnancy, 64.5 ± 1.0 in postpartum, n = 257) and those with other non-Hispanic white race/ethnicity (64.7±1.8 in pregnancy, 66.4±2.2 in postpartum). There were no between-visit differences in mean total HEI scores (PR). While differences were observed in some mean HEI component scores between pregnancy and postpartum visits, they were small (mostly < 1 point) in magnitude and in inconsistent directions. CONCLUSIONS: Stable total HEI mean scores suggest adherence to dietary guidelines was consistent throughout pregnancy and postpartum in this sample. While some sociodemographic characteristics may identify individuals at greater risk of diet-related pregnancy complications, low diet quality was pervasive throughout all subgroups and reflect an urgent need for widespread improvement.

Eating egg-rich diets and modeling the addition of one daily egg reduced the risk of nutrient inadequacy among U.S. adolescents with and without food insecurity.

BACKGROUND: Adolescents have the poorest dietary intakes throughout the lifespan. Food insecurity worsens these nutritional risks. Eggs are one nutrient-dense strategy to increase nutrient quality. OBJECTIVE: 1) compare usual nutrient intakes, Dietary Reference Intakes and protein compliance with recommendations, and scores of micronutrient quality; and 2) analyze how adding one egg affects adolescents' nutrient profiles, by food security status and egg-rich diets. METHODS: Dietary data of U.S. adolescents in the 2007-2018 NHANES were analyzed (14-17 years; n=3,633). Egg-rich diet levels were categorized 1) non-eggs, 2) eggs as ingredients in dishes, or 3) primarily egg dishes. Food security status was classified using the U.S. Household Food Security Survey Module. The National Cancer Institute method was used to estimate usual nutrient intake and nutrient exposure scores (i.e., food nutrient index and total nutrient index). Nutrient amounts from one medium egg were modeled on existing intakes. Pairwise t-tests determined significant differences. RESULTS: Over 60% of adolescents risked inadequate intake of calcium, choline, magnesium, and vitamins D and E regardless of food security status. Food secure adolescents consuming primarily egg dishes had higher mean usual intakes of lutein + zeaxanthin (1544.1 mcg), choline (408.4 mg), vitamin B2 (2.3 mg), selenium (128.6 mcg), vitamin D (6 mcg), docosahexaenoic acid (70 mg), and protein (89.1g) than other groups (P<0.0002). Those consuming eggs as ingredients in dishes demonstrated higher nutrient adequacy, for magnesium (scored ∼66 out of 100), potassium (scored 81), and total scores (scored 72 and 69, respectively) for the TNI and FNI; and folate only (scored 92) for the TNI, than those not consuming eggs (P<0.0002). Adding one egg increased choline and vitamin D usual intakes for some groups and nutrient index scores for all groups (P<0.0005). CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents are at substantial nutritional risk that was exacerbated by food insecurity and less egg consumption.

Dietary sugar and saturated fat consumption associated with changes in the gastrointestinal microbiome during pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: Growing evidence supports changes in the gastrointestinal microbiome over the course of pregnancy may have an impact on the short and long-term health of both the mother and the child. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to explore the association of diet quality, as measured by the Healthy Eating Index (HEI), with the composition and Gene Ontology (GO) representation of microbial function in the maternal gastrointestinal microbiome during pregnancy. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective, observational analysis of n=185 pregnant participants in the Pregnancy Eating Attributes Study (PEAS) study. Maternal dietary intake was assessed in the first trimester using the Automated Self-Administered 24-Hour Recall (ASA24) method, from which the Healthy Eating Index 2015 was calculated. Rectal swabs were obtained in the second trimester and sequenced using the NovaSeq 6000 system shotgun platform. We used unsupervised clustering to identify microbial enterotypes representative of maternal taxa and GO functional term composition. Multivariable linear models were used to identify associations between taxa, functional terms, and food components while controlling for relevant covariates. Multinomial regression was then used to predict enterotype membership based on a participant's HEI food component score. RESULTS: Those in the high diet quality tertile had a lower early pregnancy BMI (mean [M]=23.48 kg/m2, SD=3.38) compared to the middle (M=27.35, SD=6.01) and low (M=27.49, SD=6.99) diet quality tertiles (p<0.01). There were no statistically significant associations between the HEI components or the total HEI score and the four alpha diversity measures. Differences in taxa and GO term enterotypes were found in participants with, but not limited to, a higher saturated fat component score (ß=1.35, p=0.01), added sugar HEI component (ß=0.07, p<0.001), and higher total dairy score (ß=1.58, p=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Specific dietary components are associated with microbial composition and function in the second trimester of pregnancy. These findings provide a foundation for future testable hypotheses.

Effect of in vitro food oral coating and lubricity on satiety: A randomized controlled trial using milk protein beverages.

We investigated the effects of complex textural attributes of food i.e. lubricity and oral coating, on appetite ratings, food intake, salivary and gut peptides for the first time. Milk protein-rich beverages (whey and casein) were instrumentally analyzed (tribology, viscosity and adsorption, latter representing oral coating) using in vitro measurements. Then these protein beverage preloads differing in their coating properties (low coating, medium coating and high coating) were assessed in two cross-over satiety trials (Study 1, n=37; Study 2, n=15; Total n= 52). Fullness ratings increased in the high coating beverage condition (p < .05) only after 20 min with limited effects on other time points, suggesting a sporadic effect of oral coating on appetite ratings (n=37). There was a correlation between concentration of protein in saliva and appetite ratings; the higher the concentration of protein in saliva the lower the desire to eat (r = - 0.963; p < 0.05) and prospective food consumption ratings (r =- 0.980; p < 0.05). Human saliva was more lubricating after ingesting preload with high coating properties, thus explaining the results on appetite ratings. There was no effect of oral coating on energy intake and gut peptides (n=15), suggesting that complex textural attributes having influence on oral processing might not have any effect on the later parts of the satiety cascade. Oral coating/ lubricity appears to have a subtle and sporadic effect on appetite suppression, which needs further investigation with changing macronutrients/energy load and degree of coating/ lubricity.

Stress levels and eating behavior among university students in Jordan: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Increased body weight is common among university students; transitioning from high school to university may increase perceived stress levels, thus changing dietary habits and metabolism to promote overweight or obesity. The current study investigates the association between stress and dietary habits among university students in Jordan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 221 university students aged between 20 and 25 at Applied Science Private University [ASU]. A self-reported questionnaire was distributed to university students. The questionnaires were divided into three sections: the first was about general characteristics, body weight, change in body weight, and stress eating. RESULT: The survey of 208 participants showed that 64.3% were females, and 84.2% of students lived with their families. Results showed that more than half [51.1%] of the respondents were dissatisfied with their eating habits. Females [57.7%] monitored their food intake more than males did. However, most males [77.2%] reported less eating during stress compared to females. In addition, the data analysis revealed that those who ate more were less likely to monitor their food intake [χ 2 =9.734, df = 1, P = .002] or quantity [χ 2 =16.704, df = 1, P < .001]. Only 20.8% of the participants preferred sports or hobbies as a stress reduction activity; 29.4% took showers, while 51.1% ignored what made them stressed. Finally, 56.3% of participants reported increased weight after starting university, and it was significantly correlated with stress eating while studying for exams [χ 2 =8.762, df = 2, P = .013]. Stress affects university students and can lead to unhealthy eating habits and health issues like obesity. CONCLUSION: Many students face stress during their academic years, which affects their dietary choices. Policies promoting healthy eating habits and stress-reducing activities are important for university students.

Prediction of Fatty Acid Intake from Serum Fatty Acid Levels Using Machine Learning Technique in Women Living in Toyama Prefecture.

Preventing lifestyle-related diseases requires understanding and managing the intake of total fats and specific types of fatty acids, especially trans fatty acids. There are several methods for measuring fat intake, each with its own strengths and limitations. Guidelines for nutritional epidemiology studies recommend employing objective biomarkers. This study aimed to estimate fatty acid intake based on serum fatty acid levels using multiple regression analysis and a machine learning technique, and to compare their accuracy. The subjects were healthy women aged 18 to 64 living in Toyama, Japan. A dietary survey to determine fatty acid intake was conducted using a 3-day dietary record completed by the participant. Blood samples were collected after an overnight fast, and serum was obtained through centrifugation. A total of 300 women participated in the study. The fatty acid levels in serum were determined using gas chromatography with a capillary column. Using multiple regression analysis and neural networks, the intakes of saturated, monounsaturated, n-6 polyunsaturated, n-3 polyunsaturated, and trans fatty acids from serum fatty acid levels were predicted. Significant correlations were observed between the intakes of the five classified fatty acids and the predicted intakes obtained from the multiple regression analysis (r = 0.39 - 0.49, p < 0.01). Significant correlations were also observed between the five classified fatty acid intakes and the intakes predicted by the neural network (r = 0.52 - 0.79, p < 0.01), and the correlation coefficient showed a significantly higher value than that predicted by the multiple regression analysis. These results suggest that serum fatty acid levels may be used as biomarkers to estimate the intake of fatty acids, including that of trans fatty acids, and that machine learning may be able to predict fatty acid intake with higher accuracy than multiple regression analysis.

The trajectories of free sugar intake during childhood, their main sources and its association with socio-economic factors: generation XXI birth cohort.

The study aimed to describe trajectories of free sugar (FS) intake, its main sources and the associations with socio-economic status (SES) in Portuguese children/adolescents evaluated at 4, 7, 10 and 13 years of age from Generation XXI birth-cohort. Dietary intake was assessed through 3-day food diaries (n 5268). Added sugar intake was estimated following a systematic methodology, and FS was based on the WHO definition. A mixed-effects model with linear and quadratic terms for time was used to estimate FS trajectories and its association with SES, adjusting for children's sex, age, BMI and SES. The FS mean intake (g/day) was 37, 47, 51 and 48 at 4, 7, 10 and 13 years, respectively. FS intake increased 4·6 g/year (CI 95 %: 4·20, 5·04), but velocity decreased by 0·3 g/year2 until 13 years. At all ages, the main food source was sweets. Some item's consumption declined (sweets 25-21 % and yoghurts 22-7 %) as children grew older. Inversely, soft drink intake increased (9-18 %). Boys and children from younger mothers had higher FS intake, whereas higher maternal-SES was associated with lower children's FS intake: occupational status (ß = -3·5; 95 % CI: -4·97, -1·94), years of education (ß = -3·7; 95 % CI: -4·93, -2·40) and household income (ß = -4·9; 95 % CI: -6·50, -3·27). The FS trajectories were similar by SES categories but different by obesity status (interaction term ß = -1·04; CI 95 % (-1·50, -0·59)). An increasing FS trajectory during childhood is mainly driven by an increasing intake of soft drinks and nectars. The FS trajectory pattern did not change according to SES categories, but children's FS intake was always higher when their mothers had a lower SES.

The test-retest reliability and validity of food photography and food diary analyses.

AIMS: To assess test-retest reliability of both food photography and food diary methods and validity of these data against known values derived from food labels. METHODS: Test-retest reliability analyses of food diary and food photography were compared using single foodstuffs using intra-class correlation coefficients, coefficients of variation, and limits of agreement. For food diaries, 24-h test-retest reliability was also examined. Validity was assessed against weighed analyses. As part of habitual intake, a single foodstuff (randomly allocated from 14 common foods) was consumed by 26 participants over 24-h. On two occasions (14 days apart), single-blind dietary analyses allowed estimation of foodstuff-specific energy and macronutrient content and 24-h intakes. RESULTS: For food diaries, test-retest reliability was acceptable (weight, energy, carbohydrate, protein, and fat: all intra-class correlation coefficients: >0.990, coefficient of variation percentage: <0.1%, limits of agreements: <0.1 to <0.1, p > 0.05, and effect size: <0.01). For food photography, test-retest reliability was acceptable for weight, energy, carbohydrate, and protein (all intra-class correlation coefficients: >0.898, coefficient of variation percentage: 3.6%-6.2%, limits of agreements: 1.1 to - 44.9, and effect size: 0.01-0.12). Food photography validity was worse than food diaries for all variables (percentage difference: 8.8%-15.3%, coefficient of variation percentage: 7.5%-13.8%, all p ≤ 0.05, and effect size: 0.001-0.11). CONCLUSIONS: Greater reliability and validity occurred in food diaries versus food photography. These findings suggest that using food photography may lead to an underestimation of energy and macronutrient content, which may have implications for dietary interventions and nutritional strategies.