Nutrition and Bone Density in Boys with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

BACKGROUND: Boys with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have lower bone mineral density (BMD) than typically developing controls. Differences in diet and exercise may contribute to low BMD. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to examine macro- and micronutrient intakes and self-reported physical activity in boys with ASD compared to TDC and the relationship of these variables with BMD. DESIGN/METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 49 boys (25 ASD, 24 typically developing controls) assessed for 3-day food records and physical activity records, and BMD of the whole body less head, hip, and spine using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Fasting levels of 25(OH) vitamin D and calcium were obtained. PARTICIPANTS: Participants were adolescent boys, aged 8 to 17 years, recruited from a clinic population (ASD) or community advertisements (ASD and typically developing controls) matched for age. RESULTS: ASD participants were approximately 9 months younger than typically developing control participants on average. Body mass index and serum vitamin D and calcium levels were similar. Boys with ASD consumed 16% fewer calories, with a larger percentage obtained from carbohydrates, and 37% less animal protein and 20% less fat than typically developing controls. A lower proportion of ASD participants were categorized as "very physically active" (27% vs 79%; P<0.001). BMD z scores were 0.7 to 1.2 standard deviations lower in ASD than typically developing controls at all locations. Higher animal protein, calcium, and phosphorus intakes were associated positively with bone density measures in boys with ASD. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to typically developing controls, boys with ASD had lower protein, calcium, and phosphorus intakes, activity levels, and BMD z scores at the lumbar spine, femoral neck, total hip, and whole body less head. Protein, calcium, and phosphorus intakes were associated positively with BMD.

Macronutrient intake associated with weight gain in adolescent girls with anorexia nervosa.

OBJECTIVE: Adolescents and women with anorexia nervosa (AN) are known to severely restrict total calorie and fat intake. However, data are limited regarding specific macronutrient intake associated with weight gain in AN. OBJECTIVE: To prospectively investigate dietary macronutrient composition associated with weight gain in adolescent girls with AN. METHOD: A prospective naturalistic study of 90 girls 12-18 years old; 45 with AN and 45 healthy normal-weight-controls over a 6-12-month period. Participants completed four-day food diaries and underwent body composition assessment using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Weight gain was defined as a ≥10% increase in body mass index (BMI) from baseline. RESULTS: Baseline clinical characteristics did not differ between girls with AN who did not gain weight (AN-0) versus those who did (AN-1) over the following 6-12 month period except for percentage of calories from proteins (p = 0.046). At 6-12 month follow-up, AN-1 consumed a lower percentage of total calories from protein (p = .001), and a higher percentage of total calories from fat (p = .02) compared to AN-0. AN-1 had a significant increase in the percentage of total calories obtained from and poly-unsaturated-fatty acids (PUFA) (p = 0.006) compared to AN-0, between baseline and follow-up. Within the AN group, BMI at follow-up was associated positively with percentage of total calories obtained from fat, MUFA, and PUFA (p < .05) at 6/12 months, and inversely with the percentage of total calories obtained from carbohydrates and proteins (p = .03). DISCUSSION: Consuming a greater proportion of total calories from fat is associated with weight gain in adolescent girls with AN.

Nutrient status of adults with cystic fibrosis.

Nutrition is thought to influence disease status in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). This cross-sectional study sought to evaluate nutrient intake and anthropometric data from 64 adult outpatients with cystic fibrosis. Nutrient intake from food and supplements was compared with the Dietary Reference Intakes for 16 nutrients and outcomes influenced by nutritional status. Attention was given to vitamin D and calcium given potential skeletal implications due to cystic fibrosis. Measurements included weight, height, body composition, pulmonary function, and serum metabolic parameters. Participants were interviewed about dietary intake, supplement use, pulmonary function, sunlight exposure, and pain. The participants' mean body mass index (+/-standard deviation) was 21.8+/-4.9 and pulmonary function tests were normal. Seventy-eight percent used pancreatic enzyme replacement for malabsorption. Vitamin D deficiency [25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD)<37.5 nmol/L] was common: 25 (39%) were deficient despite adequate vitamin D intake. Lipid profiles were normal in the majority, even though total and saturated fat consumption represented 33.0% and 16.8% of energy intake, respectively. Reported protein intake represented 16.9% of total energy intake (range 10%-25%). For several nutrients, including vitamin D and calcium, intake from food and supplements in many participants exceeded recommended Tolerable Upper Intake Levels. Among adults with cystic fibrosis, vitamin D deficiency was common despite reported adequate intake, and lipid profiles were normal despite a relatively high fat intake. Mean protein consumption was adequate, but the range of intake was concerning, as both inadequate or excessive intake may have deleterious skeletal effects. These findings call into question the applicability of established nutrient thresholds for patients with cystic fibrosis.

Nutrient intake in community-dwelling adolescent girls with anorexia nervosa and in healthy adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Adolescence is a common time for the onset of anorexia nervosa (AN), a condition associated with long-term medical and hormonal consequences. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to compare the nutrient intakes of community-dwelling girls with AN with those of healthy adolescents and to describe the associations between specific nutrient intakes and nutritionally dependent hormones. DESIGN: Nutrient intakes in 39 community-dwelling girls with AN and 39 healthy adolescents aged 12.1-18.7 y were determined by using 4-d food records. Fasting adiponectin, leptin, ghrelin, insulin, and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) concentrations were measured. Indirect calorimetry was used to assess respiratory quotient and resting energy expenditure. RESULTS: In contrast with the control group, the AN group consumed fewer calories from fats (P < 0.0001) and more from carbohydrates (P = 0.0009) and proteins (P < 0.0001). Intake of individual fat components was lower and of dietary fiber higher in the AN group. No significant between-group differences were observed in dietary intakes of calcium, zinc, and iron; however, total intake was greater in the AN group because of greater supplement use (P = 0.006, 0.02, and 0.01, respectively). The AN group had greater intakes of vitamins A, D, and K and of most of the B vitamins, and significantly more girls with AN met the Dietary Reference Intake for calcium (P = 0.01) and vitamin D (P = 0.02) from supplement use. Fat intake predicted ghrelin, insulin, and IGF-I concentrations; carbohydrate intake predicted adiponectin. Resting energy expenditure was lower (P < 0.0001) and leisure activity levels higher in the AN group. CONCLUSIONS: Despite outpatient follow-up, community-dwelling girls with AN continue to have lower fat and higher fiber intakes than do healthy adolescents, which results in lower calorie intakes. Nutritionally related hormones are associated with specific nutrient intakes.

Effects of a lifestyle modification program in HIV-infected patients with the metabolic syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: A large percentage of HIV-infected patients receiving HAART develop the metabolic syndrome. In this study, we sought to determine whether lifestyle modification improves metabolic syndrome criteria, including waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting blood sugar, triglycerides, and HDL-cholesterol among HIV-infected patients with the metabolic syndrome. DESIGN: We conducted a randomized, 6-month study in HIV-infected patients with metabolic syndrome as defined by the National Cholesterol Education Program. Subjects were randomly assigned to an intensive lifestyle modification program, which included weekly one-on-one counseling sessions with a registered dietician, or observation (control group). METHODS: Metabolic syndrome criteria and cardiovascular parameters, including blood pressure, body composition, submaximal stress testing, lipids and other biochemical parameters were determined. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients were randomly assigned and 28 subjects completed the study. Compared with the control group, subjects randomly assigned to the lifestyle modification program demonstrated significant decreases in waist circumference (-2.6 +/- 1.1 versus 1.2 +/- 1.0 cm, P = 0.022), systolic blood pressure (-13 +/- 4 versus 4 +/- 4 mmHg, P = 0.008), hemoglobin A1C (-0.1 +/- 0.1 versus 0.2 +/- 0.1%, P = 0.017), lipodystrophy score (-1.2 +/- 0.3 versus 0.9 +/- 0.6, P = 0.006) and increased activity (17.7 +/- 14.3 versus -33.1 +/- 12.7 metabolic equivalents, P = 0.014) as measured by the Modifiable Activity Questionnaire, but lipid levels did not improve. CONCLUSION: These data demonstrate that intensive lifestyle modification significantly improved important cardiovascular risk indices in HIV-infected patients with the metabolic syndrome. Lifestyle modification may be a useful strategy to decrease cardiovascular risk in this population.