Consumption patterns of nonnutritive sweeteners among university students at a Caribbean institution.

OBJECTIVE(S): To determine whether there is an association between the consumption of nonnutritive sweeteners (NNS) and sex, as well as age. Also, to determine awareness of the health risks associated with the use of NNS. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to compile the data collected. Data were presented using frequencies and percentages. A chi-squared tests were performed to test the association between NNS and gender/sex and age. The level of significance was set at the ≤ 0.05. RESULTS: The majority of students [n = 108 (55.1%)] indicated that they have never used NNS. The NNS with the highest intake was sucralose. There were no significant associations between gender (p-value = 0.508) and age (p-value = 0.275) and use of NNS. For awareness of the association between NNS, weight gain, and cancer, 38.8% (n = 76) of the participants indicated that they were not aware that NNS are associated with weight gain. Less than half of the participants (n = 46, 23.5%) were not aware that NNS does cause cancer. CONCLUSION: A large portion of university students do not use NNS. The majority of students were aware that NNS are associated with weight gain but did not link it to cancer development.

The link between the consumption of sweetened beverages and the development of overweight and obesity among students of the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine campus in Trinidad and Tobago

Background: Many risk factors, which contribute to the development of overweight and/or obesity have been investigated and identified. However, one of the largest independent contributors to the obesity epidemic, which is often overlooked, is the increased consumption of sweetened beverages, particularly among the adolescents and young adults. Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between sweetened beverage consumption and the development of overweight and obesity among the students of The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine campus in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. Material and methods: A cross-sectional study design was used, with a non-probability sampling method. The target population were the students of the University of the West Indies, St Augustine aged ≥18 years of age. The research data were collected through the distribution of a self-administered questionnaire, which was completed by each participant while anthropometric and clinical measurements were completed by the researchers. A total of 161 questionnaires were distributed to the students of participants. Out of 161 questionnaires distributed, 137 were collected, but only 133 were fully completed, which gave a response rate of 83%. Statistical analyses were conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics 19.0 (IBM Corporation, Chicago, IL, USA). Results: 97.1% of the participants stated that they consumed sweetened beverages while only 2.9% said that they did not. Based on the results generated from chi-squared statistic test, there was no association between BMI and gender, age group, ethnicity, and the frequency of the consumption of sweetened beverages and their quantities. Conclusion: No association between the intakes of sweetened beverages and overweight and/or obesity was found among the participants, but a very high prevalence of the consumption of these beverages was observed in the subjects.

Current prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with dyspepsia treated in Warsaw, Poland.

INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection in patients with dyspepsia has important clinical and epidemiological implications. However, the current prevalence of Hp infection among patients within Poland is unknown; the last data were collected a decade ago and the majority of previous studies showed the prevalence to be between 60% and 100%. AIM: To establish the current prevalence of Hp infection among patients with dyspepsia in Warsaw, Poland. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study group comprised 148 patients (126 women and 22 men) with dyspepsia, treated in two outpatient clinics in Warsaw. The mean age in the group that tested positive for Hp was 45.8 years (SD = 14.86; median = 51; min = 19; max = 64). They were tested for Hp infection with a urea breath test that uses 13C-enriched urea and isotope ratio mass spectrometry. RESULTS: Helicobacter pylori infection was found in 53 patients (44 women and 9 men), i.e. in 35.8% of the whole study group. We did not find any significant relationship between Hp infection and the patients' age, gender, or their body mass index. CONCLUSIONS: The current prevalence of Hp infection among patients with dyspepsia treated in Warsaw is 35.8%. However, our data suggest almost a two-fold fall in the prevalence of Hp infection compared to the previous Polish studies.

[Intakes of selected micronutrients by obese children and adolescents aged 7-13 years before and after nutritional counselling]. / Spozycie wybranych mikroskladników pokarmowych przez dzieci i mlodziez w wieku 7 - 13 lat z otyloscia prosta przed i po korekcie sposobu zywienia.

The aim of this study was to analyze the intakes of selected micronutrients by obese children and adolescents aged 7-13 years before and after nutrition counselling. The study showed that the introduction of hypocaloric diet did not bring about any significant reductions in body weight of subjects expressed as body mass index BMI. Dietary counseling did not result in changes in the intakes of vitamin B12, folates, vitamin E, calcium, magnesium, potassium, which fell below the recommended values. The consumption of vitamin B6 vitamin C was in accordance with the recommended daily intake (RDI), but the intakes of sodium exceeded the RDI. In order to prevent the development of non-communicable diseases in adulthood, the diets of investigated subjects need to be improved.

[The influence of nutritional intervention on resting energy expenditure in obese adolescents aged 15-18 years]. / Wplyw interwencji zywieniowej na spoczynkowy wydatek energetyczny u otylej mlodziezy w wieku 15-18 lat.

The aim of this research was to assess the influence of dietary intervention on weight loss and resting energy expenditure (REE) in 20 obese and overweight adolescents (BMI = 29 +/- 3,8 kg/m2) aged 15-18 years. Nutritional habits and nutritional status were estimated before and after the introduction of low-calorie diet. Measurements of REE were carried out by indirect calorimetry in a respiratory chamber Nutritional intervention had a significant influence in decreasing body weight (from 85 +/- 14.3 kg to 82.5 +/- 12.8 kg), BMI and fat mass. Muscle mass was found to be significantly elevated (p < 0.050). REE did not decline significantly due to nutritional intervention (p > 0.05; p = 0.84).

The significance of soy protein and soy bioactive compounds in the prophylaxis and treatment of osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is defined as a progressive systemic skeletal disease characterized by low bone mass and microarchitectural deterioration of bone tissue, with a consequent increase in bone fragility and susceptibility to fracture. Although bone mass and quality is mainly determined genetically, many other factors, including lifestyle and nutrition also have an impact on bone health. It has been suggested that dietary protein intake may be a risk factor for osteoporosis, and high-protein diets are associated with increased bone loss. Many scientists have examined the relationship between types of protein and urinary calcium excretion, and found that although animal protein was associated with increased urinary calcium excretion, soy protein was not. There is sufficient evidence suggesting soy isoflavones may have potential benefits for bone. Soy protein with naturally occurring phytoestrogens, mainly isoflavones protect against bone loss and synthetic soy ipriflavone in some studies has been shown to favorably affect, but a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of ipriflavone and maintenance of bone mineral density in post-menopausal women. Therefore it is too early to recommend it as a supplement for this group of women.

The influence of selected demographic and lifestyle factors on lutein intakes by groups of Polish women.

The aim of the study was to assess the influence of selected demographic and lifestyle factors on the intake of lutein by groups of Polish women aged 19-81 years. The study was carried out in 100 respondents in the year 2006 with the use of 4-day dietary food records. The mean intake of lutein was 2.16 mg/person/day. The primary sources of lutein in food rations of the participants were vegetables and vegetable products (72.2%), especially leafy vegetables (48.6%), cereal products (9.3%) and eggs (7.9%). The main determinants of lutein intake in the groups of Polish women were age (r=0.238, P=0.017), body mass index (r=0.250, P=0.012), place of dwelling (r=0.206, P=0.050) as well as occupation (r= - 0.249, P=0.013). The knowledge of environmental factors affecting lutein consumption is important because of its role in the prevention of diet-related diseases.

[The role of glucosinolates in the prevention of cancer--mechanisms of actions]. / Glukozynolany w profilaktyce chorób nowotworowych--mechanizmy dzialania.

Foods of plant origin, despite plenty of nutrients contain many non-nutrition compounds, which may prevent many diet-related non-communicable diseases, such as cancer. Plants produce thousands of phenolic compounds as secondary metabolites, such as nitrous compounds. Glucosinolates are responsible for the secretion of detoxifying enzymes that remove carcinogens for the organism. Furthermore, they activate proteins and II phase detoxifying enzymes. The compounds are very important that is why scientists are still investigating their beneficial note in cancer prevention and management.

[Energy and macronutirents intake by overweight and obese children aged 7-12]. / Spozycie energii oraz makroskladników przez dzieci w wieku 7-12 lat z nadwaga i otyloscia prosta.

Energy and macronutrient such as protein, fat and carbonhydrate as well as anthropometric measurments were caried out in overweight and obesity children aged 7-12 (n=25) during two visits of the loss weight program for children (before and 6 weeks after dietary intervention) at the Faculty of Human Nutrition and Consumer Sciences, Warsaw Agricultural University. The study showed no significant (p > 0.05) body weight reduction expressed as body mass index (BMI), but nutrition counselling resulted in a decline in obesity prevalence in examined subject. Before nutritional counselling energy and macronutrient mean intakes from the diets of examined: children aged 7-9 y, boys 10-12 y and girls 10-12 y, were found to be: of energy (kcal): 1770, 1680, 1711 and protein: 107%, 85%, 84%; fat: 107%, 84%, 111% and carbohydrates: 81%, 57%, 67% RDA, respectively. After 6 weeks of the aplication of--low energy diet the consumption of energy and fat decreased among most of children (p < 0.05). The intakes of energy and fat need to be monitored in this group of population, since their overeating can predispose to diet-related diseases, such as cardiovascular in adulthood.

[Effect diet therapy on body weight reduction and metabolic control recommended for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus treated with only diet]. / Wplyw dietoterapii na redukcje masy ciala i wyrównanie metaboliczne u osób z cukrzyca typu 2 leczonych wylacznie dieta.

The aim of the study to assess the efficacy diet therapy recommended for patients who were recently found to have type 2 diabetes mellitus as well as the influence of the diet on metabolic control of the subjects. The study involved 35 patients of the Dietary Counseling Section of the Central Clinical Hospital of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration in Warsaw. During the course of a 6-month observation, the following parameters were analyzed: body weight, BMI, WHR, indices of metabolic control, such as fasting and post-prandial glycemia, and the level of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1(c)). 6-month dietary intervention brought a decrease in body weight, and improvement in glycemia

[The role of the ketogenic diet in the management of epilepsy]. / Zastosowanie diety ketogennej we wspomaganiu leczenia epilepsji.

Ketogenic Diet is effective in the treatment of epilepsy in both children and adults. KD increases the effectiveness of conventional therapies and can be applied for the treatment of other diseases. Simultaneously, KD is cheaper and does not possess as many adverse effects as conventional medicine.

The role of the consumption of beverages in the obesity epidemic.

This paper is intended to demonstrate to nutritionists, dietitians, paediatricians and other health care professionals as well as parents, primary and secondary school authorities, nutritional concerns pertaining to the consumption of soft drinks. High intake of soft drinks is associated with: 1) overweight or obesity because of the intake of additional calories in the diet; 2) increased risk of osteoporosis due to displacement of milk consumption, resulting in calcium deficiency and subsequent bone resorption; and 3) increased risk of dental caries and potential enamel erosion. School officials and parents should be aware of the health implications of vended drinks in schools before making a decision about pupils' and students' access to them.