Regulation of foods with health claims: a proposal.

Health claims linking foods and food components to disease are prohibited in Canada because of limitations of the Food and Drugs Act. Changes to the Act to permit such claims would require a Bill to Parliament, a lengthy and impractical solution. In this paper, an alternative approach is proposed, that is, to regulate "Foods with Health Claims" under a subsection of the Drug Regulations. Generic claims would be regulated in a similar manner to Class IV or minimum risk drugs, whereby monographs would be created for constituents for which claims are proposed. Product-specific claims would be individually evaluated. Each food bearing a claim would carry a Food Identification Number (FIN), provided by Health Canada through application. Details of procedures and conditions for the FIN process are suggested. The FIN plan would provide an expedient, balanced and accountable approach to allow health claims on food products in Canada.

Food availability and nutritional status in Guyana, 1980-1986 - abstract

The deterioration of the Guyana economy started in the late 1970s and continued into the '80s: 1983 was the lowest ebb. Gross domestic product (GDP) declined steadily from 1980 to 1983 due to a reduction in output from most sectors, mining and agriculture in particular. Some slight recovery was experienced in 1984, but this was not enough to offset the effects of the previous years. Expenditure on consumer food imports was cut by 87 percent, and on intermediate food stuffs by 78 percent in keeping with the Government's policy of promoting self-sufficiency in food. Research into the current food and nutrition situation in Guyana was conducted during July and August, 1987. Data were collected from relevant Government Ministries, the CARICOM Secretariat and the local office of the Pan American Health Organisation. The data showed that overall Guyana is not short of food. However, the quality, affordability and distribution would also influence nutritional outcome. The food/beverage/tobacco price index rose by 110.6 percent from 1982 to 1986. Dairy products, meat and wheat flour were among the items in short supply and thus very expensive. The cheapest and more abundant foods were the staples - rice, starchy roots/tubers and sugar. Hospital clinic records revealed high prevalences of still-births and low-birth-weight babies. These, together with the high infant and toddler mortality rates, are indicative of nutritional status. While the level of malnutrition increased between 1982 and 1984, there was some improvement in 1985 and 1986. Gastroenteritis, the principal cause of paediatric admission to the Georgetown Hospital, and malnutrition, were the leading causes of death among children (AU)

An assessment of the nutritional status of students at the University of the West Indies, Mona

A survey was undertaken to investigate the nutritional status of students at the University of the West Indies, Mona. The sample, confined to students under 26 years old, was stratified by sex, nationality and year of entry. From January to May 1984 the weight and height of 703 students were measured. The Quetelet, or Body Mass Index, (Wt.Ht-ý), was used to classify them as either underweight, 'normal' or overweight. Blood samples obtained, via finger-prick, from 238 students and haemoglobin estimated using the cyanomethaemoglobin procedure (72). A mail questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic data and information pertaining to eating habits, physical activity, and expenditure, the constraints, and suggestions for improving their diets. Body measurements and haemoglobin levels were analysed by tenure at the UWI, socio-demographic characteristics and eating habits. Thirty-eight percent were classified as underweight, 55 percent were 'normal' with 7 percent overweight. There were significantly more underweight females (48 percent) than males (28 percent). Weight-for-height of the students was below the NCHS (81) 50th centile. However, the Jamaican students were taller and heavier than age-matched Jamaicans of 1959. There were more underweight Jamaican students (39 percent) than from the other countries. The anthropometric measurements of students living at, and away from home were similar, however, females at home had higher haemoglobin levels (p<0.01) than those living elsewhere. All the men, and 87 percent of the women had 'normal' haemoglobin levels. The anthropometric measurements of first and third year students were similar, but more first years (41 percent) were underweight. Two hundred and twenty-nine students (55 percent) returned the questionnaires. There was a significant association between nutritional status and parents' income group. While sources of funds varied, most students received financial assistance from their parents. Forty-five percent ate less food and 57 percent have a less varied diet since coming to the UWI. Lack of money and poor quality cafeteria food were among the constraints to improving their diets. Many expressed the need for nutrition counselling. Detailed dietary and biomedical investigations, together with nutrition surveillance by the health services are recommended (AU)

An assessment of the nutritional status of UWI (Mona) students: anthropometry - abstract

The weight and height of 703 students at the University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica, were measured. This number represents 26 percent of the under-26-year-old student population. The Quetelet Index, also known as the body mass index, (Wt. Ht(to -2 power), Kg.m(to -2 power) was used to classify students as underweight, 'normal' or overweight. Thirty-eight per cent of the students were found to be underweight, 55 percent were 'normal' and 7 percent overweight. There were more underweight females than males, with the converse in the "normal" category. The sexes were evenly distributed in the overweight class. An increase in weight and height was observed for Jamaican students compared with young Jamaicans measured in 1959. However, comparison between countries of origin of the students showed that the Jamaicans had the highest percentage of underweight, and the least 'normal' weight students. Financial constraints, lack of nutrition knowledge and poor dietary practices are possible reasons for the high percentage of underweight students. It is suggested that more detailed dietary and biochemical investigation should be undertaken (AU)

Theophylline clearance in malnourished elderly subjects - abstract

Many factors, including age and nutritional status, can affect drug metabolic rates. This study was designed to assess the metabolising capacity for the anti-asthmatic drug, theophylline, in malnourished elderly subjects before and after nutritional rehabilitation. Thirteen elderly, clinically malnourished subjects (aged 65-88 yrs.) were studied three to four days after admission to hospital for social reasons, and again after ten days of re-feeding with a high calorie, high protein diet. Theophylline half-life (T«) and clearance (CI) were determined from blood samples taken between 3 and 24 hours after a dose of 3.5 mg/kg. Malnutrition was assessed clinically and by serum albumin, haemoglobin and thyroid binding pre-albumin (TBPA). Serum albumin and TBPA were positively correlated and both increased after re-feeding. Theophylline Tu« and Cl values were within reported ranges. Half-lives were the same as those of healthy adult controls, but clearances were greater. Cigarette smokers were among the slowest, suggesting some other factor of malnutrition or acute hospitalisation may accelerate metabolism. On re-feeding, clearances increased by 37 percent, showing a great capacity of the elderly to respond to dietary supplementation; the subjects who were most malnourished had the lowest Cl rates and responded with the greates increase. These results have important implications for the selection of drug dose regimes for elderly hospitalised patients as the drug requirements may changed considerably during rehabilitation (AU)