Factors Associated with Diet Quality in Women of Childbearing Age in Southern Benin in 2022

Background: The nutritional status of women while in pregnancy influences foetus growth, infant development, and the mother’s health. The objective of this study was to assess diet quality and associated factors among women of childbearing age in the Comè community, Benin. Methods: The cross-sectional and analytical study involved 215 participants randomly selected by multi-stage sampling technique. Two non-consecutive dietary recall data were collected as well as sociodemographic information. The International Food Quality Index (IQD-I) was used to assess diet quality. Factors associated with the nutritional quality of the diet were identified by using linear regression. Results: Among 212 women, a diet quality of 175 (82.55%) was fair while 14.62% had good diet quality. Factors associated with the diet quality were the level of household possession, health issues, and nutritional advice at the health care facilities. Conclusion: Nutritional education interventions and income-generating activities may improve the diet quality among women of childbearing age in the Comè in Benin.

Almond Consumption Is Associated with Better Nutrient Intake, Nutrient Adequacy, and Diet Quality in Adults: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2001-2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the association between almond consumption, the most widely consumed tree nut in the US, and nutrient intake, nutrient adequacy, diet quality, and weight/adiposity in adults. Methods: Data from adults (N=24,808), 19+ years, participating in the NHANES 2001-2010 were used. The NCI method was used to estimate the usual intake of almonds and selected nutrients. Almond consumers were defined as those consuming any amount of almonds/almond butter. Percentages of the consumers/non-consumers below the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) or above the Adequate Intake (AI) for select nutrients were determined. To assess significant differences for the percentage of almond consumers vs. non-consumers with intakes less than the EAR or above the AI, a Z-statistic for differences in population proportions was used. Covariate-controlled linear regression was used to determine differences in diet quality, measured by the Healthy Eating Index-2010 (HEI-2010), between the consumer groups. Body mass indices and waist circumference were assessed. P was set at p < 0.01. Results: Almond consumers were more likely to be non-Hispanic white, older, of higher income, more physically active, and were less likely to be a current smoker than non-consumers. Usual intake of almonds among consumers was 29.5 ± 1.5 g/day. Usual intake of protein;dietary fiber;vitamins A, D, E, and C;thiamin;niacin;riboflavin;folate, calcium, copper, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, selenium, zinc, and potassium was higher in almond consumers. Almond consumers were less likely to be below the EAR for protein, vitamins A, D, E, B12, and C;riboflavin;calcium;copper;magnesium;iron;phosphorus;and zinc. They were also more likely to be above the AI for dietary fiber and potassium. Total HEI-2010 scores were approximately 15 points higher in almond consumers. Body mass indices and waist circumference measures were lower in almond consumers. Conclusions: Moderate consumption of almonds should be encouraged as part of a healthy diet.

Certain Grain Food Patterns Are Associated with Improved 2015 Dietary Guidelines Shortfall Nutrient Intakes, Diet Quality, and Lower Body Weight in US Adults: Results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2005-2010

Objective: The goal of this study was to identify commonly consumed grain food patterns in US adults (≥19 years old;N = 14,384) and compare nutrient intakes, with focus on 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines’ shortfall nutrients, diet quality, and health parameters of those consuming various grain food patterns to those not consuming grains. Methods: This study conducted secondary analyses of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2005-2010. Cluster analysis was used and identified 8 grain patterns: 1) no consumption of main grain groups, 2) crackers and salty snacks, 3) yeast breads and rolls, 4) cakes, cookies, and pies, 5) cereals, 6) pasta, cooked cereals and rice, 7) quick breads, and 8) mixed grains. Results: Adults consuming “cereals”, “pasta, cooked cereals and rice”, and “mixed grains” had a better diet quality compared to no grains. Consuming many, but not all, of the grain food patterns resulted in less saturated fat and lower added sugars. Adults consuming “cereals”, “pasta, cooked cereals and rice” and “quick breads” had greater dietary fiber intake vs. no grains group. Calcium intake was increased in the cereals group, while magnesium intake was greater in adults consuming “cereals” and “pasta, cooked cereals and rice” vs. no grains. Vitamin D (D2 + D3) intake was higher in adults consuming “cereals”, “pasta, cooked cereals and rice”, and “mixed grains” vs. no grain group. Adults consuming “pasta, cooked cereals and rice” had lower body weights (79.1 ± 0.7 vs. 82.5 ± 1.2 kg;P = 0.009) and waist circumference (95.2 ± 0.6 vs. 98.2 ± 1.0 cm;P = 0.004) in comparison to those consuming no grains. Conclusions: Certain grain food patterns are associated with greater 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines’ shortfall nutrients, better diet quality and lower body weights in adults. Additionally, certain grain food patterns are associated with lower intake of nutrients to limit, including saturated fat and added sugars.

Impact on dietary intake of a self-directed, gender-tailored diabetes prevention program in men

AIMTo investigate changes in dietary intake following a 6-mo randomised controlled trial of the self-directed, gender-tailored type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) Prevention Using LifeStyle Education (PULSE) program in men. METHODSMen aged 18-65 years, with a body mass index (BMI) 25-40 kg/m2, and at high risk for developing T2DM were recruited from the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia. Eligible participants were randomised into one of two groups: (1) waitlist control; or (2) PULSE intervention. Dietary intake was assessed at baseline and immediately post-program using the Australian Eating Survey food frequency questionnaire and diet quality measured using the Australian Recommended Food Score (ARFS). RESULTSOne hundred and one participants (n = 48, control; n = 53, intervention, mean age 52.3 ± 9.7 years, BMI of 32.6 ± 3.3 kg/m2) commenced the study. Following the active phase, differences between groups were observed for proportion of total energy consumed from healthful (core) foods (+7.6%EI, P < 0.001), energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods (-7.6%EI, P < 0.001), sodium (-369 mg, P = 0.047), and diet quality (ARFS) (+4.3, P = 0.004), including sub-scales for fruit (+1.1, P = 0.03), meat (+0.9, P = 0.004) and non-meat protein (+0.5, P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONThe PULSE prevention program’s nutrition messages led to significant improvements in dietary intake in men at risk of T2DM.

Assessment of the Retail Food Environment Using Integrated GIS and Modified Measures in Wuhan, China

The retail food environment (RFE) has a significant impact on people’s dietary behavior and diet-related outcomes. Although RFE research has received a lot of attention, there are very few studies that shed light on the foodscape and assessment methodologies in the China context. Based on open data obtained from Dianping.com and AutoNavi map, we classified all food outlets into six types. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) techniques were employed to create two network buffer areas (1-km and 3-km) and calculate the absolute measures and relative measures (i.e., mRFEI and Rmix). We modified the calculation of relative measures by adding items and assigning weights. The mean mRFEI using the 1-km and 3-km buffer sizes across the communities were 10.45 and 20.12, respectively, while the mean mRmix of the two buffer sizes were 20.97 and 58.04, indicating that residents in Wuhan have better access to fresh and nutritious food within 3-km network buffers. Residents in urban areas are more likely to be exposed to an unhealthy food environment than those in rural areas. Residents in Xinzhou and Qiaokou districts are more likely to be subjected to unfavorable neighborhood RFE. The open data-driven methods for assessing RFE in Wuhan, China may guide community-level food policy interventions and promote active living by shifting built environments to increase residents’ access to healthy food.

Comparison of Child Lunch Meals in Brazil

Background: Recently, revised Dietary Guidelines in Brazil [1] included a recommendation to “avoid fast food”. This project compared meals from home and away from home. Objective: To evaluate advertised fast food children’s lunch meals and a typical Brazilian homemade meal in relation to recommended intakes for: energy, macronutrients, fiber, sodium, iron and calcium. Methods: Nutritional needs and typical meal intake were estimated, considering 35% of total daily requirements for a lunch meal. Ranges for energy and macronutrients were calculated, based on varying energy needs by age and activity level. These parameters were compared with nutritional information from company websites and product information collected in S&#227o Paulo, Brazil in August, 2014. Results: The majority of children’s meals evaluated did not exceed the lunch range for dietary energy and macronutrients. However, 60% and 50% of these meals exceeded recommended saturated fat for 4 - 6 and 7 - 10-year-old children, respectively. Most meals fell short for fiber and all meals exceeded sodium recommendations. Micronutrient values were not available for most meals compared. Conclusion: The nutrition quality of lunch in fast food restaurants is similar to a typical Brazilian meal. The restaurant meals could fit into a balanced diet from time to time. Every meal observed here could be improved with regard to sodium and fiber to promote children’s health in adulthood.

Disturbance cue communication is shaped by emitter diet and receiver background risk in Trinidadian guppies

In animal communication systems,individuals that detect a cue(i.e.,“receivers”)are often influenced by characteristics of the cue emitter.For instance,in many species,receivers avoid chemical cues that are released by emitters experiencing disturbance.These chemical“disturbance cues”appear to benefit receivers by warning them about nearby danger,such as a predator’s approach.While the active ingredients in disturbance cues have been largely unexplored,by-products of metabolized protein are thought to play a role for some species.If so,the content(quality)and volume(quantity)of the emitter’s diet should affect their disturbance cues,thus altering how receivers perceive the cues and respond.Guppies Poecilia reticulata are a species known to discriminate among disturbance cues from different types of donors,but dietary variation has yet to be explored.In this study,we found evidence that diet quality and quantity can affect disturbance cues released by guppy emitters(i.e.,experimental“donors”).Receivers discriminated between donor cue treatments,responding more strongly to cues from donors fed a protein-rich bloodworm diet(Experiment 1),as well as an overall larger diet(Experiment 2).We also found that receivers exposed to higher background risk were more sensitive to disturbance cue variation,with the strongest avoidance responses displayed by high-risk receivers toward disturbance cues from donors fed the high-quality diet.Therefore,diet,and perhaps protein specifically,affects either the concentration or composition of disturbance cues released by guppies.Such variation may be important in information signaling in social species like the guppy.