scholarly journals Are changes in food consumption patterns associated with lower biochemical zinc status among women from Dunedin, New Zealand?

2001 ◽  
Vol 86 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosalind S. Gibson ◽  
Anne-Louise M. Heath ◽  
Ma Luz S. Limbaga ◽  
Nicolas Prosser ◽  
C. Murray Skeaff

Reductions in red meat and increases in cereals in the diet may compromise the intake and bioavailability of Zn. In this cross-sectional study of 330 premenopausal New Zealand women aged 18–40 years, we have assessed the inter-relationships among dietary intakes (via computer-administered food-frequency questionnaire), biochemical Zn status, and anthropometric indices, and compared our results with earlier data. Fasting serum (12·00 (SD 1·36) ΜMOL/L) AND HAIR ZN (2·71 (sd 0·36) μmol/g) were lower than those for young Dunedin, New Zealand, women in 1973 (non-fasting serum Zn 18·6 (sd 4·6) μmol/l, hair Zn 2·99 (sd 0·35) μmol/g). Further, our mean serum Zn was at the 25th percentile of the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) (1976–1980) reference sample for women aged 20–44 years. Meat–poultry–fish contributed only 28 % total Zn in the present study, a level comparable with that from cereals–nuts–legumes (27 %), compared to about 40 % in 1989. Significant negative correlations existed between serum Zn and dietary [phytate]:[Zn] molar ratios (r-0·163, P<0·01); 35 % had diets with [phytate]:[Zn] >15, a level said to compromise Zn status. Mean serum Zn of a subgroup of non-oral contraceptive users free of infection was higher in the red-meat eaters (n149) compared with non-red-meat eaters (n48) (12·2v.11·8 μmol/g, P<0·05). In contrast, serum Zn was lower in those with dietary [phytate]:[Zn] ratios >15v.<15 (i.e. 11·9v.12·3 μmol/l, P=0·04). We postulate that the lower biochemical Zn status of these New Zealand women may be associated in part with changes in food selection patterns, which have led to a reduction in the bioavailability of dietary Zn.

2015 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey M. Beckett ◽  
Madeleine J. Ball

AbstractInformation regarding Zn status in the Australian population is very limited. Mild deficiencies in Zn have been associated with CVD, impaired immune function and poor healing. A cross-sectional study of 497 northern Tasmanian adults (24–82 years of age) was conducted to assess Zn status. Dietary intakes were assessed by FFQ and serum concentrations of Zn were evaluated using International Zinc Nutrition Consultative Group methodology. Mean Zn intakes were 12·6 (sd4·4) mg/d for men and 10·9 (sd3·6) mg/d for women. It was found that 52 % of men but only 9 % of women consumed less than the Australia/New Zealand estimated average requirement for Zn. Mean serum Zn was 13·0 (sd2·4) µmol/l in men and 13·0 (sd2·5) µmol/l in women. Overall, 15 % of men and 7 % of women had low serum Zn levels. Furthermore, low serum Zn was observed in 18 % of men 50 years or older and 30 % of men 70 years or older. The present results suggest that mild Zn deficiency may be prevalent in older Tasmanian adults, particularly men; and due to the importance of Zn in many areas of health, this could be of public health concern.


2000 ◽  
Vol 83 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Ball ◽  
M. L. Ackland

Vegetarians have a lower incidence of many chronic diseases than omnivores. However, vegetarian diets could potentially result in lower intakes of some minerals, particularly Zn. In a cross-sectional study, dietary Zn intake was measured using 12 d weighed records in ninety-nine vegetarians (ten vegans) aged 18–50 years and forty-nine age- and sex-matched omnivores. In men, the mean daily Zn intake and Zn density values were similar in omnivores, ovolactovegetarians and vegans, but in women they were significantly lower in vegetarians (mean intake 6·8 mg v. 8·4 mg in omnivores) and few achieved the recommended intake. Significantly more vegetarian than omnivorous women had a daily Zn intake < 6 mg (44 % v. 13 %). Mean serum Zn concentrations were similar in female omnivores and vegetarians, despite the differences in intake. However, omnivorous men had a lower mean serum Zn concentration (0·85 μg/ml v. 0·95 μg/ml) and more subjects had levels below the reference range of 0·72–1·44 μg/ml than ovolactovegetarians (P < 0·01). Overall more women than men had low Zn concentrations; and these women generally had intakes below 6 mg/d. There was a significant correlation between serum Zn concentration and dietary Zn density in vegetarians, especially females (P < 0·001), but not in omnivores. Ovolactovegetarians did not have a significantly greater risk of low Zn status than omnivores.


2015 ◽  
Vol 85 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 129-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zahra Heidari ◽  
Awat Feizi ◽  
Leila Azadbakht ◽  
Nizal Sarrafzadegan

Abstract. Background: Minerals are required for the body’s normal function. Aim: The current study assessed the intake distribution of minerals and estimated the prevalence of inadequacy and excess among a representative sample of healthy middle aged and elderly Iranian people. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the second follow up to the Isfahan Cohort Study (ICS), 1922 generally healthy people aged 40 and older were investigated. Dietary intakes were collected using 24 hour recalls and two or more consecutive food records. Distribution of minerals intake was estimated using traditional (averaging dietary intake days) and National Cancer Institute (NCI) methods, and the results obtained from the two methods, were compared. The prevalence of minerals intake inadequacy or excess was estimated using the estimated average requirement (EAR) cut-point method, the probability approach and the tolerable upper intake levels (UL). Results: There were remarkable differences between values obtained using traditional and NCI methods, particularly in the lower and upper percentiles of the estimated intake distributions. A high prevalence of inadequacy of magnesium (50 - 100 %), calcium (21 - 93 %) and zinc (30 - 55 % for males > 50 years) was observed. Significant gender differences were found regarding inadequate intakes of calcium (21 - 76 % for males vs. 45 - 93 % for females), magnesium (92 % vs. 100 %), iron (0 vs. 15 % for age group 40 - 50 years) and zinc (29 - 55 % vs. 0 %) (all; p < 0.05). Conclusion: Severely imbalanced intakes of magnesium, calcium and zinc were observed among the middle-aged and elderly Iranian population. Nutritional interventions and population-based education to improve healthy diets among the studied population at risk are needed.


2007 ◽  
Vol 77 (6) ◽  
pp. 376-381 ◽  
Author(s):  
de Souza Genaro ◽  
de Paiva Pereira ◽  
de Medeiros Pinheiro ◽  
Szejnfeld ◽  
Araújo Martini

Vitamin D is essential for maintaining calcium homeostasis and optimizing bone health. Its inadequacy is related to many factors including dietary intake. The aim of the present study was to evaluate serum 25(OH)D and its relationship with nutrient intakes in postmenopausal Brazilian women with osteoporosis. This cross-sectional study comprised 45 free-living and assisted elderly at São Paulo Hospital. Three-day dietary records were used to assess dietary intakes. Bone mineral density was measured with a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometer (DXA). Blood and urine sample were collected for analysis of biochemical markers of bone and mineral metabolism. Insufficiency of vitamin D was observed in 24.4% of the women and optimal levels (≥ 50 nmol/L) were observed in 75.6%. Parathyroid hormone was above the reference range in 51% of the participants. The mean calcium (724 mg/day) and vitamin D (4.2 μ g/day) intakes were lower than the value proposed by The Food and Nutrition Board and sodium intake was more than two-fold above the recommendation. Higher levels of serum 25(OH)D were inversely associated with sodium intake. Dietary strategies to improve serum vitamin D must focus on increasing vitamin D intake and should take a reduction of sodium intake into consideration.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
D de Assumpção ◽  
S M Álvares Domene ◽  
A M Pita Ruiz ◽  
P M Stolses Bergamo Francisco

Abstract Background The consumption of red meat should not surpass 500 g of cooked weight per week. Regular consumption can exceed this recommendation, increasing the risk of chronic diseases. Objective Estimate the prevalence of the regular consumption of red meat according to health behaviors in Brazilian adults (≥18 years). Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted with data from the 2013 National Health Survey, which is a household inquiry with a representative sample of the population ≥18 years of age. The regular consumption of red meat (beef, pork, goat) was defined as ≥ 5 days/week. Prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated according to health behaviors (healthy and unhealthy eating patterns, smoking, practice of physical activity during leisure and alcohol intake). Results A total of 60,202 adults were interviewed, 52.9% of whom were women and mean age was 42.9 years (95%CI: 42.6-43.2). The prevalence of regular red meat consumption was 36.7% (95%CI: 36.0-37.5) and was higher among those who ingested soft drinks/artificial juice (PR = 1.08) and sweets (PR = 1.05) ≥3 days/week, ingested beans (PR = 1.07) and raw vegetables (PR = 1.03) ≥5 days/week, ingested fatty meat (PR = 1.09), smokers (PR = 1.05), individuals who were inactive during leisure (PR = 1.04) and those who consumed alcohol ≥2 times/week (PR = 1.06). The prevalence was lower among those who ate fruit (PR = 0.99) and chicken (PR = 0.95) ≥5 days/week, those who ate fish (PR = 0.90) at least 1 day/week and those who drank no fat/low fat milk rather than whole milk. Conclusions The regular consumption of red meat was higher among individuals who ingested unhealthy foods more often, those who ingested fatty meat, smokers, those who ingested alcoholic beverages and those who did not practice physical activity. Actions are needed to reduce the frequency of red meat consumption. Key messages Regular consumption of red meat can exceed the recommendation of 500 g of cooked weight per week. The regular consumption of red meat was associated with the more frequent ingestion of unhealthy foods and fatty meat.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela Brenton-Rule ◽  
Daniel Harvey ◽  
Kevin Moran ◽  
Daniel O’Brien ◽  
Jonathon Webber

Abstract Background Podiatrists in New Zealand have a duty of care to assist patients in an emergency, and current cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification is a requirement for registration. However, it is unknown how competent and confident podiatrists are in administering CPR and how they would respond in an emergency. Having a health professional who has a competent knowledge of CPR and skills in basic life support, can improve survival rates from sudden cardiac arrest. Therefore, the aim of this study was to survey New Zealand podiatrists to determine their CPR knowledge and qualifications; beliefs about the application of CPR; and perceptions of their competency in CPR. Methods This cross-sectional study used a web-based survey. Participants were New Zealand registered podiatrists with a current annual practising certificate. The 31-item survey included questions to elicit demographic information, CPR practice and attitudes, and CPR knowledge. Responses were collected between March and August 2020. Results 171 podiatrists responded to the survey. 16 % of the podiatrists (n = 28) had performed CPR in an emergency, with a 50 % success rate. Participants were predominantly female (n = 127, 74 %) and working in private practice (n = 140,82 %). Nearly half of respondents were younger than 40 years (n = 75,44 %) and had less than 10 years of clinical experience (n = 73, 43 %). Nearly all (n = 169,97 %) participants had received formal CPR training in the past two years, with 60 % (n = 105) receiving training in the past 12 months. Most respondents (n = 167,98 %) self-estimated their CPR ability as being effective, very effective, or extremely effective. Participants’ knowledge of CPR was variable, with the percentage of correct answers for CPR protocol statements ranging between 20 and 90 %. Conclusions This study provides the first insight into New Zealand podiatrists’ CPR knowledge and perceptions. Podiatrists were found to have high levels of CPR confidence but demonstrated gaps in CPR knowledge. Currently, New Zealand registered podiatrists require biennial CPR re-certification. However, resuscitation authorities in New Zealand and overseas recommend an annual update of CPR skills. Based on this study’s findings, and in line with Australia and the United Kingdom, the authors recommend a change from biennial to annual CPR re-certification for podiatrists in New Zealand. Trial registration The study was registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12620001144909).


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hagos Amare Gebreyesus ◽  
Girmatsion Fisseha Abreha ◽  
Sintayehu Degu Besherae ◽  
Merhawit Atsbha Abera ◽  
Abraha Hailu Weldegerima ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Diet is central to the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Depending on the stage of the disease at which the recommended diet is initiated, optimal adherence can reduce HbA1c by about 1 to 2%. However, evidence on eating behavior is generally scarce including in Ethiopia. The present study aimed to assess the eating behavior of adults with T2DM in North Ethiopia. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted among 421 adults with T2DM from September to November 2019. Socio-demographic variables were collected using structured questionnaires; an asset-based wealth index was used to determine socioeconomic status. Three dimensions of eating behavior were assessed using Likert-type items: food selection, meal planning and calorie recognition. Raw Likert scores in each dimension were transformed to percent scales to maximum (%SM). Participants’ behavior in each dimension was categorized into healthy and unhealthy taking 66.7% SM score as a cutoff. Overall eating behavior was determined by aggregating ranks scored in the three dimensions. Correlates of overall eating behavior were identified using Chi-square test and multinomial logistic regression with statistical significance set at P-value < 0.05. Result Only 1% of the participants had overall healthy eating behavior. Yet, overall unhealthy eating was apparent in 54.4%. By dimensions, healthy eating behaviors in food selection, meal planning and calorie recognition were seen in 43.5, 7.4 and 2.9% participants, respectively. Factors that were positively associated with having healthy eating behavior in one dimension relative to unhealthy in all were: receiving nutrition education [AOR 1.73; CI 1.09, 2.74], female gender [AOR 1.78; CI 1.03, 3.08] & being in 26–44 age category [AOR 3.7; CI 1.56, 8.85]. But, being in the poor [AOR 0.42; CI 0.16, 1.32] or average [AOR 0.54; CI 0.19, 1.55] socioeconomic strata were negatively associated. However, only receiving nutrition education [AOR 3.65; CI 1.31, 10.18] was significantly associated with having healthy behavior in two eating dimensions over unhealthy in all. Conclusion In North Ethiopia, the overall eating behavior of adults with T2DM is extremely poor. Diverse and integrated approaches including nutrition education during consultation should be implemented to address the gap.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fahimeh Haghighatdoost ◽  
Awat Feizi ◽  
Ahmad Esmaillzadeh ◽  
Ammar Hassanzadeh Keshteli ◽  
Hamid Afshar ◽  
...  

Abstract The authors investigate the association of breakfast skipping and its interaction with a dietary inflammatory index (DII) with the severity of psychological disorders. A total of 2876 Iranian general adults were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Psychological problems profile score was calculated using the regression method in the framework of factor analysis based on depression, anxiety and psychological distress. The higher scores indicate more severity of mental problem. The frequency of breakfast eating in a week was assessed. Dietary intakes were assessed using a food-frequency questionnaire and twenty-seven items were included in the calculation of DII. In the crude model, individuals who ate breakfast seldom had the highest odds for having worse psychological problems profile (OR 3⋅59; 95 % CI 2⋅52, 5⋅11). Adjustment for various confounders did not change the associations (OR 3⋅35; 95 % CI 2⋅11, 5⋅32). In the adjusted multinomial logistic regression model, participants with high DII (>median) who skipped breakfast had highest risk of being in the higher tertiles of psychological problems profile compared with those who had low DII (<median) and ate breakfast (OR 6⋅67; 95 % CI 3⋅45, 12⋅90). Similar results were observed in women and men regarding the impact of breakfast skipping alone and interaction with DII on scores of psychological problems profile. Breakfast skipping is associated with higher risk of psychological problems. Similar findings were obtained in the stratified analysis by sex. Our findings confirmed that the DII and breakfast skipping are associated with mental health, interactionally. Further longitudinal studies are needed to confirm the true link between breakfast skipping and psychological problems.


2010 ◽  
Vol 16 (12) ◽  
pp. 1422-1431 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruce V Taylor ◽  
John F Pearson ◽  
Glynnis Clarke ◽  
Deborah F Mason ◽  
David A Abernethy ◽  
...  

Background: The prevalence of multiple sclerosis (MS) is not uniform, with a latitudinal gradient of prevalence present in most studies. Understanding the drivers of this gradient may allow a better understanding of the environmental factors involved in MS pathogenesis. Method: The New Zealand national MS prevalence study (NZMSPS) is a cross-sectional study of people with definite MS (DMS) (McDonald criteria 2005) resident in New Zealand on census night, 7 March 2006, utilizing multiple sources of notification. Capture—recapture analysis (CRA) was used to estimate missing cases. Results: Of 2917 people with DMS identified, the crude prevalence was 72.4 per 100,000 population, and 73.1 per 100,000 when age-standardized to the European population. CRA estimated that 96.7% of cases were identified. A latitudinal gradient was seen with MS prevalence increasing three-fold from the North (35°S) to the South (48°S). The gradient was non-uniform; females with relapsing—remitting/secondary-progressive (RRMS/SPMS) disease have a gradient 11 times greater than males with primary-progressive MS ( p < 1 × 10-7). DMS was significantly less common among those of Māori ethnicity. Conclusions: This study confirms the presence of a robust latitudinal gradient of MS prevalence in New Zealand. This gradient is largely driven by European females with the RRMS/SPMS phenotype. These results indicate that the environmental factors that underlie the latitudinal gradient act differentially by gender, ethnicity and MS phenotype. A better understanding of these factors may allow more targeted MS therapies aimed at modifiable environmental triggers at the population level.


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