scholarly journals Evaluation of the Proximity of Singaporean Children’s Dietary Habits to Food-Based Dietary Guidelines

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 2615 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iain A Brownlee ◽  
Jasmine Low ◽  
Naageswari Duriraju ◽  
Mavis Chun ◽  
Jessica Xiu Yan Ong ◽  
...  

Dietary habits in children may not only impact current health status but could also shape future, lifelong dietary choices. Dietary intake data in Singaporean children are limited. The current study aimed to define the overall diet quality of Singaporean children using an existing cross-sectional dataset and to consider how demographic factors (i.e., body mass index (BMI) status, ethnicity, age, and sex) were associated with these scores. Existing, cross-sectional dietary data (n = 561 children aged 6–12 years, collected in 2014–2015) from duplicate 24-h recalls were assessed for diet quality using an index based on the Singaporean Health Promotion Board dietary guidelines. Total diet quality scores were calculated from ten different components (frequencies of rice and alternatives, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, meat and alternatives, dairy and alternatives, total fat, saturated fat, sodium intake, and added sugars). Association with demographic factors and BMI category was evaluated by one-way multivariate ANOVA (MANOVA) tests, with Bonferroni post hoc analyses. Median (interquartile range) total diet quality scores were 65.4 (57.1–73.0). Median scores for whole grains (0.0, 0.0–33.4), fruits (24.1, 0.0–65.3), vegetables (36.5, 10.4-89.8), and sodium (58.4, 0.0–100.0) intake were frequently sub-optimal. Children of Malay ethnic origin had statistically lower total diet quality scores ((55.3, 47.5–60.3) vs. other ethnic groups (combined median 65.4 (57.1, 73.0); p < 0.001). These findings highlight the need for continuing efforts to improve dietary intake in young Singaporeans and for longitudinal dietary monitoring in this group.

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 2995
Author(s):  
Mia Eng Tay ◽  
Emma Foster ◽  
Leo Stevenson ◽  
Iain Brownlee

There are currently limited data on the dietary habits of young Singaporeans. This study aimed to evaluate the adherence of 17–21 year olds attending different educational institutions using a novel diet-quality scoring method. Dietary data were collected using a single weekday 24 h dietary recall in a cross section of 536 Singaporeans aged 17–21 years. An 11 category scoring system (0.0–100.0) was used to define adherence to food based dietary guidelines. Demographic and self-reported data were also collected via a questionnaire, BMI status, and using Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis (non-parametric) tests, with post-hoc Bonferroni-corrected tests. The median diet quality score was 48.5 (IQR 40.5, 56.4) for this cohort, with component scores for “Total fruit”, “Whole fruit”, “Total vegetables”, “Dark green leafy & orange vegetables”, “Whole grains”, “Dairy products”, and “Sodium” frequently scoring the minimum value. Median diet quality scores were statistically different for groups by ethnic origin (p < 0.001) and by educational institution (p < 0.001). Intake of fruit, vegetables, and whole grains is minimal, while sodium intake is frequently too high in young Singaporeans. Differences across ethnic groups and types of educational institutions suggest the need for targeted interventions to improve dietary habits in this population.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danilo C. Noronha ◽  
Monique I. A. F. Santos ◽  
Adrianny A. Santos ◽  
Lizia G. A. Corrente ◽  
Rúbia K. N. Fernandes ◽  
...  

Nutrition education is one of the factors that may help to promote behavior change and therefore may improve the dietary habits of adolescent soccer players. However, information about the relationship between nutrition knowledge (NK) and the dietary behavior of these athletes is scarce. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the eating habits of adolescent soccer players and analyse the correlations among dietary intake and NK. Seventy-three Brazilian adolescent soccer players (aged 14–19 years), from four professional clubs, underwent anthropometric evaluation and completed 3-day food records. Misreporting of energy intake was evaluated and the dietary intake data were energy-adjusted and compared with recommendations for athletes and dietary reference intakes. The athletes also answered a questionnaire about barriers for healthy eating and a nutrition knowledge test divided into three sections: Basic Nutrition Knowledge (BNK), Sports Nutrition Knowledge (SNK), and Food Pyramid Nutrition Knowledge (FPNK). The participants showed a low NK (54.6%) and an inadequate intake of fruits, vegetables, dairy, carbohydrates, and micronutrients. A positive correlation was found between the ingestion of phosphorus and FPNK as well as among calcium and both SNK and Total NK (p<0.05). Sodium intake was negatively correlated with all categories of the NK test (p<0.05). The adolescents reported that the principal barriers for adopting a healthy diet were the lack of willpower and a busy lifestyle. In this context, nutrition education is recommended and should also provide practicable healthy eating goals according to athletes´ lifestyle as well as target motivational barriers to increase adherence.


Circulation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 141 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Valerie Sullivan ◽  
Kristina Petersen ◽  
Victor Fulgoni ◽  
Fulya Eren ◽  
Martha E Cassens ◽  
...  

Introduction: The Healthy Eating Index (HEI)-2015 quantifies alignment with the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans by scoring and totaling 13 components. Higher scores have been associated with lower all-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality. The contributions of individual components toward total diet quality and associations with health in American adults have not been determined. Hypothesis: It was hypothesized that the individual HEI-2015 components would differentially contribute to total diet quality and correlate with CVD risk factors in U.S. adults. Methods: Non-pregnant, non-lactating adult participants (age 19+ years) in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2001-2016 with at least one reliable 24-hour dietary recall were included in the analysis (n=39,799). Total and component HEI-2015 scores were calculated per person using a single recall. Linear regression models accounting for the complex sampling design were used to assess associations between total and component HEI-2015 scores and CVD risk factors after adjustment for potential confounders. Significance of beta coefficients was defined by p<0.01. Results: Total HEI-2015 score was positively associated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C; ß±SE, 0.10±0.01 mg/dL) and inversely associated with BMI (-0.05±0 kg/m 2 ), waist circumference (WC; -0.13±0.01 cm), systolic blood pressure (SBP; -0.04±0.01 mmHg), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C; -0.09±0.03 mg/dL), triglycerides (-0.20±0.08 mg/dL), fasting glucose (-0.05±0.02 mg/dL), and insulin (-0.03±0.01 μU/mL). All component scores increased with total score. The Whole Grains and Fatty Acid Ratio components made the greatest contributions (both +0.12 points or 12%) to each one-unit increase in HEI-2015, followed by moderation components Refined Grains and Saturated Fat (both +0.11 or 11%). Increases in the Fatty Acid Ratio score were explained by decreasing saturated fat (-1.67 g/unit, 95% CI: -1.73 to -1.61) and increasing polyunsaturated fat (PUFA; 1.17 g/unit, 95% CI: 1.12, 1.22); increases in monounsaturated fats were relatively small (0.18 g/unit, 95% CI: 0.11 to 0.25). The predominant PUFA was linoleic acid, which increased 1.06 g/unit (95% CI: 1.02 to 1.11). Scores for grain-related components were favorably associated with BMI, WC, SBP and HDL-C; fat quality components were inversely associated with BMI, WC, HDL-C, LDL-C, and triglycerides. Conclusion: Diet quality is favorably associated with several CVD risk factors. Approximately 50% of each 1-point increase in HEI-2015 is related to the quality of grain-based products and fat sources. Choosing whole grains instead of refined grains, and PUFA in place of saturated fats, is associated with improvements in diet quality and cardiovascular health.


2018 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
pp. 117863881881884
Author(s):  
Dalila Pinto de Souza Fernandes ◽  
Maria Sônia Lopes Duarte ◽  
Milene Cristine Pessoa ◽  
Sylvia do Carmo Castro Franceschini ◽  
Andréia Queiroz Ribeiro

Background: The food consumption assessment is necessary to monitor elderly’s nutritional status because it allows detecting nutrition deficits and guiding the elaboration of effective conducts. Objective: The objective of this study is to assess the global quality of the elderly’s diet in Viçosa—MG, Brazil. Methods: This is a population-based cross-sectional study, involving noninstitutionalized elderly. Diet quality was assessed through the Brazilian Healthy Eating Index-Revised (BHEI-R) validated to the Brazilian population. Results: The study comprised 620 elderly individuals. The mean total BHEI-R score was 64.28. The worse consumption scores concerned the components Whole grains, Milk and derivatives, Sodium, Total fruit, and Whole fruit. Approximately 82% scored zero (0%) for Whole grains and 67% for Sodium. Men presented significantly lower scores than women, who have presented maximal score in the same items. Women’s scores were not only significantly higher for Total fruit, Whole fruit, Milk and derivatives, but also significantly lower for Saturated fat. Discussion: Most elderly need to improve their diet quality. Strategies heading toward the improvement of diet quality must be priority in policies to health promotion toward the healthy and active aging.


Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 1056 ◽  
Author(s):  
Celeste Ferraris ◽  
Alexandria Turner ◽  
Kiranjit Kaur ◽  
Jessica Piper ◽  
Martin Veysey ◽  
...  

A small amount of emerging research has observed variations between individual sensitivity, preference and intake of salt in the presence of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) on the genes encoding salt taste receptors. Sodium intake is a significant risk factor for common diseases in elderly populations such as hypertension and cardiovascular disease; however, this does not fully explain the risk. Research into the influence of salt taste genetics on diet quality is yet to be undertaken and current research on indicators of health is limited and mixed in the direction of associations. Therefore, a secondary analysis of data from a well-characterised elderly cohort (the cross-sectional Retirement Health and Lifestyle Study, n = 536) was conducted to explore relationships between the salt taste-related SNP TRPV1-rs8065080 (assessed by Taqman genotyping assay), dietary habits and biomarkers of health. Data were analysed with standard least squares regression modelling and Tukey’s HSD post hoc tests. No association was found between the TRPV1-rs8065080 genotype, sodium intake or multiple diet quality indices (assessed by food frequency questionnaire). Sodium-related markers of health including blood pressure and markers of kidney function (urinary creatinine and albumin/creatinine ratio) and general health markers, such as Body Mass Index (BMI), were also not related to TRPV1-rs8065080 genotype. To date, this study is the most comprehensive investigation conducted to determine if the TRPV1-rs8065080 genotype relates to sodium intake and health markers influenced by sodium intake. Although no significant relationships were found, these findings are an important contribution to the limited body of knowledge surround this SNP. In addition to further research across other ages and cultures, the TRPV1-rs8065080 genotype may interact with other ion channels, and so further studies are required to determine if polymorphic variations influence sodium intake, diet and health.


2019 ◽  
Vol 109 (3) ◽  
pp. 656-664 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary J Christoph ◽  
Nicole I Larson ◽  
Megan R Winkler ◽  
Melanie M Wall ◽  
Dianne Neumark-Sztainer

ABSTRACT Background Establishing healthy dietary habits during adolescence and young adulthood is critical for long-term health. Objectives This study assessed the prevalence of meeting US Dietary Guidelines and trajectories in dietary intake for 4 MyPlate food groups during the transition from adolescence to young adulthood. Methods Three waves of surveys and food frequency questionnaires were collected as part of Project EAT (Eating and Activity in Teens and Young Adults), a 15-y longitudinal study. Adolescents (n = 1177, 57% female, mean ± SD age 15.0 ± 1.5 y) were recruited in 1998–1999 in Minneapolis-St Paul, Minnesota public schools and were resurveyed twice in young adulthood at mean ± SD ages 25.3 ± 1.5 and 31.1 ± 1.5 y. The prevalence of meeting guidelines for each MyPlate food group was calculated at each time point. Mean daily servings were compared over 5 y in young adulthood through the use of paired t tests. Adjusted least-squares means were calculated to compare dietary intake in young adulthood across quartiles of adolescent intake. Results Adolescents had the highest prevalence of meeting dietary guidelines for fruit (37% for females and 30% for males) and dairy (53% for females and 61% for males); young adults >30 y had the highest prevalence of meeting dietary guidelines for vegetables (19% for females and 8% for males) and whole grains (23% for females and 17% for males). From the mid-twenties to early thirties, vegetable intake increased, whereas dairy intake decreased. Dietary intake generally tracked over time with individuals in the lower quartiles of intake at adolescence generally continuing to have low intake in young adulthood. Conclusions Although the prevalence of meeting dietary guidelines for whole grains and vegetables, and daily servings of vegetables increased with age, improving intake of whole fruit, whole grains, dairy, and vegetables remains key during the transition from adolescence to young adulthood.


Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 2668 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shanthy A Bowman

Consumer demand for plant-based foods is increasing though the reasons may vary. Plant foods are sole sources of dietary fiber, vitamin C, and flavonoids and good sources of vitamin B1, folic acid, potassium, and magnesium. They are low in saturated fat, and do not contain cholesterol and vitamin B12. Plant foods are associated with better body weight and healthy blood lipid profile. This cross-sectional study used nationally representative National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2013–2016 data and compared nutrient and food pattern food group intakes of adults eating a vegetarian-style diet with adults eating a nonvegetarian diet. Adults 20+ years (N = 10,064) were grouped using the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2015–2020 definition of vegetarian-style diet, which is modelled as lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet. Trained dietary interviewers collected self-reported dietary intake data using a 24-h recall and an automated multi-pass method. Means were compared using linear contrasts (p < 0.01). On average, the vegetarians ate an estimated 419 fewer kilocalories, 7 g less saturated fat, and 1274 mg less sodium. The vegetarian-style diet was higher in micronutrient density, except for vitamin B12 and zinc. The vegetarians ate more whole grains, legumes, nuts, and soy products. Fruit, vegetables, and dairy intakes were similar for both groups. A vegetarian-style diet may be advocated to control energy, saturated fat, and sodium intakes.


2010 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 1829-1837 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cynthia Bou Khalil ◽  
Louise Johnson-Down ◽  
Grace M Egeland

AbstractObjectiveTo describe dietary habits and extent of overweight and obesity among Cree youth.DesignDietary intake and habits were assessed by a 24 h recall and FFQ as part of a cross-sectional survey.SettingThree Cree communities in northern Québec, Canada.SubjectsA total of 125 youth aged 9–18 years.ResultsOverall 67·6 % of the study population was either at risk of overweight or overweight. Over 98 % had a usual saturated fat intake over 10 % of energy while 65 % had a lower consumption of fruit/vegetables and 95 % had a lower consumption of milk and milk products than recommended by Canada’s Food Guide. The majority (96·8 %) consumed high-fat foods (>40 % of total energy as fat), which accounted for 39 % of total energy intake (EI). Similarly, 92·8 % consumed high-sugar food and beverages (>25 % of total energy as sugar), which accounted for 12·8 % of total EI. Furthermore, 95 % of the youth had a Healthy Eating Index (HEI) below the recommended score of 80 or above. Certain measures of diet quality (traditional food (TF) consumption, HEI and vegetables and fruit consumption) were significantly correlated with adiposity measures.ConclusionsA high prevalence of low-diet quality was found with a high degree of sugar and fat intake and a low consumption of vegetables/fruit and milk/milk alternates and any weekly TF. Dietary interventions are sorely needed.


Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 20
Author(s):  
Blain Murphy ◽  
Tony Benson ◽  
Amanda McCloat ◽  
Elaine Mooney ◽  
Chris Elliott ◽  
...  

COVID-19 has led to dramatic societal changes. Differing movement restrictions across countries have affected changes in consumers’ food practices, with a potentially detrimental impact on their health and food systems. To investigate this, this research explored changes in consumers’ food practices during the initial COVID-19 phase and assessed the impact of location on these changes. A sample of 2360 adults from three continents (Island of Ireland (IOI), Great Britain (GB), United States (USA), and New Zealand (NZ)) were recruited for a cross-sectional online survey (May–June 2020). Participants completed questions in relation to their cooking and food practices, diet quality, and COVID-19 food-related practices. Significant changes in consumers’ food practices during the pandemic were seen within and between regions, with fewer cooking practices changes found in the USA. Food practices, which may put added pressure on the food system, such as bulk buying, were seen across all regions. To prevent this, organisational food practices, including planning ahead, should be emphasized. Additionally, while positive cooking-related practices and increases in fruit and vegetable intake were found, an increase in saturated fat intake was also seen. With the additional pressure on individuals’ physical and mental health, the essentiality of maintaining a balanced diet should be promoted.


Author(s):  
Jin-Won Noh ◽  
Kyoung-Beom Kim ◽  
Jae Heon Kim ◽  
Young Dae Kwon

Sodium intake could have an indirect effect on storage symptoms as it is an established fact that it has a correlation to hypertension (HTN). However, clinical support for the correlation of sodium intake to STORAGE symptom remains scarce. Therefore, the present work sought to determine how sodium intake and OAB symptom seriousness were correlated in female individuals based on a cross-sectional research design. Data from 115,578 respondents chosen from 228,921 individuals enrolled in the Korean Community Health Survey (KCHS) were subjected to cross-sectional analysis. The correlation amongst sodium intake and STORAGE symptom was assessed on the basis of estimates of the incidence rate ratio (IRR) with 95% confidence interval (CI). Furthermore, joint correspondence analysis (JCA) was conducted to investigate how a predilection for salty taste was associated with several factors, including STORAGE symptom, socio-economic factors, comorbidities, and dietary habits. By comparison to respondents indicating a neutral predilection for salty taste, those who indicated a predilection for bland and salty taste were 7.1% (IRR = 1.071, p < 0.001, 95% CI = 1.045–1.097) and 20.5% (IRR = 1.205, p < 0.001, 95% CI = 1.177–1.234) more probable to experience severe STORAGE symptom, within an adjusted model with multiple variables. JCA confirmed the existence of a correlation between predilection for salty taste and STORAGE symptom. A close correlation was established to exist between predilection for salty taste and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), such as voiding and storage symptoms and nocturia. Moreover, sodium intake was found to be a risk factor for LUTS seriousness in both excessive and deficient amount.


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