Dietary intake and the insulin-like growth factor system: effects of migration in two related populations in India and Britain with markedly different dietary intake

BACKGROUND: The insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system is implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. OBJECTIVE: We report the effects of total energy intake on the IGF system in two populations with markedly different dietary macronutrient intake and cardiovascular event rate. DESIGN, SUBJECTS AND SETTING: Dietary macronutrient intake was measured in a specific Gujarati migrant community in Sandwell, UK (n=205) compared with people still resident in the same villages of origin in India (n=246). Fasting IGF-I, IGF-binding protein (IGFBP)-1 and IGFBP-3, insulin and glucose (0 and 2-hour) were measured. RESULTS: Total energy and total fat intake were higher in UK migrants, as were IGFBP-3 and IGF-I (mean (95% confidence interval): 145.9 (138.1-153.6) vs. 100.9 (94.6-107.3) ng ml(-1); F=76.6, P<0.001). IGFBP-1 was lower in UK migrants (29.5 (25.9-33.0) vs. 56.5 (50.6-62.5) microg l(-1); F=48.4, P<0.001). At both sites, IGF-I correlated positively with total energy (Spearman's rho=0.45, P<0.001) and total fat (rho=0.44, P<0.001) as did IGFBP-3 with total energy (rho=0.21, P<0.05) and fat (rho=0.26, P<0.001). Conversely, in Indian Gujaratis, IGFBP-1 fell with increasing total energy (rho=-0.27, P<0.001) and fat intake (rho=-0.26, P<0.01) but not in UK Gujaratis. Multiple linear regression modelling showed that increasing quartiles of fat intake were associated with higher IGF-I (beta=0.42, P=0.007) independent of age, body mass index, plasma insulin, fatty acids and 2-hour glucose. CONCLUSION: In these genetically similar groups, migration to the UK and adoption of a different diet is associated with marked changes in the IGF system, suggesting that environmental factors profoundly modulate serum concentrations and actions of IGFs.     

Milk as a food for growth? The insulin-like growth factors link

OBJECTIVE: The mechanisms underlying the association of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and leg length (a marker of prepubertal growth) with cancer risk are uncertain. One hypothesis is that diet in early childhood might provide the link. The aim of the present study was to examine the association between early diet - in particular, the intakes of cows' milk and dairy products - and height, leg length and IGF-I levels at age 7-8 years.SUBJECTS: Children participating in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children.DESIGN: Diet was assessed using a 3-day unweighed food record. Anthropometry, IGF-I and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) were measured by standard methods.RESULTS: Data on both diet and height were available for 744 children (404 boys) and on diet and IGF for 538 (295 boys). After adjusting for energy, both cows' milk and dairy product intakes were positively associated with IGF-I (P=0.040 and 0.027, respectively) and IGFBP-3 levels (P=0.082 and 0.067, respectively). These associations persisted on adjustment for potential confounders, but were abolished on controlling for protein intake. In energy-adjusted models there was only weak evidence of associations of milk and dairy product intakes with anthropometry. In boys only, dairy product intake was positively associated with leg length (equivalent to a 0.058 (0.002, 0.114) standard deviation score increase in leg length per 100 g increase in daily intake).CONCLUSIONS: These data provide some evidence that variation in childhood milk and dairy product intakes underlies associations of leg length, IGF-I and cancer risk. The association appears to be due to the protein content of milk.     

Effects of dietary supplementation with cysteamine on growth hormone receptor and insulin-like growth factor system in finishing pigs

The present study was conducted to test the hypothesis that chronic cysteamine (CS) supplementation may affect serum insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I concentrations and growth hormone (GH) receptor (GHR), IGF-I, IGF-I receptor (IGF-IR), IGF binding protein (IGFBP)-3, and insulin receptor (IR) mRNA levels in different tissues of finishing pigs. A total of 24 finishing pigs (60.05 +/- 1.24 kg; 12 gilts and 12 barrows) were assigned randomly to one of the three dietary groups, with four pens/group (per pen: one gilt, one barrow). The pigs were fed a basal diet containing 0 (control), 70, or 140 mg/kg cysteamine feed additive (containing 28% cysteamine hydrochloride) for 47 days. The results indicated that CS supplementation (70 mg/kg) increased the average daily gain (ADG) and serum IGF-I level, upregulated mRNA levels of GHR and IGF-I (liver, stomach, muscle), IGF-IR (stomach, duodenum, muscle), and IGFBP-3 (liver) but downregulated IGFBP-3 (stomach, duodenum, muscle). CS supplementation (70 mg/kg) did not affect mRNA levels of GHR and IGF-I (duodenum), IGF-IR (liver), and IR (liver, stomach, duodenum, muscle). CS supplementation (140 mg/kg) downregulated GHR (duodenum), IGF-I, and IGF-IR mRNA (liver, stomach, duodenum, muscle) but upregulated IGFBP-3 and IR mRNA (liver, stomach, duodenum, muscle) and did not affect ADG and serum IGF-I concentration. Collectively, the results suggest that dietary CS supplementation modulates the growth rate, serum IGF-I concentrations, and the gene expression of GHR, IGF-I, IGF-IR, IGFBP-3, and IR in a dose-dependent manner. CS supplementation has tissue-specific regulation of GHR, IGF-I, IGF-IR, and IGFBP-3 mRNA levels. Moreover, the results also imply the possible physiologic role of the GH-IGF axis in mediating the dietary CS supplementation-supported growth of finishing pigs.     

Eating at fast-food restaurants is associated with dietary intake, demographic, psychosocial and behavioural factors among African Americans in North Carolina

OBJECTIVE: To examine associations of the frequency of eating at fast-food restaurants with demographic, behavioural and psychosocial factors and dietary intake in African American adults. METHODS: Self-reported data from a population-based cross-sectional survey of 658 African Americans, aged 20-70 years, in North Carolina. An 11-page questionnaire assessed eating at fast-food restaurants, demographic, behavioural and diet-related psychosocial factors, and dietary intake (fruit, vegetable, total fat and saturated fat intakes, and fat-related dietary behaviours). RESULTS: The participants were aged 43.9+/-11.6 years (mean+/-standard deviation), 41% were male, 37% were college graduates and 75% were overweight or obese. Seventy-six per cent reported eating at fast-food restaurants during the previous 3 months: 4% usually, 22% often and 50% sometimes. Frequency of eating at fast-food restaurants was positively associated with total fat and saturated fat intakes and fat-related dietary behaviours (P<0.0001) and inversely associated with vegetable intake (P<0.05). For example, mean daily fat intake was 39.0 g for usually/often respondents and 28.3 g for those reporting rare/never eating at fast-food restaurants. Participants who reported usual/often eating at fast-food restaurants were younger, never married, obese, physically inactive and multivitamin non-users (all P<0.01). Frequency of eating at fast-food restaurants was positively associated with fair/poor self-rated health, weak belief in a diet-cancer relationship, low self-efficacy for healthy eating, weight dissatisfaction, and perceived difficulties of preparing healthy meals and ordering healthy foods in restaurants (all P<0.05). Frequency of eating at fast-food restaurants did not differ significantly by sex, education, smoking, ability to purchase healthy foods or knowledge of the Food Guide Pyramid. CONCLUSIONS: Eating at fast-food restaurants is associated with higher fat and lower vegetable intakes in African Americans. Interventions to reduce fast-food consumption and obesity in African Americans should consider demographic and behavioural characteristics and address attitudes about diet-disease relationships and convenience barriers to healthy eating.     

Validity of a food-frequency questionnaire for elderly men in southeast China

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the internal validity of a food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ) developed for a case-control study of prostate cancer in southeast China. DESIGN: A comprehensive questionnaire comprising a quantitative FFQ and a short food habit questionnaire (SFHQ) was developed and modified from previous cancer and nutritional studies. The Goldberg formula (ratio of energy intake (EI) to basal metabolic rate (BMR), EI/BMR) was used to assess the validity of the FFQ by making comparisons with physical activity levels. Physical activity levels were measured by the estimated total metabolic equivalents (MET) and the ratio of energy expenditure (EE) to BMR (EE/BMR). Correlation analyses were undertaken to compare the SFHQ variables with those of the quantitative FFQ. SETTING: Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China. SUBJECTS: A total of 404 men over 45 years old with or without prostate cancer were recruited from eight hospitals. RESULTS: The partial correlation coefficients, controlling for age and family history of prostate cancer, were moderate to high (P<0.05) for preserved foods intake, fat consumption and tea drinking variables between the SFHQ and the quantitative FFQ. The average EI/BMR was 1.72, with 76% of subjects exceeding the Goldberg cut-off value of 1.35. Apart from weight, BMI, EE/BMR and MET, there were no significant differences in characteristics between low (<1.35) and normal EI/BMR groups. CONCLUSIONS: The FFQ is demonstrated to be a valid instrument to measure energy and food intake for elderly men in southeast China.     

Alcohol and dietary fibre intakes affect circulating sex hormones among premenopausal women

BACKGROUND: The association of alcohol and fibre intake with breast cancer may be mediated by circulating sex hormone levels, which are predictors of breast cancer risk. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship of alcohol and dietary fibre intake with circulating sex hormone levels among premenopausal women. METHODS: A total of 205 premenopausal women completed a validated food-frequency questionnaire at baseline and after 2 years; blood samples taken at the same time were analysed for circulating sex hormone concentrations, including oestrone (E1), oestradiol (E2), free E2, progesterone, androstenedione and sex hormone-binding globulin, by radioimmunoassay. We used mixed models to estimate least-square means of sex hormone concentrations for alcohol intake categories and quartiles of dietary intake. RESULTS: After adjustment for covariates, alcohol consumption was moderately associated with higher circulating oestrogen levels; those who consumed more than one drink per day had 20% higher E2 (Ptrend=0.07) levels than non-drinkers. In contrast, higher dietary fibre intake was associated with lower serum levels of androstenedione (-8% between the lowest and highest quartiles of intake, Ptrend=0.06), but not oestrogens. Similarly, consumption of fruits (-12%, Ptrend=0.03), vegetables (-9%, Ptrend=0.15) and whole grains (-7%, Ptrend=0.07) showed inverse associations with androstenedione levels. CONCLUSIONS: The consistency of the observed differences in sex hormone levels associated with alcohol and fibre-rich foods indicates that these nutritional factors may affect sex hormone concentrations and play a role in breast cancer aetiology and prevention.     

Dietary intake and body mass index in HIV-positive and HIV-negative drug abusers of Hispanic ethnicity

OBJECTIVE: Malnutrition in drug abusers has been attributed to poor diet. However, previous studies are conflicting. Many studies have not considered possible concurrent HIV disease. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between drug abuse and dietary intake in Hispanic Americans with and without HIV infection. DESIGN: Dietary intake was measured using 3-day food records and 24-hour dietary recalls in three groups: HIV-positive drug abusers, HIV-negative drug abusers and HIV-positive persons who do not use drugs ('non-drug abusers'). SETTING: The baseline data from a prospective cohort study of the role of drug abuse in HIV/AIDS weight loss and malnutrition conducted in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. SUBJECTS: The first 284 participants to enroll in the study. RESULTS: HIV-positive drug abusers had a body mass index (BMI) that was significantly lower than that of HIV-positive non-drug abusers. Reported energy, fat and fibre intakes did not differ between groups. All groups had median reported intakes of vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, selenium and zinc that were in excess of the dietary reference values (DRI). Intakes of alpha-tocopherol were below the DRI, but did not differ from intakes of the general US population. However, increasing levels of drug abuse were associated with lower reported intakes of vitamin B6, vitamin B12, selenium and zinc. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, this study does not support the notion that dietary intake can explain the lower BMI of HIV-positive drug abusers. Further studies examining non-dietary determinants of nutritional status in drug abusers are warranted.     

灌后通气处理对温室黄瓜生长和品质的影响

Rhizosphere aeration, irrigation with aerated water, and post-irrigation aeration would positively impact crop growth and yield. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of 4 post-irrigation aeration levels on plant growth, yield, irrigation-use efficiency （IUE）, and fruit market and nutritional quality of greenhouse cucumber under subsurface drip irrigation （SDI） and furrow irrigation （FI）. The post-irrigation aeration levels were 0.00, 0.50, 0.75, and 1.00 times half the estimated porosity of the plot rhizosphere. The experimental design was a two-faetor split-plot in randomized complete blocks with irrigation （FI and SDI） as the main treatments and 4 aeration levels as the sub-treatments. Ridge and furrow main plots （2.4 m ~ 2.4 m） with 4 ridges were replicated 5 times. Each of the 4 ridges （1.44 m2 in area） in the main plots was used as a sub-treatment plot. The results showed that post-irrigation aeration enhanced greenhouse cucumber plant growth, yield, IUE, and fruit market and nutritional quality. These parameters generally increased with increasing aeration levels under both FI and SDI. The aeration effect was generally higher under SDI than FI, and the IUE under SDI was almost twice that under FI. Further investigation would be required to elucidate the plant physiological mechanisms and soil processes responsible for the observed effects.     

Glycaemic index, glycaemic load and ovarian cancer risk: a prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND: There is some evidence that plasma insulin levels might influence ovarian cancer risk. Glycaemic index (GI) and glycaemic load (GL) are measures that allow the carbohydrate content of individual foods to be classified according to their postprandial glycaemic effects and hence their effects on circulating insulin levels. Therefore, we examined ovarian cancer risk in association with GI and GL, and intake of dietary carbohydrate and sugar. METHODS: The study was conducted in a prospective cohort of 49 613 Canadian women enrolled in the National Breast Screening Study (NBSS) who completed a self-administered food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ) between 1980 and 1985. Linkages to national mortality and cancer databases yielded data on deaths and cancer incidence, with follow-up ending between 1998 and 2000. Data from the FFQ were used to estimate overall GI and GL, and Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between energy-adjusted quartile levels of GL, overall GI, total carbohydrates, total sugar and ovarian cancer risk. RESULTS: During a mean 16.4 years of follow-up, we observed 264 incident ovarian cancer cases. GI and total carbohydrate and sugar intakes were not associated with ovarian cancer risk in the total cohort. GL was positively associated with a 72% increase in risk of ovarian cancer (HR=1.72, 95% CI=1.13-2.62, Ptrend=0.01) and the magnitude of the association was slightly greater among postmenopausal (HR=1.89, 95% CI=0.98-3.65, Ptrend=0.03) than among premenopausal women (HR=1.64, 95% CI=0.95-2.88, Ptrend=0.07). CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that consumption of diets with high GL values may be associated with increased risk of ovarian cancer.     

Associations between parental report of the home food environment and adolescent intakes of fruits, vegetables and dairy foods

OBJECTIVE: This study examines parental report of household food availability, parent dietary intake and associations with adolescent intakes of fruits, vegetables and dairy foods. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. Adolescents completed the Project EAT survey and the Youth Adolescent Food Frequency Questionnaire at school. Parents of adolescents were interviewed by telephone about the home food environment, eating habits and weight-related behaviours. General linear modelling was used to compare dietary intakes of adolescents across different levels of household food availability and parental intakes. SUBJECTS/SETTING: The study sample included 902 adolescents and their parent or guardian. RESULTS: Many parents were not consuming the minimum number of daily recommended fruit (44.5%), vegetable (69.9%) or dairy (46.9%) servings. While most parents reported that fruits and vegetables were available at home (90.3%) and vegetables were usually served at dinner (87.0%), fewer parents reported milk was served at meals (66.6%). Soft drinks were usually available at home (56.8%). Among girls, household availability was positively associated with fruit and vegetable intake (ttrend=2.70, P<0.01) and soft drink availability was inversely associated with dairy intake (ttrend=2.08, P=0.04). Among boys, serving milk at meals was positively associated with dairy intake (ttrend=3.65, P<0.01). Parental intakes were positively associated with dairy intake for boys (ttrend=2.04, P=0.04), and with dairy (ttrend=2.43, P=0.01), vegetable (ttrend=3.72, P<0.01) and fruit (ttrend=3.17, P<0.01) intakes for girls. CONCLUSIONS/APPLICATIONS: Interventions designed to help adolescents improve consumption of fruits, vegetables and dairy foods may be enhanced by including a parental component aimed at increasing household availability and parents' intake of healthful food choices.     

A regional food-frequency questionnaire for the US Mississippi Delta

OBJECTIVE: To describe food sources of nutrient intake for white and African American adults in the Lower Mississippi Delta (LMD), and their use in the development of a regional food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ) based on an earlier version of the National Cancer Institute's Health Habits and History Questionnaire. DESIGN: We ranked food sources of energy, macronutrients, vitamins and minerals, and examined portion size distributions for 842 white and 857 African American residents aged 19 years and older, using 24-hour dietary intake recall data from a telephone survey of 36 LMD counties. These values were used to develop a regional FFQ, which was then field-tested with 100 subjects and revised to improve interpretability. SETTING: The LMD region of the USA. SUBJECTS: White and African American adult residents of the LMD. RESULTS: LMD African Americans obtained more of their energy and nutrient intakes from poultry, processed meat, salty snacks, fruit drinks, pork and cornbread; and less from milk, alcohol, legumes, salad dressing, butter/margarine and sweetened tea than did white residents. Regional foods not on nationally used FFQs included grits, turnip greens, okra, ham hocks, chitterlings, crawfish, catfish, cracklings, jambalaya, potato logs, chicken and dumplings, and sweet potato pie. Based on responses during field-testing, the questionnaire was also designed to add four portion sizes for each food item, presented as questions, rather than in grid format. CONCLUSIONS: Regional food use patterns differ from national patterns and furthermore differ between African American and white adults in the LMD. The resulting Delta NIRI FFQ for Adults should contribute to improved assessment of usual intake for use in studies of diet and health in this region.     

Diet, physical activity and cognitive impairment among elders: the EPIC-Greece cohort (European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition)

OBJECTIVES: To identify dietary and lifestyle variables that may affect cognitive function in the elderly. DESIGN: Population-based prospective cohort study. SETTING: General community residing in Athens and the surrounding Attica region of Greece. SUBJECTS: A total of 732 men and women, 60 years or older, participating in the EPIC1999). Six to 13 years later, cognitive function was evaluated through the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score and affective state through the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). RESULTS: MMSE score was positively associated with years of formal education, height and physical activity and inversely with age, diabetes mellitus and GDS score (P < 0.05 for all). Among dietary variables, intake of PUFA was inversely associated with cognitive function and this association was largely accounted for by a similar association with seed oils. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet, as well as intake of olive oil, MUFA and SFA exhibited weakly positive but not significant associations.ConclusionPhysical activity and early life factors as reflected in height are significant predictors of cognitive function in the elderly. Seed oil consumption may adversely affect cognition, whereas other nutritional factors do not appear to have a quantitatively large effect.     

High-performance liquid chromatographic method for the quantitative determination of Hypoxoside in African potato (Hypoxis hemerocallidea) and in commercial products containing the plant material and/or its extracts

Hypoxoside is a norlignan diglucoside present in the corms of African potato (Hypoxis hemerocallidea). The latter is used as a popular African traditional medicine for it's nutritional and immune-boosting properties. A reverse phase high-performance liquid chromatography method was developed and validated for the determination of hypoxoside using a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile:water (20:80, v/v). The method was linear throughout the range of 10-100 microg/mL and provided a high degree of accuracy (100 +/- 4%). The recovery of the method was found to be 100 +/- 5%, and the precision of the study, % relative standard deviation intraday and interday (over three separate days), was better than 6.15 and 5.64%, respectively. The limits of detection and quantification were calculated to be 0.75 and 3.5 microg/mL, respectively. This method was applied to the analysis and quality control of African potato corms as well as 12 commercially available products. The daily intake of hypoxoside through traditionally prepared African potato decoction was also evaluated.     

Potential renal acid load in the diet of children and adolescents: impact of food groups, age and time trends

OBJECTIVE: The impact of acid-base balance on health is widely accepted. Here, we describe the potential renal acid load (PRAL) in the diet of healthy German children and adolescents. DESIGN: The Dortmund Nutritional and Anthropometric Longitudinally Designed (DONALD) Study is an ongoing longitudinal (open cohort) study (start 1985) collecting detailed data on diet, growth, development and metabolism in infants, children and adolescents. SETTING: Research Institute of Child Nutrition, Dortmund. SUBJECTS: Seven hundred and twenty children and adolescents (351 boys and 369 girls), aged 3-18 years, provided 4187 yearly collected 3-day dietary records between 1995 and 2005. RESULTS: Mean daily PRAL was positive in all age/sex groups (6-21 mEq day-1), and significantly higher in boys than in girls after the age of 8 years, even when calculated as mEq MJ-1. Fruits, vegetables and potatoes had a negative impact on PRAL; cheese, dairy products, cereals/bread and meat/fish/eggs had a positive impact. In a mixed linear model, PRAL, expressed as mEq day-1 and mEq MJ-1, remained stable during the study period, since time trends of PRAL-relevant food groups countervail each other. PRAL intake (mEq MJ-1) was significantly positively associated (P < 0.0001) with fat intake (% of energy intake, %E), but negatively with carbohydrate intake (%E; P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The analysis of dietary habits in our sample of German children and adolescents showed a moderate excess of acidity. Especially older boys should be encouraged to eat more potatoes and vegetables as good sources of dietary alkalinity. The PRAL concept is compatible with current concepts for a healthy diet.     

Effect of aqueous and lipophilic mullet (Mugil cephalus) Bottarga extracts on the growth and lipid profile of intestinal Caco-2 cells

The importance of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 PUFA) intake has long been recognized in human nutrition. Although health benefits, n-3 PUFA are subject to rapid and/or extensive oxidation during processing and storage, resulting in potential alteration in nutritional composition and quality of food. Bottarga, a salted and semi-dried mullet ( Mugil cephalus ) ovary product, is proposed as an important source of n-3 PUFA, having high levels of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). In this work, we investigated the extent of lipid oxidation of grated bottarga samples during 7 months of storage at -20 °C and room temperature under light exposure. Cell viability, lipid composition, and lipid peroxidation were measured in intestinal differentiated Caco-2 cell monolayers after 6-48 h of incubation with lipid and hydrophilic extracts obtained from bottarga samples at different storage conditions. The storage of bottarga did not affect the n-3 PUFA level, but differences were observed in hydroperoxide levels in samples from different storage conditions. All tested bottarga extracts did not show a toxic effect on cell viability of differentiated Caco-2 cells. Epithelial cells incubated with bottarga oil had significant changes in fatty acid composition but not in cholesterol levels with an accumulation of EPA, DHA, and 22:5. Cell hydroperoxides were higher in treated cells, in relation to the oxidative status of bottarga oil. Moreover, the bottarga lipid extract showed an in vitro inhibitory effect on the growth of a colon cancer cell line (undifferentiated Caco-2 cells).     

Dietary intake and different types of physical activity: full-day energy expenditure, occupational and leisure-time

OBJECTIVE: To describe the relationship between dietary intake and different levels and types of physical activity (PA). DESIGN: Cross-sectional evaluation of the EPIPorto study. Energy expenditure (metabolic energy equivalent tasks) and dietary intake during the past year were assessed using a PA questionnaire and a semi-quantitative food-frequency questionnaire, respectively. SETTING: Representative sample of adults in Porto, Portugal. SUBJECTS: Data were analysed for 2404 Portuguese Caucasian adults, aged between 18 and 92 years. RESULTS: For total PA, males who were active had significantly higher mean intake of energy (10.76 (2570.7) vs. 9.78 (2336.9) MJ/d (kcal/d), P < 0.001) and lower level of protein consumption (16.9 vs. 17.6 % of energy, P < 0.001) compared with sedentary males. In males, the association between total PA and energy intake remained after adjustment for age, education and body mass index. Similar results were observed when occupational activity was analysed. Concerning the energy expended in leisure time, in both genders, after adjustment for the previously described variables, a significant positive association was found between PA and intake of vitamin C (g/d): beta = 0.12, 99 % confidence interval (CI) 0.02, 0.21 for females and beta = 0.13, 99 % CI 0.03, 0.22 for males. Leisure-time activity in females was also positively associated with intakes of fibre, vitamin E, folate, calcium and magnesium, and negatively associated with saturated fat. CONCLUSIONS: Higher levels of PA in leisure time were associated with higher intakes of micronutrients and lower intakes of saturated fat, particularly in females. For total and occupational PA, similar nutrient intake was observed between active and sedentary individuals.     

Monetary costs of dietary energy reported by young Japanese women: association with food and nutrient intake and body mass index

OBJECTIVE: Little is known about the relationship of monetary diet costs to dietary intake and obesity, particularly in non-Western populations. This study examined monetary cost of dietary energy in relation to diet quality and body mass index (BMI) among young Japanese women. DESIGN: Dietary intake was assessed by a validated, self-administered, diet history questionnaire. Diet costs were estimated using retail food prices. Monetary cost of dietary energy (Japanese yen 1000 kcal-1) was then calculated. BMI was computed from self-reported body weight and height. SUBJECTS: A total of 3931 female Japanese dietetic students aged 18-20 years. RESULTS: Monetary cost of dietary energy was positively associated with intakes of fruits, vegetables, fish and shellfish, and pulses; however, higher monetary cost of dietary energy was also associated with higher consumption of fat and oil, meat and energy-containing beverages, and lower consumption of cereals (rice, bread and noodles) (all P for trend <0.01). At the nutrient level, monetary cost of dietary energy was positively associated with intakes of dietary fibre and key vitamins and minerals, but also associated positively with intakes of fat, saturated fatty acids, cholesterol and sodium, and negatively with carbohydrate intake (all P for trend <0.0001). After adjustment for possible confounders, monetary cost of dietary energy was quite weakly but significantly negatively associated with BMI (P for trend = 0.0197). CONCLUSIONS: Increasing monetary cost of dietary energy was associated with both favourable and unfavourable dietary intake patterns and a quite small decrease in BMI in young Japanese women.     

Food-purchasing patterns for home: a grocery store-intercept survey

OBJECTIVES: To identify the most common frequency of food-purchasing patterns and relate this pattern to characteristics of individuals and families.DESIGN: A customer-intercept survey was conducted in the greater Houston area, Texas, USA, in 2002. The frequency of food shopping at supermarkets, convenience stores and restaurants to buy food for eating at home was assessed.SUBJECTS: A total of 823 adults (78.5% female; mean age 37.4 years) who went to any of several grocery or convenience stores, including European, Hispanic and African Americans, and Asian/Pacific Islanders.RESULTS: Major food-shopping patterns were a weekly big trip with a few small trips (34.9%), biweekly big trips with a few small trips (21.9%), no big shopping trips (15.4%), a weekly big trip without small trips (13.9%), a monthly big trip (8.3%), and biweekly big trips without small trips (6.4%). While 61.1% of participants never went to convenience stores to buy fruit and vegetables (F&V) for eating at home, 67% went to restaurants for F&V. African American families shopped for food least frequently, while Asian American families shopped for food most frequently. Educational level was negatively associated with the use of convenience stores and positively associated with take-away from restaurants.CONCLUSIONS: There is substantial variability in the frequency of food shopping. Future research on food shopping should incorporate this variable.     

主动遥感光谱仪Greenseeker与SPAD对玉米氮素营养诊断的研究

以手持式主动遥感光谱仪Greenseeker和叶绿素仪SPAD对玉米不同氮素水平下各个生育期的NDVI值及叶片SPAD值进行测试,研究不同氮素对玉米群体和个体营养状况的变化以及田间条件下简便、快速、非接触性的作物氮素营养状况诊断方法。结果表明,在一定的范围内随着氮肥用量的增加NDVI值也增加,氮肥施用量为N 300kg/hm2时NDVI值达到最高,NDVI 与氮肥施用量符合线性加平台的关系;玉米不同生育期间NDVI 值变化明显,苗期NDVI值比较低,大喇叭口期NDVI 值达到最高,以后逐渐下降并在抽雄期后趋于稳定。SPAD值与NDVI 值的变化趋势相一致,SPAD值与叶绿素含量成正相关关系,大喇叭口期完全展叶的SPAD 与产量存在正相关关系。手持式主动遥感光谱仪Greenseeker和叶绿素仪SPAD结合能够对玉米的氮素营养状况作营养诊断。     

Dietary intake and development of a quantitative food-frequency questionnaire for the Barbados National Cancer Study

OBJECTIVE: To develop a quantitative food-frequency questionnaire (QFFQ) for the Barbados National Cancer Study (BNCS) that will permit examination of associations of diet with breast and prostate cancer. DESIGN: Population intake data from the year 2000 Barbados Food Consumption and Anthropometric Surveys (BFCAS 2000) were used to derive a list of foods consumed by the population. A 192-item draft QFFQ was developed from this list. SETTING: Barbados, West Indies provides an ideal environment to understand cancer risk in African-origin populations, with high relevance to African-Americans. The BNCS is a population-based case-control study examining risk factors for breast and prostate cancer in such populations. SUBJECTS: A total of 1600 persons, 18 years and older, completed a 24-hour recall in the BFCAS 2000. Fifty of 63 randomly selected residents (79% response rate) gave additional updated information on foods consumed. RESULTS: The 50 participants provided a one-time 24-hour recall and completed the draft QFFQ. The final instrument contains 148 items: breads, cakes, cereals = 17; rice, pastas, noodles = 8; dairy = 10; meat, fish, poultry = 42; fruit = 16; vegetables = 26; soft drinks = 14; alcoholic beverages = 5; others = 10. Additional questions include supplement use and food preparation methods such as grilling. CONCLUSION: The final instrument is concise, complete and the most up-to-date for assessing the food and nutrient intake of African-origin Barbadians and the associations with breast and prostate cancer.