The association of diet and other lifestyle factors with the onset of overactive bladder: a longitudinal study in men

OBJECTIVE: To investigate associations between diet and non-dietary lifestyle factors and the onset of overactive bladder (OAB) in men. SUBJECTS: Random sample of community-dwelling men aged 40 years plus. DESIGN AND METHODS: Baseline data on urinary symptoms and diet were collected from 5454 men using a postal questionnaire and a food-frequency questionnaire. Follow-up data on urinary symptoms were collected from 4887 men in a postal survey one year later. Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate diet and lifestyle factors associated with onset of OAB in the men without OAB at baseline. RESULTS: There was a highly significant negative association between beer intake at baseline and subsequent OAB onset (P=0.001), with reduced risk at all levels of intake compared with those who seldom/never drank beer. Adjustment for total alcohol intake (g ethanol day(-1)) reduced the significance of the association (P=0.02). None of the food groups studied was associated with OAB onset, with the possible exception of potatoes (P=0.05), which showed an increased risk of onset at the highest level of consumption. Physical activity, smoking and obesity were not significantly associated. CONCLUSIONS: While most diet and lifestyle factors were not associated with OAB onset, the evidence from this prospective longitudinal study suggests that beer may have a protective role in the development of OAB. This could be due to a non-alcoholic ingredient as well as the alcohol content.     

The influence of age and body mass index on relative accuracy of energy intake among Japanese adults

OBJECTIVE: To examine relationships between the ratio of energy intake to basal metabolic rate (EI/BMR) and age and body mass index (BMI) among Japanese adults. DESIGN: Energy intake was assessed by 4-day semi-weighed diet records in each of four seasons (16 days in total). The EI/BMR ratio was calculated from reported energy intake and estimated basal metabolic rate as an indicator of reporting accuracy. SETTING: Residents in three areas in Japan, namely Osaka (urban), Nagano (rural inland) and Tottori (rural coastal). SUBJECTS: One hundred and eighty-three healthy Japanese men and women aged > or =30 years. RESULTS: The oldest age group (> or =60 years) had higher EI/BMR values than the youngest age group (30-39 years) in both sexes (1.74 vs. 1.37 for men; 1.65 vs. 1.43 for women). In multiple regression analyses, age correlated positively (partial correlation coefficient, beta = 0.012, P < 0.001 for men; beta = 0.011, P < 0.001 for women) and BMI correlated negatively (beta = -0.031, P < 0.001 for men; beta = -0.025, P < 0.01 for women) with EI/BMR. CONCLUSION: Age and BMI may influence the relative accuracy of energy intake among Japanese adults.     

Dietary intake of heterocyclic amines in relation to socio-economic, lifestyle and other dietary factors: estimates in a Swedish population

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the dietary intakes of heterocyclic amines (HCAs), to examine the intakes in relation to socio-economics, lifestyle and other dietary factors and to compare the classification of subjects by intake of HCA versus intake of meat and fish. DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis within the Malm? Diet and Cancer (MDC) cohort. Data were obtained from a modified diet history, a structured questionnaire on socio-economics and lifestyle, anthropometric measurements and chemical analysis of HCAs. HCA intake was cross-classified against meat and fish intake. The likelihood of being a high consumer of HCAs was estimated by logistic regression analysis. Dietary intakes were examined across quintiles of HCA intake using analysis of variance. SETTING: Baseline examinations conducted in 1991-1994 in Malm?, Sweden. SUBJECTS: A sub-sample of 8599 women and 6575 men of the MDC cohort. RESULTS: The mean daily HCA intake was 583 ng for women and 821 ng for men. Subjects were ranked differently with respect to HCA intake compared with intake of fried and baked meat and fish (kappa = 0.13). High HCA intake was significantly associated with lower age, overweight, sedentary lifestyle and smoking. Intakes of dietary fibre, fruits and fermented milk products were negatively associated with HCA intake, while intakes of selenium, vegetables, potatoes, alcohol (among men) and non-milk-based margarines (among women) were positively associated with HCA intake. CONCLUSIONS: The estimated daily HCA intake of 690 ng is similar to values obtained elsewhere. The present study suggests that lifestyle factors (e.g. smoking, physical activity, fruit and vegetable intakes, and types of milk products and margarines) may confound associations between HCA intake and disease. The poor correlation between HCA intake and intakes of fried meat and fish facilitates an isolation of the health effects of HCAs.     

The association between consumption of breakfast cereals and BMI in schoolchildren aged 12-17 years: the VYRONAS study

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether consumption of breakfast cereals is associated with BMI in a sample of Greek adolescents. DESIGN: A cross-sectional health and nutrition survey.Setting and subjectsDuring 200417 years were selected from twelve schools located in Vyronas region (Athens metropolitan area). Height and weight were measured and BMI was calculated. A semi-quantitative FFQ was applied and multiple logistic regression analysis was used. RESULTS: Overall, 47 % of girls were obese, whereas 192 % of girls were overweight. Only 205 % of girls reported that they consume cereals as a first choice for breakfast. Consumption of breakfast cereals was associated with lower BMI in boys (P = 0019), irrespective of age and physical activity status. More prominent results were observed for daily cereal consumption or for more than two daily servings of cereals consumed for breakfast. Consumption of pre-sweetened breakfast cereals was associated with lower BMI compared with non-pre-sweetened or no intake of cereals, in both genders (P < 0.001). Consumption of breakfast cereals was associated with 33 % (95 % CI 14 %, 48 %) lower likelihood of overweight/obesity, irrespective of age, sex and physical activity status. CONCLUSIONS: Consumption of breakfast cereals was associated with lower BMI levels and a lower likelihood of overweight/obesity in both genders; thus a solid basis for public health professionals could be built when issuing advice on weight management.     

土地资源评价方法及评价因素权重的确定探析

综述了目前土地资源评价方法和评价系数权重的确定研究成果,评价了主观赋权法(德尔菲、AHP法)和客观赋权法(主成分分析法、因子分析法、灰色关联法和熵值法)的优、缺点,并认为运用主观赋权法掺杂了决策者的主观随意性,而运用客观赋权法却缺乏决策者的意愿。指出主、客观信息综合集成的新方法是土地资源评价方法及评价因素权重确定的新途径。     

Alcohol intake in relation to body mass index and waist-to-hip ratio: the importance of type of alcoholic beverage

OBJECTIVE: Alcohol consumption may play a role in the development of obesity but the relationship between alcohol and weight is still unclear. The aim of our study was to assess the cross-sectional association of intakes of total alcohol and of specific alcoholic beverages (wine, beer and spirits) with waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and body mass index (BMI) in a large sample of adults from all over France. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SETTING: Participants were free-living healthy volunteers of the SU.VI.MAX study (an intervention study on the effects of antioxidant supplementation on chronic diseases). SUBJECTS: For 1481 women aged 35-60 years and 1210 men aged 45-60 years, intakes of total alcohol and specific alcoholic beverages were assessed by six 24-hour dietary records. BMI and WHR were measured during a clinical examination the year after. RESULTS: A J-shaped relationship was found between total alcohol consumption and WHR in both sexes and between total alcohol consumption and BMI in men only (P<0.05). The same relationships were observed with wine (P<0.05); men and women consuming less than 100 g day(-1) had a lower BMI (men only) and WHR than non-drinkers or those consuming more. Spirits consumption was positively associated with BMI (linear regression coefficient beta=0.21, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.09-0.34 and beta=0.22, 95% CI: 0.06-0.39 for men and women, respectively) and WHR (beta=0.003, 95% CI: 0.001-0.005 and beta=0.003, 95%CI: 0.0002-0.006) in both sexes in a linear fashion. No relationship between beer consumption and BMI or WHR was found. CONCLUSION: If confirmed in longitudinal studies, our results indicate that consumption of alcoholic beverages may be a risk factor for obesity.     

The distribution of native and labelled carbon between soil particle size fractions isolated from long-term incubation experiments

Four soils with 6, 12, 23 and 46% clay were fractionated according to particle size after incubation for 5–6 years with ¹⁴C labelled straw, hemicellulose or glucose: 6–23% of the ¹⁴C was still present and the amount increased with increasing content of fine particles. clay fractions contained 66–84% of the ¹⁴C and the silt fractions accounted for 4–19%. <2% was found in the sand fractions and 4–9% was water soluble. The distribution of the native C was: clay, 46–68%; silt, 20–31%; sand, 2–7%. The clay fractions had higher relative proportions of ¹⁴C than of native C, the reverse being true for the silt fractions. This distribution pattern was not directly related to soil clay content or to kind of organic amendment. The C enrichment factor of clay and silt fractions (per cent C in fraction/per cent C in whole soil) increased with decreasing fraction size for both native and ¹⁴C. However, clay enrichment factors were higher for ¹⁴C than for native C, whereas silt enrichment factors were lower. A soil (9% clay) that had been incubated in the field for 18 years with ¹⁴C labelled straw was also analysed. Labelled C content at sampling was 9% of the initial value. In contrast to the other soils the distribution of labelled and native C was similar in the clay and silt fractions, which contained 55% and 33% of the whole soil C, respectively. The results indicate that clay-bound organic matter may be important in mediumterm organic matter turnover, whereas silt-bound organic matter may participate in longer-term organic matter cycling.     

Dietary intake and development of a quantitative food-frequency questionnaire for a lifestyle intervention to reduce the risk of chronic diseases in Canadian First Nations in north-western Ontario

OBJECTIVES: To characterise the diet of First Nations in north-western Ontario, highlight foods for a lifestyle intervention and develop a quantitative food-frequency questionnaire (QFFQ). DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey using single 24 h dietary recalls. SETTING: Eight remote and semi-remote First Nations reserves in north-western Ontario. SUBJECTS: 129 First Nations (Oji-Cree and Ojibway) men and women aged between 18 and 80 years. RESULTS: The greatest contributors to energy were breads, pasta dishes and chips (contributing over 20 % to total energy intake). 'Added fats' such as butter and margarine added to breads and vegetables made up the single largest source of total fat intake (8.4 %). The largest contributors to sugar were sugar itself, soda and other sweetened beverages (contributing over 45 % combined). The mean number of servings consumed of fruits, vegetables and dairy products were much lower than recommended. The mean daily meat intake was more than twice that recommended. A 119-item QFFQ was developed including seven bread items, five soups or stews, 24 meat- or fish-based dishes, eight rice or pasta dishes, nine fruits and 14 vegetables. Frequency of consumption was assessed by eight categories ranging from 'Never or less than one time in one month' to 'two or more times a day'. CONCLUSION:We were able to highlight foods for intervention to improve dietary intake based on the major sources of energy, fat and sugar and the low consumption of fruit and vegetable items. The QFFQ is being used to evaluate a diet and lifestyle intervention in First Nations in north-western Ontario.     

The association between the body mass index of first-year female university students and their weight-related perceptions and practices, psychological health, physical activity and other physical health indicators

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between the weight status of first-year female students (FYFS) and various weight management-related characteristics to identify possible components of a weight management programme for students. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Female residences at a South African university. SUBJECTS: A total of 360 FYFS. RESULTS: Mean (+/-standard deviation (SD)) body mass index (BMI) of the FYFS was 21.8 +/- 2.6 kg m(-2), with 7.2% being underweight, 81.9% normal-weight, 10.0% overweight and 0.8% obese. Underweight, normal-weight and overweight students differed with regard to their perception of their weight (P < 0.001), weight goals (P < 0.001) and previous weight-loss practices (P < 0.001). Mean+/-SD score on the 26-item Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) was 8.5 +/- 9.0 with 8.4% classified as high scorers. Mean+/-SD score on the 34-item Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ) was 87.7 +/- 32.2, with 76.1% classified as low, 11.9% as medium and 11.9% as high scorers. The self-concept questionnaire indicated that 36.7% had a high, 43.9% a medium and 19.4% a low self-concept. Higher BMI correlated with a higher BSQ score (P < 0.001), a lower self-concept (P = 0.029) and a higher EAT-26 score (P < 0.001). Smoking was prevalent amongst 13.1% of students, and 51.2% used vitamin and/or mineral supplements. Students who quitted smoking had higher (P = 0.006) BMI (22.7 +/- 2.9 kg m(-2)) than those who never smoked before (21.6 +/- 2.5 kg m(-2)). Normal-weight students were more physically active than underweight or overweight students (P = 0.038). CONCLUSIONS: The specific weight management-related needs of FYFS include information about supplement use, smoking, realistic weight goals, safe and sound weight-loss methods, weight cycling, body-shape perceptions, eating attitudes and behaviours, self-concept and physical activity. Interventions aimed at correcting these problems should target all students, regardless of their BMI.     

Color and stability of pigments derived from the acetaldehyde-mediated condensation between malvidin 3-O-glucoside and (+)-catechin

A pigment derived from the acetaldehyde-mediated condensation between (+)-catechin and malvidin 3-O-glucoside has been prepared and isolated by semipreparative HPLC, and its characteristics of color and stability have been studied and compared with that of malvidin glucoside in aqueous solutions. When the pH was increased from 2.2 to 5.5, the solution of the pigment became progressively more violet (lambda(max) = 560 nm at pH 5.5), whereas similar solutions of the anthocyanin were almost colorless at pH 4.0. This behavior indicated that the anthocyanin moiety of the pigment was more protected against water attack, and thus the formation of its quinonoidal forms was favored. The color of the pigment also showed more stability with regard to bleaching by SO(2) than that of malvidin glucoside. Nevertheless, the pigment was more sensitive to degradation in aqueous solution than the anthocyanin. The cleavage of the ethyl bridge that links the anthocyanin and the catechin constituted the first step in its degradation, as demonstrated by the formation of malvidin glucoside as a major product.     

The burden of cardiovascular disease and cancer attributable to low fruit and vegetable intake in the European Union: differences between old and new Member States

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the burden of disease attributable to low fruit and vegetable intake in the 15 countries that were members of the European Union (EU) before May 2004 (EU-15) and the 10 countries that then joined it (EU-10). DESIGN: Data on fruit and vegetable intake, target levels of intake and estimates of relative risks, deaths and disability were combined to obtain the burden of ischaemic heart disease, ischaemic stroke and four types of cancer (lung/bronchus/trachea, stomach, oesophagus, and colon/rectum) attributable to low fruit and vegetable consumption. SETTING: EU-15 and EU-10 Member States. RESULTS: The number of lives potentially saved annually from the selected outcomes if fruit and vegetable intake increased to 600 g person(-1) day(-1) reached 892,000 and 423,000 in the EU-15 and EU-10, respectively; total disease burden could decrease by 1.9% and 3.6%, respectively. The burden of ischaemic heart disease and stroke could be reduced by up to 17% and 10%, respectively, in the EU-15 and by 24% and 15%, respectively, in the EU-10; potential reductions for the selected cancers varied from 1% to 12% in the EU-15 and from 2% to 17% in the EU-10. CONCLUSIONS: The potential health gain of increased fruit and vegetable intake is particularly large in the new Member States, and particularly high for cardiovascular diseases, a main cause of health divide in Europe. This stresses the need for better nutrition programmes and policies that take account of economic, social and cultural specificities.