Inadequate intakes of dietary zinc among pregnant women from subsistence households in Sidama, Southern Ethiopia

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of zinc inadequacy based on dietary intakes and plasma zinc concentrations and, simultaneously, the prevalence of inadequate intakes of energy, protein, calcium and iron. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study of a convenience sample of subsistence farming households in Sidama, Southern Ethiopia. SUBJECTS: Dietary intakes were calculated from 1-day weighed food records and 40 repeats from 99 pregnant women in the third trimester using analysed values of major staple foods for zinc, iron, calcium and phytate. The distribution of observed intakes was adjusted for usual intakes and the prevalence of inadequacy estimated using the estimated average requirement (EAR) cutpoint method. Prevalence of inadequacy for zinc, protein and iron intakes were compared with those based on biochemical measures. RESULTS: Prevalence of zinc inadequacy was very high: 99% for US FNB EAR and 100% for IZiNCG EAR compared to 72% based on low plasma zinc concentrations. Corresponding prevalence estimates for iron were much lower: 4% for inadequate intakes based on US FNB EAR vs. 8.7% for iron deficiency anaemia (haemoglobin < 110 g l-1; ferritin < 12 microg l-1) and 32.3% for low storage iron. Prevalence of inadequacy for protein was 100% for adjusted intakes and 91% for serum albumin < 32 g l-1. For calcium, 74% were at risk for inadequate intakes. CONCLUSION: The high prevalence of inadequate intakes of zinc and protein was reasonably consistent with those based on biochemical measures. Such dietary deficits could be overcome by regular consumption of cellular animal protein. In contrast, both dietary and biochemical measures of iron inadequacy were low.     

Performance of a short tool to assess dietary intakes of fruits and vegetables, percentage energy from fat and fibre

OBJECTIVES: We describe the methods used to develop and score a 17-item 'screener' designed to estimate intake of fruit and vegetables, percentage energy from fat and fibre. The ability of this screener and a food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ) to measure these exposures is evaluated. DESIGN: Using US national food consumption data, stepwise multiple regression was used to identify the foods to be included on the instrument; multiple regression analysis was used to develop scoring algorithms. The performance of the screener was evaluated in three different studies. Estimates of intakes measured by the screener and the FFQ were compared with true usual intake based on a measurement error model. SETTING: US adult population. SUBJECTS: For development of instrument, n=9323 adults. For testing of instrument, adult men and women in three studies completing multiple 24-hour dietary recalls, FFQ and screeners, n=484, 462 and 416, respectively. RESULTS: Median recalled intakes for examined exposures were generally estimated closely by the screener. In the various validation studies, the correlations between screener estimates and estimated true intake were 0.5-0.8. In general, the performances of the screener and the full FFQ were similar; estimates of attenuation were lower for screeners than for full FFQs. CONCLUSIONS: When coupled with appropriate reference data, the screener approach described may yield useful estimates of intake, for both surveillance and epidemiological purposes.     

燕麦麸膳食纤维脱色工艺及对产品特性的影响

为了改善燕麦麸膳食纤维色泽,提高产品质量,该文采用双氧水进行燕麦麸膳食纤维的氧化脱色研究,并对产品的营养成份和功能性质进行分析。确定脱色的较佳工艺条件为:4%H2O2、pH11、40℃、4h。在此条件下燕麦麸膳食纤维的白度由5.6%增加到36.2%,效果明显。脱色前后燕麦麸膳食纤维的主要成分变化不大,其中总膳食纤维、β-葡聚糖含量略有增高,蛋白质、脂肪含量略有降低。脱色后燕麦麸膳食纤维的膨胀力由2mL/g增加到4mL/g,持水力由3.12%增加到3.77%,结合水力由1.3%增加到2.5%。     

Factors that affect the adoption and maintenance of weekly vitamin A supplementation among women in Ghana

OBJECTIVE: To identify regimen, individual, community and cultural factors that affect adoption and adherence to weekly vitamin A supplementation in Ghana. DESIGN: Fifty semi-structured interviews were conducted with women who would be eligible for vitamin A supplementation, 30 with husbands, and 13 with drug sellers, birth attendants and health workers. Six focus group discussions were also conducted with women. These interviews were followed by a 4-month capsule trial with 60 women. Data from a previously conducted communication channel survey of 332 women were also reviewed. SETTING: The study was conducted in Kintampo District in central Ghana. SUBJECTS: Participants for the semi-structured interviews and focus groups were selected from four villages and the district capital, and women in the capsule trial were selected at random from two villages. RESULTS: Knowledge of vitamins was low and taking 'medicines' for long periods and when healthy is a new concept. In spite of this, long-term supplementation will be accepted if motives are explained, specific questions answered and clear instructions are given. Potential barriers included the idea of 'doctor' medicines as curative, false expectations of the supplement, forgetting to take the supplement, losing the supplement, travelling, lack of motivation, perceived side-effects, concerns that the supplement is really family planning or will make delivery difficult, and concerns about taking the supplement with other 'doctor' or herbal medicine, or when pregnant or breast-feeding, or if childless. CONCLUSION: Successful supplementation programmes require appropriately designed information, education and communication strategies. Designing such strategies requires pre-programme formative research to uncover barriers and facilitators for supplementation.     

Underreporting of energy intake among Japanese women aged 18-20 years and its association with reported nutrient and food group intakes

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the ratio of energy intake to basal metabolic rate (EI/BMR) among young female Japanese adults, and to compare the lifestyle and dietary characteristics between relatively low and high reporters. DESIGN: Dietary intakes were assessed over a 1-month period with a validated, self-administered, diet history questionnaire, and lifestyle variables were assessed by a second questionnaire designed for this survey. The ratio of EI/BMR was calculated from reported energy intake and estimated basal metabolic rate. SUBJECTS: In total, 1889 female Japanese university students aged 18-20 years who were enrolled in dietetics courses. RESULTS: Ninety-five per cent of the subjects were classified into a non-obese group (body mass index (BMI) <25 kg m(-2); mean+/-standard deviation (SD): 20.8+/-2.6 kg m(-2)). EI/BMR was 1.43+/-0.40 (mean+/-SD). Sixty-eight per cent of the subjects showed an EI/BMR level below the possibly balanced value of 1.56, 37% showed EI/BMR below the minimum survival value of 1.27 and 2% of the subjects showed EI/BMR exceeding the maximum value for a sustainable lifestyle of 2.4. BMI, body weight and BMR decreased significantly with the increase in EI/BMR (P<0.001). The percentage of energy from carbohydrate was significantly higher, whereas those from fat and protein were significantly lower, among the lower EI/BMR groups. As for food groups, a significantly declining trend from the lowest to the highest EI/BMR groups was observed for cereals. CONCLUSION: Underreporting, rather than overreporting, of energy intake was predominant in this relatively lean Japanese female population. BMI was the most important factor affecting the reporting accuracy of energy intake.     

Calcium absorption from three salts and CaSO(4)-fortified bread in premenopausal women

Two studies were conducted to measure calcium absorption from calcium sulfate fortified bread and three salts (calcium lactate, calcium carbonate, and calcium sulfate) in healthy premenopausal women using a crossover design. In study I, calcium fractional absorption levels from the three salts labeled with a stable isotope, 44Ca, were not significantly different (0.039-0.47) as determined by the fecal recovery method. In a second study, absorption of 45Ca from CaSO(4)-fortified labeled bread or labeled milk was measured in serum exactly 5 h postingestion. Fractional calcium absorption was slightly but significantly greater from fortified bread than from milk (mean within subject difference = 0.0675 +/- 0.016). Calcium sulfate is a bioavailable fortificant for white bread that compares favorably with milk and two other salts.