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Food Frequency Questionnaire (food + frequency_questionnaire)
Kinds of Food Frequency Questionnaire Selected AbstractsDietary habits and health status of African-Caribbean adultsJOURNAL OF HUMAN NUTRITION & DIETETICS, Issue 3 2010J. Earland Abstract Background:, Although African-Caribbeans in the UK are more likely to suffer from a number of diet-related health conditions, including obesity, hypertension and type II diabetes, there have been few dietary studies on this group. The present study is based on a small survey of food and nutrient intakes and traditional dietary habits of African-Caribbean adults living in Staffordshire. Methods:, A questionnaire, designed to collect demographic data and information on medical status, physical activities, dietary, cooking and food shopping habits was administered to a convenience sample of 39 adults. Detailed information on food intakes was gathered using a modified existing Food Frequency Questionnaire with 169 items. Height and weight were measured for the calculation of body mass index. Results:, The average age of the subjects was 47 years (range 19,65 years). The prevalence of obesity was 39% and one-third of subjects reported having at least one health condition. Physical activities, outside of work, were undertaken by 95% of the sample. Traditional foods were used by 92% of respondents, including fruit and vegetables purchased at markets outside of their local area. A wide variety of foods were consumed and the percentages of energy provided by fats and carbohydrates (30% and 53%, respectively) appeared to be meeting government recommendations. However, absolute energy intakes were high and salt consumption, often in the form of commercial seasonings, exceeded government recommendations. Conclusions:, The positive aspects of the diets of this population need to be encouraged. Interventions need to focus on ways of reducing total energy intakes, as well as levels of salt consumption. [source] Validation and reproducibility of a semi-quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire for use in elderly Swiss womenJOURNAL OF HUMAN NUTRITION & DIETETICS, Issue 5 2006E. Wynn Dumartheray Abstract Objective, The principal aim of this study was to develop a Swiss Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) for the elderly population for use in a study to investigate the influence of nutritional factors on bone health. The secondary aim was to assess its validity and both short-term and long-term reproducibility. Design, A 4-day weighed record (4 d WR) was applied to 51 randomly selected women of a mean age of 80.3 years. Subsequently, a detailed FFQ was developed, cross-validated against a further 44 4-d WR, and the short- (1 month, n = 15) and long-term (12 months, n = 14) reproducibility examined. Setting, French speaking part of Switzerland. Subjects, The subjects were randomly selected women recruited from the Swiss Evaluation of the Methods of Measurement of Osteoporotic Fracture cohort study. Results, Mean energy intakes by 4-d WR and FFQ showed no significant difference [1564.9 kcal (SD 351.1); 1641.3 kcal (SD 523.2) respectively]. Mean crude nutrient intakes were also similar (with nonsignifcant P -values examining the differences in intake) and ranged from 0.13 (potassium) to 0.48 (magnesium). Similar results were found in the reproducibility studies. Conclusion, These findings provide evidence that this FFQ adequately estimates nutrient intakes and can be used to rank individuals within distributions of intake in specific populations. [source] The relationship between nutritional knowledge, attitudes and dietary fat consumption in male studentsJOURNAL OF HUMAN NUTRITION & DIETETICS, Issue 6 2000J. Packman Background This pilot study aimed to explore the nutritional knowledge, attitudes and dietary fat consumption in male students attending Leeds Metropolitan University. Methods A Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) was used to determine the fat intakes of subjects. This was incorporated into a questionnaire designed to measure nutritional knowledge and attitudes. Questions were also asked about the subject characteristics, such as weight, height and alcohol consumption. Results Eighty subjects were approached, from whom 56 questionnaires were returned completed. The results revealed few significant differences between subject characteristics according to fat intakes, with the exception of alcohol consumption, which was greater in the high fat consumers. The main findings of the study were that subjects with a high fat intake had significantly more negative attitudes towards reducing fat consumption compared with those who had a lower fat intake. However, there was no statistically significant difference between nutritional knowledge and fat consumption and no relationship was found between level of nutritional knowledge and attitudes. Conclusion It was concluded that negative attitudes towards reducing fat consumption might be more important barriers to dietary change than level of nutritional knowledge in male students. This constitutes an important target for health promoters in encouraging dietary change in men. [source] School-Based Screening of the Dietary Intakes of Third Graders in Rural Appalachian OhioJOURNAL OF SCHOOL HEALTH, Issue 11 2010Jana A. Hovland MS BACKGROUND: Children in Appalachia are experiencing high levels of obesity, in large measure because of inferior diets. This study screened the dietary intake of third graders residing in 3 rural Appalachian counties in Ohio and determined whether the Food, Math, and Science Teaching Enhancement Resource Initiative (FoodMASTER) curriculum improved their dietary intake. METHODS: Dietary intake was measured for 238 third graders at the beginning of the 2007 to 2008 school year and for 224 third graders at the end of that year. The FoodMASTER curriculum was delivered to 204 students (test group). Intake was measured using the Block Food Frequency Questionnaire 2004. The final analysis included 138 students. RESULTS: The FoodMASTER curriculum did not significantly affect the diets of the students in the test group, as no significant differences in intake of macronutrients, specific nutrients, or food groups were found between the test and control groups. Majorities of students did not meet the Recommended Dietary Allowance or Adequate Intakes for fiber, calcium, iron, vitamin A, and vitamin E. The students as a whole did not meet the MyPyramid recommendations for any food group, and nearly one fifth of their calories came from sweets. Significant differences in percentages of kilocalories from protein and sweets and in servings of fats, oils, and sweets were seen between groups of higher and lower socioeconomic status. CONCLUSIONS: Energy-dense foods are replacing healthy foods in the diets of Ohio children living in rural Appalachia. The prevalence of poor dietary intake in Appalachia warrants further nutrition interventions involving programming for nutrition, such as future FoodMASTER curricula. [source] Dietary patterns and risk for Crohn's disease in childrenINFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASES, Issue 3 2008Savio D'Souza MBBS Abstract Background: Some dietary foods are considered protective (vegetables and fruits), whereas others (fatty foods) are thought to enhance the risk for Crohn's disease (CD). The evidence, however, is inconsistent. Methods: We postulated that specific dietary patterns may influence the risk for CD. A case-control study was carried out. Newly diagnosed CD cases with population and/or hospital-based controls ,20 years were selected from 3 tertiary hospitals across Canada. Predisease diet was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) administered within 1 month of diagnosis. Factor analyses and unconditional logistic regression (adjusted) was used to determine gender-specific dietary patterns and assess associated risks for CD. Odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were estimated. Results: A total of 149 cases and 251 controls were included. The mean age (range) of the cases was 13.3 (2.6-20 years). There were more boys (61.1%). Four dietary patterns each were observed among both boys and girls. Pattern 1 in girls, characterized by meats, fatty foods, and desserts, was positively associated with CD (OR 4.7, 95% CI 1.6,14.2). Pattern 2, common to both boys and girls, was characterized by vegetables, fruits, olive oil, fish, grains, and nuts and was inversely associated with CD in both genders (girls: OR 0.3, 95% CI 0.1,0.9; boys: OR 0.2, 95% CI 0.1,0.5). Conclusions: Our results suggest that specific dietary patterns could be associated with higher or lower risks for CD in children. Larger prospective studies are required to confirm these findings. (Inflamm Bowel Dis 2007) [source] Greater vegetable and fruit intake is associated with a lower risk of breast cancer among Chinese womenINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER, Issue 1 2009Cai-Xia Zhang Abstract The effect of vegetable and fruit consumption on breast cancer risk is controversial. We examined the association between vegetable and fruit intake and breast cancer risk in a hospital-based case,control study conducted in Guangdong, China. Four hundred and thirty-eight cases were frequency matched to 438 controls by age (5-year interval) and residence (rural/urban). Dietary intake was assessed by face-to-face interviews using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Multivariate logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence interval (CI) after adjusting for various potential confounders. Total vegetable and fruit intake was found to be inversely associated with breast cancer risk. The ORs of the highest quartile relative to the lowest quartile of total vegetable and fruit intake were 0.28 (95% CI 0.18,0.43) and 0.53 (95% CI 0.34,0.82), respectively. Consumption of individual vegetable and fruit groups such as dark green leafy vegetables, cruciferous vegetables, carrots and tomatoes, banana, watermelon/papaya/cantaloupe were all inversely and significantly related with breast cancer risk. An inverse association was also observed for vitamin A, carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, and fiber intake. These data indicate that greater intake of vegetables and fruits is associated with a decreased risk of breast cancer among Chinese women residing in Guangdong. © 2009 UICC [source] A case,control study on the dietary intake of mushrooms and breast cancer risk among Korean womenINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER, Issue 4 2008Seo Ah Hong Abstract To evaluate the association between dietary mushroom intake and breast cancer risk, a total of 362 women between the ages of 30 and 65 years who were histologically confirmed to have breast cancer were matched to controls by age (±2 years) and menopausal status. Mushroom intake was measured via a food frequency questionnaire that was administered by well-trained interviewers. The associations between the daily intake and the average consumption frequency of mushrooms with breast cancer risk were evaluated using matched data analysis. Both the daily intake (5th vs. 1st quintile, OR = 0.48, 95% CI = 0.30,0.78, p for trend 0.030) and the average consumption frequency of mushrooms (4th vs. 1st quartile, OR = 0.54, 95% CI = 0.35,0.82, p for trend 0.008) were inversely associated with breast cancer risk after adjustment for education, family history of breast cancer, regular exercise [,22.5 MET (metabolic equivalent)-hr/week], BMI (body mass index, Kg/m2), number of children and whether they are currently smoking, drinking or using multivitamin supplements. Further adjustments were made for energy-adjusted carbohydrate, soy protein, folate and vitamin E levels, which tended to attenuate these results. After a stratification was performed according to menopausal status, a strong inverse association was found in postmenopausal women (OR = 0.16, 95% CI = 0.04,0.54, p for trend = 0.0058 for daily intake; OR = 0.17, 95% CI = 0.05,0.54, p for trend = 0.0037 for average frequency), but not in premenopausal women. In conclusion, the consumption of dietary mushrooms may decrease breast cancer risk in postmenopausal women. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Dietary patterns, the Alternate Healthy Eating Index and plasma sex hormone concentrations in postmenopausal womenINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER, Issue 4 2007Teresa T. Fung Abstract To evaluate the association between overall diet and sex hormones concentrations, we collected blood from 578 postmenopausal women ages 43 and 69 years in 1989 or 1990. Food intake was measured in 1990 via a food frequency questionnaire. We calculated the Alternate Healthy Eating Index (AHEI), and dietary patterns were identified by factor analysis. The cross-sectional association between diet and estrogens, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) were evaluated with linear regression and adjusted for energy and other potential confounders. We found a higher AHEI score was associated with lower concentrations of estradiol, free estradiol, and higher concentrations of SHBG. The prudent pattern, with higher intakes of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, was not associated with any sex hormones. The Western pattern, which represents higher intakes of red and processed meats, refined grains, sweets and desserts, was associated with a higher level of estradiol and lower concentrations of SHBG. Further adjustment for BMI attenuated these results except for free estradiol (5th vs. 1st quintile = 0.09 vs. 0.11 pg/mL, p for trend = 0.03). In addition, the AHEI was inversely associated with estradiol among those with BMI > 25, and Western pattern with SHBG among those with BMI < 25. In conclusion, we observed inverse associations between the AHEI score and several estrogens, and it was positively associated with plasma levels of SHBG. In contrast, the Western pattern was positively associated with estrogen levels and inversely with SHBG. However, these associations appeared to be largely accounted for by BMI. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Dietary carotenoids and risk of colon cancer: Case-control studyINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER, Issue 1 2004André Nkondjock Abstract Some epidemiological studies suggest that consumption of fruits and vegetables with a high carotenoid content may protect against colon cancer (CC). The evidence, however, is not completely consistent. Given the inconsistencies in findings in previous studies and continued interest in identifying modifiable risk factors for CC, a case-control study of French-Canadian in Montreal, Canada, was undertaken to examine the possible association between dietary carotenoids and CC risk and to investigate whether this association varies in relation to lifestyle factors such as smoking or diet, and particularly the high consumption of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA). A total of 402 colorectal cases (200 males and 202 females) and 688 population-based controls matched for age, gender and place of residence were interviewed. Dietary intake was assessed through a validated food frequency questionnaire that collected information on over 200 food items and recipes. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated in unconditional logistic regression models. After adjustment for important variables such as total energy intake, no association was found between dietary intake of carotenoids and CC risk. For women with high intakes of LCPUFA, an inverse association was found between lutein + zeaxanthin and CC risk. ORs were 0.41; 95%CI (0.19,0.91), p=0.03 for eicosapentaenoic acid, and OR=0.36, 95%CI (0.19,0.78), p=0.01 for docosahexaenoic acid, when the upper quartiles of intake were compared to the lower. Among never-smokers, a significantly reduced risk of CC was associated with intake of ,-carotene [OR=0.44, 95%CI (0.21,0.92) and p=0.02], whereas an inverse association was found between lycopene intake and CC risk [OR=0.63, 95%CI (0.40,0.98) and p=0.05] among smokers. The results of our study suggest that a diet rich in both lutein + zeaxanthin and LCPUFAs may help prevent CC in French-Canadian females. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Food consumption patterns, dietary quality and health status of expectant mothers: case studies in suburban and rural communities in GhanaINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CONSUMER STUDIES, Issue 1 2002Christina A. Nti Abstract The study was conducted to determine the food consumption patterns, dietary quality and health status of expectant women and also to assess their level of awareness of nutritional requirements during pregnancy. Food beliefs, taboos and superstitions held by the women were also investigated. Using the purposive sampling technique, 30 pregnant women attending the Maternal and Child Health Clinic at Dodowa (rural) and University Hospital, Legon (suburban), were selected for the study. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information on the respondents' nutritional knowledge, beliefs, taboos and superstitions and health status. A food frequency questionnaire and the 24-h dietary recall method were used to obtain information on food consumption patterns and dietary quality. The study revealed that, although the majority of the respondents (83.3%) had some knowledge of nutrition, not all were applying it in their feeding practices because of financial constraints. With regard to consumption patterns, most of the women (83.3%) were having three meals a day, while the rest either ate twice a day or anytime they were hungry. Seventy-three per cent of the respondents also increased their food intake during pregnancy. Foods eaten were based mainly on starchy roots and tubers, cereals and vegetables. Legumes, oilseeds and fruits were often lacking in the main meals of respondents. Although animal products were consumed daily, the quantities taken were very small to provide for adequate protein, especially in the rural area. Various types of food were avoided by some of the expectant mothers for reasons such as nausea, loss of appetite, taboos and superstition. With regard to dietary quality, respondents from the rural area had diets of poorer quality in terms of nutrient intake compared with those from the suburban area. In both communities, iron contents of diets were quite low. Forty-seven per cent of the women interviewed were anaemic, with a higher prevalence of anaemia being observed in the rural community. Common ailments reported by the women were dizziness, headache, waist pains and malaria. Based on the results of the study, it was recommended that nutrition education for pregnant women should be stepped up at antenatal clinics especially in rural areas. [source] Diet and Its Relationship with Grip Strength in Community-Dwelling Older Men and Women: The Hertfordshire Cohort StudyJOURNAL OF AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY, Issue 1 2008Sian M. Robinson PhD OBJECTIVES: To examine relationships between diet and grip strength in older men and women and to determine whether prenatal growth modifies these relationships. DESIGN: Cross-sectional and retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Hertfordshire, United Kingdom. PARTICIPANTS: Two thousand nine hundred eighty-three men and women aged 59 to 73 who were born and still living in Hertfordshire, United Kingdom. MEASUREMENTS: Weight at birth recorded in Health Visitor ledgers; current food and nutrient intake assessed using an administered food frequency questionnaire; and grip strength measured using a handheld dynamometer. RESULTS: Grip strength was positively associated with height and weight at birth and inversely related to age (all P<.001). Of the dietary factors considered in relation to grip strength, the most important was fatty fish consumption. An increase in grip strength of 0.43 kg (95% confidence interval (CI)=0.13,0.74) in men (P=.005) and 0.48 kg (95% CI=0.24,0.72) in women (P<.001) was observed for each additional portion of fatty fish consumed per week. These relationships were independent of adult height, age, and birth weight, each of which had additive effects on grip strength. There was no evidence of interactive effects of weight at birth and adult diet on grip strength. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that fatty fish consumption can have an important influence on muscle function in older men and women. This raises the possibility that the antiinflammatory actions of omega-3 fatty acids may play a role in the prevention of sarcopenia. [source] Repeatability of Dietary Patterns Derived Using ,-Priori and ,-Posterior MethodsJOURNAL OF APPLIED BIOBEHAVIORAL RESEARCH, Issue 1 2010Vassiliki Bountziouka We aimed to examine the repeatability of dietary patterns derived using ,-priori and ,-posterior techniques. During 2008, 500 participants were enrolled and asked to fill-in a food frequency questionnaire twice. The Mediterranean dietary pattern was ,-priori assessed by the MedDietScore, while principal components analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA) were used as the ,-posterior techniques. Results revealed that the overall MedDietScore was similar between the two recordings (M = 28, SD = 3.7 vs. M = 28, SD = 3.8). Although PCA revealed 13 patterns in each record (60% of explained variability), the food items characterizing each pattern were varying through the two recordings. According to CA, three clusters were revealed from both records. The ,-posterior methods should be used with caution, while the ,-priori approach leads to more robust results. [source] Cause and effect relationship of malnutrition with idiopathic chronic pancreatitis: Prospective case,control studyJOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY, Issue 9 2008Shallu Midha Abstract Background and Aim:, Patients with chronic pancreatitis are often malnourished. The role of malnutrition in the pathogenesis of chronic pancreatitis is unclear. The aim of the present article was to study prospectively the cause and effect relationship of malnutrition with idiopathic chronic pancreatitis in a case,control study. Methods:, Consecutive patients with chronic pancreatitis underwent anthropometry, nutritional and dietary assessments. For dietary assessment, food frequency questionnaire and 24-hour dietary recall methods were used. Primary outcome measure was cause and effect relationship of malnutrition with idiopathic chronic pancreatitis. Results:, Of 201 patients with chronic pancreatitis, 120 had idiopathic chronic pancreatitis (mean age 29.60 years, 74 males) who formed the study group. None of the patients consumed cassava. The nutritional status and dietary intake of the patients before the onset of chronic pancreatitis were comparable with those of controls with 20.6% of patients and 22.5% of controls being malnourished (body mass index [BMI] < 18.5). After the onset of chronic pancreatitis, 56.5% of patients lost weight and significantly more patients became malnourished compared with controls (45.8% vs 22.5%; P < 0.001). The causes of weight loss were diabetes, higher calories from proteins, and pseudocyst. Conclusion:, Malnutrition was not a cause of idiopathic chronic pancreatitis and weight loss occurred as an effect of chronic pancreatitis. Cassava was not found to be a cause of idiopathic chronic pancreatitis. [source] Estimating food intakes in Australia: validation of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) food frequency questionnaire against weighed dietary intakesJOURNAL OF HUMAN NUTRITION & DIETETICS, Issue 6 2009C. Lassale Abstract Background:, There is a dearth of knowledge about the foods that Australian adults eat and a need for a flexible, easy-to-use tool that can estimate usual dietary intakes. The present study was to validate a commonly used Australian Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) food-frequency questionnaire (C-FFQ) against two 4-day weighed food records (WFR), as the reference method. Methods:, The C-FFQ, as the test item, was administrated before the WFR. Two 4-day WFR were administrated 4 weeks apart. Under-reporting was established using specific cut-off limits and estimated basal metabolic rate. Seventy-four women, aged 31,60 years, were enrolled from a free-living community setting. Results:, After exclusion for under-reporting, the final sample comprised 62 individuals. Correlations between protein intake from the WFR and urinary urea were significant. Overall agreement between FFQ and WFR was shown by ,levels of agreement' (LOA) and least products regressions. There was presence of fixed and proportional bias for almost half the nutrients, including energy, protein, fat and carbohydrates. For most of the nutrients that did not present bias, the LOA were 50,200%. Agreement was demonstrated for percentage dietary energy protein and fat; carbohydrate; and absolute amounts of thiamine, riboflavin, magnesium and iron. However, relative intake agreement was fair to moderate, with approximately 70% of (selected) nutrients exact or within ±1 quintile difference. Conclusion:, The C-FFQ is reasonable at measuring percentage energy from macronutrients and some micronutrients, and comprises a valuable tool for ranking intakes by quintiles; however, it is poor at measuring many absolute nutrient intakes relative to WFR. [source] The role of diet in the management of gout: a comparison of knowledge and attitudes to current evidenceJOURNAL OF HUMAN NUTRITION & DIETETICS, Issue 1 2009P. Shulten Abstract Background:, Evidence supports dietary modifications in the management of gout. Despite this, the degree of implementation of this evidence by nutrition professionals and rheumatologists and those affected by gout is unknown. The present study aimed to compare usual dietary practices of patients with gout to evidence for dietary management of gout and to investigate whether the knowledge and attitudes of nutrition professionals and rheumatologists reflects current evidence. Methods:, A food frequency questionnaire was used to determine usual dietary intake of patients with gout, a separate questionnaire examined gout-related dietary modifications (n = 29). Online questionnaires to examine attitudes towards dietary management of gout were completed by nutrition professionals and rheumatologists. Results:, Proportions of participants whose reported intakes were inconsistent with current evidence for the dietary management of gout were: alcohol, n = 14 (48%); beer, n = 18 (62%); seafood, n = 29 (100%); meat, n = 7 (24%); beef/pork/lamb, n = 24 (83%); dairy products, n = 12 (41%); vitamin C supplementation, n = 29 (100%). Of the 61 rheumatologists and 231 nutrition professionals who completed the online survey, the majority considered that weight loss and decreased alcohol intake were important or very important outcomes. Proportions were lower for decreased purine intake. Thirty-four (56%) rheumatologists do not refer patients with gout to dietetic services and, of those who do, the majority refer less than half. Conclusions:, Overall, patients with gout in the present study were not implementing evidence for dietary management of their condition and complex dietary issues were evident. [source] Differences in the quantitative and qualitative performance of a calcium-specific food frequency questionnaire across age and sexJOURNAL OF HUMAN NUTRITION & DIETETICS, Issue 5 2006F. Magkos Abstract Objective, To examine putative differences in the quantitative and qualitative performance of a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) for assessing dietary calcium intake across age and sex in the Greek population. Materials and methods, A total of 351 children (189 girls and 162 boys, aged 11.9 ± 1.2 years), 260 adults (192 women and 68 men, aged 29.6 ± 2.7 years) and 390 elderly individuals (317 women and 73 men, aged 68.6 ± 4.6 years) were recruited. Estimates of calcium intake from the 30-item FFQ were compared with those from a multi-pass 24-h recall. Results, The FFQ significantly underestimated mean calcium intake in all age groups and both sexes (P < 0.05). The magnitude of underestimation, however, was greater in adults (,207 ± 344 mg day,1), less in the elderly (,137 ± 310 mg day,1) and even less in children (,74 ± 340 mg day,1; P < 0.025), with no differences between sexes. Calcium intakes by the two methods were positively and significantly correlated in all study groups (r = 0.536,0.739, P < 0.001). Cohen's weighted kappa statistic ranged from 0.39 to 0.57, indicating moderate agreement between the two methods. The 95% limits of agreement were comparably wide across age and sex (boys: ,762, 585 mg day,1; girls: ,747, 624 mg day,1; adult men: ,972, 505 mg day,1; adult women: ,867, 412 mg day,1; elderly men: ,858, 486 mg day,1; elderly women: ,732, 480 mg day,1). A significant association between age, sex and the classification of individuals as true/false positive/negative was detected (P < 0.001), implying that sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of the FFQ were not independent of the age and sex of the participants. Gross misclassification by the FFQ ranged from 0% to 4.2%, whereas 75.3,87.3% of the subjects were correctly classified. In this respect, the FFQ performed similarly across the study groups (P = 0.065). Without controlling for age, however, gross misclassification appeared to be higher in females than in males (3.2% versus 0.7%, respectively, P = 0.048). Conclusions, There may be several significant differences in the quantitative and qualitative performance of a calcium-specific FFQ across age and sex. This should be taken into account when attempting to evaluate dietary calcium intake in men and women or in different age groups, as some of the differences between study groups may actually be due to the different response of these groups to the FFQ. [source] Women's readiness to follow milk product consumption recommendations: design and evaluation of a ,stage of change' algorithmJOURNAL OF HUMAN NUTRITION & DIETETICS, Issue 4 2001P. Gulliver Objective To investigate readiness to follow milk product consumption recommendations in two random samples of New Zealand women, using an algorithm designed and evaluated to assess the stage of change construct of the Transtheoretical Model. Protocol Women were classified according to stage of readiness to perform two goal behaviours: consumption of two or four servings of milk products per day. Stage classification, as determined by the algorithm, was evaluated by estimating mean calcium intake in each stage using a validated food frequency questionnaire. This was undertaken in two independent samples of women randomly selected from the electoral rolls of two cities in New Zealand's South Island. Results Over 60% of women were classified as maintaining an intake of two servings of milk products per day. Of those women not meeting the goal of two servings per day, 73% had no intention of increasing their consumption. Over 80% of women were in the precontemplation stage for consuming four servings of milk products per day. Mean calcium intakes were significantly higher in women classified in action and maintenance stages than in preaction stages of change for both goal behaviours. Conclusion Of those women not currently meeting the recommendation for two servings of milk products per day, most are in precontemplation, a stage characterized by resistance to change. Use of the staging algorithm developed in this study makes possible the classification of women according to their readiness to change, and thus the provision of appropriate stage-tailored advice. [source] Effects of cassava processing methods on antinutritional components and health status of children,JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 3 2002Omorogieva Ojo Abstract This study was conducted to evaluate cassava processing methods in Nigeria, its antinutritional components and the possible impact on the health status of children. The traditional method of cassava processing involved peeling of cassava tubers with a knife, manual grating, dewatering with logs of wood and/or stones, sieving with a cane-woven sieve and frying in a local metal fryer on a wood fire. In contrast, the modern method involved the use of knives for peeling, a mechanical grater, a hydraulic press for dewatering, iron sieves for sieving and an improved metal fryer for frying on a coal fire. The products of both methods included gari (accounting for 70% of Nigeria's total cassava consumption) and lafun. The intake of gari and other foods in 129 3,5-year-old children in Benin City, Nigeria was also assessed based on a food frequency questionnaire. The children were classified into normal and protein-deficient groups using lower/middle/upper-arm circumference and clinical features of malnutrition. Based on the number of households in villages around Benin City who were involved in cassava processing, 90% used the traditional processing method compared with 10% using the modern method, although the latter controlled the commercial production and sale of gari. There were significantly (P,<,0.05) higher intakes of protein and energy in normal compared with protein-deficient children, but the latter group obtained higher percentages of protein and energy from gari. In addition, the correlation between the amount of gari consumed and clinical scores of malnutrition was low (R2,<,0.2). This may be due to the children consuming gari from both methods and also from different sources. The average gari intake for these children was 320,g,day,1 and HCN levels may be as high as 10.24,mg,day,1. Some children who are exposed to these levels with poor nutritional status and lack of access to food varieties may develop sublethal effects in the short term. The higher protein intake by the normal children may also reduce the toxicity of HCN. We conclude that methods of processing cassava have profound effects on HCN retention and chemical composition of cassava products. In addition, the modern processing method is more efficient than the traditional method, with significantly reduced processing losses, labour input and levels of HCN. The HCN content in combination with the quantity and quality of protein in the diet has significant impact on the health status of children. Therefore, in susceptible children with poor nutritional status who consume inadequately processed cassava products with limited food choice, these may predispose them to the effects of HCN and thiocyanate. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Dietary patterns and adult asthma: population-based case,control studyALLERGY, Issue 5 2010I. Bakolis To cite this article: Bakolis I, Hooper R, Thompson RL, Shaheen SO. Dietary patterns and adult asthma: population-based case,control study. Allergy 2010; 65: 606,615. Abstract Background:, Epidemiological studies of diet and asthma have focused on relations with intakes of individual nutrients and foods and evidence has been conflicting. Few studies have examined associations with dietary patterns. Methods:, We carried out a population-based case,control study of asthma in adults aged between 16 and 50 in South London, UK. Information about usual diet was obtained by food frequency questionnaire and we used principal components analysis to define five dietary patterns in controls. We used logistic and linear regression, controlling for confounders, to relate these patterns to asthma, asthma severity, rhinitis and chronic bronchitis in 599 cases and 854 controls. Results:, Overall, there was weak evidence that a ,vegetarian' dietary pattern was positively associated with asthma [adjusted odds ratio comparing top vs bottom quintile of pattern score 1.43 (95% CI: 0.93,2.20), P trend 0.075], and a ,traditional' pattern (meat and vegetables) was negatively associated [OR 0.68 (0.45,1.03), P trend 0.071]. These associations were stronger amongst nonsupplement users (P trend 0.030 and 0.001, respectively), and the association with the ,vegetarian' pattern was stronger amongst whites (P trend 0.008). No associations were observed with asthma severity. A ,prudent' dietary pattern (wholemeal bread, fish and vegetables) was positively associated with chronic bronchitis [OR 2.61 (1.13,6.05), P trend 0.025], especially amongst nonsupplement users (P trend 0.002). Conclusions:, Overall there were no clear relations between dietary patterns and adult asthma; associations in nonsupplement users and whites require confirmation. The finding for chronic bronchitis was unexpected and also requires replication. [source] Methodological challenges when monitoring the diet of pregnant women in a large study: experiences from the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study (MoBa)MATERNAL & CHILD NUTRITION, Issue 1 2008Helle Margrete Meltzer Abstract The aim of this article is to describe the main methodological challenges in the monitoring of dietary intake in the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study (MoBa), a pregnancy cohort aiming to include 100 000 participants. The overall challenge was to record dietary patterns in sufficient detail to support future testing of a broad range of hypotheses, while at the same time limiting the burden on the participants. The main questions to be answered were: which dietary method to choose, when in pregnancy to ask, which time period should the questions cover, which diet questions to include, how to perform a validation study, and how to handle uncertainties in the reporting. Our decisions were as follows: using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) (in use from 1 March 2002), letting the participants answer in mid-pregnancy, and asking the mother what she has eaten since she became pregnant. The questions make it possible to estimate intake of food supplements, antioxidants and environmental contaminants in the future. Misreporting is handled by consistency checks. Reports with a calculated daily energy intake of <4.5 and >20 MJ day,1 are excluded, about 1% in each end of the scale. A validation study confirmed that the included intakes are realistic. The outcome of our methodological choices indicates that our FFQ strikes a reasonable balance between conflicting methodological and scientific interests, and that our approach therefore may be of use to others planning to monitor diet in pregnancy cohorts. [source] Dietary antioxidant intake, allergic sensitization and allergic diseases in young childrenALLERGY, Issue 12 2009S. Patel Background:, Allergic diseases have risen in prevalence over recent decades. The aetiology remains unclear but is likely to be a result of changing lifestyle and/or environment. A reduction in antioxidant intake, consequent to reduced intake of fresh fruits and vegetables, has been suggested as a possible cause. Objective:, To investigate whether dietary antioxidant intake at age 5 was related to atopy at 5 and 8 years of age amongst children in an unselected birth cohort. Methods:, Children were followed from birth. Parents completed a validated respiratory questionnaire and children were skin prick tested at 5 and 8 years of age. Serum IgE levels were measured at age 5. At age 5, antioxidant intake was assessed using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). A nutrient analysis program computed nutrient intake, and frequency counts of foods high in the antioxidant vitamins A, C and E were assessed. Results:, Eight hundred and sixty-one children completed both the respiratory and FFQ. Beta-carotene intake was associated with reduced risk of allergic sensitization at age 5 [0.80 (0.68,0.93)] and 8 [0.81 (0.70,0.94)]. In addition, beta-carotene intake was negatively associated with total IgE levels (P = 0.002). Vitamin E intake was associated with an increased risk of allergic sensitization [1.19 (1.02,1.39)], only at age 5. There was no association between antioxidant intakes and wheeze or eczema. Conclusion:, Increased beta-carotene intake was associated with a reduced risk of allergic sensitization and lower IgE levels, in 5- and 8-year-old children. Dietary antioxidants may play a role in the development of allergic sensitization. [source] Frequency of Fish Consumption, Retinal Microvascular Signs and Vascular MortalityMICROCIRCULATION, Issue 1 2008Shweta Kaushik BMed (Hons) ABSTRACT Objective: Fish consumption has established cardiovascular and cerebrovascular benefits, but its effects on microvascular structure have not been examined in population-based studies. We investigated this association, in relation to vascular mortality in an Australian cohort (1992,2004). Methods: Of 3654 participants aged 49+ years, 2683 (73%) with available data were included. Retinal arteriolar and venular diameters were measured, and signs of arterio-venous nicking and retinopathy were assessed from digital retinal images. Fish consumption was evaluated using a food frequency questionnaire. Results: Both wider mean arteriolar diameter (p = 0.002) and narrower venular diameter (p = 0.02) were associated with increasing frequency of consuming any or oily fish, after adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors, diet, inflammatory factors and socioeconomic status. This association was mainly present in persons with hypertension. Greater frequency of fish consumption was associated with a reduced prevalence of arterio-venous nicking and a borderline significant trend for reduced retinopathy prevalence. Ten year stroke-related mortality was significantly lower in persons consuming fish at least once per week compared to less frequent consumption (hazard ratio 0.57, 95% CI: 0.35 to 0.93). Conclusions: Recent evidence shows that narrower arterioles and wider venules may predict vascular events. Our new findings suggest that the vascular protective effects of consuming fish could act, in part, by preventing pathological microvasculature change. [source] Adherence to the Mediterranean diet and fresh fruit intake are associated with improved asthma controlALLERGY, Issue 7 2008R. Barros Background:, The traditional Mediterranean diet is claimed to possess antioxidant and immune-regulatory properties in several chronic diseases. Typical Mediterranean foods have recently been associated with improvement of symptoms of asthma and rhinitis in children. However the effect of adherence to Mediterranean diet on adult asthma outcomes is unknown. We aimed to investigate the association between adherence to Mediterranean diet and asthma control. Methods:, Cross sectional study of 174 asthmatics, mean (SD) age of 40 (15) years. The patients were defined as controlled, in contrast to noncontrolled, if they showed FEV1 , 80% of predicted, exhaled nitric oxide (NO) ,35 ppb, and Asthma Control Questionnaire score <1. Dietary intake was obtained by a food frequency questionnaire, and Mediterranean diet was assessed by alternate Mediterranean Diet (aMED) Score. Logistic regression models adjusting for confounders were performed to estimate the association between Mediterranean diet and asthma control. Results:, Controlled asthmatics (23%) had significantly higher aMED Score, intake of fresh fruit, and lower intake of ethanol compared to noncontrolled (77%). High adherence to Mediterranean diet reduced 78% the risk of noncontrolled asthma after adjusting for gender, age, education, inhaled corticosteroids and energy intake (OR = 0.22; 95% CI = 0.05,0.85; P -trend = 0.028). The higher intake of fresh fruit decreased the probability of having noncontrolled asthma (OR = 0.29; 95% CI = 0.10,0.83; P -trend = 0.015), while the higher intake of ethanol had the opposite effect (OR = 3.16; 95% CI = 1.10,9.11; P -trend = 0.035). Conclusion:, High adherence to traditional Mediterranean diet increased the likelihood of asthma to be under control in adults. The study introduces a novel link between diet and asthma control, as measured by symptoms, lung function and exhaled NO. [source] Dietary intake in sensitized children with recurrent wheeze and healthy controls: a nested case,control studyALLERGY, Issue 4 2006C. S. Murray Background:, The rising prevalence of asthma and allergic disease remains unexplained. Several risk factors have been implicated including diet, in particular poly-unsaturated fats and antioxidant intake. Methods:, A nested case,control study comparing the dietary intake of sensitized children with recurrent wheeze (age 3,5 years) and nonsensitized children who had never wheezed was carried out within an unselected population-based cohort. Cases and controls were matched for age, sex, parental atopy, indoor allergen exposure and pet ownership. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire and nutrient analysis program. Results:, Thirty-seven case,control pairs (23 male, mean age 4.4 years) participated. Daily total polyunsaturated fat intake was significantly higher in sensitized wheezers (g/day, geometric mean, 95% confidence intervals: 7.1, 6.4,7.9) compared with nonsensitized nonwheezy children (5.6, 5.0,6.3, P = 0.003). Daily omega-3 and omega-6 fat intakes were not significantly different between the two groups. No significant differences were found in intake of any antioxidant or antioxidant cofactors between the groups. Conclusions:, Young sensitized wheezy children had a significantly higher total polyunsaturated fat intake compared with nonsensitized nonwheezy children. However, we were unable to distinguish a significant difference in specific poly-unsaturated fat intakes. Otherwise the children in both groups had a very similar nutritional intake. [source] Role of dietary patterns for dioxin and PCB exposureMOLECULAR NUTRITION & FOOD RESEARCH (FORMERLY NAHRUNG/FOOD), Issue 11 2009Helen E. Kvalem Abstract Dietary patterns were related to intake and blood concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo- p -dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/PCDFs), dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl-PCBs) and selected non-dioxin-like-PCBs (ndl-PCBs). Intake calculations were based on an extensive food frequency questionnaire and a congener-specific database on concentrations in Norwegian foods. The study (2003) applied a two-step inclusion strategy recruiting representative (n=73) and high consumers (n=111) of seafood and game. Estimated median intakes of sum PCDD/PCDFs and dl-PCBs of the representative and high consumers were 0.78 and 1.25 pg toxic equivalents (TEQ)/kg bw/day, respectively. Estimated median intakes of ndl-PCBs (sum chlorinated biphenyl (CB)-28, 52, 101, 138, 153, 180) were 4.26 and 6.40 ng/kg bw/day. The median blood concentrations of PCDD/PCDFs/dl-PCBs were 28.7 and 35.1 pg TEQ/g lipid, and ndl-PCBs (sum of CB-101, 138, 153 and 180) 252 and 299 ng/g lipid. The Spearman correlations between dietary intake and serum concentration were r=0.34 (p=0.017) for dl-compounds and r=0.37 (p<0.001) for ndl-PCBs. Oily fish was the major source of dl-compounds and ndl-PCBs in high and representative consumers. Four dietary patterns were identified by principal component analysis. Two were related to high intakes, one dominated by oily fish ((,-3)), the other by fish liver and seagull eggs ("northern coastal"). Only the latter was closely associated with high blood concentrations of dioxins and PCBs. [source] Semiquantitative study of current coffee, caffeine, and ethanol intake in essential tremor cases and controlsMOVEMENT DISORDERS, Issue 5 2004Elan D. Louis MD Abstract There are several reasons to study caffeine, coffee, and ethanol intake in essential tremor (ET) patients. ET patients also might modify their use of these beverages because of their effects on tremor. Intake of caffeine, coffee, and ethanol has not been quantified in a group of ET patients. Our objective is to use a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire to compare current daily intake of coffee, caffeine, and ethanol in ET patients and controls. A total of 130 ET cases were patients at the Neurological Institute of New York, and 175 controls were ascertained by random digit dialing. Caffeine (in milligrams) and ethanol (in grams) intake were calculated from a semiquantitative food-frequency questionnaire. Mean daily caffeine intake in patients was 138.4 versus 246.6 mg in controls; medians were 101.1 versus 175.5 mg (P < 0.001). Mean daily ethanol intake in patients was 8.2 versus 6.2 gm in controls; medians were 2.4 versus 1.9 gm (P = 0.89). Cases drank less coffee than controls, but drank similar amounts of tea, soft drinks, fruit juices, and milk. Daily caffeine intake was not correlated with tremor severity or duration. ET patients consumed less caffeine than did controls, which is likely to be a dietary modification in response to tremor. The observation that caffeine consumption was not correlated with tremor severity raises the additional possibility that lower caffeine consumption in ET patients may not exclusively be a response to tremor. A prospective study is needed to explore whether decreased caffeine consumption is a risk factor for ET. © 2004 Movement Disorder Society [source] Comparison of nutrient intake between different dietary assessment methods in elderly male volunteersNUTRITION & DIETETICS, Issue 4 2008Gunnar JOHANSSON Abstract Aim:, The objective of the study was to compare nutritional intake results obtained from the 4 × 4-day weighed records with those obtained from a food frequency questionnaire, repeated 24-hour recalls, a seven-day food record and a seven-day checklist in elderly men. Methods:, Seventy-five healthy men aged 55,88 years and living at home in Cambridge, UK, took part in the study. Energy and nutrients had means and standard deviations calculated. Misreporting was based on an evaluation of food intake level, calculated as reported energy intake divided by predicted basal metabolic rate. This was in relation to a plausible physical activity level, calculated as the ratio of energy expenditure divided by predicted basal metabolic rate. Statistical significance was assessed via one-way anova. Results:, The nutrient density was higher for protein and potassium for the group with low food intake level values in all dietary assessment methods. For some methods, this was also true for calcium, carotene, iron and vitamin C. All methods yielded similar results. Conclusions:, The present study indicates that selective underreporting exists. Surprisingly, the simplest method, the simplified 24-hour recall, performed as well as more complicated methods. [source] Quantifying calcium intake in school age children: Development and validation of the Calcium Counts!© food frequency questionnaire,AMERICAN JOURNAL OF HUMAN BIOLOGY, Issue 2 2010Babette S. Zemel Quantifying dietary behavior is difficult and can be intrusive. Calcium, an essential mineral for skeletal development during childhood, is difficult to assess. Few studies have examined the use of food frequency questionnaires (FFQs) for assessing calcium intake in school-age children. This study evaluated the validity and reliability of the Calcium Counts!© FFQ (CCFFQ) for estimating calcium intake in school children in the US. Healthy children, aged 7,10 years (n = 139) completed the CCFFQ and 7-day weighed food records. A subset of subjects completed a second CCFFQ within 3.6 months. Concurrent validity was determined using Pearson correlations between the CCFFQ and food record estimates of calcium intake, and the relationship between quintiles for the two measures. Predictive validity was determined using generalized linear regression models to explore the effects of age, race, and gender. Inter- and intra-individual variability in calcium intake was high (>300 mg/day). Calcium intake was ,300 mg/day higher by CCFFQ compared to food records. Concurrent validity was moderate (r = 0.61) for the entire cohort and higher for selected subgroups. Predictive validity estimates yielded significant relationships between CCFFQ and food record estimates of calcium intake alone and in the presence of such potential effect modifiers as age group, race, and gender. Test,retest reliability was high (r = 0.74). Although calcium intake estimated by the CCFFQ was greater than that measured by food records, the CCFFQ provides valid and reliable estimates of calcium intake in children. The CCFFQ is especially well-suited as a tool to identify children with low calcium intakes. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 2010. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Quality of Diets Consumed by Older Rural AdultsTHE JOURNAL OF RURAL HEALTH, Issue 1 2002Mara Z. Vitolins Dr.P.H.R.D Older adults residing in rural communities are at risk for low dietary quality because of a variety of social, physical and environmental circumstances. Minority elders are at additional risk because of poorer health status and lower socioeconomic status. This study evaluated the food group intake of 130 older (>70 years) African American (34%), European American (36%), and Native American (30%) residents of two rural communities in central North Carolina. An interviewer-administered food frequency questionnaire was used to measure dietary intake. Food items were classified into food groups similar to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Guide Pyramid and the National Cancer Institutés 5 A Day for Better Health program. None of the survey participants met minimum intake recommendations and most over-consumed fats, oils, sweets and snacks. African Americans and Native Americans consumed fewer servings of meats, fruits and vegetables, and fats, oils, sweets and snacks than European Americans. African American men consumed the fewest servings of fruits and vegetables of all gender/ethnic groups. Consumption of fats, oils and sweets was greatest among those 85 years and older and was more common among denture users. National strategies to educate the public about the importance of consuming a varied diet based on the recommendations presented in national nutrition education campaigns may not be reaching older adults in rural communities, particularly minority group members. [source] Diet and prostate cancer risk with specific focus on dairy products and dietary calcium: A case,control studyTHE PROSTATE, Issue 10 2010Sara Raimondi Abstract BACKGROUND Despite the prevalence of prostate cancer worldwide, only a few risk factors have been well-established. The role of diet, especially of dairy products, in the etiology of prostate cancer is still controversial. METHODS This study assessed the association of dietary components, particularly dairy products and dietary calcium, on prostate cancer risk in a case,control study of 197 cases and an equal number of individually matched controls recruited in Montreal, Canada. A semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire was administered in which the usual consumption frequency and amounts consumed of more than 200 food items were recorded. RESULTS We found a twofold increased risk of prostate cancer associated with an increased intake of dairy products {Odds Ratio (OR),=,2.19; 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) 1.22,3.94}. A significant trend of decreasing prostate cancer risk with higher intake was found for legumes, nuts, finfish/shellfish and for ,-tocopherol after adjustment for calcium intake. Milk was the only dairy product significantly associated with prostate cancer risk, with OR,=,2.27; 95% CI (1.25,4.09) for the highest versus lowest quartiles of consumption. Calcium, the main micronutrient contained in dairy products, showed only a borderline association with prostate cancer risk (P,=,0.09), with slightly higher risk for higher calcium intake. In conclusion, this study supports the hypothesis that dairy products, especially milk, are involved in the etiology of prostate cancer. However, the mechanisms by which the various nutrients in dairy products and total diet may interact to influence this risk remain unknown. Prostate 70: 1054,1065, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||