CD-ROM nutrient analysis database assists self-monitoring behavior of active duty Air Force personnel receiving nutrition counseling for weight loss.

This study observed the effect of using a computerized vs manual method of self-monitoring among Air Force personnel receiving nutrition counseling for weight loss. Subjects who enrolled during the first 2 weeks of the 4-week recruitment period completed food records for 6 weeks using a CD-ROM nutrient database (intervention group) whereas those who enrolled during the last 2 weeks used a food record booklet (comparison group). Of the 42 subjects (n = 23 intervention group and n = 19 comparison group), only 113 intervention and 11 comparison group subjects (57% of study enrollees) submitted at least 1 food record during the study and were included in the analysis, which included review of pre- and poststudy questionnaires, food records, and focus group data. There were no significant differences between the number of days per week documented or average number of items recorded daily. All 9 intervention as compared to 2 comparison group subjects who completed a poststudy questionnaire searched for lower-energy and lower-fat items and reported changing their dietary intake as a result. All intervention group subjects who participated in a focus group (n=6) had favorable comments about using the CD-ROM for monitoring and changing eating habits, indicating that it is a beneficial self-monitoring tool. Participants enjoyed the immediate dietary feedback, and computerized food records may be easier to interpret by nutrition counselors. A number of computerized nutrient databases are available to assist patients and consumers in managing nutritional concerns.

Body composition, dietary intake, and energy expenditure in nonobese, prepubertal children of obese and nonobese biological mothers.

OBJECTIVE: To determine differences in dietary intake, resting energy expenditure, activity level, fat-free mass, and percentage body and abdominal fat in nonobese children of obese mothers compared with nonobese children of nonobese mothers. DESIGN: Cross-sectional comparison study. Children's food diaries were analyzed to determine average energy and nutrient content. Resting energy expenditure of children was measured by means of indirect calorimetry. Children's activity levels were estimated through questionnaires administered during interviews. Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry was used to estimate body composition of children. SUBJECTS: Mothers of subjects responded to advertisements and were recruited as nonobese (body mass index = 20 to 25) or obese (body mass index > or = 30). Offspring included in the study were prepubertal and nonobese (10th to 90th percentile of weight for height by gender). Twelve pairs of children could be matched for weight, gender, and age. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS PERFORMED: Wilcoxon signed rank tests were used to determine differences between the 2 groups of children. RESULTS: Percentage abdominal fat was greater (median difference = 3.15, P = .001) and fat-free mass was lower (median difference = 1.19, P = .04) in children of obese mothers compared with children of nonobese mothers. No statistically significant differences between the 2 groups of children were found for dietary intake, resting energy expenditure, activity level, or percentage body fat. APPLICATIONS/CONCLUSIONS: The significantly higher percentage of abdominal fat and lower fat-free mass in children of obese mothers may contribute to obesity onset. Use of dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry as a screening tool for nonobese, prepubertal children with an obese parent will help to identify those at risk. Education and lifestyle changes can then be implemented to help prevent the onset of obesity.

Cottonseed protein: what does the future hold?

Cottonseed protein has the potential to increase the world's food supply while decreasing the incidence of malnutrition among the world's hungry. Nutritionally, cottonseed flour compares favorably to other animal and vegetable protein sources, as it is low in fat and contains a substantial amount of high biological value protein. Animal studies, as well as human research, using gossypol-free glandless cottonseed flour have shown that cottonseed protein promotes growth, increased weight gain, and a positive nitrogen balance. Cottonseed protein food products have been shown to be a healthy addition to the diets of children, college-age women, and the elderly. With its light color and bland flavor, cottonseed has many uses in the food processing arena. Baked goods, snack foods and candy, as well as pet and livestock feed are just a few successful products developed utilizing cottonseed protein.

Associations of body fat distribution, circulating sex hormones, and bone density in postmenopausal women.

The associations of body fat distribution, sex hormone levels, and bone mineral density (BMD) were examined in 52 postmenopausal Caucasian women. Body fat distribution was assessed by waist to hip ratio (WHR) and abdominal fat weight (between the iliac crest and L1), as determined by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. Bone mineral densities were determined by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry, and total estradiol, total testosterone, and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels were determined by RIA. Subjects taking hormone replacement had significantly greater total estradiol and SHBG concentrations and a lower free androgen index. BMDs tended to be higher in subjects taking estrogen replacement after adjustment for body weight. There was no difference between subjects taking hormone replacement or not taking hormone replacement in WHR or abdominal fat weight. Subjects with a gynoid (lower body) distribution of body fat had higher SHBG concentrations than subjects with a more android (upper body) distribution of body fat. Subjects with an android distribution of body fat had greater BMDs than subjects with a gynoid distribution of body fat. Abdominal fat weight and WHR were significant predictors in regression models for all BMD parameters. The results of this study suggest that there is an association between body fat distribution and BMD, with the android distribution having higher BMDs.

The effects of variations in carbohydrate, protein, and fat content of the diet upon weight loss, blood values, and nutrient intake of adult obese women.

The effects on weight reduction of three different 1,200-kcal diets followed for a 10-week period were examined in adult, sedentary, overweight women. Diet patterns contained 25%, 45%, or 75% carbohydrate, with variations in fat and protein. Parameters evaluated and compared for each diet were body composition, cholesterol, triglycerides, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), uric acid, percent body fat, and nutrient intake. Each diet group contained at least 11 women. Behavioral approaches were used to ensure that subjects complied with the caloric intake and the dietary pattern. No significant differences were found in the parameters except for BUN, which was significantly greater in the 25% carbohydrate group. Each 1,200-kcal diet contributed to weight loss. Selection of a weight reduction diet can be designed around preferred food patterns and nutrition needs of individuals rather than a proportion of the energy provided by carbohydrate in healthy adult women. Practitioners may use this research to demonstrate to clients that body weight can be lost while following a variety of nutritious diets.

Effects of a glandless cottonseed protein diet on fasting plasma amino acid levels in college women.

Plasma amino acids were determined and correlated to the level of dietary amino acids consumed over a 42-day period. Six college women, ages 19 to 23, were fed meals in which 99% of the dietary protein was supplied by glandless cottonseed flour. The protein content was decreased weekly from 14.6 to 9.9, 8.7, 7.5, 6.9, and 6.3 g nitrogen per day, until that amount was found that would not maintain nitrogen equilibrium. Fasting blood samples were obtained after subjects had consumed a specific protein level for 1 week. Significant (P less than 0.05) decreases in fasting plasma free amino acid levels occurred from day 0 to 7 of the study for threonine, proline, isoleucine, leucine, tyrosine, and lysine. There were no significant differences in these plasma amino acids thereafter. Of the essential amino acids, leucine, valine, histidine, and lysine appeared to have similar graphical trends between the plasma and dietary amino acid concentrations over the entire 6-week period. However, only leucine had a significant (P less than 0.05) correlation. Results indicated that fasting plasma free amino acid concentrations of young women on a cottonseed protein diet appear to drop initially, but rarely fall beyond the realms of normal values during nitrogen equilibrium.

The minimum cottonseed protein required for nitrogen balance in women.

This study was designed to assess minimum amount of nitrogen from deglanded (LCP) and glandless (GSF) cottonseed protein required to maintain nitrogen balance in young adult women. Fourteen women aged 19 to 25 were divided into two groups, one group was fed LCP and the other GSF in a purified formula diet for the entire study. The protein level constituted approximately 15% of the total energy intake initially. After reaching and maintaining equilibrium, the protein level for each subject was decreased until that lowest level was found that would maintain the individual in nitrogen balance. Nitrogen status was calculated using the formula: Nitrogen Status = N Intake--N Output (Urinary + Fecal + other Obligatory Loss). Regression data for each subject was used to define nitrogen intake required to maintain equilibrium. The nitrogen intakes showed similar results for the two forms of cottonseed with a mean value of 0.106 g N per kg body weight to maintain equilibrium. The quality of cottonseed protein was between reported values in men for soybean and wheat protein.