Consumption of whole grain food and its determinants in a general Italian population: Results from the INHES study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Whole grain (WG) food consumption is associated with lower risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer and neurological diseases. The aim of this study was to assess the consumption of WG food and its major demographic, socioeconomic, psychosocial and behavioral determinants in a general Italian population. METHODS AND RESULTS: Data were from the Italian Nutrition & Health Survey (INHES), a telephone-based survey established in 2010-2013 including 9422 participants aged ≥5 years from all over Italy. WG food intake was assessed by the European Food Propensity Questionnaire and included bread, pasta, breakfast cereals, biscuits and WG soups. WG consumption was categorized as none, occasional (<1 time/week) and regular (≥1 time/week). Overall, 26.9% of the sample reported a regular consumption of WG food (27.2% of adults aged 20-97 y, and 21.9% of children/adolescents aged 5-19 y). In both age-groups, the major food source contributing to total WG intake was WG bread followed by WG pasta. Among adults, greater consumption of WG was associated with healthier lifestyle (e.g. sport activity), and higher educational level. Eating meals outside of the house in adults, and spending >2 h/day watching TV in children/adolescents were inversely associated with WG intake. CONCLUSIONS: The percentage of WG consumers in Italy in 2010-2013 appears to be quite low and still below that recorded in other countries of Europe where consumption is frequently over 50 percent. WG consumption is likely to be influenced by socioeconomic status and is associated with a number of psychosocial factors, meal patterns and eating-related behaviors.

[Report on notifications according to Section 8d of the German Transplantation Act (TPG) for the year 2008]. / Bericht zur Meldung nach § 8d Transplantationsgesetz (TPG) für das Jahr 2008.

In Germany, the tissue law came into effect on 1 August 2007. The law implemented the requirements of EC directives on quality and safety of human tissues and cells in the German Transplantation Act ("Transplantationsgesetz," TPG) and in the German Medicinal Products Act. Accordingly, tissue establishments are obligated to keep a record of their activities and to submit an annual report to the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut (PEI). The report shall include the types and quantities of tissues procured, conditioned, processed, stored, and distributed, or otherwise disposed of, imported and exported. For this purpose, the PEI published TPG-based notification forms in the Bundesanzeiger and in the Internet. The data provided by tissue establishments have been anonymized and compiled in a general report. The analysis revealed inconclusive data, which can be due to a number of different causes. To achieve better consistency of data provided in the future, the explanations for completing the notification forms will be amended. Thus far, compiled data are not appropriate to draw conclusions on the availability of tissues and tissue preparations in Germany, but the data can serve as reference points.