Vitamin and mineral supplements have a nutritionally significant impact on micronutrient intakes of older adults attending senior centers.

Older adults frequently report use of vitamin and mineral (VM) supplements, although the impact of supplements on dietary adequacy remains largely unknown. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate micronutrient intakes of older adults with emphasis on identifying nutrients most improved by VM supplements, nutrients most likely to remain inadequate, and nutrients most likely consumed in excess. Community-based volunteers were recruited from senior centers and completed a questionnaire querying demographic data, current health status, and VM supplement use. Participants (n = 263) were then contacted by telephone to complete two 24-hour diet recalls and confirm VM supplement use. Dietary adequacy was determined by comparing the ratio of mean dietary intake to the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI). Dietary consumption was lowest for vitamins D and E, calcium, and magnesium. VM supplementation most improved intakes of vitamins E, D, B(6), folic acid, and calcium. Participants were most likely to exceed the Tolerable Upper Limit with supplementation of niacin, folic acid, and vitamin A.

Breastfeeding duration and childhood overweight among low-income children in Kansas, 1998-2002.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to determine whether increased duration of breast-feeding was associated with decreased risk of overweight among 4-year-old children in Kansas families with limited means. METHODS: We linked data on Kansas families from the Pediatric Nutrition Surveillance System and Pregnancy Nutrition Surveillance System, 1998 to 2002, to determine breastfeeding duration and weight status at age 4 years. Overweight among 4-year-old children was defined as body mass index-for-age at the 95th percentile and above. Linked analysis included 3692 children. Logistic regression was applied to determine odds of being overweight at each duration of breastfeeding. RESULTS: Breastfeeding duration considered independently showed a significant protective association with childhood overweight at age 4 years for all non-Hispanics (odds ratio [OR]=0.72; 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.55, 0.94) and for Whites only (OR=0.68; CI=0.50, 0.92). When we controlled for other significant risk factors for childhood overweight, the association diminished and was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Although breastfeeding for longer duration appeared to be protective against overweight among 4-year-old non-Hispanic children, cultural and environmental factors may override this protective benefit.

Calcium-fortified beverage supplementation on body composition in postmenopausal women.

BACKGROUND: We investigated the effects of a calcium-fortified beverage supplemented over 12 months on body composition in postmenopausal women (n = 37, age = 48-75 y). METHODS: Body composition (total-body percent fat, %FatTB; abdominal percent fat, %FatAB) was measured with dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. After baseline assessments, subjects were randomly assigned to a free-living control group (CTL) or the supplement group (1,125 mg Ca++/d, CAL). Dietary intake was assessed with 3-day diet records taken at baseline and 12 months (POST). Physical activity was measured using the Yale Physical Activity Survey. RESULTS: At 12 months, the dietary calcium to protein ratio in the CAL group (32.3 +/- 15.6 mg/g) was greater than the CTL group (15.2 +/- 7.5 mg/g). There were no differences from baseline to POST between groups for changes in body weight (CAL = 0.1 +/- 3.0 kg; CTL = 0.0 +/- 2.9 kg), %FatTB (CAL = 0.0 +/- 2.4%; CTL = 0.5 +/- 5.4%), %FatAB (CAL = -0.4 +/- 8.7%; CTL = 0.6 +/- 8.7%), or fat mass (CAL = 1.3 +/- 2.6 kg; CTL = 1.3 +/- 2.7 kg). CONCLUSION: These results indicate that increasing the calcium to protein ratio over two-fold by consuming a calcium-fortified beverage for 12 months did not decrease body weight, body fat, or abdominal fat composition in postmenopausal women.

Geographic variation in the prevalence of macular disease among elderly medicare beneficiaries in Kansas.

This study used Medicare Part B claims and enrollment data to estimate the prevalence of macular disease in Kansas at county and area levels. Spatial analysis by aggregated county clusters was assessed with standardized prevalence ratios and 95% confidence intervals, and a thematic map was produced to illustrate geographic distribution. A total of 17888 unduplicated claims were identified among 335132 beneficiaries older than age 64 years. Compared with the state prevalence of 5.34%, the central agricultural area showed a disproportionately high macular disease prevalence.

Physical activity minimizes the association of body fatness with abdominal obesity in white, premenopausal women: results from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

This study explored the association of physical activity with body fatness and abdominal obesity in 1,004 premenopausal white women who participated in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Physical activity was classified into four levels based on fitness criteria from the American College of Sports Medicine. Standard protocols were used for measuring body mass index (BMI), percent body fat, and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR). Means for BMI, percent body fat, and WHR were calculated for each physical activity level. Analysis of variance procedures were performed, followed by pair-wise comparisons, to determine differences among means and for trends. Mean BMI, percent body fat, and WHR were significantly less ( P < .001) at each higher physical activity level except between Levels 0 and 1. The ability of increased daily physical activity to minimize age-related increases in abdominal obesity could be a strong incentive for women approaching menopause to become more physically active.

Consumption of caroltenoid-rich foods and central vision loss:a matched case-controlled study in Kansas.

The purpose of this study was to explore the association between consumption of carotenoid-rich foods and risk of central vision loss in 168 rural elders. Food consumption was estimated using a food frequency questionnaire. Median servings per week were used as the cut points for consumption levels. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated by using discordant pairs. High consumption of corn bread indicated significant association with central vision loss (OR 0.4; 95% CI 0.2, 0.9). Insignificant inverse associations were observed for seven other foods and the summary index of all selected foods. Prospective studies are needed to further evaluate the potential protective influence of carotenoid-rich foods on central vision loss among older adults.