Vitamin D Status of People 3 to 79 Years of Age from the Canadian Health Measures Survey 2012-2019.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D is recognized in bone health and the prevention of rickets and osteomalacia. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess vitamin D status of people in Canada and to identify factors associated with vitamin D inadequacy and deficiency. METHODS: Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) from the Canadian Health Measures Survey (cycles 3-6, n = 21,770, 3-79 y) were evaluated for geometric means and proportions <40 (inadequate) and <30 (risk of deficiency) nmol/L. Factors associated with inadequacy or deficiency were tested using logistic regression. RESULTS: Mean serum 25(OH)D was 57.9 (95% CI: 55.4, 60.5) nmol/L; the prevalence of inadequacy was 19.0% (95% CI: 15.7, 22.3) and risk of deficiency was 8.4% (95% CI: 6.5, 10.3). Prominent dietary factors associated with inadequacy in adults included: not consuming fish compared with ≥1/wk (adjusted ORadj: 1.60; 95% CI: 1.21, 2.11), none compared with ≥1/d for cow's milk (ORadj: 1.41; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.94) or margarine (ORadj: 1.42; 95% CI: 1.08, 1.88); or nonuser compared with user of vitamin D supplements (ORadj: 5.21; 95% CI: 3.88, 7.01). Notable demographic factors included: younger adults compared with 71 to 79 y (19-30 y ORadj: 2.33; 95% CI: 1.66, 3.29); BMI ≥30 compared with <25 kg/m2 (ORadj: 2.30; 95% CI: 1.79, 2.95); lower household income quartile 1 compared with 4 (ORadj: 1.46; 95% CI: 1.00, 2.15); and self-reported Black (ORadj: 8.06; 95% CI: 4.71, 13.81), East/Southeast Asian (ORadj: 3.83; 95% CI: 2.14, 6.85), Middle Eastern (ORadj: 4.57; 95% CI: 3.02, 6.92), and South Asian (ORadj: 4.63; 95% CI: 2.62, 8.19) race compared with White. Similar factors were observed in children and for deficiency. CONCLUSIONS: Most people in Canada have adequate vitamin D status; nonetheless, racialized groups have an elevated prevalence of inadequacy. Further research is required to evaluate if current strategies to improve vitamin D status, including increasing vitamin D in fortified foods and supplements, and dietary guidance to include a source of vitamin D every day help to reduce health inequality in Canada.

Consumption of Caffeinated Energy Drinks Among Youth and Young Adults in Canada.

The growing market for caffeinated energy drinks (CEDs) has caused concern about excessive caffeine intake and potential adverse effects, particularly among young people. The current study examined patterns of CED consumption among youth and young adults in Canada, using data from a national online survey conducted in October 2014. Data from a non-probability sample of 2040 respondents aged 12-24 from a consumer panel was weighted to national proportions; measures of CED consumption were estimated, including prevalence, excessive daily consumption, and context for use (locations and reasons). Separate logistic regression models for two outcomes, past-week consumption and "ever" exceeding two energy drinks in a day (as per common guidance), were conducted to examine associations with demographic variables (sex, age, geographic region, race/ethnicity, and language). Overall, 73.6% of respondents reported "ever" consuming energy drinks; 15.6% had done so in the past week. Any consumption of energy drinks in the past week was more prevalent among males, Aboriginal respondents (vs. white only or mixed/other), and residents of British Columbia. Among "ever-consumers," 16.0% reported ever consuming more than two energy drinks in a day. Exceeding two in a day was more prevalent among older respondents (young adults aged 18-24), aboriginal respondents (vs. white only), and British Columbia residents. While the majority of youth and young adults had consumed energy drinks, about half were "experimental" consumers (i.e., consumed ≤ 5 drinks in their lifetime). Approximately one in six consumers had exceeded the usual guidance for maximum daily consumption, potentially increasing their risk of experiencing adverse effects.

Eating Well with Canada's Food Guide: "A tool for the times".

This article outlines the processes undertaken to revise Canada's Food Guide and shares the updated science that underpins the dietary pattern. The Dietary Reference Intakes provide updated nutrient requirement values and better tools for dietary assessment and planning. Alignment with this updated science was an important component of defining and communicating accurate dietary guidance for Canada. Ensuring that stakeholders had access to the updated review of requirements led to the development of the text Dietary Reference Intakes: The Essential Guide to Nutrient Requirements. Equally important was ensuring that stakeholders were provided opportunity to influence the approach taken to giving dietary guidance, both content and the elements of the final package. A combination of research, consultation and expert advice guided the process to the release of Eating Well with Canada's Food Guide (2007).

Eating well with Canada's Food Guide (2007): development of the food intake pattern.

A food intake pattern specifying amounts and types of food was created for Canada's revised food guide, Eating Well with Canada's Food Guide (2007), using a two-step modeling process. In step one, food composites were manipulated to develop a food intake pattern. The second step used the step one food intake pattern to create 500 simulated diets for each of 16 age and gender groups. The resulting nutrient content distributions were evaluated relative to Dietary Reference Intake reference values. The modeling cycled between these two steps until a satisfactory pattern was achieved. The final pattern reflects modeling, a review of associations between foods and chronic disease, and input received during consultation.