Assessment and significance of 24-h energy intake patterns among young and aged non-affluent southern US women.

Energy intake patterns that may impact health status among non-affluent southern U.S. women from small urban communities have not been evaluated extensively. Usual intake estimates are confounded by factors such as validity of intake methods and socioeconomic status. Typical 24-h energy intakes were reported by Caucasian (CA, n=149) and African-American (AA, n=110) women; at 43% of this sub-population, AA women are appropriately and proportionately represented. Daily energy intake was examined for these non-pregnant females, 24 to 93 y of age, to define typical energy, carbohydrate, protein, and fat intake. Study groups were: 24-29 y, 30-39 y, 40-49 y, 50-59 y, 60-69 y, 70-79 y, and 80-93 y. Statistical comparisons of nutrient variables by age were made by least squares means between groups. Body mass index (BMI) calculations accounted for differences in height and relative body mass. Both races reported similar energy intakes and significant (P<0.05) decreases with age were noted. Energy intakes were 15-40% below recommended levels, similar to reported values; senior lunch programs ameliorated declines among some women >60 y. More daily calories (52-62%) were provided by carbohydrates, followed by fat (26-35%) and protein (14-17%) findings in close agreement with health recommendations. Time-of-day intake patterns suggest women >59 y consume larger noon meals. BMI for AA women was greater (P<0.05) than that of CA women between 30-59 y. At 24-29 y, AA women had lowest BMI values; BMI decreases occurred in CA women after 80 y. These factors may impact the health of non-affluent southern AA and CA women, particularly the elderly who may require guidance for diet planning and intake intervention programs.

Assessment of antioxidant nutrient intake of a population of southern US African-American and Caucasian women of various ages when compared to dietary reference intakes.

Antioxidant nutrient intervention strategies to ameliorate negative health factors are of notable research interest. Central to the thesis that antioxidant nutrients improve biological defense systems and provide health benefits is an accurate indication of daily antioxidant nutrient intake. Little information is available concerning these nutrient intakes among non-affluent women of the southern U.S. This study examines the 24-h intake of vitamins: A, E, C, -carotene, a-tocopherol, riboflavin, and minerals: zinc, selenium, copper, manganese, iron, and molybdenum among 259 Caucasian (CA) and African-American (AA) women from small urban communities. Women were non-pregnant females, 19-93 y of age. Statistical comparisons of nutrient intake were made by least squares means within age groups. Intakes were compared to various Dietary Reference Intakes including Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) and Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) values as established by the U.S. National Research Council. Numerous dietary deficiencies in important antioxidant nutrients associated with metabolic antioxidant systems were identified. Few race-related differences were detected. Intake of vitamin A was generally within recommended levels while vitamin E intake was below the EAR. The vitamin precursors, -carotene and a-tocopherol, were significantly (P<0.05) below customary intakes at all ages. More than 60% of this population reported dietary copper, zinc, and selenium intakes below recommended levels. A lack of race differences for most nutrient intakes suggests similar socioeconomic or endogeneous regional factors. All women in this population reported dietary intakes of antioxidant vitamins and minerals below recommended values, conditions that could contribute to subsequent health risks unless nutrient-dense food choices and antioxidant supplementation are considered in their overall nutritional support.

The effects of different levels of dietary restriction on aging and survival in the Sprague-Dawley rat: implications for chronic studies.

A study was undertaken to determine the effects of incremental levels of dietary restriction (DR) in rats. Survival, growth, reproductive, and dietary intake (DI) variables were monitored in a chronic study in which male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats (NCTR colony) were fed their ration ad libitum (AL), or DR. The main objectives were to determine if low levels of DR could be used to increase the survival rate of SD rats in the chronic bioassay, and to identify the survival characteristics of a long-lived SD rat strain (NCTR colony). The average life span of AL rats was 115 months. At 104 weeks on study (110 weeks of age), the survival rate for the AL and 10%, 25%, and 40% DR groups was 63.4, 87.5, 87.5, and 97.5%, respectively. The largest increase in survival (24.1%) occurred between AL and 10% DR, indicating that very low levels of DR have a significant effect on survival. Whole-body, liver, prostate, and epididymis weights and body length were decreased by DR, whereas brain weight, testicular weight, and skull length were not altered by DR. Rats from the NCTR colony were found to be ideal for chronic studies because they are much longer-lived than other SD stocks. Although the 104-week survival rate for these SD, non-obese AL rats exceeds the FDA's "Redbook" survival guideline (> 50%) for chronic bioassays, the use of DR is advocated because it reduces individual variability in body weight.