Dietary methionine is involved in the etiology of neural tube defect-affected pregnancies in humans.

Research has provided evidence of the role of multivitamin supplementation in the prevention of neural tube defects (NTD). Failure of the neural tube to close is one of the most frequent and severe human developmental defects. The etiology of NTD is complex, encompassing genetic, dietary and environmental factors. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between maternal dietary intake of methionine and the risk of having a NTD-affected pregnancy. We hypothesized that women with high maternal dietary methionine intake were at a decreased risk for a NTD. Combinations of methionine, folate and vitamin B-12 intakes and NTD risk were also examined. Data from a 5-y, population-based, case-control study of 170 NTD-affected pregnancies and 269 controls were provided by the South Carolina NTD Surveillance, Prevention, and Research Project. There was a 30-55% lower NTD risk among women whose average daily dietary intake of methionine was greater than the lowest quartile of intake (>1580 mg/d). The odds ratios associated with the three quartiles of methionine intake > 1580 mg/d after adjusting for energy, race and body mass index were 0.72 (P < 0.07), 0.68 (P < 0.07) and 0.45 (P < 0.06), respectively. These findings indicate that a reduction in the risk of having a NTD-affected pregnancy is associated with maternal dietary intake of methionine (3 mo pre- to 3 mo postconception). This finding is consistent with the hypothesis that methionine plays a role in the etiology of NTD and suggests the need for further research in the area of maternal diet and pregnancy.

Measurements of body image in clinical weight loss participants with and without binge-eating traits.

This study measured body image disturbances of individuals in a residential weight loss program who were identified as having binge-eating disorder (BED) traits. The study population (N=97) was a convenience sample of 74 men (76%, mean age=51.0) and 23 women (24%, mean age=49.6) in the program who completed the Eating Questionnaire-Revised (EQ-R), the Attitudes About Weight and Dieting (AAWD), the Physical Appearance State and Trait Anxiety Scale (PASTAS): State Version, and the Contour Drawing Rating Scale (CDR). Fifty-five individuals reported having binge traits (57%) while 42 (43%) had no binge traits. Individuals with the binge traits had a significantly higher BMI than nonbinge trait individuals (P=.008). The binge trait group scored higher on the total AAWD (P=.004), the AAWD factor "Fear of Fat" (P=.002), the total PASTA (P=.001), and the PASTA factor "Weight" (P=.001) than the nonbinge trait group. Logistic regression analysis indicated that the odds of having a binge trait were 1.44 times more likely for a person at a given score on the PASTA subscale Weight vs. a person at a score of 5 units less. Feelings of being unable to control eating among individuals seeking weight control is associated with several characteristics related to body image. Individuals showing greater concern about weight and dieting and specifically greater fears of becoming fat were more likely to have a problem with binge eating than those without these concerns. The results of this study suggest that a negative body image is an important factor to consider when treating individuals indicating binge-eating traits.