Quality and Quantity of School Lunch in Nanjing: Based on Data from the Sunshine Restaurant Supervision Platform.

School lunch plays an important role in children's healthy growth. Previous investigations revealed many problems with school lunches, including unreasonable dietary structure and insufficient micronutrients. This study aimed to assess the dietary structure and nutritional quality of lunches in Nanjing primary and middle schools. A stratified cluster random sampling method was used to select 44 schools that supply lunch in 12 districts in Nanjing, with two primary and two middle schools in each district. Twenty-four primary and twenty middle schools were selected. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to explore the influencing factors. Findings revealed a serious shortage of milk and fruit in school lunches; supply of eggs, fish, shrimp, and shellfish was less than half of the recommended quantity; livestock and poultry supply exceeded the recommended level by over four times. Energy and nutrition intake were suboptimal. Provision of energy, carbohydrates, vitamins (A, B1, B2, and C), calcium, and iron in urban primary schools was significantly higher than that in non-urban primary schools. The same pattern of significantly higher nutrients was equally seen in urban middle schools compared with non-urban middle schools, indicating that food supply was affected by regional economies. Therefore, it is urgent to improve the quality of lunches, with a particular focus on those in non-urban areas.

Enhancing children's nutrition: the influence of rural household technology under China's home appliances going to the countryside policy.

This study explores the influence of household technological advancements on children's nutritional intake, specifically within the context of the Chinese government's "Home Appliances Going to the Countryside" (HAGC) initiative. Utilizing data from the China Health and Nutrition Surveys of 2006, 2009, and 2011, we employed a Propensity Score Matching Difference-in-Differences (PSM-DID) framework to ascertain the repercussions of enhanced household technology on the dynamics of children's nutritional consumption patterns. Our analysis reveals that the HAGC-inspired integration of household appliances, including color televisions, washing machines, and refrigerators, has beneficially reshaped the nutritional consumption patterns of children, with a pronounced effect among female children. This finding remains consistent even when employing alternate methodological robustness tests. A deeper examination of the HAGC policy's mechanisms underscores the pivotal roles of parental time allocation, improved food storage capabilities, and augmented information accessibility as significant drivers bolstering children's nutritional intake. These insights bear considerable significance for strategizing interventions aimed at elevating the nutritional wellbeing of children in rural settings, offering valuable input for shaping public health policies tailored for such demographies.

The Colombo Twin and Singleton Study (COTASS): Piloting the Feasibility of Collecting Nutritional Data and Extension of the Sample to Include Children of Twins.

Nutrition and diet are key modifiable risk factors for the rising burden of non-communicable diseases like cardio-vascular diseases and diabetes in low- and middle- income countries (LMICs). The nutritional transition in dietary behaviours in LMICs has most likely contributed to this problem. Although traditionally assumed to be environmental, dietary choices are also genetically influenced. Twin study designs can be used to investigate the relative influence of genes and environment on nutrition intake, eating behaviours and associated psychological health. The overall aim of this project is to: provide proof-of-concept for the feasibility of using dietary (biomarker) data within the Children-of-Twin design in nutrition studies, develop laboratory skills and statistical genetic skills and establish a Sri Lankan-specific food composition database. Currently, a pilot study is being conducted with 304 individuals (38 Monozygotic twin pairs, 38 Dizygotic twin pairs and their male or female adult offspring). Questionnaire data on nutritional intake, eating behaviours, psychological well-being, physical health, and bio-specimens are being collected. A Sri Lankan-specific food composition database was developed, training sessions on macro and micro element analysis in biological samples and statistical genetics skills development were conducted and Community Engagement and Involvement programs were carried out in two districts of Sri Lanka.

Higher Intake of Nutrients with Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effects among Children with Cow's Milk Allergy According to the Degree of Elimination.

Children with cow's milk allergy (CMA) have lower bone mineral density and shorter height than children without CMA or non-food allergy (FA), and their final height is also affected. Appropriate nutritional guidance for CMA children is therefore needed. The purpose of this study was to conduct a dietary survey of CMA children and to compare their characteristics according to the degree of elimination. A dietary survey of FA children attending the allergy clinic at Shiga Medical Center for Children, Shiga, Japan, was conducted using the brief-type self-administered diet history questionnaire for Japanese children and adolescents (BDHQ15y). To objectively assess the intake of fruit and vegetables, skin carotenoid levels were measured using the Veggie Meter®. Regarding the degree of CM elimination, of the 147 FA children (89 boys, 58 girls) recruited, 38, 27, and 82 children were allocated to complete-, partial-, and non-elimination groups, respectively. In analyzing the data, boys and girls were combined because there was no difference in sex ratio among the groups. Significantly lower intakes of calcium, animal proteins, and vitamin B2 were observed with increasing degree of CM elimination. Conversely, significantly greater intakes of vegetable proteins, ß carotene, α tocopherol, vitamin C, and polyunsaturated fatty acids, as well as significantly higher levels of skin carotenoids, were observed with increasing degree of CM elimination. Intakes of many nutrients with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects were higher with increasing degree of CM elimination, presumably reflecting the efforts of caregivers in identifying alternative foods. However, calcium intake was still inadequate, indicating a need for further encouragement of calcium intake in CMA children.

Bias in nutrition-health associations is not eliminated by excluding extreme reporters in empirical or simulation studies.

Self-reported nutrition intake (NI) data are prone to reporting bias that may induce bias in estimands in nutrition studies; however, they are used anyway due to high feasibility. We examined whether applying Goldberg cutoffs to remove 'implausible' self-reported NI could reliably reduce bias compared to biomarkers for energy, sodium, potassium, and protein. Using the Interactive Diet and Activity Tracking in the American Association of Retired Persons (IDATA) data, significant bias in mean NI was removed with Goldberg cutoffs (120 among 303 participants excluded). Associations between NI and health outcomes (weight, waist circumference, heart rate, systolic/diastolic blood pressure, and VO2 max) were estimated, but sample size was insufficient to evaluate bias reductions. We therefore simulated data based on IDATA. Significant bias in simulated associations using self-reported NI was reduced but not completely eliminated by Goldberg cutoffs in 14 of 24 nutrition-outcome pairs; bias was not reduced for the remaining 10 cases. Also, 95% coverage probabilities were improved by applying Goldberg cutoffs in most cases but underperformed compared with biomarker data. Although Goldberg cutoffs may achieve bias elimination in estimating mean NI, bias in estimates of associations between NI and outcomes will not necessarily be reduced or eliminated after application of Goldberg cutoffs. Whether one uses Goldberg cutoffs should therefore be decided based on research purposes and not general rules.

Nutritional Intake, Hospital Readmissions and Length of Stay in Hospitalised Oncology Patients.

BACKGROUND: Poor food intake is an independent risk factor for malnutrition in oncology patients, and achieving adequate nutrition is essential for optimal clinical and health outcomes. This study investigated interrelationships between nutritional intake and clinical outcomes in hospitalised adult oncology patients. METHODS: Estimated nutrition intake data were obtained from patients admitted to a 117-bed tertiary cancer centre during May-July 2022. Clinical healthcare data, including length of stay (LOS) and 30-day hospital readmissions, were obtained from patient medical records. Statistical analysis, including multivariable regression analysis, assessed whether poor nutritional intake was predictive of LOS and readmissions. RESULTS: No relationships between nutritional intake and clinical outcomes were evident. Patients at risk of malnutrition had lower mean daily energy (-898.9 kJ, p = 0.001) and protein (-10.34 g, p = 0.015) intakes. Increased malnutrition risk at admission prolonged LOS (1.33 days, p = 0.008). Hospital readmission rates were 20.2%, and associated with age (r = -0.133, p = 0.015), presence of metastases (r = 0.125, p = 0.02) and longer LOS (1.34 days, r = 0.145, p = 0.02). Sarcoma (43.5%), gynaecological (36.8%) and lung (40.0%) cancers had the highest readmission rates. CONCLUSIONS: Despite research showing the benefits of nutritional intake during hospitalisation, evidence continues to emerge on the relationship between nutritional intake and LOS and readmissions that may be confounded by malnutrition risk and cancer diagnosis.

[Cross-Sectional Study of Nutritional Status and Dietary Nutrient Intake in Children with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) in China].

Objective: To investigate the dietary nutrient intake and the nutritional status of children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), and to explore the correlation between them, so as to provide theoretical basis for the formulation of proper nutritional treatment for children with DMD. Methods: A total of 223 children aged 2 to 14 years who came to West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University from July 2017 to April 2021, and who were diagnosed with DMD by genetic testing were enrolled as the subjects of the study. Dietary assessment was conducted with a 3-day 24-hour dietary recall, and serum vitamin D level was measured by chemiluminescence method. Results: Only 33.2% of the children with DMD were found to be of normal nutritional status. The incidences of stunted growth, underweight, overweight and obesity were 13.5%, 14.4%, 14.3% and 8.1%, respectively. Among the children with DMD, those with serum vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency accounted for 9.0% and 89.7%, respectively. According to the dietary recall of the children with MDM, the daily energy ratio of carbohydrate, protein and fat were (47.40±6.64)%, (14.46±2.22)%, and (38.17±5.30)%, respectively. The daily intake of dietary calcium and vitamin D were (433.32±164.39) mg per day and (155.73±89.30) IU per day, respectively. The ratio of daily protein intake to the estimated average requirement for protein ( P=0.003) and ratio of daily energy intake to the estimated energy requirement ( P=0.007) were lower in children with stunted growth than those of DMD children of normal nutritional status. Conclusion: The dietary structure of children with DMD is obviously not suited to their condition and nutritional deficiency coexists with overnutrition among them. Further research needs to be done for developing appropriate nutritional guidance programs and standardized nutritional management measures for children with DMD.

Adequacy of Nutritional Intakes during the Year after Critical Illness: An Observational Study in a Post-ICU Follow-Up Clinic.

Whether nutritional intakes in critically ill survivors after hospital discharge are adequate is unknown. The aims of this observational study were to describe the energy and protein intakes in ICU survivors attending a follow-up clinic compared to empirical targets and to explore differences in outcomes according to intake adequacy. All adult survivors who attended the follow-up clinic at 1, 3 and 12 months (M1, M3, M12) after a stay in our intensive care unit (ICU) ≥ 7 days were recruited. Average energy and protein intakes over the 7 days before the face-to-face consultation were quantified by a dietician using food anamnesis. Self-reported intakes were compared empirically to targets for healthy people (FAO/WHO/UNU equations), for critically ill patients (25 kcal/kg/day and 1.3 g protein/kg/day). They were also compared to targets that are supposed to fit post-ICU patients (35 kcal/kg/day and 1.5 g protein/kg/day). Blood prealbumin level and handgrip strength were also measured at each timepoint. A total of 206 patients were analyzed (49, 97 and 60 at the M1, M3 and M12, respectively). At M1, M3 and M12, energy intakes were 73.2 [63.3-86.3]%, 79.3 [69.3-89.3]% and 82.7 [70.6-93.7]% of healthy targets (p = 0.074), respectively. Protein intakes were below 0.8 g/kg/day in 18/49 (36.7%), 25/97 (25.8%) and 8/60 (13.3%) of the patients at M1, M3 and M12, respectively (p = 0.018), and the protein intakes were 67.9 [46.5-95.8]%, 68.5 [48.8-99.3]% and 71.7 [44.9-95.1]% of the post-ICU targets (p = 0.138), respectively. Prealbumin concentrations and handgrip strength were similar in patients with either inadequate energy intakes or inadequate protein intakes, respectively. In our post-ICU cohort, up to one year after discharge, energy and protein intakes were below the targets that are supposed to fit ICU survivors in recovery phase.

Changes in Nutrition-Intake Method and Oral Health through a Multidisciplinary Team Approach in Malnourished Older Patients Admitted to an Acute Care Hospital.

Malnourished older inpatients referred to a nutrition support team (NST) usually receive multidisciplinary oral health management during NST intervention. However, the effects of multidisciplinary oral health management on the nutrition-intake method and oral health in these patients remain unclear. This longitudinal study aimed to investigate the effects of NST-mediated multidisciplinary oral health management on the nutrition-intake methods, oral health, and the systemic and oral factors influencing the changes in the nutrition-intake method. A total of 117 inpatients (66 men, 51 women, mean age, 71.9 ± 12.5 years) who underwent NST-mediated multidisciplinary oral health management between April 2016 and July 2019 were enrolled. Demographic data and Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS), Dysphagia Severity Scale (DSS), and Oral Health Assessment Tool (OHAT) scores at the time of referral to the NST and completion of the NST intervention were evaluated. After multidisciplinary NST intervention, FOIS, DSS, and OHAT scores showed significant improvements (p < 0.001). Even after adjusting the results for systemic parameters, FOIS score improvement correlated positively with the length of NST intervention (p = 0.030) and DSS score improvement (p < 0.001) as well as OHAT score improvement (p = 0.047). NST interventions with multidisciplinary oral health management could improve the nutrition-intake method.

Poor Diet Quality in Children with Cancer During Treatment.

Background: With improved long-term health outcomes and survivorship, the long-term nutritional management of childhood cancer survivors, from diagnosis to long-term follow-up, has become a priority. The aim of this study was to examine the diet quality of children receiving treatment for cancer. Methods: Participants were parents of children with cancer who were receiving active treatment and not receiving supplementary nutrition. A 24-h dietary recall assessed food and nutrient intake. Serves of food group intakes and classification of core and discretionary items were made according to the Australian Dietary Guidelines and compared with age and sex recommendations. Results: Sixty-four parents participated (75% female). Most children were not consuming adequate intake of vegetables (94% of patients), fruit (77%), and milk/alternatives (75%). Of the vegetables that were consumed, half were classified as discretionary foods (e.g., chips/fries). Nearly half (49%) of children exceeded recommendations for total sugar intake and 65% of patients had an excessive sodium intake. Discussion: Children receiving cancer treatment are consuming diets of reasonable quantity, but poor quality. Information provided during treatment should focus on educating parents on a healthy diet for their child, the importance of establishing healthy eating habits for life, and strategies to overcome barriers to intake during treatment.

Decreasing Salt in Hospital Meals Reduced Energy Intake in Elderly Japanese Inpatients.

Japanese salt consumption is high, about 10 g salt/d. Low salt intake reduces the risk of hypertension and cardiovascular disease. However, saltiness is an important taste in daily meals, greatly influencing eating habits. When hospital admission is short-term, reducing salt supply may have an adverse effect on food intake. The aim of this study is to find the effect of sudden change in dietary salt content on energy intake in elderly Japanese inpatients. The study is an observational study of 83 patients and was conducted in a hospital in Tokyo, Japan. The research period was three weeks, and included 8 g salt/d meals for the 1st week, 7 g salt/d meals for the 2nd week, and 7 g salt/d meals with total 1 g/d salt packs that patients were allowed to use freely for the 3rd week. The energy supply satisfied the individuals' energy requirements and was the same throughout the three weeks. Nutrition surveys and blood pressure measurements during the three weeks were conducted by dietitians and nurses, respectively. The results showed that energy intake of patients was reduced by about 90 kcal/d in the 2nd week compared with the 1st week and increased about 130 kcal/d in the 3rd week compared with the 2nd week. Blood pressure did not change during the research period. When high salt intake has become a habit, reducing salt supply suddenly in a short time period may lead to decreased energy intake in elderly inpatients but does not affect blood pressure.

Gender and age group differences in nutrition intake and dietary quality of Korean adults eating alone: based on Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Data, 2013-2016.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study investigated gender and age differences in nutrient intake and dietary quality of people eating alone. SUBJECTS/METHODS: From Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2013-2016 data, 2,305 adults aged 20 years and older that ate meals alone were included in this study. Their energy and nutrients intakes, as well as their nutrient adequacy ratio (NAR), mean adequacy ratio (MAR), and index of nutritional quality (INQ) were analyzed. Food group consumption pattern, dietary variety score (DVS), dietary diversity score (DDS) were also analyzed. All data were compared among gender and age groups. RESULTS: Men consumed more energy and nutrients than women, except for vitamin C, and the NARs showed similar gender differences. The INQs of 4 nutrients (calcium, vitamin A, vitamin C, and riboflavin) were lower than 1.0 in men, whereas only the calcium INQ was lower than 1.0 in women. Men had a lower DDS (3.6) than women (3.9) (P < 0.001) and had more 'undesirable' food group consumption patterns than women (P < 0.001). The intakes of calcium, vitamin A, and vitamin C were relatively low in the young-aged group (INQs less than 1.0). In the old-aged group, the MAR level was relatively low, and the INQs of calcium, riboflavin, and niacin were below 1.0. The old-aged group consumed more menu items, but their DVS was the lowest. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to women, the dietary quality and food diversity among men were poorer. There were poorer quality and diversity patterns in the young-aged group compared to those of the older groups. An overall low intake of nutrients and the low nutrient density of meals were the main dietary problems among the old-aged group who eat alone. Therefore, men, particularly young- and old-aged, need to be prioritized in nutritional policies directed toward those who eat alone.

Adequacy of Protein and Energy Intake in Critically Ill Adults Following Liberation From Mechanical Ventilation Is Dependent on Route of Nutrition Delivery.

BACKGROUND: Studies examining nutrition intake of critically ill patients following liberation from mechanical ventilation (LMV) are scarce. The objectives of this prospective, observational feasibility study were to quantify and assess protein and energy intake in hospitalized, critically ill patients following LMV, to determine barriers to optimal intake, and to report on the feasibility of recruiting and retaining patients into this study. METHODS: Adult patients requiring MV for >72 hours in a medical/surgical intensive care unit (ICU) were recruited. Protein and energy intakes were quantified up to 14 days following LMV. Patients also identified barriers to eating. RESULTS: Nineteen patients (mean age, 60 years [SD, 12 years]) were studied over 125 days. Over all study days, the median amounts of protein and energy consumed in comparison with amounts prescribed by dietitians were 46% (interquartile range [IQR], 26-100) and 71% (IQR, 38-100), respectively. When stratified by route of nutrition delivery, on days (n = 54) when patients consumed an oral diet as the sole nutrition source, median amounts of protein and energy consumed in comparison with those prescribed were only 27% (IQR, 15-41) and 47% (IQR, 29-66), respectively. The most frequently reported barriers to eating were poor appetite, early satiety, and taste changes. CONCLUSIONS: Protein and calorie intake is below prescribed amounts for patients whose enteral nutrition is discontinued and an oral diet prescribed as sole nutrition source following LMV. Acceptable strategies to enhance nutrition intake in post-ICU patients during the recovery stages of critical illness are needed.

Distinct Nutrient Intake Style in Inhabitants of Ultra-High-Altitude Areas in North of Tibet, China: A Cross-Sectional Study Based on Newly Developed Tibetan Food Frequency Questionnaires.

Dietary pattern is quite distinct among the inhabitants of high-altitude areas because of environmental and geographical uniqueness; hence, it is important to investigate this data as accurately as possible. However, very few data are related to these populations up to now. Based on the food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) used in the Chinese population, a revised Tibetan edition was developed with respect to the lifestyle in high-altitude areas. After assessment of validity and reproducibility, a nutrition intake survey was conducted among 1,071 randomly sampled Tibetan people. In addition, the Bland-Altman approach was used to compare the agreement between the two dietary tools. For the reproducibility analysis, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were calculated to examine the agreement of food groups and nutrients from the two FFQs (FFQ1 and FFQ2). Nutrient intake was calculated using food composition tables. For the validity analysis, Pearson's correlation of food groups intakes varied from 0.22 to 0.91 (unadjusted). The correlations of nutrients ranged from 0.24 to 0.76 (unadjusted). In the analysis of reliability, the ICC of food groups varied from 0.27 to 0.70 (unadjusted). The ICC of nutrient intakes ranged from 0.22 to 0.87 (unadjusted). The results of nutritional analysis showed that ~25% of foods consumed frequently were traditional Tibetan foods. However, traditional Han foods were frequently consumed. In addition, the energy, iron, and protein intakes for male or female subjects were close to the Chinese Dietary Nutrient Reference Intake (Chinese DRIs); however, fat and sodium intakes were significantly higher than the Chinese DRIs. Interestingly, lower intakes of other types of nutrition, such as vitamin C were detected in people living in high-altitude areas. Our data indicated that excess consumption of fat and sodium and insufficient intake of vitamin C were common among Tibetan people, as compared with the most Chinese people living in the plateau areas. More investigations are needed to reveal the association between the food intake style and high-altitude endemic diseases.

[Access to grocery stores and nutrition/food intake observed in the National Health and Nutrition Survey: Focusing on the substitution-complementary relation].

Objective　This study aimed to identify the characteristics of nutrition and food intake among people who have limited access to grocery stores (hereinafter, "people with limited access").Method　Data from the 2011 National Health and Nutrition Survey and 2011 Comprehensive Survey of Living Conditions were compiled using a data-linkage method. These are the only surveys that contain data regarding people's access to grocery stores. Nutrition and food intake among people with limited access were examined using an econometric method targeting 1,051 women aged 65 years and older. The objective variables for the analysis were caloric intake (kcal) from energy-providing nutrients, namely, proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, and 17 items in different food groups (g/1,000 kcal). The analysis used the seemingly unrelated regressions model, a simultaneous equations model designed to address endogeneity through simultaneous determinations of objective variables. This model indicated, by way of coefficients, the influence of the factors (variables) that define caloric intake from each nutrient and food group. The substitution-complementary relation among the nutrients and among the food groups was expressed as a correlation matrix between error terms.Results　The characteristics of people with limited access were examined targeting women aged 65 years and older with respect to their access to grocery stores and intake of energy-providing nutrients. The results indicated that their caloric intake (kcal) of carbohydrates was significantly high, whereas their caloric intake (kcal) of fats was significantly low. Their caloric intake by food group (g/1,000 kcal) also confirmed similar results: their intake of grains was high, but that of fats was low. Thus, the results indicated a strong likelihood that people with limited access, even after accounting for the substitution-complementary relation, had a diet that was too high in carbohydrates.Conclusion　People with limited access tended to have a diet that was too high in carbohydrates. This tendency had a strong likelihood to be because of not simply the prices or their preferences but their food environment-that is, their limited access to grocery stores. The food environment prescribes people's diet, even when individuals' financial situations are taken into account. Therefore, the study indicated the necessity for chain store operators to cooperate with one another and with the government to create an environment that facilitates shopping-support services.

Assessment of postoperative nutritional status and physical function between open surgical aortic valve replacement and transcatheter aortic valve implantation in elderly patients.

Background and aims : Severe aortic stenosis (AS) has been normally treated with surgical aortic valve replacement (AVR) whereas recently, transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has been introduced as a minimally invasive operation for patients with high surgical risk and frailty. In this study, we have evaluated postoperative physical function and nutrition intake in the patients following AVR and TAVI. Methods : This prospective observational study involved 9 patients with surgical aortic valve replacement (AVR) and 7 patients with transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Body composition was measured one day prior surgery, postoperative day (POD) 1, POD 3, POD 5 and POD 7. Hand grip strength, calf circumference and gait speed were measured one day before surgery and on the day of discharge. Results : Skeletal muscle was significantly decreased in AVR patients at postoperative day 3 and 7, while there was no change in TAVI patients. Patients with TAVI showed higher dietary intake after surgery compared to patients with AVR, and they maintained hand grip strength and calf circumference at discharge. Conclusions : In elderly patients with AS, TAVI can improve post-operative recovery maintaining nutritional status and physical function even. J. Med. Invest. 67 : 139-144, February, 2020.

Dietary Knowledge among Adults with Type 2 Diabetes-Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Dietary management is considered as a major step in assessing a patient's knowledge related to nutritional aspects, treatment, and complications of diabetes. Diabetes patients frequently face difficulty in identifying the recommended diet, including its quality and quantity. In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), sedentary lifestyle, along with food choices and portion sizes, have increased considerably and this has resulted in the soaring risk of diabetes. In addition, there is paucity of literature focusing on the Dietary Knowledge (DK) of type 2 diabetics in KSA. The study aimed to assess and evaluate the DK of type 2 diabetics. An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 350 type 2 diabetics using a valid and reliable self-prepared questionnaire comprising of 21 questions. Results showed that type 2 diabetics had an overall poor DK (28.57%). Sub-group analysis further revealed that diabetes patients had poor knowledge related to the consumption of carbohydrates and food choices, whereas they had good knowledge related to lipids and fats, proteins and food types. The role of diet in controlling of diabetes is considered imperative, but still, diabetes patients are unaware how they should approach this issue. The patient empowerment approach can be used to counsel patients with a poor DK. Primary care physicians and dietitians should work together and carry out individualized, tailored and patient-centered dietary education sessions.

The Impact of Having One Parent Absent on Children' Food Consumption and Nutrition in China.

The rapid economic and social development in the past decades has greatly increased the societal acceptance of divorce and non-marital pregnancies in China, which leads to a soaring number of single-parent children. This paper aimed to investigate the impact of having one parent absent on children' food consumption and nutrition status. We extracted 1114 children from a longitudinal household survey data in China, all of which were observed twice. Using the Propensity Score Matching and Difference-in-Difference methods, we found that being raised by one parent does not have a negative effect on children's food consumption and nutrition intake. On the contrary, single-parent families tend to provide more food to their children as a compensation for the absence of one parent and this compensation effect offsets the negative impact caused by declined family income. Particularly, urban, rich families had stronger compensation effect than other families with low and middle incomes.

Nutrition intake among the Japanese elderly: an intergenerational comparison based on national health and nutrition survey scores.

Context: The average Japanese lifespan became the longest in the world in 1986. What factors give the Japanese this longevity? Washoku, or the traditional Japanese diet, is respected globally for its nutritionally-balanced and healthy eating habits. This uniquely Japanese way of eating may be one factor that helps extend the Japanese lifespan. Objective: To explain the nutrition intake characteristics of today's Japanese elderly compared with their children's generation and to discuss the association between nutrition intake and various diseases and health issues in the general adult population. Methods: This study compared the characteristics of nutrition status and nutrition intake among today's elderly and their children's generation by using National Health and Nutrition Survey scores. Results: Japanese elderly had high adequacy in all nutrients as well as a high intake of potatoes, pulses, vegetables, fruits, algae, and fish and shellfish compared with their children's generation. Conclusion: Nutrition intake among the Japanese elderly had the characteristics of washoku, but these characteristics were not passed on to the next generation. Extension of the average lifespan and improved health could be achieved by modifying nutrition intake, even after reaching the age of onset of lifestyle- and age-related diseases, typically the 50s.

The correlation between triglyceride to HDL cholesterol ratio and metabolic syndrome, nutrition intake in Korean adults: Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2016 / 한국영양학회지

PURPOSE: Metabolic syndrome causes diabetes and increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. This study examined the correlation between metabolic syndrome, nutrition intake, and triglyceride (TG)/high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol ratio. METHODS: Using the data from the 7th KNHANES (2016), this study was conducted on healthy adults aged 19 and older. The components and existence of metabolic syndrome and nutrition intake were independent variables and the TG/HDLcholesterol ratio was a dependent variable. A complex sample logistic progress test was used with age, sex, smoking, and drinking frequency corrected. RESULTS: The TG/HDLcholesterol ratio of people with metabolic syndrome was as high as 1.314 on average, compared to people without metabolic syndrome (p < 0.0001). Among each component of metabolic syndrome, the TG/HDL cholesterol ratio had a significant association with fasting blood glucose, TG, HDL cholesterol, and waist circumference (p < 0.05). Only energy and carbohydrate intake were significantly related to the TG/HDLcholesterol ratio (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The TG/HDLcholesterol ratio is associated with each component of metabolic syndrome, but in particular, it is positively correlated with the presence of metabolic syndrome. Lower energy intakehad a positive correlation with the TG/HDLcholesterol ratio. These results show that metabolic syndrome can be predicted using the TG/HDLcholesterol ratio, and a diet strategy through nutrition and health education is necessary to prevent metabolic syndrome.