Dietary patterns of Polish seniors in retirees’ households

Background. About 7 million people in Poland receive pensions. The amount of benefits paid to pensioners is reflected in the income at their households and expenses, including food expenses. Objective. The aim of the study was to evaluate the dietary patterns of Polish seniors in the retirees` households on the basis of an analysis of food consumption and energy and nutrient intake. Material and method. Food consumption evaluation was based on household budget survey conducted by Statistics Poland in 2019 throughout the whole country. Energy and nutrient intake were calculated using the conversion factors. Results. The consumption of unprocessed red meat in retirees’ households was 1.83 kg/person/month, meat products – 2.90 kg and kitchen salt – 0.24 kg. 6.52 kg of vegetables and 5.99 kg of fruit were consumed per person per month. The mean energy intake in members of these households was 2387 kcal/day. The proportion of energy from fat was high – 36.6%. 14.2% of energy was derived from protein and 49.6% from digestible carbohydrates. The share of animal fat (55.0 g) was higher than vegetable fat (43.7 g). It was associated with a high percentage of energy from saturated fatty acids – 13.4%. The content of polyunsaturated fatty acids was less than half of the saturated fatty acids. Calcium and vitamin D intake was low (658 mg and 3.8 μg respectively). Conclusions. Red meat, processed meat and salt consumption by seniors was too high in relation to the nutritional recommendations. Vegetables and fruit were consumed in amounts that are recommended. Seniors diet was improperly balanced, e.g. due to the high percentage of energy from fat, including saturated fatty acids. However, the intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids was low. Calcium and vitamin D intake was lower than Reference Intakes.

Vitamin D Biofortification of Pork May Offer a Food-Based Strategy to Increase Vitamin D Intakes in the UK Population

Hypovitaminosis D is prevalent worldwide, with many populations failing to achieve the recommended nutrient intake (RNI) for vitamin D (10–20 μg/day). Owing to low vitamin D intakes, limited exposure to ultraviolet-B (UVB) induced dermal synthesis, lack of mandatory fortification and poor uptake in supplement advice, additional food-based strategies are warranted to enable the UK population to achieve optimal vitamin D intakes, thus reducing musculoskeletal risks or suboptimal immune functioning. The aims of the current study were to (1) determine any changes to vitamin D intake and status over a 9-year period, and (2) apply dietary modeling to predict the impact of vitamin D biofortification of pork and pork products on population intakes. Data from the UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey (Year 1–9; 2008/09–2016/17) were analyzed to explore nationally representative mean vitamin D intakes and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations (n = 13,350). Four theoretical dietary scenarios of vitamin D pork biofortification were computed (vitamin D content +50/100/150/200% vs. standard). Vitamin D intake in the UK population has not changed significantly from 2008 to 2017 and in 2016/17, across all age groups, 13.2% were considered deficient [25(OH)D <25 nmol/L]. Theoretically, increasing vitamin D concentrations in biofortified pork by 50, 100, 150, and 200%, would increase vitamin population D intake by 4.9, 10.1, 15.0, and 19.8% respectively. When specifically considering the impact on gender and age, based on the last scenario, a greater relative change was observed in males (22.6%) vs. females (17.8%). The greatest relative change was observed amongst 11–18 year olds (25.2%). Vitamin D intakes have remained stable in the UK for almost a decade, confirming that strategies are urgently required to help the population achieve the RNI for vitamin D. Biofortification of pork meat provides a proof of concept, demonstrating that animal-based strategies may offer an important contribution to help to improve the vitamin D intakes of the UK population, particularly adolescents.

Global differences in vitamin D status and dietary intake: a review of the data

Background: Internationally, concern has been repeatedly raised about the little notable progress in the collection, analysis and use of population micronutrient status and deficiency data globally. The need for representative status and intake data for vitamin D has been highlighted as a research priority for well over a decade. Aim and methods: A narrative review which aims to provide a summary and assessment of vitamin D nutritional status data globally. It divides the World into the Food and Agriculture Organisation’s (FAO) major regions: the Americas, Europe, Oceania, Africa, and Asia. Emphasis was placed on published data on prevalence of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] <25/30 and <50 nmol/L (reflecting vitamin D deficiency and inadequacy, respectively) as well as vitamin D intake, where possible from nationally representative surveys. Results: Collating data from the limited number of available representative surveys from individual countries might suggest a relatively low overall prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in South America, Oceania and North America, whereas there is more moderate prevalence in Europe and Asia, and possibly Africa. Overall, prevalence of serum 25(OH)D <25/30 and <50 nmol/L ranges from ~5% to 18% and 24% to 49%, respectively, depending on FAO World region. Usual intakes of vitamin D can also vary by FAO World region, but in general, with a few exceptions, there are very high levels of inadequacy of vitamin D intake. Conclusions: While the burden of vitamin D deficiency and inadequacy varies by World regions and not just by UVB availability, the global burden overall translates into enormous numbers of individuals at risk.

Dietary vitamin D intake among university students and their habits concerning daily sunlight exposure – a cross-sectional study

Aim: To evaluate students’ dietary vitamin D intake according to characteristics and habits concerning daily sunlight exposure. Methods: The study included 403 students of the University of Rijeka, Croatia that fulfilled questionnaire about their characteristics, habits, physical activity, supplement use, diet, and their daily sunlight exposure. For assessing diet quality, the Dietary inflammatory index (DII®) was used. Results: Average dietary vitamin D intake was 2.76 μg/day, statistically highest among men (p&lt;0.01), medical sciences universities’ students (p&lt;0.01), students with obesity (p=0.03), highly physically active (p=0.02) and smokers (p=0.01). Major dietary vitamin D sources were fish (42%, p&lt;0.01) and meat and meat products (31%). Students that more frequently expose themselves to the sunlight were mostly men, overweight, moderately physically active, dietary supplements users, and had a diet with more anti-inflammatory potential, higher dietary vitamin D intake and its major dietary sources. Those who rarely and never used a sunscreen had a more anti-inflammatory diet and higher vitamin D and its major food sources intakes. Diet with more pro-inflammatory potential had students that rarely or never directly expose themselves to the sunlight, likewise the students that frequently used sunscreen. Those subgroups also had the lowest dietary vitamin D intake. Conclusions: The average dietary vitamin D intake by investigated university students satisfied only the fifth of the recommended daily vitamin D intake. Students with habits that can influence the lower synthesis of vitamin D may increase the risk of diseases related to bone health, immunity and inflammation in their future life. Provided results about students’ habits of their exposure to the sunlight might be useful for public health messages toward sufficient sunlight exposure, diet quality with more anti-inflammatory potential, vitamin D supplements use, and vitamin D deficiency prevention.

Validation of the Updated Korean Calcium Assessment Tool

Background: We previously developed the Korean Calcium Assessment Tool (KCAT) for assessing the intake of calcium and vitamin D in Korean women. However, based on the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) VI and VII (2013–2018), major food sources for calcium and vitamin D have changed, and the National Standard Food Composition database was updated. Therefore, the present study aimed to update the KCAT and validate the Updated KCAT.Methods: A total of 285 women aged >19 years were asked to complete questionnaires of the KCAT and the Updated KCAT.Results: Calcium intake did not differ significantly between the KCAT (566±245 mg/day) and the Updated KCAT (569±248 mg/day; P=0.343). A correlation coefficient of 0.99 indicated a positive correlation on calcium intake between the KCAT and the Updated KCAT, with an almost perfect agreement by Cohen’s κ coefficients (0.95). Vitamin D intake assessed by the Updated KCAT was significantly higher than that assessed by the KCAT, which was positively correlated with a moderate agreement measured by Cohen’s κ coefficients (0.41).Conclusions: The present study demonstrated that the Updated KCAT was a valid tool for the rapid evaluation of calcium and vitamin D intake for Korean women.

Dietary intake and main food sources of vitamin D and calcium in Colombian urban adults

Data on dietary calcium and vitamin D intake from Latin America are scarce. We explored the main correlates and dietary sources of calcium and vitamin D in a probabilistic, population-based sample from Colombia. We studied 1554 participants aged 18 to 75 from five different geographical regions. Dietary intake was assessed employing a 157-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire and national and international food composition tables. Daily vitamin D intake decreased with increasing age, from 230 IU/day in the 18-39 age group to 184 IU/day in the 60-75 age group (p-trend<0.001). Vitamin D intake was positively associated with socioeconomic status (SES) (196 IU/d in lowest vs 234 in highest SES, p-trend<0.001), and with educational level (176 IU/d in lowest vs 226 in highest education level, p-trend<0.001). Daily calcium intake also decreased with age, from 1376 mg/day in the 18-39 age group to 1120 mg/day in the 60-75 age group (p-trend<0.001). Calcium intake was lowest among participants with only elementary education, but the absolute difference in calcium intake between extreme education categories was smaller than for vitamin D (1107 versus 1274 mg/d, p-trend 0.023). Daily calcium intake did not correlate with SES (p-trend=0.74) Eggs were the main source of vitamin D overall, albeit their contribution decreased with increasing age. Dairy products contributed at least 48% of dietary calcium in all subgroups, mostly from cheese-containing traditional foods. SES and education were key correlates of vitamin D and calcium intake. These findings may contribute to shape public health interventions in Latin American countries.

Vitamin D status and dietary intake in young university students in the UK

Purpose Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent worldwide. This paper aims to investigate the vitamin D status and dietary intake in young university students. Design/methodology/approach Forty-one healthy students aged 18–29 years from Coventry University UK were recruited during January-February 2019, including white Caucasians (n = 18), African-Caribbeans (n = 14) and Asians (n = 9). Plasma 25(OH)D concentrations were measured and dietary vitamin D intake was determined. Chi-square and simple linear regression were used to analyse the data. Findings The plasma 25(OH)D concentrations were (36.0 ± 22.2) nmol/L in all subjects, (46.5 ± 25.3) nmol/L in white Caucasians, (22.6 ± 7.4) nmol/L in African-Caribbeans and (37.4 ± 21.7 nmol/L) in Asians. The majority (85.7%) of African-Caribbeans were vitamin D deficient compared with 22.2% of white Caucasians and 33.3% of Asians (p = 0.001). Overweight/obese subjects showed a significant higher proportion of vitamin D deficiency (65%) than normal weight subjects (28.6%) (p = 0.04). The average dietary vitamin D intake in all subjects was (4.6 ± 3.9) µg/day. Only 12.1% of the subjects met the recommended dietary vitamin D intake of 10 µg/day. Dietary vitamin D intake (p = 0.04) and ethnicity (p = 0.01) were significant predictors of 25(OH)D levels and accounted for 13% and 18.5% of 25(OH)D variance, respectively. Research limitations/implications This small-scale study showed an alarmingly high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among subjects from African-Caribbean origin during wintertime. Education programs and campaigns are urgently needed to fight the vitamin D deficiency in this population. Originality/value The targeted population were in a critical period of transition from adolescence toward adulthood involving in changes in behaviours and nutrition.

Prediction of the Survival Outcomes of Patients with Non-Small Cell Cancer Using 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography and Clinicopathological Factors

Despite an overall decrease in the incidence of lung cancer, the incidence of the disease is increasing among young people. According to research, this upward trend is due to reduced consumption of vitamin D in foods such as fish, mushrooms, eggs and milk. There is growing evidence of a link between vitamin D and the risk of death from lung cancer, but there is little research on whether vitamin D intake is associated with a risk of lung cancer (before age 50). Because vitamin D deficiency has been on the rise over the past few years, we looked at whether it could increase the risk of lung cancer in young people. The results of this study show that taking 300 units of vitamin D a day or more, roughly equivalent to three glasses of milk, reduces the risk of lung cancer by about 50%. Previous studies have shown that taking more vitamin D is associated with a reduced risk of developing precancerous lung polyps before the age of 50. The findings are based on data from more than 94,000 women, part of a long-running study that began in 1989. They were 25 to 42 years old at the start of the study. It should be noted that the researchers did not find a significant association between vitamin D intake and the risk of lung cancer after age 50. Researchers say more research is needed to determine whether vitamin D actually provides more protection against lung cancer in young people. The researchers say the findings could lead to recommendations for getting more vitamin D as a low-cost supplement for screening tests to prevent lung cancer in adults under 50. Keywords: Cancer; Cells; Tissues; Tumors; Prevention; Prognosis; Diagnosis; Imaging; Screening; Treatment; Management