scholarly journals Ultra-processed food consumption, socio-demographics, and diet quality in Australian adults

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-29
Author(s):  
Laura Marchese ◽  
Katherine M. Livingstone ◽  
Julie L. Woods ◽  
Kate Wingrove ◽  
Priscila Machado

Abstract Objective: To examine how socio-demographic characteristics and diet quality vary with consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) in a cross-sectional nationally representative survey of Australian adults. Design: Using a 24-hour recall, this cross-sectional analysis of dietary and socio-demographic data classified food items using the NOVA system, estimated the percentage of total energy contributed by UPFs and assessed diet quality using the Dietary Guideline Index (DGI – 2013 total and components). Linear regression models examined associations between socio-demographic characteristics and diet quality with percentage of energy from UPFs. Setting: Australian Health Survey 2011-13 Participants: Australian Adults aged ≥ 19 years (n=8,209) Results: Consumption of UPFs was higher among younger adults (19-30 years), adults born in Australia, those experiencing greatest area level disadvantage, lower levels of education, and the second lowest household income quintile. No significant association was found for sex or rurality. A higher percentage of energy from UPFs was inversely associated with diet quality and with lower DGI scores related to the variety of nutritious foods, fruits, vegetables, total cereals, meat and poultry, fish, eggs, nuts and seeds, legumes/beans, water and limits on discretionary foods, saturated fat and added sugar. Conclusions: This research adds to the evidence on dietary inequalities across Australia and how UPFs are detrimental to diet quality. The findings can be used to inform interventions to reduce UPF consumption and improve diet quality.

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 20
Author(s):  
Blain Murphy ◽  
Tony Benson ◽  
Amanda McCloat ◽  
Elaine Mooney ◽  
Chris Elliott ◽  
...  

COVID-19 has led to dramatic societal changes. Differing movement restrictions across countries have affected changes in consumers’ food practices, with a potentially detrimental impact on their health and food systems. To investigate this, this research explored changes in consumers’ food practices during the initial COVID-19 phase and assessed the impact of location on these changes. A sample of 2360 adults from three continents (Island of Ireland (IOI), Great Britain (GB), United States (USA), and New Zealand (NZ)) were recruited for a cross-sectional online survey (May–June 2020). Participants completed questions in relation to their cooking and food practices, diet quality, and COVID-19 food-related practices. Significant changes in consumers’ food practices during the pandemic were seen within and between regions, with fewer cooking practices changes found in the USA. Food practices, which may put added pressure on the food system, such as bulk buying, were seen across all regions. To prevent this, organisational food practices, including planning ahead, should be emphasized. Additionally, while positive cooking-related practices and increases in fruit and vegetable intake were found, an increase in saturated fat intake was also seen. With the additional pressure on individuals’ physical and mental health, the essentiality of maintaining a balanced diet should be promoted.


2021 ◽  
pp. bmjnph-2020-000225
Author(s):  
Jennifer Griffin ◽  
Anwar Albaloul ◽  
Alexandra Kopytek ◽  
Paul Elliott ◽  
Gary Frost

ObjectiveTo examine the effect of the consumption of ultraprocessed food on diet quality, and cardiometabolic risk (CMR) in an occupational cohort.DesignCross-sectional.SettingOccupational cohort.Participants53 163 British police force employees enrolled (2004–2012) into the Airwave Health Monitoring Study. A total of 28 forces across the UK agreed to participate. 9009 participants with available 7-day diet record data and complete co-variate data are reported in this study.Main outcome measuresA CMR and Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension score were treated as continuous variables and used to generate measures of cardiometabolic health and diet quality. Secondary outcome measures include percentage of energy from fat, saturated fat, carbohydrate, protein and non-milk extrinsic sugars (NMES) and fibre grams per 1000 kcal of energy intake.ResultsIn this cohort, 58.3%±11.6 of total energy intake was derived from ultraprocessed (NOVA 4) foods. Ultraprocessed food intake was negatively correlated with diet quality (r=−0.32, p<0.001), fibre (r=−0.20, p<0.001) and protein (r = −0.40, p<0.001) and positively correlated with fat (r=0.18, p<0.001), saturated fat (r=0.14, p<0.001) and nmes (r=0.10, p<0.001) intake . Multivariable analysis suggests a positive association between ultraprocessed food (NOVA 4) consumption and CMR. However, this main effect was no longer observed after adjustment for diet quality (p=0.209). Findings from mediation analysis indicate that the effect of ultraprocessed food (NOVA 4) intake on CMR is mediated by diet quality (p<0.001).ConclusionsUltraprocessed food consumption is associated with a deterioration in diet quality and positively associated with CMR, although this association is mediated by and dependent on the quality of the diet. The negative impact of ultraprocessed food consumption on diet quality needs to be addressed and controlled studies are needed to fully comprehend whether the relationship between ultraprocessed food consumption and health is independent to its relationship with poor diet quality.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 1641
Author(s):  
Lien T. K. Nguyen ◽  
Binh N. Do ◽  
Dinh N. Vu ◽  
Khue M. Pham ◽  
Manh-Tan Vu ◽  
...  

Background: Comorbidity is common and causes poor stroke outcomes. We aimed to examine the modifying impacts of physical activity (PA) and diet quality on the association between comorbidity and disability in stroke patients. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 951 stable stroke patients in Vietnam from December 2019 to December 2020. The survey questionnaires were administered to assess patients’ characteristics, clinical parameters (e.g., Charlson Comorbidity Index items), health-related behaviors (e.g., PA using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire- short version), health literacy, diet quality (using the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension Quality (DASH-Q) questionnaire), and disability (using the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule II (WHODAS II)). Linear regression models were used to analyze the associations and interactions. Results: The proportion of comorbidity was 49.9% (475/951). The scores of DASH-Q and WHODAS II were 29.2 ± 11.8, 32.3 ± 13.5, respectively. Patients with comorbidity had a higher score of disability (regression coefficient, B, 8.24; 95% confidence interval, 95%CI, 6.66, 9.83; p < 0.001) as compared with those without comorbidity. Patients with comorbidity and higher tertiles of PA (B, −4.65 to −5.48; p < 0.05), and a higher DASH-Q score (B, −0.32; p < 0.001) had a lower disability score, as compared with those without comorbidity and the lowest tertile of PA, and the lowest score of DASH-Q, respectively. Conclusions: Physical activity and diet quality significantly modified the negative impact of comorbidity on disability in stroke patients. Strategic approaches are required to promote physical activity and healthy diet which further improve stroke rehabilitation outcomes.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 1803
Author(s):  
Sharmin Hossain ◽  
May A. Beydoun ◽  
Michele K. Evans ◽  
Alan B. Zonderman ◽  
Marie F. Kuczmarski

Objective: We investigated cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of diet quality with middle-aged caregiver status. Methods: Caregiving in the Healthy Aging in Neighborhoods of Diversity across the Life Span (HANDLS) study (57.7% women, 62% African American (AA)) was measured at waves 3 (2009–2013) and 4 (2013–2017) (mean follow-up time 4.1 years). Diet quality was assessed by the Healthy Eating Index 2010 (HEI-2010) derived from two separate 24 h diet recalls. Multivariable ordinary least square regression was performed for cross-sectional analyses of the association of wave 4 caregiving with wave 4 HEI-2010. Wave 3 caregiving was examined both cross-sectionally and with annual rate of change in HEI using mixed-effects linear regression Models. Multivariable models were adjusted for age, sex, and poverty status. Results: Cross-sectional analyses at wave 4 demonstrate an inverse association of frequent caregiving (“Daily or Weekly” vs. “Never”) for grandchildren with HEI-2010 total score (i.e., lower diet quality) among Whites (β = −2.83 ± 1.19, p = 0.03, Model 2) and AAs (β = −1.84 ± 0.79, p = 0.02,). The “cross-sectional” analysis pertaining to grandchildren caregiving frequency suggested that frequent caregiving (i.e., “Daily or Weekly” vs. “Never” (β = −2.90 ± 1.17, p = 0.04)) only among Whites was inversely related to HEI-2010 total score. Total HEI-2010 score was also related to caring (Model 1), for the elderly over “5 years vs. Never” among Whites (−7.31 ± 3.54, p = 0.04, Model 2). Longitudinally, we found slight potential improvement in diet quality over time (“Daily or Weekly” vs. Never by TIME interaction: +0.88 ± 0.38, p = 0.02) with frequent caregiving among Whites, but not so among AAs. Conclusions: Frequent caring for grandchildren had an inverse relationship with the diet quality of White and AA urban middle-aged caregivers, while caring for elderly was inversely linked to diet quality among Whites only. Longitudinal studies should address the paucity of research on caregivers’ nutritional quality.


2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 103-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Malek Batal ◽  
Louise Johnson-Down ◽  
Jean-Claude Moubarac ◽  
Amy Ing ◽  
Karen Fediuk ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectiveTo quantify associations of the dietary share of ultra-processed foods (UPF) with the overall diet quality of First Nations peoples.DesignA cross-sectional analysis of data from the First Nations Food, Nutrition and Environment Study, designed to contribute to knowledge gaps regarding the diet of First Nations peoples living on-reserve, south of the 60th parallel. A multistage sampling of communities was conducted. All foods from 24 h dietary recalls were categorized into NOVA categories and analyses were performed to evaluate the impact of UPF on diet quality.SettingWestern and Central Canada.SubjectsFirst Nations participants aged 19 years or older.ResultsThe sample consisted of 3700 participants. UPF contributed 53·9 % of energy. Compared with the non-UPF fraction of the diet, the UPF fraction had 3·5 times less vitamin A, 2·4 times less K, 2·2 times less protein, 2·3 times more free sugars and 1·8 times more Na. As the contribution of UPF to energy increased so did the overall intakes of energy, carbohydrate, free sugar, saturated fat, Na, Ca and vitamin C, and Na:K; while protein, fibre, K, Fe and vitamin A decreased. Diets of individuals who ate traditional First Nations food (e.g. wild plants and game animals) on the day of the recall were lower in UPF.ConclusionsUPF were prevalent in First Nations diets. Efforts to curb UPF consumption and increase intake of traditional First Nations foods and other fresh or minimally processed foods would improve diet quality and health in First Nations peoples.


2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 97-110
Author(s):  
Tihnje Abena Mbah ◽  
Agatha K.N. Tanya ◽  
Julius Oben

Recently, there has been so much attention on adolescent health issues such as adolescent pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, and Human Immune Virus infections but adolescent pregnancy and nutrition have aroused very little interest. This cross-sectional study was carried out to evaluate the nutritional status of adolescents aged 15 to 19 years in the city of Yaoundé, Cameroon. Three referral hospitals were selected at random for the recruitment of subjects in Yaoundé. Body Mass Index (BMI), hemoglobin level, a 24-hour recall, food frequency and socio–demographic data were collected using a pretested questionnaire. Hemoglobin level and BMI were used as dependent variables to evaluate nutritional status. The data were analyzed using SPSS 17.0 (ANOVA and student (t) test) with p <0.05. Sixty-two percent (62%) of subjects had a normal BMI, 28 % were overweight, and 10% were obese. Based on ANOVA analysis, Meal frequency, diet quality and the term of pregnancy had significant effect on BMI (p = 0.003<0.05). Diet quality had a significant effect on hemoglobin levels (p = 0.003<0.05). The term of pregnancy, especially at the third trimester, significantly affected BMI due to foetus additional weight. Thus, nutritional status depends on the quantity and quality of food intake. RésuméRécemment, on a accordé tant d’attention aux problèmes de santé des adolescents tels que la grossesse chez les adolescentes, les infections sexuellement transmissibles et les infections à virus immunitaire humain, mais la grossesse et la nutrition des adolescentes ont suscité très peu d’intérêt. Cette étude transversale a été réalisée pour évaluer l’état nutritionnel des adolescents âgés de 15 à 19 ans dans la ville de Yaoundé, au Cameroun. Trois hôpitaux de référence ont été sélectionnés au hasard pour le recrutement des sujets à Yaoundé. L’indice de masse corporelle (IMC), le taux d’hémoglobine, un rappel de 24 heures, la fréquence d’alimentations et les données sociodémographiques ont été recueillis à l’aide d’un questionnaire prétesté. Les taux d’hémoglobine et l’IMC ont été utilisés comme variables dépendantes pour évaluer l’état nutritionnel. Les données ont été analysées en utilisant SPSS 17,0 (ANOVA et test de Student (t)) avec p <0,05. Soixante-deux pour cent (62%) des sujets avaient un IMC normal, 28% étaient en surpoids et 10% étaient obèses. Sur la base d’une analyse ANOVA, la fréquence des repas, la qualité du régime alimentaire et la durée de la grossesse ont eu un effet significatif sur l’IMC (p = 0,003 <0,05). La qualité de l’alimentation avait un effet significatif sur les taux d’hémoglobine (p = 0,003 <0,05). La durée de la grossesse, en particulier au troisième trimestre, a considérablement affecté l’IMC en raison du poids supplémentaire du foetus. Ainsi, l’état nutritionnel dépend de la quantité et de la qualité de l’apport alimentaire.


Nutrients ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1324 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma Ruiz ◽  
José Ávila ◽  
Teresa Valero ◽  
Paula Rodriguez ◽  
Gregorio Varela-Moreiras

This study aimed to investigate energy, nutrient and food group intakes at breakfast in Spain and to examine for the first time, their relationship to the overall Diet Quality (DQ). The data used were from the Spanish ANIBES (anthropometric data, macronutrients and micronutrients intake, practice of physical activity, socioeconomic data and lifestyles in Spain), a cross-sectional study using a nationally representative sample of the Spanish population (9–75 years old). DQ was assessed using the Nutrient Rich Foods Index, adapted to total diets (NRF9.3d). Most (>85%) of the Spanish population were regular breakfast consumers, although one in five adolescents were breakfast skippers. Breakfast provides just 16–19% of the daily intake of energy. Relative to its daily energy contribution, the Spanish breakfast contributed a higher proportion of daily total carbohydrates, added sugars, sodium, thiamin, riboflavin, folates, iron, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus and especially in calcium. By contrast, the breakfast is low in water intake, protein, dietary fibre, total fat, polyunsaturated fatty acids, beta-carotene and vitamins E and D. In children and teenagers, the most commonly consumed breakfast food was chocolate (mainly as chocolate-flavoured milk and powder), followed by bakery and pastry, whole milk and semi-skimmed milk. In the older groups, a bigger variety of foods were reported. Consumers in the highest NRF9.3d tertile for diet quality tended to have a higher intake of positive nutrients at breakfast than other tertiles, most notably among adults.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Samantha Gallo ◽  
Laura Byham-Gray ◽  
Valerie Duffy ◽  
Howard Hoffman ◽  
John Hayes ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives To assess the associations between smell function and adiposity and cardiometabolic measures in a nationally representative sample of US adults. Methods In the 2013–2014 NHANES, 3527 adults ≥40 years, completed the NHANES Taste and Smell Exam. Smell function was assessed with an 8-item odor identification test. Participants smelled and identified each odorant by selecting one of four descriptors. Smell impairment was defined as incorrect identification of ≥3 (of 8) odors. Survey-weighted linear regression models estimated cross-sectional associations of smell function with adiposity (body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC)) and cardiometabolic measures (total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL), triglycerides, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP)). Models were adjusted for age, race, education, physical activity, self-reported health status, smoking history, and income-poverty ratio, and stratified by sex and age group (40–64 years vs. ≥65 years). Results In US adults ≥40 years, smell function was significantly associated with several adiposity and cardiometabolic measures in adjusted models, with significant interactions by sex and age. Compared to normal smell, smell impairment was significantly associated with higher BMI [β = 3.0; 95% CI: 0.6, 5.4)] and WC [β = 5.0; 95% CI: 0.3, 9.8] among women <65 years; conversely among men ≥65 years, smell impairment associated with lower BMI [β = −1.6; 95% CI: −3.2, −0.01)]. In adults < 65 years, smell impairment was associated with lower FPG [β = −7.9; 95% CI: −13.0, −2.6] and triglyceride levels [β = −27.0; 95% CI: −51.0, −3.7], but this was only significant among men. In older men (≥65 years), smell impairment was positively associated with higher total cholesterol [β = 12.8; 95% CI: 7.4, 18.1] and LDL [β = 18.1; 95% CI: 9.1, 27.2] ; among older women however, smell impairment was inversely associated with both total [β = −15.0; 95% CI: −25.0, −5.7] and LDL cholesterol [β = −12.0; 95% CI: −25.0, 1.2)], and positively associated with FPG [β = 15.6; 95% CI:1.5, 29.7]. No significant associations were observed with SBP or DBP. Conclusions In adults ≥ 40 years, smell impairment is associated with adiposity measures, and glucose and lipid levels, with differential associations by age and sex. Funding Sources Rutgers University, NJ.


2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-36
Author(s):  
Kathleen A. Fairman ◽  
David Romanet ◽  
Nicole K. Early ◽  
Kellie J. Goodlet

Introduction: The 2013 pooled cohort equations (PCE) may misestimate cardiovascular event (CVE) risk, particularly for black patients. Alternatives to the original PCE (O-PCE) to assess potential statin benefit for primary prevention—a revised PCE (R-PCE) and US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) algorithms—have not been compared in contemporary US patients in routine office-based practice. Methods: We performed retrospective, cross-sectional analysis of a nationally representative, US sample of office visits made from 2011 to 2014. Sampling criteria matched those used for PCE development: aged 40 to 79 years, black or white race, no cardiovascular disease. Original PCE, R-PCE, and USPSTF algorithms were applied to biometric and demographic data. Outcomes included estimated 10-year CVE risk, percentage exceeding each algorithm’s statin-treatment threshold (>7.5% risk for O-PCE and R-PCE, and >10% O-PCE plus >1 risk factor for USPSTF), and percentage prescribed statin therapy. Results: In 12 556 visits (representing 285 330 123 nationwide), 10.8% of patients were black, 27.1% had diabetes, and 15.7% were current smokers. Replacing O-PCE with R-PCE decreased mean (95% confidence interval [CI]) estimated CVE risk from 12.4% (12.0%-12.7%) to 8.5% (8.2%-8.8%). Significant ( P < 0.05) racial disparity in the rate of CVE risk >7.5% was identified using O-PCE (black and white patients [95% CI], respectively: 58.8% [54.6%-62.9%] vs 52.8% [51.1%-54.4%], P = .006) but not R-PCE (41.6% [37.6%-45.7%] vs 39.9% [38.3%-41.5%], P = .448). Revised PCE and USPSTF recommendations were concordant for 90% of patients. Significant racial disparity in guideline-concordant statin prescribing was found using O-PCE (black and white patients, respectively, 35.0% [30.5%-39.9%] vs 41.8% [39.9%-44.4%], P = .013), but not R-PCE (40.6% [35.0%-46.6%] vs 43.0% [40.0%-45.9%], P = .482) or USPSTF recommendations (39.0% [33.8%-44.5%] vs 44.4% [41.5%-47.5%], P = .073). Conclusions: Use of an alternative to O-PCE may reduce racial disparity in estimated CVE risk and may facilitate shared decision-making about primary prevention.


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