Healthy Eating Index, Genomics and Metabolomics; Insights into the Mechanisms Driving Dietary Pattern to Metabolic Disorders

Abstract Objectives Higher diet quality measured by healthy eating index (HEI) is associated with improved metabolic function, however the molecular basis remains unclear. We assessed associations between HEI and the metabolome in plasma and stool and explored interaction between genotype and HEI on circulating and gut metabolites. Methods We analyzed data from heathy individuals recruited to a single cross-sectional study visit (ABO Study, N = 75). HEI score was calculated from food frequency questionnaire. Metabolites in plasma (n = 800) and stool (n = 767) were measured at Metabolon Inc. Genotyping was performed by Exome chip (Illumina, CoreExome, N > 540,000 variants). Multivariable linear regression was used to assess the association of HEI score with metabolites adjusting for age, sex and body mass index. Plasma associations were replicated in the Fish oils and Adipose Inflammation Reduction (FAIR) study (N = 29). Metaboanalyst 4.0 was used to determine metabolic pathways. The interaction of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and HEI on metabolites was tested using Plink. Results Metabolites in plasma (n = 74) and stool (n = 77) were associated with the HEI index (P < 0.05). One metabolite (N-acetyl-beta-alanine) overlapped between plasma (B = 0.003, P = 0.035) and stool (B = 0.008, P = 0.02). Glycine replicated between ABO (B = −0.001, P = 0.02) and FAIR studies (B = −0.01, P = 0.02). In plasma there was significant pathway enrichment in glycerophospholipid metabolism, glycine, serine-threonine metabolism and caffeine metabolism. In stool, histidine and caffeine metabolism pathways were significantly enriched. Significant (Pinteraction <5 × 10−8) interactions were observed between HEI and multiple independent SNPs for metabolites including circulating Valylleucine and gut Sedoheptulose-7-phosphate. Conclusions Diet quality, measured by HEI, is associated with differences in plasma and stool metabolites. The observed associations might aid understanding the link between food patterns and metabolic health outcomes. Further, our data support gene-nutrient interactions between HEI and SNPs contributing to plasma and gut metabolomic profiles. Future work will explore the relationship between HEI and gut microbiome composition. Funding Sources This project was supported by the National Institutes of Health.

Download Full-text

Healthy Eating Index: Assessment of the Diet Quality of a Brazilian Elderly Population

Nutrition and Metabolic Insights ◽

10.1177/1178638818818845 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 11 ◽

pp. 117863881881884

Author(s):

Dalila Pinto de Souza Fernandes ◽

Maria Sônia Lopes Duarte ◽

Milene Cristine Pessoa ◽

Sylvia do Carmo Castro Franceschini ◽

Andréia Queiroz Ribeiro

Keyword(s):

Healthy Eating ◽

Diet Quality ◽

Saturated Fat ◽

Population Based ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Whole Grains ◽

Healthy Eating Index ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Global Quality

Background: The food consumption assessment is necessary to monitor elderly’s nutritional status because it allows detecting nutrition deficits and guiding the elaboration of effective conducts. Objective: The objective of this study is to assess the global quality of the elderly’s diet in Viçosa—MG, Brazil. Methods: This is a population-based cross-sectional study, involving noninstitutionalized elderly. Diet quality was assessed through the Brazilian Healthy Eating Index-Revised (BHEI-R) validated to the Brazilian population. Results: The study comprised 620 elderly individuals. The mean total BHEI-R score was 64.28. The worse consumption scores concerned the components Whole grains, Milk and derivatives, Sodium, Total fruit, and Whole fruit. Approximately 82% scored zero (0%) for Whole grains and 67% for Sodium. Men presented significantly lower scores than women, who have presented maximal score in the same items. Women’s scores were not only significantly higher for Total fruit, Whole fruit, Milk and derivatives, but also significantly lower for Saturated fat. Discussion: Most elderly need to improve their diet quality. Strategies heading toward the improvement of diet quality must be priority in policies to health promotion toward the healthy and active aging.

Download Full-text

Is The Healthy Eating Index-2015 Associated With Rheumatoid Arthritis?

10.21203/rs.3.rs-1061469/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Atiyeh Nayebi ◽

Davood Soleimani ◽

Shayan Mostafaei ◽

Negin Elahi ◽

Homayoun Elahi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽

Disease Activity ◽

Healthy Eating ◽

Diet Quality ◽

Linear Trend ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Healthy Eating Index ◽

Dietary Guidelines ◽

P Value ◽

Cross Sectional

Abstract Objective: Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI-2015) is a multidimensional criterion of diet quality utilized to evaluate how well people’s dietary behaviors align with major recommendations of the 2015–2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. We aim to investigate the association between the diet quality and Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) activity.Design: Cross-sectional studySetting: This study was done on 184 patients with RA in rheumatology clinic in Kermanshah city, Iran, in 2020. RA was diagnosed according to the criteria of the 2010 American College of Rheumatology/ European League against Rheumatism. The overall quality diet was extracted from a validated 168-item food frequency questioner (FFQ) to calculate the HEI-2015 score. RA disease activity was assessed using Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS28) scores. One-way ANOVA and ANCOVA were done to find the associations.Participants: RA patientsResults: Individuals in the highest HEI-2015 quartile had a lower mean Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) than those in the lowest quartiles of the HEI scores (P-value: 0.014). A linear trend towards decreasing waist circumference in patients was observed with increasing quartiles of the HEI-2015 scores (P-value= 0.005). After controlling for all potential confounders, patients in the highest HEI-2015 quartile had the lowest DAS28 scores than those in the lowest quartile of the HEI-2015 scores (Q1= 3.65; 95% CI= 3.29 – 4.02 vs. Q4= 2.35; 95% CI= 1.94 - 2.67; P-value<0.001).Conclusion: Our results indicated that following a high diet quality might be one of the therapeutic strategies to control or reduce the disease activity in RA patients.

Download Full-text

Assessment of Diet Quality in Chilean Urban Population through the Alternate Healthy Eating Index 2010: A Cross-Sectional Study

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu11040891 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 891 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Victoria Pinto ◽

Leslie Landaeta-Díaz ◽

Oscar Castillo ◽

Luis Villarroel ◽

Attilio Rigotti ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Latin American ◽

Healthy Eating ◽

Diet Quality ◽

Urban Population ◽

Sodium Intake ◽

Risk Groups ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Healthy Eating Index ◽

Dietary Factors ◽

Cross Sectional

Most worldwide causes of disease and death are strongly associated with dietary factors and the application of eating indexes has proved to be a useful tool to determine diet quality in populations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diet quality in Chile through the application of the Alternate Healthy Eating Index 2010 (AHEI-2010). A representative sample (n = 879) of Chilean urban population aged 15–65 years old from the Latin American Study of Nutrition and Health (Estudio Latinoamericano de Nutrición y Salud; ELANS) was used. Dietary intake data were obtained through two 24-hour food recalls and one beverage frequency questionnaire, which were used to calculate AHEI-2010 and its association with sociodemographic and anthropometric variables. In this Chilean sample, the AHEI-2010 score was 43.7 ± 7.8 points (mean ± SD). Trans fats and sodium intake were the highest scoring AHEI-2010 components whereas sugar-sweetened beverages and whole grains had the lowest score. Women, older subjects, and individuals in medium-high socioeconomic levels had significantly higher mean AHEI-2010 scores. No association was found between AHEI-2010 and body mass index (BMI), or nutritional status. Conclusions: Diet quality in the Chilean urban population aged 15–65 years old is far from optimal. Thus, there is room for significant improvement of diet quality in Chile through design and implementation of public health policies, particularly in high-risk groups for chronic diseases.

Download Full-text

Promoting a Healthy Diet in Young Adults: The Role of Nutrition Labelling

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu10101335 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 10 (10) ◽

pp. 1335 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Zehra Buyuktuncer ◽

Aylin Ayaz ◽

Damla Dedebayraktar ◽

Elif Inan-Eroglu ◽

Basma Ellahi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Young Adults ◽

Healthy Eating ◽

Diet Quality ◽

Eating Behaviors ◽

Saturated Fat ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Healthy Eating Index ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Dietary Recall ◽

Label Use

The use of the nutrition facts label has been associated with healthy eating behaviors for adults. However, the relationship between nutrition facts label use and overall diet quality is not well known in young adults, a vulnerable group that acquire lifelong eating behaviors during this period of life. This study aimed to assess if the use of information on the nutrition facts label is associated with a higher diet quality in young adults. In this cross-sectional study, 958 university students aged 18–34 years were recruited. Nutrition facts label use was recorded. Dietary intake was assessed using 24-h dietary recall. Healthy Eating Index-2005 (HEI-2005) scores were calculated. HEI-2005 score was significantly associated with using nutrition facts label (p < 0.001). The mean total HEI-2005 score was 60.7 ± 10.11, 62.4 ± 11.43 and 67.1 ± 12.23 respectively for never, sometimes and everytime users of nutrition facts label (p < 0.001). Sub-group scores of HEI-2005 for total fruits, whole fruits, total vegetables, whole grains, milk, oils, saturated fat, and calories from solid fat, alcohol and added sugar (SoFAAS) were significantly higher in regular nutrition facts label users (p < 0.05, for each). This study showed that young adults who regularly use the nutrition facts label have a higher diet quality.

Download Full-text

Social and demographic inequalities in diet quality in a population-based study

Revista de Nutrição ◽

10.1590/1678-98652016000200001 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 29 (2) ◽

pp. 151-162 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Daniela de ASSUMPÇÃO ◽

Semíramis Martins Álvares DOMENE ◽

Regina Mara FISBERG ◽

Marilisa Berti de Azevedo BARROS

Keyword(s):

Healthy Eating ◽

Diet Quality ◽

Population Based ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Whole Grains ◽

Healthy Eating Index ◽

Education Level ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Added Sugars ◽

The City

Objective : To evaluate sociodemographic inequalities in the diet quality of the urban population of the city of Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil. Methods: A population-based, cross-sectional study was performed using data from a health survey conducted in the city of Campinas in 2008-2009. Diet quality was evaluated using the Brazilian Healthy Eating Index Revised. A total of 3,382 individuals aged 10 years old and older were analyzed. Results : Brazilian Healthy Eating Index Revised scores increased with age and education level. Women consumed more vegetables, fruits, and milk, and less sodium, meat and eggs, oils, saturated and solid fats, alcohol, and added sugars than men. Scores for whole grains, vegetables, and fruits also increased with age and education level. Conclusion: These findings point to sociodemographic segments that are more vulnerable to an inappropriate diet and identify the need of strategies to increase the consumption of whole grains, dark green vegetables, fruits, and milk, and decrease the consumption of sodium, solid fats, alcohol, and added sugar.

Download Full-text

Examining the Relationship Between Intuitive Eating and Diet Quality Among College Students

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzaa059_007 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. 1290-1290

Author(s):

Julia Borelli ◽

Giselle Pereira Pignotti ◽

Adrianne Widaman

Keyword(s):

College Students ◽

Diet Quality ◽

Online Survey ◽

Eating Behaviors ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Healthy Eating Index ◽

Intuitive Eating ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Funding Sources ◽

Study Participants

Abstract Objectives College students in the US tend to have low diet quality due to a confluence of interpersonal, intrapersonal, and environmental factors. Restrictive dieting is commonly used for weight management but often ineffective in the long term and can lead to dangerous eating behaviors. Intuitive eating is an adaptive form of eating that has gained interest as an alternative to restrictive dieting due to its successful use in eating disorder recovery and correlation with decreased body mass index in healthy populations. The objective of the current study was to identify if higher intuitive eating, as measured by the intuitive eating scale (IES-2), correlated with increased diet quality, as measured by the Healthy Eating Index 2015 (HEI-2015) in a college sample. Methods In this cross-sectional study, participants completed an online survey containing the IES-2 questionnaire which provides a total score for intuitive eating and four subscale scores representing the main behaviors of intuitive eating. The dietary intake of participants was assessed with up to three 24-hour diet recalls, which were completed over the phone. A total of 55 participants (40 females and 15 males) completed the survey and a minimum of two 24-hour diet recalls, which were used to calculate the HEI-2015. Independent sample t-test and Pearson's correlation were used for statistical analysis. Results The total IES-2 scores were higher for males than females (82.9 ± 8.1 vs. 76.3 ± 11.2, P = 0.04). The average total HEI-2015 score was 59.5 ± 15.1 and did not differ between gender (P = 0.93). The total IES-2 score was not significantly correlated with the total HEI scores (r = −0.218, P = 0.11), and one subscale of the IES-2, the Unconditional Permission to Eat subscale, was negatively correlated with the total HEI score (r = −0.418, P < 0.01) and BMI (r = −0.335, P < 0.05). Conclusions The results of the study do not support that intuitive eating is correlated with diet quality, furthermore, increased scores of the Unconditional Permission to Eat subscale of intuitive eating was correlated with a lower diet quality suggesting that intuitive eating and diet quality may be separate constructs that should be addressed individually. Funding Sources None.

Download Full-text

A healthy eating index to measure diet quality in pregnant women in Singapore: a cross-sectional study

BMC Nutrition ◽

10.1186/s40795-015-0029-3 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Chad Yixian Han ◽

◽

Marjorelee Colega ◽

Elaine Phaik Ling Quah ◽

Yiong Huak Chan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pregnant Women ◽

Healthy Eating ◽

Diet Quality ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Healthy Eating Index ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional

Download Full-text

The association between purchasing locally produced food and diet quality among adults in Puerto Rico

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980020003134 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-10

Author(s):

Abrania Marrero ◽

Martha Tamez ◽

José F Rodríguez-Orengo ◽

Josiemer Mattei

Keyword(s):

Puerto Rico ◽

Healthy Eating ◽

Diet Quality ◽

Linear Models ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Healthy Eating Index ◽

Local Foods ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Dietary Transition ◽

Component Scores

Abstract Objective: Diminished diet quality in the Caribbean and other island settings may be related to a dietary transition from local foods towards imported products. The current study aimed to characterise the association between intentionally purchasing local foods (IPLF) and diet quality in Puerto Rico (PR). Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Primary care clinics in the PR metropolitan area. Participants: Data were obtained from adult participants (30–75 years; n 243) of the Puerto Rico Assessment of Diet, Lifestyle, and Diseases. IPLF was probed by asking: ‘How often do you purposely purchase foods from PR (like fruits, vegetables, meat and other products that are produced on the island rather than being imported)?’ Dietary intake was measured using a FFQ, and diet quality was assessed by the Alternate Healthy Eating Index (range 0–110; higher scores indicating higher diet quality). Multivariate-adjusted generalised linear models tested the association between IPLF and Alternate Healthy Eating Index 2010 (AHEI) and its component scores. Results: A third (33·9 %) of participants reported seldom, 33·5 % reported often and 30·6 % reported always IPLF. Compared with seldom IPLF, fully adjusted mean AHEI scores were 3·6 (P = 0·038) points higher among those often IPLF and 9·3 (P < 0·0001) points higher among those always IPLF. Compared with seldom IPLF, those who always IPLF had significantly higher fully adjusted mean component scores for vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts and legumes, trans fat and n-3 fats. Conclusions: Adults in PR who intentionally purchase local foods had higher diet quality, especially for intake of plant-based foods and healthy fats, highlighting potential dietary benefits associated with improved local food availability in PR.

Download Full-text

Nutritional intake and overall diet quality of female soccer players before the competition period

Revista de Nutrição ◽

10.1590/1678-98652016000400010 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 29 (4) ◽

pp. 555-565 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Daniel dos SANTOS ◽

Jacqueline Queiroz da SILVEIRA ◽

Thais Borges CESAR

Keyword(s):

Nutritional Status ◽

Dietary Intake ◽

Healthy Eating ◽

Diet Quality ◽

Protein Quality ◽

Healthy Eating Index ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Professional Soccer

ABSTRACT Objective: To assess the dietary intake and overall diet quality of female soccer players before the competitive games. Methods: This descriptive and cross-sectional study included 21 women aged 20.8±4.5 years from a professional soccer team. Their nutritional status and dietary adequacy during the training period, before competition season, were assessed. Dietary intake was assessed by three 24-hour recalls, one food frequency questionnaire, and the Healthy Eating Index, an overall diet quality index based on food group intake. Results: The athletes have shown proper nutritional status, but a diet deficient in energy due largely to low carbohydrate intake. On the other hand, the intakes of protein, fatty acids, and sodium were above the recommended intakes, even for athletes. Diet quality assessment by the Healthy Eating Index - 2010 resulted in a mean score of 54.6 points of a maximum of 100, indicating a need of improving the overall diet quality. Conclusion: The study found that the dietary patterns of female football players were both quantitatively and qualitatively inappropriate. A nutritional intervention is indicated to improve diet quality, with the inclusion of various foods, such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and better protein quality, along with a reduction in saturated fats, sodium, and added sugar.

Download Full-text

Association Between Diet Quality and Food Waste in South Florida

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzaa042_008 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. 143-143

Author(s):

Vanessa Mijares ◽

Jair Alcivar ◽

Cristina Palacios

Keyword(s):

Food Waste ◽

Diet Quality ◽

Inverse Correlation ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Healthy Eating Index ◽

Quality Score ◽

South Florida ◽

Grocery Stores ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Florida International University

Abstract Objectives In 2015, the USDA/EPA set a goal of reducing food waste in 50% by 2030. This goal will not only lower U.S. methane gas emissions but also redirect food to millions of food insecure Americans. Little is known on food waste and its association with diet quality. Therefore, our objective was to explore the associations between diet quality and food waste. Methods This was a cross sectional study among adults ³18 years in south Florida who are the primary household food provider conducting a primary shopping event for the week. Participants were recruited outside of local grocery stores and asked to fill out a quick food waste survey. Pictures of the participants’ grocery receipts were taken to analyze diet quality using the Grocery Purchase Quality Index 2016 (GPQI-2016). The GPQI-2016 is based on the Healthy Eating Index (HEI)– 2010 and has 11 different components (each with a maximum score of 5 or 10) for a total score of 75. Correlations were used to determine the associations between diet quality and amount of food waste (Pearson) or reasons for food waste (Point-biserial). Results A total of 109 participants were recruited but 103 had complete data. Mean age was 44.6 ± 13.6 years, most were females (74%) and Hispanics (79%). Most usually grocery shop in a main event and then go back for smaller items (44%) once (36%) or twice (28%) a week. Mean diet quality score was 40.9 ± 9.64 out of 75 points and mean amount of food waste was 17.7 ± 19.9 handfuls. Most reported throwing away food mainly because it went bad (90%) or it was past it's due date (80%). Handfuls of bread/rice waste were significantly inversely correlated with diet quality (r = −2.60; p = 0.013). Also, we found a significant inverse correlation between diet quality and food thrown away because it had gone past it's use by date (r = −.196; p = 0.049). Conclusions A lower diet quality score was related to higher amount of bread/rice wasted and with throwing away foods that has past it's use date. These results could justify directing reducing food waste efforts in the community by educating individuals on purchasing frozen products or on proper storage to prolong shelf life, as well as on understanding the different dates placed on products by manufacturers. Funding Sources Internal funds from Florida International University.

Download Full-text