Food Fads: Safe Feeding of Children

1980 ◽  
Vol 1 (7) ◽  
pp. 207-210
Author(s):  
Gilbert B. Forbes
Keyword(s):  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Nutritional Deficiencies ◽  
Deficiency Anemia ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Young Infants ◽  
Scientific Approach ◽  
Varied Diet ◽  
Food Variety ◽  
And Storage

... in some important aspects, our rational scientific approach fails to fulfill the desperate needs of suffering people, and it is to these needs that quacks and cultists address themselves. Strong emotions have a profound effect fect on one's well-being ... if they are aroused in a setting of massive human and supernatural encouragement, and in a context of hopefulness, they can be healing ....A cult gains its power from its culturally determined symbolic meaning.1 When it comes to food, variety is literally the spice of life. It is the large variety of foods available, taken together with our efficient transportation and storage facilities, and food fortification techniques that render the average American diet so nutritious. Young infants will thrive if they are provided with sufficient milk, and dietary deficiencies are rare in children whose diets include the "basic four" food groups: (1) meat, fish, poultry, and eggs; (2) milk, cheese, and milk products; (3) fruits and vegetables; (4) cereal grains, potatoes, and rice. Dietary surveys have shown that the vast majority of Americans have a varied diet and are free of overt nutritional deficiencies, with the possible exception of iron deficiency anemia. Americans consume large quantities of meat, milk, and eggs. Set in the midst of this sea of abundance are growing numbers of citizens who have chosen to deviate from modern dietary norms by adopting so-called "fad diets."

scholarly journals Consuming insects: are there health benefits?

2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 225-229 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Roos ◽  
A. van Huis
Keyword(s):  
Bioactive Compounds ◽  
Food Systems ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Health Benefits ◽  
Health Claims ◽  
Insect Species ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Sustainable Food ◽  
Varied Diet ◽  
Enormous Number

How healthy are insects? This is a highly relevant question in view of the global interest in the potential of insects as a sustainable food source in food systems and diets. Edible insects, like other foods, can provide nutrients and dietary energy to meet the requirements of the human body as a part of a varied diet. They also have the potential to provide bioactive compounds that have health benefits beyond simple nutritional values, as is the case for other food groups such as fruits and vegetables. Various recent studies have indicated such bioactivity in different insect species. The enormous number of edible insect species may be a source of novel bioactive compounds with health benefits addressing global health challenges. However, any identified health benefits need to be confirmed in human studies or in standardised assays accepted in health research prior to making health claims.

scholarly journals HORTICULTURAL CROPS VALUE ADDITION FOR NUTRITIONAL SECURITY

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (10) ◽  
pp. 110-120
Author(s):  
Kalpana Kulshrestha
Keyword(s):  
Dietary Fiber ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Antioxidant Properties ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Leafy Vegetables ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Value Addition ◽  
Nutritional Security ◽  
Green Leafy Vegetables

Nutritional well-being is a sustainable force for health and development of people and maximization of human genetic potential. From the beginning of human history, food has been considered as the major factor in maintaining well-being and health of individuals. Active ingredients in food which are effective in promoting human health include amino acids, fats dietary fiber, antioxidants, pigments, vitamins and minerals which are present in different food groups such as pulses, cereals, legumes, oilseeds, fruits and vegetables. Among all these food groups, fruits and vegetables play a significant role in human nutrition, especially as a source of vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber. The different fruits and vegetables like carrots, tomatoes potatoes, ginger, green leafy vegetables and the like are important protective foods because of their nutritional value and antioxidant properties. Value addition of such fruits and vegetables by formulation of different value-added products are an important source of nutritional security.

scholarly journals Calcium-related Post-harvest Physiological Disorders of Fruits and Vegetables in Eswatini: A Review

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kwanele A. Nxumalo ◽  
Christinah Matsuane ◽  
Michael T. Masarirambi
Keyword(s):  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Nutritional Deficiencies ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Nutritional Security ◽  
Post Harvest ◽  
Physiological Disorders ◽  
Blossom End Rot ◽  
Flesh Browning ◽  
Food And Nutritional Security ◽  
And Storage

Calcium (Ca2+) related physiological disorders of fruits and vegetables are abnormalities of fruits and vegetables which are not caused by infectious diseases, insects, nematodes or animals. Fruit and vegetable abnormalities occur due to environmental stress, nutritional deficiencies or excess on the plant. In this study, information was sought through informal surveys, review of literature and interviews with key post-harvest handling and storage participants and direct observation of fruits and vegetables in the markets. Calcium related post-harvest physiological disorders of fruits and vegetables encountered in this study included: cavity-spot, black end and cork, bronzing, skin freckles, fruit and crown, fasciation, soft-nose/spongy-tissue, granulation, low temperature breakdown/flesh browning, water-core, senescent-breakdown, superficial-scald, bitter pit, leaf tip-burn, golden specks and blossom-end rot. Post-harvest physiological disorders result in direct economic losses and pose a threat to food and nutritional security. Various ways of alleviating particular Ca2+ related post-harvest related physiological disorders are suggested e.g. addition of Ca2+ containing fertilisers and Ca2+ sprays.

scholarly journals Microbial Biocontrol as an Alternative to Synthetic Fungicides: Boundaries between Pre- and Postharvest Applications on Vegetables and Fruits

Fermentation ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 60
Author(s):  
Vincenzo Michele Sellitto ◽  
Severino Zara ◽  
Fabio Fracchetti ◽  
Vittorio Capozzi ◽  
Tiziana Nardi
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Control Plant ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Plant Diseases ◽  
Postharvest Quality ◽  
Crucial Point ◽  
Production Chain ◽  
Vegetables And Fruits ◽  
And Storage

From a ‘farm to fork’ perspective, there are several phases in the production chain of fruits and vegetables in which undesired microbial contaminations can attack foodstuff. In managing these diseases, harvest is a crucial point for shifting the intervention criteria. While in preharvest, pest management consists of tailored agricultural practices, in postharvest, the contaminations are treated using specific (bio)technological approaches (physical, chemical, biological). Some issues connect the ‘pre’ and ‘post’, aligning some problems and possible solution. The colonisation of undesired microorganisms in preharvest can affect the postharvest quality, influencing crop production, yield and storage. Postharvest practices can ‘amplify’ the contamination, favouring microbial spread and provoking injures of the product, which can sustain microbial growth. In this context, microbial biocontrol is a biological strategy receiving increasing interest as sustainable innovation. Microbial-based biotools can find application both to control plant diseases and to reduce contaminations on the product, and therefore, can be considered biocontrol solutions in preharvest or in postharvest. Numerous microbial antagonists (fungi, yeasts and bacteria) can be used in the field and during storage, as reported by laboratory and industrial-scale studies. This review aims to examine the main microbial-based tools potentially representing sustainable bioprotective biotechnologies, focusing on the biotools that overtake the boundaries between pre- and postharvest applications protecting quality against microbial decay.

scholarly journals Concentration of cadmium and lead in vegetables and fruits

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Monika Rusin ◽  
Joanna Domagalska ◽  
Danuta Rogala ◽  
Mehdi Razzaghi ◽  
Iwona Szymala
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Absorption Spectrometry ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Chemical Contamination ◽  
Fresh Frozen ◽  
Processed Products ◽  
Cadmium And Lead ◽  
Vegetables And Fruits

AbstractChemical contamination of foods pose a significant risk to consumers. A source of this risk is due to the consumption of products contaminated with heavy metals such as cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb). The aim of the study was to research the levels of Cd and Pb contamination of selected species of vegetables and fruits in the form of fresh, frozen, dried and processed products. The goal was to verify which of these food groups was more contaminated with heavy metals. The study covered 370 samples of fruits and vegetables including apples, pears, grapes, raspberries, strawberries, cranberries, as well as beetroots, celeries, carrots and tomatoes. The content of Cd and Pb was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. Quantitative results were analyzed using statistical models: analysis of variance, outlier analysis, post-hoc multiple comparison Tukey test. The tests showed that the levels of Cd and Pb concentration in samples of fresh, processed, frozen and dried fruits and vegetables varied substantially. The highest concentrations were recorded in dried products. Several fruit and vegetable samples exceeded the maximum permissible concentrations of Cd and Pb. The contamination of these products could be a significant source of consumer exposure to heavy metals when these products are a part of the diet.

scholarly journals The role of iron and zinc in cognitive development of children

2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 145-151
Author(s):  
Md Abdullah Al Mamun ◽  
Ruhina Binta A Ghani
Keyword(s):  
Health Care Services ◽  
Economic Cost ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Deficiency Anemia ◽  
Micronutrient Deficiencies ◽  
Dietary Practices ◽  
Risk Of Death ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Iron And Zinc ◽  
Frequent Consumption

The effects of iron and zinc on cognitive, motor and behavioral development are on children is scientifically accepted and concentrates on the more recent work, some previous work and areas of controversy. There are well established associations with poor development and iron and zinc deficiency in food source but the deficiencies usually occur in disadvantaged circumstances and establishing causal relationships is not easy. The health and well being of children depend upon the interaction between their genetic potential and exogenous factors like adequacy of nutrition, safety of the environment, social interaction and other childhood activity. Both proteins-energy malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies increase the risk of death from common diseases such as acute gastroenteritis, pneumonia and measles. Iron deficiency anemia, for example, is estimated to affect almost 25% of the world’s population resulting in high economic cost by adding to the burden on health care services, affecting learning in school. Dietary practices frequently seen in children from both developed and developing countries, leading to frequent consumption of nutrient poor foods, may also put them at risk of micronutrient deficiencies.Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. June 2017, 3(2): 145-151

scholarly journals Associations of Sociodemographic Factors and Health Behaviors with the Emotional Well-Being of Adolescents during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Brazil

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (11) ◽  
pp. 6160
Author(s):  
Célia Landmann Szwarcwald ◽  
Deborah Carvalho Malta ◽  
Marilisa Berti de Azevedo Barros ◽  
Paulo Roberto Borges de Souza Júnior ◽  
Dália Romero ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Schools ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Sleep Problems ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Sociodemographic Factors ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
School Closures ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Socioeconomic Vulnerability

This cross-sectional study utilizes data from a nationwide web-based survey aimed to identify the factors affecting the emotional well-being of Brazilian adolescents aged 12–17 during the period of school closures and confinement. Data collection took place from 27 June to 17 September 2020. We used the “virtual snowball” sampling method, and students from private and public schools were included. A total of 9470 adolescents were analyzed. A hierarchical logistic regression model was used to find the factors associated with reporting at least two of three self-reported problems—sadness, irritability, and sleep problems. The main proximal factor was loneliness (AdjOR = 8.12 p < 0.001). Problems related to school closures also played an important role. Regular intake of fruits and vegetables, as well as physical activity, demonstrated a positive influence on emotional well-being, while excessive screen time (AdjOR = 2.05, p < 0.001) and alcohol consumption negatively affected outcomes (AdjOR = 1.73, p < 0.001). As for distal variables, less affluent adolescents were the most affected, and males reported fewer emotional problems than females. Uncertainty regarding the disease in a context of socioeconomic vulnerability, together with rises in unhealthy behaviors and isolation from their immediate social circles, have negatively affected adolescents’ emotional status throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals Socioeconomic and Geographic Pattern of Food Consumption and Dietary Diversity among Children Aged 6–23 Months Old in Ghana

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 603
Author(s):  
Isaac Anane ◽  
Fengying Nie ◽  
Jiaqi Huang
Keyword(s):  
Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Food Consumption ◽  
Child Nutrition ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Geographical Location ◽  
Final Analysis ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Dairy Consumption

Dietary inadequacy is a major challenge among young children in Ghana. Nutritional policies are required for optimum child nutrition and development. This study explored food consumption and dietary diversity by socioeconomic status and geographical location among children aged 6–23 months in Ghana. We used the latest national representative, cross-sectional data from the Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS-2014). A total of 887 children aged 6–23 months were used in the final analysis. The survey collected data on children’s food consumption through their mothers in the 24 h recall method. Multiple logistic regression models were used to assess the relationship between socioeconomic status and geographical location with food consumption and adequate dietary diversity after adjusting for control variables. The study revealed an association between specific food item consumption, food groups, and dietary diversity by socioeconomic and geographic characteristics. However, dairy consumption increased faster than other nutritional foods when socioeconomic status increased. Furthermore, the study revealed that children’s chances of consuming particular food items and food groups differed across Ghana’s 10 regions. The average probabilities of consuming adequate dietary diversity between the Greater Accra region and Ashanti region were 43% vs. 8% (p < 0.001). Consumption of grains, root, and tubers were relatively higher but low for Vitamin A-rich fruits and vegetables and legumes and nuts for children aged 6–23 months in Ghana. Overall, the mean dietary diversity score was low (3.39; 95% CI: 3.30–3.49) out of eight food groups, and the prevalence of adequate dietary diversity was 22% only. There is a need for policy interventions to ensure appropriate dietary practices to promote healthy growth of children.

scholarly journals Dietary Data in the Malmö Offspring Study–Reproducibility, Method Comparison and Validation against Objective Biomarkers

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 1579
Author(s):  
Sophie Hellstrand ◽  
Filip Ottosson ◽  
Einar Smith ◽  
Louise Brunkwall ◽  
Stina Ramne ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Method Comparison ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Fish Intake ◽  
Dietary Intakes ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Food Record ◽  
Fatty Fish ◽  
Lean Fish ◽  
Β Carotene

Irregular dietary intakes impairs estimations from food records. Biomarkers and method combinations can be used to improve estimates. Our aim was to examine reproducibility from two assessment methods, compare them, and validate intakes against objective biomarkers. We used the Malmö Offspring Study (55% women, 18–71 y) with data from a 4-day food record (4DFR) and a short food frequency questionnaire (SFFQ) to compare (1) repeated intakes (n = 180), (2) intakes from 4DFR and SFFQ (n = 1601), and (3) intakes of fatty fish, fruits and vegetables, and citrus with plasma biomarkers (n = 1433) (3-carboxy-4-methyl-5-propyl-2-furanpropanoic acid [CMPF], β-carotene and proline betaine). We also combined 4DFR and SFFQ estimates using principal component analysis (PCA). Moderate correlations were seen between repeated intakes (4DFR median ρ = 0.41, SFFQ median ρ = 0.59) although lower for specific 4DFR-items, especially fatty/lean fish (ρ ≤ 0.08). Between-method correlations (median ρ = 0.33) were higher for intakes of overall food groups compared to specific foods. PCA scores for citrus (proline betaine ρ = 0.53) and fruits and vegetables (β-carotene: ρ = 0.39) showed the highest biomarker correlations, whereas fatty fish intake from the SFFQ per se showed the highest correlation with CMPF (ρ = 0.46). To conclude, the reproducibility of SFFQ data was superior to 4DFR data regarding irregularly consumed foods. Method combination could slightly improve fruit and vegetable estimates, whereas SFFQ data gave most valid fatty fish intake.

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