scholarly journals Associations between Community Environmental-Level Factors and Diet Quality in Geographically Isolated Australian Communities

Author(s):  
Thomas P. Wycherley ◽  
Jolieke C. van der Pols ◽  
Mark Daniel ◽  
Natasha J. Howard ◽  
Kerin O’Dea ◽  
...  

Remote Indigenous Australians experience disproportionately poor cardio-metabolic health, which is largely underpinned by adverse dietary intake related to social determinants. Little evidence exists about the community environmental-level factors that shape diet quality in this geographically isolated population group. This study aimed to explore the modifiable environmental-level factors associated with the features of dietary intake that underpin cardio-metabolic disease risk in this population group. Community-level dietary intake data were estimated from weekly store sales data collected throughout 2012 and linked with concurrent social, built, and physical environmental dimension data for 13 remote Indigenous Australian communities in the Northern Territory. Statistical analyses were performed to investigate associations. At the community level, store sales of discretionary foods were lower in communities with greater distance to a neighbouring store (r = −0.45 (p < 0.05)). Sales of sugar-sweetened beverages were lower in communities with higher levels of household crowding (r = −0.55 (p < 0.05)), higher levels of Indigenous unemployment (r = −0.62 (p = 0.02)), and greater distance to neighbouring stores (r = −0.61 (p = 0.004)). Modifiable environmental-level factors may be associated with adverse diet quality in remote Indigenous Australian communities and further investigations of these factors should be considered when developing policies to improve dietary intake quality in geographically isolated populations.

2017 ◽  
Vol 20 (8) ◽  
pp. 1431-1440 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas P Wycherley ◽  
Brita AK Pekarsky ◽  
Megan M Ferguson ◽  
Kerin O’Dea ◽  
Julie K Brimblecombe

AbstractObjectiveTo consider the plausible nutritional impacts of fluctuations in money availability within an income cycle for remote Indigenous Australians.DesignCommunity-level dietary intake (energy, micro/macronutrients) and expenditure on foods and beverages (F&B) were estimated over one year for three remote Indigenous Australian communities (Northern Territory, Australia) using monthly F&B transaction data. F&B that were likely to be consumed during a period within an income cycle when money was relatively limited (low money period (LMP) foods) were identified by panel consensus and scenario modelling was conducted to simulate the nutritional outcomes of a range of F&B selection responses to having an LMP.ResultsAll scenarios resulted in reduced diet quality during the LMP relative to overall average diet values. Protein and fat energy percentages were reduced and carbohydrate energy percentage increased. Despite reduced expenditure, declines in energy intake were typically buffered due to the reduced energy cost ($AU/MJ) of the LMP diet. The micronutrient profile of the LMP diet was substantially poorer, such that additional key micronutrients dropped below population-weighted Estimated Average Requirements/Adequate Intakes.ConclusionsThe modelling undertaken herein suggests that even a short period of low money within an income cycle may noticeably contribute to the reduced diet quality of remote Indigenous Australians and exacerbate lifestyle disease risk. Dietary strategies that are designed to respond to diets and expenditure during different income cycle periods, rather than the overall average diet and expenditure, should be considered for improving diet quality and reducing cardiometabolic disease risk in remote Indigenous Australians.


2003 ◽  
Vol 105 (5) ◽  
pp. 569-575 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin ROWLEY ◽  
Kerin O'DEA ◽  
Qing SU ◽  
Alicia J. JENKINS ◽  
James D. BEST

Microalbuminuria is a risk factor for renal and cardiovascular diseases. Oxidant stress may contribute to vascular disease risk by promoting damage to renal and vascular tissues. This study examined the associations of plasma levels of diet-derived antioxidants with albuminuria in Australian population groups at high risk of renal and cardiovascular disease. Data on microalbuminuria and diet-derived plasma antioxidants were drawn from results of cross-sectional community-based risk factor surveys of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples (n=698, 15 years and older). Prevalence of microalbuminuria ranged from 17–21%. After adjustment for age, gender, body mass index, diabetes, smoking status, plasma lipids and blood pressure, microalbuminuria was associated with significantly lower plasma concentrations of lycopene (-29%; P<0.001), β-carotene (-22%; P<0.001), α-carotene (-22%; P<0.001) and cryptoxanthin (-17%; P<0.001) compared with normalbuminuric persons. Significant associations of microalbuminuria with plasma concentrations of α-tocopherol, retinol, lutein plus zeaxanthin and homocysteine were absent. The data are consistent with a protective effect of diets rich in carotenoids on vascular endothelium and/or renal tissues, and support the need for interventions to address affordable food supplies and dietary quality among Indigenous Australians.


2019 ◽  
Vol 44 (8) ◽  
pp. 886-893 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatheema B. Subhan ◽  
Catherine B. Chan

South Asians have a higher prevalence of early onset cardiovascular disease risk compared with other populations. Dietary intake is a modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Dietary patterns in immigrants and successive generations of South Asians settled in Western countries undergo adaptions. Little is known about the dietary intake of South Asians in Alberta, thus the objective of the present study was to describe the dietary patterns among South Asians and their risks for cardiovascular diseases. A retrospective analysis of data collected from 140 South Asian adults participating in the Alberta’s Tomorrow Project was conducted. Dietary intake was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire and the Healthy Eating Index (HEI) was used an indicator of overall diet quality and adherence to dietary recommendations made by Health Canada. Central obesity (70%), hypercholesterolemia (27%), and hypertension (14%) were predominant health conditions observed in the study participants. About 56% and 44% of participants obtained moderate and poor HEI scores, respectively. The diet quality of the majority of participants was inadequate to meet macro- and micronutrient intake recommendations. The high prevalence of poor/moderate diet quality and pre-existing chronic health conditions across all body mass index groups is a cause for concern in this population.


Author(s):  
Taber A. Ba-Omar ◽  
Philip F. Prentis

We have recently carried out a study of spermiogenic differentiation in two geographically isolated populations of Aphanius dispar (freshwater teleost), with a view to ascertaining variation at the ultrastructural level. The sampling areas were the Jebel Al Akhdar in the north (Group A) and the Dhofar region (Group B) in the south. Specimens from each group were collected, the testes removed, fixed in Karnovsky solution, post fixed in OsO, en bloc stained with uranyl acetate and then routinely processed to Agar 100 resin, semi and ultrathin sections were prepared for study.


2012 ◽  
Vol 82 (3) ◽  
pp. 144-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ibrahim Elmadfa ◽  
Alexa L. Meyer

A high-quality diet is one of the foundations of health and well-being. For a long time in human history, diet was chiefly a source of energy and macronutrients meant to still hunger and give the strength for work and activities that were in general much harder than nowadays. Only few persons could afford to emphasize enjoyment. In the assessment of quality, organoleptic properties were major criteria to detect spoilage and oxidative deterioration of food. Today, food hygiene is a quality aspect that is often taken for granted by consumers, despite its lack being at the origin of most food-borne diseases. The discovery of micronutrients entailed fundamental changes of the concept of diet quality. However, non-essential food components with additional health functions were still barely known or not considered important until recently. With the high burden of obesity and its associated diseases on the rise, affluent, industrialized countries have developed an increased interest in these substances, which has led to the development of functional foods to optimize special body functions, reduce disease risk, or even contribute to therapeutic approaches. Indeed, nowadays, high contents of energy, fat, and sugar are factors associated with a lower quality of food, and products with reduced amounts of these components are valued by many consumers. At the same time, enjoyment and convenience are important quality factors, presenting food manufacturers with the dilemma of reconciling low fat content and applicability with good taste and appealing appearance. Functional foods offer an approach to address this challenge. Deeper insights into nutrient-gene interactions may enable personalized nutrition adapted to the special needs of individuals. However, so far, a varied healthy diet remains the best basis for health and well-being.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 1850
Author(s):  
Hollie A. Raynor ◽  
Suzanne E. Mazzeo ◽  
Jessica Gokee LaRose ◽  
Elizabeth L. Adams ◽  
Laura M. Thornton ◽  
...  

Concerns remain about dietary changes during pediatric obesity treatment and eating pathology, which have not been investigated. This secondary data analysis from a randomized clinical trial examined associations between adolescents’ changes in energy intake and diet quality during obesity treatment with post-treatment eating pathology. Adolescents (N = 82: 13.7 ± 1.2 y, 34.9 ± 7.0 kg/m2, 63.4% female, 46.3% black) received TEENS+, a 4-month multicomponent intervention. TEENS+ provided individualized dietary goals (1200–1800 kcal/day; number of “Go” foods/day (low-energy, high-nutrient-dense foods)). At 0 and 4 months, 3-day food records assessed energy intake and diet quality (Healthy Eating Index 2015 (HEI-2015)). Two HEI-2015 subscores were created: components to increase (increase), and components to limit (decrease). The Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire measured eating pathology (total score and subscales: restraint; and eating, weight, and shape concern). Corrected p-values are reported as q-values. Energy intake decreased (−292 ± 418 kcal/day; q < 0.001), while diet quality improved during treatment (total HEI-2015 (4.5 ± 15.1; q = 0.034) and increase (3.3 ± 9.4; q = 0.011)). Restraint increased (+0.6 ± 1.4; q < 0.001), whereas shape (−0.5 ± 1.3; q = 0.004) and weight (−0.5 ± 1.4; q = 0.015) concerns decreased. Greater decreases in energy intake were associated with greater restraint post-treatment (F = 17.69; q < 0.001). No other significant associations were observed. Changes in adolescents’ dietary intake during obesity treatment were unrelated to increased shape, weight, or eating concerns post-treatment.


Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 2952
Author(s):  
Yong Zhu ◽  
Neha Jain ◽  
Vipra Vanage ◽  
Norton Holschuh ◽  
Anne Hermetet Agler ◽  
...  

This study examined differences in dietary intake between ready-to-eat cereal eaters and non-eaters in adults from the United States. Participants (n = 5163) from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2015–2016 were included. One-day dietary recall was used to define ready-to-eat cereal consumption status and estimate dietary intake in eaters and non-eaters. Data from Food Patterns Equivalent Database 2015–2016 were used to compare intakes of food groups by consumption status. Diet quality was assessed by Healthy Eating Index 2015. Nineteen percent of US adults were ready-to-eat cereal eaters; they had a similar level of energy intake as non-eaters, but they had significantly higher intake of dietary fiber, and several vitamins and minerals, such as calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc, vitamin A, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, folate, vitamin B12, and vitamin D. They were also more likely to meet nutrient recommendations. Compared to non-eaters, ready-to-eat cereal eaters had the same level of added sugar intake but they had significantly higher intake of whole grains, total fruits, and dairy products. The diet quality of ready-to-eat cereal eaters was significantly higher than that of non-eaters. The study supports that ready-to-eat cereal eaters have better dietary intake with a healthier dietary pattern than non-eaters in the United States.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. e042268
Author(s):  
John A Woods ◽  
Judith M Katzenellenbogen ◽  
Kevin Murray ◽  
Claire E Johnson ◽  
Sandra C Thompson

ObjectivesAnticipation and prompt relief of symptoms among patients with a life-limiting illness is a core element of palliative care. Indigenous Australians commonly encounter cultural barriers in healthcare that may impair outcomes. The Palliative Care Outcomes Collaboration collects patient care data for the purposes of continuous quality improvement and benchmarking, with each recorded care episode divided into phases that reflect a patient’s condition. We aimed to investigate differences between Indigenous and non-Indigenous patients in the occurrence and duration of ‘unstable’ phases (which indicate unanticipated deterioration in a patient’s condition or circumstances), and determine attainment of the relevant benchmark (resolution of unstable phases in ≤3 days in 90% of cases) for both groups.DesignCohort study.SettingAustralia-wide hospital-based and community-based specialist palliative care (1 January 2010 to 30 June 2015).Participants139 556 (1502 Indigenous and 138 054 non-Indigenous) adult patients.Outcome measuresIndigenous and non-Indigenous patients were compared on (1) the risk of a phase being categorised as unstable, (2) the duration of unstable phases, and (3) the risk of unstable phases being prolonged (>3 days). Crude and adjusted estimates were produced from three-level robust Poisson regression and complementary log-log discrete time survival models.ResultsUnstable phases occurred with similar frequency overall among Indigenous and non-Indigenous patients (adjusted relative risks 1.06; 95% CI 1.00 to 1.11; not significant after correction for multiple comparisons). The duration and risk of prolongation of unstable phases were similar in both patient groups, with no significant differences evident among subgroups. The benchmark was not met for either Indigenous or non-Indigenous patients (unstable phase duration >3 days in 24.3% vs 25.5%; p=0.398).ConclusionsDespite well-documented shortcomings of healthcare for Indigenous Australians, there is no clear evidence of greater occurrence or prolongation of unanticipated problems among Indigenous patients accessing specialist palliative care services in hospital or the community.


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