scholarly journals Faith in Fat: A Multisite Examination of University Students’ Perceptions of Fat in the Diet

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 2560
Author(s):  
Matthew J. Landry ◽  
Jasmine M. Olvany ◽  
Megan P. Mueller ◽  
Tiffany Chen ◽  
Dana Ikeda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Food System ◽  
Saturated Fat ◽  
The United States ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Dietary Guidelines ◽  
First Year Students ◽  
Unsaturated Fat ◽  
Fat Consumption

Despite recent relaxation of restrictions on dietary fat consumption in dietary guidelines, there remains a collective “fear of fat”. This study examined college students’ perceptions of health among foods with no fat relative to foods with different types of fats (unsaturated and saturated). Utilizing a multisite approach, this study collected data from college students at six university dining halls throughout the United States. Data were available on 533 students. Participants were 52% male and consisted largely of first-year students (43%). Across three meal types, the no-fat preparation option was chosen 73% of the time, the unsaturated fat option was selected 23% of the time, and the saturated fat option was chosen 4% of the time. Students chose the no-fat option for all meal types 44% of the time. Findings suggest that college students lack knowledge regarding the vital role played by the type and amount of fats within a healthy diet. Nutrition education and food system reforms are needed to help consumers understand that type of fat is more important than total amount of fat. Efforts across various sectors can encourage incorporating, rather than avoiding, fats within healthy dietary patterns.

Impact of Nutrition Education On University Students’ Fat Consumption

2009 ◽  
Vol 70 (4) ◽  
pp. 187-192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teri E. Emrich ◽  
M.J. Patricia Mazier
Keyword(s):  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Saturated Fat ◽  
First Year ◽  
Science Students ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
First Year Students ◽  
Fat Consumption ◽  
Nutrition Course ◽  
University Science ◽  
Saturated Fat Intake

Purpose: University science students who have taken a nutrition course possess greater knowledge of fats than do those who have not; whether students apply this knowledge to their diet is unknown. We measured and compared science students' total and saturated fat intake in the first and fourth years, and evaluated whether taking a nutrition course influenced fat consumption. Methods: A sample of 269 first- and fourth-year science students at a small undergraduate university completed a survey with both demographic questions and a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire about fats in the diet. Data were analyzed using chi-square tests and independent-sample t-tests. Results: Fourth-year science students consumed fewer grams of total and saturated fat than did first-year science students (p<0.001). Science students who had taken a nutrition course consumed fewer grams of total and saturated fat than did those who had not (p<0.001). Conclusions: Taking a nutrition course may decrease first-year students’ fat consumption, which may improve diet quality and decrease the risk of chronic disease related to fat consumption.

scholarly journals Menu Descriptions and Nutrient Content of Food Items in U.S. Restaurants (FS02-01-19)

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Danielle Krobath ◽  
William Masters ◽  
Megan Mueller
Keyword(s):  
Saturated Fat ◽  
Nutrient Content ◽  
The United States ◽  
Dietary Guidelines ◽  
Health Claims ◽  
Trans Fat ◽  
Dietary Recommendations ◽  
Food Items ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Nutrient Data

Abstract Objectives This study concerns how the description of foods on restaurant menus relates to their nutrient content as disclosed on company websites. We aimed to test halo effects, regarding how claims about some desirable features might be associated with the presence of other attributes. Methods We used item descriptions and nutrient data for food items (n = 92,949) at the top-selling restaurant chains (n = 92) from 2012 through 2017 in the United States, compiled by the MenuStat project. We classified items into 4 types (mains, appetizers, desserts, sides) and claims into 3 groups using 29 search terms based on consumer interests in health (e.g., “nutritious”), product sourcing (e.g., “local” or “organic”), and vegetal items (vegetarian or vegan). Nutrient data focus on 4 dietary recommendations to limit sodium (mg), trans-fat (g) and saturated fats (% of energy), and to increase fiber (g). We also report calories per item (kcal) and its share from carbohydrates, protein and total fat (%). We used multiple regression to test whether nutrient content was associated with menu claims, controlling for year and restaurant brand, the item being marked as “shareable”, on a kid's menu, or regional and limited-time offerings. Methods and hypotheses were preregistered on As-Predicted.com. Results Contrary to our prediction, nutrient content was more often aligned with U.S. dietary guidelines when their description did include claims. With 3 claim types, 4 food types and 4 recommendations we test 48 possible cases. In 25 (52%) we found alignment between claims and nutrient recommendations, e.g., main dishes with health-related claims had 2% less calories from saturated fat (P < 0.01) and 142 mg less sodium (P < 0.01). In 3 of 48 cases (7%), claims were contrary to recommendations, all of which were desserts with sourcing claims which had more sodium, more trans-fat and more saturated fat than other desserts (all P < 0.01). In 20 of 48 cases (42%) there was no significant difference between items with and without claims. Conclusions Items described as vegetarian/vegan or with sourcing and health claims had nutrient contents that were more often aligned with dietary guidelines than other items. Menu labeling that communicates meal content more directly, such as nutrient fact panels, could inform choice and build trust in restaurant meals. Funding Sources None.

scholarly journals Comparison of children's dietary intake patterns with US dietary guidelines

2000 ◽  
Vol 84 (3) ◽  
pp. 361-367 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louise M. Brady ◽  
Christine H. Lindquist ◽  
Sara L. Herd ◽  
Michael I. Goran
Keyword(s):  
Dietary Intake ◽  
Nutrition Education ◽  
The United States ◽  
Dietary Guidelines ◽  
United States Department ◽  
Adult Health ◽  
Dietary Intakes ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Dietary Recommendations ◽  
American Children

Monitoring dietary intake patterns among children is important in order to explore and prevent the onset of adult health problems. The aim of the present study was to compare children's dietary intakes with national recommendations and to determine whether sex or ethnic differences were evident. This was done using a methodology that allows assessment of intake from the major components of the Food Guide Pyramid developed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA: ). The sample studied included 110 African-American and Caucasian males and females (mean age 9·9 years, BMI 20·1 kg/m2) from Birmingham, AL, USA, who were participating in a study investigating the development of obesity. Dietary data were based on three 24 h recalls and food group intake was determined using the USDA Pyramid Servicing Database. The results indicated that a high percentage of subjects failed to meet the recommended number of servings from each of the food groups. For example, only 5 % and 9 % met fruit and dietary group recommendations respectively. Consumption of foods from the Pyramid ‘tip’ (including discretionary fat and added sugar) contributed almost 50 % of the diet. African-Americans were more likely to meet requirements for the meat group, with a higher proportion of Caucasians meeting dietary recommendations. Males were more likely to meet the vegetable group guidelines although females consumed more energy per day from discretionary fat. In conclusion, these results suggest that implementation of nutrition education programmes may be important for promoting healthy nutrition among American children.

scholarly journals Systematic Review of Dietary Patterns and Sustainability in the United States

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 1016-1031 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah L Reinhardt ◽  
Rebecca Boehm ◽  
Nicole Tichenor Blackstone ◽  
Naglaa H El-Abbadi ◽  
Joy S McNally Brandow ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Dietary Patterns ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Food System ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
The United States ◽  
Dietary Guidelines ◽  
Rapid Expansion ◽  
Inclusion Criteria

ABSTRACT Improving awareness and accessibility of healthy diets are key challenges for health professionals and policymakers alike. While the US government has been assessing and encouraging nutritious diets via the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) since 1980, the long-term sustainability, and thus availability, of those diets has received less attention. The 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) examined the evidence on sustainable diets for the first time, but this topic was not included within the scope of work for the 2020 DGAC. The objective of this study was to systematically review the evidence on US dietary patterns and sustainability outcomes published from 2015 to 2019 replicating the 2015 DGAC methodology. The 22 studies meeting inclusion criteria reveal a rapid expansion of research on US dietary patterns and sustainability, including 8 studies comparing the sustainability of DGA-compliant dietary patterns with current US diets. Our results challenge prior findings that diets adhering to national dietary guidelines are more sustainable than current average diets and indicate that the Healthy US-style dietary pattern recommended by the DGA may lead to similar or increased greenhouse gas emissions, energy use, and water use compared with the current US diet. However, consistent with previous research, studies meeting inclusion criteria generally support the conclusion that, among healthy dietary patterns, those higher in plant-based foods and lower in animal-based foods would be beneficial for environmental sustainability. Additional research is needed to further evaluate ways to improve food system sustainability through both dietary shifts and agricultural practices in the United States.

Personality and dietary correlates of coronary heart disease among Indians

1994 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 32-34
Author(s):  
S. Khanna ◽  
O. P. Sharma ◽  
B. L. Kotia
Keyword(s):  
Coronary Heart Disease ◽  
Heart Disease ◽  
Heart Attack ◽  
Saturated Fat ◽  
World Health Organisation ◽  
World Health ◽  
Eysenck Personality Questionnaire ◽  
Unsaturated Fat ◽  
Fat Consumption ◽  
Total Fat

98 cases of first heart attack were selected for the study. The group included 4 patients from business, 24 housewives and 70 from the service class. Ages ranged from 23 to 70 years. The Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ) and a Diet Inventory were administered. Diet variables included: (a) caffeine (b) saturated fat (c) unsaturated fat, (d) cooking fat, (e) type of milk used, and (f) total fat consumed. Patients were classified as neurotics (67.3% of cases), extroverts (19.4% of cases), and liars (13.3% of cases) on the basis of their EPQ scores (there were no patients classed as psychotics). The three groups differed on tea consumption, cooking fat consumption, and total fat consumption. Neuroticism was associated with “coronary heart disease;” extroversion and lying were related to “heart attack.”There is evidence from both sides of Atlantic that, with increasing wealth, there is increased consumption of meat, salt, vegetables, refined cereal and an increased intake of alcohol and tobacco (World Health Organisation, 1982). These increases are associated with increased incidence of degenerative diseases such as cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease and hypertension, and all are common causes of death and disability in industrialized countries (World Health Organisation,1982).

Building an Urban Food System Through UDC Food Hubs

2019 ◽  
pp. 511-532
Author(s):  
Sabine O'Hara ◽  
Dwane Jones ◽  
Harris B. Trobman
Keyword(s):  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Green Infrastructure ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Water Reuse ◽  
Food System ◽  
Green Roofs ◽  
The United States ◽  
Food Distribution ◽  
Food Hubs ◽  
Urban Food System

The Landgrant College of the University of the District of Columbia embodies the university's unique mission as the only exclusively urban land-grant university in the United States. With most of the world's population now living in urban areas, this mission is relevant to cities worldwide. The UDC urban food hubs reimagine our food system as diversified, urban, and encompassing food production, food preparation, food distribution, and waste and water recovery. The hubs utilize bio-intensive hydroponic and aquaponic systems and green roofs to maximize productivity on small urban spaces; kitchens as business incubators and training facilities for food processing and nutrition education; waste and water reuse through composting, rain water capture, and green infrastructure. Each of these components offers opportunities for business startups and capacity building. The hubs also re-connect urban neighborhoods to nature. This chapter describes the urban food hubs, their locations, and the training, wellness, and leadership opportunities they offer to UDC students and DC residents.

scholarly journals Public health guidelines should recommend reducing saturated fat consumption as much as possible: YES

2020 ◽  
Vol 112 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Penny M Kris-Etherton ◽  
Ronald M Krauss
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Products ◽  
Ldl Cholesterol ◽  
Saturated Fat ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Dietary Recommendations ◽  
Total Carbohydrate ◽  
Added Sugars ◽  
Unsaturated Fat ◽  
Fat Consumption ◽  
New Research

ABSTRACT Based on decades of research, there is strong evidence that supports ongoing dietary recommendations to decrease intakes of SFAs and, more recently, to replace SFAs with unsaturated fat, including PUFAs and MUFAs. Epidemiologic research has shown that replacement of SFAs with unsaturated fat, but not refined carbohydrate and added sugars, is associated with a reduction in coronary heart disease events and death. There is much evidence from controlled clinical studies demonstrating that SFAs increase LDL cholesterol, a major causal factor in the development of cardiovascular disease. When each (nonprotein) dietary macronutrient isocalorically replaces SFA, the greatest LDL-cholesterol–lowering effect is seen with PUFA, followed by MUFA, and then total carbohydrate. New research on full-fat dairy products high in saturated fat, particularly fermented dairy foods, demonstrates some benefits for cardiometabolic diseases. However, compared with food sources of unsaturated fats, full-fat dairy products increase LDL cholesterol. Thus, current dietary recommendations to decrease SFA and replace it with unsaturated fat should continue to the basis for healthy food-based dietary patterns.

scholarly journals Diet Quality, Nutritional Adequacy, and Sociodemographic Characteristics of Mobile Food Pantry Users in Northeastern Connecticut

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 1099
Author(s):  
Dalia Marmash ◽  
Kyungho Ha ◽  
Junichi R. Sakaki ◽  
Isabella Gorski ◽  
Brazil Rule ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Diet Quality ◽  
Low Income ◽  
The United States ◽  
Dietary Guidelines ◽  
Sociodemographic Characteristics ◽  
Added Sugar ◽  
Food Pantry ◽  
Dietary Record

Poor diet quality among low-income populations is a major contributing factor to their poor health and wellbeing, and thus is a focus of many government aid programs. Mobile food pantries are an increasingly popular method of emergency food assistance, targeting the communities most affected by food insecurity; however, little is known about the dietary characteristics of mobile food pantry users. This study aims to characterize the diet quality and nutrient adequacy level and examine its association with sociodemographic characteristics among mobile food pantry users in Windham County, Connecticut. Surveys to assess food insecurity, diet composition, and sociodemographic characteristics were administered to 83 adult food pantry users. Participants (n = 40) completed a three-day dietary record for analysis of diet quality, and were found to have inadequate intakes of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and dairy, as well as some related micronutrients. At least 30% of participants had intakes below the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) for vitamins A, C, E, calcium, zinc, magnesium, and folate. Intakes of added sugar, sugar sweetened beverages, and saturated fat were also above recommendations according to the United States Dietary Guidelines. Certain sociodemographic factors affected diet quality among this sample. For example, being male was associated with increased sugar-sweetened beverage and added sugar intake. This characterization of mobile pantry users will serve as a reference for developing nutrition education and determining the effectiveness of future interventions.

scholarly journals Usual Intake of Food Pattern Components by U.S. Adolescents: What We Eat in America, NHANES 2015–2018

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 155-155
Author(s):  
Carrie Martin ◽  
Lois Steinfeldt ◽  
Joseph Goldman ◽  
Alanna Moshfegh
Keyword(s):  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Sodium Intake ◽  
Saturated Fat ◽  
Dietary Guidelines ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Lower Percentage ◽  
Added Sugars ◽  
Food Pattern ◽  
Upper Limit ◽  
Usual Intake

Abstract Objectives To estimate the usual, or long-term, adherence to recommendations in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA), 2015–2020 by U.S. adolescents. Methods The analysis used dietary intake data from What We Eat in America, NHANES, 2015–2018. The sample included 1510 (740 male, 770 female) and 1421 (715 male, 706 female) adolescents age 9–13 yr and 14–18 yr, respectively. USDA's Food Patterns Equivalents Database and the Food and Nutrient Database for Dietary Studies 2015–2016 and 2017–2018 were used to determine the consumption of Food Pattern components, added sugars, saturated fat, and sodium. Usual intake estimates representative of the U.S. population were produced using the National Cancer Institute method and compared to the DGA energy-specific recommendations based on age, sex, and assuming the lowest physical activity level. Results Adolescents age 9–13 yr had significantly (P &lt; 0.001) higher percentages meeting the DGA recommended intake than 14–18 yr for fruit (18% vs 8%) and grains (86% vs 60%). For components to limit, adolescents 9–13 yr had significantly (P &lt; 0.001) lower percentages meeting the DGA recommendation for sodium less than the upper limit (2% vs 13%). When compared by age within sex, females age 9–13 yr had significantly higher percentages meeting the recommended intake than 14–18 yr for dairy (14% vs 4%) and grains (86% vs 55%) and lower percentages meeting the recommendation for sodium less than the upper limit (3% vs 23%). Males age 9–13 yr had significantly higher percentages meeting the recommended intake than age 14–18 yr for fruit (16% vs 4%) and grains (86% vs 65%). Conclusions Although adolescents age 9–13 yr had higher percentages than 14–18 yr meeting select recommended intakes, there was a lower percentage meeting the recommendation for sodium intake. With the exception of intake of grains, less than half of adolescents age 9–13 yr and 14–18 yr met any of the DGA recommendations for intake. These results reinforce the need for age-specific nutrition education. Funding Sources USDA.

scholarly journals US dietary guidelines: is saturated fat a nutrient of concern?

2018 ◽  
Vol 53 (22) ◽  
pp. 1393-1396 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zoe Harcombe
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Total Energy ◽  
Energy Intake ◽  
Saturated Fat ◽  
Total Energy Intake ◽  
Dietary Guidelines ◽  
Dietary Advice ◽  
Fat Consumption ◽  
Dietary Guidelines For Americans ◽  
Total Fat

US public health dietary advice was announced by the Select Committee on Nutrition and Human needs in 1977 and was followed by UK public health dietary advice issued by the National Advisory Committee on Nutritional Education in 1983. Dietary recommendations in both cases focused on reducing dietary fat intake; specifically to (i) reduce overall fat consumption to 30% of total energy intake and (ii) reduce saturated fat consumption to 10% of total energy intake. The recommendations were an attempt to address the incidence of coronary heart disease. These guidelines have been reiterated in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans since the first edition in 1980. The most recent edition has positioned the total fat guideline with the use of ‘Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Ranges’. The range given for total fat is 20%–35% and the AMDR for saturated fat is given as <10%—both as a percentage of daily calorie intake. In February 2018, the Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion announced ‘The US Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services currently are asking for public comments on topics and supporting scientific questions to inform our development of the 2020–2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans’. Public comments were invited on a number of nutritional topics. The question asked about saturated fats was: ‘What is the relationship between saturated fat consumption (types and amounts) during adulthood and risk of cardiovascular disease?’ This article is a response to that question.

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