Effects of Indigenous Diet Iron Content and Location on Hemoglobin Levels of Ghanaians

Multiple studies have demonstrated strong links between diet and anemia, but few have explored the impact of food groups on hemoglobin (Hb). We analyzed the correlation between Ghanaian diet and Hb levels to explore reduction of anemia prevalence through dietary interventions. Demographics, food frequency questionnaires (FFQ), and blood samples were obtained from 140 volunteers (ages 18–65) in five locations across Ghana. Hb was measured; estimated iron consumption was calculated. FFQ items were grouped by food type, and a regression analysis was performed to determine the most important dietary predictors of Hb. Moreover, 47% of total participants were anemic; 64% of females and 28% of males. Hb levels were highest in Mole (13.9 g/dL, SD = ±1.9), independent of sex distribution. The regression model revealed a 62.7% adjusted correlation between food groups and Hb levels. Animal foods (β = 0.016, t = 5.08, p < 0.01) and plant protein (β = 0.013, t = 2.86, p < 0.01) were the most influential groups to Hb levels. It is of vital importance to emphasize the benefits of consuming animal foods and plant proteins within the Ghanaian population. The ease of access to plant proteins makes it likely that this food group will be most influential and have the greatest impact in reduction of anemia in the Ghanaian population.

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Effects of Indigenous Diet Iron Content and Location on Hemoglobin Levels of Ghanaians

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzab045_012 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. 630-630

Author(s):

April Callister ◽

David Aguilar-Alvarez

Keyword(s):

Professional Growth ◽

Food Group ◽

World Health ◽

Food Type ◽

P Value ◽

Plant Proteins ◽

Food Groups ◽

Dietary Interventions ◽

Health Organization ◽

The Impact

Abstract Objectives Iron deficiency is the most common cause of anemia, the most common micronutrient deficiency worldwide. Multiple studies have demonstrated strong links between diet and anemia, but few have explored the impact of specific food groups on hemoglobin (Hb) levels. We analyzed the correlation between Ghanian diet and Hb to explore reduction of anemia prevalence through dietary interventions that align with current local consumption practices. Methods Demographics, food frequency questionnaires (FFQ), and blood samples were obtained from 140 volunteers (ages 18–65) in five locations across Ghana. Hb was measured and estimated iron consumption was calculated. Anemia prevalence was estimated based on the World Health Organization guidelines. FFQ items were grouped by food type, and a regression equation was formed for Hb based on the estimated amount of calories consumed from each food group. Results 47% of total participants were anemic based on Hb levels; 64% of women and 28% of men. This aligned with previous studies which estimate anemia prevalence in Ghana to be around 40%. The area with the highest average Hb was Mole (13.9 g/dL, SD = ±1.9), with the lowest mean in Larabanga (11.9 g/dL ± 1.9). Post-hoc analysis revealed that location was significant with a p-value of 0.01. The regression model revealed a 62.7% adjusted correlation between food groups and Hb levels. Animal foods (β = 0.016, t = 5.08, p < 0.01) and plant protein (β = 0.013, t = 2.86, p < 0.01) were the most influential food groups on Hb levels. Conclusions It is of vital importance to emphasize the benefits of consuming animal foods and plant proteins within the Ghanian population. The ease of access to plant proteins, and prevalence within the current diet, makes it likely that this food group will be most influential and have the greatest impact in reduction of anemia in the Ghanaian population if consumption is increased. Funding Sources Weber State University Research, Scholarship, and Professional Growth Committee.

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Relative Validity of an Italian EPIC Food Frequency Questionnaire for Dietary Factors in Children and Adolescents. A Rizzoli Orthopedic Institute Study

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13041245 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (4) ◽

pp. 1245

Author(s):

Inge Huybrechts ◽

Rossella Miglio ◽

Lorenza Mistura ◽

Sara Grioni ◽

Irene Pozzebon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Secondary School ◽

Children And Adolescents ◽

Food Frequency Questionnaire ◽

Dietary Factors ◽

Food Groups ◽

Food Frequency ◽

Relative Validity ◽

Diary Method ◽

Italian Children ◽

The Impact

Dietary factors play a major role in the development of non-communicable diseases, however little is known regarding the impact of nutrition on rare diseases like sarcomas. This Rizzoli Orthopedic Institute study aimed to evaluate the relative validity of a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) to measure the consumption of foods in comparison with a 3-days diary diet in a healthy Italian student population aged between 12 and 17 years. An extended version (including food groups for children) of the semi-quantitative FFQ used in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) was administered. The validity of the FFQ was assessed by comparing the intakes from the FFQ against the 3-day diary method. 254 Italian subjects were included in the analyses: 128 females; 126 males; 116 from High Secondary School (14–17 years); 138 from Low Secondary School (12–13 years). Mean and median intakes are overall higher in the FFQs than in the food diaries. Spearman correlations adjusted for within-person variability were highest for legumes, vegetables and coffee/tea (>0.5), followed by potatoes, meat, fruits, breakfast cereals, biscuits and candies, and milk/yoghurts (>0.4). Moderate correlations were found for alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, juices, and grains (>0.3). For some food groups, such as fish, potatoes, and bread, correlations tend to become higher when stratifying the analyses for age group. These results demonstrate that the adapted EPIC COS FFQ validated in Italian adults is also appropriate and well understood by Italian children and adolescents.

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The Effects of Caloric Restriction and/or Intermittent Fasting on Bone Health

Journal of Rehabilitation Therapy ◽

10.29245/2767-5122/2021/2.1128 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 3 (2) ◽

pp. 10-13

Author(s):

Connor A. Hernon ◽

Abduallah Elsayed ◽

Raphael M. Vicente ◽

Ariane Zamarioli ◽

Melissa A. Kacena ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Caloric Restriction ◽

Bone Health ◽

Caloric Intake ◽

Intermittent Fasting ◽

Food Groups ◽

Dietary Interventions ◽

Ad Libitum ◽

Ad Libitum Intake ◽

Available Information ◽

The Impact

This mini-review summarizes the available information regarding the impact of caloric restriction (CR) and/or intermittent fasting (IF) on bone health. CR and IF are dietary interventions used in rehabilitative healthcare for augmenting weight loss and also proposed for recovery of conditions such as stroke and heart failure. CR restricts the total number of calories rather than different food groups or periods of eating. In contrast, IF severely restricts caloric intake for a period of time followed by a period of ad libitum intake. Here, we discuss the available information regarding the impact of these rehabilitation diets on bone metabolism, highlighting areas of consistency and discrepancy and suggesting future areas of study to advance the understanding of CR and/or IF on bone health.

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Selection of food items for inclusion in a newly developed food-frequency questionnaire

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1079/phn2004599 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 7 (6) ◽

pp. 745-749 ◽

Cited By ~ 36

Author(s):

Iris Shai ◽

Danit R Shahar ◽

Hillel Vardi ◽

Drora Fraser

Keyword(s):

Energy Intake ◽

Food Frequency Questionnaire ◽

Food Group ◽

Stepwise Multiple Regression ◽

Food Groups ◽

Food Frequency ◽

Food Items ◽

24 Hour Recall ◽

Β Carotene ◽

Selection Of

AbstractObjectives:To highlight the differences between the food list required in a food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ) to rank people by their intake and the food items that contribute to absolute intake, and to discuss possible applications.Methods:We conducted a nutritional survey among 1173 adults using an adapted 24-hour recall questionnaire.Statistical analysis:To develop an FFQ, we analysed the 24-hour recall survey data by performing a stepwise multiple regression after grouping conceptually similar food items into 175 food groups.Results:In total, 126 food groups were included in the developed FFQ in order to explain at least 80% of the variance in the consumption of each of 27 nutrients. The nutrients that were explained by a few food groups were vitamin A (one food group), alcohol (two), β-carotene (two), vitamin E (three) and cholesterol (five). Nutrients that were explained by a large number of food groups were energy (37 food groups), potassium (31), magnesium (31), dietary fibre (30), phosphorus (31) and sodium (29). Using energy intake as an example, soft drinks were the best between-person energy classifiers, while providing only 2.4% of the total energy intake. Wine, seeds and nuts, which contributed highly to the variance, were minor energy contributors. In contrast, milk, sugar, fried chicken/turkey breast or whole chicken/turkey, which explained little of the variation in the population, were major energy contributors.Conclusions:Developing an FFQ on the basis of common foods may not explain the between-person variation required for ranking individual intake in diet–disease studies. Producing lists of ‘discriminating items’ can be a useful application in developing mini-FFQs for selected nutrients.

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An Analysis of Household Foods Demand in Rural Burundi

Advances in Food Science and Engineering ◽

10.22606/afse.2020.42001 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Arnaud Niyomwungere ◽

◽

Yu Wen ◽

Keyword(s):

Food Group ◽

Food Demand ◽

Food Groups ◽

Animal Products ◽

Socioeconomic Variables ◽

Head Of Household ◽

Expenditure Elasticity ◽

Demand Patterns ◽

Land Size ◽

The Impact

This study was aimed to investigate the roles of income and other socioeconomic variables such as household size, land size, head of household education level, raising the animals, source of income on food demand in rural Burundi. The demands for food and nutrients among the households in rural Burundi were examined using a recent survey done by the authors. An almost ideal demand system (AIDS) was employed to estimate the price and expenditure elasticities and the impact of socioeconomic variables on food demand patterns. An econometric model was then used to analyze the determinants of food demand. The estimated expenditure elasticities for the food groups range from 0.64 for oils to 1.36 for meats. These outcomes showed that there is a higher expenditure elasticities for meats, fish, and animal products, as well as cereals and grains. The results showed that the income and other socioeconomic variables exerted significant effects on food demand. The income and other socioeconomic variables exerted a significant impact on the food demand, and higher expenditure elasticity for food group items will increase remarkably with rising income.

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Validity and reproducibility of the food-frequency questionnaire used in the Shanghai Men's Health Study

British Journal Of Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s0007114507669189 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 97 (5) ◽

pp. 993-1000 ◽

Cited By ~ 99

Author(s):

Raquel Villegas ◽

Gong Yang ◽

DaKe Liu ◽

Yong-Bing Xiang ◽

Hui Cai ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Food Frequency Questionnaire ◽

Correlation Coefficients ◽

Food Group ◽

Men’S Health ◽

Health Study ◽

Men's Health ◽

Food Groups ◽

Food Frequency ◽

Exact Agreement ◽

Usual Intake

We evaluated the validity and reproducibility of the FFQ used in the Shanghai Men's Health Study (SMHS). The study included 195 randomly selected participants of the SMHS who completed one FFQ at baseline, twelve 24-hour dietary recalls (24-HDR) (once a month for twelve consecutive months) and a second FFQ at the end of the study. The FFQ accounted for 88·78 % of the foods recorded in the 24-HDR surveys. The validity of the FFQ was evaluated by comparing nutrient and food group intake levels from the second FFQ and the multiple 24-HDR. Correlation coefficients ranged from 0·38 to 0·64 for macronutrients, 0·33 to 0·58 for micronutrients and 0·35 to 0·72 for food groups. Misclassification to opposite quartiles for nutrients and food groups was rare, ranging from 1·5 to 7·7 %, while exact agreement rates were between 31·8 and 53·3 %. The reliability of the FFQ was assessed by comparing the intake levels from the two FFQ. Correlation coefficients were 0·39 to 0·53 for macronutrients, 0·38 to 0·52 for micronutrients and 0·39 to 0·64 for food groups. Exact agreement rates for quartile distribution were between 31·8 and 49·2 %, while misclassification to opposite quartiles was between 1·5 and 6·2 %. These data indicate that the SMHS FFQ can reasonably categorise usual intake of nutrients and food groups among men living in urban Shanghai.

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Reproducibility and Validity of a Food Frequency Questionnaire for Dietary Assessment in Adolescents in a Self-Reported Way

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu12072081 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (7) ◽

pp. 2081

Author(s):

Leyre Notario-Barandiaran ◽

Carmen Freire ◽

Manuela García-de-la-Hera ◽

Laura Mª Compañ-Gabucio ◽

Laura Torres-Collado ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Food Frequency Questionnaire ◽

Vegetable Intake ◽

Pearson Correlation ◽

Dietary Assessment ◽

Correlation Coefficients ◽

Food Group ◽

Birth Cohort Study ◽

Food Groups ◽

Food Frequency ◽

Male Adolescents

Tools to assess diet in a reliable and efficient way are needed, particularly in children and adolescents. In this study, we assess the reproducibility and validity of a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) among adolescents in Spain. We analyzed data of 51 male adolescents aged 15–17 years from a prospective birth cohort study. Participants answered the FFQ twice in a self-administered way over a 12-month period. Reproducibility was assessed by comparing nutrient and food intakes from the FFQs, and validity by comparing nutrient intakes from the average of two FFQs and the average of two 24-Hour Dietary Recalls obtained in the period. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated. The average of reproducibility correlation coefficients for food group intakes was 0.33, with the highest correlation for vegetable intake (r = 0.81); and the average for nutrient intake was 0.32, with the highest coefficients for α- and β-carotene (r = 0.65). Validity correlation coefficients ranged from 0.07 for carbohydrates to 0.53 for dietary fiber. The average of the validity correlation coefficients was r = 0.32. This study suggests that our FFQ may be a useful tool for assessing dietary intake of most nutrient and food groups among Spanish male adolescents in a self-administered way, despite reproducibility and, particularly validity, being low for some nutrients and food groups.

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Development and Validation of Food Frequency Questionnaire for Food and Nutrient Intake of Adults in Butajira, Southern Ethiopia

10.21203/rs.3.rs-26794/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Ilili Feyesa ◽

Bilal S Endris ◽

Esete Habtemariam ◽

Hamid Y Hassen ◽

Seifu H Gebreyesus

Keyword(s):

Food Frequency Questionnaire ◽

Vitamin B1 ◽

Correlation Coefficients ◽

Food Group ◽

Rank Test ◽

Southern Ethiopia ◽

Food Groups ◽

Food Frequency ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Total Fat

Abstract Background: To date, there is no culture-specific and validated Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) available in Ethiopia. We developed a FFQ and evaluated its validity as compared to estimates of a food group and nutrient intakes derived from two 24-Hour Dietary Recalls (24-HRs).Method: The FFQ has a total of 89 food items. A total of 105 adults aged 20–65 years participated in this study. Wilcoxon- signed rank test, Spearman’s correlation, Cross-classification, kappa, and Bland-Altman analysis were used to validate food group intakes and nutrients derived from FFQ against two 24-HRs.Results: Mean energy and macronutrient intakes obtained from the FFQ were significantly higher than those obtained from the mean of two 24-HRs. For energy and macronutrients, the correlation between two instruments ranged from 0.05 (total fat) to 0.32 (carbohydrate). Whereas, for micronutrients it ranged from 0.1 (calcium) to 0.49 (vitamin B1). Visual inspection of the Bland-Altman plots for both energy and macronutrients shows no consistent trend across the intake values. For the majority of the food groups, no significant difference was observed in median intake of foods and nutrients between 24-HRs and FFQ. Correlation coefficients for food groups ranged from 0.12 (egg) to 0.78 (legumes). The FFQ showed a fair classification agreement with the 24-HRs for cereals, legumes, and roots and tubers intakes. A systematic trend of overestimation for roots and tubers and under estimation of beverage intakes at higher values was observed when we used FFQ.Conclusion: The FFQ is valid to assess and rank individuals in terms of intakes of most food groups according to high and low intake categories. However, estimates of roots and tuber and beverages should be interpreted with caution.

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Adherence to Pakistan dietary guidelines – Findings from major cities of Pakistan

10.1101/2020.07.06.20147017 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Ibrar Rafique ◽

Arif Nadeem Saqib Muhammad ◽

Nighat Murad ◽

Muhammad Kashif Munir ◽

Aftab Khan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Female Gender ◽

Food Group ◽

Dietary Guidelines ◽

Local Context ◽

Food Groups ◽

Community Based ◽

Food Frequency ◽

Vegetables And Fruits ◽

Eating Practices ◽

Score Point

AbstractBackgroundPakistan dietary guidelines for better nutrition were developed to cater the local need and prevent nutritional deficiency by providing information to public about healthy eating practices.AimsTo assess the level of adherence to Pakistan Dietary Guidelines for Better Nutrition (PDGN)MethodsIt was a community based study conducted in five cities with two stage stratified sampling approach. Total of 448 participants were interviewed using Food frequency questionnaire adapted to local context. Five food groups (proteins, cereals, dairy, vegetables and fruits) were taken as per country guidelines. A score point of 1 was given to each food group making a total of 5 scores. Data were analyzed using SPSS.ResultsOverall adherence to PDGN was poor as none of the participants had 05 score while only 1% achieved score 04. However, adherence was more in females (B = 0.45, 95%CI = 0.24; 0.66), graduates (B = 0.45, 95% CI = 0.25; 0.64), unmarried (B = 0.30, 95% CI = 0.18; 0.43), unemployed (B = 0.22, 95% CI = 0.01-0.43) and aged >50 years (B = 0.34, 95% CI = 0.08; 0.60) as compared to others. Among food groups, mean intake of cereals (carbohydrates) was high (3.38±1.39) followed by other items with fruits was least (0.76±0.91). Overall, at least one serving of discretionary food was taken by participants which was more female gender (p= 0.001), graduates (p= 0.003), high socio-economic group (p=0.001) and employed persons (p= 0.04).ConclusionThe adherence to PDGN was poor and there is a need to bring behavior change by information education and communication to the society.

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Temporal trends in food group availability and cancer incidence in Africa: an ecological analysis

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980019000831 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 22 (14) ◽

pp. 2569-2580 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Elom K Aglago ◽

Freddie Bray ◽

Francis Zotor ◽

Nadia Slimani ◽

Veronique Chajès ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Thyroid Cancer ◽

Food Availability ◽

Cancer Incidence ◽

Temporal Trends ◽

Food Group ◽

Incidence Rates ◽

Alcoholic Beverages ◽

Food Groups ◽

The Impact ◽

The Relationship

AbstractObjective:We evaluated the relationship between food availability, as the only dietary exposure data available across Africa, and age-standardised cancer incidence rates (ASR) in eighteen countries.Design:Ecological study.Setting:Availability of food groups and dietary energy was considered for five hypothetical time points: years of collection of ASR (T 0) and 5, 10, 15 and 20 preceding years (T –5, T –10, T –15, T –20). Ecological correlations adjusted for human development index, smoking and obesity rates were calculated to evaluate the relationship between food availability and ASR of breast, prostate, colorectal, oesophageal, pancreatic, stomach and thyroid cancer.Results:Red meat was positively correlated with pancreatic cancer in men (T –20: r –20 = 0·61, P < 0·05), stomach cancer in women (T 0: r 0 = 0·58, P < 0·05), and colorectal cancer in men (T 0: r 0 = 0·53, P < 0·05) and women (T –20: r –20 = 0·58, P < 0·05). Animal products including meat, animal fats and higher animal-sourced energy supply tended to be positively correlated with breast, colorectal, pancreatic, stomach and thyroid cancer. Alcoholic beverages were positively correlated to oesophageal cancer in men (r 0 = 0·69, P < 0·001) and women (r –20 = 0·72, P < 0·001).Conclusions:The present analysis provides initial insights into the impact of alcoholic beverages, and increasing use of animal over plant products, on the incidence of specific cancers in Africa. The findings support the need for epidemiological studies to investigate the role of diet in cancer development in Africa.

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