Dietary Sources of Melamine Exposure among US Children and Adults in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003–2004

Melamine is a high-production-volume chemical and a kidney toxicant. Diet is a key source of melamine exposure, yet little is known about which foods in the US diet may be contaminated. This study evaluated the associations of foods and dietary patterns with melamine exposure using data from 478 US adults and children from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003–2004. Melamine concentrations were measured in spot urine samples. Dietary recalls were used to collect dietary data from the day preceding urine collection. Melamine was detectable (>0.09 ng/mL) in 76.2% of the participants’ urine. The geometric mean urinary melamine was 11.563 µg/g of creatinine (standard error (SE): 1.235). In adjusted linear regression models, each additional ounce of processed meats or whole grains was associated with 10.6% (95% confidence interval (CI): 2.7, 19.0; p = 0.007) or 17.4% (95% CI: 4.7, 31.7; p = 0.006) greater creatinine-adjusted melamine concentrations, respectively. A dietary pattern characterized by high fruit, whole grain, milk, and yogurt intake was positively associated with melamine exposure. In conclusion, processed meats, whole grains, and possibly other plant-based foods may be important melamine sources in the US. Future research should confirm these findings using more recent data and examine the potential health risks of chronic low-level melamine exposure.

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Abstract P160: Conflicting Associations of Acculturation and Cardiovascular Risk in Hispanics in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2010: What Are We Measuring?

Circulation ◽

10.1161/circ.129.suppl_1.p160 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 129 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Lenny Lopez ◽

Fatima Rodriguez ◽

James B Meigs ◽

Jeffrey M Ashburner

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

National Health ◽

Future Research ◽

Nutrition Examination Survey ◽

Cvd Risk Factors ◽

Cvd Risk ◽

Sampling Weights ◽

Health And Nutrition ◽

The Us ◽

At Home

Background: Acculturation is the process by which immigrant groups adopt the cultural practices and values of the host country. Research has produced conflicting results in the association between acculturation and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk among Hispanics. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) has collected multiple acculturation measures. We evaluated the hypothesis that the acculturation measure utilized impacts the association with CVD risk. Methods: The following measures of acculturation were available: Nativity, Language spoken at home (‘mostly English,’ ‘Equal English/Spanish,’ ‘Mostly Spanish’), Years in the US (0-5, 6-10, 11-15, 16-20, >20), and US citizenship. The validated Short Acculturation Scale (SAS) was only used between 1999 and 2004. Chi-squared analyses and logistic regression models were used to examine the independent association of acculturation with CVD risk factors: hypertension, BMI, diabetes (HgbA1c ≥6.5), total cholesterol ≥ 240 mg/dl, HDL (male: <40 mg/dl, female <50 mg/dl). Models were adjusted for age, gender, insurance, education, income, having a usual place of care, and appropriate sampling weights. Nominal association between acculturation variables was assessed with the uncertainty coefficient (UC) (Range: -1 [100% negative association] to 1 [100% positive association]). Results: Of 8707 Hispanics, less acculturated adults, as measured through language, were slightly older (mean age 41 vs. 39), were more likely to have less than a high school education (66 vs. 25%), less likely to have a usual source of care (61 vs.79%), and more likely to be uninsured (57 vs. 27%). Only 8% were born in the US, 31% were US citizens, and 58% reported 15 yrs or less in the US. In fully adjusted models, the SAS and other language based acculturation measures showed null association with CVD risk while increasing years in the US was consistently associated with increasing risk over time of hypertension (ORs range: 1.1-2.3), obesity (ORs range: 1.2-2.4) and diabetes (ORs range: 1.0-2.6). Only obesity had similar point estimates and confidence intervals across acculturation measures (ORs range: 1.0 - 2.4). Moderate positive correlation was highest between language usually spoken at home and country of birth (UC=0.4) followed by US citizenship (UC=0.3). Conclusions: NHANES is widely used in the study of Hispanic health. Different acculturation measures demonstrate differing associations with CVD risk factors. In contrast to language-based measures, only length of residence in the US showed consist associations across CVD risk factors. Future research is needed to further characterize acculturation metrics among heterogeneous Hispanic populations.

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Socioeconomic Disparities in Foods/Beverages and Nutrients Consumed by U.S. Adolescents When Snacking: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005–2018

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13082530 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (8) ◽

pp. 2530

Author(s):

Navika Gangrade ◽

Janet Figueroa ◽

Tashara M. Leak

Keyword(s):

National Health ◽

Low Socioeconomic Status ◽

Low Income ◽

High Income ◽

Future Research ◽

Nutrition Examination Survey ◽

Middle Income ◽

Low Socioeconomic ◽

Health And Nutrition ◽

Income Ratio

Snacking contributes a significant portion of adolescents’ daily energy intake and is associated with poor overall diet and increased body mass index. Adolescents from low socioeconomic status (SES) households have poorer snacking behaviors than their higher-SES counterparts. However, it is unclear if the types of food/beverages and nutrients consumed during snacking differ by SES among adolescents. Therefore, this study examines SES disparities in the aforementioned snacking characteristics by analyzing the data of 7132 adolescents (12–19 years) from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005–2018. Results reveal that adolescents from low-income households (poverty-to-income ratio (PIR) ≤ 1.3) have lower odds of consuming the food/beverage categories “Milk and Dairy” (aOR: 0.74; 95% CI: 0.58-0.95; p = 0.007) and “Fruits” (aOR: 0.62, 95% CI: 0.50–0.78; p = 0.001) as snacks and higher odds of consuming “Beverages” (aOR: 1.45; 95% CI: 1.19-1.76; p = 0.001) compared to those from high-income households (PIR > 3.5). Additionally, adolescents from low- and middle-income (PIR > 1.3–3.5) households consume more added sugar (7.98 and 7.78 g vs. 6.66 g; p = 0.012, p = 0.026) and less fiber (0.78 and 0.77 g vs. 0.84 g; p = 0.044, p = 0.019) from snacks compared to their high-income counterparts. Future research is necessary to understand factors that influence snacking among adolescents, and interventions are needed, especially for adolescents from low-SES communities.

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Association between selenium intake, diabetes, and mortality in adults: findings from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003-2014

British Journal Of Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s000711452100177x ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-24

Author(s):

Bushra Hoque ◽

Zumin Shi

Keyword(s):

National Health ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Inverse Association ◽

Nutrition Examination Survey ◽

Health And Nutrition ◽

Hazard Ratios ◽

The Us ◽

All Cause Mortality ◽

Cvd Mortality

Abstract Selenium (Se) is a trace mineral that has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This study aimed to investigate the association between Se intake, diabetes, all-cause and cause-specific mortality in a representative sample of US adults. Data from 18,932 adults who attended the 2003-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were analysed. Information on mortality was obtained from the US mortality registry updated to 2015. Multivariable logistic regression and Cox regression were used. Cross-sectionally, Se intake was positively associated with diabetes. Comparing extreme quartiles of Se intake, the odds ratio (OR) for diabetes was 1.44 (95% CI: 1.09–1.89). During a mean of 6.6 years follow-up, there were 1627 death (312 CVD, 386 cancer). High intake of Se was associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality. When comparing the highest with the lowest quartiles of Se intake, the hazard ratios (HRs) for all-cause, CVD mortality, cancer mortality and other mortality were: 0.77 (95% CI 0.59-1.01), 0.62 (95% CI, 0.35-1.13), 1.42 (95% CI, 0.78-2.58) and 0.60 (95% CI,0.40-0.80), respectively. The inverse association between Se intake and all-cause mortality was only found among white participants. In conclusion, Se intake was positively associated with diabetes but inversely associated with all-cause mortality. There was no interaction between Se intake and diabetes in relation to all-cause mortality.

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Authors’ response: Mushroom intake and depression: A population-based study using data from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 2005–2016

Journal of Affective Disorders ◽

10.1016/j.jad.2021.09.047 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Djibril M. Ba ◽

Xiang Gao ◽

Laila Al-Shaar ◽

Joshua Muscat ◽

Vernon Chinchilli ◽

...

Keyword(s):

National Health ◽

Population Based ◽

Nutrition Examination Survey ◽

Population Based Study ◽

Health And Nutrition ◽

The Us ◽

Using Data

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The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 2021–2022: Adapting Data Collection in a COVID-19 Environment

American Journal of Public Health ◽

10.2105/ajph.2021.306517 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 111 (12) ◽

pp. 2149-2156

Author(s):

Ryne Paulose-Ram ◽

Jessica E. Graber ◽

David Woodwell ◽

Namanjeet Ahluwalia

Keyword(s):

Data Collection ◽

Nutritional Status ◽

National Health ◽

Nutrition Examination Survey ◽

National Data ◽

Participant Recruitment ◽

Biospecimen Collection ◽

Health And Nutrition ◽

The Us ◽

Unique Source

The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) is a unique source of national data on the health and nutritional status of the US population, collecting data through interviews, standard exams, and biospecimen collection. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, NHANES data collection was suspended, with more than a year gap in data collection. NHANES resumed operations in 2021 with the NHANES 2021–2022 survey, which will monitor the health and nutritional status of the nation while adding to the knowledge of COVID-19 in the US population. This article describes the reshaping of the NHANES program and, specifically, the planning of NHANES 2021–2022 for data collection during the COVID-19 pandemic. Details are provided on how NHANES transformed its participant recruitment and data collection plans at home and at the mobile examination center to safely collect data in a COVID-19 environment. The potential implications for data users are also discussed. (Am J Public Health. 2021;111(12):2149–2156. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2021.306517 )

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Relative importance of diet and physical activity in cancer survival: An analysis of the US national health and nutrition examination survey

Gynecologic Oncology ◽

10.1016/j.ygyno.2019.04.509 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 154 ◽

pp. 220

Author(s):

J.K. Chan ◽

A.K. Mann ◽

A. Koh-Bell ◽

J.E. Chan ◽

D.S. Kapp

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

National Health ◽

Cancer Survival ◽

Relative Importance ◽

Nutrition Examination Survey ◽

Health And Nutrition ◽

The Us ◽

Diet And Physical Activity

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HPV vaccine status and sexual behavior among young sexually-active women in the US: evidence from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2007–2014

Health Economics Policy and Law ◽

10.1017/s1744133119000136 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 15 (4) ◽

pp. 477-495 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Andrew J. Leidner ◽

Harrell W. Chesson ◽

Makram Talih

Keyword(s):

Sexual Behavior ◽

National Health ◽

Risky Sexual Behavior ◽

Hpv Vaccination ◽

Sexually Active ◽

Nutrition Examination Survey ◽

Condom Usage ◽

Health And Nutrition ◽

The Us ◽

Doubly Robust Estimation

AbstractConcern has been expressed that human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programs might promote risky sexual behavior through mechanisms such as risk compensation, behavioral disinhibition, or perceived endorsement of sexual activity. This study assesses whether HPV vaccination status is associated with any differences in selected sexual behaviors among young sexually-active women in the US. Our dataset includes young, adult female respondents from questionnaire data collected in the National Center for Health Statistics' National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2007 to 2014. The empirical approach implements a doubly robust estimation procedure, based on inverse probability of treatment weighting. For robustness, we implement several specifications for the propensity model and the outcomes model. We find no consistent association between HPV vaccination and condom usage or frequency of sex. Specifically, we find no evidence that HPV vaccination is associated with condom usage or with whether a person had sex more than 52 or more than 104 times per year. We find inconsistent evidence that HPV vaccination is associated with a person having sex more than 12 times per year. As in previous research, HPV vaccination does not appear to have a substantive effect on sexual behavior among young sexually-active women in the US.

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Age-related Smell and Taste Impairments and Vitamin D Associations in the U.S. Adults National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu12040984 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (4) ◽

pp. 984

Author(s):

Galya Bigman

Keyword(s):

Vitamin D ◽

National Health ◽

The Elderly ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Nutritional Deficiencies ◽

Nutrition Examination Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Health And Nutrition ◽

Age Related ◽

The Us

Smell and taste decline with aging, and markedly deteriorate when nutritional deficiencies occur. This study aims to examine the associations between Vitamin D (VD) deficiency and smell and taste impairments among adults. This paper details a cross-sectional study utilizing data from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES, 2013–2014.). Smell impairment was assessed by the Pocket Smell Test and defined as failing to correctly identify six or more of the eight odors. Taste impairment was defined as failing to correctly identify quinine or sodium chloride. VD was measured as serum 25-hydroxyvitamin. Multivariable weighted logistic regressions were utilized. Adjusted odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were presented. Overall, 2216 (smell sample) and 2636 (taste sample) participants were included, aged between 40 and 80 years old. Of those, 18.3% had taste impairment, 12.2% had smell impairment, and 20% had VD deficiency (<20 ng/mL). Compared to participants with sufficient VD (>30 ng/mL), those with VD deficiency were more likely by 39% to report a higher prevalence of smell impairment (OR = 1.39, 95%CI: 1.02–1.89); and only participants aged 70–80 years with VD inadequacy (20–30 ng/mL) were more likely by 96% to report a higher prevalence of taste impairment (OR = 1.96, 95%CI: 1.35–1.85). VD may have a significant role in age-related smell impairment in adults aged 40 years or older, and in age-related taste impairment in the elderly aged 70–80 years.

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Replacing the nutrients in dairy foods with non-dairy foods will increase cost, energy intake and require large amounts of food: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011–2014

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980020001937 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-12

Author(s):

Christopher J Cifelli ◽

Nancy Auestad ◽

Victor L Fulgoni

Keyword(s):

National Health ◽

Tap Water ◽

Phase 1 ◽

Dietary Guidelines ◽

Nutrition Examination Survey ◽

Dairy Foods ◽

Health And Nutrition ◽

The Us ◽

Dietary Guidelines For Americans ◽

Nationally Representative

Abstract Objective: The US Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends increased consumption of the dairy group to three daily servings for ages 9+ years to help achieve adequate intakes of prominent shortfall nutrients. Identifying affordable, consumer-acceptable foods to replace dairy’s shortfall nutrients is important especially for people who avoid dairy. Design: Linear programming identified food combinations to replace dairy’s protein and shortfall nutrients. We examined cost, energy and dietary implications of replacing dairy with food combinations optimised for lowest cost, fewest kJ or the smallest amount of food by weight. Setting: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2011–2014). Participants: Nationally representative sample of US population; 2 years and older (n 15 830). Results: Phase 1 (only dairy foods excluded): when optimised for lowest cost or fewest kJ, all non-dairy food replacements required large amounts (2·5–10 cups) of bottled/tap water. Phase 2 (dairy and unreasonable non-dairy foods excluded (e.g. baby foods; tap/bottled water): when intake of non-dairy foods was constrained to <90th percentile of current intake, the lowest cost food combination replacements for dairy cost 0·5 times more and provide 5·7 times more energy; the lowest energy food combinations cost 5·9 times more, provide 2·5 times more energy and require twice the amount of food by weight; and food combinations providing the smallest amount of food by weight cost 3·5 times more and provide five times more energy than dairy. Conclusions: Identifying affordable, consumer-acceptable foods that can replace dairy’s shortfall nutrients at both current and recommended dairy intakes remains a challenge.

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