scholarly journals Is Nut Consumption Related to a Sustainable Diet? A Pilot Study on Italian Male Consumers

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (21) ◽  
pp. 12292
Author(s):  
Elisabetta Toti ◽  
Giovanni Sogari ◽  
Anna Raguzzini ◽  
Luca Massaro ◽  
Ilaria Peluso
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Mediterranean Diet ◽  
Water Footprint ◽  
Plant Food ◽  
Food Proteins ◽  
High Consumption ◽  
Sustainable Diet ◽  
Different Types

(1) Background: In recent years, the EAT-Lancet Commission has suggested the inclusion of nuts among proteins from vegetable sources, but this inclusion would imply a higher consumption of nuts compared with a healthy Mediterranean diet. (2) Objective: In this work, we sought to provide a comparison between the macronutrient intakes and environmental impacts of two different types of diet: a diet including nuts and a diet without nuts. (3) Methods: In this pilot study, we recruited 89 Italians divided into two groups: nut consumers (44 individuals) and non-consumers (45 individuals). Food consumption was monitored by a seven-day diary, while the Mediterranean diet scores, habitual physical activity scores, and orthorexia nervosa scores were evaluated through standardized questionnaires. (4) Results: We found that nut consumers had higher physical activity and energy intake levels. High consumption of fat (p < 0.001) and protein (p < 0.001) was observed among nut consumers compared with the levels observed among non-consumers. Moreover, a higher environmental impact of total dietary intake was observed among nut consumers, in terms of carbon (p < 0.05) and land (p < 0.05) footprints; impacts on the water footprint was almost significant (p = 0.06). (5) Conclusions: We suggest that, among plant food proteins, the consumption of complementary proteins from legumes and cereals should be preferred to the consumption of proteins from nuts.

scholarly journals Does Intermittent Energy Restriction Plus Mediterranean Diet Reduce Visceral Adipose Tissue and Minimize Adaptive Responses of Energy Restriction? A Randomized Pilot Study (P21-016-19)

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chloe Panizza ◽  
Unhee Lim ◽  
Kim Yonemori ◽  
Kevin Cassel ◽  
Lynne Wilkens ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Adipose Tissue ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Mediterranean Diet ◽  
Active Control ◽  
Visceral Adipose Tissue ◽  
East Asian ◽  
Energy Restriction ◽  
Dash Diet ◽  
Visceral Adipose

Abstract Objectives Test if an intermittent energy restriction with a Mediterranean diet (IER + MED) preferentially promotes loss of visceral adipose tissue (VAT) over subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), with minimal changes to resting energy expenditure (REE) and physical activity level (PAL), compared to an active control, the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, in an East Asian adult population. Methods Men and women in Hawai'i (n = 60, aged 35–55, BMI 25–40, VAT ≥ 90cm2 for men and ≥ 80cm2 for women) of East Asian origin, were randomized equally to IER + MED (2 days with 70% energy restriction and 5 days euenergetic MED) or a 7 day euenergetic DASH diet for 12 weeks. Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) for estimation of VAT and abdominal SAT, REE through indirect calorimetry, and physical activity questionnaires were collected at baseline and week 12. Four-days mobile food records were completed at baseline, weeks 5–6 and 11. Results At week 12, participants in the IER + MED group lost greater amounts of VAT (−22.6 ± 3.6 cm2 vs. −10.7 ± 3.5 cm2 in DASH, P = 0.022) and SAT (−48.2 ± 6.4 cm2 vs. −15.0 ± 6.1 cm2 in DASH, P < 0.001). The IER + MED diet did not preferentially promote loss of VAT over SAT compared to DASH. Changes in VAT: SAT were 0.01 ± 0.01 for both groups (IER + MED vs. DASH, P = 0.825). Mean daily energy intake reductions at week 11 were larger in IER + MED (27%) than DASH (16%); and mean loss of weight at week 12 was higher in the IER + MED group (−5.9 ± 0.7 kg vs. −3.3 ± 0.6 kg in DASH, P = 0.007). Despite the significant drop in energy and weight for IER + MED, there was a non-significant change in REE of −105 ± 56 kcal/day for IER + MED (P = 0.068) and −25 ± 57 kcal/day for DASH (P = 0.663). Hours of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per day were 1.6 ± 0.2 for IER + MED and 1.4 ± 0.3 for DASH at baseline and did not change significantly over 12 weeks. Conclusions In this short-term pilot study, the IER + MED diet was more effective at reducing VAT, SAT and weight; however, it did not preferentially promote loss of VAT over SAT, as compared to the active control DASH group. Loss of VAT, SAT and weight from the IER + MED diet may be sustainable long term as REE and PAL, which commonly decrease with large energy restriction, did not significantly change over 12 weeks. Funding Sources The William & Ellen Melohn Endowed Research Fund, University of Hawaii; National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute.

scholarly journals Nutritional habits and lifestyle in a population of cancer patients in the south of Italy

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 79-84
Author(s):  
Rita Mauro ◽  
◽  
Francesco Talarico ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Protective Effect ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Mediterranean Diet ◽  
Gastrointestinal Cancer ◽  
Food Habits ◽  
Cancer Data ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Diagnosis Of Cancer ◽  
Specific Food

The research involved a sample of 150 patients with a diagnosis of cancer, with the aim of assessing food habits and lifestyle. Smoking, physical activity and diet have been observed so as to seek for possible correlation with cancer. Patients involved had different types of cancer: data regarding correlation between diet and gastrointestinal cancer have been specifically assessed. Surprisingly, most patients, who declared to follow Mediterranean diet, instead, by actually analysing type and quantities of specific food , followed a different pattern. Therefore, in a population of South of Italy, one of the places which gave birth to Mediterranean diet, the protective effect of this kind of diet against many diseases is now at risk. Furthermore, a statistically significant correlation between nutritional pattern and gastrointestinal cancer has been found.

scholarly journals Physical activity and Mediterranean diet as potential modulators of osteoprotegerin and soluble RANKL in gBRCA1/2 mutation carriers: results of the lifestyle intervention pilot study LIBRE-1

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonie Neirich ◽  
Maryam Yahiaoui-Doktor ◽  
Jacqueline Lammert ◽  
Maryam Basrai ◽  
Benjamin Seethaler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Mediterranean Diet ◽  
Lifestyle Intervention ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Baseline Serum ◽  
Mutation Carriers

Abstract Purpose Emerging evidence suggests that the progesterone-mediated receptor activator of nuclear factor κB (RANK)/soluble RANK ligand (sRANKL)/osteoprotegerin (OPG) pathway plays an important role in mammary carcinogenesis and is hyperactivated in germline (g)BRCA1/2 mutation carriers. We analyzed the effects of a 3-month intensive lifestyle intervention within the LIBRE-1 study on the serum levels of OPG and sRANKL and hypothesized that the intervention program provides a beneficial impact on the biomarkers by increasing OPG and reducing sRANKL serum concentrations. Methods Serum levels of OPG and sRANKL of 49 gBRCA1/2 mutation carriers were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. We used previously collected blood samples from participants of the prospective LIBRE-1 study, who were randomized into an intervention group (IG), increasing physical activity and adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MedD) through supervised sessions from study entry to the first study visit after 3 months and a usual-care control group (CG). Differences in biomarker levels before and after the 3-month intervention were tested within and between study groups. Results The lifestyle intervention resulted in a significant increase in OPG for participants in both the IG (q = 0.022) and CG (q = 0.002). sRANKL decreased significantly in the IG (q = 0.0464) and seemed to decrease in the CG (q = 0.5584). An increase in the intake of Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids was significantly associated with an increase in OPG (r = 0.579, q = 0.045). Baseline serum levels of sRANKL were a strong predictor for the change of sRANKL in the course of the intervention (ß-estimate = − 0.70; q = 0.0018). Baseline physical fitness (assessed as VO2peak) might predict the change of OPG in the course of the intervention program (ß-estimate = 0.133 pg/ml/ml/min/kg; p = 0.0319; q = 0.2871). Conclusion Findings from this pilot study seem to confirm our hypothesis by showing an increase in OPG and decrease in sRANKL over a 3-month lifestyle intervention and suggest that increased physical activity and adherence to the MedD are potent modulators of the biomarkers OPG and potentially sRANKL.

Self-Referent Thoughts in Exercise: The Self-Perception in Exercise Questionnaire

1997 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 195-205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marit Sorensen
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Physical Activity Level ◽  
Convergent Validity ◽  
English Language ◽  
Lifestyle Changes ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Language Version ◽  
Social Comfort ◽  
And Gender

Adherence to lifestyle changes - beginning to exercise, for example - is assumed to be mediated by self-referent thoughts. This paper describes a pilot study and three studies conducted to develop and validate a questionnaire for adults to determine their self-perceptions related to health-oriented exercise. The pilot study identified items pertinent to the domains considered important in this context, and began the process of selecting items. Study 2 examined the factor structure, reduced the number of items, determined the internal consistency of the factors, and explored the discriminative validity of the questionnaire as to physical activity level and gender. Four factors with a total of 24 items were accepted, measuring mastery of exercise, body perception, social comfort/discomfort in the exercise setting, and perception of fitness. All subscales had acceptable internal consistencies. Preliminary validity was demonstrated by confirming hypothesized differences in scores as to gender, age, and physical activity level. The third study examined and demonstrated convergent validity with similar existing subscales. The fourth study examined an English-language version of the questionnaire, confirming the existence of the factors and providing preliminary psychometric evidence of the viability of the questionnaire.

scholarly journals Promotion of active ageing through interactive artificial agents in a smart environment

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paulo Menezes ◽  
Rui P. Rocha
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Training System ◽  
Regular Physical Activity ◽  
List Type ◽  
Multi Agent System ◽  
Agent System ◽  
Multi Agent ◽  
Elderly Users

Abstract Societies in the most developed countries have witnessed a significant ageing of the population in recent decades, which increases the demand for healthcare services and caregivers. The development of technologies to help the elderly, so that they can remain active and independent for a longer time, helps to mitigate the sustainability problem posed in care services. This article follows this new trend, proposing a multi-agent system composed of a smart camera network, centralised planning agent, a virtual coach, and robotic exercise buddy, designed to promote regular physical activity habits among the elderly. The proposed system not only persuades the users to perform exercise routines, but also guides and accompanies them during exercises in order to provide effective training and engagement to the user. The different agents are combined in the system to exploit their complementary features in the quest for an effective and engaging training system. Three variants of the system, involving either a partial set of those agents or the full proposed system, were evaluated and compared through a pilot study conducted with 12 elderly users. The results demonstrate that all variants are able to guide the user in an exercise routine, but the most complete system that includes a robotic exercise buddy was the best scored by the participants. Article Highlights Proposal of a multi-agent system to help elderly adopting regular physical activity habits. A virtual coach and a robotic exercise buddy provide both guidance and companionship during the exercise. A pilot study conducted with 12 elderly users demonstrated an effective and engaging training system.

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