Nutrient Intakes of Canadian Children and Adolescents: Results from the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) 2015 – Nutrition Public Use Microdata Files

Background: Up-to-date and appropriate estimates of the usual intakes of key nutrients are crucial for monitoring the nutritional adequacy of the Canadian population. Comprehensive, nationally-representative nutrient estimates for Canadian children and adolescents are available using data from the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) – Nutrition 2004, however results are scarce for the most-recent 2015 data. The objective of this research was to assess nutrient intakes of Canadian children and adolescents using data from the CCHS 2015 Public Use Microdata Files (PUMF) Methods: Participants’ first 24-hr dietary recall, and the second-day recall from a subset of participants were used to estimate usual intakes of macronutrients, vitamins and minerals in children and adolescents (2-18 years). Usual intakes by Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) age-sex groups were estimated using the National Cancer Institute (NCI) method, adjusted for age, sex, misreporting status, weekend/weekday, and sequence of recall analyzed (first/second), with consideration for outliers (N=5,493). Usual intakes from food and beverages were assessed for prevalence of inadequacy in relation to the DRI recommendations. Results: Children 2-3y consumed a percentage of total energy from protein above the Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Range (AMDR). Among children and adolescents, 71% met the AMDR for carbohydrates and 63-71% met the AMDR for total fat. With the exception of calcium and vitamin D, a very low prevalence (<10%) of inadequate intakes was observed for select micronutrients among Canadian children 2-8y, while a substantial proportion of adolescents (>15%) did not meet requirements for vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, calcium, magnesium and zinc.Conclusions: Canadian children and adolescents may not be meeting recommendations for short fall nutrients such as calcium, potassium, vitamin A and vitamin D. Fibre intake continues to remain low, while sodium intake exceeded recommendations. These findings provide important, updated baseline estimates on the nutrient intakes of this subpopulation in Canada for continued monitoring of adherence to the 2019 Canada’s Food Guide and may be useful to inform future public health nutrition policies, programs and initiatives.

Nutritional Status and Associated Risk Factors of Syrian Children’s Residents in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

This study aimed to evaluate the nutritional status and associated risk factors of Syrian children living in Saudi Arabia. In this study, 55 boys and 55 girls ranging in age from 6 to 12 years were selected. Socioeconomic data of families were collected using a structured questionnaire. The participants’ anthropometric measurements were calculated. The 24-h recall method was applied to calculate the daily food intake. Dietary nutrients’ average daily intake of both boys and girls was significantly (p ≤ 0.01) lower than that of the dietary reference intake (DRI) with few exceptions. The sedentary lifestyles of both boys and girls had a negative impact on their food choices, and as a result, a large number of them were underweight and suffered from malnutrition and stunting. Spearman correlation coefficients revealed that most of the children’s dependent variables were risk factors and strongly and negatively associated with their nutritional status proxies. The study concluded that both boys and girls had unbalanced nutritional status with high percentages of malnutrition and stunting because most dependent factors were adversely related to the independent ones.

Locomotive syndrome is associated with insufficient nutrient intake in young and middle-aged adults: a cross-sectional survey

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the relationship between locomotive syndrome (LS) and insufficient nutrient intake in young and middle-aged adults, independent of energy intake. Design/methodology/approach The authors conducted a cross-sectional survey of a non-random sample of 219 adults aged 18 to 64 (175 men and 44 women) working in two companies in Japan, between December 2018 and March 2019. LS Stage 0 was classified as No-LS while Stages 1 and 2 were classified as LS. Nutrient intake was assessed using a brief-type self-administered diet history questionnaire and adjusted to the required energy intake for each participant. The criteria for sufficient intake of 22 nutrients were based on the Dietary Reference Intake for Japanese. Logistic regression model was used to analyze the association between LS and insufficient nutrient intake. Findings In total, 234 employees participated in the LS examinations while 219 of them completed the questionnaire giving a response rate of 93.6%. LS Stages 1 or 2 were present in both men and women in all the age-stratified groups except for the women in their 60s. There was a significant association between LS status and insufficient intake of Vitamin K (odds ratio [95% confidence interval] 16.0 [range: 1.1–407]; p = 0.01) in women, but not in men. Research limitations/implications The result suggests that attention should be paid to adequate Vitamin K intake in young and middle-aged women with LS. Future studies should be conducted using a larger and more diverse sample. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the present paper is the first study to show an association between LS in young and middle-aged adults and nutrients that are independent of energy intake.

Bioavailability of Ca, K, Mg and Na in Arabian Yellow Finned Sea Bream (Acanthopagrus arabicus) with Estimated Daily Intake for Human Consumption

Yellow finned sea bream (Acanthopagrus arabicus) is a commercially important fish of coastal water of Pakistan. It is widely consumed by the people within and outside the country. Therefore, the paper investigates the concentration of macro-minerals (Ca, K, Mg and Na) in its meat and gills. The concentrations of different elements demonstrated statistically significant difference (P < 0.01) between meat and gills of the fish. Significantly higher concentrations of calcium and lower concentrations of potassium and sodium were recorded in gills compared to those in meat. In meat, mean concentrations were found in the order Na (5.41%) > K (3.44%) > Ca (2.16%) > Mg (0.24%), while in gills, the mean concentrations were Ca (57.72%) > Na (3.43%) > K (1.19%) > Mg (0.31%). Statistically significant correlations (P < 0.05) were noted between the body weight and the concentrations of calcium and magnesium in the meat of fish. The results are also compared with estimated daily intake and dietary reference intake values. The present study suggests that Acanthopagrus arabicus is an important source of macro-minerals for human consumption.

Prevention of hypoparathyroidism with the use of calcium-rich foods in the total thyroidectomy pre-operative period

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Transient hypocalcemia after total thyroidectomy (TT) is a common surgical complication. Authors used calcium supplements in different doses and periods, mainly after TT to try to avoid hypocalcemia. Indistinct use has been challenged due to complications. Currently, the risk of hypocalcemia was assessed by measuring parathormone (PTH) after TT; however, without a consensus on the best time and amount to consider. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the incidence of hypoparathyroidism with the use of calcium-rich foods in the pre-operative period of TT, followed by a measurement of PTH performed 12 hours after such procedure</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> A preliminary study with 31 patients earmarked for TT. Patients were divided into two groups: (A) without calcium-rich foods intake in the TT pre-operative period; and (B) with the intake of calcium-rich foods, in the TT pre-operative period. These foods composing different menus have been suggested, based on the need for daily calcium intake, according to the age group and nutritional data of the Dietary reference intake (DRI). Beginning of the use of these foods has been standardized as being seven days before surgery, due to the slower calcium intestinal absorption process. </p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> Group B, when compared to A, showed a significant difference between PTH values, before and after surgery (p value &lt;0.001).</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Calcium-rich foods intake in the conditions reported may be associated with lower rates of hypoparathyroidism.</p>

Energy Expenditure and Nutrient Intake after Spinal Cord Injury: A Comprehensive Review and Practical Recommendations

Many persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) have one or more preventable chronic diseases related to excessive caloric intake, and poor eating patterns. Appropriate nutrient consumption relative to need becomes a concern despite authoritative dietary recommendations from around the world. These recommendations were developed for the nondisabled population and do not account for the injury-induced changes in body composition, hypometabolic rate, hormonal dysregulation, and nutrition status after SCI. Because evidence-based dietary reference intake values for SCI do not exist, ensuring appropriate consumption of macronutrient and micronutrients for their energy requirements becomes a challenge. In this compressive review, we briefly evaluate aspects of energy balance and appetite control relative to SCI. We report on the evidence regarding energy expenditure, nutrient intake, and their relationship after SCI. We compare this data to several established nutritional guidelines from American Heart Association, Australian Dietary Guidelines, Dietary Guidelines for Americans, Institute of Medicine Dietary Reference Intake, Public Health England Guidelines Government Dietary Recommendations, World Health Organization Healthy Diet, and the Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) Clinical Practice Guidelines. We also provide practical assessment and nutritional recommendations to facilitate a healthy dietary pattern after SCI. Because of a lack of strong SCI research, there are currently limited dietary recommendations outside of the PVA guidelines that capture the unique nutrient needs after SCI. Future multicenter clinical trials are needed to develop comprehensive, evidence-based dietary reference values specific for persons with SCI across the care continuum that rely on accurate, individual assessment of energy need.

Nutrition transition and chronic diseases in China (1990-2019): industrially processed and animal calories rather than nutrients and total calories as potential determinants of the health impact

Objective: To extend analyses of nutrition transition in developed countries to China within the framework of the 3Vs rule considering degree of processing starting with industrially processed foods (IPFs, Rule 1), plant/animal calorie ratio (Rule 2), and food diversity through nutrient intakes (Rule 3). Design: Total and main food group (n = 13) calorie intakes, percentages of animal and IPF calories, adequacy of the Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) and prevalence of chronic diseases were retrieved from scientific literature and international databases. Setting: China, 1990-2019 Participants: Overall population Results: The total calorie intake decreased by 9% over thirty years while the prevalence of chronic diseases substantially increased. Percentages of IPFs (Rule 1) and animal (Rule 2) calorie intake shifted from 9 to 30% and 2 to 30%, respectively. Meanwhile, the overall DRI adequacy (Rule 3) did not improve, with calcium and retinol deficiencies in 2019, and, although remaining above DRI, iron, copper, magnesium, and vitamins E, C and B1-B9 intakes regularly decreased. Notably, the prevalence of obesity increased five-fold, paralleling the exponential increase in IPF calorie intake. Both sources of calories were highly correlated with prevalence of main chronic diseases. Conclusions: Despite a slight decreased of total calorie consumption and rather good compliance with DRI, the farther the Chinese population moved away from the 3Vs rule during the 1990-2019 period, the more the prevalence of chronic diseases increased. Further analyses on foods’ transitions will be better assessed when advocating sources/quality of calories (Rules 1/2), rather than only nutrient composition (Rule 3).

Quality Assessment of Bottled and Unbottled Drinking Water in Bangladesh

The demand for bottled drinking water in Bangladesh is becoming popular due to the lack of safe drinking water sources. The present study was carried out to assess the water quality and public health impacts of local brands of bottled drinking water and tube-well water, compared to the imported ones. Several state-of-the-art techniques were employed to determine the contents of pH, EC, salinity, chloride, nitrates, nitrites, fluoride, sulfates, phosphates, bicarbonate, turbidity, color, total hardness, and total dissolved solids in the studied water samples. The measured data show that the level of dissolved minerals in the local branded bottled water is very low (with an exception for sample codes D1 and D8), while imported brands, Zamzam water, and tube-well water contain satisfactory level of minerals and fulfill Dietary Reference Intake requirements. Total coliform, fecal coliform, and E. coli were found to be absent in local brands of bottled water and tube-well water. On the other hand, concentrations of some radionuclides 40K, 238U, 226Ra, 210Pb, 210Po, 222Rn, 137Cs, and 232Th in local bottled water and tube-well water were found to be less than the permissible level given by WHO (2011). The results reveal that local bottled drinking water manufacturing companies may not be following standard guidelines and quality control steps properly. Thus, improvement in their standard operating process is urgently needed to ensure strict compliance with guidelines set by Bangladesh standards and testing institutions.

Dietary Intakes From Ad Libitum Consumption of Canadian Armed Forces Field Rations Compared With Usual Home Dietary Intakes and Military Dietary Reference Intakes

ABSTRACT Introduction Diet has an impact on weight status, health, and physical performance. Assessing the usual at-home dietary intakes of military personnel can help ascertain their nutritional status before field training or operations. Preference for foods consumed on a routine basis can also impact the military’s preference for and consumption of field rations. Military personnel are limited by the inherent nature of the field rations and availability of calories and food types; and despite previous studies indicating a high acceptability of the field rations, it is unknown whether military personnel self-select the same number of calories when faced with a restricted list of field ration options as they would from their usual foods. Although field rations are intended to be nutritionally sufficient for standard military operations, there are limited data on the ad libitum intake of nutrients of Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) personnel from field rations in comparison to the military dietary reference intake (MDRI) recommendations, which establishes standards intended to meet the nutritional requirements of military personnel on duty. Thus, assessing the adequacy of their usual diets at home and longer-term sustenance on field rations in relation to MDRIs can provide insight on CAF personnel’s operational readiness. The objectives of this study were to describe and compare, in a convenience sample of CAF, their ad libitum nutrient intakes from the consumption of self-selected field rations at home with their usual home intakes and to compare both with MDRI recommendations. Materials and Methods Eighteen CAF participants weighed and recorded their dietary intake from the ad libitum consumption of field rations at home and their usual at-home diets. Both MDRIs and the Institute of Medicine’s dietary reference intake recommendations were used to assess the adequacy of intakes for each individual. Paired Student’s t-test or Wilcoxon-matched paired tests were used to compare nutrient intake levels between usual at-home diets and field rations consumed at home. Results Mean daily energy intakes were similar between ad libitum intakes from field rations (2,688 ± 619 kcal) and usual home diets (2,657 ± 580 kcal), although participants had significantly higher intakes of protein and fat from their home diets and higher intakes of carbohydrates from the field rations (P ≤ 0.05). Participants had less than the recommended intakes of some micronutrients (vitamins A and D, folate, calcium, magnesium, and potassium), from both their home diets and field rations, but adequate intakes of vitamin C and iron. Conclusions The results of this study showed no difference in energy intake between the consumption of field rations and home diets, with levels consistent with recommendations for individuals with average physical activity levels. The results also demonstrated less than the recommended intakes (in comparison with MDRIs) of some nutrients from both home diets and self-selected consumption of field rations, warranting further research into nutritional adequacy for operational readiness.