Assessment of macronutrients consumption in the diet of adolescent school children in four seasons: a longitudinal study from an urban city in Pakistan

Background A healthy diet in the adolescence period is essential for physical, mental, and immunological development. We aimed to assess macronutrient consumption in the diet of adolescent school children using 24 h recalls in four seasons of the year. Method This was a longitudinal study conducted from February 2014 to June 2015. The study population included 155 school children aged 7–14 years from an urban school in Karachi. 24HR recall was conducted on 4 random days of the 4 main seasons. A food composition table was developed where the weight, calories, carbohydrate, fat, and protein content of the food items were listed. Macronutrients quantification was calculated by using proportional weight from the food composition table. Food groups were also assigned to each food item including vegetables, fruits, grains, protein foods, dairy products, and oils. Results A total of 155 adolescent children aged between 7 and 14 years were approached. Out of the 155 preadolescents and adolescents, 150 (96.7%) agreed to participate. The mean (SD) age of the children was 11.31 (1.6) years, and 59% of all the children were males. Overall mean (SD) daily intake for all seasons was 195.31 (86.87) grams of carbohydrates, 94.77 (71.87) grams of proteins, and 55.87 (30.79) grams of fats. Carbohydrates formed 48.16%, protein 21.92%, and fat 29.93% of the total caloric intake. The mean (SD) daily caloric intake was 1517 (644) grams. Overall, the highest source of calories was from carbohydrate 781 (347) Kilocalories (Kcal), followed by fat 502 (277) Kcal and protein 379 (287). The Carbohydrate intake in 24 h was highest in the autumn; 212.81 (85.37), and there was a significant difference in carbohydrate intake in all seasons (p value 0.003). Consumption of discretionary food group was high (31.3%), and consumption of fruits and vegetables was low (29%). Conclusion The study reports a suboptimal caloric intake of fewer than 2000 cal/day among the adolescents from school. The highest source of calories was from carbohydrates.The highest consumption of food was in autumn and the least in summer. Fruits and vegetable intake was low, and discretionary food intake was high.

Analisis dan Sinkronisasi Tabel Komposisi Pangan Aplikasi Nutrisurvey Versi Indonesia

Latar Belakang: Ahli gizi Indonesia masih banyak yang menggunakan aplikasi Nutrisurvey (NS) untuk menganalisis kandungan gizi pada bahan makanan dan resep makanan. Nutrisurvey Indonesia (2005) memiliki kekurangan berupa database nilai gizi pangan atau Food Composition Table (FCT) yang masih belum diperbaharui atau disinkronkan dengan Tabel Komposisi Pangan Indonesia (TKPI-2017). Hal ini menyebabkan terjadi ketidaksesuaian perhitungan estimasi nilai gizi pangan. Tujuan: mengetahui perbedaan; jenis pangan, jumlah zat gizi dan nilai gizi pangan pada aplikasi Nutrisurvey (NS-2005) dan TKPI-2017 dan melakukan pembaharuan pangkalan data NS. Metode: Jenis penelitian adalah deskriptif observasional, dengan menyelia perbedaan jenis pangan, jumlah zat gizi dan nilai gizi pangan. Pembaharuan pangkalan data aplikasi NS. Hasil: Jumlah jenis pangan di TKPI sebanyak 1.113 jenis dan Nutrisurvey sebanyak 934 jenis. Nutrisurvey sebanyak 43 zat gizi dan TKPI sebanyak 21 zat gizi. Perbedaan jumlah zat gizi pada keduanya sebesar 22 zat gizi. Nutrisurvey memiliki rerata nilai gizi pangan lebih tinggi daripada TKPI sebesar 34,3%. Hasil sinkronisasi menghasilkan Aplikasi Nutrisurvey dengan pangkalan data baru yang disebut Nutrisurvey-TKPI 2017 (NS-TKPI 2017). Kesimpulan: Nutrisurvey-TKPI 2017 dengan berbagai kelebihannya masih layak untuk digunakan oleh ahli gizi dan praktisi gizi. Nutrisurvey memiliki fitur yang cukup mendukung kerja ahli gizi.

Evaluation of mobile applications related to nutrition

ObjectiveTo verify the reliability of information, the sources of information used and the user opinions of the free mobile applications (apps) with nutritional information available in Brazil.DesignDescriptive, cross-sectional study.SettingWe evaluated the content about nutrition of free apps available on the App Store of iPhone 5S with software iOS 8.4.1 and on the Play Store of the Android platform, version 2.3.6. For this, we compared the nutrition information provided by the app with (i) the Brazilian Food Composition Table (TACO), of 2011; (ii) food composition table: support for nutritional decision, of 2002; and (iii) the National Study of Family Expenditure: food composition tables, of 1999. The evaluation included the description and quantity of macro- and micronutrients in foods. In addition, we evaluated the trustworthiness of information about food energy values and analysed the comments and ratings made by users.SubjectsMobile apps related to nutrition.ResultsWe assessed sixteen apps for mobile devices. Considering the foods selected (a basic Brazilian food basket for the month of August 2015), the apps presented partially adequate or inadequate information about food composition (macro- and micronutrients). The adequacy of the food energy values ranged from 0 to 57·1 %. Despite this, the apps received positive ratings by users.ConclusionsThe mobile apps about nutrition currently available and evaluated in the present study in Brazil are not useful for nutritional guidance because most of them are not based on reliable sources of information.

Agreement of dietary fiber and calorie intake values according to the choice of nutrient composition and household measure tables

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the variations in the daily intake of dietary fiber and calories according to the different nutrient composition and homemade measure tables. Methods: Five different methods based on different nutrient composition and household measure tables were used to calculate daily calorie and fiber intake, measured using a food frequency questionnaire, of 633 pregnant women receiving care in primary health care units in the Southern region of Brazil; they were selected to participate in a cohort study. The agreement between the five methods was evaluated using the Kappa and weighted Kappa coefficients. The Nutritional Support Table, a Brazilian traditional food composition table and the Brazilian household expenditure survey were used in Method 1. Brazilian Food Composition Table and the Table for the Assessment of Household Measures (Pinheiro) were used in Methods 2 and 3. The average values of all subtypes of food listed in the Brazilian Food Composition Table for each corresponding item in the food frequency questionnaire were calculated in the method 3. The United States Department of Agriculture Food Composition Table and the table complied by Pinheiro were used in Method 4. The Brazilian Food Composition Table and the Brazilian household expenditure survey were used in Method 5. Results: The highest agreement of calorie intake values were found between Methods 2 and 3 (Kappa=0.94; 0.92-0.95), and the lowest agreement was found between Methods 4 and 5 (Kappa=0.46; 0.42-0.50). As for the fiber intake, the highest agreement was found between Methods 2 and 5 (Kappa=0.87; 0.82-0.90), and the lowest agreement was observed between Methods 1 and 4 (Kappa=0.36; 0.3-0.43). Conclusion: Considerable differences were found between the nutritional composition tables. Therefore, the choice of the table can influence the comparability between studies.