Nutrient Intake and Gut Microbial Genera Changes after a 4-Week Placebo Controlled Galacto-Oligosaccharides Intervention in Young Females

Recent interest in the gut-brain-axis has highlighted the potential of prebiotics to impact wellbeing, and to affect behavioral change in humans. In this clinical trial, we examined the impact of four-weeks daily supplementation of galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) on self-reported nutrient intake and relationships on gut microbiota in a four-week two-armed parallel double-blind placebo controlled GOS supplement trial in young adult females. Food diaries and stool samples were collected prior to and following 28 days of supplement consumption. It was found that four weeks of GOS supplementation influenced macronutrient intake, as evident by reduced carbohydrate and sugars and increased fats intake. Further analysis showed that the reduction in carbohydrates was predicted by increasing abundances of Bifidobacterium in the GOS group in comparison to the placebo group. This suggests that Bifidobacterium increase via GOS supplementation may help improve the gut microbiota composition by altering the desire for specific types of carbohydrates and boosting Bifidobacterium availability when fiber intake is below recommended levels, without compromising appetite for fiber from food.

Progressive Kernel Extreme Learning Machine for Food Image Analysis via Optimal Features from Quality Resilient CNN

Recently, food recognition has received more research attention for mHealth applications that use automated visual-based methods to assess dietary intake. The goal is to improve the food diaries by addressing the challenges faced by existing methodologies. In addition to the classical challenge of the absence of rigid food structure and intra-class variations, food diaries employing deep networks trained with pristine images are susceptible to quality variations in real-world conditions of image acquisition and transmission. Similarly, existing progressive classifiers that use visual features via a convolutional neural network (CNN) classify food categories and cannot detect food ingredients. We aim to provide a system that selects the optimal subset of features from quality resilient CNNs and subsequently incorporates the parallel type of classification to tackle such challenges. The first progressive classifier recognizes food categories, and its multilabel extension detects food ingredients. Following this idea, after extracting features from the quality resilient category and ingredient CNN models by fine-tuning it on synthetic images generated using the novel online data augmentation method random iterative mixup. Our feature selection strategy uses the Shapley additive explanation (SHAP) values from the gradient explainer to select the best features. Then, novel progressive kernel extreme learning machine (PKELM) is exploited to cater to domain variations due to quality distortions, intra-class variations, and so forth, by remodeling the network structure based on activity value with the nodes. PKELM extension for multilabel classification detects ingredients by employing a bipolar step function to process test output and then selecting the column labels of the resulting matrix with a value of one. Moreover, during online learning, the PKELM novelty detection mechanism can label unlabeled instances and detect noisy samples. Experimental results showed superior performance on an integrated set of measures for seven publicly available food datasets.

Evaluation of the Diet Tracking Smartphone Application Keenoa™: A Qualitative Analysis

Keenoa™ is a novel Canadian diet application (app) currently used by Canadian dietitians to collect diet-related data from clients. The goal of this study was to evaluate Keenoa™ based on user feedback and compare it to a conventional pen and paper method. One hundred and two participants were recruited and randomly assigned to record their diets using this application for 3 nonconsecutive days. Following this, participants were invited to complete an online “exit” survey. Seventy-two subjects responded, with 50 completing an open-ended question asking for general feedback about the app. Data were reviewed and 3 main themes emerged: strengths, challenges, and future recommendations. Strengths associated with the app consisted of picture recognition software, the additional commentary feature, and the overall pleasant data collection process. Challenges that were identified included inconsistencies with the barcode scanning features, the limited food database, time to enter food details, and software issues. Future recommendations included using a larger food database, pairing dietary intake with physical activity monitoring, and having accessible nutritional data. Despite these limitations, participants preferred using mobile apps to record diet compared with traditional written food diaries.

Dietary-Induced Ketogenesis: Adults Are Not Children

There is increasing interest in the use of a ketogenic diet for various adult disorders; however, the ability of adults to generate ketones is unknown. Our goal was to challenge the hypothesis that there would be no difference between adults and children regarding their ability to enter ketosis. Methods: Two populations were studied, both treated with identical very low-carbohydrate high-fat diets: a retrospective series of children with epilepsy or/and metabolic disorders (2009–2016) and a prospective clinical trial of adults with glioblastoma. Dietary intake was assessed based upon written food diaries and 24-h dietary recall. Ketogenic ratio was calculated according to [grams of fat consumed]/[grams of carbohydrate and protein consumed]. Ketone levels (β-hydroxybutyrate) were measured in blood and/or urine. Results: A total of 168 encounters amongst 28 individuals were analyzed. Amongst both children and adults, ketone levels correlated with nutritional ketogenic ratio; however, the absolute ketone levels in adults were approximately one quarter of those seen in children. This difference was highly significant in a multivariate linear regression model, p < 0.0001. Conclusions: For diets with comparable ketogenic ratios, adults have lower blood ketone levels than children; consequently, high levels of nutritional ketosis are unobtainable in adults.

Increased carbohydrate availability effects energy and nutrient periodisation of professional male athletes from the Australian Football League

This research aims to explore the effect of increased carbohydrate availability intervention on energy intake and distribution in professional Australian Football athletes. Six 24-h energy and macronutrient intakes were quantified (n= 19 males; age 24 ±4 y, stature 187 ±8 cm, mass 87 ±9 kg) using photographic food diaries and Foodworks analyses. Energy expenditure was estimated for the same period using GeneActiv accelerometers. During three control days, athletes had ad libitum access to food, while the three intervention days increased carbohydrate availability, through greater prompting and access to carbohydrate foods. Daily energy intake was higher during intervention (185 ±40 kJ/kg/d) compared with control (172 ±31 kJ/kg/d; p<0.05) but remained below estimated expenditure, and carbohydrate intake was also greater with intervention (5.0 ±0.2 g/kg/d) than control (4.0 ±0.2 g/kg/d; p<0.05). Expenditure was highest during the morning which coincided with lowest intake on all days, while the intervention was associated with greater carbohydrate intake in the morning (0.6 g/kg, p< 0.05) compared with control. Increasing availability of carbohydrate during high-load training generated a modest increase in carbohydrate and energy intake, and the intervention was most effective in improving carbohydrate intake during mornings. Novelty Bullets • Increased access and provision of carbohydrate foods increased carbohydrate consumption and energy intake on high training load days. • Daily distribution of energy intake can be modified through actively promoting carbohydrate consumption.

Association of Maternal Dietary Patterns during Pregnancy and Offspring Weight Status across Infancy: Results from a Prospective Birth Cohort in China

Literature on maternal dietary patterns during pregnancy and offspring weight status have been largely equivocal. We aimed to investigate the association of maternal dietary patterns with infant weight status among 937 mother–infant dyads in a Chinese birth cohort. We assessed maternal diet during pregnancy using food frequency questionnaires (FFQ) and three-day food diaries (TFD) and examined infants’ body weight and length at birth, 1, 3, 6, 8 and 12 months. Maternal adherence to the “protein-rich pattern (FFQ)” was associated with lower infant body mass index z-scores (BMIZ) at birth, 3 and 6 months and lower odds of overweight and obesity (OwOb) across infancy (quartile 3 (Q3) vs. quartile 1 (Q1): odds ratio (OR): 0.50, (95% confidence interval: 0.27, 0.93)). Maternal adherence to the “vegetable–fruit–rice pattern (FFQ)” was associated with higher BMIZ at birth, 3 and 6 months and higher odds of OwOb across infancy (Q3 vs. Q1: OR: 1.79, (1.03, 3.12)). Maternal adherence to the “fried food–bean–dairy pattern (TFD)” was associated with lower BMIZ at 3, 6, 8 and 12 months and lower odds of OwOb (Q3 vs. Q1: OR: 0.54, (0.31, 0.95)). The study results may help to develop interventions and to better define target populations for childhood obesity prevention.

Pilot Feasibility, Reliability, and Validity Assessment of Infant Skin Carotenoids Measured by Reflection Spectroscopy as a Non-invasive Biomarker of Carotenoid Intake

Objectives Skin carotenoid measurement by reflection spectroscopy offers a rapid, non-invasive assessment of carotenoid intake and status. However, feasibility, reliability, and validity have not been established in infants. We hypothesize that skin carotenoid measurement of infants’ heels and fingers will be feasible, reliable, and valid. Methods Skin carotenoid score (SCS) was measured by a modified, portable reflection spectroscopy device (Veggie Meter) at the index finger and heel of the foot in infants at 4 (n = 21), 6 (n = 12), and 8 (n = 9) months of age. Infant plasma, milk formula, and mother's breast milk carotenoid concentrations were measured by HPLC, while infant carotenoid intake was estimated from 7-day food diaries and 3 × 24-hour parent recalls. Feasibility was assessed by time to acquire triplicate reads and reliability was assessed by the coefficient of variation (CV) of triplicates and the Pearson's correlation between mean heel and finger SCS. Validity was established in 4-month-olds if skin carotenoid scores were moderately correlated (r &gt; 0.5) with breast milk carotenoid concentrations during exclusive milk-feeding (n = 16) and with infant plasma carotenoid concentrations (n = 11). Results Twenty-one infants (52% female) were enrolled (47% non-Hispanic white, 29% Hispanic white, 14% African American, and 10% Asian). Triplicate heel and finger SCSs were feasibly acquired in 56 ± 11 to 87 ± 32 seconds, respectively. Heel and finger SCS reliability was similar (mean CV range 18 ± 13 to 32 ± 22%), and mean within-subject heel and finger SCSs were highly correlated (r = 0.81, P = 1 × 10−5) in 4-month-olds. Finger and heel SCSs were valid correlates of total infant plasma carotenoid concentrations (r = 0.77, P = 0.006 and r = 0.66, P = 0.026, respectively). Finger SCS significantly correlated with breast milk carotenoids (r = 0.66, P = 0.006), while heel SCS non-significantly correlated (r = 0.40, P = 0.13). Conclusions This pilot suggests that infant skin carotenoids can be feasibly measured by reflection spectroscopy and that finger SCSs are correlated with both infant plasma carotenoid concentrations and maternal breast milk carotenoid concentrations. Skin carotenoid measurement should be further investigated to facilitate the assessment of infant dietary intake and health outcomes. Funding Sources Texas Children's Hospital, USDA-ARS.

Dietary Intake and Daily Distribution of Carbohydrate, Protein and Fat in Youth Tennis Players over a 7-Day Training and Competition Period

During a 7-day training and/or competition period, macronutrient intake and distribution was assessed using food diaries, supported by remote food photography and 24-hr multiple pass recalls of youth tennis players categorised by under 12s, under 14s and under 16+ age groups (n = 27). Total energy did not differ between age groups nor type of day (training [TD], competition day [CD]), irrespective of a significant increase in body mass reported in the older players (U16+; p < 0.05). Average intakes were consistently below 2250 kcal·day-1 (range 1965 ± 317–2232 ± 612 kcal·day-1). Carbohydrate consumption was below guidelines for all groups (≤6g·kg-1). Conversely, protein intake met or exceeded guidelines throughout, with intakes ≥2 g·kg-1 for both the U12 and U14 age groups on both days. Protein intake was ~17% higher on TDs than CDs (p < 0.05), with protein intake at lunch significantly higher on TDs than CDs (p < 0.05). No further differences were observed between breakfast, lunch or dinner between group or day. Inconsistent snacking was reported, with players consuming snacks on less than half of the days reported (46 ± 12% of TDs and 43 ± 30% of CDs). In conclusion, youth tennis players present sub-optimal nutrition practices, appearing to under fuel and under consume carbohydrate for performance, adaptation, recovery and health.

Dietary Intakes of Recipients of Faecal Microbiota Transplantation: An Observational Pilot Study

This study reports on the dietary intake of recipients of faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), comparing this with dietary guidelines, and investigates the relationship between dietary intake and clinical outcomes. Males and females aged ≥ 16 years with irritable bowel syndrome or inflammatory bowel disease undergoing FMT were invited to complete validated symptom and quality of life (QOL) questionnaires and three-day weighed food diaries. Descriptive statistics were calculated for symptom scores, QOL scores, nutrients, and food group servings, and compared to Australian population norms, nutrient reference values, and dietary guidelines. The relationship between dietary intake, symptoms, and QOL was assessed. Participants (n = 18) reported baseline symptoms of urgency, abdominal pain, nausea, and bloating and reduced QOL. Of the participants who completed food diaries, 8/14 met the recommended 30 g of fibre when including supplements. Participants met the recommendations for micronutrients and food groups except calcium, fruit, and dairy/dairy alternatives. There was a non-significant trend towards lower symptom severity scores in participants who met the fibre target. The high degree of variability in participant fibre intakes highlights diet as a key variable that has not been previously controlled for in FMT intervention studies. Future studies examining FMT should include dietary analysis of habitual intake of the recipients and donors.

High-Protein or Low Glycemic Index Diet—Which Energy-Restricted Diet Is Better to Start a Weight Loss Program?

Background: To date, no crossover studies have compared the effects of high-protein (HP) and low glycemic index (LGI) diets applied as starting energy-restricted diets. Methods: Thirty-five overweight or obese volunteers with sedentary lifestyles aged 41.4 ± 11.0 years, with body mass index (BMI) of 33.6 ± 4.2 kg/m2, without diabetes, completed an 8-week randomized crossover study of an energy-restricted diet (reduction of 30%; approximately 600 kcal/day). The anthropometric parameters, body composition, 24 h blood pressure, and basic metabolic profile were measured at baseline and after completing the two 4-week diets; i.e., the HP (protein at 30% of the daily energy intake) or LGI diet, followed by the opposite diet. All subjects maintained food diaries and attended six counselling sessions with a clinical dietitian. Results: The final weight loss was not significantly different when the HP diet was used first but was associated with a greater loss of fat mass: 4.6 kg (5.8; 3.0 kg) vs. 2.2 (4.5; 0.8); p < 0.025, preserved muscle mass, and reduced LDL-cholesterol. Conclusions: A short-term HP diet applied as a jump-start diet appeared to be more beneficial than an LGI diet, as indicated by the greater fat mass loss, preservation of muscle mass, and better effects on the lipid profile.