-
Journal of Human Nutrition and... Jun 2024Adequate nutritional knowledge and healthy dietary behaviours are essential for promoting rational nutrition for children. However, lack of nutritional knowledge and...
BACKGROUND
Adequate nutritional knowledge and healthy dietary behaviours are essential for promoting rational nutrition for children. However, lack of nutritional knowledge and unhealthy dietary behaviours are common among Chinese children. Therefore, we developed a school-based nutrition education (NE) program to assess its impacts on nutritional knowledge and dietary behaviours in pupils.
METHODS
In this trial, one school was assigned as an intervention group (n = 199) and the other two schools were designated as a control group (n = 140). Children in the intervention group received the NE program in addition to their regular health curriculum, whereas the control group continued with their usual health curriculum without any NE program materials.
RESULTS
Concerning nutritional knowledge, the mean difference (follow-up minus baseline) of average knowledge scores in the intervention group was significantly higher than that in the control group (1.99 ± 3.22 vs. 0.66 ± 3.60, p = 0.001). However, subgroup analysis revealed that this difference disappeared among boys and students with malnutrition status. Regarding dietary behaviours, the NE program significantly increased the proportion of children exhibiting high frequencies of meat and nuts consumption in the intervention group, along with diverse food choice at breakfast. Additionally, it markedly reduced the proportion of children exhibiting high frequencies of sugar-sweetened beverages and fast food consumption. Structural equation modelling analyses indicated a significant direct effect of NE intervention on nutritional knowledge and an indirect effect on dietary behaviours.
CONCLUSIONS
The NE program effectively enhanced nutritional knowledge scores and further improved dietary behaviours among Chinese primary school students. Future NE programs should pay more attention to boys and children with malnutrition.
PubMed: 38944880
DOI: 10.1111/jhn.13343 -
Journal of Gastrointestinal and Liver... Jun 2024Recent research has shown that Western-style diets have been associated with an increased risk of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Our aim was to examine the link...
BACKGROUND AND AIMS
Recent research has shown that Western-style diets have been associated with an increased risk of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Our aim was to examine the link between an anti-inflammatory diet and the maintenance of IBD remission, as well as to assess the potential therapeutic advantages of this dietary approach in preserving IBD remission.
METHODS
The inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to a total of 189 individuals with IBD, with 21 individuals not meeting the criteria. Therefore, 168 eligible patients were enrolled in the study and allocated to either an anti-inflammatory diet or a regular diet, based on their personal preference.
RESULTS
A cohort of 168 IBD adult patients was recruited for the study: 88 patients with ulcerative colitis and 80 with Crohn's disease. The intervention group received an anti-inflammatory diet consisting of the removal of red and processed meat, fried foods, high-lactose foods, fast food, white bread, sugar, and vegetable oils rich in omega-6 for a period of 1 year. The clinical response was maintained in 80 patients (95.2%) in the intervention group and in 72 patients (85.7%) in the control group (p-value=0.036). Although not statistically significant, fecal calprotectin was higher in the control group than in the intervention group at follow-up.
CONCLUSIONS
Patients who adhered to an anti-inflammatory diet exhibited a higher rate of maintenance of clinical remission. Furthermore, improvement in inflammation tests was observed in the intervention group, reinforcing the proposition that IBD is a lifestyle-related disease.
Topics: Humans; Female; Male; Adult; Prospective Studies; Crohn Disease; Colitis, Ulcerative; Biomarkers; Recurrence; Middle Aged; Feces; Remission Induction; Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult; Time Factors; Inflammation Mediators; Diet, Healthy
PubMed: 38944867
DOI: 10.15403/jgld-5482 -
Journal of Gastrointestinal and Liver... Jun 2024There has been a growing emphasis on dietary therapies for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Furthermore, there has been an evolving evidence base for the low fermentable...
BACKGROUND AND AIMS
There has been a growing emphasis on dietary therapies for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Furthermore, there has been an evolving evidence base for the low fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAP) diet, gluten-free diet (GFD), and lactose-free diet. This study examines the dietary approaches employed and the factors influencing dietetic decision-making for IBS interventions.
METHODS
Participants, including registered dietitians and nutritionists, were recruited from diverse healthcare settings at the point of registration for the 4th Sheffield National Dietetic Gastroenterology Symposium, 2023. A 15-question online survey investigated the practices of dietitians and nutritionists in managing IBS patients, covering dietary approaches, decision-making factors, and patient education. The evidence base for different dietary interventions was provided and a follow-up survey assessed symposium attendees, views on current IBS dietary practices.
RESULTS
Out of 731 respondents, primarily registered dietitians (93%) and females (93%), 54% spent 10-50% of clinic time on IBS. Respondents noted that a GFD (34%), low lactose (32%), and traditional dietary advice (TDA) (18%) were the most frequently used dietary interventions that patients try before seeking professional advice. Delegates were asked to rank their dietary intervention preferences pre- and post-meeting (after the evidence base had been presented): TDA pre-meeting 75% versus post-meeting 87% (p=0.04), fibre modification 59% versus 6% (p<0.0001), low FODMAP 25% versus 10% (p=0.0001), low lactose 12% versus 62% (p<0.0001) and GFD 6% to 23% (p<0.0001).
CONCLUSIONS
TDA remains the choice of diet for dietitians. After our educational event, the use of low-lactose and gluten-free diet significantly increased. Factors influencing the decision-making process were based on patient acceptability, counselling time, supporting evidence base and dietary triggers.
Topics: Humans; Irritable Bowel Syndrome; Female; Male; Nutritionists; Patient Education as Topic; Diet, Gluten-Free; Diet, Carbohydrate-Restricted; Surveys and Questionnaires; Health Care Surveys; Adult; Middle Aged; Clinical Decision-Making
PubMed: 38944865
DOI: 10.15403/jgld-5466 -
Journal of Gastrointestinal and Liver... Jun 2024The environmental factors, apart from gluten ingestion predisposing to coeliac disease are poorly known. Smoking is associated with many immune-mediated diseases, but...
BACKGROUND AND AIMS
The environmental factors, apart from gluten ingestion predisposing to coeliac disease are poorly known. Smoking is associated with many immune-mediated diseases, but research on coeliac disease is scarce. This study aims to investigate how smoking affects the clinical presentation, presence of comorbidities and response to gluten-free diet in coeliac disease.
METHODS
Altogether 815 adults with coeliac disease participated in a nationwide cross-sectional study. Participants were interviewed and smoking habits (never, former, or current smoker), clinical presentation of coeliac disease and presence of comorbidities were elicited. Serology and severity of small bowel mucosal lesions at diagnosis were gathered from the participants' medical records and follow-up serology was measured. Gastrointestinal symptoms and psychological well-being were assessed using validated questionnaires.
RESULTS
Current smokers were more often male and were diagnosed at younger ages than never or former smokers. There were no differences between the groups in clinical presentation, severity of symptoms or mucosal lesions at diagnosis or in dietary compliance and clinical, serological, and histological recovery. Musculoskeletal disorders, particularly osteoporosis and osteopenia, were more common in never smokers than in other groups (14.5% vs. 5.1% and 4.1%, p<0.001), and cardiovascular disorders were diagnosed more often in former smokers (36.2% vs. 23.5% and 21.9%, p=0.003).
CONCLUSIONS
Smoking does not seem to have an impact on the clinical presentation, severity of symptoms or mucosal damage in coeliac disease. Histological and clinical recovery as well as seroconversion on gluten-free diet are not affected by smoking status.
Topics: Humans; Celiac Disease; Male; Female; Cross-Sectional Studies; Middle Aged; Diet, Gluten-Free; Adult; Cigarette Smoking; Aged; Treatment Outcome; Comorbidity; Risk Factors; Smokers; Ex-Smokers; Intestinal Mucosa
PubMed: 38944862
DOI: 10.15403/jgld-5364 -
Journal of Gastrointestinal and Liver... Jun 2024
Topics: Humans; Glutens; Adult; Male; Healthy Volunteers; Female; Diet, Gluten-Free; Young Adult; Gastrointestinal Diseases
PubMed: 38944854
DOI: 10.15403/jgld-5688 -
Cell Reports Jun 2024Vitamin D receptor (VDR) has been implicated in fatty liver pathogenesis, but its role in the regulation of organismal energy usage remains unclear. Here, we illuminate...
Vitamin D receptor (VDR) has been implicated in fatty liver pathogenesis, but its role in the regulation of organismal energy usage remains unclear. Here, we illuminate the evolutionary function of VDR by demonstrating that zebrafish Vdr coordinates hepatic and organismal energy homeostasis through antagonistic regulation of nutrient storage and tissue growth. Hepatocyte-specific Vdr impairment increases hepatic lipid storage, partially through acsl4a induction, while simultaneously diminishing fatty acid oxidation and liver growth. Importantly, Vdr impairment exacerbates the starvation-induced hepatic storage of systemic fatty acids, indicating that loss of Vdr signaling elicits hepatocellular energy deficiency. Strikingly, hepatocyte Vdr impairment diminishes diet-induced systemic growth while increasing hepatic and visceral fat in adult fish, revealing that hepatic Vdr signaling is required for complete adaptation to food availability. These data establish hepatocyte Vdr as a regulator of organismal energy expenditure and define an evolutionary function for VDR as a transcriptional effector of environmental nutrient supply.
PubMed: 38944835
DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114393 -
Tissue Barriers Jun 2024Celiac Disease (CD) is the most common hereditarily-based food intolerance worldwide and a chronic inflammatory condition. The current standard treatment for CD involves... (Review)
Review
Celiac Disease (CD) is the most common hereditarily-based food intolerance worldwide and a chronic inflammatory condition. The current standard treatment for CD involves strict observance and compliance with a gluten-free diet (GFD). However, maintaining a complete GFD poses challenges, necessitating the exploration of alternative therapeutic approaches. Nutraceuticals, bioactive products bridging nutrition and pharmaceuticals, have emerged as potential candidates to regulate pathways associated with CD and offer therapeutic benefits. Despite extensive research on nutraceuticals in various diseases, their role in CD has been relatively overlooked. This review proposes comprehensively assessing the potential of different nutraceuticals, including phytochemicals, fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, plant-based enzymes, and dietary amino acids, in managing CD. Nutraceuticals exhibit the ability to modulate crucial CD pathways, such as regulating gluten fragment accessibility and digestion, intestinal barrier function, downregulation of tissue transglutaminase (TG2), intestinal epithelial morphology, regulating innate and adaptive immune responses, inflammation, oxidative stress, and gut microbiota composition. However, further investigation is necessary to fully elucidate the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms behind the therapeutic and prophylactic effects of nutraceuticals for CD. Emphasizing such research would contribute to future developments in CD therapies and interventions.
PubMed: 38944818
DOI: 10.1080/21688370.2024.2374628 -
Journal of Nutrition Education and... Jun 2024Investigate the influence of physical readiness tests (PRTs) on eating behaviors among US Navy Sailors.
OBJECTIVE
Investigate the influence of physical readiness tests (PRTs) on eating behaviors among US Navy Sailors.
DESIGN
Focused ethnography using interviews and military policies.
SETTING
Three US Naval installations.
PARTICIPANTS
Active-duty enlisted Sailors (n = 32).
PHENOMENON OF INTEREST
Eating behaviors.
ANALYSIS
Authors analyzed data iteratively with data collection using domain, taxonomy, and thematic analysis to identify culturally relevant codes, domains, and themes.
RESULTS
Five themes corresponded with PRT timing and Sailors' perceived ability to meet standards: (1) maintain usual eating habits, (2) get ready and switch it up, (3) make weight-damage control, (4) return to baseline-PRT is over, and (5) eat whatever-PRT is canceled. In contrast to the PRT policy's goal for Sailors to maintain standards and a healthy lifestyle, many Sailors modified their usual eating behaviors to pass the test.
CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS
Changes in eating behaviors during PRT cycles highlight a culture of getting ready vs staying ready, suggesting many Sailors do not eat a nutrient-dense diet to maintain the minimum physical fitness and body composition standards. There is a need for nutrition education for healthy weight maintenance, weight gain prevention, and healthy weight loss among military personnel.
PubMed: 38944798
DOI: 10.1016/j.jneb.2024.05.232 -
Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging :... Jun 2024
PubMed: 38944671
DOI: 10.1002/jmri.29512 -
The Journal of Nutrition Jun 2024Poor dietary quality is a risk factor for diet-related chronic disease and suboptimal nutritional patterns often begin early in the life course. While the dietary...
BACKGROUND
Poor dietary quality is a risk factor for diet-related chronic disease and suboptimal nutritional patterns often begin early in the life course. While the dietary intakes of young children, adolescents, and middle-aged and older adults are well established, much less is known about emerging adults, who represent a unique timepoint in life, as they are undergoing significant changes in food environments, autonomy, finances, and caregiver and parental involvement.
OBJECTIVE
To examine dietary quality, as assessed via the Healthy Eating Index (HEI), by demographic, socioeconomic, and health-related characteristics among U.S. emerging adults (18-23y) who participated in the 2015-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).
METHODS
NHANES data were collected via a household interview and 2 24-hour dietary recalls (24HR). Usual dietary intakes from the 24HRs were approximated using the multivariate National Cancer Institute Method to compute mean HEI-2015 overall and component scores (range 0-100, higher scores indicating higher dietary quality).
RESULTS
Overall dietary quality among U.S. emerging adults [HEI-2015: 50.3±1.3] was significantly lower than other U.S. adults (≥24y) [HEI-2015: 56.3±0.5; p<0.0001], with differences primarily driven by lower intakes of whole fruit, vegetables, and whole grains, and higher intakes of sodium, refined grains, and saturated fat. Few differences in HEI-2015 scores were noted across population subgroups by sex, food security, family income, and food assistance program participation, except for added sugar; intakes of added sugar were significantly higher among women, food insecure, and food assistance program participants as compared to their counterparts, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
Dietary quality is poor among U.S. emerging adults and persists across all population subgroups, suggesting a significant need for tailored public health interventions to improve dietary quality among this population. Future research investigating to what extent emerging adults prioritize healthful behaviors and exploring other indicators for identifying nutritionally vulnerable subgroups may be impactful for identifying disparities among this life stage.
PubMed: 38944345
DOI: 10.1016/j.tjnut.2024.06.015