Dietary patterns are associated with sexual maturation in Korean children

Association of Traditional dietary pattern with early and precocious puberty: a population-based cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Precocious puberty is an endocrine disease that is diagnosed by sex, age, and Tanner stage of puberty. This study aimed to investigate the association between various dietary patterns and early or precocious puberty, especially Traditional dietary patterns, which have been rarely investigated.

METHODS

A total of 4085 primary school students in grades 1-3 (6-9 years) completed individual characteristic surveys, health examinations, and food frequency questionnaires (FFQs). Physical examinations were also conducted to assess obesity and pubertal onset. Traditional, Westernized, and Protein dietary patterns were determined by factor analysis, and their associations with pubertal onset were analyzed by multiple logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

Compared to the other two patterns, children who predominant the Traditional dietary pattern were protectively associated with precocious puberty (OR = 0.72, 95% CI = 0.55, 0.94), even after adjusting the confounders (OR = 0.66, 95% CI = 0.48, 0.89). Neither the Westernized nor Protein dietary pattern demonstrated an association with pubertal onset. The Traditional dietary pattern was negatively associated with children's weight status, classified by body mass index (BMI), and was positively associated with parental education. The maternal education and the Protein dietary pattern were negatively related.

CONCLUSIONS

Traditional dietary patterns were protective associated with early and precocious puberty among Chinese children.

IMPACT

The Traditional dietary pattern was protective associated with early puberty or precocious puberty in children, as found in large-scale population-based public health research. Current research primarily focuses on Westernized dietary patterns, and we studied Traditional dietary patterns to further explore the influence of food on children's puberty development. We discovered that children's preference for Traditional dietary patterns is protective of pubertal development, which implies that society and parents can benefit from diet guidance to protect children's natural development during adolescence.

Lower adherence to a prudent dietary pattern is associated with earlier age at menarche in adolescents from the Growth and Obesity Chilean Cohort Study

Introduction

Early menarche is associated with obesity, and metabolic and mental health risks, among other diseases. Thus, it is relevant to identify modifiable risk factors of early menarche. Some nutrients and foods have been linked to pubertal timing, but how menarche relates to overall dietary patterns is unclear.

Methods

The aim of this study was to analyze the association between dietary patterns and age at menarche in a prospective cohort of Chilean girls from low and middle-income families. We conducted a survival analysis of 215 girls (median = 12.7 years, IQR = 12.2-13.2) from the Growth and Obesity Cohort Study (GOCS) who had been followed prospectively since 4 years of age (2006). Age at menarche and anthropometric measurements were recorded every 6 months since 7 years of age while diet (24-hour dietary recall) was collected for 11 years. Dietary patterns were obtained from exploratory factor analysis. Accelerated Failure Time models adjusted for potential confounding variables were used to study the association between dietary patterns and age at menarche.

Results

Girls' median age at menarche was 12.7 years. Three dietary patterns were identified: "Breakfast/Light Dinner," "Prudent" and "Snacking" which explained 19.5% of the diet variation. Girls in the lowest tertile of the "Prudent" pattern had menarche 3 months earlier than girls in the highest tertile (β: 0.022; 95% CI: 0.003; 0.041). "Breakfast/Light Dinner" and "Snacking" patterns were not associated with age at menarche.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that healthier dietary patterns during puberty might be associated with menarche timing. Nevertheless, further studies are required to confirm this result and to clarify the association between diet and puberty.

Vegetables and lean proteins-based and processed meats and refined grains -based dietary patterns in early childhood are associated with pubertal timing in a sex-specific manner: a prospective study of children from Mexico City

Childhood diet has been implicated in timing of sexual maturation. A key limitation of published studies is the focus on individual foods rather than patterns. We hypothesized that dietary patterns characterized by fruits and vegetables during early childhood (age 3 years) would be associated with delayed pubertal timing, whereas energy-dense and meat-based dietary patterns would relate to earlier puberty. The study population included 496 participants of a Mexico City birth cohort. The exposures of interest were dietary patterns derived from principal component analysis of dietary data collected via a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire when the children were 3 years of age, and the outcomes were physician-assessed Tanner stages for pubic hair, breast (girls), genitalia, and testicular volume (boys) between 9 and 18 years, and initiation of menarche (girls). In regression analyses, we estimated adjusted hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals for having reached Tanner stage ≥4 or initiation of menarche in girls and testicular volume ≥15 mL in boys. Among girls, those in the highest vs lowest tertile of vegetables and lean proteins pattern had a 35% (95% confidence interval 3%-67%) lower adjusted probability of having reached breast stage ≥4. Among boys, the processed meats and refined grain pattern score was associated with more advanced testicular development (adjusted hazard ratio = 3.58 [0.62-6.53]). Early childhood dietary patterns may play a role in the tempo of sexual maturation, which could ultimately carry implications for chronic disease susceptibility.

Association between Dietary Patterns and Precocious Puberty in Children: A Population-Based Study

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between dietary patterns and precocious puberty among Shanghai children.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted among Shanghai children by multistage stratified cluster random sampling in June 2014. Diet was assessed using a simplified food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Height, weight, and Tanner stages of breast development, pubic hair growth, and testicular volume were carefully measured. Exploratory factor analysis was used to identify dietary patterns, and logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association between dietary patterns and precocious puberty.

RESULTS

Three distinct dietary patterns, "traditional diet," "unhealthy diet," and "protein diet," were established. Neither the "traditional diet" pattern nor the "protein diet" pattern showed any association with precocious puberty, taking gender, BMI, and adjustment factors into consideration. The "unhealthy diet" pattern was significantly positively associated with precocious puberty in both boys (OR = 1.24, 95% CI = 1.02-1.51) and girls (OR = 1.31, 95% CI = 1.10-1.56). The relationship remained positive only for girls (OR = 1.25, 95% CI = 1.04-1.49) after adjustment for age and BMI but statistically nonsignificant after further adjustment for socioeconomic factors in both boys and girls.

CONCLUSIONS

Dietary patterns were found to be related to precocious puberty among Shanghai children.

Micronutrient status in middle childhood and age at menarche: results from the Bogotá School Children Cohort

Childhood intake of animal foods is associated with age at first menstrual period (menarche). It is unknown whether the micronutrients present in these foods could explain this association. Our objective was to investigate the associations of micronutrient status biomarkers in middle childhood with age at menarche. We quantified circulating Hb, ferritin, mean corpuscular volume, Zn, vitamin B12, erythrocyte folate and retinol in 1464 pre-menarcheal girls aged 5–12 years in Bogotá, Colombia, and followed them for a median 5·7 years for the occurrence and date of menarche. We estimated median age at menarche and hazard ratios (HR) with 95 % CI by levels of each biomarker with use of Kaplan–Meier survival probabilities and Cox regression, respectively. Median age at menarche was 12·4 years. Middle childhood Hb was inversely related to age at menarche whereas plasma ferritin was positively associated with this outcome in a linear manner. HR of menarche for every 1sdof Hb (11 g/l) and ferritin (23·2 µg/l) were 1·11 (95 % CI 1·04, 1·18;P=0·001) and 0·94 (95 % CI 0·88, 0·99;P=0·02), respectively, after adjustment for baseline age, C-reactive protein concentration, maternal age at menarche and parity and socioeconomic status. The association with ferritin was stronger in girls aged 9–10 years at baseline. Additional adjustment for baseline height- and BMI-for-age did not change the results. We conclude that higher Fe status in middle childhood is related to later age at menarche whereas Hb concentrations are inversely associated with age at onset of menses.

Milk-cereal and whole-grain dietary patterns protect against low bone mineral density among male adolescents and young adults

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Evidence supporting the possible effect of dietary factors on adult bone health has emerged in recent decades. The purpose of this study was to ascertain the influence of different dietary patterns on bone mineral density (BMD) among Korean male youth.

SUBJECTS/METHODS

Data were extracted from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) during 2008-2011. The subjects included 1351 male aged 10-25 years. We defined 'low BMD group' as subjects with a BMD Z-score of -2.0 or less. Dietary patterns were derived from 20 food groups via factor analysis.

RESULTS

Three dietary patterns-meat and vegetable, white rice and kimchi, milk-cereal and whole grain-were derived. The 'milk-cereal and whole-grain' dietary pattern score showed positive association with energy, protein, fat, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, riboflavin and vitamin C intakes. Participants in the top tertile of the milk-cereal and whole-grain pattern were less likely to have low BMD, compared with subjects in the bottom tertile (odds ratio=0.36, 95% confidence interval=0.16-0.81, P=0.018).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that the milk-cereal and whole-grain dietary pattern may have a benign influence on bone health in the Korean male youth.

Dietary sugar intake and dietary behaviors in Korea: a pooled study of 2,599 children and adolescents aged 9-14 years

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Dietary sugar intake, particularly added sugar and sugar-sweetened beverages, has received worldwide attention recently. Investigation of dietary behaviors may facilitate understanding of dietary sugar intakes of children and adolescents. However, the relationship between dietary sugar intake and dietary behaviors in the Korean population has not been investigated. Thus, this study aimed to estimate dietary sugar intake and food sources according to sex as well as examine the relationship of dietary sugar intake with frequent snacking and dietary patterns among Korean children and adolescents.

SUBJECTS/METHODS

We pooled data from five studies involving Korean children and adolescents conducted from 2002 to 2011. A total of 2,599 subjects aged 9-14 years were included in this study. Each subject completed more than 3 days of dietary records.

RESULTS

Mean daily total sugar intake was 46.6 g for boys and 54.3 g for girls. Compared with boys, girls showed higher sugar intakes from fruits (7.5 g for boys and 8.8 g for girls; P = 0.0081) and processed foods (27.9 g for boys and 34.9 g for girls; P < 0.0001). On average, 95.4% of boys and 98.8% of girls consumed snacks during the study period, and total sugar intake showed a significantly increasing trend with increasing energy intake from snacks (P < 0.0001 for both sexes). Two dietary patterns were identified by cluster analysis: Traditional and Westernized patterns. Total sugar intake was higher in the Westernized pattern (56.2 g for boys and 57.2 g for girls) than in the Traditional pattern (46.5 g for boys and 46.3 g for girls).

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that multilateral and practical development of a nutrition education and intervention program that considers dietary behaviors as well as absolute sugar intake is required to prevent excessive sugar intake in Korean children and adolescents.

Nutritional Determinants of the Timing of Puberty

The timing of puberty has important public health, clinical, and social implications. The plasticity of sexual development onset could be a mechanism that adapts to prevailing environmental conditions. Early-life nutrition may provide cues for the environment's suitability for reproduction. This review focuses on recent developments in our understanding of the role of diet in the timing of sexual maturation. Population-based observational studies consistently indicate that childhood obesity is related to the earlier onset of puberty in girls. Similarly, intake of animal foods has been associated with earlier sexual development, whereas vegetable protein intake is related to delayed maturation. Evidence for prenatal nutrition, infant feeding practices, and childhood intake of fat, carbohydrate, and micronutrients is inconsistent. Secondary analyses of prenatal and early-life randomized nutritional interventions with extended follow-up through peripubertal years would help clarify the role of nutrition in the timing of sexual maturation.

Association of Dietary Sugars and Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Intake with Obesity in Korean Children and Adolescents

Few studies have examined the association between dietary sugar intake and obesity in Asian children and adolescents. We evaluated the association of dietary sugar intake and its food source with obesity in Korean children and adolescents. In this cross-sectional analysis, data were obtained from five studies conducted between 2002 and 2011. The study included 2599 children and adolescents who had completed more than three days of dietary records and had anthropometric data. Total sugar intake was higher in girls than in boys (54.3 g for girls and 46.6 g for boys, p < 0.0001). Sugar intake from milk and fruits was inversely associated with overweight or obesity in girls only (OR for overweight, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.32–0.84; p for trend = 0.0246 and OR for obesity, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.23–0.79; p for trend = 0.0113). Sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption was not associated with obesity in girls, while boys had lower odds ratios for obesity (OR for obesity, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.26–1.05; p for trend = 0.0310). These results suggest that total sugars and SSB intake in Asian children and adolescents remains relatively low and sugar intake from milk and fruits is associated with a decreased risk of overweight or obesity, especially in girls.

Identification of a dietary pattern prospectively associated with bone mass in Australian young adults

BACKGROUND

Relatively little is known about the relations between dietary patterns and bone health in adolescence, which is a period of substantial bone mass accrual.

OBJECTIVES

We derived dietary patterns that were hypothesized to be related to bone health on the basis of their protein, calcium, and potassium contents and investigated their prospective associations with bone mineral density (BMD), bone area, and bone mineral content (BMC) in a cohort of young adults.

DESIGN

The study included 1024 young adults born to mothers who were participating in the Western Australian Pregnancy Cohort (Raine) Study. Dietary information was obtained from food-frequency questionnaires at 14 and 17 y of age. Dietary patterns were characterized according to protein, calcium, and potassium intakes with the use of reduced-rank regression. BMD, bone area, and BMC were estimated with the use of a total body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan at 20 y of age.

RESULTS

We identified 2 major dietary patterns. The first pattern was positively correlated with intakes of protein, calcium, and potassium and had high factor loadings for low-fat dairy products, whole grains, and vegetables. The second pattern was positively correlated with protein intake but negatively correlated with intakes of calcium and potassium and had high factor loadings for meat, poultry, fish, and eggs. After adjustment for anthropometric, sociodemographic, and lifestyle factors, a higher z score for the first pattern at 14 y of age was positively associated with BMD and BMC at 20 y of age [differences: 8.6 mg/cm(2) (95% CI: 3.0, 14.1 mg/cm(2)) and 21.9 g (95% CI: 6.5, 37.3 g), respectively, per SD increase in z score]. The z score for this same pattern at 17 y of age was not associated with bone outcomes at 20 y of age. The second pattern at 14 or 17 y of age was not associated with BMD, BMC, or bone area.

CONCLUSIONS

A dietary pattern characterized by high intakes of protein, calcium, and potassium in midadolescence was associated with higher BMD and BMC at 20 y of age. Our results indicate that high consumption of low-fat dairy products, whole grains, and vegetables in adolescence are associated with beneficial effects on bone development.

Higher Childhood Red Meat Intake Frequency Is Associated with Earlier Age at Menarche

BACKGROUND

Early age at menarche is associated with increased breast cancer risk. Red meat consumption in adolescence predicts breast cancer risk, but it is unknown whether it is also related to earlier menarche.

OBJECTIVE

We studied the association between intake of red meat at ages 5-12 y and age at menarche in a prospective study.

METHODS

We assessed usual diets with a food-frequency questionnaire in a group of 456 girls aged 8.4 ± 1.7 y and followed them for a median 5.6 y in Bogotá, Colombia. Girls were asked periodically about the occurrence and date of menarche. Median age at menarche was estimated with use of Kaplan-Meier survival probabilities by categories of red meat intake frequency. Cox proportional hazards models were used to compare the incidence of menarche by red meat intake frequency, adjusting for potential sociodemographic and dietary confounders including total energy intake and intake frequency of other animal food groups (dairy, poultry, freshwater fish, tuna/sardines, eggs, and innards).

RESULTS

Median age at menarche was 12.4 y. After adjustment for total energy intake, maternal parity, and socioeconomic status, red meat intake frequency was inversely associated with age at menarche. When compared with girls with red meat intake <4 times/wk, those consuming it ≥2 times/d had a significantly earlier age at menarche (HR: 1.64; 95% CI: 1.11, 2.41; P-trend = 0.0009). Incidentally, we found that girls with tuna/sardine intake >1 time/wk had a significantly later age at menarche (HR: 0.62; 95% CI: 0.42, 0.90; P = 0.01) than those with intake <1 time/mo. Intake frequency of other animal food groups was not significantly associated with age at menarche.

CONCLUSION

Higher red meat intake frequency during childhood is associated with an earlier age at menarche, whereas greater fatty fish intake frequency is associated with a later menarcheal age.

Association between eating patterns and body mass index in a sample of children and adolescents in Northeastern Brazil

The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between eating patterns and body mass index (BMI) in children and adolescents. This is a cross-sectional study of 1,247 male and female students, aged between 6 and 12, from public elementary schools in São Francisco do Conde, Bahia State, Brasil. BMI was used to analyze the children’s nutritional status. Food consumption frequencies, in addition to demographic and socioeconomic information, were collected for each participant. Dietary patterns were identified through a factor analysis. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 17.3% (10.2% overweight and 7.1% obese). Two eating patterns, “obesogenic” and “prudent”, were identified. The former is characterized by sweets and sugars, typical Brazilian dishes, pastries, fast food, oils, milk, cereals, cakes, and sauces, and was positively associated with increased BMI (ßi = 0.244; p = 0.018). An “obesogenic” dietary pattern was associated with increased BMI.

Associations between a posteriori defined dietary patterns and bone mineral density in adolescents

PURPOSE

Dietary pattern analysis may uncover the joint effects of multiple dietary components on bone health, but such research is scarce and targets mostly adults.

METHODS

We quantified prospective associations between dietary patterns and bone mineral density (BMD) in 1,007 adolescents of a cohort born in 1990 and recruited at schools in Porto during the 2003/2004 school year. Forearm BMD was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Participants' dietary patterns were classified "Healthier", "Dairy products", "Fast food and sweets" and "Lower intake" according to previously identified patterns obtained in a larger sample of 1,489 participants using the K-means method. Using dietary patterns at 13 years old as the main exposure, associations were estimated cross-sectionally (with BMD at the age of 13) and prospectively (with annual BMD variation between 13 and 17 years), using linear regression coefficients adjusted for height, weight, energy intake and, in girls, for menarche age.

RESULTS

No significant associations between the a posteriori dietary patterns identified and mean BMD at 13 were found. However, among girls, adherence to a pattern characterized by low intake of energy and all food groups was negatively associated with annual BMD variation between 13 and 17 years [adjusted coefficient (95 % CI) -0.451 (-0.827; -0.074) mg·cm⁻²·year⁻¹].

CONCLUSIONS

Although results showed that, in girls, adherence to a "Lower intake" dietary pattern is associated with lower annual BMD variation throughout adolescence, overall, there were no consistent associations between dietary patterns and forearm BMD in adolescents.

Changes in metabolic syndrome in American and Korean youth, 1997-2008

BACKGROUND

Metabolic syndrome (MetSyn) in children and adolescence is increasing worldwide; however, its pattern may be different between Asians and Americans. We compare the prevalence and patterns of MetSyn between American and Korean children and adolescents between roughly 1998 and 2007.

METHODS

Data from the American and Korean versions of the NHANES (NHANES and KNHANES) were used for this study. The main outcome is prevalence and pattern of MetSyn among participants separately in each country. In each survey, stratified multistage probability sampling designs and weighting adjustments were conducted to represent the entire population. The revised National Cholesterol Education Program criteria were used to define MetSyn.

RESULTS

Totals of 934, 1781, and 1690 Americans aged 12 to 19 participated in NHANES 1988-1994, NHANES 1999-2002, and NHANES 2003-2006, respectively; and 1225, 976, 705, and 456 Koreans aged 12 to 19 have participated in KNHANES 1998, 2001, 2005, and 2007. The age-adjusted prevalence of MetSyn in American NHANES decreased from 7.3% to 6.7% and 6.5%, whereas in Korean NHANES there was an increase from 4.0% to 5.9%, 6.6%, and 7.8% in each country's respective study. Increases in dyslipidemia and abdominal obesity contributed to the increased prevalence in Korea, whereas in the United States, decreases in low high-density lipoprotein cholesterolemia and high blood pressure contributed to a decreased prevalence.

CONCLUSIONS

Considering different phenotype changes, different approaches should be conducted at the national level to reduce the burden and consequences of MetSyn between Korea and the United States.

A milk and cereal dietary pattern is associated with a reduced likelihood of having a low bone mineral density of the lumbar spine in Korean adolescents

The traditional rice-based Korean diet has been changing toward a Western-style diet. This change has been especially rapid among adolescents. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between dietary patterns and bone health among Korean adolescents. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 196 adolescents aged 12 to 15 years. Information on the general characteristics of the subjects was obtained through a questionnaire, and dietary intake was assessed with 6-day food records. Bone mineral densities (BMDs) of the lumbar spine and femur were measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Dietary patterns were derived from 24 food groups using factor analysis. Four distinct dietary patterns-traditional Korean, fast food, milk and cereal, and snacks-were identified and accounted for 28.4% of the total variance. After adjusting for sex, age, body mass index percentiles, weight loss attempts, pubertal status, and regular exercise, the adolescents in the highest tertile of the "milk and cereal" dietary pattern score had significantly a reduced likelihood of having low BMD compared with those in the lowest tertile of this diet at the lumbar spine (odds ratio, 0.36; 95% confidence interval, 0.14-0.93; P = .0461). The other dietary patterns were not associated with the BMD of Korean adolescents. These results indicate that the intake of milk and cereal is important for the bone health of Korean adolescents, whose diets are composed mainly of grains and vegetables.

Dietary patterns of adolescents in Germany--associations with nutrient intake and other health related lifestyle characteristics

Background

The aim of this study was to identify dietary patterns among a representative sample of German adolescents and their associations with energy and nutrient intake, socioeconomic and lifestyle characteristics, and overweight status.

Methods

In the analysis, data from the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents were used. The survey included a comprehensive dietary history interview conducted among 1272 adolescents aged 12 to 17 years. Dietary patterns were determined with principal component analysis (PCA) based on 48 food groups, for boys and girls separately.

Results

Three dietary patterns among boys and two among girls were identified. Among boys, high adherence to the 'western' pattern was associated with higher age, lower socioeconomic status (SES), and lower physical activity level (PA). High adherence to the 'healthy' pattern among boys, but not among girls, was associated with higher SES, and higher PA. Among boys, high adherence to the 'traditional' pattern was associated with higher age. Among girls, high adherence to the 'traditional and western' pattern was associated with lower age, lower SES and more hours watching TV per day. The nutrient density of several vitamins and minerals, particularly of B-vitamins and calcium, increased with increasing scores of the 'healthy' pattern among both sexes. Conversely, with increasing scores of the 'western' pattern among boys, most nutrient densities decreased, particularly of fibre, beta-carotene, vitamin D, biotin and calcium. Among girls with higher scores of the 'traditional and western' pattern, nutrient densities of vitamin A, C, E, K and folate decreased. Among boys, high adherence to the 'traditional' pattern was correlated with higher densities of vitamin B₁₂ and vitamin D and lower densities of fibre, magnesium and iron. No significant associations between dietary patterns and overweight were found.

Conclusions

Higher scores for dietary patterns characterized by higher consumption of take away food, meat, confectionary and soft drinks ('western' and 'traditional and western') were found particularly among 16- to 17-years old boys and among adolescents with lower SES. These patterns were also associated with higher energy density, higher percent of energy from unsaturated fatty acids and lower percent of energy from carbohydrates as well as lower nutrient densities of several vitamins and minerals. Therefore, nutritional interventions should try to focus more on adolescents with lower SES and boys in general.

Dietary patterns are associated with physical growth among school girls aged 9-11 years

The purpose of this study was to identify dietary patterns among Korean elementary school girls based on the change in body mass index (BMI), body fat, bone mineral density (BMD), and bone mineral content (BMC) during 22 months and to explore the characteristics of dietary patterns identified. Girls aged 9-11 years were recruited and 3-day dietary data were collected four times. Subjects with a diet record of 8 or more days and anthropometric data measured at baseline and 22 months later were included (n = 198). Reduced rank regression was utilized to derive dietary patterns using a change in BMI, body fat, and calcaneus BMD and BMC as response variables. Two dietary patterns were identified: the "Egg and Rice" dietary pattern and "Fruit, Nuts, Milk Beverage, Egg, Grain" (FNMBEG) dietary pattern. Subjects who had high score on the FNMBEG pattern consumed various food groups, including fruits, nuts and seeds, and dairy products, whereas subjects in the "Egg and Rice" dietary pattern group did not. Both dietary patterns showed a positive association with change in BMI and body fat. However, subjects who had a higher score on the "Egg and Rice" dietary pattern had less of a BMC increase, whereas subjects who had a higher score on the FMBEG dietary pattern had more increased BMC over 22 months after adjusting for age, body and bone mass, and Tanner stage at baseline. Our results provide evidence that a well-balanced diet contributes to lean body mass growth among young girls.

Padrões alimentares de adolescentes na cidade de São Paulo

OBJETIVO: Identificar os padrões alimentares de adolescentes eutróficos e com excesso de peso. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal envolvendo 239 adolescentes de ambos os sexos, na faixa etária de 14 a 19 anos, alunos de uma escola pública da cidade de São Paulo, Brasil. Foram coletados dados antropométricos e registro alimentar de 4 dias. O estado nutricional foi avaliado pelo índice de massa corporal de acordo com os critérios de Must et al., e foi aplicada análise fatorial para a identificação dos padrões alimentares. RESULTADOS: Foram identificados quatro padrões alimentares: tradicional, urbano, saudável e junk food. O estado nutricional de eutrofia teve associação positiva com os padrões tradicional e urbano, o sobrepeso com os padrões saudável e junk food, e a obesidade associou-se negativamente com os padrões urbano, saudável e junk food. CONCLUSÃO: O padrão saudável foi encontrado entre os adolescentes com sobrepeso, evidenciando preocupação com o controle do peso e tentativa de mudança do hábito alimentar. Entre os obesos, a ocorrência do sub-relato provavelmente tenha influenciado o resultado das associações.

Padrões alimentares de adolescentes obesos e diferentes repercussões metabólicas

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a associação de padrões alimentares com alterações metabólicas em adolescentes obesos. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal envolvendo 76 estudantes (ambos os sexos, 14-19 anos, IMC³P95 e Tanner ³4) de escolas públicas da cidade de São Paulo, Brasil. Foram coletados dados antropométricos e bioquímicos, e aplicados questionários com informações sociodemográficas e registro alimentar de 4 dias, entre 2006 e 2007. Escores fatoriais foram obtidos na análise fatorial e, após ajustes, três padrões alimentares identificados foram associados a fatores de risco biológico por regressão linear múltipla. RESULTADOS: O padrão Tradicional (arroz e massas, feijões, carnes vermelhas, embutidos, óleos e doces) foi positivamente associado com insulina, glicemia e triglicérides e negativamente associado com lipoproteína de alta densidade. O padrão Em Transição (peixe, aves, ovos, pães, manteiga, leite e derivados, hortaliças, frutas, sucos de frutas e açúcar refinado) apresentou as mesmas associações, além de associação similar com a pressão arterial diastólica. O padrão Fast Food (cafeteria, hambúrguer, maionese, bolacha, bolos e tortas, chocolate e refrigerantes) apresentou associação positiva com o colesterol, lipoproteína de baixa densidade e pressão arterial sistólica e diastólica, e associação negativa com insulina e lipoproteína de alta densidade. CONCLUSÃO: Os padrões Tradicional e Em transição apresentaram associações diferentes com o metabolismo lipídico e glicídico quando comparados com o padrão Fast Food. Os três padrões podem ser considerados obesogênicos, porém o padrão Fast Food pareceu ser o mais aterogênico e promotor de hipertensão arterial.

Genome sequence of Lactobacillus animalis KCTC 3501

Lactobacillus animalis is one of the most prevalent lactic acid bacteria present during the manufacturing process of kimchi, the best-known traditional Korean dish. Here, we present the draft genome sequence of Lactobacillus animalis type strain KCTC 3501 (1,882,795 bp, with a G+C content of 41.1%), which consists of 7 scaffolds.

Genome sequence of Leuconostoc argentinum KCTC 3773

Leuconostoc argentinum is one of the most prevalent lactic acid bacteria present during the manufacturing process of kimchi, the best-known traditional Korean dish. Here, we present the draft genome sequence of type strain KCTC 3773 of Leuconostoc argentinum (1,720,683 bp, with a G+C content of 42.9%), which consists of 98 large contigs (>100 bp in size).

Application of quantitative real-time PCR for enumeration of total bacterial, archaeal, and yeast populations in kimchi

Kimchi is a Korean traditional fermented food made of brined vegetables, with a variety of spices. Various microorganisms are associated with the kimchi fermentation process. This study was undertaken in order to apply quantitative real-time PCR targeting the 16S and 26S rRNA genes for the investigation of dynamics of bacterial, archaeal, and yeast communities during fermentation of various types of kimchi. Although the total bacterial and archaeal rRNA gene copy numbers increased during kimchi fermentation, the number of yeasts was not significantly altered. In 1 ng of bulk DNA, the mean number of rRNA gene copies for all strains of bacteria was 5.45 x 10(6) which was 360 and 50 times greater than those for archaea and yeast, respectively. The total gene copy number for each group of microorganisms differed among the different types of kimchi, although the relative ratios among them were similar. The common dominance of bacteria in the whole microbial communities of various types of kimchi suggests that bacteria play a principal role in the kimchi fermentation process.

Dietary patterns of school-age children in Scotland: association with socio-economic indicators, physical activity and obesity

The Survey of Sugar Intake among Children in Scotland was carried out in May to September 2006. The present study aimed to identify dietary patterns in school-aged children from the survey and investigate associations with socio-economic factors, obesity and physical activity. Habitual diet was assessed using the Scottish Collaborative Group FFQ. Height and weight were measured by trained fieldworkers. A total of 1233 FFQ were available for analysis. Dietary patterns were identified by age (5-11 and 12-17 years) and sex using principal components analysis. Associations between factor scores and socio-economic status, education level of the main food provider, physical activity levels and BMI category (based on UK 1990 charts) were examined. Three dietary patterns were identified in each age and sex group. 'Healthier' patterns loading highly for fruit and vegetables were significantly associated with higher socio-economic status and higher education levels of the main food provider whereas more 'unhealthy' patterns ('snacks' and 'puddings') were associated with lower socio-economic status and lower education levels of the main food provider. There was no consistent association between dietary patterns and BMI group or time spent in physical activity. However, inactivity (screen time) was inversely associated with 'healthier' patterns in all age and sex groups and positively associated with 'puddings' and 'snacks' in girls aged 5-11 years. Clear dietary patterns can be identified in school-age children in Scotland, which are consistently related to socio-economic factors and inactivity. This has implications for targeting health promotion at subgroups in terms of lifestyle changes required.

Changes in metabolic syndrome of Korean children and adolescents in the period 1998 to 2001

The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence and pattern of metabolic syndrome in children and adolescents in the interval between the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (KNHANES) in 1998 and 2001. Two nationwide surveys (KNHANES) were conducted in Korea in 1998 and 2001. A stratified multistage probability sampling design was used to ensure representation of the entire Korean population. The National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATP III)-derived definition was used for the definition of metabolic syndrome. A total of 1763 (mean age+/-SD of 14.6+/-2.8 yr) and 1245 (14.1+/-2.8 yr) Korean children and adolescents in the age range 10-19 yr participated in the studies of 1998 and 2001, respectively. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in male children and adolescents increased significantly from 5.7% in 1998 to 9.0% in 2001. However, there was no increase in females (5.1% in 1998 and 4.9% in 2001). Of the 5 components of metabolic syndrome, low HDL-cholesterolemia showed the highest increase in males and females during the 3 yr. Hypertriglyceridemia increased next in both genders. In contrast, the proportion of female subjects meeting the fasting glucose criterion decreased over the same period. As dyslipidemia was the principal contributor to the increase in metabolic syndrome in Korean male children and adolescents during the 3 yr, a strategy of dietary pattern change and the encouragement of physical activity should be introduced to these groups at a national level.

Dietary patterns of adolescents and risk of obesity and hypertension

Increasingly, measures of dietary patterns have been used to capture the complex nature of dietary intake and investigate its association with health. Certain dietary patterns may be important in the prevention of chronic disease; however, there are few investigations in adolescents. The aim of this study was to describe the dietary patterns of adolescents and their associations with sociodemographic factors, nutrient intakes, and behavioral and health outcomes. Analysis was conducted using data collected in the 1995 Australian National Nutrition Survey of participants aged 12-18 y who completed a 108-item FFQ (n = 764). Dietary patterns were identified using factor analysis and associations with sociodemographic factors and behavioral and health outcomes investigated. Factor analysis revealed 3 dietary patterns labeled a fruit, salad, cereals, and fish pattern; a high fat and sugar pattern; and a vegetables pattern, which explained 11.9, 5.9, and 3.9% of the variation in food intakes, respectively. The high fat and sugar pattern was positively associated with being male (P < 0.001), the vegetables pattern was positively associated with rural region of residence (P = 0.004), and the fruit, salad, cereals, and fish pattern was inversely associated with age (P = 0.03). Dietary patterns were not associated with socioeconomic indicators. The fruit, salad, cereals, and fish pattern was inversely associated with diastolic blood pressure (P = 0.0025) after adjustment for age, sex, and physical activity in adolescents > or = 16 y. This study suggests that specific dietary patterns are already evident in adolescence and a dietary pattern rich in fruit, salad, cereals, and fish pattern may be associated with diastolic blood pressure in older adolescents.