Nutrient patterns and nutritional adequacy among French-Canadian children in Montreal

Dietary intakes, sources, and determinants of free sugars amongst Lebanese children and adolescents: findings from two national surveys

PURPOSE

To determine the intake levels, dietary sources, and determinants of free sugars (FS) consumption amongst Lebanese children and adolescents.

METHODS

This study is based on data collected by two national cross-sectional surveys conducted on representative samples of Lebanese children: survey 1 (under-five years (U5) children) (n = 899) and survey 2 (5-18 years-old children) (n = 1133). Multi-component questionnaires were used for data collection. Dietary intakes were assessed using one 24 h dietary recall. Median daily intakes of FS, and percent contribution of various food groups to FS intake were compared between sex and age groups. Logistic regressions were conducted to explore the determinants of high FS intake (> 10% energy intake/d), as per the WHO recommendations.

RESULTS

Median contribution of FS to daily energy intake was 8.5% in U5 children and 11.9% amongst those aged 5-18 years old. The top contributors to FS in both surveys were sugar-sweetened beverages and biscuits and chocolates. The proportion of children and adolescents exceeding WHO upper limits for FS was estimated at 43 and 62% in survey 1 and survey 2, respectively. Regression models showed females, higher household monthly incomes and higher parental educational levels were associated with significantly lower odds of exceeding the WHO upper limit for FS.

CONCLUSION

The study showed that a high proportion of Lebanese children and adolescents exceeded the WHO upper limit for FS intake, while also documenting a socioeconomic gradient in FS intake. Findings call for devising food system-based interventions to help reduce FS intake in this nutritionally vulnerable age group.

Dietary sources of sugars in adolescents' diet: the HELENA study

OBJECTIVE

To report dietary sugars consumption and their different types and food sources, in European adolescents.

METHODS

Food consumption data of selected groups were obtained from 1630 adolescents (45.6% males, 12.5-17.5 years) from the HELENA study using two nonconsecutive 24-h recalls. Energy intake, total sugars and free sugars were assessed using the HELENA-DIAT software. Multiple regression analyses were performed adjusting for relevant confounders.

RESULTS

Total sugars intake (137.5 g/day) represented 23.6% and free sugars (110.1 g/day), 19% of energy intake. Girls had significantly lower intakes of energy, carbohydrates, total sugars and free sugars. 94% of adolescents had a consumption of free sugars above 10% of total energy intake. The main food contributor to free sugars was 'carbonated, soft and isotonic drinks,' followed by 'non-chocolate confectionary' and 'sugar, honey, jam and syrup.' Older boys and girls had significantly higher intakes of free sugars from 'cakes, pies and biscuits.' Free sugars intake was negatively associated with low socioeconomic status for 'non-chocolate confectionary' and 'sugar, honey and jam' groups; with low maternal educational level for carbonated and 'soft drinks,' 'sugar, honey and jam,' 'cakes and pies' and 'breakfast cereals' groups; and with high paternal educational level for 'carbonated and soft drinks' and 'chocolates' group.

CONCLUSIONS

The majority (94%) of studied adolescents consumed free sugars above 10% of daily energy intake. Our data indicate a broad variety in foods providing free sugars. Continued efforts are required at different levels to reduce the intake of free sugars, especially in families with a low educational level.

The Domestic Foodscapes of Young Low-Income Women in Montreal: Cooking Practices in the Context of an Increasingly Processed Food Supply

Over the course of the past century, the quantity of prepackaged, pre-prepared foods available in the North American context has increased dramatically. This study examines the shifts in food practices that are taking place through an exploration of the day-to-day cooking practices of a group of young, low-income women in Montreal and considers how these contribute to health problems such as obesity and nutritional deficiencies in addition to health inequalities within populations. The participatory study uses data from five focus groups with a total of 22 participants to contribute to our understanding of how social and physical food environments (the “foodscape”) shape daily food and cooking practices. Aspects of these environments that were discussed include household roles and responsibilities that require complex management, personal food choice and skill, as well as health, learning, and access to food.

Evaluation of Energy, Nutrient and Dietary Fiber Intakes of Adolescent Males

OBJECTIVE

The minimal data available on the current energy, nutrient and dietary fiber intakes of adolescent males challenges the development of effective nutrition education programs. There is a need for research into the current intakes of adolescent males and in particular their relation to the current Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs). The primary objective of this study was to assess the diet of adolescent males and relate energy, nutrient and dietary fiber intakes to the DRIs. Secondary objectives were to relate energy, macronutrient and dietary fiber intakes to body mass index (BMI)-for-age percentile categories as well as to explore vitamin/mineral supplement use and soft drink consumption.

METHODS

Three-day food records were completed by 180 healthy adolescent males for analysis of energy, nutrient and dietary fiber intakes from food and supplements. Following adjustment for intra-individual variability, nutrient intake percentile distributions were related to the DRIs. Energy, macronutrient and dietary fiber intakes were compared among BMI-for-age percentile categories and diets were evaluated for vitamin/mineral supplement use and soft drink consumption.

RESULTS

Median intakes for percent energy from carbohydrate, fat and protein were within the Accepted Macronutrient Distribution Ranges. Intakes of micronutrients with Estimated Average Requirement values indicated that greater than 50% of subjects consumed inadequate amounts of vitamin A and vitamin B6, and greater than 75% of subjects consumed inadequate amounts of magnesium, phosphorus and zinc. Subjects classified as overweight had significantly lower energy and carbohydrate intakes compared with subjects classified as having an acceptable body weight. The prevalence of vitamin/mineral supplement use was 16.1% and 67% of subjects reported daily consumption of soft drinks.

CONCLUSION

Results of this study reveal that adolescent males are consuming the recommended amounts of macronutrients but may be at risk for consuming inadequate levels of specific micronutrients. Nutrition education programs should consider targeting select micronutrients to improve nutritional intakes of adolescent males.

Changes in consumption of sugars by English adolescents over 20 years

OBJECTIVE

Dietary surveys of 11- to 12-year-old Northumbrian children in 1980 and 1990 revealed that consumption of non-milk extrinsic sugars (NMES) was 16-17% of energy intake. This study reports dietary sugars consumption in 2000 and compares it with data collected in 1980 and 1990, using identical methods.

DESIGN

A repeat cross-sectional dietary survey of children aged 1-12 years attending the same schools as in the 1980 and 1990 surveys.

SETTING

Seven middle schools in south Northumberland.

SUBJECTS

All children aged 11-12 years old attending the seven schools.

METHOD

Food consumption was recorded using two 3-day diet diaries. Food composition tables were used to calculate energy and nutrient intakes. NMES, and milk and intrinsic sugars were calculated using previously described methods.

RESULTS

The numbers of children completing the surveys in 1980, 1990 and 2000 were 405, 379 and 424, respectively; approximately 60-70% of eligible children. Total sugars provided 22% of energy consistently over the three surveys. NMES consumption in 2000 provided 16% of energy compared with 16% in 1980 and 17% in 1990. Sources of NMES changed over the three surveys. NMES from soft drinks doubled from 15 to 31 g day(-1), and from breakfast cereals increased from 2 to 7 g day(-1) over the 20 years. Confectionery and soft drinks provided 61% of NMES. Over 20 years, the proportion of energy from fat decreased by 5% and from starch increased by 4%, creating a welcome tilt in the fat-starch see-saw, without an adverse effect on sugars intake.

CONCLUSIONS

Consumption of NMES in 2000 was substantially higher than recommended, and there has been little change over 20 years. Continued and coordinated efforts are required at a national, community and individual level to reduce the intake of NMES.

Nutrient Inadequacy in Obese and Non-Obese Youth

Purpose: In this study, the Dietary Reference Intake standards were used to evaluate the prevalence of inadequate intakes of micronutrients in obese and non-obese youth.

Methods: Dietary intake was analyzed with a dietary history taken by a registered dietitian. The obese group (n=156) had a body mass index (BMI) above the 95th percentile for age and sex. The non-obese group (n=90) was between the tenth and 85th BMI percentiles.

Results: In the obese subjects, the prevalence of inadequate intakes was 81% for vitamin E and 27% for magnesium; the proportions with intakes below the Adequate Intakes (AIs) for calcium and vitamin D were 55% and 46%, respectively. The obese children consumed 124% of estimated need for energy, 32% of which came from fat. The non-obese had a similar prevalence of inadequate intakes (vitamin E, 93%; magnesium, 29%; calcium, 51%; vitamin D, 44%). They consumed 107% of estimated need for energy, and 31% of energy came from fat. For both groups, all other nutrient intakes were adequate.

Conclusions: Even though children may consume an excess of energy, they may not be meeting all of their micronutrient needs.

Adolescents' food habits: results of the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children survey

The present study describes food habits in adolescents in thirty-five countries and regions (European countries/regions, Israel, Canada and the USA), based on the food-frequency questions from the cross-sectional Health Behaviour in School-aged Children survey of the year 2001-2. A total of 162,305 pupils of 11, 13 or 15 years of age completed an anonymous standardised questionnaire on health and lifestyle factors during one school hour. Large differences in food habits between countries were found: the consumption frequency of fruit varied from on average 2.8 to 5 d/week, the consumption of vegetables varied from on average 2.4 to 5.5 d/week, the consumption of soft drinks varied from 2.1 to 5 d/week and sweet consumption from 2.6 to 5 d/week. Methodological problems in comparing between countries are discussed. Nonetheless, the results indicate a need for national and international health promotion programmes to improve adolescents' food habits.

Estado nutricional e consumo alimentar de adolescentes de um centro de juventude da cidade de São Paulo

Foram avaliados o estado nutricional e o consumo alimentar de 153 adolescentes dos sexos masculino e feminino, com média de idade de 11,90 ± 1,26 anos, de baixo nível socioeconômico, matriculados em um Centro de Juventude da cidade de São Paulo. Para a classificação do estado nutricional foram utilizados como pontos de corte os percentis da distribuição de Índice de Massa Corporal por idade e sexo. Aplicou-se recordatório de 24 horas, com auxílio do álbum de registros fotográficos, para estimar o consumo alimentar. Calculou-se o Índice de Qualidade Nutricional para cálcio e ferro. As médias dos valores de energia, proteína, carboidrato, lipídios, cálcio, ferro e colesterol foram de 1953kcal, 69g, 264g, 69g, 517mg, 10mg e 329mg, respectivamente. Com relação ao estado nutricional, 78,4% dos adolescentes encontravam-se na faixa de normalidade, 11,8% apresentavam risco de sobrepeso, 7,8% estavam com sobrepeso e 2,0% tinham baixo peso. Detectou-se consumo insuficiente de cálcio, especialmente entre as meninas (98,4%), que também apresentaram maior proporção de qualidade da dieta "pobre" e "regular" em ferro (73,8%).

Altered lipid profile, lipoprotein composition, and oxidant and antioxidant status in pediatric Crohn disease

BACKGROUND

Growing evidence supports a role for peroxidation in the pathogenesis of Crohn disease (CD). The activation of inflammatory cells, the release of their mediators, and the excessive production of free radicals may affect circulating lipids.

OBJECTIVE

We examined the lipid profile, lipoprotein composition, and oxidant-antioxidant status of children with CD.

DESIGN

We studied 22 pediatric CD patients and 10 healthy control subjects.

RESULTS

The proportion of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids in plasma of CD patients was higher but that of polyunsaturated fatty acids was lower than in control subjects. This resulted in higher ratios in CD patients of palmitoleic acid to linoleic acid (P < 0. 05) and of eicosatrienoic acid to arachidonic acid (P < 0.04), 2 established indexes of essential fatty acid deficiency. Hypocholesterolemia was noted in CD patients as a result of lower LDL-cholesterol concentrations than in control subjects (P < 0.02). Plasma apolipoproteins B (P < 0.02) and A-I (P < 0.02) were also lower in CD patients, whereas plasma triacylglycerols were higher (P < 0.005). Lipoprotein composition was altered in CD patients, with relative triacylglycerol depletion and protein enrichment in VLDL. In contrast, intermediate-density lipoprotein of CD patients was characterized by an increased percentage of triacylglycerol and protein (P < 0.005) and a reduced proportion of phospholipids (P < 0. 01). Additional abnormalities were observed in the chemical distribution of HDL(2) and HDL(3) moieties. Lipid peroxidation was documented by higher plasma malondialdehyde concentrations in CD patients (P < 0.05), accompanied by lower retinol concentrations (P < 0.02).

CONCLUSION

Disturbances in the lipid profile, in lipoprotein concentrations and composition, and in oxidant-antioxidant status occur in CD patients.

Nutritional factors and colon carcinoma: a case-control study involving French Canadians in Montréal, Quebec, Canada

BACKGROUND

In a population-based case-control study of colon carcinoma and nutrition involving the francophone community in Greater Montreal, a total of 402 cases (200 males and 202 females) and 668 controls (239 males and 429 females) were interviewed.

METHODS

Cases from 1989-1993 were identified through the admission offices of 5 major francophone teaching hospitals in Montreal and were ages 35-79 years. Controls matched by age, place of residence, and language were selected by a modified random digit dialing method. Information on dietary intake was collected with a quantitative food frequency questionnaire.

RESULTS

No associations were evident between colon carcinoma and total energy, protein, or carbohydrate consumption, whereas a suggestive inverse association was found with total fat intake, with an odds ratio (OR) of 0.78 (P = 0.0637), and with saturated fat intake as well (OR = 0.71, P = 0.0893). A strongly significant inverse association was found with dietary fiber (OR = 0.50, P = 0.0018). The strongest inverse association concerning fiber was found with fiber from vegetable sources (OR = 0.57, P = 0.0096), and a suggestive (although nonsignificant) inverse association (OR = 0.74, P = 0.0687) was found with fiber from fruits. Calcium was inversely associated with risk (OR = 0.69, P = 0.0411), as was dietary intake of vitamin A (OR = 0.67, P = 0.0162), retinol, (OR = 0.069, P = 0.0409), vitamin E (OR = 0.53, P = 0.0028), and alphatocopherol (OR = 0.63, P = 0.0256). Although there was no association demonstrated between dietary beta-carotene intake and risk, a suggestive (although nonsignificant) inverse association with intake of other types of carotene was observed (OR = 0.76, P = 0.0740). No association was found between intake of other nutrients investigated in this study and risk of colon carcinoma.

CONCLUSIONS

There is strong evidence from epidemiologic studies that high intake of fat and meat are risk factors for colorectal carcinoma in humans, whereas high intake of vegetable and fruit are inversely associated with risk of colon carcinoma. The findings from this study are in agreement with this observation.

Nutrient patterns, nutritional adequacy, and comparisons with nutrition recommendations among French-Canadian adults in Montreal

OBJECTIVES

A survey was carried out in 1988-89 among French Canadians in Montreal, to provide data on food habits, dietary intakes and sociodemographic factors.

METHODS

Interviewer-administered questionnaires and 7-day food records (7D-FR) were used to gather data.

RESULTS

Some 1,450 individuals (in 845 families) were studied. Complete 7D-FR and sociodemographic data were obtained from 182 children aged 5-18 (44.8% males), and 614 adults aged 19 and over (40.1% males). Most adult respondents greatly surpassed their age-sex specific Canadian Recommended Nutrient Intakes (RNIs), except for low mean energy intakes in women aged 75 years and over (on average, 1477 kcal), and marginally lower than recommended mean calcium consumption, again in the oldest age group (particularly men). Protein furnished 16 to 17% of energy, relative fat intake varied from 34% of energy among the oldest subjects to 38% in 25 to 49 year old women (overall average, 36%). Only 15.3% of respondents consumed < or = 30% relative fat intake; most (66%) were female. Carbohydrate ranged from 45 to 49% (51%) among males and females, respectively. The oldest age group had the highest relative intake of carbohydrates. Saturated fat was 13 to 14% of energy, and the mean P:S ratio was low (.30 to .37). Some respondents had insufficient intakes relative to their RNIs, notably for energy (6.5% of the whole sample; of these, 52.5% were male) and calcium (22.5%; 69.6% females). Contingency table analysis showed this was most evident among participants of low income and education levels, smokers, and female non-smokers.

CONCLUSIONS

French Canadian Montreal adults don't meet the Nutrition Recommendations for Canadians with respect to lowering fat and saturated fat, and increasing complex carbohydrate intakes. Attention should be directed to ensuring adequate consumption of calcium-rich foods, particularly among women in susceptible stages of the lifecycle. Although average alcohol intakes appeared low, some individuals reported high levels of consumption of beer, wine or spirits which suggests the need for further investigation of population alcohol intakes and their effect on dietary choices and nutritional adequacy.