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

Alpine junior world ski championship: nutritional habits and performance in elite skiers

BACKGROUND

Young athletes need to consume an appropriate diet in order to maintain health and optimize growth and athletic performance. We evaluated nutritional habits of junior elite skiers.

METHODS

Alpine junior elite skiers (N.=68; 42 males and 26 females; age range 16-20 years) coming from 20 countries were recruited during the Alpine Junior World Ski Championship, Roccaraso, Italy. Nutritional habits were assessed using a 3-day food record and the NHANES Food Frequency Questionnaire. Data were compared with nutritional recommendations and Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) for athletes.

RESULTS

During the training period, the energy intake in both males and females was significantly lower with respect to estimated energy needs. Carbohydrate intake expressed in terms of grams per kilogram of body weight did not meet the RDAs in both groups (4.19 and 5.15 g/kg in males and females, respectively). Protein and fat consumption exceeded the RDAs with a protein intake of 2.34 g/kg in males and 2.10 g/kg in females, and a fat intake >35% of total daily calories. During competition days, both males and females increased carbohydrate intake to 6.23 and 8.11 g/kg respectively, reaching the RDAs. Protein intake increased to 2.56 and 3.14 g/kg in males and females, respectively, and fat intake slightly decreased, still exceeding the RDAs.

CONCLUSIONS

Junior elite skiers reported a low intake of carbohydrates and a high intake of protein and fat. Nutritional counselling should be given to athletes to maintain their health and improve their physical performance.

Zinc Supplementation Increases Procollagen Type 1 Amino-Terminal Propeptide in Premenarcheal Girls: A Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Data have shown that healthy children and adolescents have an inadequate intake of zinc, an essential nutrient for growth. It is unclear whether zinc supplementation can enhance bone health during this rapid period of growth and development.

OBJECTIVE

The primary aim of this study was to determine the effect of zinc supplementation on biochemical markers of bone turnover and growth in girls entering the early stages of puberty. The secondary aim was to test moderation by race, body mass index (BMI) classification, and plasma zinc status at baseline.

METHODS

One hundred forty seven girls aged 9-11 y (46% black) were randomly assigned to a daily oral zinc tablet (9 mg elemental zinc; n = 75) or an identical placebo (n = 72) for 4 wk. Fasting plasma zinc, procollagen type 1 amino-terminal propeptide (P1NP; a bone formation marker), carboxy-terminal telopeptide region of type 1 collagen (ICTP; a bone resorption marker), and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) were assessed at baseline and post-test. Additional markers of bone formation (osteocalcin) and resorption (urinary pyridinoline and deoxypyridinoline) were also measured.

RESULTS

Four weeks of zinc supplementation increased plasma zinc concentrations compared with placebo [mean change, 1.8 μmol/L (95% CI: 1.0, 2.6) compared with 0.2 μmol/L (95% CI: -0.3, 0.7); P < 0.01]. Zinc supplementation also increased serum P1NP concentrations compared with placebo [mean change, 23.8 μmol/L (95% CI: -14.9, 62.5) compared with -31.0 μmol/L (95% CI: -66.4, 4.2); P = 0.04). There was no effect from zinc supplementation on osteocalcin, ICTP, pyridinoline, deoxypyridinoline, or IGF-I. There was no moderation by race, BMI classification, or plasma zinc status at baseline.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that 4 wk of zinc supplementation increases bone formation in premenarcheal girls. Further studies are needed to determine whether supplemental zinc can improve childhood bone strength. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01892098.

[Estimate of corrected values and the effect of correction for measurement error in dietary data obtained by the Food Frequency Questionnaire for Adolescents (AFFQ)]

The scope of this study was to estimate calibrated values for dietary data obtained by the Food Frequency Questionnaire for Adolescents (FFQA) and illustrate the effect of this approach on food consumption data. The adolescents were assessed on two occasions, with an average interval of twelve months. In 2004, 393 adolescents participated, and 289 were then reassessed in 2005. Dietary data obtained by the FFQA were calibrated using the regression coefficients estimated from the average of two 24-hour recalls (24HR) of the subsample. The calibrated values were similar to the the 24HR reference measurement in the subsample. In 2004 and 2005 a significant difference was observed between the average consumption levels of the FFQA before and after calibration for all nutrients. With the use of calibrated data the proportion of schoolchildren who had fiber intake below the recommended level increased. Therefore, it is seen that calibrated data can be used to obtain adjusted associations due to reclassification of subjects within the predetermined categories.

Some Canadian-grown potato cultivars contribute to a substantial content of essential dietary minerals

Potato consumption provides significant dietary contributions to several essential minerals, but the effects of cultivar and planting site are not well-understood. The mineral content of 16 cultivars, grown at 5 locations, was measured using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy and evaluated on a per serving basis for percent recommended daily intake (% RDI), emphasizing some minerals where global deficiencies are common (calcium, iron, selenium, and zinc). Discriminant analysis showed that both genotype and growing location were important. Differences in mineral content occurred between cultivars at each site, specific cultivars at different sites, and collectively between sites. 'Freedom', 'Yukon Gold', and particularly the very stable mineral source 'Russet Burbank' contributed most to the % RDI for minerals. One serving per day of these cultivars provides a significant contribution to the % RDI for the macrominerals magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium and the trace minerals copper, iron, selenium, and zinc.

Beta glucan: health benefits in obesity and metabolic syndrome

Despite the lack of international agreement regarding the definition and classification of fiber, there is established evidence on the role of dietary fibers in obesity and metabolic syndrome. Beta glucan (β-glucan) is a soluble fiber readily available from oat and barley grains that has been gaining interest due to its multiple functional and bioactive properties. Its beneficial role in insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and obesity is being continuously documented. The fermentability of β-glucans and their ability to form highly viscous solutions in the human gut may constitute the basis of their health benefits. Consequently, the applicability of β-glucan as a food ingredient is being widely considered with the dual purposes of increasing the fiber content of food products and enhancing their health properties. Therefore, this paper explores the role of β-glucans in the prevention and treatment of characteristics of the metabolic syndrome, their underlying mechanisms of action, and their potential in food applications.

Use of vitamin and mineral supplements among Canadian adults

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the prevalence and determinants of use of vitamin and mineral supplements among adult Canadians.

METHODS

Data from adult respondents of the Canadian Community Health Survey Cycle (CCHS) 2.2 were used. Participants were asked about their use of vitamin and mineral supplements in the month prior to being surveyed. The prevalence of vitamin and mineral supplement use was compared across various socio-demographic and lifestyle factors. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess determinants of supplement use.

RESULTS

In the month prior to the interview, 40.1% of adult Canadians took supplements. In the fully adjusted model, females of all ages were more likely to be users than males 19-30 years. Physical activity, fruit/vegetable consumption, and higher levels of household education and income were positively related to supplement use.

CONCLUSIONS

A substantial proportion of adult Canadians take vitamin and mineral supplements. The use was more prevalent among those with healthier lifestyles and of socio-economically advantaged backgrounds. Further investigation is needed to reveal the impact of supplements on nutrient adequacy and health.

Ready-to-Eat Cereal Breakfasts Are Associated with Improved Nutrient Intake and Dietary Adequacy but Not Body Mass Index in Black Adolescents

The goal of this study was to determine whether nutrient intake, dietary adequacy, and weight status were associated with type of breakfast consumption: skipping breakfast, consuming ready-to-eat cereal (RTEC) at breakfast, or consuming other types of foods at breakfast. Data from black adolescents 13 to 18 years of age (n = 988) participating in the 1999-2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were used in a secondary data analysis. Thirty-seven percent of black adolescents skipped breakfast, 19% consumed RTEC at breakfast, and 44% consumed other breakfasts. RTEC breakfast and other breakfast consumers had higher mean energy intakes than breakfast skippers (P ≤ .05). After adjusting for gender and energy intake, RTEC breakfast consumers had higher intakes of thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folate, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, zinc, potassium, and vitamins A, B6, and B12 than breakfast skippers and other breakfast consumers (P ≤ .05). RTEC breakfast consumers had the highest mean adequacy ratio, followed by other breakfast consumers, then breakfast skippers (P ≤ .05). Those consuming RTEC at breakfast had lower mean body mass index (P ≤ .05) and waist circumference (P ≤ .05) than breakfast skippers; however, there was no difference between those consuming RTEC and other breakfasts. If confirmed in prospective studies, consuming a breakfast meal with RTEC may be a useful strategy to encourage in black adolescents as a way to improve nutrient intake and dietary adequacy without increasing weight.

Assessment of nutrient and water intake among adolescents from sports federations in the Federal District, Brazil

Adolescents aged 11-14 years (n 326), belonging to organized sports federations in the Federal District, Brazil were interviewed. Subjects (n 107) provided four non-consecutive days of food consumption and 219 subjects provided two non-consecutive days of intake. The objective was to assess their nutrient and water intake according to dietary reference intake values and their energy and macronutrient intake by sex and sports groups they were engaged in: endurance, strength-skill or mixed, according to the guidelines established by the American College of Sport Medicine (ACSM). Dietary data were corrected for intra-individual variation. Total energy expenditure was higher among endurance athletes (P < 0.001) following their higher training time (P < 0.001) when compared to adolescents engaged in strength-skill or mixed sports. Total energy intake was only significantly higher among endurance-engaged females (P = 0.05). Protein intake of males was above the guidelines established by the ACSM for all sports groups. All male sport groups fulfilled the intake levels of carbohydrate per kg body weight but only females engaged in endurance sports fulfilled carbohydrate guidelines. Intakes of micronutrients with low prevalence of adequate intake were: vitamins B1, E and folate, magnesium and phosphorus. Few adolescents ( < 5 %) presented adequate intake for calcium, fibre, drinking water and beverages. For micronutrients, prevalence of adequacies were lower for females than males, except for liquids and water. Nutrition guidance is needed to help adolescents fulfil specific guidelines of macronutrient intake for their sports and to improve their intake of micronutrients and water. Special attention should be given to female adolescent athletes.