Dietary vitamin a intake among Chinese adults: findings from CNTCS2015

Quality and Quantity of School Lunch in Nanjing: Based on Data from the Sunshine Restaurant Supervision Platform

School lunch plays an important role in children's healthy growth. Previous investigations revealed many problems with school lunches, including unreasonable dietary structure and insufficient micronutrients. This study aimed to assess the dietary structure and nutritional quality of lunches in Nanjing primary and middle schools. A stratified cluster random sampling method was used to select 44 schools that supply lunch in 12 districts in Nanjing, with two primary and two middle schools in each district. Twenty-four primary and twenty middle schools were selected. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to explore the influencing factors. Findings revealed a serious shortage of milk and fruit in school lunches; supply of eggs, fish, shrimp, and shellfish was less than half of the recommended quantity; livestock and poultry supply exceeded the recommended level by over four times. Energy and nutrition intake were suboptimal. Provision of energy, carbohydrates, vitamins (A, B1, B2, and C), calcium, and iron in urban primary schools was significantly higher than that in non-urban primary schools. The same pattern of significantly higher nutrients was equally seen in urban middle schools compared with non-urban middle schools, indicating that food supply was affected by regional economies. Therefore, it is urgent to improve the quality of lunches, with a particular focus on those in non-urban areas.

Ultra-high pressure treatment improve the content of characteristic aromatic components of melon juice from the view of physical changes

Introduction

The effectiveness of ultra-high pressure (UHP) technology in retaining the flavor of fresh fruit and vegetable juices has been acknowledged in recent years. Along with previously hypothesized conclusions, the improvement in melon juice flavor may be linked to the reduction of its surface tension through UHP.

Methods

In this paper, the particle size, free-water percentage, and related thermodynamic parameters of melon juice were evaluated in a physical point for a deeper insight.

Results

The results showed that the UHP treatment of P2-2 (200 MPa for 20 min) raised the free water percentage by 7,000 times than the other treatments and both the melting enthalpy, binding constant and Gibbs free energy of P2-2 were minimized. This significantly increased the volatility of characteristic aromatic compounds in melon juice, resulting in a 1.2-5 times increase in the content of aromatic compounds in the gas phase of the P2-2 group compared to fresh melon juice.

A nutrient-wide association study for the risk of cardiovascular disease in the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) and the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)

Evidence on the association between dietary nutrient-wide intake and cardiovascular disease (CVD) is inconclusive. Therefore, we systematically assessed the association between dietary intake of 29 nutrients and CVD risk using a nutrient-wide association study. Data were obtained from 7878 Chinese adults participating in the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) wave 2004-2015. We estimated the association of 29 nutrients with CVD risk. Significant findings were replicated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Four nutrients (selenium, vitamin A, carotenoids, and total protein) were significantly associated with CVD risk in the CHNS. The hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for nutrient intake in the third tertile compared to the first tertile were 0.68 (0.51-0.90), 0.70 (0.54-0.91), 0.64 (0.50-0.83), and 0.54 (0.38-0.77), respectively. In the NHANES replication, selenium maintained a similar direction and strength of association, while the other nutrients were not replicated successfully. Our results provide support for a negative association between selenium intake and CVD risk, while the association of vitamin A, carotenoids and protein with CVD warrants further studies to confirm.

Dietary vitamin A intake and its major food sources among rural pregnant women of South-West Bangladesh

The study aimed to estimate the dietary intake of vitamin A and its major food sources among rural pregnant women from the southwest region of Bangladesh. A multi-stage random cluster sampling method was used to select the respondents (N = 1012). A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect the data, and statistical analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS 20.0. The mean age of the respondents was 23.27 ± 5.23 years, and the majority were in their second (48%) and third trimester (49%). The mean dietary intake of vitamin A was 392 ± 566 μg Retinol Activity Equivalent (RAE)/day (51% of Recommended Dietary Allowance). The contribution of β-carotene (plant source) and retinol (animal source) in vitamin A intake was about 60% and 40%, respectively. The major β-carotene contributing food groups were vegetables (dark and light) and tubers, and food items were colocasia, potato, beans, brinjal, and ripe tomatoes. On the other hand, the major retinol-contributing food groups were fish, eggs, and milk, and food items were small fish, Rui (carp) fish, and cow's milk. It was also observed that the consumption of food items from β-carotene and retinol-contributing food groups did not differ significantly among the three groups of respondents, but the variations in the amount of the different food items consumed were significant. Dietary vitamin A intake is low among pregnant women in the South-West region of Bangladesh. Hence, they are at a greater risk of adverse materno-fetal health outcomes associated with vitamin A deficiency.

Temporal Trends in Incidence of Nutritional Deficiency among Older Adults in China: A Secondary Analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 1990-2019

Nutritional deficiency is prevalent among the elderly, and it is associated with many adverse health consequences. China is rapidly moving toward an aging society with a large population; however, evidence on the epidemiological trends in nutritional deficiency among the Chinese elderly is limited. Data on the incidence of nutritional deficiency among Chinese adults aged 65 years or above from 1990 to 2019 were extracted from the Global Burden of Disease 2019 database. We used the joinpoint regression method to estimate the average annual percentage change (AAPC) and to describe trend patterns. Age, period, and cohort effects were determined using age-period-cohort models. From 1990 to 2019, the incidence of vitamin A deficiency and iodine deficiency among Chinese older adults decreased from 1784.12 and 8.20 to 304.27 and 7.26 per 100,000, with AAPCs of -0.41 (-0.44, -0.38)% and -5.86 (-6.29, -5.43)%, respectively. A continually increasing trend was seen for incidence rates of protein-energy malnutrition, from 1342.02 to 2275.87 per 100,000 person-years, with an AAPC of 1.70 (1.40, 2.01)%. These trends were more pronounced among men than women. A strong age effect and birth cohort effect were present. Specifically, the population that was older or born later had a lower incidence of deficiencies in vitamin A and iodine but a higher incidence of protein-energy malnutrition. The results show a substantial reduction in vitamin A and iodine deficiencies among the Chinese elderly, and health policies and public awareness are needed to address the burden of protein-energy malnutrition in this population.

Intra-Individual Double Burden of Malnutrition among Adults in China: Evidence from the China Health and Nutrition Survey 2015

Few studies have focused on quantifying the double burden of malnutrition (DBM) phenomenon in China. We aimed to clarify the prevalence of DBM among Chinese adults as well as to examine whether usual daily dietary micronutrient status varies by body mass index (BMI) categories. In this study, a sample of 6602 adults aged 18-59 years from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) was analyzed. Information was obtained on dietary intake and anthropometric measurements. Dietary intakes of 11 micronutrients were estimated based on the data collected by three consecutive days of 24 h recalls combined with the weighing of household seasonings. Dietary micronutrient deficiency was defined according to the cutoff of the Chinese estimated average requirement (EARs). 44% of Chinese adults faced the problem of DBM, of which nearly 40% experienced overweight/obesity and micronutrient deficiency simultaneously. Comparable percentages (>50%) of Chinese adults had dietary intake less than the Chinese EARs for key micronutrients including retinol, thiamin, riboflavin, vitamin C, calcium, selenium, zinc, and magnesium, and the percentages varied by body weight status. More than 80% participants had at least two selected vitamin or mineral deficiencies in all BMI categories. These findings indicate that Chinese adults have a high DBM and micronutrient inadequacies prevail among and within gender and all BMI categories. All body weight groups need advice on the changing needs for dietary variety to ensure optimal health.

Dietary vitamin A intakes among pregnant women attending antenatal care in health facilities in Dessie Town, North East Ethiopia

BACKGROUND

Vitamin A plays an important role in vision, cellular differentiation, embryonic development, reproduction, growth and the immune system. Women who live in developing countries face a risk of undernutrition during pregnancy as a result of poverty, poor diet quality and quantity, and a high fertility rate. This poor dietary problem could reflect the high risk of vitamin A deficiency in women. The present study aimed to determine the adequacy of vitamin A among pregnant women following antenatal care in health facilities of Dessie Town, Ethiopia, January 2017.

METHODS

Health facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 390 women who attended antenatal care in Dessie Town. Food groups from the Food and Agriculture Organization based on 24-h dietary recall were used to measure dietary intake of vitamin A and dietary diversity of women. Adequacy of vitamin A was determined from the nutrient adequacy ratio after obtaining reports of nutrient intake from food composition tables version III and IV in terms of B carotene and retinol equivalent, respectively, based on the estimated average requirement recommendation of vitamin A, 370 retinol equivalent day^-1 for pregnant women. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify associated factors of vitamin A adequacy.

RESULTS

Adequacy of vitamin A among pregnant women was 41.8%, with an average nutrient adequacy ratio of 0.9. The mean dietary intake of vitamin A was 290.1 µg day^-1 . The predictors for adequacy of vitamin A were high and medium women diversity scores (adjusted odds ratio = 2.92; 95% confidence interval = 1.50-5.70) and (adjusted odds ratio = 1.87; 95% confidence interval = 1.11-3.16).

CONCLUSIONS

In the present study, adequacy of vitamin A was low and was affected by the dietary diversity score. A focus on food-based approaches, especially regarding educating pregnant women to diversify their diet, is crucial for reducing the risk of vitamin A deficiency. Vitamin A is crucial micronutrient for the health of women and fetus, being essential for morphological, ocular and functional developments, as well as fetal organ and skeletal growth. Its requirement is greater during pregnancy and its deficiencies lead to maternal and child mortality and development. The dietary intake of vitamin A among pregnant women remains below the current recommendation. Inadequate intake of vitamin A Pregnant women Heath facility Dessie, Ethiopia.

Association of plasma retinol levels with incident cancer risk in Chinese hypertensive adults: a nested case-control study

We aimed to investigate the association between plasma retinol and incident cancer among Chinese hypertensive adults. We conducted a nested case-control study, including 231 patients with incident cancer and 231 matched controls during a median 4·5-year follow-up of the China Stroke Primary Prevention Trial. There was a significant, inverse association between retinol levels and digestive system cancer (per 10 μg/dl increases: OR 0·79; 95 % CI 0·69, 0·91). When compared with participants in the first quartile of retinol (< 52·3 μg/dl), a significantly lower cancer risk was found in participants in quartile 2-4 ( ≥ 52·3 μg/dl: OR 0·31; 95 % CI 0·13, 0·71). However, there was a U-shaped association between retinol levels and non-digestive system cancers where the risk of cancers decreased (although not significantly) with each increment of plasma retinol (per 10 μg/dl increases: OR 0·89; 95 % CI 0·60, 1·31) in participants with retinol < 68·2 μg/dl, and then increased significantly with retinol (per 10 μg/dl increase: OR 1·65; 95 % CI 1·12, 2·44) in participants with retinol ≥ 68·2 μg/dl. In conclusion, there was a significant inverse dose-response association between plasma retinol and the risk of digestive system cancers. However, a U-shaped association was observed between plasma retinol and the risk of non-digestive cancers (with a turning point approximately 68·2 μg/dl).

Plasma retinol and the risk of first stroke in hypertensive adults: a nested case-control study

Background

Identification of novel risk factors is needed to further lower stroke risk. Data concerning the association between plasma retinol concentrations and the risk of stroke are limited.

Objectives

We aimed to evaluate the effect of plasma retinol on the risk of first stroke and to examine any possible effect modifiers in hypertensive patients.

Methods

The study sample population was drawn from the China Stroke Primary Prevention Trial (CSPPT), using a nested case-control design, including 620 cases with first stroke and 620 matched controls. In the CSPPT, a total of 20,702 hypertensive patients were randomly assigned to a double-blind, daily treatment with either 10 mg enalapril and 0.8 mg folic acid or 10 mg enalapril alone. The median treatment duration was 4.5 y.

Results

There was a significant inverse association between plasma retinol and the risk of first stroke (per 10-μg/dL increment; OR: 0.92; 95% CI: 0.86, 0.97) and first ischemic stroke (OR: 0.92; 95% CI: 0.86, 0.98). When retinol was assessed as quartiles, significantly lower risks of first stroke (OR: 0.64; 95% CI: 0.46, 0.88) and first ischemic stroke (OR: 0.67; 95% CI: 0.46, 0.96) were found in participants in quartiles 2-4 compared with those in quartile 1. Furthermore, a stronger inverse association between plasma retinol and first stroke was observed in participants with baseline total homocysteine (<10 compared with ≥10 μmol/L; P-interaction = 0.049). However, plasma retinol had no significant effect on first hemorrhagic stroke (per 10-μg/dL increment; OR: 0.98; 95% CI: 0.79, 1.18).

Conclusions

Our data showed a significant inverse association between plasma retinol and the risk of first stroke among Chinese hypertensive adults. This study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00794885.