Seasonal effect on nutrient intake in adults living in Southern Brazil

Seasonal variation in the intake of food groups and nutrients in Japan: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Seasonal variations could systematically bias dietary intakes. This systematic review aimed to determine seasonal variations in dietary intake among Japanese adults.Methods PubMed and Ichushi-Web databases were searched for studies reporting seasonal intakes of nutrients or food groups assessed by dietary records or 24-hour recalls. The protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42022356084).Results Ten studies (eight studies on 1-31 nutrients and four on 2-15 food groups) met the inclusion criteria. Six studies included both sexes, whereas four investigated only females. The number of participants ranged from 25 to 459, and the number of dietary survey days in each season ranged from 1 to 14. For most nutrient and food groups, the reported seasonal variations were inconsistent across studies. The meta-analyses comparing differences in mean intakes between two seasons showed no significant differences in all comparisons or differences in only one comparison for most nutrients and food groups. Significant seasonal differences were observed for vegetables, fruits, and potatoes in five out of six comparisons, though the heterogeneity was high. Their biggest differences were as follows: 101 g/day more vegetable intake in summer than spring, 60 g/day more fruit intake in fall than spring, and 20.1 g/day more potato intake in fall than spring.Conclusion Reported seasonal variations were inconsistent across studies for most food groups and nutrients. Relatively distinct seasonal differences in mean intakes were observed for vegetables, fruits, and potatoes in meta-analyses. However, these results must be interpreted cautiously because of the high heterogeneity and limited representativeness.

Seasonal and Regional Differences in Eating Times in a Representative Sample of the Brazilian Population

Human food intake and its timing are a complex behavior that can be influenced by a variety of factors, some of which may vary from season to season or from region to region. In this study, our aim was to investigate the seasonal variation in food intake times, with a particular focus on how these may vary across different regions of a country. We conducted an analysis of data from 20,622 adults from the National Household Budget Survey (POF-IBGE), encompassing complete food diaries collected from individuals residing in Brazil, and thereby ensuring representation across different latitudes. Each participant's daily food intake was reported for two non-consecutive days at different times in the same week using food diaries. An ANOVA revealed a later food intake time in the evening in high-latitude regions compared to low-latitude regions. The Sidak post-hoc test showed a significant interaction effect between region and season, demonstrating a pattern of early First Intake Time and Eating Midpoint in the Northeast region during spring/summer. Additionally, we observed an independent effect of the region, as early food intake times were found in low-latitude regions. These findings offer a basis for discussing food intake times among individuals living in different regions located on distinct latitudes.

Seasonality, food security, diet quality and nutritional status in urban poor adolescents in Malaysia

Seasonality was shown to have an effect on food availability and accessibility, increasing the risk of food insecurity and causing poor diet quality and malnutrition. Therefore, this study aimed to determine seasonal effects on household food security status, diet quality, and nutritional status of urban poor adolescents in Malaysia. A cohort study was conducted among 164 adolescents aged 10-17 from 12 People Housing Programme in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia during the Northeast (November 2021 till March 2022) and Southwest (June 2022 till September 2022) monsoon. Household food security status was measured using the 18-item USDA Household Food Security Survey Module. Dietary intake was determined using a two-days 24-h dietary recall and translated into Standardized Malaysian Healthy Eating Index (S-MHEI). Anthropometric and haemoglobin level measurements were performed to determine nutritional status. Seasonality was found to have a significant effect on overall diet quality (p = 0.021), food groups such as fish (p < 0.001), meat/poultry/eggs (p = 0.003), and legumes/nuts (p < 0.001), and fat nutrient (p = 0.037) as well as anaemia status (p = 0.020) after controlling the confounders. Although food security did not vary with seasons, seasonality affected the consumption of certain food groups as well as anaemia status for urban poor adolescents. Seasonally sensitive nutrition initiatives should be developed to ensure diet adherence to recommendations, ultimately enhancing the diet quality of urban poor adolescents.

Factors explaining seasonal variation in energy intake: a review

Maintaining a balance between energy intake and expenditure is crucial for overall health. There are seasonal variations in energy intake, with an increase during spring and winter as well as a decrease during summer. These variations are related to a combination of environmental factors, including changes in temperature and daylight hours; social factors, including events and holidays; and physiological factors, including changes in physical activity and emotions. Accordingly, this review aimed to summarize the environmental, social, and physiological factors that contribute to seasonal variations in energy intake. A review of the current literature revealed that changes in temperature and daylight hours may affect eating behavior by altering homeostatic responses and appetite-related hormones. Additionally, increased participation in events and frequency of eating out, especially during winter vacations, may contribute to increased energy intake. Notably, these findings may not be generalisable to all populations since environmental and social factors can vary significantly depending on the local climatic zones and cultural backgrounds. The findings of the present review indicate that seasonal climate, events, and associated hormonal changes should be taken into account in order to maintain adequate energy intake throughout the year.

Development, Validation, and Reproducibility of Food Group-Based Frequency Questionnaires for Clinical Use in Brazil: A Pre-Hypertension and Hypertension Diet Assessment

The Blood pressure control diet is well described; however, it has not been implemented in clinical care, possibly due to the impracticability of the diet assessment in these contexts. In order to facilitate the dietary assessment, we developed and assessed the validity and reproducibility of two food group-based food frequency questionnaires (FG-FFQs), with a one-week (7-day FG-FFQ) and a one-month (30-day FG-FFQ) period of coverage for patients with pre-hypertension or hypertension. In 2010, 155 men and women, 30–70 years old, were invited to participate in a prospective study in two outpatient clinics in Porto Alegre, southern Brazil. The participants responded to two 30-day, two 7-day FG-FFQ, four 24-h dietary recalls, and underwent demographic, anthropometric, and blood pressure assessments. The validity and reproducibility were assessed using partial correlation coefficients adjusted for sex and age, and the internal validity was tested using the intra-class correlation coefficient. The participants were aged 61 (±10) years and 60% were women. The validity correlation coefficient was higher than r = 0.80 in the 30-day FG-FFQ for whole bread (r = 0.81) and the 7-day FG-FFQ for diet/light/zero soda and industrialized juices (r = 0.84) in comparison to the 24-h dietary recalls. The global internal validity was α = 0.59, but it increased to α = 0.76 when 19 redundant food groups were excluded. The reproducibility was higher than r = 0.80 for pasta, potatoes and manioc, bakery goods, sugar and cocoa, and beans for both versions. The 30-day had a slightly higher validity, both had good internal validity, and the 7-day FG-FFQ had a higher reproducibility.

Exploring Pathways of Socioeconomic Inequity in Vegetable Expenditure Among Consumers Participating in a Grocery Loyalty Program in Quebec, Canada, 2015-2017

Vegetable consumption remains consistently low despite supportive policy and investments across the world. Vegetables are available in great variety, ranging in their processing level, availability, cost, and arguably, nutritional value. A retrospective longitudinal study was conducted in Quebec, Canada to explore pathways of socioeconomic inequity in vegetable expenditure. Data was obtained for consumers who participated in a grocery loyalty program from 2015 to 2017 and linked to the 2016 Canadian census. Vegetable expenditure share (%) was examined as a fraction of the overall food basket and segmented by processing level. Panel random effects and tobit models were used overall and to estimate the stratified analysis by median income split. Consumers allocated 8.35% of their total food expenditure to vegetables, which was mostly allocated to non-processed fresh (6.88%). Vegetable expenditure share was the highest in early winter and lowest in late summer. In the stratified analysis, the low-income group exhibited less seasonal variation, allocated less to fresh vegetables, and spent more on canned and frozen compared to the high-income group. Measures of socioeconomic status were all significant drivers of overall vegetable consumption. Consumers with high post-secondary education in the low-income group spent 2% more on vegetables than those with low education. The complexity of observed expenditure patterns points to a need for more specific vegetable consumption guidelines that include provisions by processing level. Implications for education, marketing, intersectional policies, and the role of government are discussed. Governments can scale present efforts and catalyze health-promoting investments across local, state, national, and global food systems.

Diet Data Collected Using 48-h Dietary Recall: Within-and Between-Person Variation

Background and Aims: Forty-eight-hour dietary recall is a valuable source of information regarding food consumption in a population-based sample. This method covers 2 consecutive days in a single interview. Nevertheless, the number of assessments and the sample size necessary to estimate usual intake are unknown. We aimed to assess sources of variation, sample sizes, and numbers of days necessary to estimate usual nutrient intake using the 48-h dietary recall.

Methods: This was a population-based cross-sectional study including 237 participants, 11–90 years old, selected using multistage probabilistic sampling to obtain data using 48-h dietary recall. Analysis of variance was used to calculate within- and between-person variation and determine the statistical parameters necessary to calculate sample size and the number of days required to calculate the usual energy and nutrient intake.

Results: Within-person variation was generally lower than between-person variation, except for calcium (CVw2 = 40.8; CVb2 = 38.4%), magnesium (CVw2 = 27.4; CVb2 = 18.7%), and monounsaturated fat (CVw2 = 20.0; CVb2 = 17.3%) for the entire group and magnesium for women (CVw2 = 28.3; CVb2 = 91.8%). The number of days and sample size required to determine usual energy and nutrient intake varied substantially with gender and age (e.g., vitamin C in women N = 9, in men N = 1,641).

Conclusions: Energy and nutrient intake assessment using the 48-h dietary recall misrepresents within-person variation but can generate acceptable results for between-person variation. The calculation of sample size and number of days required to determine usual energy and nutrient intake might have been affected by inadequate assessment of the within-person variation.

The Dietary Intake and Its Features across Four Seasons in the Metropolis of China

Chinese diet pattern known as plant-based is more linked with seasonal supply, but it is lack of study on seasonal difference in dietary intakes in China. Our study was to assess seasonal variation in the absolute dietary intake among general population in a metropolis, Shanghai, China. A representative sample of general population aged 15 and older (n=1,704) were randomly stratified-sampled from communities in Shanghai. Dietary survey included consecutive 3-day-24-hour diet record recall and household condiments weighing. Data was collected across four seasons during 2012-2014. Most of food and condiments consumption differed across seasons in Shanghai. Intakes of grains, legumes and cooking oil were highest in spring; vegetables, fruit and non-alcoholic beverage highest, but cooking oil and cooking salt lowest in summer; red meat, nuts and cooking salt highest in winter. Seasonality existed in the intakes of energy and energy contributed from macronutrients that fat contributed more in winter but less in summer. Seasonal variations were also found in beta-carotene, vitamin E, vitamin K, thiamin, folate and sodium intakes. Seasonal changes of dietary intake were extensively observed in Shanghai, a highly-developed metropolis in China. Given the seasonal differences and their features described in current article, the estimation methods of the average dietary intake across whole year by just conducting dietary survey in one single season warrants further study.

Association between DNA damage, dietary patterns, nutritional status, and non-communicable diseases in coal miners

Several negative health effects have been associated with environmental pollution. Coal mining activities are related to DNA damage. However, the impact of lifestyle as well as environmental exposure must be considered when evaluating the extent of DNA damage. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to analyze nutritional status, dietary patterns, and the prevalence of non-communicable diseases (CNCDs) among coal miners as well as to investigate the correlation of these variables with DNA damage. We used a questionnaire to assess demographics, health, and dietary habits. The nutritional status was measured in terms of BMI (body mass index) and DNA damage was assessed by the comet assay. The sample population was composed of 158 coal miners from the largest coal mining company in South of Brazil, and majority of them were classified as overweight (51.3%) or obese (28.5%). Hypertension was the most common CNCD (50.6%) and a majority of these workers consumed all groups of foods three or more times a week. There was a significant positive correlation between BMI and DNA damage (r = 0.1646, p = 0.04) and this association was stronger (r = 0.2556, p = 0.04) in coal miners with some CNCD. There was no significant correlation between dietary patterns and DNA damage in coal miners. These results suggest that the nutritional status and CNCD increase the extent of DNA damage in coal miners. Since this population is at high occupational risk, specific strategies should be designed to improve the health of these workers, aiming to achieve health equity.

Caregivers' nutritional knowledge and attitudes mediate seasonal shifts in children's diets

Smallholder farmers dependent on rain‐fed agriculture experience seasonal variations in food and nutrient availability occasioned by seasonality of production patterns. This results in periods of nutrient abundance in the plenty seasons followed closely by periods of nutrient inadequacies and malnutrition. This pattern contributes to a cycle of deteriorating health and nutrition status and deprives children of their ability to realize full developmental potential. This study investigates the role of caregiver's nutritional knowledge and attitudes in mediating effects of seasonality on children's diets. Repeated cross‐sectional surveys were conducted on 151 randomly selected households in the plenty and lean seasons to collect dietary data using two non‐consecutive quantitative 24‐hr recalls and caregiver's nutritional knowledge and attitudes assessed using interviewer administered questionnaire. Sixty‐five percent of the caregivers had attained a primary level education or less. There was a positive modest correlation between caregivers' nutritional knowledge and their attitudes (r = 0.3, P < 0.000, α = 0.01). Children's mean adequacy ratio was significantly higher in the plenty season than in the lean season (0.84 vs. 0.80, P < 0.000). A two‐block hierarchical regression to predict the seasonal changes in dietary quality of children using caregiver's nutritional knowledge and attitude scores while controlling for the effect of sociodemographics and mean adequacy ratio at first season (plenty) found that caregiver's nutritional knowledge (ß = −0.007, SE = 0.003, P = 0.027, 95% CI [−0.013, −0.001] ŋ² = 0.034) but not attitudes had significant contribution to the prediction. Maternal nutritional knowledge mediates seasonal variation in child nutrient intakes.

Seasonal variation and diet quality among Spanish people aged over 55 years

There is evidence supporting the importance of a healthy diet; however, there are few studies analyzing the seasonal variation of food intake. The present study was aimed to evaluate seasonal variation of food and energy intake in Spanish elderly also to investigate diet quality based on the Healthy Eating Index (HEI) score. From a cross-sectional study, 28 individuals (39% males) aged over 55 years volunteered for a longitudinal follow-up. Dietary assessment was evaluated through 24-h dietary recalls. Energy and nutrient intake were calculated using DIAL software. Furthermore, diet quality was measured using HEI. Data was analyzed considering the interaction of sex, age, fitness status, and body composition. Cereals intake was significantly lower in summer than in winter and autumn (both p < 0.05); whereas, drinks intake was significantly higher in summer than in winter, spring, and autumn (all p < 0.01). Daily energy intake was significant higher in spring than in summer, and in autumn than in summer (p < 0.05), and energy intake from lunch was also statistically higher in spring than in summer (p < 0.01). The HEI was classified as good; however, a negative and significant association was observed between HEI and cholesterol, alcohol, and monounsaturated fatty acids intake (p < 0.01). Cereals and drinks intake and total daily energy intake changed according to seasons. This should be considered in nutritional studies. Diet quality seems not to be affected by these seasonal changes, and HEI did not show a good association with the majority of foods and macro- and micronutrients.

Does the Dietary Pattern of Shanghai Residents Change across Seasons and Area of Residence: Assessing Dietary Quality Using the Chinese Diet Balance Index (DBI)

Background: Few studies have applied the Chinese Diet Balance Index (DBI) in evaluating dietary quality across seasons. Method: The Shanghai Diet and Health Survey (SDHS) included 1680 participants from all districts of Shanghai from 2012 to 2013. Dietary data were obtained using three-day 24-h recall in spring, summer, fall, and winter. Higher bound score (HBS), lower bound score (LBS) and diet quality distance (DQD) were calculated according to compliance with the dietary guidelines and based on the recommendations for consumption within the main food groups. HBS, LBS, and DQD represent over-intake, under-intake, and overall imbalance of the diet, respectively. Results: 836 males and 844 females were included. The HBS indicated that 10.08%, 11.84%, 10.31%, and 12.73% people have moderate or high levels of over-intake of food in spring, summer, fall, and winter, respectively; and 74.04%, 37.61%, 53.09%, and 42.72% people have moderate or high levels of deficit food intake for each of the four seasons. The mean HBS and LBS among the four seasons were statistically significant difference (p < 0.001). The mean (SD) DQD was 43.27 (10.21), 35.67 (9.71), 39.19 (9.36), and 36.84 (9.45) in each season. A multivariable model showed statistically significant differences in DQD according to age, gender, occupational status, education, smoking, drinking status, season, and residency (p < 0.001). Conclusion: An unbalanced diet is common among people living in Shanghai. Seasonality and area of residence were found to be two significant predictors. Strengthening the accessibility and the supply of food across seasons and regions should be considered.

Low adherence of Swiss children to national dietary guidelines

INTRODUCTION

Dietary guidelines aim to inform people of the types of foods and quantities they should consume each day or week to promote and maintain health. The aim of this study was to describe children's dietary behaviors in terms of adherence to the Swiss Society for Nutrition (SSN) dietary guidelines and possible determinants.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted in September 2010 with 568 children aged 6-12 years old living in Ticino Switzerland. Food intake was collected using 7-day food logs. Adherence with the dietary guidelines from the SSN was assessed according to age group.

RESULTS

With the exception of fish and cereal/potato intake (adherence rates of 68.5% and 47.9%, respectively), adherence to SSN guidelines was low: 26.9% for meat; 22.7% for eggs; 10.4% for fruit; 9.5% for sweets, snacks & soft drinks; 3.5% for milk & dairy, and 0% for vegetables. Multivariate analysis showed no consistent association between the child or their parent's socio-demographic characteristics and adherence to SSN guidelines. Girls had a higher likelihood of adhering with fruit and meat guidelines: multivariate adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) 1.98 (1.10-3.56) and 1.80 (1.08-2.99), respectively. Children aged 10 to 12 had a lower likelihood of adhering with cereals and potatoes 0.48 (0.29-0.78), and a higher likelihood of adhering with the guideline for eggs 1.78 (1.00-3.15).

CONCLUSION

Dietary intake of Ticinese children shows poor adherence with SSN guidelines. Given the lack of specific socio-demographic factors associated with adherence, population-wide interventions to improve dietary intake are necessary.

Seasonality of food groups and total energy intake: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the effect of season on food intake from selected food groups and on energy intake in adults.

SUBJECTS/METHODS

The search process was based on selecting publications listed in the following: Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase and Agris. Food frequency questionnaires, 24-h dietary recalls and food records as methods for assessment of dietary intake were used to assess changes in the consumption of 11 food groups and of energy intake across seasons. A meta-analysis was performed.

RESULTS

Twenty-six studies were included. Articles were divided into those reporting data on four seasons (winter, spring, summer and autumn) or on two seasons (pre-and post-harvest). Four of the studies could be utilized for meta-analysis describing changes in food consumption across four season scheme: from winter to spring fruits decreased, whereas vegetables, eggs and alcoholic beverages increased; from spring to summer vegetable consumption further increased and cereals decreased; from summer to autumn fruits and cereals increased and vegetables, meat, eggs and alcoholic beverages decreased; from autumn to winter cereals decreased. A significant association was also found between energy intake and season, for 13 studies reporting energy intake across four seasons (favors winter) and for eight studies across pre- and post-harvest seasons (favors post-harvest).

CONCLUSIONS

The winter or the post-harvest season is associated with increased energy intake. The intake of fruits, vegetables, eggs, meat, cereals and alcoholic beverages is following a seasonal consumption pattern and at least for these foods season is determinant of intake.

Dietary Intake Patterns Are Consistent Across Seasons in a Cohort of Healthy Adults in a Metropolitan Population

BACKGROUND

Current literature provides conflicting data regarding seasonal variability in dietary intake.

OBJECTIVE

Our aim was to examine seasonal variation in dietary intake in healthy adults from the metropolitan Washington, DC, area.

DESIGN

This study utilized an observational cohort design.

PARTICIPANTS/SETTING

Male and female healthy volunteers (n=103) between the ages of 18 and 75 years were recruited from the metropolitan Washington, DC, area to participate in a clinical study at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center from February 2011 to June 2014.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Three- to seven-day food records were collected from subjects (n=76) at three time points (12 to 15 weeks apart). Subjects were excluded from analysis (n=27) if they completed less than three time points. Food records were reviewed by nutrition staff, assigned to a season, and coded in Nutrient Data System for Research for energy, macronutrient, micronutrient, and food-group serving analysis.

STATISTICAL ANALYSES

Multivariate general linear models were run on energy, macronutrient, micronutrient, and food-group intakes, while being adjusted for age, sex, race, and body mass index (calculated as kg/m(2)).

RESULTS

Subjects had a mean±standard deviation body mass index of 25±3.9 and age of 34±12.4 years. Subject demographics were 71.1% white, 9.2% black/African American, 13.2% Asian, and 6.6% unknown race, with 44.7% males and 55.3% females. Mean intake of energy across seasons was 2,214.6±623.4 kcal with 17.3%±4.1%, 33.6%±5.5%, 46.6%±8.0%, and 2.7%±3.2% of calories from protein, fat, carbohydrate, and alcohol, respectively. Intakes of energy, macronutrients, micronutrients, and food groups did not differ between seasons.

CONCLUSIONS

People living in the metropolitan Washington, DC, area did not exhibit seasonal variation in dietary intake. Therefore, when designing studies of nutrient intake in a metropolitan population, these findings suggest that investigators do not need to consider the season during which diet is examined.

Seasonal variation in food intake and the interaction effects of sex and age among adults in southern Brazil

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Because studies have evidenced variations in nutrient intake, further investigation of the interaction between demographic characteristics and the seasons is necessary. We aimed to test the differences in food intake throughout the seasons and the interaction between the seasons and sex and age.

SUBJECTS/METHODS

This study included 273 individuals. Food intake was evaluated with 24-hour dietary recalls, and the reported food items were sorted into food groups. We performed the test on the differences in intake of food groups throughout the seasons with repeated measures and on the interaction effect by using the Generalized Estimate Equation.

RESULTS

Intake of fruits and natural fruit juices and sweetened beverages was lower, whereas that of grains and derivatives was higher in the winter. The intake of leafy vegetables and fish and seafood was lower in the autumn. The consumption of coffee and eggs was higher in the spring. Intake of chocolate powder and sugar, salt and lean poultry was higher in the winter. The variation in consumption of grains and derivatives, eggs, fatty poultry and processed meat over the seasons was more likely to be modified by sex. Age interacted with the seasons for leafy vegetables, beans and lentils, lean beef, lean poultry, low fat milk and light yogurt, vegetable oil and unsalted margarine, chocolate powder and sugar and processed meat.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that food intake may change seasonally and that seasonal variation depends on sex and age, which might aggregate a specific co-variation component.

Effect of seasonality on the estimated mean value of nutrients and ranking ability of a self-administered diet history questionnaire

BACKGROUND

We examined the effect of seasonality on the validity (ability to estimate the mean intake of a group and ranking ability) of nutrient intakes estimated with a comprehensive self-administered diet history questionnaire (DHQ) developed for the assessment of Japanese diets during the preceding one month, using semi-weighed dietary records (DRs) as a reference method.

METHODS

This study was conducted in three areas in Japan (Osaka, Nagano, and Tottori). The study population included 92 Japanese men aged 32-76 years and 92 Japanese women aged 31-69 years (30 from Osaka, 31 from Nagano, and 31 from Tottori for each sex). A DHQ and a four-day DR were completed four times at 3-month intervals, once per season. The effect of seasonality was examined by the level of agreement among seasons using mean nutrient intake and correlation coefficients.

RESULTS

Significant differences in estimated energy-adjusted intakes of 42 selected nutrients between the average of DRs administered 16 times throughout a year and that of the DHQ administered four times in each season (fall, winter, spring, and summer) were observed for 30, 29, 30, and 31 nutrients for men and 21, 28, 30, and 31 nutrients for women, respectively. Pearson correlation coefficients between the DRs and the DHQs for energy-adjusted intakes of the 42 nutrients showed significant inter-season differences in 11 nutrients for men and 13 nutrients for women. Particularly, correlation coefficients of fat, monounsaturated fat, polyunsaturated fat, n-6 polyunsaturated fat, α-linolenic acid, and cholesterol in spring and cryptoxanthin in summer for men, and fat, saturated fat, and monounsaturated fat in spring and summer and thiamin and iron in summer for women were markedly altered by seasonality.

CONCLUSIONS

Mean nutrient intake estimated by the DHQ varied by season, indicating that any consideration of nutrient intake estimated by the DHQ as a yearly average intake may be problematic. In contrast, the effect of seasonality on the ranking ability of the DHQ was relatively small, and thus the use of a DHQ to rank individuals by nutrient intake is acceptable for epidemiological studies, regardless of season.

Association between dietary intake and seasonal variations in postmenopausal women

Background

Evidence supports that increasing number of postmenopausal women are suffering from one or more chronic diseases. Dietary patterns have a pivotal role in maintaining human health. The aim of this study was to characterize the nutrients and energy intake in postmenopausal women, with the special focus on seasonal variation effect in their food intake.

Methods

The study population consisted of 30 postmenopausal women referred to Dr. Shariati Hospital, Tehran (Iran). Socio-demographic characteristics and BMI were registered. Dietary assessment was performed by a 3 day food records in each season through one year, allowing the estimation of energy, protein, carbohydrate, total fat, monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and saturated fatty acids (SFA) intake. The mean of nutrient intake in each season was adjusted for energy intake. The effect of season on energy and nutrients intake was assessed based on the General linear model (GLM).

Results

The mean of daily intake of vitamin C, B, B2, B12, iron, zinc, phosphorus and chromium was significantly higher than Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDAs ) (p < 0.05). The mean of vitamin D, E, B6, B5, folate, calcium, magnesium, potassium and selenium consumption was significantly less than RDAs (p < 0.05). All the participants meet the goal for vitamins A, K and B3 from food. The mean of energy intake was not different between seasons. However, the mean intake of fat, vitamin C, vitamin K and folate was significantly different between seasons.

Conclusion

These findings highlight some nutrients deficiency in postmenopausal women and therefore suggest nutritional education with emphasis on seasonal variation effect.

Winter cardiovascular diseases phenomenon

This paper review seasonal patterns across twelve cardiovascular diseases: Deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, aortic dissection and rupture, stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, hypertension, heart failure, angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, sudden cardiac death, venricular arrythmia and atrial fibrillation, and discuss a possible cause of the occurrence of these diseases. There is a clear seasonal trend of cardiovascular diseases, with the highest incidence occurring during the colder winter months, which have been described in many countries. This phenomenon likely contributes to the numbers of deaths occurring in winter. The implications of this finding are important for testing the relative importance of the proposed mechanisms. Understanding the influence of season and other factors is essential when seeking to implement effective public health measures.

Variação sazonal na ingestão alimentar de adultos de Niterói, Rio de Janeiro

A aferição da ingestão alimentar (IA) usual é necessária para estabelecer, com acurácia, a relação entre a dieta e o aparecimento de doenças. Na maioria dos estudos, os dados de IA usual são coletados referentes ao período de um ano, sem considerar a estação do ano em que o estudo ocorre. O objetivo do presente estudo foi verificar o efeito da sazonalidade na IA de adultos de Niterói, RJ. Um total de 102 sujeitos (69 mulheres) saudáveis, com idade entre 20 e 69 anos, responderam a seis recordatórios dietéticos de 24 horas, três no verão e três no inverno. Em ambas as estações do ano, foi determinada a ingestão energética (IE) e de 23 nutrientes, além do percentual de indivíduos que alcançavam as recomendações dos mesmos. Os dados finais foram deatenuados pela variabilidade intraindividual e ajustados pela energia. A IE e de alguns nutrientes foram significativamente diferentes entre os homens e as mulheres. A IE não se diferenciou entre as estações, para ambos os sexos, porém a ingestão de proteínas, fibras, magnésio, tiamina, piridoxina e niacina foi diferente entre as estações para ambos os sexos. Os resultados do presente estudo sugerem que a sazonalidade seja considerada na aferição da IA, servindo de base para a adequação dos métodos e instrumentos utilizados nos inquéritos dietéticos populacionais.