Food composition table-based estimation of energy and major nutrient intake in comparison with chemical analysis: a validation study in Korea

The increased amount of coffee consumption lowers the incidence of fatty liver disease in Korean men

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Coffee is known to have a beneficial effect on various liver diseases. The aim of this retrospective longitudinal study was to investigate an association between the amount of coffee consumption and the incidence of fatty liver disease in Korean adults.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Data from a total of 91,436 male and female subjects with the mean follow-up period of 2.8 years were analyzed. The incidence of fatty liver was not associated with the amount of coffee consumption at baseline, but it was associated with the change in the amount of coffee consumption at the follow-up period. Multiple linear regression analyses showed that hazard ratios for incidence of fatty liver disease were significantly low in "increase" group comparing with "no change" group in fully adjusted model. When a subgroup analysis by gender was conducted, similar significant results were observed in male subjects, but not in females.

CONCLUSIONS

The increment in the amount of coffee consumption is associated with the lower incidence of fatty liver in Korean men and suggests that increasing the coffee consumption may have a protective effect on fatty liver.

Sarcopenia and Hip-Structure Analysis Variables in Korean Elderly Population

The purpose of this study is comparing the hip-structure analysis (HSA) variables with the skeletal muscle index (SMI) in elderly patients with sarcopenia using nationwide representative data on the Republic of Korea (ROK). The survey data were collected from household interviews and direct standardized physical examinations conducted in specially equipped mobile examination centers. The data were collected in 2008 from 9744 participants. Patients under 65 years of age who were without data on the skeletal-muscle-mass and HSA variables were excluded. After these exclusions, a total of 744 participants (293 men and 451 women) were ultimately analyzed. The HSA measurements of the hip-bone geometry were analyzed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The appendicular SMI is defined as the sum of the arm and leg SMIs. Sarcopenia is defined according to the criteria for the Asia Working Group for Sarcopenia as SMIs of less than 5.4 kg/m² and 7.0 kg/m² for women and men, respectively. In the entire population, SMI was found to be positively correlated to HSA variables. After adjusting for age, body mass index, and energy intake in both the women and men groups, a statistically significant difference became evident in all variables between the SMI and the HSA. The present study suggests that skeletal-muscle loss negatively affects hip-bone-strength indices in elderly sarcopenia patients. Implementing strategies to increase SMI in the elderly population may be useful for reducing the vulnerability to hip fracture.

Dietary Niacin and Open-Angle Glaucoma: The Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Glaucoma is a leading cause of loss of sight. High intraocular pressure (IOP) is the most critical risk factor. However, glaucoma develops even within a normal IOP range. Normal tension glaucoma (NTG) is more common in Asia, whereas high tension glaucoma is more common in Western countries. The pathogenesis of glaucoma, especially NTG, is poorly understood. We evaluated the correlation between dietary nutrient intake and glaucoma using data from subjects ≥40 years old from the ongoing, nationwide, population-based study, the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey V (2008-2012). Dietary intake was determined using the 24 h recall method. Fiber (g/day), ash (g/day), calcium (mg/day), phosphorus (mg/day), iron (mg/day), sodium (mg/day), potassium (mg/day), β-Carotene (μg/day), retinol (μg/day), vitamin A (μg Retinol Equivalents/day), thiamine (mg/day), riboflavin (mg/day), niacin (mg/day), and vitamin C (mg/day) were included in nutrient intake data. All nutrient intake was divided into quartiles. The mean IOP did not differ according to quartiles from any nutrients (all p > 0.05). After adjusting for age, gender, income status, education level, smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, diabetes, hypertension, IOP, and total energy, the intake of niacin was associated with glaucoma (p = 0.013). Among subjects with IOP ≤ 21 mmHg, only niacin was related to glaucoma in a multivariate analysis (p = 0.022). Dietary nutrient intake was associated with open-angle glaucoma independent of IOP. Individuals with NTG showed lower intake of niacin among nutrients. This finding suggests the possibility that proper diet counseling may be another modifiable factor, aside from IOP, particularly among patients with NTG.

Gender- and body-site-specific factors associated with bone mineral density in a non-institutionalized Korean population aged ≥50 years

The aim of this study was to investigate the gender- and body-site-specific factors associated with bone mineral density (BMD) at the femoral neck and lumbar spine in a non-institutionalized population aged ≥50 years characterized by low average calcium intake. The comprehensive data utilized were from the 2010 Fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, which included health behavior questionnaire, blood and urine tests, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and nutrition intake. The factors associated with BMD at the femoral neck and lumbar spine in both genders were analyzed separately using multiple regression analysis with a stepwise selection. The average daily calcium intake in the male subjects was 565.8 mg and in the female subjects was 443.7 mg. In multiple regression analysis, age, body mass index (BMI), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lead, daily calcium intake, and cadmium were the significant factors associated with femoral neck BMD in male subjects. BMI, creatinine (Cr), total body fat percentile, lead, ALP, and hypertension were found to be the significant factors associated with lumbar spine BMD in male subjects. In the female subjects, the significant factors associated with femoral neck BMD were age, BMI, ALP, house income, and total body fat percentile, while menopause, Cr, mercury, house income, BMI, and ALP were found to be the significant factors associated with lumbar spine BMD. In conclusion, different factors were associated with BMD depending on gender and the body site tested (femoral neck or lumbar spine). These gender- and body-site-specific factors need to be considered for the prevention and management of osteoporosis.

Applicability of food composition tables as a tool to estimate mineral and trace element intake of pre-school children in Japan: a validation study

Because dietary intakes of some minerals (including trace elements), especially iron (Fe), are insufficient for the needs of the general Japanese population, accurate estimation of mineral intake is important. This capability is especially necessary to preserve the health of Japanese children. Therefore, the current version of food composition tables (FCT) in Japan was evaluated for validity as tools to estimate dietary intake of minerals for children. For this purpose, 24h food duplicate samples were collected from 292 pre-school children in Miyagi prefecture, Japan. From the weights of items and food codes, intakes of nine minerals were estimated taking advantage of the FCT. In parallel, amounts of minerals in each duplicate samples were instrumentally measured by ICP-AES for Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, P and Zn, and by flame AAS for K and Na, both after wet-ashing. The distributions of the mineral amounts were essentially normal. The comparison of the FCT-based estimates (E) and instrumental measures (M) showed that the E/M ratio was close to 1 for Ca, K, Mn, P and Zn, suggesting that E may be a surrogate of M for Ca, K, Mn, P and Zn on a group basis. The ratio being larger than 1.2 for Cu, Fe, Mg and Na indicates that a risk of over-estimation exists when E is relied upon in place of M. On an individual basis, significant differences were detected for all 9 minerals suggesting that the use of E as a surrogate for M should be practiced with care for the estimation of mineral intake.

Potassium intake and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome: the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2008-2010

Lower potassium intake is considered to be correlated with diabetes incidence. However, few studies have investigated the effect of potassium intake on metabolic syndrome (MetS). Data was taken from the Korean National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (2008–2010) using weighted adjustment. MetS was defined as per the revised National Cholesterol Education Program criteria. Homeostasis model assessment indices were calculated to diagnosis insulin resistance (IR). A total of 16,637 participants (44±0.25 years) were included. Women ingested lower amounts of potassium (2.71±0.02 g/day) than men (3.45±0.03 g/day). A curvilinear association between potassium intake and MetS prevalence was found among women. Women with less than the Adequate Intake (4.7 g/day) of potassium had an 11% risk reduction for MetS (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 0.89; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.82–0.96; P = 0.004) and a 10% risk reduction for IR (OR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.82–0.99; P = 0.026) for every 1 g/day potassium increase. Compared with the reference group (3.5–4.5 g/day), potassium intake was inversely associated with an increased risk of MetS (1.5–2.5 g/day; OR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.02–1.63; P = 0.035; <1.5 g/day; OR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.06–1.85; P = 0.017) and IR (<1.5 g/day; OR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.05–1.76; P = 0.021). This relationship was more prominent in postmenopausal women, but not observed among men. Higher potassium intake is significantly associated with a lower MetS prevalence in women, and IR is believed to be connected.

Ratio of fat to energy intake independently associated with the duration of diabetes and total cholesterol levels in type 2 diabetes

The importance of dietary intake in the treatment of type 2 diabetes was emphasized. This study was performed to investigate the dietary intakes of Korean type 2 diabetes patients according to the treatment and duration of diabetes and to examine the relationships between their diet and serum lipid profiles. The subjects were 111 type 2 diabetic patients who were treated by medical nutrition therapy only, oral hypoglycemic agents (OHA), or insulin with medical nutrition therapy. Dietary intake was assessed by a registered dietitian using semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaires. Comparisons according to treatment type were made using covariance analyses. General linear models identified the independent effects of the different treatments after covarying for age, duration of diabetes, and 2-way interactions. There were no significant differences in age and BMI but was in duration of diabetes according to treatment type in these subjects. Carbohydrate to energy ratio was higher in the OHA group (P < 0.05), whereas the fat to energy ratio was higher in the insulin group for males (P < 0.05). Carbohydrate (R² = 0.24, P = 0.005) and fat (R² = 0.26, P = 0.02) to energy ratios were independently associated with the duration of diabetes after covarying for age, sex, treatment, and 2-way interactions. The levels of triglyceride (TG; R² = 0.32, P = 0.02) and total cholesterol (TC) were associated independently with energy intake and the carbohydrate (R² = 0.15, P = 0.02) and fat (R² = 0.15, P = 0.01) to energy ratios, respectively. The concern that the independent association of dietary intake with either duration of diabetes or dietary factors affects blood lipid levels could suggest that specific dietary recommendations may work better for identifiable groups of diabetes patients.

The EPIC nutrient database project (ENDB): a first attempt to standardize nutrient databases across the 10 European countries participating in the EPIC study

OBJECTIVE

This paper describes the ad hoc methodological concepts and procedures developed to improve the comparability of Nutrient databases (NDBs) across the 10 European countries participating in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC). This was required because there is currently no European reference NDB available.

DESIGN

A large network involving national compilers, nutritionists and experts on food chemistry and computer science was set up for the 'EPIC Nutrient DataBase' (ENDB) project. A total of 550-1500 foods derived from about 37,000 standardized EPIC 24-h dietary recalls (24-HDRS) were matched as closely as possible to foods available in the 10 national NDBs. The resulting national data sets (NDS) were then successively documented, standardized and evaluated according to common guidelines and using a DataBase Management System specifically designed for this project. The nutrient values of foods unavailable or not readily available in NDSs were approximated by recipe calculation, weighted averaging or adjustment for weight changes and vitamin/mineral losses, using common algorithms.

RESULTS

The final ENDB contains about 550-1500 foods depending on the country and 26 common components. Each component value was documented and standardized for unit, mode of expression, definition and chemical method of analysis, as far as possible. Furthermore, the overall completeness of NDSs was improved (>or=99%), particularly for beta-carotene and vitamin E.

CONCLUSION

The ENDB constitutes a first real attempt to improve the comparability of NDBs across European countries. This methodological work will provide a useful tool for nutritional research as well as end-user recommendations to improve NDBs in the future.

Effects of revision of Japanese food composition tables on estimation of nutrient intakes, with reference to age-dependent differences

OBJECTIVE

To identify effects of revision of the Japanese food composition tables from the fourth version to the fifth version on nutrient intake estimation.

DESIGN

A database on 783 samples of 24-hour food duplicate portions was re-visited. Nutrients in the duplicate portions were estimated by use of the fourth and fifth versions of the Japanese food composition tables in parallel, together with supplemental use of other databases. The two sets of estimates were subjected to comparison.

SETTING

The sample collection was conducted at 31 sites all over Japan.

SUBJECTS

The sample donors were 783 women aged 20-78 years.

RESULTS

Compared with the estimates by use of the fourth version of the tables, the estimates by the fifth version were substantially higher for intakes of energy, carbohydrate, dietary fibre, vitamin A and niacin, and lower for iron intake. The increase in carbohydrate intake estimates was more evident in older women than in young women, whereas the decrease in the intake estimation of iron and the increase in that of dietary fibre were more marked in young women than in older women.

CONCLUSION

The recent revision of food composition tables in Japan induced substantial changes in the estimation of nutrient intakes, i.e. an increase in energy, carbohydrate, dietary fibre, vitamin A and niacin, and a decrease in iron. The extent of the changes varied depending on age.

Effects of life away from home and physical exercise on nutrient intake and blood/serum parameters among girl students in Japan

This study was initiated to examine if the life away from home and participation in sport activities affect nutritional health among girl university students. For this purpose, anthropometric data, peripheral blood and spot urine samples, 24-hour food duplicate samples, and answers to questionnaires were collected from 71 girl students at 19 to 23 years of ages who provided informed consent to participate in the study. Of the 71 participants, 29 and 42 participants lived in their homes or outside, respectively, and 23 subjects participated in sport activities whereas 48 subjects did not. Hematology, serum biochemistry and nutrient intakes were evaluated in comparison with the life conditions (home vs. dormitory, boarding house, etc.) and participation in sport activities. The population studied had insufficient intake of energy, protein, and minerals such as Ca and Fe. Those who lived in home or participated in sport activities took more energy and protein (although not the two minerals) than others. Skipping of breakfast was more common among those who lived away from home and had no sport activity. Thus, two social factors of life in home and participation in sport clubs contribute favorably for better food habits, but not necessarily improved intakes of Ca and Fe.