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Ominami K, Kushida O. Examining and Comparing the Validity and Reproducibility of Scales to Determine the Variety of Vegetables Consumed: Validation Study. JMIR Form Res 2024; 8:e55795. [PMID: 38603775 PMCID: PMC11046391 DOI: 10.2196/55795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2023] [Revised: 03/16/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies have reported that vegetable variety reduces the risk for noncommunicable diseases independent of the amount consumed. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to examine and compare the validity and reproducibility of several scales to determine vegetable variety. METHODS In total, 23 nutrition students in Japan reported their vegetable intake over the past month using a self-administered questionnaire between July and August 2021. Specifically, four scales were used: (1) a single question regarding the number of vegetables consumed (scale A); (2) a scale containing 9 vegetable subgroups included in the brief-type self-administered diet history questionnaire (scale B); (3) a scale containing 19 vegetable items included in a self-administered diet history questionnaire (scale C); and (4) a scale containing 20 vegetable items from the Ranking of Vegetable Consumers in Japan, which was analyzed based on a report on the National Health and Nutrition Survey in Japan (scale D). Scale validity was assessed by correlation with the number of vegetables consumed, which was collected from dietary records for 7 consecutive days. Reproducibility was assessed by test-retest reliability. RESULTS Regarding the validity of the 4 scales, significant correlations were found between scales C (ρ=0.51) and D (ρ=0.44) with vegetable variety based on dietary records, but scales A (ρ=0.28) and B (ρ=0.22) were not significantly correlated. Reproducibility showed a significant correlation in scale B (ρ=0.45) and strong correlations in scales C (ρ=0.73) and D (ρ=0.75). CONCLUSIONS The scales for vegetable items have acceptable validity and reproducibility compared to the scales that used a single question or vegetable subgroup and, therefore, may determine the variety of vegetables consumed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaya Ominami
- Department of Nutrition and Life Sciences, School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Osamu Kushida
- Department of Nutrition and Life Sciences, School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka, Japan
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Zeraattalab‐Motlagh S, Ghoreishy SM, Arab A, Mahmoodi S, Hemmati A, Mohammadi H. Fruit and Vegetable Consumption and the Risk of Bone Fracture: A Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations (GRADE)-Assessed Systematic Review and Dose-Response Meta-Analysis. JBMR Plus 2023; 7:e10840. [PMID: 38130771 PMCID: PMC10731112 DOI: 10.1002/jbm4.10840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Researchers have examined the link between consuming fruit and vegetables and the incidence of fractures for many years. Nevertheless, their findings have been unclear. Furthermore, the dose-dependent relationship has not been examined, and the level of certainty in the evidence was not evaluated. We carried out a dose-dependent meta-analysis examining the relation between fruit and vegetables intake and fracture incidence. PubMed, Web of Sciences, and Scopus were searched until April 2023 for cohort studies evaluating the relation between fruit and vegetables and fracture incidence. Summary relative risks (RRs) were computed from complied data by applying random effects analysis. To examine the level of evidence, we utilized the approach called the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations (GRADE). Ten cohort studies comprising 511,716 individuals were entered. There was a nonsignificant relation between fruit and vegetables, as well as only fruit intake and any fracture risk. In contrast, high versus low analysis presented that vegetables consumption was linked to a 16% decrease in any type of fracture incidence (RR 0.84; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.75 to 0.95; I 2 = 83.1%; n = 6). Also, per one serving/day (200 g/day) increments in vegetables consumption, there was a 14% decline in the fracture risk (RR 0.86; 95% CI, 0.77 to 0.97; I 2 = 84.7%; n = 5; GRADE = moderate). With moderate certainty, a greater consumption of only vegetables, but not total fruit and vegetables or only fruit, might reduce the risk of fracture. These associations were also evident in dose-response analysis. Large intervention trials are demanded to approve our findings. © 2023 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheida Zeraattalab‐Motlagh
- Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and DieteticsTehran University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
| | - Seyed Mojtaba Ghoreishy
- Department of Nutrition, School of Public HealthIran University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
- Student Research Committee, School of Public HealthIran University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
| | - Arman Arab
- Division of Sleep MedicineHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Medical Chronobiology Program, Division of Sleep and Circadian DisordersDepartments of Medicine and Neurology, Brigham and Women's HospitalBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Sara Mahmoodi
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and DieteticsTehran University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
| | - Amirhossein Hemmati
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and DieteticsTehran University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
| | - Hamed Mohammadi
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and DieteticsTehran University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
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3
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Webster J, Dalla Via J, Langley C, Smith C, Sale C, Sim M. Nutritional strategies to optimise musculoskeletal health for fall and fracture prevention: Looking beyond calcium, vitamin D and protein. Bone Rep 2023; 19:101684. [PMID: 38163013 PMCID: PMC10757289 DOI: 10.1016/j.bonr.2023.101684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Falls and osteoporotic fractures are a major public health problem, particularly among older adults. A third of individuals aged 65 years and over fall at least once each year, with up to 20 % of these resulting in serious injury, including fracture. In conjunction with regular exercise, the importance of diet for musculoskeletal health has largely focused upon calcium, vitamin D, and protein, particularly in the context of preventing falls and fractures. Whilst there is evidence for the benefits of these nutrients for musculoskeletal health, other aspects of the diet remain largely underexplored. For example, vegetables are rich sources of macro- and micronutrients that are essential for muscle function and bone health, which are key factors in the prevention of falls and fractures. Recent work has highlighted the importance of nutrients such as vegetable-derived nitrate and vitamin K1 in optimising muscle strength, physical function, and bone quality. In the context of dietary patterns, vegan/plant-based diets have recently gained popularity due to perceived health benefits, animal welfare, or to tackle climate change. The elimination and/or substitution of animal-based products for plant foods (without careful planning and/or expert dietary guidance) could, however, have long-term negative musculoskeletal consequences; a trend uncovered by recent evidence. Within the overarching theme of nutrition for fall and fracture prevention in older populations, the aim of this review is to (i) summarise the current evidence for calcium, vitamin D and protein; (ii) describe the importance of vegetables and selected nutrients, such as nitrate and vitamin K1, for muscle function and bone structural integrity; and (iii) highlight current evidence around different dietary patterns (e.g., plant-based, diet quality, data driven approaches) and their impact on musculoskeletal health.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Webster
- Nutritional Epidemiology Group, School of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Jack Dalla Via
- Nutrition and Health Innovation Research Institute, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Christina Langley
- Institute of Sport, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Cassandra Smith
- Nutrition and Health Innovation Research Institute, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Craig Sale
- Institute of Sport, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Marc Sim
- Nutrition and Health Innovation Research Institute, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Western Australia, Australia
- Medical School, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
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4
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Radavelli-Bagatini S, Sim M, Blekkenhorst LC, Bondonno NP, Bondonno CP, Woodman R, Dickson JM, Magliano DJ, Shaw JE, Daly RM, Hodgson JM, Lewis JR. Associations of specific types of fruit and vegetables with perceived stress in adults: the AusDiab study. Eur J Nutr 2022; 61:2929-2938. [PMID: 35307760 PMCID: PMC9363314 DOI: 10.1007/s00394-022-02848-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Purpose
Higher total fruit and vegetable (FV) intakes have been associated with lower perceived stress. The relationship between specific types of FV and perceived stress remains uncertain. The aims of this cross-sectional study were to explore the relationship between consumption of specific types of FV with perceived stress in a population-based cohort of men and women aged ≥ 25 years from the Australian Diabetes, Obesity and Lifestyle (AusDiab) Study.
Methods
Dietary intake was assessed using a validated Food Frequency Questionnaire (n = 8,640). Perceived stress was evaluated using a validated Perceived Stress Questionnaire, with values ranging 0–1 (lowest to highest). High perceived stress cut-offs of ≥0.34 for men and ≥0.39 for women were obtained from the highest quartile of the perceived stress score for each sex. Multivariable-adjusted logistic regression was performed to investigate the associations.
Results
The mean age of participants (50.1% females) was 47.8 (SD 15) years. Persons in the highest, versus lowest, quartiles of apples and pears, orange and other citrus, and banana intakes had a significantly lower odds (24–31%) of having high perceived stress. Similarly, persons with higher intakes of cruciferous, yellow/orange/red, and legume vegetables had significantly lower odds (25–27%) of having high perceived stress.
Conclusion
In Australian adults, a higher consumption of apples and pears, oranges and other citrus, and bananas, as well as cruciferous, yellow/orange/red, and legume vegetables were associated with lower odds of having high perceived stress. The recommendations of “eating a rainbow” of colours may assist in preventing and/or reducing perceived stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Radavelli-Bagatini
- Institute for Nutrition Research, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth, WA, Australia.
| | - Marc Sim
- Institute for Nutrition Research, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth, WA, Australia
- Medical School, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Lauren C Blekkenhorst
- Institute for Nutrition Research, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth, WA, Australia
- Medical School, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Nicola P Bondonno
- Institute for Nutrition Research, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Catherine P Bondonno
- Institute for Nutrition Research, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth, WA, Australia
- Medical School, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Richard Woodman
- Flinders Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Joanne M Dickson
- Institute for Nutrition Research, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth, WA, Australia
- School of Arts and Humanities (Psychology), Edith Cowan University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Dianna J Magliano
- Diabetes and Population Health, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Jonathan E Shaw
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Clinical Diabetes and Epidemiology, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Robin M Daly
- Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Exercise and Nutrition Science, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Jonathan M Hodgson
- Institute for Nutrition Research, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth, WA, Australia
- Medical School, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Joshua R Lewis
- Institute for Nutrition Research, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth, WA, Australia
- Medical School, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
- Centre for Kidney Research, Children's Hospital at Westmead, School of Public Health, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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5
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Gambari L, Grigolo B, Grassi F. Dietary organosulfur compounds: Emerging players in the regulation of bone homeostasis by plant-derived molecules. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:937956. [PMID: 36187121 PMCID: PMC9521401 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.937956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The progressive decline of bone mass and the deterioration of bone microarchitecture are hallmarks of the bone aging. The resulting increase in bone fragility is the leading cause of bone fractures, a major cause of disability. As the frontline pharmacological treatments for osteoporosis suffer from low patients' adherence and occasional side effects, the importance of diet regimens for the prevention of excessive bone fragility has been increasingly recognized. Indeed, certain diet components have been already associated to a reduced fracture risk. Organosulfur compounds are a broad class of molecules containing sulfur. Among them, several molecules of potential therapeutic interest are found in edible plants belonging to the Allium and Brassica botanical genera. Polysulfides derived from Alliaceae and isothiocyanates derived from Brassicaceae hold remarkable nutraceutical potential as anti-inflammatory, antioxidants, vasorelaxant and hypolipemic. Some of these effects are linked to the ability to release the gasotrasmitter hydrogen sulfide (H2S). Recent preclinical studies have investigated the effect of organosulfur compounds in bone wasting and metabolic bone diseases, revealing a strong potential to preserve skeletal health by exerting cytoprotection and stimulating the bone forming activity by osteoblasts and attenuating bone resorption by osteoclasts. This review is intended for revising evidence from preclinical and epidemiological studies on the skeletal effects of organosulfur molecules of dietary origin, with emphasis on the direct regulation of bone cells by plant-derived polysulfides, glucosinolates and isothiocyanates. Moreover, we highlight the potential molecular mechanisms underlying the biological role of these compounds and revise the importance of the so-called 'H2S-system' on the regulation of bone homeostasis.
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6
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Kurisaki R, Kushida O. Number of Days Required to Estimate Habitual Vegetable Variety: A Cross-Sectional Analysis Using Dietary Records for 7 Consecutive Days. Nutrients 2021; 14:nu14010056. [PMID: 35010931 PMCID: PMC8746681 DOI: 10.3390/nu14010056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this cross-sectional study was to examine the number of days required to estimate habitual vegetable variety by conducting a multiday, dietary record. Sixty respondents from three groups in Japan (rural residents, general students, and nutrition students) participated in the study using a self-administered questionnaire in September 2018. To measure vegetable variety, the number of different vegetables consumed was extracted from the dietary records of seven consecutive days. Differences in the number of vegetables consumed and the capture proportion over seven consecutive days between groups were examined using repeated measures analysis of variance and one-way analysis of variance. The vegetable variety between each day was also compared using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. The vegetable variety based on dietary records for seven consecutive days confirmed the differences between groups by repeated measurements (p = 0.013). However, there was no significant difference among groups in the capture proportion per survey day based on seven consecutive days. Furthermore, there were significant correlations between the number of vegetables consumed over seven consecutive days and that consumed on two or more days (r > 0.50, p < 0.01) and especially three or more days in all groups (r > 0.70, p < 0.001). The present study suggested that a dietary survey over two or more days could provide an estimate of habitual vegetable variety.
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7
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Cervo MMC, Scott D, Seibel MJ, Cumming RG, Naganathan V, Blyth FM, Le Couteur DG, Handelsman DJ, Ribeiro RV, Waite LM, Shivappa N, Hebert JR, Hirani V. Proinflammatory Diet Increases Circulating Inflammatory Biomarkers and Falls Risk in Community-Dwelling Older Men. J Nutr 2020; 150:373-381. [PMID: 31665502 DOI: 10.1093/jn/nxz256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2019] [Revised: 09/03/2019] [Accepted: 09/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The relations between diet, chronic inflammation, and musculoskeletal health are unclear, especially among older men. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to determine associations of the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) with inflammatory biomarkers, musculoskeletal health, and falls risk in community-dwelling older men. METHODS The cross-sectional analysis included 794 community-dwelling men, mean age 81.1 ± 4.5 y, who participated in the 5-y follow-up of the Concord Health and Aging in Men Project. Of these, 616 were seen again 3 y later for the longitudinal analysis. Energy-adjusted DII (E-DII) was calculated from a validated diet history questionnaire. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured using DXA. Twenty-four inflammatory biomarkers were analyzed. Incident falls over 3 y were determined through telephone interviews every 4 mo. Multiple regression, linear mixed effects models, negative binomial regression, and mediation analysis were utilized in this study. RESULTS A higher E-DII score (indicating a more proinflammatory diet) was associated with higher concentrations of IL-6 (β: 0.028 pg/mL; 95% CI: 0.003, 0.053), IL-7 (β: 0.020 pg/mL; 95% CI: 0.002, 0.037), and TNF-α (β: 0.027 pg/mL; 95% CI: 0.003, 0.051). A higher E-DII score was also associated with lower appendicular lean mass adjusted for BMI (ALMBMI) (β: -0.006 kg/m2; 95% CI: -0.010, -0.001). For every unit increase in E-DII (range: -4.91 to +3.66 units), incident falls rates increased by 13% (incidence rate ratio: 1.13; 95% CI: 1.05, 1.21) over 3 y. Mediation analysis showed that the association between E-DII and 3-y incident falls was influenced by the concentrations of IL-7 by 24%. There was no association between E-DII and BMD. CONCLUSIONS Consumption of a proinflammatory diet was associated with increased concentrations of IL-6, IL-7, and TNF-α; increased falls risk; and lower ALMBMI in community-dwelling older men. The association between incident falls and E-DII was partly mediated by concentrations of IL-7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mavil May C Cervo
- Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - David Scott
- Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Medicine and Australian Institute of Musculoskeletal Science, Melbourne Medical School-Western Campus, The University of Melbourne, St Albans, Victoria, Australia
| | - Markus J Seibel
- Bone Research Program, ANZAC Research Institute, and Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Concord Hospital, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Robert G Cumming
- School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Centre for Education and Research on Aging, Concord Hospital, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Aging and Alzheimer's Institute, Concord Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,ARC Centre of Excellence in Population Aging Research, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Vasi Naganathan
- Centre for Education and Research on Aging, Concord Hospital, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Aging and Alzheimer's Institute, Concord Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Fiona M Blyth
- Centre for Education and Research on Aging, Concord Hospital, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - David G Le Couteur
- Centre for Education and Research on Aging, Concord Hospital, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Aging and Alzheimer's Institute, Concord Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,ARC Centre of Excellence in Population Aging Research, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,ANZAC Research Institute and Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - David J Handelsman
- ANZAC Research Institute, Concord Hospital, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Rosilene V Ribeiro
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Louise M Waite
- Centre for Education and Research on Aging, Concord Hospital, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Nitin Shivappa
- Cancer Prevention and Control Program, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA.,Connecting Health Innovations LLC, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - James R Hebert
- Cancer Prevention and Control Program, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA.,Connecting Health Innovations LLC, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Vasant Hirani
- Centre for Education and Research on Aging, Concord Hospital, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,ARC Centre of Excellence in Population Aging Research, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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A Review of the Science of Colorful, Plant-Based Food and Practical Strategies for "Eating the Rainbow". J Nutr Metab 2019; 2019:2125070. [PMID: 33414957 PMCID: PMC7770496 DOI: 10.1155/2019/2125070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2018] [Revised: 03/27/2019] [Accepted: 04/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the past decades, thousands of published studies have amassed supporting recommendations to consume fruits and vegetables for physiological and psychological health. Newer research has emerged to suggest that these plant-based foods contain a plethora of not only vitamins and minerals, but perhaps, most importantly, phytonutrients. These phytonutrients have known pleiotropic effects on cellular structure and function, ultimately resulting in the modulation of protein kinases and subsequent epigenetic modification in a manner that leads to improved outcomes. Even though eating fruits and vegetables is a well-known feature of a healthy dietary pattern, population intakes continue to be below federal recommendations. To encourage consumers to include fruits and vegetables into their diet, an “eat by color” approach is proposed in this review. Although each individual food may have numerous effects based on its constituents, the goal of this simplified approach was to identify general patterns of benefits based on the preponderance of scientific data and known mechanisms of food-based constituents. It is suggested that such a consumer-oriented categorization of these plant-based foods may lead to greater recognition of their importance in the daily diet throughout the lifespan. Other adjunctive strategies to heighten awareness of fruits and vegetables are discussed.
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Strategies to Address the Complex Challenge of Improving Regional and Remote Children's Fruit and Vegetable Consumption. Nutrients 2018; 10:nu10111603. [PMID: 30388750 PMCID: PMC6266043 DOI: 10.3390/nu10111603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2018] [Revised: 10/14/2018] [Accepted: 10/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Fruit and vegetables (F&V) are imperative for good health, yet less than one per cent of Australian children consume these food groups in sufficient quantities. As guided by Social Cognitive Theory (SCT), this paper aimed to: (i) understand key informant perspectives of the amount, types and quality of F&V consumed by rural and remote Western Australian (WA) children; and, (ii) determine strategies that could increase F&V consumption among rural and remote WA children. This qualitative study included 20 semi-structured interviews with health, school/youth and food supply workers, focusing on topics including: quantity and type of F&V consumed and strategies to increase children’s consumption. A thematic analysis was conducted using NVivo qualitative data analysis software (Version 10, 2014. QSR International Pty Ltd., Doncaster, Victoria, Australia). Key informants reported children consumed energy-dense nutrient-poor foods in place of F&V. Strategy themes included: using relevant motivators for children to increase their preference for F&V (i.e., gaming approach, SCT construct of ‘expectations’); empowering community-driven initiatives (i.e., kitchen gardens, SCT construct of ‘environment’); increasing food literacy across settings (i.e., food literacy skills, SCT construct of ‘behavioural capacity’); developing salient messages and cooking tips that resonate with parents (i.e., parent newsletters, SCT construct of ‘self-control’); increasing F&V availability, safety, and convenience (i.e., school provision); and, considering the impact of role models that extend beyond the family (i.e., relatable role models, SCT construct of ‘observational learning’). Overall, a comprehensive strategy that incorporates relevant motivators for children and families, supports local initiatives, reinforces the range of role models that are involved with children and creates healthier environments, is required to increase F&V consumption among children.
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