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Aljaadi AM, Bogis RJ, Alruhili NA, Alharbi SO, Noorwali EA. Stress during Home Confinement Is Associated with Eating Misalignment among Adults during COVID-19 Lockdown. Nutrients 2023; 15:4018. [PMID: 37764800 PMCID: PMC10536564 DOI: 10.3390/nu15184018] [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: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic forced Saudi Arabia to implement several measures including mandatory home confinement, banning entry to many cities, and suspending religious activities. Studies have reported inconsistent findings of the effect of home confinement on lifestyle factors. This study aims to assess the psychological impact of COVID-19 during home confinement and explore its association with dietary habits and weight change. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted among Saudi adults using an online survey between May and June 2020. Data on dietary habits, sleep quality, and stress were collected. RESULTS A total of n = 503 participants responded. Of 254 analyzed, 87% were females, 49% were overweight/obese (body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m2), and 79% were under lockdown for >40 days. In multiple linear regression, higher stress scores during confinement were associated with higher stress scores before confinement and poorer sleep quality. In multiple logistic regression, those who did not eat at the same time had higher stress scores compared to those who always ate at the same time, whereas consuming ≥three meals was associated with lower stress scores than consuming one-two meals. The odds of gaining weight during confinement were higher among married adults, those with lower sleep quality, and consuming ≥three meals. CONCLUSIONS Stress during home confinement was associated with eating misalignment and the number of meals consumed. Although this study was limited by its cross-sectional design and reliance on self-reported data, it provides valuable insights into the dietary habits and weight-gain associated factors that need to be further explored and addressed in any future restrictions for improved well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abeer M. Aljaadi
- Clinical Nutrition Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah 24381, Saudi Arabia (E.A.N.)
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Laugero KD, Keim NL. A Diet Pattern Characterized by Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Is Associated with Lower Decision-Making Performance in the Iowa Gambling Task, Elevated Stress Exposure, and Altered Autonomic Nervous System Reactivity in Men and Women. Nutrients 2023; 15:3930. [PMID: 37764714 PMCID: PMC10534505 DOI: 10.3390/nu15183930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The executive brain mediates and facilitates a set of cognitive functions, such as decision making, planning, self-regulation, emotional regulation, and attention. Executive dysfunction and related diseases are a rising public health concern. Evidence supports a link between nutritional factors and executive function (EF), but relatively little information exists about the relationship between diet patterns and this higher order cognitive ability. We and others have reported on the relationships between body weight regulation and affective decision making, as measured by performance in the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT). However, little is known about the relationships between performance in this decision-making task and whole diet patterns. In this study, we tested whether data-derived diet patterns based on energy-adjusted food intake data from the Block Food Frequency Questionnaire were associated with decision-making performance in the IGT. Secondarily, we examined the influence of these diet patterns on self-reported chronic stress exposure and heart rate variability, which is a marker of autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity. In prior studies, stress and ANS activity were shown to influence decision-making performance in the IGT. In this study, five distinct diet patterns were identified by cluster and factor analyses. A diet pattern best characterized by elevated sugar-sweetened beverage and added sugar consumption was associated with the lowest decision-making performance (p = 0.0049) and higher stress exposure (p = 0.0097). This same diet pattern was associated (p = 0.0374) with an IGT-affiliated decline in high-frequency HRV and an increase in low-frequency HRV, suggesting diet-induced ANS regulatory shifts in response to performing the EF task. Compared to the sugar-sweetened beverage diet pattern, diet patterns defined by more fruits/vegetables and low red meat (p = 0.0048) or higher omega-3 fatty acids and seafood (p = 0.0029) consumption were associated with lower chronic stress exposure. All outcomes were statistically adjusted for differences in BMI, age, sex, education level, and sensorimotor ability. Our findings provide new information that further supports the potential importance of whole diet patterns on cognitive disease prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin D. Laugero
- Obesity and Metabolism Research Unit, USDA/ARS/Western Human Nutrition Research Center 2, Davis, CA 95616, USA;
- Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Nancy L. Keim
- Obesity and Metabolism Research Unit, USDA/ARS/Western Human Nutrition Research Center 2, Davis, CA 95616, USA;
- Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
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Douglas GL, DeKerlegand D, Dlouhy H, Dumont-Leblond N, Fields E, Heer M, Krieger S, Mehta S, Rooney BV, Torralba MG, Whiting SE, Crucian B, Lorenzi H, Smith SM, Young M, Zwart SR. Impact of diet on human nutrition, immune response, gut microbiome, and cognition in an isolated and confined mission environment. Sci Rep 2022; 12:20847. [PMID: 36522361 PMCID: PMC9755260 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-21927-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Long-duration spaceflight impacts human physiology, including well documented immune system dysregulation. The space food system has the potential to serve as a countermeasure to maladaptive physiological changes during spaceflight. However, the relationship between dietary requirements, the food system, and spaceflight adaptation requires further investigation to adequately define countermeasures and prioritize resources on future spaceflight missions. We evaluated the impact of an enhanced spaceflight diet, with increased quantity and variety of fruits, vegetables, fish, and other foods rich in flavonoids and omega-3 fatty acids, compared to a standard spaceflight diet on multiple health and performance outcomes in 16 subjects over four 45-day closed chamber missions in the NASA Human Exploration Research Analog (HERA). Subjects consuming the enhanced spaceflight diet had lower cholesterol levels, lower stress (i.e. cortisol levels), better cognitive speed, accuracy, and attention, and a more stable microbiome and metatranscriptome than subjects consuming the standard diet. Although no substantial changes were observed in the immune response, there were also no immune challenges, such as illness or infection, so the full benefits of the diet may not have been apparent in these analog missions. These results indicate that a spaceflight diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and omega-3 fatty acids produces significant health and performance benefits even over short durations. Further investigation is required to fully develop dietary countermeasures to physiological decrements observed during spaceflight. These results will have implications for food resource prioritization on spaceflight missions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace L. Douglas
- grid.419085.10000 0004 0613 2864Human Health and Performance Directorate (SF4), NASA Johnson Space Center, 2101 NASA Parkway, Houston, TX 77058 USA
| | | | - Holly Dlouhy
- grid.481680.30000 0004 0634 8729KBR, Houston, TX USA
| | - Nathan Dumont-Leblond
- grid.421142.00000 0000 8521 1798Centre de Recherche de L’Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie Et de Pneumologie de Québec, Quebec City, QC Canada
| | | | - Martina Heer
- grid.10388.320000 0001 2240 3300IU International University of Applied Sciences and University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Brian Crucian
- grid.419085.10000 0004 0613 2864Human Health and Performance Directorate (SF4), NASA Johnson Space Center, 2101 NASA Parkway, Houston, TX 77058 USA
| | - Hernan Lorenzi
- grid.469946.0J Craig Venter Institute, Rockville, MD USA
| | - Scott M. Smith
- grid.419085.10000 0004 0613 2864Human Health and Performance Directorate (SF4), NASA Johnson Space Center, 2101 NASA Parkway, Houston, TX 77058 USA
| | - Millennia Young
- grid.419085.10000 0004 0613 2864Human Health and Performance Directorate (SF4), NASA Johnson Space Center, 2101 NASA Parkway, Houston, TX 77058 USA
| | - Sara R. Zwart
- grid.176731.50000 0001 1547 9964University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX USA
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Soltani H, Keim NL, Laugero KD. Waking Salivary Cortisol Associated with Magnitude of Cholesterol Reduction in Women Fed a Healthy Whole-Food Diet for 8 Weeks. Curr Dev Nutr 2022; 6:nzac083. [PMID: 35669046 PMCID: PMC9155168 DOI: 10.1093/cdn/nzac083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 04/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Diet and cortisol are independently linked to cardiometabolic function and health, but underlying alterations in circulating cortisol may influence beneficial cardiometabolic effects of consuming a healthy diet. Objective This study was a secondary analysis to examine whether baseline concentrations of waking salivary cortisol interacted with 8-wk whole-food diet interventions to affect cardiometabolic outcomes. Methods A randomized, double-blind, controlled 8-wk diet intervention was conducted in 44 participants. The trial was conducted at the Western Human Nutrition Research Center in Davis, California. Participants were overweight or obese women aged 20-64 y, minimally active, and insulin resistant and/or dyslipidemic. Diets were randomly assigned and based on the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) or a typical American diet (TAD). Cardiometabolic risk factors and salivary cortisol were assessed at baseline and at 8 wk. Primary outcome measures included 8-wk change in overnight fasted cardiometabolic risk factors, including blood pressure, BMI, and circulating triglycerides, cholesterol, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), nonesterified fatty acids, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. This trial was approved by the University of California, Davis, Institutional Review Board. Results Baseline waking cortisol concentrations interacted (P = 0.0474) with diet to affect 8-wk changes in fasting total cholesterol. Compared with a TAD, a DGA diet was associated with 8-wk decreases in total cholesterol in participants with low (10th percentile of all participants; 2.76 nmol/L) or average (7.76 nmol/L) but not higher (90th percentile of all participants; 13.44 nmol/L) baseline waking cortisol. Consistent with this finding, there was a DGA-specific positive association (P = 0.0047; b: 2.88 ± 0.94) between baseline waking cortisol and 8-wk increases in total cholesterol. Conclusions The underlying status of waking cortisol may explain interindividual variability in total cholesterol responses to whole-food diets. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02298725) as NCT02298725.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoda Soltani
- Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Nancy L Keim
- Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- Obesity and Metabolism Research Unit, USDA/Agricultural Research Service/Western Human Nutrition Research Center, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Kevin D Laugero
- Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- Obesity and Metabolism Research Unit, USDA/Agricultural Research Service/Western Human Nutrition Research Center, Davis, CA, USA
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Strahler J, Wurst R, Fuchs R, Wunsch K. Joint associations of regular exercise and healthy diet with psychobiological stress reactivity in a healthy male sample. Stress 2021; 24:696-709. [PMID: 33605191 DOI: 10.1080/10253890.2021.1878496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: Engaging in physical activity and exercise have long been shown to have beneficial effects on (psychosocial) stress reactivity. Initial studies could reveal that these positive effects on stress reactivity also exist for a healthy diet. Aim of this study was to examine whether combining a healthy diet and regular exercise can provide additional benefits on psychobiological stress levels. Methods: Forty-two men self-identifying as non-exercisers or regular exercisers between 18 and 30 years were exposed to the Trier Social Stress Test for Groups. Salivary cortisol (sCort) and alpha-amylase (sAA) as biological stress markers, and self-reported momentary stress were repeatedly examined. Questionnaires on regular exercise and dietary intake were completed once. Results: Two-stage hierarchical multiple regressions predicting participants' stress reactivity, i.e. response and recovery, from diet quality, exercise as well as their interaction appeared inconsistent. sCort response was significantly predicted by regular exercise whereas greater sCort recovery was predicted by higher diet quality. In contrast, higher sAA reactivity was predicted by higher diet quality while participants eating less healthy and exercising more showed the most pronounced sAA recovery. None of the other outcome variables was predicted by the interaction. Subjective stress was unrelated to either health behavior. Conclusions: The present examination among an all-male sample emphasized the stress-buffering capabilities of regular exercise and provided initial evidence for a distinct link to healthy diet. Assumed synergistic benefits could, however, not be confirmed. Advances are needed to better understand how individuals profit the most from which behaviors as well as their interactive effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Strahler
- Department of Psychotherapy and Systems Neuroscience, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Ramona Wurst
- Department of Sport Psychology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Reinhard Fuchs
- Department of Sport Psychology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Kathrin Wunsch
- Department of Sport Psychology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Institute of Sports and Sports Science, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany
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Laugero KD, Paul DR, Jahns L. Energy intake and season interact to influence physiological stress load among midlife women. Stress 2021; 24:849-856. [PMID: 34006172 DOI: 10.1080/10253890.2021.1931106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Allostatic load (AL) is an index that measures physiologic stress associated with chronic disease risk. One factor that may influence overall physiologic stress load and AL is energy consumption, but whether this association differs across different seasons is unknown. We tested whether energy consumption interacted with the season to influence AL in 52 mid-life (40-60 years) women from the Life in All Seasons Study. Women completed an online 24-h recall every 10 days and had components of allostatic load measured seasonally. Women were from the greater Grand Forks, ND catchment area and were followed for one year between July 2012 and July 2014. We found a significant (p = 0.01) interaction between season and energy consumption on AL. Further inspection showed that, during the summer and winter seasons, the average allostatic load rose with relatively higher energy consumption. We also observed a linear and positive association between AL and energy intake in summer (β = 0.0013 ± 0.0004; p = 0.001; r2 = 0.14) and winter (β = 0.0011 ± 0.0004; p = 0.007; r2 = 0.10), but not in fall or spring. These results suggest that factors associated with distinct times of the year promote or prevent the effects of higher energy consumption on physiological stress load. Since allostatic load is linked to elevated disease risk, our results provide additional information that may help to explain seasonal differences in disease risk of some women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin D Laugero
- Obesity and Metabolism Research Unit, USDA/ARS/Western Human Nutrition Research Center, Davis, CA, USA
- Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - David R Paul
- Department of Movement Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA
| | - Lisa Jahns
- USDA/ARS/Grand Forks Human Nutrition Research Center, Grand Forks, ND, USA
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Honceriu C, Curpan AS, Ciobica A, Ciobica A, Trus C, Timofte D. Connections between Different Sports and Ergogenic Aids-Focusing on Salivary Cortisol and Amylase. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 57:medicina57080753. [PMID: 34440959 PMCID: PMC8400367 DOI: 10.3390/medicina57080753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Revised: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Athletes are exposed to a tremendous amount of stress, both physically and mentally, when performing high intensity sports with frequent practices, pushing numerous athletes into choose to use ergogenic aids such as caffeine or β-alanine to significantly improve their performance and ease the stress and pressure that is put onto the body. The beneficial or even detrimental effects of these so-called ergogenic aids can be appreciated through the use of numerous diagnostic tools that can analyze various body fluids. In the recent years, saliva samples are gaining more ground in the field of diagnostic as it is a non-invasive procedure, contains a tremendous amount of analytes that are subject to pathophysiological changes caused by diseases, exercises, fatigue as well as nutrition and hydration. Thus, we describe here the current progress regarding potential novel biomarkers for stress and physical activity, salivary α-amylase and salivary cortisol, as well as their use and measurement in combination with different already-known or new ergogenic aids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cezar Honceriu
- Faculty of Physical Education and Sports, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, B dul Carol I, No 11, 700506 Iasi, Romania;
| | - Alexandrina-Stefania Curpan
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Biology, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, B dul Carol I, No 11, 700506 Iasi, Romania;
| | - Alin Ciobica
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Biology, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, B dul Carol I, No 11, 700506 Iasi, Romania;
- Center of Biomedical Research, Romanian Academy, B dul Carol I, No 8, 700505 Iasi, Romania
- Academy of Romanian Scientists, Splaiul Independentei nr. 54, Sector 5, 050094 Bucuresti, Romania
- Correspondence: (A.C.); (C.T.)
| | - Andrei Ciobica
- Department of Physiology, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16, Universitatii Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (A.C.); (D.T.)
| | - Constantin Trus
- Department of Morphological and Functional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dunarea de Jos University, 800008 Galati, Romania
- Correspondence: (A.C.); (C.T.)
| | - Daniel Timofte
- Department of Physiology, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16, Universitatii Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (A.C.); (D.T.)
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