The Twin White Herrings: Salt and Sugar

Functional Food Consumption and Its Associated Factors among University Students in Malaysia during COVID-19 Pandemic

Background

In the current situation of COVID-19, dietary intake that incorporates functional foods may potentially be a preventive measure for defence against viral infection. This study aimed to determine the consumption of functional foods and its associated factors among university students during COVID-19.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study conducted among 284 Malaysian university students in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. An online self-administered questionnaire was employed to assess subjects' nutrition knowledge, dietary habits, attitude towards functional foods, recognition and consumption of functional food products.

Results

Out of 284 respondents, 41.9% had poor level of nutrition knowledge and 57% had moderate level of functional food-related attitude, with seven types of functional foods consumed on average (57.0%). Binary logistic regression showed that university students who consumed fruits at least three times per day (aOR = 11.18; 95% CI: 1.46, 80.17), salty snacks (aOR = 2.90; 95% CI: 1.43, 5.86), soft drinks/sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) (aOR = 3.12; 95% CI: 1.53, 5.26) and pure juice (aOR = 2.80; 95% CI: 1.48, 5.30) were more likely to consume functional foods during COVID-19 (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The findings could provide information to public and private sectors in terms of creating a supportive environment to encourage and promote the awareness and consumption of functional foods and their associated health benefits.

The Association between Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Cardiometabolic Health at 6 Months following a Hypertensive Pregnancy: A BP2 Sub-Study

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) complicate 5-10% of pregnancies, with resultant lifelong increased risks of cardiovascular disease (CVD). We aimed to describe lifestyle behaviours at 6 months post-HDP in four HDP subgroups, and their association with markers of cardiometabolic health. Subgroups were chronic hypertension (CH), gestational hypertension (GH), preeclampsia, and preeclampsia superimposed on chronic hypertension (CH + PE). The BP2 study is a multi-site, three-arm, randomised controlled trial. At 6 months postpartum, the NSW Population Health Survey and BP2 surveys collected lifestyle behaviours and demographic data. Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and blood pressure (BP) were also assessed. Descriptive statistics, ANOVA and Spearman's correlation coefficients were used. Of 484 women (16% CH, 23% GH, 55% preeclampsia, and 6% CH + PE), 62% were overweight or obese. Only 6% met the recommended five vegetable and two fruit serves per day, and 43% did not meet the recommended 150 min of moderate-vigorous physical activity in five sessions per week. Adherence to both diet and physical activity recommendations was correlated with more favourable cardiometabolic outcomes, including lower BMI, waist circumference, and systolic and diastolic BP. Lifestyle interventions that improve diet and physical activity post-HDP are needed to reduce BP, BMI, and long-term CVD in this high-risk population.

Identifying dietary pattern associated with adiposity among Malaysian young adults

BACKGROUND: Recognizing food groups consumption in young adults offers an opportunity to improve dietary pattern in early adulthood. OBJECTIVE: Hence, this cross-sectional study aimed to determine food groups’ intake of young adults and to identify food groups associated with adiposity. METHODS: Youths aged 18–25 years old from private universities in Klang Valley, Malaysia, participated in the study (n = 294). Three days 24-hour dietary recall assessed youths’ food groups intake. Adiposity (BMI, body fat percentage, visceral fat level, waist circumference) was determined based on standard protocol. Height was measured using SECA 206 body meter, while weight, body fat percentage, and visceral fat level were measured using the Omron HBF-356 Body Fat Analyzer. Waist circumference was determined using a measuring tape. RESULTS: In total, 49.3% and 34.7% of youths were overweight/obese and abdominally obese, respectively. The median visceral fat level was 4 (6). Youths consumed 214 (247) kcal of ultra-processed foods daily and exceeded the sugar [32.43 (41.20) g] and sodium recommendation [2425.26 (1455.18) mg]. Fruits [0.29±0.72 servings/day], vegetables [0.95±0.77 servings/day] and milk [0.24±0.38 servings/day] were below recommendations. Increased intake of meat and sodium were associated with higher BMI, waist circumference, body fat percentage, and visceral fat (p <  0.001). Greater intake of ultra-processed food was associated with high BMI (p = 0.009), waist circumference (p = 0.046), and visceral fat (p = 0.014). Besides, high sugar intake was associated with greater BMI (p = 0.003), body fat percentage (p = 0.020), and visceral fat (p = 0.027). CONCLUSIONS: Meat, sugar, sodium, and ultra-processed foods were high-risk foods associated with adiposity among young adults. There is a need to improve education and support to promote healthy eating for chronic disease prevention related to metabolic abnormalities.

The Nutritional and Health Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Patients with Diabetes Mellitus

COVID-19 related restrictions aimed at curbing the spread of the coronavirus result in changes in daily routines and physical activity which can have a negative effect on eating and health habits. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients with diabetes and their nutrition and health behaviours. A survey conducted in July 2020 included 124 individuals with type 1 (n = 90) and 2 (n = 34) diabetes mellitus from Poland. To assess nutritional and health behaviours, an online questionnaire covering basic information, anthropometric data, and details regarding physical activity, eating, and hygiene habits was used. Almost 40% of all respondents with type 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) stated that their disease self-management had significantly improved. Over 60% of all participants declared that they had started eating more nutritious and regular meals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Enhanced hygiene, in particular, during the period, a statistically significant increase in hand sanitiser use was reported by respondents (18% vs. 82%, p < 0.001). The study demonstrated that the pandemic had a significant impact on the behaviour of patients with DM. Improved disease self-management and making healthy, informed food and hygiene choices were observed.

Palaeolithic Diet in Diabesity and Endocrinopathies - A Vegan's Perspective

Introduction: The Palaeolithic diet is designed to resemble that of human hunter-gatherer ancestors thousands to millions of years ago. This review summarises the evidence and clinical application of this diet in various disorders. An empiric vegan variant of it has been provided, keeping in mind vegan food habits. Review of the literature: different types of Palaeolithic diets in vogue include the 80/20, the autoimmune, the lacto, the Palaeolithic vegan and the Palaeolithic ketogenic. We have developed an Indian variant of the Palaeolithic vegan diet, which excludes all animal-based foods. The Palaeolithic diet typically has low carbohydrate and lean protein of 30–35% daily caloric intake in addition to a fibre diet from non-cereal, plant-based sources, up to 45–100 g daily. In different observational studies, beneficial effects on metabolic syndrome, blood pressure, glucose tolerance, insulin secretion, lipid profiles and cardiovascular risk factors have been documented with the Palaeolithic diet. Short-term randomised controlled trials have documented weight loss, and improved glycaemia and adipo-cytokine profiles. Few concerns of micronutrient deficiency (e.g. calcium) have been raised. Conclusion: Initial data are encouraging with regard to the use of the Palaeolithic diet in managing diabesity. There is an urgent need for large randomised controlled trials to evaluate the role of the Palaeolithic diet with different anti-diabetes medications for glycaemic control and the reversal of type 2 diabetes.

Study on dietary constituents, hs-CRP serum levels and investigation of correlation between them in excess weight adolescents

BACKGROUND

 The prevalence of childhood obesity has increased in Greece as well as worldwide. Mediterranean diet is considered the world's most popular healthy eating pattern. C-reactive protein (CRP) has been shown to play an important pathophysiological role between inflammation and cardiovascular diseases and has been linked to obesity. Our study aimed to investigate the adolescents' diet, their high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) serum levels, and whether low-grade inflammation, present in obesity, is related to adolescents' diet.

METHODS

The sample of the study consisted of 142 adolescents age- and gender- matched 13.4 ± 1.46 years, divided into two groups: the study group and the controls. The study group of 71 excess body weight adolescents was further divided into two subgroups of 28 overweight and 43 obese respectively; 71 normal weight age- and gender-matched served as controls. Dietary constituents (food weight, energy intake, protein, carbohydrate and fat consumption, fiber, and sugars) were analyzed. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet was investigated, and hs-CRP serum levels were determined. The findings were compared between/among groups. Furthermore, the correlation of hs-CRP serum levels and food constituents between/among groups was investigated.

RESULTS

 We documented differences in several parameters among the groups: waist to hip ratio (p =0.001), food weight (p =0.040), energy intake (p =0.024), protein intake (p =0.001), total fibre (p =0.017), sugars (p =0.001), and the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index for children and adolescents (KIDMED; p =0.008). No statistically significant difference was found for hs-CRP serum levels among the three groups. No correlation was found between hs-CRP serum levels and any of the dietary constituents.

CONCLUSIONS

  Comparing the three groups (obese, overweight, and controls), we found statistically significant differences for food constituents but not for hs-CRP serum levels. In our study, inflammation was not found to be correlated with any of the dietary constituents. Further studies in a larger sample are required to consolidate these findings. HIPPOKRATIA 2019, 23(1): 3-8.