Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism最新文献

Background: Childhood obesity is a global issue with multifactorial causes, leading to chronic and complex disease affecting all organs and systems with high morbidity and mortality, later in life. Elevated serum uric acid (SUA) levels are linked to several comorbidities in adults. In children, however, SUA levels vary by age, sex, and pubertal stage, and therefore, this relation is not well documented. While higher body mass index (BMI) has been associated with SUA levels, other nutritional assessment methods have not been thoroughly investigated and the link between SUA levels and obesity comorbidities in children is underexplored. Objective: This study aims to determine if hyperuricemia is related to body composition and obesity-related comorbidities in children. Methods: A retrospective analysis examined records from 505 obese children aged 5 to 18. The study evaluated the relationship between three nutritional assessment methods: BMI, waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), and body fat mass (BFM) percentage determined by bioimpedance (using InBody 270 scale), SUA levels, and blood markers associated with target organ damage. Results: A significant correlation was found between all three nutritional assessment methods (p < 0.001). WHtR showed a stronger correlation with the assessed comorbidities than the BMI z-score. SUA level correlated with HOMA-IR, ALT level, and lipid profile (p < 0.001). Multiple linear regression indicated an association between SUA level, BFM percentage, and WHtR (p < 0.001). Significant differences in body composition, SUA, and comorbidity markers were observed between children with and without hepatic steatosis (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Our results indicated a strong correlation among all nutritional assessment methods; however, WHtR and BFM percentage had a better correlation with obesity complications. SUA is a potential marker for insulin resistance, inflammation, and metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) in obese children.

Background and Aim: Emotional eating (EE) is the uncontrollable desire to eat in response to negative emotions such as anxiety, irritation, or depression. The 2019 coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and strict quarantine raised the likelihood of mental symptoms and, as a consequence, EE. The main objective of this study was to assess the extent of EE and mental health among Lebanese university students and to identify the main correlates of EE. Methods: A cross-sectional study was undertaken between March and April 2021. Overall, 356 Lebanese university students aged between 18 and 25 years completed an online questionnaire that assesses EE and mental state, as well as health and eating habits. Results: The total mean EE score was 33.82 (±8.52). The main predictors of EE among university students were a higher grade point average (GPA) (p=0.010), higher body mass index (BMI) (p < 0.001), consuming more fats (p=0.013), and eating more sweets and cookies (p=0.010). In addition, depression, anxiety, and stress were highly prevalent among Lebanese university students during the pandemic (43.8%, 51.7%, and 91.6%, respectively). Conclusion: This study provides evidence of the negative impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on emotional well-being and eating behaviors among Lebanese university students. Targeted nutrition education programs that address the cultural and economic realities of Lebanese students, as well as psychological counseling offered by the universities, would be of interest to improve the diet quality and emotional well-being of the students.

Introduction: Despite efforts to address malnutrition, it remains prevalent in Ghana and other developing nations. High rates of malnutrition hinder the achievement of the health-related sustainable development goals. Understanding the factors contributing to undernutrition among pregnant women (PW) is essential for developing targeted interventions. This study, therefore, aims to assess the prevalence of undernutrition, dietary diversity (DD), and predictors of undernutrition among PW in Effutu Municipality in the Central Region of Ghana. Methods: Two hospitals within the Effutu Municipality were recruited for the study. The study was conducted among 301 PW (15-49 years) recruited through simple random sampling from September 20, 2022, to October 24, 2022. The mid-upper arm circumference and minimum DD score for women were used as a proxy for undernutrition and DD, respectively. SPSS version 26 was used for data analysis. Descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis, and binary regression analysis were conducted to describe variables and identify the association between dependent and independent variables. Results: The majority of the respondents (40.5%) were in the age range of 26-30 years and were single (53.2%). The prevalence of undernutrition was 9.3%, while 7.6% of the respondents had poor DD scores. Factors identified to be associated with undernutrition were DD score (OR = 15.244, 95% CI: 5.399-43.040), employment status (OR = 3.311, 95% CI: 1.075-10.195), and parity (OR = 2.903, 95% CI: 1.125-7.492). Conclusion: Effutu Municipality in Ghana faces a moderate prevalence of undernutrition among PW, despite generally adequate DD. Targeted interventions focusing on improving DD, particularly among unemployed and multiparous women, are essential for addressing undernutrition and improving maternal and fetal health outcomes in the study area. These findings underscore the importance of context-specific strategies to combat malnutrition among PW.

Introduction: This study explores the impact of observing Ramadan intermittent fasting (RIF) on body weight in Turkish residents, marking it as the first study conducted in Turkey to investigate the interplay of religious fasting with dietary changes amid the COVID-19 pandemic. We hypothesized that observing Ramadan fasting would result in weight loss attributable to dietary changes, while decreased physical activity would correlate with weight gain during this period. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among Muslims aged 18+ in Turkey who fasted at least two days during Ramadan 2021. Data were collected via Google Forms, with 1669 participants recruited through social media. Descriptive statistics summarized participant characteristics, and Pearson's Chi-square tests assessed weight change differences. Binary logistic regression identified predictors of weight gain, adjusting for factors such as sex, age, physical activity, water consumption, and diet. Results: Of the 1669 respondents (53.6% female), 49.4% perceived their weight as normal, while 47.0% classified themselves as overweight or obese. Logistic regression indicated that decreased physical activity (AOR = 1.618, p=0.001) and increased fat intake (AOR = 1.9, 95% CI 1.2-2.9) were significant predictors of weight gain. Conclusion: Our findings emphasize the importance of promoting healthy eating and regular physical activity during Ramadan.

To achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, low-income countries like Ghana will require strategizing towards sustainable reduction in micronutrient deficiency (MND) diseases and MND-related morbidity and mortality. A scoping review was conducted to identify the policy framework around MND intervention, the actors implementing MND-related strategies and documented evidence on which strategies worked across implementation stakeholders. Forty-six peer-reviewed articles were selected (n = 46) including studies on nutrition-sensitive intervention studies (n = 15) and nutrition-specific intervention (n = 31). Eligibility criteria for inclusion of information from articles and publications were based on report findings on nutrition-related programmes and policies conducted and implemented in Ghana and should have been published between 2000 and 2024. Databases adopted for this scoping review include Google Scholar, PubMed, ScienceDirect, AGORA, Hinari and JSTOR. This scoping review obtained a comprehensive picture of the nutrition situation in Ghana by gathering nutrition surveillance data depicting the different strategies employed to combat MNDs in Ghana. The scoping review identified several MND intervention strategies; however, the sustainability of the strategies required effective implementation guidelines, policies and programmes that address dietary deficits specific to a particular population.

Tocotrienols, isomers of vitamin E, may provide an effective nutritional strategy to mitigate common cardiovascular risks such as dyslipidemia, inflammation, and oxidative stress in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). This double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial aimed to evaluate the effects of a tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF) supplementation (300 mg/day) on oxidative stress and inflammatory markers, including transcription factors in nondialysis (ND) and hemodialysis (HD) CKD patients for three months. Interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α (IL-6 and TNF-α), C-reactive protein (CRP), lipid peroxidation, biochemical parameters, and transcription factors such as NRF2 and NF-κB mRNA expression were evaluated. Seventeen HD patients (9 in the placebo group, 8 in the TRF group) and 16 ND CKD patients (8 in the placebo group and 8 in the TRF group) completed the study. In HD patients, significant reductions were observed in LDL cholesterol (p=0.04) and total plasma cholesterol levels (p=0.01) after TRF intervention. CRP serum levels decreased significantly in ND CKD patients (p=0.05) after TRF supplementation. Transcription factors NRF2 and NF-κB mRNA expressions remained unaltered in both groups. This study suggests that TRF supplementation may mitigate dyslipidemia and inflammation, factors involved with increased cardiovascular risk, in CKD patients, with variations in efficacy between HD and ND patients. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04900532.

A rise in body temperature caused by physical work, including exercise, in a hot climate can lead to heat-related illnesses such as exertional heat exhaustion and stroke. Individuals who work physically demanding occupations in hot environments are at heightened risk of heat injury. The mechanisms that contribute to heat illness resulting from physical work in the heat are complex and include dehydration, tissue ischemia and damage, oxidative stress, and inflammatory events. Therefore, it is important to develop strategies that address these mechanistic underpinnings to prevent exacerbation to heat illness. Glutamine is an amino acid that has been considered conditionally essential during situations of biological stress (e.g., tissue burn, exercise, sepsis) due to high rates of tissue consumption. Evidence suggests that glutamine may serve as an important nutrient during heat stress and when combined with other preventative measures (e.g., cooling techniques, work/rest ratios, clothing) may help to mitigate heat illness among individuals working in extreme climates. The aim of this review is to examine the current literature on the role of glutamine during heat stress.

The objective of this research was to investigate the calcium bioavailability and the influence of substituting synthetic calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) with grouper bone nano-calcium (GBN), and medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) with long-chain triglyceride (LCT) in the diet of ovariectomized rats maintained for 8 weeks. Twenty rats were randomly divided into four distinct groups: (1) The OX-C group: AIN-93M standard + synthetic CaCO₃; (2) the OX-D group: AIN-93M standard + no calcium; (3) the OX-1 group: AIN-93M standard + GBN; and (4) the OX-2 group: AIN-93M with MCT as lipid source + GBN. The test parameters conducted encompassed the evaluation of the rat's body weight, levels of calcium, phosphorus, and alkaline phosphatase in rat blood serum, examination of the microstructure of rat tibiae by histomorphometry and femora bones by means of 3D micro-CT image analysis, and assessment of the strength of rat femora bones by the three-point bending. The results indicated that the GBN calcium diet groups (OX-1 and OX-2) were successful substitutes for synthetic CaCO₃ of the OX-C group. GBN calcium diet groups have shown superiority in terms of trabeculae thickness (Tb.Th), bone volume (BV/TV), bone mineral density (BMD), and particularly in bone strength evaluations. The GBN calcium diet groups exhibited serum calcium, serum phosphorus, and alkaline phosphatase levels that were comparable to those of synthetic CaCO₃ calcium. As the calcium-deficient group, OX-D revealed a much lower and distinct performance than other groups. This research demonstrated that MCT exhibit comparable performance to LCT; however, it did not establish that substituting LCT for MCT was superior.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to assess match time courses on hydration, wellness, and sleep as well as the interrelationship between these variables in youth national soccer players. Materials and Methods: Under-17 and under-19 youth national soccer players (age range: 16.96 ± 1.17 years) completed a perceptual wellness questionnaire, self-reported their sleep, and carried out hydration assessments each morning during a period of competitive match play. Results: Players reported having significantly more sleep leading into the day of a match (MD) compared to both the evening after a match (MD-2; p < 0.001; CI = 7.972 and 8.212) and the evening before a match (MD-1; p < 0.001; CI = 7.996 and 8.174). Furthermore, players reported better health and wellbeing scores on MD compared to both MD-1 (p < 0.001; CI = 19.231 and 19.692) and MD-2 (p < 0.001; CI = 18.911 and 19.489). When self-reported sleep was correlated with the individual components of health and wellbeing, it was highlighted that there were significant effects for fatigue (r = 0.304, p < 0.001; CI = 0.250 and 0.383), mood (r = 0.170, p < 0.001; CI = 0.112 and 0.243), general muscle soreness (r = 0.225, p < 0.001; CI = 0.162 and 0.306), and stress (r = 0.203, p < 0.001; CI = 0.147 and 0.274). Conclusion: It is important to consider sleep strategies to mitigate the potential impact of lack of sleep following match play. Self-reported sleep seems to be appropriate for estimating individual components of health and wellbeing, and therefore may be a suitable replacement for perceptual wellness questionnaires.

Licorice is a therapeutic herb in traditional Chinese herbal medicine. Licorice is considered as an anti-inflammatory agent due to its suppression and inhibition of inflammatory pathways. Licorice has many bioactive compounds such as glycyrrhetinic acid, glycyrrhizin, liquiritigenin, and isoliquirtigenin which are principally accountable for its therapeutic benefits. These bioactive components reduce inflammation by preventing the activation of important inflammatory pathways including mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB). As a result of this tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) are among the proinflammatory cytokines whose production is inhibited. Components present in licorice inhibit the activation by suppressing the IκBα phosphorylation and degradation. Moreover, licorice compounds also attenuate the MAPK signaling cascades by inhibiting the MAPK kinase phosphorylation and downstream MAPKs such as extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), p38 MAPK, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). The present review focuses on the current understanding of licorice effect on the NF-κB and MAPK inflammatory cell signaling pathways at molecular level. Furthermore, emerging evidence suggested that licorice-derived bioactive compounds may attenuate the molecular mechanism which is associated with inflammation, providing the additional insights into the therapeutic potential. Further studies explained the precise molecular mechanism at the cellular level underlying the licorice anti-inflammatory effect and potential application in managing inflammatory disorders. In conclusion, licorice has a complex mode of action and is a valuable natural anti-inflammatory. Its natural origin and effectiveness in clinical applications make it an intriguing topic for additional study. As licorice becomes more widely used in medicine, future research should focus on refining its formulations to optimize therapeutic advantages.