Nutrition and health最新文献

BackgroundMetabolic syndrome, a cluster of conditions increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes, is a growing concern globally. In Saudi Arabia, lifestyle factors such as physical activity and dietary patterns play a significant role in the prevalence of metabolic syndrome.Study PurposeThis study aims to explore the relationship between physical activity levels, dietary patterns, and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome among adults in Saudi Arabia.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted using purposive and convenience sampling techniques. A total of 468 participants completed questionnaires assessing their physical activity levels and dietary patterns. Metabolic syndrome was determined based on clinical measurements of waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting glucose, and lipid levels.ResultsThe analysis revealed a significant association between lower physical activity levels and poor dietary patterns with higher prevalence rates of metabolic syndrome. The analysis revealed that participants with low physical activity levels had a higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome (p < 0.01). Similarly, those with unhealthy dietary patterns (high in saturated fats and sugars) showed a metabolic syndrome risk (p < 0.01), compared to those with healthy dietary patterns.ConclusionThe findings underscore the critical role of physical activity and dietary patterns in the development of metabolic syndrome in Saudi Arabia. Public health interventions targeting lifestyle modifications could be essential in mitigating metabolic syndrome and improving overall health.

Background: Postural tachycardia has been observed as a sign of malnutrition in eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa. However, there is limited information regarding other contributors to postural tachycardia in this population. Aim: This study aimed to determine the following among patients admitted to the Eating Disorders Unit (EDU) at a metropolitan tertiary hospital in Victoria, Australia: (a) the prevalence of postural tachycardia among eating disorder inpatients, and (b) the associated demographic and clinical features. Methods: Retrospective review of patient files was undertaken for inpatients aged 18-65 years with an eating disorder who resided within the Body Image & Eating Disorders Treatment & Recovery Service catchment area and were admitted to EDU between January 01, 2021 and October 30, 2023. Logistics regression was used for statistical analysis. Results: Among 177 admissions, 48 patients had postural tachycardia and this was at least partially attributed to malnutrition in 42 patients. Antipsychotics were significantly positively associated, and for every increase in one antipsychotic medication, there was an 89% increase in postural tachycardia diagnosis likelihood (B = 0.637) (Exp('B')) = 1.890). Higher admission body mass index/weight, emergency medical reviews, ≥ 10 prior psychiatric admissions, and 1-3 prior medical admissions showed significant positive associations. Conclusions: Postural tachycardia is a multifactorial issue which contributes to medical instability and is associated with antipsychotic medications and a history of multiple medical and psychiatric admissions.

Background: Obesity is a risk factor for leading causes of death. Aim: This study investigated the associations of obesity with demographic and lifestyle factors among adults aged 18-64 in Hong Kong. Methods: The study uses data (n = 24,855) from the government online database. It uses T-tests to compare mean values for body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and weight-to-height ratio obese; analysis of variance for not-obese, BMI-obese-only, central-obese, and BMI + central-obese; Pearson chi-square tests for categorical variables; and multinomial logistic regression to obtain the odd ratios. It uses IBM SPSS version 26 to conduct all analyses, and at a 95% confidence level. Results: The analyses show that the risks of central-obese, and BMI + central-obese increase by 4%, and 4%/year of age, respectively. Females have 60%, 38%, and 60% lower risks of BMI-obese-only, central-obese, and BMI + central-obese, respectively, and people with tertiary education have 28%, 20%, and 20% lower risks, respectively. Employed people have a 40% higher risk of BMI-obese-only when compared with the unemployed; students have a 46% lower risk of BMI + central-obese and home-makers have a 38% higher risk. The risk of central-obese decreases by 14%/10 min/day of moderate physical activity, but could be different among females, and vigorous physical activity yielded mixed results. The risk of BMI + central-obese decreases by 9%/day/week of vegetable intake. Conclusions: Obesity is associated with multiple demographic and lifestyle factors. Keep doing vigorous and moderate physical activity but state alert to obesity risk factors, and frequent vegetable intake are recommended. Lifelong learning and continuing education could be an effective strategy to combat obesity.

Background: Although caffeine is the most studied ergogenic aid, few studies have been conducted to evaluate the effect of caffeine supplementation among women in different phases of the menstrual cycle (MC).

Aim: To verify the effect of caffeine supplementation and the MC phase on the performance of a 5 km cycling time trial of female exercise practitioners (FEP).

Methods: This was a parallel, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial with a sample of women aged 18-35 years, all with regular MC. The caffeine (CAFG) and placebo (PLAG) groups performed the exercise test during the late follicular phase and mid-luteal phase. These time points were individually assessed according to each woman's MC. On the test day, they were instructed to intake a standardized meal. Subsequently, 30 min following the meal, volunteers consumed caffeine (6 mg·kg^-1) or placebo. One hour following caffeine intake, the exercise protocol started. The participants were instructed to perform an all-out 5-km cycling time trial.

Results: Twenty-one women with a mean age of 26.6 years (PLAG, n = 10; 26.7 y; CAFG, n = 11; 26.5 y) were evaluated. The mean test duration was approximately 10-min, with no effect of the MC phase (F = 0.410; p = 0.532), caffeine supplementation (F = 2.23; p = 0.156), or interaction (F = 0.298; p = 0.593). Likewise, we did not verify the effect of the MC phase (F = 0.249; p = 0.625), caffeine supplementation (F = 2.35; p = 0.146), or interaction (F = 0.585; p = 0.456) on the mean power.

Conclusion: Neither caffeine supplementation nor the different MC phases had an impact on the 5-km cycling TT performance of FEP.

Background: Body composition is a determinant of physical fitness and sports performance. Aim: To describe the anthropometric characteristics, body composition, somatotype, and asymmetries of the 2023 world champion in the C1-1000 canoeing event. Methods: Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), and anthropometry were used to describe the athlete's body composition. Results: The results showed a fat tissue distribution of 16.3% by DXA, 15.9% by BIA, and 19.0% by anthropometry. Muscle tissue was reported at 32.0 kg (47.5%) by BIA and 34.1 kg (50.6%) by anthropometry. Conclusions: The athlete exhibits low levels of fat mass with high lean mass, factors that enable optimal development in world-class sports.

Background: A nutritious diet is crucial for good health and cognitive function, including working memory (WM). Nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamins found in whole foods have been linked to improved WM. Examining the impact of dietary habits on WM in women, who face hormonal and health-related challenges, is important. Aim: This study aimed to investigate the effects of nutrition on WM in women with good and poor dietary habits. Methods: A total of 60 female participants in the age range of 20-30 years were included in the study. Participants were divided according to dietary habits into two groups of 30 each: group 1 with good and group 2 with poor food habits. This categorization was based on their scores on Adolescent Food Habits Checklist (AFHC). Auditory WM was evaluated across multiple tasks-forward digit span, backward digit span, ascending and descending digit span, 3n running span, and 3n-back digit to all participants. Results: Results of Mann-Whitney U test showed that women with good food habits had significantly better backward digit span (/Z/ = 0.009, p < 0.05, Re = 0.011) and descending scores (/Z/ = 0.032, p < 0.05, Re = 0.004) compared to those with poor food habits. No correlation was found between the AFHC scores and the scores on all WM tests (p > 0.05), except the backward span (p = 0.002). These results suggest that better nutritional intake might enhance performance in these memory-related tasks. Conclusion: Nutritional intake differentially affects WM in women, with those having good dietary habits performing better in tasks requiring sustained memory as inferred from their superior performance on backward and descending span tasks. This highlights the potential role of nutrition in shaping cognitive abilities. However, the WM does not correlate with the AFHC scores, except on backward memory span.

Background: Medically tailored meals (MTMs) are personalized meals designed to meet the therapeutic needs of patients with chronic diseases. Most MTM programs rely on philanthropic support, and the optimal parameters for these programs are not well-defined. Aim: To assess the feasibility of an MTM program developed by a major healthcare institution using internal investments and an online platform for meal ordering. Methods: Single-arm prospective cohort feasibility MTM project implemented between August 2021 and June 2022. Each participant received 14 frozen meals per week over 3 months via a courier system. Participants answered several questionnaires and healthcare utilization was abstracted from electronic medical records up to 6 months post-intervention. Results: Sixty participants were enrolled. Emergency department (ED) visits and inpatient days significantly decreased in the 180 days post-intervention compared to the 180 days pre-intervention (ED visits: 1.2 vs 1.7, P = 0.005; inpatient days: 3.2 vs 5.1, P = 0.02). Participants saved an average of $12,046 in healthcare costs. Despite challenges with implementation, including upfront costs and sustainability, client and service outcomes were highly favorable. Patients were overwhelmingly satisfied with the program, although there was no quantitative improvement in global mental health (GMH) or global physical health (GPH) scores. Conclusion: MTM programs run by healthcare institutions can enhance patient satisfaction, reduce hospital visits, and lower healthcare costs, particularly for vulnerable populations. Providing healthy, frozen meals over an extended period is feasible, though it requires significant initial investment. Large healthcare institutions should consider implementing such programs to prioritize primary prevention in the US healthcare system.

Background: Over the past two decades, there has been an increase in the prevalence of psychological conditions, such as depression, anxiety, disordered eating, and body image disturbances. In concert with this trend, there was a substantial rise in the advocacy and practice of restrictive dietary patterns, such as veganism and vegetarianism. These parallel developments suggest a relation between diet and mental health, but to date, research has failed to offer clear answers on whether these associations are causal, coincidental, or more complex than superficial analyses suggest.

Aim: Given this context, the purpose of this commentary is to offer a consilient perspective on the role of vegan and vegetarian diets in mental health.

Methods: We performed a broad qualitative synthesis of the current literature on diet and mental health from sociologic and psychologic perspectives.

Results: Several empirically supported hypotheses were presented with equivocal support.

Conclusion: The current evidence suggests that if a nutritionally adequate diet is consumed, the avoidance/consumption of meat and other animal foods will have no significant effects on physical and mental health.

Background: NOVA is a food classification system that classifies foods according to the scope and purpose of food processing, rather than nutrients. Asthma is usually characterized by chronic inflammation and respiratory symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, cough, and variable expiratory airflow limitation. According to the NOVA food classification system, consumption of ultraprocessed foods (UPF) can affect asthma symptoms. Aim: In this study, the relationship between UPF consumption and pulmonary function test (PFT) results of asthma patients in adults aged 18 to 65 was investigated using biochemical parameters. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional study and, was conducted with 339 asthmatic participants diagnosed with asthma and receiving medical treatment. The participants' consumption of UPF was determined using a food frequency questionnaire. The evaluation of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV₁) (L/s) and forced vital capacity (FVC) (L/s) in the respiratory function tests was based on the percentage of the measured and expected values. Results: Although no significant relationship was found between % FEV₁ expected value and UPF consumption (P > 0.05), it was concluded that % FVC expected and % FEV₁/FVC values decreased with increasing UPF consumption (P < 0.05). Conclusion: It has been concluded that consumption of UPF worsens respiratory function and asthma prognosis. Therefore, replacing UPF and beverage products with healthier foods or food processing methods will play an important role in maintaining health.

The prevalence of disordered eating habits in college-aged females is at an all-time high. This population is more likely to experience issues with body image and poor eating behaviors due to the pressure of being a collegiate athlete. The objective of this qualitative study aimed to determine the prevalence of disordered eating habits in female collegiate athletes and determine if playing a sport puts them at risk of harmful behaviors. An anonymous survey was sent out to participants of various sports, asking them to answer a 10-question survey about eating habits and compensatory behaviors such as excessive exercise and caloric restriction. Results indicated that 75% of those surveyed said playing a collegiate sport negatively impacts their relationship with food, and 71% said playing a sport negatively impacts their body image. While some female athletes do not meet the clinical diagnostic criteria for an eating disorder, a large portion still displays disordered eating behaviors, which can be detrimental to their overall well-being. It is essential for the safety of these athletes that staff members, health professionals, and the athletes themselves are aware of these circumstances and can prevent them from progressing into fully diagnosed eating disorders.