BMC Nutrition最新文献

Background: More studies are needed to show the significance of carbohydrate quantity and quality, given the rising global incidence of fatty liver disease and its effects on health. Consequently, in a case-control investigation, we evaluated the relationship between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the low-carbohydrate diet score (LCDS), and the carbohydrate quality index (CQI).

Methods: In the case-control study (121 participants with NAFLD and 119 participants without NAFLD), we employed a validated quantitative 168-item food frequency questionnaire. We evaluated CQI and LCDS at baseline. The ultimate scores were utilized to categorize the participants into tertiles. Blood tests were performed to measure selected blood markers. Demographic, anthropometric, and socioeconomic status data were recorded.

Results: Patients with NAFLD had a higher mean age (38.0 vs. 35.6 years, p = 0.037), body mass index (BMI) (28.6 vs. 23.2 kg/m², p < 0.001), and fasting blood sugar (FBS) (114.2 vs. 97.8 mg/dL, p < 0.001), as well as elevated liver enzymes (alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), both p < 0.001) compared with controls. In the crude model, participants in the highest tertile of CQI had significantly lower odds of NAFLD (odds ratio [OR] = 0.24; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.12-0.50; p-trend < 0.001), and those in the highest tertile of LCDS also showed reduced odds (OR = 0.30; 95% CI: 0.15-0.59). In the fully adjusted model, the likelihood of NAFLD remained lower among participants in the upper tertile of CQI (OR = 0.22; 95% CI: 0.08-0.54). Moreover, each one-unit increment in CQI score was associated with higher total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and lower ALT, FBS, and malondialdehyde (MDA) (all p < 0.05). Each one-unit increment in LCDS was also linked to a significant reduction in FBS (p < 0.05).

Conclusions: Our results demonstrate a strong inverse association between higher quality dietary carbohydrate consumption and the development of NAFLD, as well as lower ALT, FBS, and MDA levels. This indicates that preventive strategies for NAFLD should prioritize the quality of this macronutrient.

Background: Micronutrient deficiency remains a major public health problem among children in developing countries. Universal multiple micronutrient supplementation is one strategy to prevent these deficiencies. Here, we aim to describe the usage and acceptability among infants and the knowledge and perception among mothers regarding universal micronutrient supplementation in a suburban area of Sri Lanka.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Kurunegala district of Sri Lanka from June to August 2022. Infants aged between 9 and 12 months attending the well-baby clinics of four Medical Officers of Health areas were recruited after obtaining informed written consent from their mothers. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire that included questions on maternal knowledge, perceptions, and practices regarding micronutrient supplementation. Data were analysed using the chi-square test. Ethical approval was obtained from the Sri Lanka College of Paediatricians.

Results: A total of 395 mothers participated. The mean age of the infants of participating mothers was 10.3 ± 1.1 months. All infants had received micronutrient supplements; however, only 58% used the recommended dosage (7 sachets per week), and 37% used < 4 sachets per week. A majority (56.5%) stated that food acceptability was lower when micronutrient supplements were mixed. 76% and 44% mothers, respectively, reported that the addition of micronutrient supplements introduced a bad taste and smell to the food. All mothers were aware of the daily dosage and the method of mixing micronutrient supplements with food. However, only 55% were aware of the recommended duration of supplementation. A majority (95%) of mothers perceived micronutrient supplements as beneficial, and 55% found the micronutrient preparations easy to use. A significantly higher proportion of mothers in skilled or professional employments had good knowledge of multiple micronutrient supplementation than mothers who were unemployed or in unskilled occupations.

Conclusions: The supply of micronutrient supplements has been regular in the Kurunegala district during the study period. However, acceptability was low, at least partly due to changes in food taste and smell after adding micronutrient supplements. The low acceptance is likely due to factors intrinsic to the micronutrient preparations, which need to be rectified in the future.

Background: Previous studies confirm a high prevalence of malnutrition among school children and adolescents in Nepal, indicating that Mid-day Meal Program (MDMP) could significantly address these issues. The Nepalese government launched the MDMP since 2020 to reduce malnutrition and improve educational and health outcomes among school children. This study explores sustainable practices for MDMP in a community school of Nepal, building on a participatory action research (PAR)-based study conducted by a team of PhD researchers under the NORHED Rupantaran Project (2016-2023).

Methods: Practice-oriented qualitative case study design was conducted in a community school in Chitwan District. Participants included basic school students, their parents, School Management Committee (SMC) members, School Mid-day Meal Management Committee (SMDMMC) members, and canteen service providers. Data were collected through focus group discussions (FGDs) and in-depth interviews (IDIs) and analyzed them employing a thematic analysis framework.

Results: Although the federal government's MDMP covered early to grade five students in the community schools nationwide, it has been extended to grade eighth in the study school through collaboration with all school community and the local government. The federal government has provided funds to implement the MDMP for the students of early grades to grade five. However, the study school was able to extend the MDMP upto grade eight. The results indicate that teachers' involvement in the MDMP, formation of the SMDMMC, local government subsidy, collaboration with all school stakeholders, and plans for sustainability are key actionable strategies for sustaining the MDMP in the community school.

Conclusion: The findings of the study indicate that the school can implement a tripolar cost-sharing and teacher-supported service model to sustain the MDMP in the community schools, particularly from rural areas. The study suggests longitudinal research focusing to ascertain continuity of the culture of collaboration and active participation among the school stakeholders and local government to achieve both health and educational outcomes of school mid-day meal intervention.

Background: Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium are members of the probiotic bacteria with many health benefits. Breast milk is an important source of these beneficial genera, which are affected by several factors. In the present study, the population of these genera was measured in milk of obese vs. normal-weight lactating women and their relationship with dietary macronutrient's intake was investigated.

Methods: Twenty women with high body mass index (BMI) enrolled as obese (≥ 30 kg/m2) and 20 women with normal BMI (18.5-24.9 kg/m2) were selected as controls. Breast milk samples were collected 4 months after delivery (due to stabilization of milk microbiome). Dietary information was collected using a food frequency questionnaire. DNA was extracted from milk. The population of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus was measured against 16 S rRNA gene amplification method.

Results: Bifidobacterium was significantly higher in breast milk of controls than the obese (p = 0.04). Bifidobacterium was 89% lower in breast milk of obese mothers than the controls, adjusting for the assessed parameters (p < 0.001). Pre-pregnancy weight showed a significant effect on the population of Bifidobacterium (p < 0.001). Energy, protein, carbohydrates, total fiber, soluble and insoluble fiber showed a positive effect on Bifidobacterium population, while dietary fat showed a negative effect (p < 0.001 in all cases).

Conclusions: The breast milk population of Bifidobacterium is associated with maternal weight. Maternal dietary intake of energy, carbohydrate, protein and fibre showed a positive effect on this genus, while dietary fat showed a negative effect.

Background: Limited research has explored the link between the Literature-Based Dietary Index for Gut Microbiota (LBDI-GM) and Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). This study aims to examine the relationship between these two conditions.

Methods: This cross-sectional analysis utilized data from the 2015-2018 National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES). Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) served as the independent variable, evaluated through self-reported questionnaires. The dependent variable was the novel literature-Based Dietary Index for Gut Microbiota, which quantified dietary patterns linked to intestinal microbiome characteristics. Weighted multivariable logistic regression modeling explored associations between LBDI-GM and OSA. Supplementary subgroup and interaction evaluations were performed.

Result: A total of 8,707 participants were included in the final analysis, with a mean age of 47.66 years (SD = 0.43). The study population was nearly equally distributed by sex, with 4,460 males (51.2%) and 4,247 females (48.8%). Following comprehensive adjustment for potential confounders in the weighted logistic regression model (Model III), LBDI-GM demonstrated a statistically significant inverse association with OSA risk (OR = 0.967, 95% CI: 0.938-0.996, p = 0.025). Sex-stratified analyses indicated that this protective association was particularly evident among female participants.

Conclusions: This cross-sectional study identified an inverse association between LBDI-GM and OSA, suggesting that dietary patterns promoting gut microbiota health may play a role in reducing the risk of OSA. These findings highlight the potential for integrating dietary interventions into clinical practice to improve OSA management.

Background: Adolescence is a key period for public health interventions due to rapid physical, emotional, and intellectual development. Food environments greatly influence adolescents' food choices and diets and, consequently, their overall health. We aimed to understand adolescents' perceptions regarding factors influencing their food environment and to identify opportunities for accelerating actions to promote healthier food environments.

Methods: We developed and disseminated a survey using U-Report, a social messaging tool by UNICEF, targeting adolescents aged 10-19 years. This U-poll-based survey was available online in 12 Indian languages from June to November 2022. Following the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions, the survey was also administered offline.

Results: Responses were received from 143,878 adolescents across 36 states of India. More than half of the adolescents surveyed (67.6%) reported that food advertisements influence their food choices. Nearly 72.6% of participants reported reading food labels, and 62.8% reported that it is very important to simplify the nutrient information available on food packs. About 30.7% of adolescents indicated that they can't eat healthy foods due to higher prices (expensive/costly), while 15.3% reported that they don't eat healthy foods as they do not find them tasty.

Conclusion: The study highlights multiple factors influencing adolescents' food choices in India, and underscores the importance of creating supportive food environments. The findings suggest potential areas for intervention such as improving accessibility, affordability, and appeal of healthy foods. Future efforts should explore comprehensive strategies for strengthening policies and guidelines around healthy food environments, while further research is needed to assess the effectiveness of such interventions.