Biomedical subjects

D R Shahar

Publications and source records attributed to D R Shahar.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2001

Seasonal variations in dietary intake affect the consistency of dietary assessment.

BACKGROUND: Nutritional epidemiology studies are usually based on one dietary assessment without taking into account the season in which the interview is taken or adjusting for the difference in reporting dietary intake in different seasons. The semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire has become the primary questionnaire method for measuring dietary intake in epidemiological studies. The aims of this report were (a) to evaluate the effect of season on dietary intake as measured by a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) conducted twice: once in summer and a second time in winter; and (b) to assess the effect of the differences in dietary intake on biochemical and anthropometric seasonal related changes, such as serum cholesterol and body mass index (BMI). POPULATION AND METHODS: The study population consisted of 94 male industrial employees who participated in clinical biochemical and physical examinations as well as evaluation of their dietary intake twice a year. Dietary intake was assessed using the semiquantitative FFQ that included 96 items and was conducted by a personal interview. RESULTS: We found a significant increase in the intake of selected nutrients in winter as compared to summer as well as an increased intake of animal fat-containing foods such as meat and dairy products. Significant correlation coefficients were shown between the increase in dietary intake of saturated fat and the increase in BMI, serum total and LDL cholesterol. The increase in dietary cholesterol was significantly and positively correlated with the increase in serum total and LDL cholesterol. CONCLUSION: Although FFQ are designed to assess average yearly food intake, we identified significant seasonal changes in dietary intake as measured by FFQ. These changes have a health impact on our population.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

The effect of widowhood on weight change, dietary intake, and eating behavior in the elderly population.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effect of recent widowhood on weight, dietary intake, and habits. METHODS: Participants included 58 recently widowed elderly subjects and 58 married subjects who were matched on age, sex, and race. Weight change from baseline and following widowhood, dietary intake, eating behavior, depression, and cognitive and physical functioning were assessed in a clinic interview. RESULTS: Mean weight loss and the prevalence of weight loss were significantly higher among widowed participants. They ate more meals alone, more commercial meals per week, and fewer snacks and homemade meals. They also enjoyed their eating less. A significant difference between cases and controls was evident after adjusting for all the variables. Higher cognitive functioning score, younger age, and better appetite were protective against weight loss. DISCUSSION: Widowed people were found to be at increased risk for weight loss. This may well be due to decreased appetite and enjoyment of their meals.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed2001

High prevalence and impact of subnormal serum vitamin B12 levels in Israeli elders admitted to a geriatric hospital.

BACKGROUND: The elderly are known to have higher rates of low and subnormal vitamin B12 levels than younger persons. Vitamin B12 deficiency has been extensively studied in the elderly, but primarily in outpatient settings. There is a paucity of data regarding the prevalence of low and low-normal B12 in frail, hospitalized, elderly patients, and its implications. Additionally, there is little information regarding vitamin B12 status in Israeli elders. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of the study were to estimate the prevalence of low and borderline vitamin B12 levels among frail, hospitalized, elderly patients, and their clinical implications. METHODS: We conducted a chart review, using a retrospective cohort design. The participants were 895 patients admitted to Harzfeld Medical Center in Gedera, Israel. Records were abstracted for vitamin B12 and Folic Acid levels, gastric disease, and outcomes including death, cognitive impairment and neurologic disease. RESULTS: Six hundred and forty patients were eligible for the study. In 15% of the patients, vitamin B12 level was in the low range (<150pmol/L) and in 25% in the low-normal range (150-250pmol/L). Gastric disease and antacid use were not associated with the vitamin B12 status. Mortality was higher in the high vitamin B12 group (p=0.02), perhaps reflecting a selection toward higher acuity in this group. Cerebrovascular disease was more common in patients with lower vitamin B12 levels (p=0.046). CONCLUSIONS: Forty percent of hospitalized elderly patients have low or borderline serum levels of vitamin B12, which may contribute to cerebrovascular disease and cognitive decline.

Aged↗

PubMed1999

Changes in dietary intake account for seasonal changes in cardiovascular disease risk factors.

OBJECTIVES: (1) to compare dietary intake in summer and winter time; (2) to measure the change in body mass index (BMI), blood pressure and serum cholesterol between winter and summer; and (3) to determine the relationships between seasonal differences in dietary intake and BMI, blood pressure and serum cholesterol measurements. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Ninety-four male industrial employees were screened twice in one year, in their work place, at winter and summer time. Workers were recruited from two factories and response rate was 95%. Health-related variables, including dietary intake, blood pressure and serum cholesterol were evaluated at each season and were compared. Correlation coefficients between seasonal differences in dietary intake and in BMI, blood pressure and serum cholesterol were calculated. RESULTS: From summer to winter the mean values of BMI increase from 26.1 kg/cm2 to 26.6 (P=0.038), systolic blood pressure from 119.6 to 121.6 (P=0.025), diastolic blood pressure from 75.2 to 77.2 mmHg (P=0.001), total cholesterol from 200.8 to 208.6 mg/dL (P=0.001), LDL cholesterol from 125.2 to 134.9 (P=0.001) and HDL cholesterol from 42.7 to 44.3 (P=0.0084). Triglycerides levels decrease from 174 to 145 in the winter (P=0.03). Mean dietary intake of fat increases from 99.1 to 106.0 (P=0.0016), saturated fat from 43.6 to 46.3 (P=0.0137), polyunsaturated fat from 25.1 to 28.3 (P=0.0002), cholesterol from 462.0 to 497.9 (P=0.0313), sodium from 5778.5 to 8208.2 (P=0.0035), zinc from 11.6 to 12.3 (P=0.0001), vitamin B1 from 1.4 to 1.5 (P=0.002), vitamin D from 4.3 to 4.9 (P=0.0323) and vitamin E from 11.2 to 12.7 (P=0.0073). Significant correlation was shown between the seasonal increase in saturated fat and the increase in BMI (r=0.37), total cholesterol (r=0.21) and LDL cholesterol (r=0.29). Seasonal change in dietary cholesterol intake was significantly and positively correlated with serum total cholesterol (r=0.24) and LDL cholesterol (r=0.24). Blood pressure was not associated with nutritional intake variables. CONCLUSIONS: Dietary intake in summer and winter is different as well as blood pressure, BMI and serum cholesterol. The seasonal increase in fat and cholesterol intake at winter time is associated with changes in BMI and serum cholesterol.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

CEBQ: Composite Eating Behavior Questionnaire--development and performance.

Poor eating behavior is an important nutritional risk factor among community dwelling elders, and precedes overt malnutrition in the majority of cases. Several tools were developed to assess nutritional risk through evaluating eating behavior. All containing elements shown to be related to nutritional decline. Given the diversity of the geriatric population each tool may apply to specific subsets of the population but not to all. The ideal tool may be a questionnaire tailored for the study population based on a pool of methods and questions. We describe the development and use of such a composite tool, and compares its performance to other questionnaires. Our results show that in community dwelling elders nutrition risk assessments such as the NRI or eating behavior score were not predictive of nutritional status measured by dietary intake, weight change or BMI. Subjective appetite assessment was the most predictive question for nutritional decline. We describe the questionnaire and its development and offer general advice to its future implementations.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Smoking, diet, and health behaviors among lead-exposed blue-collar workers.

The objectives of the study were to compare dietary intake by smoking levels in blue-collar Israeli workers occupationally exposed to lead and thus identify additional areas for health-enhancing intervention in addition to smoking cessation. One hundred and eighty-seven male industrial employees who were exposed to lead through their work were screened at the worksite to evaluate health status and dietary intake. Smokers had higher intakes of fat, cholesterol, calcium, riboflavin, and vitamin E per day. They were consuming more meat and high-fat dairy products. Dose-response relationships were shown for fat and energy intake by smoking level. Thus, smoking is associated with other adverse health behaviors. When conducting epidemiologic or occupational studies, analyses should include adjustment for the fact that the lifestyles of smokers may also be unhealthy in other ways.

Adult↗