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Biomedical subjects

I H Rutishauser

Publications and source records attributed to I H Rutishauser.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

What do users of reduced-fat dairy products know about the fat in their diets?

OBJECTIVES: To assess the fat intake and knowledge about the fat content of foods consumed by a sample of self reported users of reduced-fat dairy products. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study of a population-based sample of women shoppers. SETTING: A small, rural town (population approximately 6000) in central Victoria, Australia. SUBJECTS: Seventy-eight women aged 25-50 years, who regularly used at least one reduced-fat dairy product. RESULTS: Mean reported intake of total fat was lower while intake of dairy fat was similar to that of a national sample of women of the same age both in the whole sample and when under-reporters were excluded. The ability to identify major sources of fat in the diet as reported appeared to be limited. Less than half of the subjects were able to correctly estimate the fat content of reduced-fat dairy products relative to regular products and about one quarter of subjects reported replacing one kind of oil or fat with another as a strategy to reduce fat intake. Subjects were generally aware of the need to 'eat less fat' but few could articulate specific recommendations. A number of subjects reported using low fat diets to control their weight but few subjects appeared to understand the connection between fat intake and energy intake. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study raise important questions about how nutrition advice is understood and implemented by consumers, particularly the message to reduce fat intake and the role of energy balance in weight management. They also highlight the difficulty of interpreting information on food intake, in subjects who have modified their diet by reducing intake of specific foods.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Pre- and postgame macronutrient intake of a group of elite Australian football players.

This study describes pre- and postcompetition mean energy and macro nutrient intakes of 40 elite Australian Football players. Carbohydrate intake, expressed both as a percentage of total energy intake (En%) and as grams per kilogram of body mass (g/kg BM). Pregame carbohydrate intake (53.6% En) was significantly greater (p < .01) than postgame (49.7% En). However, expressed as g/kg BM, pre- and postgame macronutrient intakes did not differ significantly. Protein and fat intakes (as g/kg BM) fell within guidelines, whereas energy intake (13.2 MJ/day or 153.8 kJ/kg BM) was lower than expected. Results suggest that for athletes engaging in endurance team sports where body mass and energy requirements vary considerably, carbohydrate recommendations are more appropriately expressed as g/kg BM rather than En %.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Nutrition knowledge of adolescents in a family setting in Geelong, Australia.

A family study of nutrition knowledge was carried out in 213 families in the city of Geelong, Victoria, Australia. On average, mothers had the highest number of correct answers [mean 8.0 (S.D. 1.4)] followed by fathers [mean 7.8 (S.D. 1.5)], adolescent girls [mean 6.4 (S.D. 1.8)] and adolescent boys [mean 6.2 (S.D. 1.5)]. A highly significant difference, in the score obtained, was found between parents and adolescents (p < 0.001). On average, the percentage of 'do not know' answers was twice as high among adolescents (26%) as among parents (11%). Negative correlations which ranged from -0.10 for girls to -0.23 for fathers were found between the knowledge score obtained by the subjects and socioeconomic status. Parents' knowledge score was independent of their educational level (p > 0.05). Mothers with TAFE (Technical And Further Education) qualifications obtained the highest score (8.7).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

The influence of body build on estimates of body composition from anthropometric measurements in premenopausal women.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the influence of body build on the bias and limits of agreement for estimates of body fat obtained from anthropometric prediction equations when compared with the same data obtained by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). SURVEY DESIGN AND SUBJECTS: Ninety-one premenopausal women, aged between 20 and 54 years, were chosen to represent a range of skeletal body build (relative sitting height 0.50-0.56) and body fatness [body mass index (BMI) 18-34 kg/m2]. Measurements of weight, sitting height, stature, skinfold thickness, waist, umbilical and hip circumference and total body resistance and reactance were made on all subjects by standard techniques after an overnight fast. A DEXA measurement of total body fat, fat-free soft tissue and total body bone mineral mass was also obtained within 2 weeks of the anthropometric assessment. RESULTS: At the group level the mean difference (bias) between DEXA and the anthropometric estimates of body fat was similar for all three anthropometric estimates ranging from 2.7 kg with impedance to 1.8 kg with skinfold thickness. The 95% limits of agreement were also similar, ranging from +/- 5.3 kg with body mass index to +/- 4.1 kg with impedance. Umbilical circumference, BMI and the amount of bone mineral expressed as a proportion of the fat-free soft-tissue mass were all significantly (P < 0.01) correlated with the level of bias between DEXA and the anthropometric estimates of body fat. This was not the case for relative sitting height or measures of body fat distribution. Regression equations which included BMI or umbilical circumference in combination with the predicted estimates of body fat essentially eliminated the association between the level of bias in predicted body fat and the level of body fatness. They also reduced the 95% limits of agreement between DEXA and the anthropometric estimates of body fat. CONCLUSIONS: Using DEXA estimates of body fat as the standard of reference our results suggest that the comparability and precision of body fat estimates derived from age- and/or sex-specific anthropometric prediction equations based on skinfolds and BMI, but not impedance, can be improved by adjusting for differences in BMI and umbilical circumference respectively.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed1994

Adolescents' perception of body weight and parents' weight for height status.

PURPOSE: To obtain data on the relationships between weight for height status, in adolescents and their parents, and adolescents' perceptions of body image and weight-loss behavior. METHODS: Weight and height were measured in both parents and adolescents from 213 families with an adolescent child aged 14-15 years who were participating in a community-based study of risk factors for coronary heart disease in Geelong, Australia. Information on adolescents' perceptions of body image, desired weight, and weight loss behaviors was obtained by questionnaire. RESULTS: Forty-one percent of the girls and 14% of the boys considered themselves overweight while 18% of both boys and girls were in this category on the basis of their body mass index (BMI). Most boys tended to see themselves as of normal weight while only girls below the 10th centile for BMI consistently rated themselves as normal. Adolescents who rated themselves as slim had parents whose BMI was significantly lower than that of the parents of adolescents who rated themselves as overweight. A significant proportion of adolescent girls (69%) and boys (27%) had at some time tried to lose weight. Female, but not male, adolescents of normal BMI who had tried to lose weight were themselves heavier and had significantly heavier mothers, but not fathers, than those in the normal range for BMI who had not attempted to do so. Adolescents who perceived an advantage in gaining weight had significantly shorter and lighter, but not leaner, fathers than those who perceived an advantage in losing weight. Only individuals below the 10th centile for BMI appeared to be content with their weight. On average the weight desired by girls and boys in the normal range for BMI was 6.6 and 2.0 kg less than their actual weight, while their desired height was 8.0 and 12.8 cm more than their actual height. CONCLUSIONS: The findings confirm gender differences in perceptions of and attitudes to body weight and body build. They also provide evidence for an association between adolescents perceptions of body weight and parents' weight for height status and suggest that the size of the "gap" between desired and actual weight is associated with the prevalence of weight-loss behavior.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Self-reported weight and height in adolescents and their parents.

Self-reported and measured weight and height were compared in a sample of adolescents aged 15 years (109 boys; 95 girls) and their parents (135 fathers; 190 mothers) recruited from secondary schools in the urban area of Geelong, Victoria, Australia. On average the adolescents' self-reported weight and height did not differ to a greater extent from the measured values than did that of their parents for their own weight and height but differences for individuals were much more variable. Self-reported weight was significantly underestimated and height over-estimated by both adolescents and parents. Body size had little effect on the extent of underestimation of weight and overestimation of height. The precision of reporting varied both with age and sex, while reporting bias in the parents, but not the adolescents', was influenced by father's occupation score. The educational level of the parents, however, had no statistically significant effect on reporting bias. The extent to which weight was underestimated and height overestimated was no greater than that observed in adults and suggests that group means reported for weight and height are likely to be as valid a measure of actual weight and height as in adults.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

A family study of coronary risk factors in Geelong.

A study of coronary risk factor relationships was carried out in 213 families with adolescents in Geelong, Victoria, Australia, in 1987. Weight, height, skinfold thicknesses, body circumferences, blood pressure and serum cholesterol were measured in both parents and children and other relevant information was obtained by questionnaire. The study group did not differ significantly from the Geelong population with respect to the proportion of Australian-born parents but contained a significantly higher proportion than expected of fathers who had a university degree or diploma. Twenty-five per cent of adolescents, 30% of mothers and 38% of fathers were positive for at least one of the three major established coronary risk factors. Significant correlations between parents and children, but not between parents, were found for total cholesterol and systolic blood pressure, while significant correlations were observed both between parents and children and between parents for measures of body size, body fatness and body fat distribution. The strongest predictors of risk factor status in adolescence were both parents with total cholesterol at or above 5.5 mmol/l, one or more parents who smoked and one or more grandparents with a history of coronary heart disease. Body mass index in adolescence was unrelated to heart disease risk factor status in adolescence or to a family history of heart disease. During early childhood and adolescence, parental risk factor status, rather than anthropometric or risk factor screening of the children themselves, is likely to provide the best guide to those at risk for an adverse coronary risk factor profile.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Food in low-income families.

This descriptive study used both quantitative and qualitative research methods to examine the food and nutrient intake, food purchasing patterns and budgeting strategies of 29 sole-parent low-income families with dependent children living in Corio Shire, Victoria, in 1989-90. Expenditure on food and nonalcoholic beverages when compared with the average for all Australian households showed that the study families allocated a greater proportion, but similar amounts of money to cereals, dairy products, fruit and vegetables and miscellaneous foods, and less to meat, nonalcoholic beverages and food eaten away from home. Despite large differences in the amount of money spent in the first and second weeks of a social security payment period, the nutrient density of the parents' diets was maintained at a similar level in both weeks. The only exception was vitamin C, for which the median intake was significantly lower in the second week, consistent with reduced purchases of fruit and vegetables in the same period. In interviews with 13 of the parents a variety of purchasing and budgeting strategies were described, indicating common concerns with making the most of their limited resources. The data from this study support the notion that low-income families give priority to food purchases above other expenses such as recreation. They also support the view that low-income families are concerned about health and nutrition and manage to consume nutritionally sound diets under difficult circumstances. Nutrition education programs could support them in this endeavour.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Body mass index and duration of breast feeding: a survival analysis during the first six months of life.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: The aim was to determine whether excess weight in lactating women is associated with earlier cessation of breastfeeding. DESIGN: The study was to prospective cohort analysis using a community sample of women. SETTING: Geelong the regional centre of the Barwon Region of Victoria, Australia, in 1984-85. SUBJECTS: All women who were breast feeding and whose first infant was born between 1 May 1984 and 30 April 1985 were asked to participate. Of these, 739 women participated, a response rate of 81%. MAIN RESULTS: Smoking, mother's age and occupation, the time the infant was first put to the breast, and mother's body mass index at one month postpartum all exerted statistically significant independent effects on the duration of breast feeding, assessed using Cox's proportional hazards regression modelling. The strongest effects were for smoking, with an adjusted relative risk for cessation of breast feeding of 2.5 (95% CI 1.9 to 3.1) for 10 cigarettes per day v no smoking, and maternal age, with relative risk of 2.2 (95% CI 1.5 to 3.1) for a 20 year old mother relative to a 30 year old. The relative risk for women with a body mass index above 26 was 1.5 (95% CI 1.1 to 2.0). CONCLUSIONS: Excess weight at one month postpartum, as determined by a body mass index above the normal range, was found to be an independent risk factor for early cessation of breast feeding and together with smoking, maternal age, occupation, and the time the infant is first put to the breast can be used to identify, early in the postpartum period, those women most likely to benefit from counselling in order to breast feed their infants successfully.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Anthropometric status and body composition in aboriginal women of the Kimberley region.

A detailed cross-sectional anthropometric study in which weight, height, three circumferences and four skinfolds were measured in 114 Aboriginal women aged 15-79 years was undertaken in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. Highly significant increases with age were observed for all measurements except height. Subcutaneous fat distribution in Aboriginal women was found to be more central than in white women, and the use of triceps skinfold to predict body fat in Aboriginal women gave lower estimates of body fat in this group than did the use of multiple skinfolds. Further work is needed to determine the accuracy of applying prediction equations that are based on skinfold measurements in white women, to assess total body fat in Aboriginal women. However, the data from this study do suggest that for a given body mass index Aboriginal women have more subcutaneous fat (as assessed from four skinfold measurements) and, consequently, a higher percentage of body fat than have white women.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Body fat estimated from anthropometric and electrical impedance measurements.

Estimates of body fat based on anthropometric measurements were compared in two groups of females, one from the local community and the other from the 1984 Australian Olympic Team. Estimates of body fat based on electrical impedance measurements were also made for the community group. For estimates of total body fat based on skinfold measurements, a significant difference of approximately 1 kg fat/m2 was observed between athletes and non-athletes. In the group of non-athletes estimates of fat based on skinfold measurements were significantly higher than those based on body mass index, with estimates from electrical impedance falling between. Electrical impedance measurements may provide a means of estimating body fat which takes into account differences in fat distribution and in the ratio of fat to fat-free tissue and may thus overcome the problems associated with estimates based on measurements of subcutaneous fat (skinfolds) or body size which do not allow for these differences.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1984

Weight, height and weight for height in 6-7-year-old children. I. Relationship with demographic variables.

Relationships between weight, height and weight for height at 6-7 years of age and a number of demographic variables have been studied in data from Infant Welfare Centre and school medical records. In both boys and girls height and weight were significantly related to birthweight. After allowing for birthweight and age no significant relationships were found in either boys or girls between height and any of the demographic variables. However, body mass index differed significantly according to birth order, the number of children in the family and the parents country of birth. No associations were observed between anthropometric measures at 6-7 years and paternal occupational status, maternal age and the number of younger siblings. Comparison of the study group with reference values from America and Australia provided no support for the view that one of these reference standards is more appropriate than the other for assessment of growth in Australian children.

Australia↗
PubMed1979

Long-term vitamin status and dietary intake of healthy elderly subjects. 1. Riboflavin.

1. Long-term clinical and biochemical riboflavin status and dietary intake of riboflavin were monitored for 18 months in a group of twenty-three relatively-healthy elderly subjects living at home in the north of England. 2. Both dietary intake and biochemical status, as measured by the activation coefficient (stimulated:basal activity) of NAD(P)H2:glutathione oxidoreductase (EC 1.6.4.2), remained fairly constant for each individual and for most subjects the usual intake and biochemical status were characterized quite accurately by a single week's intake dietary record and a single measurement of the activation coefficient. 3. The expected relationship between biochemical status and dietary intake was present, but not strongly evident. There was a significant within-subject correlation between alpha values and the immediately preceding dietary intake; however the between-subject correlation between alpha values and dietary intake approached zero if the two subjects receiving long-term riboflavin supplements were omitted. Over the limited range of intakes observed in unsupplemented subjects, non-dietary factors evidently obscure the relationship. 4. Although eight subjects had average values above 1.2 for the activation coefficient, no excessively high values were observed, and no subject showed any clear-cut clinical deficiency symptoms.

Aged↗