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At least 649 records · Page 36Linked to original sources

PubMed2002

Basal-bolus insulin therapy in Type 1 diabetes: comparative study of pre-meal administration of a fixed mixture of insulin lispro (50%) and neutral protamine lispro (50%) with human soluble insulin.

AIMS: To ascertain whether pre-meal administration of 50% insulin lispro and 50% neutral protamine lispro (NPL), given as a fixed mixture (Humalog Mix50, human soluble (regular) insulin as a basal-bolus regimen in people with Type 1 diabetes. Both regimens included bedtime human isophane (NPH) insulin. METHODS: This was a multinational, multicentre, randomized, open-label, two-period crossover comparison of two insulin treatments for two 12-week periods in 109 patients with Type 1 diabetes. The protocol provided preliminary evaluations of dose requirements and recommendations for insulin dose adjustment when switching regimens on the basis of blood glucose (BG) values. Eight-point BG profiles, frequency of hypoglycaemia, HbA1c, insulin dose, time of injection, and frequency of snacking were assessed during each treatment. RESULTS: Total daily insulin dose was similar for both treatments, but the total pre-meal doses were higher (P < 0.001) and the bedtime dose of isophane was lower (P < 0.001) with Mix50. The pre-meal dose before breakfast and lunch, although statistically different (P = 0.006 and P < 0.001, respectively), was of similar magnitude, but the pre-evening meal dose was higher with Mix50 (P < 0.001). Median (interquartile range) time of insulin injection before meals was: Mix50 4.2 (25th percentile = 1.0; 75th percentile = 6.3) min, human soluble insulin 24.6 (25th percentile = 16.6; 75th percentile = 30.0) min. Pre-meal and bedtime BG concentrations did not differ between treatments. The BG 2 h after the evening meal was lower with Mix50 (8.40 +/- 2.95 mmol/l vs. 9.60 +/- 3.47 mmol/l) (P = 0.049). BG after breakfast and lunch, mean HbA1c, frequency of hypoglycaemia, frequency of snacks, and body weight were not different. CONCLUSION: The use of Mix50 in a basal-bolus regimen achieved similar control of pre-meal BG to human soluble insulin, and overall glycaemic control and hypoglycaemia risk were equivalent. This suggests that Mix50 can provide an adequate supply of insulin to control BG between meals while providing the convenience of injecting immediately before meals.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Wellness profile of midlife women with a chronic illness.

Among issues important to women's health are their wellness profiles including indicators such as activity level, weight status, breakfast and snacking patterns, health status perceptions, and alcohol and tobacco use. This is particularly true for midlife women with a long-term illness. The purpose of this study is to identify the wellness profile of a group of midlife women with multiple sclerosis (MS), and to compare their life-style indicators with national health statistics. Overall, the women in the study group indicated a lower perception of their health status and were less active. However, the women in this study group demonstrated healthier body weights, used less tobacco and alcohol, had better breakfast patterns, and comparable snacking patterns, indicating that may be more attuned to their bodies than women without chronic illnesses. Identifying women's wellness profiles can assist practitioners in addressing the issues of health for women managing a long-term illness.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed2003

Selected lower-fat foods positively impact nutrient quality in diets of free-living Americans.

OBJECTIVE: To compare nutrient profiles of Continuing Survey of Food Intake by Individuals (CSFII) respondents who reported use of regular and lower-fat versions of selected foods with those not reporting intake of these foods. SUBJECTS: American children (ages 2 to 19) and adults completing two days of recalls for the 1994 to 1996 CSFII. DESIGN: Dietary intakes were reviewed for selected foods for which regular (high) and modified-fat versions were available. Foods included added table fats (eg, salad dressings, margarine, creams), desserts, snacks, cheeses, and yogurts. Respondents were divided into non-users (none of these foods reported), mixed users (lower-fat and high-fat foods), and high-fat (only) users. STATISTICAL ANALYSES PERFORMED: Weighted data were used for descriptive analyses. Unweighted data were used for reported nutrient intake, nutrient density, fat intakes, and Food Guide Pyramid comparisons. A P value of < or =.01 was selected to determine whether group differences were statistically significant. Post hoc analyses were conducted to identify where differences were found. RESULTS: Respondents reporting inclusion of any selected lower-fat food had significantly lower fat intake (P<.01) than exclusive high-fat users (male respondents: 31.5% vs 35.1%; female respondents: 30.3% vs 34.4%; children: 30.6% vs 33.4%). In general, mixed users had higher micronutrient intakes than high-fat users. Specifically, mixed users reported higher intakes of most B vitamins; vitamins A, C, and folate; the minerals calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, and zinc; and fiber. These differences were associated with higher intakes of milk, fruits, and grains. APPLICATIONS/CONCLUSIONS: This research supports the "all foods can fit" paradigm and validates recommending lower-fat foods (including snacks, desserts, cheeses, yogurt, and added table fats) to American consumers to reduce total fat to moderate levels while ensuring adequacy for most micronutrients.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

Baseline fat-related dietary behaviors of white, Hispanic, and black participants in a cholesterol screening and education project in New England.

OBJECTIVE: To examine baseline fat-related dietary behaviors of white, Hispanic, and black participants in Minimal Contact Education for Cholesterol Change, a National Institutes for Health-funded cholesterol screening and education project conducted in New England. SUBJECTS: A sample of 9,803 participants who joined the study at baseline (n=7,817 white; n=1,425 Hispanic; and n=561 black). METHODS: Participants completed baseline questionnaires that included demographic and psychosocial items as well as the Food Habits Questionnaire, a dietary assessment tool measuring fat-related dietary behaviors. They also had their blood cholesterol level and height and weight measured. STATISTICAL ANALYSES: Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare racial/ethnic groups on continuous demographic variables, and the chi(2) test of association was used to compare groups on demographic categorical variables. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was used to compare mean differences between racial/ethnic groups on six behavioral subscales (Fat Factors) differentiating domains of behavior related to fat intake and to compare 27 individual fat-related dietary behaviors. RESULTS: After adjusting for sex, age, marital status, education, employment status, and percent time lived in the United States, white participants had the lowest Food Habits Questionnaire summary score (2.44) (indicating a lower fat diet), followed by Hispanic (2.61) and black (2.68) participants. The three ethnic groups also differed on the prevalence of Fat Factors and specific fat-related dietary behaviors. White participants were more likely to use lower-fat alternatives, to avoid frying, to replace meat, and to modify meat to make it lower in fat. However, they were least likely to eat fruits and vegetables for snacks and desserts. Hispanic participants were more likely to engage in fat-avoidance behaviors and to eat fruits and vegetables for snacks and desserts. Black participants were less likely to eat meatless meals and modify meats to make them lower in fat. Black and Hispanic participants were more likely than white participants to fry foods. Hispanics were less likely to read food labels for nutrition information. The most and least prevalent fat-related behaviors also differed by each ethnic group, showing that different behaviors were more and less easily implemented by each ethnic group. CONCLUSIONS/APPLICATIONS: The results of this study suggest that there is a need for improvement in dietary behaviors related to fat intake, especially for blacks and Hispanics, and that the specific dietary behavior issues differ widely by ethnicity. These results can be used by nutrition educators and researchers to help them decide what messages to emphasize in dietary counseling, nutrition education programs, and materials. The results can also be used to help design better dietary assessment tools and more effective interventions for culturally diverse populations.

Black or African American↗

PubMed2006

Meal energy content is related to features of meal-related ghrelin profiles across a typical day of eating in non-obese premenopausal women.

UNLABELLED: Some features of the meal-related profile of ghrelin correspond to acute energy intake, suggesting a role in short-term energy homeostasis. Yet, no studies have examined this relationship across a typical day of eating when effects of time of day and or cumulative energy intake may also exist. AIM OF STUDY: To examine the relation between ghrelin and acute energy intake by quantifying changes in ghrelin over 24 hours in response to three typical meals and a snack occurring throughout the day. METHODS: Fourteen non-obese women consumed three meals and a snack at specific times; total ghrelin was measured repeatedly over 24 hours. RESULTS: Significant correlations existed between: 1) meal calories and the post-meal trough (r = - 0.36; p < 0.05), and 2) the sum of breakfast and lunch calories and subsequent dinner rise (r = - 0.45; p < 0.02) and 3) the sum of breakfast and lunch calories and dinner peak (r = - 0.54; p < 0.003). Thus, as energy intake increased across the day, pre-meal rises of subsequent meals were reduced. CONCLUSION: Meal-related profiles of ghrelin are not only associated with the energy content of specific meals, but also with the accumulated calories prior to a subsequent meal, suggesting a role in the modulation of acute energy homeostasis.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

The variability of young children's energy intake.

BACKGROUND: Research conducted in the 1930s showed that, given nutritious choices, children can select an adequate diet without adult supervision. Paradoxically, children grew well and were healthy despite patterns of intake at individual meals that were unpredictable and highly variable. METHODS: To investigate in more detail the energy intake of young children, we measured 24-hour food intake for 15 children, from two to five years of age, on six days. For each of the six days of the study, coefficients of variation were calculated for each child for each of the six meals and snacks (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and morning, afternoon, and evening snacks) and for total daily energy intake. RESULTS: The children's intake at individual meals was highly variable, but total daily energy intake was relatively constant for each child. The mean coefficient of variation for each child's energy intake at individual meals was 33.6 percent; in contrast, the mean coefficient of variation for each child's total daily energy intake was 10.4 percent. In most cases, high energy intake at one meal was followed by low energy intake at the next meal, or vice versa. CONCLUSIONS: Although children's food consumption is highly variable from meal to meal, daily energy intake is relatively constant, because children adjust their energy intake at successive meals.

Child↗

PubMed1984

Sugars-eating habits of 405 11- to 14-year-old English children.

Between September 1979 and July 1981, 405 northern-English children, initially aged 11-12 years, each recorded all food and drink consumed on five occasions on each of three consecutive days. Sugars and nutrient intakes were calculated using food tables. The average total sugars intake was 118 g/d or 21% of the energy intake and 43% of the carbohydrate intake; these percentages were similar for both sexes, all social class groups and surveys. Sugars were found to be derived from a variety of food sources with confectionery being the single largest source. Sugars were fairly evenly consumed over the average day with a high amount in foods eaten between meals. Snacks accounted for 65% of the sugars intake but only 46% of the energy intake. Sugars intake and snacking therefore seem to have been major components of the eating habits of these children. If dietary changes towards lower sugars intakes are to be achieved a vigorous, informed health education campaign is necessary together with effective labelling of manufactured foods, the development of new products and the modification of some existing ones.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1997

Dietary practices among Europeans and different South Asian groups in Coventry.

The dietary customs of people of South Asian origin living in Britain are important determinants of health but have been relatively little studied. As part of the Coventry study of diabetes carried out in the Foleshill ward of the city, subjects undergoing oral glucose tolerance tests provided information on this aspect of lifestyle. A questionnaire was completed by all of the last 612 subjects undergoing testing. These included 304 of European origin, 118 Punjabi Sikhs, seventy-six Pakistani/Punjabi Moslems, twenty-eight Gujerati Moslems, twenty-five Punjabi Hindus and forty-seven Gujerati Hindus. There were no discernible differences in the dietary customs of those with normal glucose tolerance, impaired glucose tolerance and newly diagnosed diabetes. Subjects of South Asian origin ate significantly fewer meals per day than European subjects. Evening meal times were 2-3 h later among South Asians. Europeans ate less fruit but more vegetables and more brown rice than South Asians. Gujeratis ate more rice, fried snacks and white flour. Moslems were least likely to be vegetarians, to drink alcohol and to use home-made ghee and yoghurt, and Punjabi Sikhs and Hindus ate dhal more frequently than Pakistani Moslems, Gujerati Moslems or Hindus. Most South Asians ate Indian sweets and 'Western' snacks.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Schoolchildren's diets and participation in school feeding programmes in Jamaica.

OBJECTIVES: To describe food consumption during the school day of rural Jamaican children and participation in two government school feeding programmes. To determine factors which were related to these. DESIGN: Cross sectional. SETTING: 16 primary schools in rural Jamaica. SUBJECTS: 415 children in grades 2 and 5 (ages 7 and 10 years). RESULTS: Consumption of sweets, sweet drinks and snacks was high. Mean intakes at lunch were: energy 1537 kJ (SD 756), protein 10.4 g (SD 7.6) and iron 1.5 mg (SD 1.2). The mean energy intake was 17-20% of the daily requirement for this age group. Two types of school feeding programmes were available in the schools, one provided a cooked meal and the other a bun and milk. Median availability of school meals (as a percentage of children enrolled in the schools) over three terms was 24.6% (range 0-85.4%). Twenty per cent of the children participated in one or other programme. Poorer children were more likely to participate in the bun and milk programme (odds ratio 2.1, 95% CI 1.3-3.5) but children with more money to purchase food participated in the more costly cooked meal programme (odds ratio 2.4, 95% CI 1.3-4.6). CONCLUSIONS: Energy intakes at lunch in Jamaican children were somewhat below optimal levels and the reliance on sweets and snacks is an area of concern. Programme characteristics such as meal cost, may affect access to school feeding by poor children.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed2002

Dietary intake and barriers to dietary compliance in black type 2 diabetic patients attending primary health-care services.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the dietary intake, practices, knowledge and barriers to dietary compliance of black South African type 2 diabetic patients attending primary health-care services in urban and rural areas. DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey. Dietary intake was assessed by three 24-hour recalls, and knowledge and practices by means of a structured questionnaire (n = 133 men, 155 women). In-depth interviews were then conducted with 25 of the patients to explore their underlying beliefs and feelings with respect to their disease. Trained interviewers measured weight, height and blood pressure. A fasting venous blood sample was collected from each participant in order to evaluate glycaemic control. SETTING: An urban area (Sheshego) and rural areas near Pietersburg in the Northern Province of South Africa. SUBJECTS: The sample comprised 59 men and 75 women from urban areas and 74 men and 80 women from rural areas. All were over 40 years of age, diagnosed with type 2 diabetes for at least one year, and attended primary health-care services in the study area over a 3-month period in 1998. RESULTS: Reported dietary results indicate that mean energy intakes were low (< 70% of Recommended Dietary Allowance), 8086-8450 kJ day(-1) and 6967-7382 kJ day(-1) in men and women, respectively. Urban subjects had higher (P < 0.05) intakes of animal protein and lower ratios of polyunsaturated fat to saturated fat than rural subjects. The energy distribution of macronutrients was in line with the recommendations for a prudent diet, with fat intake less than 30%, saturated fat less than 10% and carbohydrate intake greater than 55% of total energy intake. In most respects, nutrient intakes resembled a traditional African diet, although fibre intake was low in terms of the recommended 3-6 g/1000 kJ. More than 90% of patients ate three meals a day, yet only 32-47% had a morning snack and 19-27% had a late evening snack. The majority of patients indicated that they followed a special diet, which had been given to them by a doctor or a nurse. Only 3.4-6.1% were treated by diet alone. Poor glycaemic control was found in both urban and rural participants, with more than half of subjects having fasting plasma glucose above 8 mmol l(-1) and more than 35% having plasma glycosylated haemoglobin level above 8.6%. High triglyceride levels were found in 24 to 25% of men and in 17 to 18% of women. Obesity (body mass index > or = 30 kg m(-2)) was prevalent in 15 to 16% of men compared with 35 to 47% of women; elevated blood pressure (> or = 160/95 mmHg) was least prevalent in rural women (25.9%) and most prevalent in urban men (42.4%). CONCLUSIONS: The majority of black, type 2 diabetic patients studied showed poor glycaemic control. Additionally, many had dyslipidaemia, were obese and/or had an elevated blood pressure. Quantitative and qualitative findings indicated that these patients frequently received incorrect and inappropriate dietary advice from health educators.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Associations between television viewing and consumption of commonly advertised foods among New Zealand children and young adolescents.

OBJECTIVES: To explore how time spent watching television (TV) is associated with the dietary behaviours of New Zealand children and young adolescents. DESIGN: Secondary data analysis of a nationally representative, cross-sectional survey. SETTING: In homes or schools of New Zealand school students. PARTICIPANTS: In total, 3275 children aged 5 to 14 years. RESULTS: The odds of being overweight or obese increased with duration of TV viewing for children and adolescents when controlling for age, sex, ethnicity, socio-economic status and physical activity. Children and adolescents who watched the most TV were significantly more likely to be higher consumers of foods most commonly advertised on TV: soft drinks and fruit drinks, some sweets and snacks, and some fast foods. Both children and adolescents watching two or more hours of TV a day were more than twice as likely to drink soft drinks five times a week or more (P = 0.03 and P = 0.04, respectively), eat hamburgers at least once a week (both P = 0.02), and eat French fries at least once a week (both P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that longer duration of TV watching (thus, more frequent exposure to advertising) influences the frequency of consumption of soft drinks, some sweets and snacks, and some fast foods among children and young adolescents. Efforts to curtail the amount of time children spend watching TV may result in better dietary habits and weight control for children and adolescents. Future studies examining the impact of advertising on children's diets through interventions and international comparisons of legislation would provide more definitive evidence of the role of advertising in child and adolescent obesity.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

Survey for fumonisin B1 in Korean corn-based food products.

Seventy-six corn-based foods collected in Seoul, Korea, including corn flakes, corn snack, cornstarch, corn for popping, roasted corn for tea, canned sweet corn and other corn products were analysed for the occurrence of fumonisin B(1) (FB(1)) by using direct competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (dcELISA) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The average recoveries of FB(1) from the corn flakes sample in the range 5-1000 ng g(-1) were 104% by dcELISA and 82% by HPLC. The limits of detection were approximately 5 ng g(-1) by dcELISA and 20 ng g(-1) by HPLC. The incidences and mean levels of FB were 73.3, 78.6, 50, 58.3, 17.6 and 40% and 41.8, 67.9, 114, 256, 172 and 22 ng g(-1) from corn flakes, corn snack, corn starch, corn for popping, roasted corn for tea and other corn products, respectively, by dcELISA. No FB(1) was found in canned sweet corn. The results obtained by dcELISA were correlated to those by HPLC for FB(1) (r(2) = 0.992). This is the first report on the occurrence of FB(1) in corn-based foods in Korea.

Carboxylic Acids↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Migration of plasticizers from printing inks into foods.

It has been demonstrated that on storage of a tightly wound reel of polypropylene packaging film, specially printed for experimental purposes, transfer can occur of components from the ink on the outer surface of the film on to the inner food contact surface. For dicyclohexyl phthalate this transfer amounted to 6% of the total amount of plasticizer available in the printing ink system. It was subsequently shown for confectionery and snack food products wrapped in commercially printed polypropylene films that plasticizers only present in the printing ink migrated into the foods. The migration of plasticizer increased with storage time of the wrapped product; for dibutyl phthalate, for example, levels increased from 0.2 to 6.7 mg/kg over the period from 0 to 180 days storage of a chocolate-coated confectionery product. A small retail survey (47 samples) of confectionery, snack products and biscuits wrapped in printed polypropylene film showed the presence of one or more plasticizers at levels from 0.02 to 14.1 mg/kg for dibutyl phthalate, from less than 0.01 to 18.6 mg/kg for dicyclohexyl phthalate and from less than 0.01 to 1.8 mg/kg for di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate. In all cases there was a good correlation between the plasticizers found in the printing ink from the film and those in the food. Wide variations were found, however, in the amounts and types of plasticizers used in printed packaging of the same brand of retail food product purchased from different regions of the country.

Food Contamination↗

PubMed1995

Food habits of French Canadians in Montreal, Quebec.

OBJECTIVES: Since the 1960's, marked sociocultural and economic changes have affected lifestyle, religious practices, and family structure among French Canadians in Quebec. Recent nutritional assessment was unavailable, despite indications of change. METHODS: A survey was carried out in 1988 in a representative sample living in Greater Montreal, to obtain current data on food habits, nutrient intakes and sociodemographic factors, using interviewer-administered questionnaires and seven-day food records. RESULTS: Some 845 families (1450 individuals from different age groups) were studied in two phases: summer/fall and winter/spring. Mean household size in the study population was 2.7. Among adults, extremes of educational level were observed, with 33% having elementary school only and 28% having completed university. On average, each household spent $CAN 89.90 a week for food, $26.00 for tobacco, and $13.50 for alcohol. Breakfast was eaten regularly by 90% of subjects while 96% ate lunch and 99% ate dinner. Morning snacks were consumed by 36% and afternoon snacks were taken by 50%. Milk was consumed with breakfast by 24% of respondents, with lunch by 19%, and with dinner by 24%. On weekdays, 81% of subjects ate their main meals at home, while on weekends this figure was 95%. Time spent for meals varied by meal, and was slightly longer on weekends. Specialty diets, including vegetarianism, were followed by 7% of the study subjects, while 22% adhered to health-related diets. CONCLUSIONS: The food record analyses revealed adequate nutrient intakes overall in relation to the 1990 Canadian Recommended Nutrient Intakes, although further investigation is needed before addressing dietary quality in specific age-sex groups. Protein comprised 16% of energy, fat 38%, and carbohydrates composed 45% or 46% for males and females, respectively. Subsequent analyses will evaluate nutrient intakes in relation to health and sociodemographic indicators in this population.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1996

Assessment of dietary intakes of cadets at the US Military Academy at West Point.

OBJECTIVE: A study was conducted at the US Military Academy, West Point, NY, to assess the nutritional adequacy of menus and dietary intakes of the cadets and to determine the effect of the optional weekday evening meal policy on nutrient intakes. METHODS: Dietary intakes were obtained over a 7-day period using a diary-interview technique. Volunteer cadets, 118 males and 86 females, recorded their own intakes and were interviewed by dietitians to verify food records. Cadets were categorized by gender and divided into three groups based on whether they consumed 0-1, 2-3, or 4-5 weekday evening meals in the Cadet Mess. RESULTS: Multivariate methods were used to assess compliance with Military Recommended Dietary Allowances (MRDA) and nutrient densities as well as the role of gender, number of weekday evening meals consumed in the West Point Cadet Mess, and the use of nutritional supplements during the study week. The number of weekday evening meals consumed in the Cadet Mess, was positively correlated with the nutrient intakes of the cadet groups. The female 0-1 group had the highest proportion of individuals with mean intakes providing < 70% MRDA for vitamin B6, folate, vitamin A, magnesium, or zinc. Snacks provided from 24% to 32% of the energy intakes of the female groups and were often substituted for meals, particularly by cadets who ate the fewest meals in the Cadet Mess. CONCLUSIONS: Diet counseling is recommended to help these cadets choose more nutritious meals and snacks. University and college students that choose not to purchase some of their meals from campus dining facilities could have similar dietary intake patterns and nutritional shortcomings.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1997

Patterns in children's fruit and vegetable consumption by meal and day of the week.

OBJECTIVE: To assess differences in children's consumption of fruit and vegetables (F&V) by day of the week and meal of the day. DESIGN: Baseline data from two school based nutrition education studies were combined for analysis. SUBJECTS/SETTING: 2984 third grade students from 48 participating elementary schools in three school districts in the metropolitan Atlanta area. MEASURES OF OUTCOME: The frequency of consumption of F&V abstracted by trained registered dietitians from prompted 7-day food records. STATISTICAL-ANALYSES PERFORMED: Mixed model analysis with meals and days as terms, controlling for the within school correlation, gender and ethnic group. RESULTS: F&V were most frequently consumed at weekday lunch, and second most frequently at dinner. Participation in school lunch accounted for a substantial proportion of F&Vs consumed at lunch. Few F&Vs were consumed at breakfast or snack. CONCLUSIONS: School lunch makes an important contribution to elementary school students' F&V consumption. Dietary change programs should target parents to increase F&V consumption at dinner, and target students for the meals over which they assert the most control: breakfast and snacks.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

Eating patterns, dietary quality and obesity.

Obesity among children has reached epidemic proportions. Today, an estimated one in four children in the United States is overweight. while 11% arc obese. Children who are overweight tend to remain so up to 20 years of age; in general, they have a 1.5- to twofold higher risk for becoming overweight as adults. The prevalence of overweight has increased approximately twofold in the 20-year period from 1974 to 1994, with the largest increases observed among 19- to 24-year-olds. The annual increases in weight and obesity that occurred from 1983 to 1994 were 50% higher than those from 1973 to 1982. Overweight youth are 2.4 times as likely to have a high serum total cholesterol level, and 43.5 times as likely to have three cardiovascular risk factors. Although the total energy intake of children has remained the same, and the macronutrient density of the diet has changed, the percentage of energy from fat has decreased, while that from carbohydrates and protein has increased. Children have been consuming lower amounts of fats/oils, vegetables/soups, breads/grains, mixed meats, desserts, candy, and eggs. and increasing amounts of fruits/fruit juices, beverages. poultry, snacks, condiments, and cheese. Changes in specific eating patterns may explain the increase in adiposity among children; e.g., increases have occurred in the number of meals eaten at restaurants, food availability, portion sizes, snacking and meal-skipping. Successful prevention and treatment of obesity in childhood could reduce the adult incidence of cardiovascular disease. Because substantial weight loss is difficult to maintain, the prevention of obesity by promoting healthier lifestyles should be one of our highest priorities in the new millennium.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Food cravings, ethnicity and other factors related to eating out.

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to study factors related to eating patterns, specifically whether certain food cravings were associated with frequency of meals eaten away from home. METHODS: Data were collected from 277 patients from a family medicine residency office in Arizona. The survey questionnaire included information about the respondents' demographics, socioeconomic status, food cravings, as well as, number of meals eaten away from home. The food craving inventory included foods in four categories identified by factor analysis: fast foods, carbohydrates, sweets and snacks. Data on food cravings were factor analyzed and scale scores were derived. RESULTS: Being a Hispanic adult, working outside the home, and cravings for individual food items were related to eating more meals away from home. If the mother was working outside the home, the youngest child ate an average of two additional meals away from home each week. In general respondent's cravings for some specific food items were also related to higher numbers of meals their child ate away from home. Cravings for both fast food and snacks were positively correlated with adult eating out. None of the respondents' scale scores were related to child's eating away from home. Adults with Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System insurance (AHCCCS--a form of Medicaid) and older adults were less likely to eat away from home compared to patients with other types of insurance. CONCLUSIONS: Socioeconomic status, ethnicity, and food cravings are related to adult and child patterns of eating meals away from home.

Adolescent↗