bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reference values for serum levels of vitamin B12and folic acid in a population-based sample of adults between 35 and 80 years of age
Authors: Wahlin Åke , Bäckman Lars , Hultdin Johan , Adolfsson Rolf , Nilsson Lars-Göran 
Published: February 2003

AbstractObjectives:To examine folic acid and vitamin B12status in a group of 1000 persons sampled from the community of Umeå, Sweden, and aged 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75 or 80 years. Reference data for folate and age-stratified reference data for vitamin B12are presented, together with an examination of potential confounders.Measurements:All subjects participated in extensive health examinations and interviews, and laboratory blood testing was performed.Results:A series of exclusion criteria were applied, and data from 961 subjects were analysed. Vitamin B12levels were found to decrease with increasing age, whereas folate levels remained constant across the age span studied. None of the vitamins was found to vary with sex, education, smoking or alcohol consumption, body mass index, prescription-free vitamin supplements, level of haemoglobin, or mean cell volume of erythrocytes. Further, none of these factors was associated with the age-related decrease of vitamin B12level.Conclusions:The offered reference ranges should be used only in order to rule out deficiency. For B12levels, the age of the subject should be considered such that, for elderly people in particular, values above the medians should be considered as indicative of normal vitamin status.
Complementary foods in Jamaica: viscosity, energy density and feeding practices
Authors: Gardner Julie Meeks , Walker Susan P , Gavin Karlene A , Ashworth Ann 
Published: February 2003

AbstractObjectives:To develop and validate a field method for measuring the viscosity of small quantities of weaning porridges, to measure the viscosity and energy density of porridges fed in urban and rural environments, and to relate the findings to ingredients used and feeding practices.Design:A new method for determining the viscosity of homogeneous, semi-solid weaning foods was developed. The viscosity and energy density of porridges fed to young children were measured, ingredients obtained by recall, and caregiver feeding behaviours observed.Setting:One urban and one rural community in Jamaica.Subjects:A purposive random sample of 70 children aged 3 to 14 months.Results:Most children (80%) were fed porridges with medium viscosity (1700–2900 mPa s) or thicker. The mean energy density was 3.18±0.92 kJ g−1. Energy density was only moderately related to viscosity, being higher only in porridges >4000 mPa s (analysis of variance (ANOVA), P<0.05). Energy density was correlated (P<0.05) with the amounts of sugar (r=0.28) and milk powder (r=0.24) used. Viscosity and energy density were lower in porridges fed by bottle than in those fed by spoon. Anthropometric status (weight-for-length and weight-for-age) was positively correlated with energy density of the porridge but not to the encouragement or persistence of the caregiver.Conclusions:Porridges of adequate energy density were prepared by caregivers in Jamaica without raising viscosity to levels that might constrain intakes. Improvements in porridge preparation and more varied weaning diets may have contributed to the decline in undernutrition in Jamaica.
Dietary exposures and oral precancerous lesions in Srikakulam District, Andhra Pradesh, India
Authors: Hebert James R , Gupta Prakash C , Bhonsle Ramesh B , Mehta Hemali , Zheng Wei , Sanderson Maureen , Teas Jane 
Published: February 2003

AbstractObjective:To test the effect of dietary nutrients on oral precancerous lesions in a reverse-smoking (i.e. smoking with the glowing end inside the mouth) population in South India.Design:Case–control. Cases with precancerous lesions were matched to an equal number of lesion-free controls matched on age (±5 years), sex and village. All subjects used tobacco in some form. Dietary data were obtained using an interviewer-administered food-frequency questionnaire, designed for use in this population. All interviews were conducted blinded to the disease status of the subject. Data were analysed using logistic regression.Setting:Nineteen rural villages in Srikakulam District, Andhra Pradesh.Subjects:From a survey of 6007 tobacco users, 485 (79% women) were found to have precancerous, mostly palatal, lesions (cases), and 487 lesion-free subjects were selected as controls.Results:All eligible subjects consented to participate and nearly all (>99%) had complete data for analyses. Reverse smoking was the most common form of tobacco use among cases (81.9%) and controls (73.5%), and reverse smokers were 5.19 times more likely than chewers to have these lesions (95% confidence interval = 1.35, 19.9). After controlling for relevant covariates, including the type of tobacco use, protective linear effects were observed for zinc (70% reduction across the interquartile range, P<<0.002 ), calcium (34% reduction, P<0.002 ), fibre (30% reduction, P<0.009 ), riboflavin (22% reduction, P<0.03 ) and iron (17% reduction, P<0.05 ).Conclusions:Several dietary nutrients appear to protect against oral precancerous lesions that are strongly associated with reverse smoking. The results of this study indicate scope for targeting dietary factors in preventing oral cancer, which should be coupled with aggressive anti-tobacco use efforts.
Dietary intakes of 6–24-month-old urban South Island New Zealand children in relation to biochemical iron status
Authors: Soh Patsy , Ferguson Elaine L , McKenzie Joanne E , Skeaff Sheila , Parnell Winsome , Gibson Rosalind S 
Published: February 2003

AbstractObjective:To investigate food sources and intakes of iron, and dietary factors associated with serum ferritin levels in 6–24-month-old children.Design:A cross-sectional survey employing proportionate cluster sampling was conducted in 1998/1999. Dietary intakes were assessed using a non-consecutive 3-day weighed food record. Serum ferritin and C-reactive protein were analysed from non-fasting venepuncture blood samples and general sociodemographic data were collected.Setting:Cities of Christchurch, Dunedin and Invercargill, New Zealand.Subjects:Randomly selected healthy 6–24-month-old non-breast-feeding children (n=226).Results:Total iron intakes (±standard deviation (SD)) among non-breast-feeding infants (<12 months old;n=42) and toddlers (≥12 months old;n=184) were 8.4±2.9 mg day−1and 5.0±2.5 mg day−1, respectively. Fifteen per cent of infants and 66% of toddlers were at risk of inadequate iron intakes. Main sources of dietary iron were infant formula (60%) for infants and cereals (31%) for toddlers. Meat contributed on average 2% and 10% of dietary iron in the infant and toddler diets, respectively. Dietary factors positively associated with serum ferritin were intakes of iron and vitamin C, whereas intakes of calcium and dietary fibre were negatively associated. For each 1% increase in percentage of energy from iron-fortified formula concomitant with a 1% decrease from dairy products, there was a 4.2% increased odds of replete iron stores (ferritin ≥20 μg l−1).Conclusions:Toddlers were at higher risk of sub-optimal iron intakes than infants. Results suggest that a diet high in bioavailable iron is important for optimising the iron stores of young children in New Zealand.
The intake of carotenoids in an older Australian population: The Blue Mountains Eye Study
Authors: Manzi Fiona , Flood Victoria , Webb Karen , Mitchell Paul 
Published: February 2003

AbstractObjective:To describe the distribution of carotenoid intakes and important food sources of carotenoids in the diet of a representative population of older Australians.Design:Population-based cohort study.Setting:Two post-code areas in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, Australia.Subjects:We studied 2012 (86%) of the 2334 participants aged 55 + years attending the 5-year follow-up of the cross-sectional Blue Mountains Eye Study (BMES), who completed a detailed semi-quantitative food-frequency questionnaire. The intakes for five carotenoids were studied: α-carotene, β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, lutein and zeaxanthin combined, and lycopene.Results:The mean intake per day for each carotenoid was: α-carotene, 2675 μg; β-carotene equivalents, 7301 μg; β-cryptoxanthin, 299 μg; lutein and zeaxanthin, 914 μg; lycopene, 3741 μg; retinol, 653 μg; total vitamin A, 1872 μg retinol equivalents. β-Carotene equivalents contribute a substantial proportion of total vitamin A intake (65%) in this population. Women had slightly higher intakes than men for α-carotene, β-carotene equivalents, and lutein and zeaxanthin (P<0.05) . Carrots and pumpkin were the main contributors to α-carotene and β-carotene equivalent intakes. Orange juice, oranges and papaw were the main contributors to β-cryptoxanthin intake. Broccoli, green beans and oranges contributed substantially to lutein and zeaxanthin intake. The main contributors to lycopene intake were tomatoes and bolognaise sauce.Conclusions:Vitamin A intake in this population is high relative to the Australian Recommended Dietary Intake. Carotenoid intakes, particularly β-carotene, make a substantial contribution, particularly from fruit and vegetables. This study provides important information as a basis for examining associations between dietary carotenoid intake and eye disease in the BMES.
Disparities in economic development in Eastern China: impact on nutritional status of adolescents
Authors: Hesketh Therese , Ding Qu Jian , Tomkins Andrew M 
Published: February 2003

AbstractObjective:To compare the effects of disparities in economic development in urban and rural Eastern China on the nutritional status of adolescents.Design:A cross-sectional survey consisting of self-completion questionnaires, anthropometry and haemoglobin measurement.Setting:Twelve middle schools in an urban and a rural area of Zhejiang Province: Hangzhou, the capital, and Chunan, a poor mountainous area.Subjects:Some 4835 young adolescents (predominant age range 13–16 years).Results:The mean body mass index (BMI) was significantly higher in urban Hangzhou (P=0.01) Overweight affected 3.6% overall; adjusted odds ratios (ORs) showed male sex (OR 2.1, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1–3.4) and urban residence (OR 9.1, 95% CI 3.7–22) to be the most important risk factors. The prevalence of underweight was 18%, with no significant urban–rural difference. Predictors of underweight were male sex (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.1–2.0) and low household income (OR, 1.3, 95% CI 1.1–1.5). Mean haemoglobin was significantly lower in the rural area. Anaemia was more common in girls, 51% compared with 21% of the boys, but rural residence was not an independent risk factor. Rural students exercised more and had a less varied diet than their urban counterparts. Around one-third of the respondents consumed dietary supplements on a regular basis.Conclusions:These results suggest that in urban areas of Eastern China a dual picture is emerging with the problems of excess (overweight and obesity) coexisting with underweight and anaemia. In rural areas the problems of relative nutritional deprivation predominate, but the long-term consequences of such marginal underweight and anaemia are not clear.
A cohort study of dietary fibre intake and menarche
Authors: Koo Malcolm M , Rohan Thomas E , Jain Meera , McLaughlin John R , Corey Paul N 
Published: February 2003

AbstractObjective:To evaluate the influence of dietary fibre on menarche in a cohort of pre-menarcheal girls.Design:Prospective cohort study.Setting:Ontario, Canada.Subjects:Free-living pre-menarcheal girls (n= 637), 6 to 14 years of age.Methodology:Information on dietary intake, physical activity and date of menarche was collected at baseline and was updated annually by self-administered questionnaires for three years. Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate the association between dietary fibre and menarche, adjusting for age at entry to the study and potential confounders.Results:A higher intake of energy-adjusted dietary fibre was associated with a lower risk of (i.e. a later age at) menarche (relative hazard 0.54, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.31–0.94 for highest vs. lowest quartile,Pfor trend = 0.027). At the fibre component level, a higher intake of energy-adjusted cellulose was associated with a lower risk of menarche (relative hazard 0.45, 95% CI 0.26–0.76,Pfor trend = 0.009).Conclusions:The findings are consistent with the hypothesis that pre-menarcheal dietary intake can influence menarche.
Nutritional status of 11–12-year-old Jamaican children: coexistence of under- and overnutrition in early adolescence
Authors: Jackson Maria , Samms-Vaughan Maureen , Ashley Deanna 
Published: February 2003

AbstractObjective:To determine the nutritional status of a cohort of 11–12 year olds and ascertain social and demographic factors associated with under- and overweight in early adolescence.Design:Cross-sectional.Subjects:Subgroup (n=1698) of the birth cohort (September–October 1986) of the Jamaican Perinatal Survey enrolled in schools in the Kingston Metropolitan area. One thousand and sixty-three parents or caregivers provided social and demographic information.Results:Undernutrition and overnutrition are of public health significance among adolescent Jamaican children. Ten per cent of 11–12 year olds had body mass index (BMI) values below the 5th percentile (boys, 10.6%; girls, 7.1%) but this prevalence is relatively low compared with other developing countries. The prevalence of stunting was low (3%). The prevalence of overweight (BMI≥85th percentile) (19.3%) was approaching prevalence rates found in the USA. Similar social and demographic variables were associated with thinness and fatness in males. Birth weight predicted overweight in girls.Conclusions:Under- and overnutrition in early adolescence are important problems in Jamaica. There is a need to address both under- and overnutrition in adolescence in preventive and rehabilitative intervention programmes.
Relative bias in diet history measurements: a quality control technique for dietary intervention trials
Authors: Martin Gina S , Tapsell Linda C , Batterham Marijka J , Russell Kenneth G 
Published: February 2003

AbstractObjective:Investigation of relative bias in diet history measurement during dietary intervention trials.Design:Retrospective analysis of human dietary data from two randomised controlled trials examining modified fat diets in the prevention and treatment of type II diabetes mellitus.Setting:Wollongong, Australia.Subjects:Thirty-five overweight, otherwise healthy subjects in trial 1 and 56 subjects with diabetes in trial 2.Interventions:Diet history interviews and three-day weighed food records administered at one-month intervals in trial 1 and three-month intervals in trial 2.Results:In a cross-sectional bias analysis, graphs of the association between bias and mean dietary intake showed that bias decreased in higher carbohydrate consumers in trial 1 (r= −0.344,P<0.05 ). No other significant associations were found. In a longitudinal analysis, bias did not change over time in either trial. There were no significant differences in bias magnitudes between the trials, with the exception of monounsaturated fat measurement where bias was significantly greater and more positive in trial 2, indicating overestimation of monounsaturated fat intake with the diet history. Subjects in control and intervention groups underestimated energy, fat, saturated fat and alcohol intakes with the diet history in both trials. Overweight and obese individuals appeared to make the greatest contribution to the overall underestimation of saturated fat intake by the diet history regardless of whether they were in the control or intervention group and whether they were healthy or had diabetes.Conclusion:Bias in diet history measurement appears to be macronutrient-specific, with energy, fat and saturated fat consistently underreported in the interview by subjects with and without diabetes and in both intervention and control groups in a dietary intervention trial. Relative bias analysis appears to be an informative tool in quality control for dietary intervention trials when biochemical markers are unavailable.
Free school meals and children's social and nutritional status in Trinidad and Tobago
Authors: Gulliford MC , Mahabir D , Rocke B , Chinn S , Rona RJ 
Published: February 2003

AbstractObjective:To evaluate the provision of free school meals in Trinidad and Tobago in relation to children's social and nutritional status.Design and methods: Cross-sectional survey of a nationally representative sample of 66 government schools, including children in the admissions classes (aged 4 to 7 years) and classes for ‘rising nines’ (aged 7–10 years). Data included questionnaire details of free school meals and children's social background, and measurements of children's heights, weights and skinfold thicknesses.Results:Of 6731 eligible children, data were analysed for 5688 (85%). There were 2386 (42%) children receiving free meals provided at school. At different schools the proportion of all children receiving free meals ranged from 20% to 100%, P < 0.001. Receipt of free meals was associated with larger family size (one child, 32% received free meals; ≥6 children, 63%), lower paternal educational attainment (primary, 52% free; university, 30%), father's employment (employed, 39% free meals; unemployed <12 months, 59%) as well as maternal education and employment and household amenities. After adjusting for age, sex and ethnic group, children who received free meals were shorter (mean difference in height standard deviation score (SDS) –0.12, 95% confidence interval (CI) –0.17 to –0.06), lighter (body mass index SDS –0.21, –0.28 to –0.14) and thinner (subscapular skinfold SDS –0.13, –0.18 to –0.09).Conclusions:Free school meals were widely available, with some targeting of provision to children with less favourable social and nutritional status. Greater universality would reduce inequity, but more stringent targeting and reduction of school-level variation would increase efficiency.
Hypertension and blood pressure among meat eaters, fish eaters, vegetarians and vegans in EPIC–Oxford
Authors: Appleby Paul N , Davey Gwyneth K , Key Timothy J 
Published: February 2003

AbstractObjective:To compare the prevalence of self-reported hypertension and mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures in four diet groups (meat eaters, fish eaters, vegetarians and vegans) and to investigate dietary and other lifestyle factors that might account for any differences observed between the groups.Design:Analysis of cross-sectional data from participants in the Oxford cohort of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC–Oxford).Setting:United Kingdom.Subjects:Eleven thousand and four British men and women aged 20–78 years at blood pressure measurement.Results:The age-adjusted prevalence of self-reported hypertension was significantly different between the four diet groups, ranging from 15.0% in male meat eaters to 5.8% in male vegans, and from 12.1% in female meat eaters to 7.7% in female vegans, with fish eaters and vegetarians having similar and intermediate prevalences. Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly different between the four diet groups, with meat eaters having the highest values and vegans the lowest values. The differences in age-adjusted mean blood pressure between meat eaters and vegans among participants with no self-reported hypertension were 4.2 and 2.6 mmHg systolic and 2.8 and 1.7 mmHg diastolic for men and women, respectively. Much of the variation was attributable to differences in body mass index between the diet groups.Conclusions:Non-meat eaters, especially vegans, have a lower prevalence of hypertension and lower systolic and diastolic blood pressures than meat eaters, largely because of differences in body mass index.
Validation of a semi-quantitative food-frequency questionnaire for use among adults in Guatemala
Authors: Rodríguez Monica M , Méndez Humberto , Torún Benjamín , Schroeder Dirk , Stein Aryeh D 
Published: February 2003

AbstractObjective:The purpose of the study was to assess the validity of a 52-item semiquantitative food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ) by comparing it with multiple 24-hour dietary recalls.Design:Three non-consecutive 24-hour dietary recalls and one FFQ were administered over a one-month period.Setting:Four communities of El Progreso, Guatemala.Subjects:Seventy-three individuals aged 22–55 years.Results:Intakes of energy and other nutrients as measured by the FFQ were higher than intakes measured by 24-hour recalls. Energy was overestimated by 361 kcal, and nutrient overestimates were particularly great for vitamin C and iron. Pearson correlation coefficients for crude energy and nutrients intakes ranged from 0.64 for energy to 0.12 for vitamin C. Exact agreement for both methods (measured by the concordance correlation coefficient) ranged from 0.59 (fat) to 0.06 (vitamin C). Pearson correlation coefficients for energy-adjusted nutrients ranged from 0.59 (carbohydrates) to 0.11 (thiamin). Pearson correlation coefficients for the proportion of total energy derived from specific foods ranged from 0.59 (tortillas) to 0.01 (sugared beverages). Cross-classification of quartiles of crude nutrient intakes for both methods indicated that <11% were grossly misclassified; after adjusting for energy intake, <13% were grossly misclassified.Conclusions:This FFQ provides good measures of energy and macronutrient intakes and a reasonably reliable measure of micronutrient intake, indicating its suitability for comparing exposures within a study population in reference to heath-related endpoints. Our results highlight the need to adapt any FFQ to specific cultural needs – in this case, the Guatemalan ‘core foods’ (tortilla, bread and beans), for which inter-individual variability in intake is high.
Exploring predictors of eating behaviour among adolescents by gender and socio-economic status
Authors: Lien Nanna , Jacobs David R , Klepp Knut-Inge 
Published: February 2003

AbstractObjective:Guided by theory, this study explored cross-sectional differences in factors influencing adolescent eating behaviour including gender and socio-economic status (SES), and subsequently tested the longitudinal predictive power of the models.Design/setting/subjects: Data were collected by questionnaires in a longitudinal study of adolescents (age 13 years at baseline) and their parents from Hordaland County, Norway. Association of personal and environmental variables (family, friends, school/society) with the consumption of fruit and vegetables (FV) and selected sources of fat and of sugar were assessed at age 15 (n = 613). The final cross-sectional models were subsequently employed in groups stratified by gender/SES and to predict consumption at age 21 (n = 380).Results:The model explained more of the variation in the sugar score (21%) and the FV score (13.5%) than in the fat score (5%). SES was associated with both the sugar and FV scores. The strongest associations with the sugar score and FV were for antisocial behaviour and evaluation of own diet, respectively. The former association was significant in all gender/SES groups, whereas the latter association was only significant in the low SES groups. For all three types of food, the strongest significant predictors in the longitudinal models were frequency of consumption at age 15.Conclusion:The model's ability to explain variation in eating behaviours differed by food type, and possibly by gender/SES, but previous eating behaviour was an important predictor for all three foods. Prospective studies should carefully operationalise theoretical constructs when further investigating the influences of and interrelationships between these factors and gender/SES on the development of eating behaviours.