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High body mass index (BMI) is an important risk factor for female colon and rectal, ovarian, and uterine cancers. Current comprehensive studies on its effects on these cancers are limited. This paper aims to explore regional and age differences in the impact of high BMI on these cancers and the commonalities among the three by using the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021. Deaths, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and their age-standardized rates (ASRs) for these cancers were retrieved from 1990 to 2021, and burden trends were assessed using the estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) and percentage changes. The study also analyzed the correlation between ASR and socio-demographic index (SDI) across 21 regions and projected future disease burden trends using the Bayesian Age-Period-model (BAPC) model. Results showed that the global burden of female colon and rectal cancer declined since 1990 but remained at the highest level among the three cancers in 2021. At the same time, these three cancers had high burdens in high-income areas. Since 1990, ovarian and uterine cancer burdens attributable to high BMI increased, and all three burdens grew fastest in low-middle-income regions and among younger people. The burden of all three is projected to continue increasing through 2050. This study confirms that high BMI’s impact on these cancers is regional and age-specific, with long-term effects. Therefore, subsequent public health interventions should adopt more targeted obesity prevention and control strategies based on national and regional situations to effectively mitigate the adverse effects of high BMI on these cancers.
This study aimed to explore the associations between weight gain during infancy with pre-pregnant body mass index (BMI) later in life, focusing on risks of being overweight or underweight. A retrospective cohort study was conducted using data from women (n = 1082) who visited the National Center for Child Health and Development between 2017 and 2021. The participants provided their Maternal and Child Health Handbook, which included records of their own birthweight and weight gain from birth to 1, 3, and 6 months. The infant weight gain was divided into quintiles. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the association of weight gain during infancy with pre-pregnant underweight (BMI < 18.5) and overweight (BMI ≥ 25) later in life, adjusting for potential confounders. The current study found that the largest weight gain category (5230–7700 g) by 6 months was associated with a decreased risk of “pre-pregnant underweight,” compared to the third weight gain category (4355–4730 g) by 6 months (OR, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.22–0.73). In contrast, no significant association was observed between weight gain category in infancy and being overweight in adulthood. In conclusion, greater weight gain during the first 6 months of life was associated with a reduced risk of “adult underweight,” without increasing the risk of being overweight.
This study aimed to assess the relationship between selected parameters of nutritional status and the occurrence of frailty syndrome in older adults by analysing clinical and socio-demographic factors. Methods: The study included 150 community-dwelling participants aged > 60 years who were qualified in the medical centre. The following research tools were used: activity of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living, survey of health, aging, and retirement in Europe, geriatric depression scale, mini mental state examination (MMSE), anthropometric measurements, mini nutritional assessment (MNA), body composition measurements, and biochemical blood tests. Results: The study included 150 people over 60 years of age (mean age 76.2/SD 4.9), including 104 women and 46 men. Participants in the frail group were significantly older (KW-H: P < 0.001) and had a higher level of depression (P = 0.008), whereas on the MMSE scale, they achieved a lower result (P < 0.001) than those in the non-frail and pre-frail groups. People in the frail group had significantly lower levels of nutritional status (P < 0.001) according to the MNA scale, assessment of basic activities in everyday life (P = 0.005), complex activities of everyday life (P < 0.001), hand grip strength of the right hand (P = 0.038) and left hand (P = 0.028), and energy drop (P < 0.001). They were also characterised by difficulties walking (P < 0.001), less frequent physical activity (P < 0.001), loss of appetite (P < 0.001), and weight loss more often (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Advanced age, a greater number of diseases, worse functional and mental performance, and differences in nutritional status and body composition were observed in people with frailty syndrome.
Cross-cutting issues like nutrition have not been adequately addressed for children with severe visual impairment studying in integrated schools of Nepal. To support advocacy, this study aimed to determine the nutritional status of this vulnerable group, using a descriptive cross-sectional design involving 101 students aged 5–19 years from two integrated public schools near Kathmandu Valley and two in western Nepal. The weight-for-age z-score (WAZ), height-for-age z-score (HAZ), and body mass index-for-age z-score (BAZ) were computed and categorised using World Health Organization cut-off values (overnutrition: z-score > +2.0 standard deviations (SD), healthy weight: z-score −2.0SD to +2.0SD, moderate undernutrition: z-score ≥ −3.0SD to <−2.0SD, severe undernutrition: z-score < −3.0 SD) to assess nutritional status. A child was considered to have undernutrition for any z-scores <−2.0SD. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyse variables linked to undernutrition. The mean age of participants was 11.86 ± 3.66 years, and the male-to-female ratio was nearly 2:1. Among the participants, 71.29% had blindness, and 28.71% had low vision. The mean BAZ and HAZ scores decreased with age. The WAZ, HAZ, and BAZ scores indicated that 6.46% were underweight, 20.79% were stunted, and 5.94% were thin, respectively. Overall, 23.76% of students had undernutrition and 7.92% had overnutrition. More than three in ten students had malnutrition and stunting was found to be prevalent. Older students and females were more likely to have undernutrition. These findings highlight the need for nutrition interventions within inclusive education settings, particularly targeting girls with visual impairments who may face compounded vulnerabilities.
Infants born at high altitudes, such as in the Puno region, typically exhibit higher birthweights than those born at low altitudes; however, the influence of ethnicity on childhood anthropometric patterns in high-altitude settings remains poorly understood. This study aimed to characterise the nutritional status, body composition and indices, and somatotype of Quechua and Aymara children aged 6–10 years. A cross-sectional, descriptive, and comparative design was employed, with a simple random sampling of children from six provinces representative of the Puno region, including 1,289 children of both sexes. Twenty-nine anthropometric measurements were taken, and fat, muscle, and bone components were assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Standardised equations were applied to determine body indices. Among the findings, most children presented normal nutritional status according to BMI-for-age and height-for-age Z-scores. However, high rates of overweight and obesity were observed in Aymara (39%) and Quechua (28.4%) children, with differences in fat content between ethnic groups at the 5th, 10th, 50th, and 75th percentiles. Both groups were characterised by brachytypy and brachybrachial proportions; Quechua children were mesoskelic and Aymara brachyskelic, with macrocormic proportions, rectangular trunks, and broad backs. The predominant somatotype was mesomorphic, with a stronger endomorphic tendency among Aymara. It is concluded that both groups exhibit normal nutritional status; however, Aymara children show a greater tendency towards fat accumulation and notable morphological differences. Differences were also observed in limb proportions, particularly a relatively shorter lower limb.
Overconsumption of unhealthy, discretionary, foods and beverages are associated with an increased risk of weight gain and non-communicable diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. This cross-sectional study explored preferences for setting goals to reduce discretionary food and beverage consumption. The online survey included items about discretionary food and beverage intake, goal setting preferences to reduce intake, habit strength, personality traits, and demographic characteristics. A total of 2664 Australian adults completed the survey. The sample was mostly female (65.9%), half (52.8%) were aged between 30–49 years, and the median intake of discretionary food and beverages was 4.9 (IQR: 3.6 to 7.2) serves per day. Multinomial logistic regression and ordinal logistic regression models were used to explore demographic and psychological predictors of the helpfulness of long-term and short-term goals, elimination and gradual goals, specific food goals, specific eating occasion and food goals, self-set goals, collaboratively set goals, and assigned goals. The results showed participants with higher habit strength had greater odds of finding short-term (OR 1.40, 95% CI 1.06–1.86), gradual (OR 1.14, 95% CI 1.01–1.29), specific (OR 1.35, 95% CI 0.84–1.76), assigned (OR 1.38, 95% CI 1.14–1.66) and collaborative goals (OR 1.24, 95% CI 1.01–1.53) helpful. The results also indicated that age and gender were important predictors of goal setting preferences, particularly for long-term goals, elimination goals, broad goals, and collaborative goals. Interventions to reduce discretionary food and beverage intake are needed and consideration of goal setting preferences could be a novel way to developing more tailored and effective dietary interventions.
The NutriLight system presents a novel dietary approach designed to enhance health communication, promote sustainable eating habits, and address limitations in existing dietary patterns. Using a traffic light scoring system, it simplifies dietary recommendations, making them more accessible and adaptable across diverse populations. Unlike rigid diets, NutriLight categorises foods into green, yellow, and red groups, encouraging balance rather than restriction. This flexibility allows for cultural adaptations, ensuring relevance in different dietary contexts while supporting planetary health. Additionally, NutriLight mitigates the risk of nutrient deficiencies by emphasising whole, minimally processed foods and reducing overconsumption of unhealthy options. While promising, its effectiveness depends on proper implementation, localised adaptation, and long-term evaluation to confirm its health benefits. By bridging the gap between nutritional science and practical application, NutriLight has the potential to serve as an effective tool in public health nutrition, fostering healthier and more sustainable dietary choices worldwide.
In individuals with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), eliminating dietary triggers can alleviate symptoms but may lead to nutrient deficiencies and overall health decline. Although various nutritional supplements show promising results in relieving IBS symptoms due to their potential to alter the microbiome, conclusive scientific evidence remains lacking. This exploratory study aims to assess the bifidogenic properties of four nutritional supplement interventions and their impact on IBS-symptoms, faecal microbiota composition, faecal short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentrations, stool pattern, and quality of life (QoL), compared to a placebo control. Seventy subjects with IBS, meeting the ROME IV criteria, participated in this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel intervention study. Subjects were assigned to one of the four treatment groups, receiving either resistant starch, pea fibre, chondroitin sulfate, protein hydrolysate, or placebo daily for four weeks. Daily reports on stool pattern and gastrointestinal complaints were collected. Stool samples and questionnaires on dietary intake, symptom severity, QoL, and anxiety and depression were collected at baseline and after the 4-week intervention. The results show no significant increase in Bifidobacterium abundance or faecal SCFA levels after the 4-week intervention with any of the four nutritional supplement interventions. While some improvements in symptom severity and QoL were observed within-groups, these were not significantly different from changes observed with placebo. In conclusion, the tested nutritional supplements did not increase Bifidobacterium abundance in subjects with IBS within four weeks. Furthermore, we conclude that future studies should consider a run-in period and a larger sample size to study improvements in IBS symptoms.
Kombucha is a fermented beverage rich in bioactive compounds. This beverage has demonstrated high antioxidant capacity in vitro and experimental animal studies. In this sense, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of daily consumption of green tea kombucha on oxidative stress and endothelial health in individuals with excess body weight. This is a randomized controlled clinical trial, lasting 10 weeks, during which the control group followed a healthy −500 kcal/d energy-restricted diet. In contrast, the kombucha group, in addition to the energy-restricted diet, consumed 200 ml of kombucha green tea daily. This study included men and women aged 18–45 years without chronic diseases. At the beginning and end of the study, fasting blood was collected, and colorimetric assays and immunoassay protocols evaluated markers of oxidative stress and endothelial health. Compared to the control group, kombucha consumption significantly reduced hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) levels (P = 0·007). Initial and final values were as follows: Control group (16·5 v. 15·09 µmol/ml; n 29) and Kombucha group (18·14 v. 14·67 µmol/ml; n 30). The other markers that were evaluated did not change after the kombucha consumption. In conclusion, daily consumption of 200 ml of green tea kombucha for 10 weeks reduces one pro-oxidant marker, without altering other markers of oxidative stress and endothelial health in individuals with excess body weight. Reducing a pro-oxidant marker suggests that kombucha is an antioxidant beverage with promising implications for human health. However, further studies are needed to elucidate other possible beneficial effects on health.
Epidemiological studies have reported an association between the planetary health diet (PHD), diet-related greenhouse gas emissions (GHGEs), and mortality. However, data from individuals from non-Western countries was limited. Therefore, we aimed to examine this association among Japanese individuals using a cross-sectional ecological study of all 47 prefectures in Japan. Prefecture-level data were obtained from government surveys. The dietary amount was estimated based on the weight of food purchased (211 items) from the 2021–2023 Family Income and Expenditure Survey. Adherence to PHD was scored using the EAT-Lancet index (range, 0 [worst] to 42 [best]) and categorised into four groups: ≤ 24 (n = 14, low), 25 (n = 17, medium-low), 26 (n = 10, medium-high), and 27 points (n = 6, high). Diet-related GHGEs were estimated using previously developed GHGE tables for each food item. Mortality data were obtained using the 2022 Vital Statistics. Mortality rate ratio (RR) was calculated using a multivariate Poisson regression model. After adjusting for confounders, compared to the prefecture in the medium-low group of adherence score, those in the low and high groups were associated with a higher mortality RR for all-cause (low group: RR = 1.03 [95% CI (confidence interval) = 1.01–1.05]; high group: RR = 1.03 [95% CI = 1.00–1.07]) and pneumonia. Moreover, although a higher adherence score was inversely associated with GHGE, it was linked to an increased mortality risk from heart disease and stroke. Our findings indicate a reverse J-shaped association between adherence to PHD and mortality.
There are no studies in the literature examining the inflammatory content and effects of the diets of patients with primary Sjögren’s syndrome (PSS). This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the Energy-Adjusted Dietary Inflammatory Index (E-DII) and anthropometric measurements, disease activity, inflammatory markers, and blood lipid concentrations in female patients with PSS. A cross-sectional study was conducted between November 2020 and November 2021, including 102 female patients with a confirmed diagnosis of PSS. Dietary intake was assessed using the multiple-pass, 3-day food record method to calculate E-DII scores. Physical activity was evaluated using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (Short Form), anthropometric measurements were taken, and the European League Against Rheumatism Sjögren’s Syndrome Disease Activity Index (ESSDAI) was used to determine disease activity. Lipid profile and inflammatory markers were analyzed in blood samples. Patients had a median E-DII value of –2·36. An anti-inflammatory diet was associated with lower anthropometric measurements and reduced total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations. Logistic regression analysis revealed a significant association between E-DII and complement C3 (OR: 1·03, 95 % CI: 1·00, 1·05, P = 0·021) and C4 (OR: 1·08, 95 % CI: 1·01, 1·13, P = 0·019) after adjusting for age, disease score, drug use for SS, smoking, and physical activity. However, no significant correlation was found between E-DII and ESSDAI scores, C-reactive protein, or erythrocyte sedimentation rate. In conclusion, a pro-inflammatory diet was associated with higher anthropometric measurements and adverse lipid profiles in PSS patients, but its relationship with disease activity and inflammation remains unclear.
Women and children are priority populations in Cambodia, however no dietary intake information exists on breastfeeding women for informing nutritional intervention. The aim was to assess nutritional adequacy of dietary intakes of Cambodian women, by breastfeeding status and locality. A cross-sectional assessment of dietary intake was conducted with non-pregnant women ≥18 years of age with at least one child under 5 years in rural, semi-rural and urban locations in Siem Reap province, Cambodia. Women used a bespoke smartphone application to capture three-day image-voice records on two occasions. Data were analysed using a semi-automated web platform incorporating a tailored Cambodian food composition database. Estimated Average Requirements were used to assess adequacy of nutrient intakes. Of 119 women included in the analysis, 58% were breastfeeding, and 63% were rural or semi-rural. Protein, carbohydrate, vitamin B12, iron, and sodium were adequate for over 65% of women. Less than 10% of women had adequate vitamin A, vitamin C, thiamine, calcium, and zinc intakes, in contrast to low deficiency rates reported for Cambodian women. Despite breastfeeding women recording higher dietary intakes, adequate intakes of protein, carbohydrate, vitamin A, thiamine, and zinc were lower than non-breastfeeding women due to higher requirements. Rural women generally had higher nutrient intakes, and urban women had inadequate folate intake. This study indicates dietary intakes of Cambodian women in Siem Reap province, particularly breastfeeding women, are not nutritionally adequate. Data collected using image-voice dietary assessment could inform nutrition interventions and policies in Cambodia to improve dietary intakes and nutrition-related health outcomes.
The World Cancer Research Fund and the American Institute for Cancer Research recommend a plant-based diet to cancer survivors, which may reduce chronic inflammation and excess adiposity associated with worse survival. We investigated associations of plant-based dietary patterns with inflammation biomarkers and body composition in the Pathways Study, in which 3659 women with breast cancer provided validated food frequency questionnaires approximately 2 months after diagnosis. We derived three plant-based diet indices: overall plant-based diet index (PDI), healthful plant-based diet index (hPDI) and unhealthful plant-based diet index (uPDI). We assayed circulating inflammation biomarkers related to systemic inflammation (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein [hsCRP]), pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α) and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-10, IL-13). We estimated areas (cm2) of muscle and visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue (VAT and SAT) from computed tomography scans. Using multivariable linear regression, we calculated the differences in inflammation biomarkers and body composition for each index. Per 10-point increase for each index: hsCRP was significantly lower by 6·9 % (95 % CI 1·6%, 11·8%) for PDI and 9·0 % (95 % CI 4·9%, 12·8%) for hPDI but significantly higher by 5·4 % (95 % CI 0·5%, 10·5%) for uPDI, and VAT was significantly lower by 7·8 cm2 (95 % CI 2·0 cm2, 13·6 cm2) for PDI and 8·6 cm2 (95 % CI 4·1 cm2, 13·2 cm2) for hPDI but significantly higher by 6·2 cm2 (95 % CI 1·3 cm2, 11·1 cm2) for uPDI. No significant associations were observed for other inflammation biomarkers, muscle, or SAT. A plant-based diet, especially a healthful plant-based diet, may be associated with reduced inflammation and visceral adiposity among breast cancer survivors.
Although B vitamins have been shown to play beneficial roles in bone health, the effects of vitamin B1 in humans are still unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of vitamin B1 supplementation on middle-aged and older adults. This single-armed trial study included community-dwelling adults in Japan and used a pre- and post-test design. The participants were given 28.0 mg of vitamin B1 supplementation per day for 1 month in addition to their daily usual diet. The effect of this treatment on bone turnover markers and metabolism was evaluated at baseline and after 1 month. Forty-two participants were enrolled (mean age, 58.6 ± 10.4 years; 36 women). The vitamin B1 levels in whole blood increased significantly from baseline after vitamin B1 supplementation. The level of serum tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b (TRACP 5b), a bone resorption marker, reduced significantly (378 ± 135 vs. 335 ± 120 mU/dL, p < 0.001), while the level of N-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen (P1NP), a marker specific to bone formation, did not change. Moreover, the serum phosphorus and parathyroid hormone (PTH) concentrations did not change, whereas the corrected serum calcium concentrations increased and vitamin D concentrations decreased. The serum TRACP 5b levels decreased after vitamin B1 supplementation in the middle-aged and older adults. Further definitive trials are needed to determine the efficacy of vitamin B1 in improving bone health.
This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the correlation between magnesium consumption and periodontitis in different body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) groups. 8385 adults who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey during 2009–2014 were included. The correlation between dietary magnesium intake and periodontitis was first tested for statistical significance by descriptive statistics and weighted binary logistic regression. Subgroup analysis and interaction tests were performed to investigate whether the association was stable in different BMI and WC groups. There was a statistical difference in magnesium intake between periodontitis and non-periodontitis populations. In model 3, participants with the highest magnesium consumption had an odds ratio of 0.72 (0.57-0.92) for periodontitis compared to those with the lowest magnesium consumption. However, in subgroup analysis, the relationship between magnesium intake and periodontitis remained significant only in the non-general obese (BMI ≤ 30 kg/m2) and non-abdominal obese populations (WC ≤ 102 cm in men and ≤ 88 cm in women). Dietary magnesium intake might decrease the periodontitis prevalence in the American population, and this beneficial periodontal health role of magnesium consumption might only be evident in non-general obese and non-abdominal obese populations.
Comorbidities, which are additional health conditions that occur alongside diabetes, can have a significant effect on blood sugar control. These conditions often complicate the management of diabetes and worsen overall health. Malnutrition, on the other hand, is a common concern for people with diabetes due to difficulties with food intake and metabolism. Proper nutrition is crucial for maintaining general health and effectively managing the disease. However, the extent of comorbidities and malnutrition within this group is not well understood in the study area. A cross-sectional study was conducted at Hawassa governmental hospitals between April and May 2023, involving 422 adult outpatients living with diabetes. The study aimed to evaluate their comorbidities, nutritional status, and associated factors. The required data were collected using structured and semi-structured questionnaires. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted using SPSS version 25.0. Undernutrition and concordant comorbidities were prevalent in the study population, occurring at rates of 15.2% and 57.8%, respectively. Additionally, 18.5% of participants were classified as overweight and obese with a BMI greater than 25 kg/m2. Three significant predictors of undernutrition among adult outpatients living with diabetes were identified: alcohol intake (P < 0.05), comorbidities (P < 0.01), and educational status (P < 0.05). Concordant comorbidity was notably common in these patients. It is recommended that the healthcare system consider comorbid conditions when managing diabetes. A longitudinal study is suggested to provide stronger evidence on these findings.
Common neuroanatomical regions are associated with both states of anorexia nervosa (AN) and autistic characteristics, but restoration of body mass index (BMI) has been associated with decreased presentation of autistic characteristics in some individuals with AN. This study aims to examine neuroanatomical correlates associated with autistic characteristics in those with acute anorexia nervosa (ac-AN) and those previously diagnosed with AN but whose weight has been restored (WR). In total, 183 individuals (healthy controls [HCs] = 67; n[ac-AN] = 68; n[WR] = 48) from the Brain imaging of Emotion And Cognition of adolescents with Anorexia Nervosa (BEACON) study were included, with autistic characteristics determined in both ac-AN and WR individuals (n = 116). To further examine BMI, ac-AN and WR group associations were compared. Random forest regression (RFR) models examined whether autistic characteristics and morphology of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), middle frontal gyrus (MFG), and orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) were able to predict future levels of social anhedonia and alexithymia. Group-wise differences were identified within the volume and surface area of the MFG and OFC, which were unrelated to BMI. Autistic characteristics were inversely associated with MFG and ACC volume, with differences in associations between ac-AN and WR groups seen in the surface area of the MFG. RFR models identified moderate-to-weak performance and found that autistic characteristics were not important predictive features in a priori and exploratory models. Findings suggest that the presence of autistic characteristics in those with ac-AN are associated with the volume of the MFG and are unrelated to BMI restoration.
The UK’s Health and Care Act (2022; paused until 2025) includes a globally novel ban on paid-for online advertising of food and beverage products high in saturated fat, salt and sugar (HFSS), to address growing concerns about the scale of digital marketing and its impact in particular on children’s food and beverage preferences, purchases and consumption. This study aimed to understand the potential impact of the novel ban (as proposed in 2020) on specified forms of online HFSS advertising, through the lens of interdisciplinary expertise. We conducted semi-structured interviews via videoconference with eight purposively selected UK and global digital marketing, food and privacy experts. We identified deductive and inductive themes addressing the policy’s scope, design, implementation, monitoring and enforcement through iterative, consensual thematic analyses. Experts felt this novel ‘breakthrough’ policy has potential to substantially impact global marketing by establishing the principle of no HFSS advertising online to consumers of all ages, but they also identified substantive limitations that could potentially render it ‘entirely ineffective’, for example, the exclusion of common forms of digital marketing, especially brand marketing and marketing integrated within entertainment content; virtual/augmented reality, and ‘advertainment’ as particularly likely spaces for rapid growth of digital food marketing; and technical digital media issues that raise significant barriers to effective monitoring and compliance. Experts recommended well-defined regulations with strong enforcement mechanisms. These findings contribute insights for effective design and implementation of global initiatives to limit online HFSS food marketing, including the need for government regulations in place of voluntary industry restrictions.
This study aimed to assess the extent to which first-morning void (FMV) urine samples can estimate sodium and potassium excretion compared with 24-hour (24-h) urine samples at the population level. We conducted a cross-sectional study collecting urine samples (FMV and 24-h) and two non-consecutive 24-h dietary recalls in a sub-sample from the Portuguese IAN-AF sampling frame. Six predictive equations were used to estimate 24-h sodium and potassium excretion from FMV urine samples. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated to compare the association between FMV and 24-h urine collections. Cross-classifications into tertiles were computed to calculate the agreement between measured and estimated excretion with and without calibration. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated to compare the excretion estimation from FMV and reported intake from 24-h dietary recalls. Bland–Altman plots assessed the agreement between two-day dietary recall and the best-performing calibrated equation. Data from eighty-six subjects aged 18–84 were analysed. Estimated sodium and potassium concentrations from the predictive equations moderate or strongly correlated with the measured 24-h urine samples. The Toft equation was the most predictive and reliable, displaying a moderate correlation (r=0.655) with no risk of over or underestimation of sodium excretion (p=0.096). Tanaka and Kawasaki equations showed a similar moderate correlation (r=0.54 and r=0.58, respectively) but tended to underestimate the 24-h urine excretion of potassium (p<0.001). Calibrated predictive equations using FMV urine samples provide a moderately accurate alternative and resource-efficient option for large-scale nutritional epidemiology studies when 24-h urine collection is impractical.
Schizophrenia is a chronic condition that requires long-term management. Quality of life is an important outcome measure for individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia; it can be tracked over time allowing evaluation of whether interventions lead to sustainable improvements. Nutrition and dietary interventions are an underutilized treatment for tackling the metabolic consequences of mental illness, which is now recognized as having increased importance in the management of schizophrenia. This study examines the impact of nutrition and dietary interventions on quality of life outcomes for those with schizophrenia.
Methods:
A systematic review of the literature was conducted, assessing the impact of nutritional interventions on quality of life outcomes in individuals with a diagnosis of schizophrenia.
Results:
A total of 982 articles were screened, of which nine articles met the inclusion criteria. Quality of life measures varied across studies, which made comparison across studies challenging. Previous studies had relatively small sample sizes and did not have long follow-up durations. Some of the studies found that dietary interventions such as counselling, weight management programs, food diaries and nutritional education improved quality of life, whereas others did not detect any effect.
Conclusions:
The review provides preliminary evidence that nutrition and dietary interventions may benefit quality of life among individuals with schizophrenia. There were however substantial limitations in studies highlighting the need for further research. The paper also highlights the need to standardize assessment tools for future quality-of-life research.