Search

Previous studies have shown that shift workers are more prone to non-communicable diseases. The aim of the present crossover study is to investigate whether it is possible to improve the health status of shift workers. Nineteen male shift workers (38.5 years ± 7.4) received every other month a dietary counseling for one year. All subjects kept a seven-day diet diary during a night shift, received bioelectrical impedance analysis, and a laboratory examination was performed at the beginning of the study, after one year and at the end of the study. The laboratory blood test included the main metabolic parameters, melatonin and serotonin. Beside subjects were also motivated to incorporate more physical training into their daily routine. After the intervention period, participants reduced energy intake, mean portion size, table salt, consumption of sugar and saturated fat. C-reactive protein (CRP), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), liver enzymes, triglycerides, and uric acid decreased, while melatonin level increased. Participants lost body weight and reduced waist circumference after the intervention. Lifestyle modification and dietary information could contribute to the health of shift workers. However, further studies are needed to investigate whether this can prevent disease and whether melatonin production can be influenced by diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wheat contains several components, including gluten and fructan, that may be associated with gastrointestinal symptoms (GI) in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The aims of the study were to determine the average daily intake of gluten, investigate the association of gluten and GI symptoms, as well as the association between fructan and GI symptoms in IBS subjects. We assessed dietary intake, including total energy, and calculated average gluten and fructan intake in this 4-day food diary study. The subjects reported GI symptoms using the validated Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale-IBS (GSRS-IBS). In total, 147 IBS subjects (116 females) were included in this study. The median (IQR) intake of gluten was 11.0 (7.5–15.4) (range: 0.6–52.1) g/day, and this intake was significantly higher for males (16.2 (11.5–18.8), g/day) compared with females (10.3 (7.3–13.2), g/day) (P ≤ 0.001). For analyses purposes, the subjects were stratified in tertiles of gluten intake. Median (IQR) overall GI symptom severity (GSRS-IBS) was significantly worse for the subjects with the lowest (52 (45–57)) and intermediate gluten intake (51 (43–58)), compared with the highest gluten intake (45 (37–50), P ≤ 0.05, and P ≤ 0.01 respectively). In addition, caloric intake was significantly lower in subjects with the lowest (1905 ± 446, kcal/day) and intermediate gluten intake (1854 ± 432, kcal/day), compared with subjects with the highest gluten intake (2305 ± 411, kcal/day), P < 0.001 for both. Analyses of the stratified fructan tertiles resulted in no significant differences in GSRS-IBS. The mean intake of gluten varies substantially among subjects with IBS, and IBS subjects with more severe GI symptoms have lower intake of gluten and calories. (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov): Registered under Clinical Trial number NCT02970591. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Thorough dietary assessment is essential to obtain accurate food and nutrient intake data yet challenging because of the limitations of current methods. Image-based methods may decrease energy underreporting and increase the validity of self-reported dietary intake. Keenoa is an image-assisted food diary that integrates artificial intelligence food recognition. We hypothesized that Keenoa is as valid for dietary assessment as the automated self-administered 24-hour recall (ASA24)-Canada and better appreciated by users.Objective: We aimed to evaluate the relative validity of Keenoa against a 24-hour validated web-based food recall platform (ASA24) in both healthy individuals and those living with diabetes. Secondary objectives were to compare the proportion of under- and overreporters between tools and to assess the user's appreciation of the tools.Methods: We used a randomized crossover design, and participants completed 4 days of Keenoa food tracking and 4 days of ASA24 food recalls. The System Usability Scale was used to assess perceived ease of use. Differences in reported intakes were analyzed using 2-tailed paired t tests or Wilcoxon signed-rank test and deattenuated correlations by Spearman coefficient. Agreement and bias were determined using the Bland-Altman test. Weighted Cohen κ was used for cross-classification analysis. Energy underreporting was defined as a ratio of reported energy intake to estimated resting energy expenditure <0.9.Results: A total of 136 participants were included (mean 46.1, SD 14.6 years; 49/136, 36% men; 31/136, 22.8% with diabetes). The average reported energy intakes (kcal/d) were 2171 (SD 553) in men with Keenoa and 2118 (SD 566) in men with ASA24 (P=.38) and, in women, 1804 (SD 404) with Keenoa and 1784 (SD 389) with ASA24 (P=.61). The overall mean difference (kcal/d) was -32 (95% CI -97 to 33), with limits of agreement of -789 to 725, indicating acceptable agreement between tools without bias. Mean reported macronutrient, calcium, potassium, and folate intakes did not significantly differ between tools. Reported fiber and iron intakes were higher, and sodium intake lower, with Keenoa than ASA24. Intakes in all macronutrients (r=0.48-0.73) and micronutrients analyzed (r=0.40-0.74) were correlated (all P<.05) between tools. Weighted Cohen κ scores ranged from 0.30 to 0.52 (all P<.001). The underreporting rate was 8.8% (12/136) with both tools. Mean System Usability Scale scores were higher for Keenoa than ASA24 (77/100, 77% vs 53/100, 53%; P<.001); 74.8% (101/135) of participants preferred Keenoa.Conclusions: The Keenoa app showed moderate to strong relative validity against ASA24 for energy, macronutrient, and most micronutrient intakes analyzed in healthy adults and those with diabetes. Keenoa is a new, alternative tool that may facilitate the work of dietitians and nutrition researchers. The perceived ease of use may improve food-tracking adherence over longer periods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study investigates the relationship between socio-demographic factors and beverage choices for breakfast and the moderating role of contextual factors. In the main study, multiple logistic regression models were fitted using food diary data to identify factors related to consumers' choice of beverage for breakfast. In the follow-up test, multiple regression models were fitted to investigate consumers' beverage choice as a means of meal replacement for breakfast. The data of respondents who chose a beverage only as breakfast were used. Thus, this study identifies the socio-demographic characteristics of consumers who are more likely to consume beverages and those who are more likely to consume a certain type of beverage over others (coffee/tea vs. dairy vs. juice). The results suggest that contextual factors significantly moderate the consumption of a beverage for breakfast, and these effects act differently depending on the socio-demographic characteristics of the consumer and the type of beverage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]