Search

Abstract Objective: To identify the main foods determining SFA intakes and model the impact of food exchanges to improve compliance with dietary fat recommendations in Irish children. Design: Estimated food and nutrient intakes were obtained from a cross-sectional study, the National Children’s Food Survey II. Participants were categorised into low, medium and high SFA consumers, and the contribution of food categories to SFA intakes was compared. A food-exchange model was developed, whereby a selected range of high SFA foods was exchanged with lower SFA or unsaturated fat alternatives. Setting: Participants were randomly selected from primary schools throughout the Republic of Ireland. Participants: A representative sample of 600 Irish children (5–12 years). Results: The main determinants of low and high SFA consumers were milk, cheese and butter. These foods, including snack foods and meat and meat products, were considered exchangeable foods within the model. Compared with baseline data, modelled intakes for total fat, SFA, MUFA and trans-fat presented decreases of 3·2, 2·7, 1·6 and < 0·1 % of total energy (% TE), respectively. PUFA, n-6, n-3 and alpha-linolenic acid showed increases of 1·0, 0·8, 0·2 and 0·1 % TE, respectively. Compliance with total fat, MUFA and trans-fat recommendations remained adequate (100 %). Adherence to SFA and PUFA recommendations improved from 18 to 63 % and 80 to 100 %, respectively. Conclusion: The food-exchange model decreased SFA intakes and increased PUFA intakes, suggesting modest dietary changes to children’s diets can effectively improve their overall dietary fat profile.

West Nile virus (WNV) causes both sporadic infection and outbreaks that may be associated with severe neurologic involvement. The infection is transmitted to humans mainly by mosquito bites, and the virus is preserved in a cycle in which birds are the main host. The typical involvement of the central nervous system is completely indistinguishable from meningitis and encephalitis related to other pathogens. In this report we described the atypical presentation of a WNV meningoencephalitis in a 81-y.o. female patient, showing psychiatric manifestations at the onset. Anamnestic information was essential to progress to the correct diagnosis. Targeted search for the causative agent of meningoencephalitis was perfected after learning that the patient lived in an area adjacent to a nature reserve.

Young people are increasingly turning to online support, especially when traditional mental health services are not immediately available. Using a cross-sectional design, sociodemographic information and self-reported perceptions of the strength of the working alliance and client satisfaction were collected from a sample of participants (n = 78) who were users of a service providing free online support using synchronous instant messaging. The results reported a significant positive relationship between the strength of the working alliance and client satisfaction, suggesting that the strength of the working alliance remains a key component in counselling, even online. Participants, however, scored significantly lower on both the strength of the working alliance and client satisfaction, compared to participants in offline settings as reported in past studies.

The childhood years represent a period of increased nutrient requirements during which a balanced diet is important to ensure optimal growth and development. The aim of this study was to examine food and nutrient intakes and compliance with recommendations in school-aged children in Ireland and to examine changes over time. Analyses were based on two National Children's Food Surveys; NCFS (2003–2004) (n 594) and NCFS II (2017–2018) (n 600) which estimated food and nutrient intakes in nationally representative samples of children (5–12 years) using weighed food records (NCFS: 7-d; NCFS II: 4-d). This study found that nutrient intakes among school-aged children in Ireland are generally in compliance with recommendations; however, this population group have higher intakes of saturated fat, free sugars and salt, and lower intakes of dietary fibre than recommended. Furthermore, significant proportions have inadequate intakes of vitamin D, Ca, Fe and folate. Some of the key dietary changes that have occurred since the NCFS (2003–2004) include decreased intakes of sugar-sweetened beverages, fruit juice, milk and potatoes, and increased intakes of wholemeal/brown bread, high-fibre ready-to-eat breakfast cereals, porridge, pasta and whole fruit. Future strategies to address the nutrient gaps identified among this population group could include the continued promotion of healthy food choices (including education around 'healthy' lifestyles and food marketing restrictions), improvements of the food supply through reformulation (fat, sugar, salt, dietary fibre), food fortification for micronutrients of concern (voluntary or mandatory) and/or nutritional supplement recommendations (for nutrients unlikely to be sufficient from food intake alone). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adequate nutrition is important for health at all life stages with micronutrients having an important role in long term health, cognition, healthy development and ageing(1). The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of inadequate intakes and risk of excessive intakes of micronutrients among adults aged 19-64 years and 65 years and over, from a nationally representative sample of adults in Ireland. Analyses were based on the National Adult Nutrition Survey II (NANS II) (2020-21) of 19-92 year olds in the Republic of Ireland (n 1000) (19-64y: 718, ≥65y: 282) (www.iuna.net). Food and beverage intake data (including nutritional supplements) were collected via two independent 24-hour telephone dietary recalls (at least 7 days apart, with each day of the week accounted for in the sampling plan). To assist with the recall, older adults (≥65years) were asked to record their foods the day before the dietary recall and all participants were provided with a photographic food atlas before the scheduled dietary recall. Nutrient intakes were estimated using Nutritics© based on UK food composition data which was updated to include recipes of composite dishes, nutritional supplements, fortified foods and generic Irish foods that were commonly consumed. Usual intakes of micronutrients were calculated via the NCI-method using SAS© Enterprise Guide. The prevalence of inadequate intakes of micronutrients (excluding energy under-reporters)(2) was estimated using estimated average requirements established by the US Institute of Medicine (IOM) (vitamin D)(3), the UK Department of Health (DOH) (thiamin, vitamin B12)(4) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) (all other micronutrients)(5). The risk of excessive intake was evaluated by comparing intakes to tolerable upper intake levels (ULs) established by the US Food and Nutrition Board (vitamin C, iron)(6) and EFSA (all other micronutrients)(7). Among those aged 19-64 years, a large proportion of adults had inadequate intakes of vitamin D (61%), vitamin C (41%), folate (37%), calcium (32%), zinc (28%), vitamin B6 (26%), riboflavin (23%), vitamin A (16%) and iron (8%; up to 14% for females). Similarly, a large proportion of adults aged 65 years and over had inadequate intakes of vitamin D (48%), vitamin C (43%), folate (36%), zinc (35%), calcium (31%), vitamin B6 (29%), riboflavin (21%), vitamin A (13%) and iron (11%; up to 13% for females). The proportion of adults with intakes exceeding the UL was negligible for retinol, vitamins D, E, C, B6, preformed niacin, folic acid, calcium and iron (19-64y: <0.3%; ≥65y: <0.7%) and for zinc (19-64y: 2%; ≥65y: 1%). These findings indicate that based on current dietary patterns, significant numbers of adults in Ireland have inadequate intakes of key micronutrients and highlight the need to investigate targeted dietary strategies to address these low intakes among this population group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dairy foods offer essential nutrients and bioactive compounds crucial for growth and development(1), as such they are an important component of a balanced diet. However, despite their benefits, the consumption of dairy has declined in recent years, especially among adolescents(2–4). In this regard, this study aims to evaluate the nutritional contribution of dairy intakes to the diets of adolescents in Ireland. Analyses were based on data from the nationally representative National Teens' Food Survey II (NTFS II; 2019-2020) in Ireland (www.iuna.net) (n = 428; 13-18yrs, 50% female). Food and beverage intake data were collected using a four-day weighed food diary. Dairy intake was classified as the intake of milk, yogurt and cheese and calcium fortified non-dairy alternatives in line with the Irish food based dietary guidelines. Whole foods that contain milk, cheese and yogurt and any relevant dairy components of composite dishes were included in the estimation of dairy intakes. Diet quality was assessed using the Diet Quality Index for Adolescents(5). Descriptive statistics and covariateadjusted univariate general linear models were used to analyse dietary intakes. Trend analysis was conducted to identify patterns in nutrient intakes and anthropometric measurements across tertiles of dairy intake. Overall, 98% of Irish adolescents consumed dairy products and the mean daily total dairy intake was 245 ± 227 g/d, with males having higher intakes per day compared to females (319 ± 272g/d vs 171 ± 152g/d respectively). The average daily servings of dairy were 1.9 servings/d, with only 4% of teenagers achieving the recommended intake of 5 servings of dairy per day. Dairy contributed to the majority of nutrients investigated and was a high contributor to intakes of micronutrients calcium (36%), vitamin B12 (31%) and iodine (49%). Higher consumers of dairy had significantly greater mean daily intakes of protein, total sugar, saturated fat, trans fat, folate, vitamin B12, calcium, iodine, magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus compared to those in the lowest tertile of dairy intake (p <0.001). Higher consumers of dairy also had an overall higher diet quality compared to low consumers (48.0 versus 39.4%; p <0.001). No differences were noted in body weight, body mass index, percentage body fat or waist and hip circumference across tertiles of dairy consumption. In summary, while almost all Irish adolescents consumed dairy, only 4% achieved the recommended 5 servings of dairy per day. In those consuming higher amounts of dairy, a significantly higher diet quality was observed. While this study offers valuable insights into adolescents' intake of dairy products, its cross-sectional nature highlights the need for continued monitoring of dairy consumption patterns and nutrient intakes in this population, particularly due to the observed decline in dairy consumption noted in this age group across Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]