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Previous studies suggest that saturated fat (SFA) intake may negatively impact on bone. However, few human studies on the topic exist. Women and men aged 31-46 years from the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns study attended the peripheral quantitative computed tomography and ultrasound bone measurements in 2008 (n = 1884-1953, ~ 56% women). In addition, fracture diagnoses in 1980-2018 were searched for the national health care registers and 431 participants had at least one fracture. Food consumption was gathered with the 48-h dietary recall interviews and food frequency questionnaire in 1980-2007. In the present study, radial, tibial, and calcaneal bone traits, and fractures were examined relative to the long-term intake of SFA. No consistent associations were seen between bone outcomes and SFA intake that would have replicated in both women and men. The only evidence for differential distributions was seen in cortical density and cortical-to-total area ratio at the radial shaft, and speed of sound at the calcaneus, which were 0.1-0.4% higher in women in the lowest tertile of SFA intake compared with the highest tertile. In addition, among men, the odds ratio (OR) of fractures was greater in the second (OR 1.86, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03-3.33) and third tertile of SFA intake (OR 2.45, 95% CI 1.38-4.36) compared with the lowest tertile, independently of many risk factors of osteoporosis. In this observational study, we found no robust evidence of the associations of dietary long-term SFA intake with bone outcomes. Therefore, additional studies are needed to confirm the association of dietary SFA with bone health in humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Diets with increased protein content are popular strategies for body weight regulation, but the effect of such diets for the colonic luminal environment is unclear. We aimed to investigate the associations between putative colorectal cancer-related markers and total protein intake, plant and animal proteins, and protein from red and processed meat in pre-diabetic adults (> 25 years). Methods: Analyses were based on clinical and dietary assessments at baseline and after 1 year of intervention. Protein intake was assessed from 4-day dietary records. Putative colorectal cancer-related markers identified from 24-h faecal samples collected over three consecutive days were: concentration of short-chain fatty acids, phenols, ammonia, and pH. Results: In total, 79 participants were included in the analyses. We found a positive association between change in total protein intake (slope: 74.72 ± 28.84 µmol per g faeces/E%, p = 0.01), including animal protein intake (slope: 87.63 ± 32.04 µmol per g faeces/E%, p = 0.009), and change in faecal ammonia concentration. For change in ammonia, there was a dose–response trend from the most negative (lowest tertile) to the most positive (highest tertile) association (p = 0.01): in the high tertile, a change in intake of red meat was positively associated with an increase in ammonia excretion (slope: 2.0 ± 0.5 µmol per g faeces/g/day, p < 0.001), whereas no such association was found in the low and medium tertile groups. Conclusion: Increases in total and animal protein intakes were associated with higher excretion of ammonia in faeces after 1 year in overweight pre-diabetic adults undertaking a weight-loss intervention. An increase in total or relative protein intake, or in the ratio of animal to plant protein, was not associated with an increase in faeces of any of the other putative colorectal cancer risk markers. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01777893. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives:High consumption of meat has been linked with the risk for obesity and chronic diseases. This could partly be explained by the association between meat and lower-quality diet. We studied whether high intake of red and processed meat was associated with lower-quality dietary habits, assessed against selected nutrients, other food groups and total diet. Moreover, we studied whether meat consumption was associated with obesity, after adjustment for all identified associations between meat and food consumption.Subjects/Methods:The nationally representative cross-sectional study population consisted of 2190 Finnish men and 2530 women, aged 25-74 years. Food consumption over the previous 12 months was assessed using a validated 131-item Food Frequency Questionnaire. Associations between nutrients, foods, a modified Baltic Sea Diet Score and meat consumption (quintile classification) were analysed using linear regression. The models were adjusted for age and energy intake and additionally for education, physical activity and smoking.Results:High consumption of red and processed meat was inversely associated with fruits, whole grain and nuts, and positively with potatoes, oil and coffee in both sexes. Results separately for the two types of meat were essentially similar. In a linear regression analysis, high consumption of meat was positively associated with body mass index in both men and women, even when using a model adjusted for all foods with a significant association with meat consumption in both sexes identified in this study.Conclusions:The association between meat consumption and a lower-quality diet may complicate studies on meat and health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The ability of combined step aerobic- and circuit-training to prevent bone loss after breast cancer treatments was related to skeletal site and patients' menopausal status. Among premenopausal breast cancer survivors, a 12-month exercise intervention completely prevented bone loss at the femoral neck, whereas no exercise effect was seen at lumbar spine or at neither site in postmenopausal women. Introduction: The primary objective of this randomised clinical trial was to determine the preventive effect of supervised weight-bearing jumping exercises and circuit training on bone loss among breast cancer patients. Methods: Of 573 breast cancer survivors aged 35-68 years randomly allocated into exercise or control group after adjuvant treatments, 498 (87%) were included in the final analysis. The 12-month exercise intervention comprised weekly supervised step aerobic- and circuit-exercises and similar home training. Bone mineral density (BMD) at lumbar spine and femoral neck were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Physical performance was assessed by 2-km walking and figure-8 running tests, and the amount of physical activity was estimated in metabolic equivalent-hours/week. Results: In premenopausal women, bone loss at the femoral neck was prevented by exercise, the mean BMD changes being −0.2% among the trainees vs. −1.4% among the controls ( p = 0.01). Lumbar bone loss could not be prevented (−1.9% vs. −2.2%). In postmenopausal women, no significant exercise-effect on BMD was found either at the lumbar spine (−1.6% vs. −2.1%) or femoral neck (−1.1% vs. −1.1%). Conclusions: This 12-month aerobic jumping and circuit training intervention completely prevented femoral neck bone loss in premenopausal breast cancer patients, whereas no effect on BMD was seen in postmenopausal women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study showed that about a half of the exercise-induced gain in dynamic balance and bone strength was maintained one year after cessation of the supervised high-intensity training of home-dwelling elderly women. However, to maintain exercise-induced gains in lower limb muscle force and physical functioning, continued training seems necessary. Maintenance of exercise-induced benefits in physical functioning and bone structure was assessed one year after cessation of 12-month randomized controlled exercise intervention. Originally 149 healthy women 70–78 years of age participated in the 12-month exercise RCT and 120 (81%) of them completed the follow-up study. Self-rated physical functioning, dynamic balance, leg extensor force, and bone structure were assessed. During the intervention, exercise increased dynamic balance by 7% in the combination resistance and balance-jumping training group (COMB). At the follow-up, a 4% (95% CI: 1–8%) gain compared with the controls was still seen, while the exercise-induced isometric leg extension force and self-rated physical functioning benefits had disappeared. During the intervention, at least twice a week trained COMB subjects obtained a significant 2% benefit in tibial shaft bone strength index compared to the controls. A half of this benefit seemed to be maintained at the follow-up. Exercise-induced benefits in dynamic balance and rigidity in the tibial shaft may partly be maintained one year after cessation of a supervised 12-month multi-component training in initially healthy elderly women. However, to maintain the achieved gains in muscle force and physical functioning, continued training seems necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective:To study relationships between obesity, physical inactivity and sleep-related disturbances (obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), sleep duration, sleep disturbances concomitant with daytime tiredness) in adults (30 years).Design:Cross-sectional study with a random population sample.Participants:A total of 3377 men (mean age 52.3, s.d. 14.8, years) and 4264 women (56.4, s.d. 17.2, years).Main outcome measures:Dependent variables, measured: Waist circumference (WC) and body mass index (BMI). Independent variables, from a detailed interview/questionnaire: probable OSA, other sleep-related disturbances, sleep duration, type and frequency of leisure physical activity. Age, mental health, smoking and education were included in analyses as potential confounders.Results:In men, OSA and physical inactivity increased likelihood for abdominal obesity (WC 102 cm). Physical inactivity also increased, but long (9 h/day) sleep decreased likelihood for abdominal overweight (WC: 94–101 cm) in men. In women, abdominal obesity (WC 88 cm) was associated positively with OSA, moderate sleep-related disturbances, and physical inactivity. Education modulated the influence of age on abdominal obesity in both genders. Using BMI as the dependent variable did not change the general information obtained by the model. In addition, abdominal obesity was found to be an independent risk factor also in multivariable models predicting categories of a combined sleep duration and sleep disturbances.Conclusions:Sleep duration and sleep-related disturbances are associated with obesity, even after controlling for OSA and physical inactivity. The results support the hypothesis of vicious circle between sleep and obesity.International Journal of Obesity (2007) 31, 1713–1721; doi:10.1038/sj.ijo.0803663; published online 19 June 2007 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective:To investigate whether individual counselling on diet and physical activity during pregnancy can have positive effects on diet and leisure time physical activity (LTPA) and prevent excessive gestational weight gain.Design:A controlled trial.Setting:Six maternity clinics in primary health care in Finland. The clinics were selected into three intervention and three control clinics.Subjects:Of the 132 pregnant primiparas, recruited by 15 public health nurses (PHN), 105 completed the study.Interventions:The intervention included individual counselling on diet and LTPA during five routine visits to a PHN until 37 weeks’ gestation; the controls received the standard maternity care.Results:The counselling did not affect the proportion of primiparas exceeding the weight gain recommendations or total LTPA when adjusted for confounders. The adjusted proportion of high-fibre bread of the total weekly amount of bread decreased more in the control group than in the intervention group (difference 11.8%-units, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.6–23.1, P=0.04). The adjusted intake of vegetables, fruit and berries increased by 0.8 portions/day (95% CI 0.3–1.4, P=0.004) and dietary fibre by 3.6 g/day (95% CI 1.0–6.1, P=0.007) more in the intervention group than in the control group. There were no high birth weight babies (4000 g) in the intervention group, but eight (15%) of them in the control group (P=0.006).Conclusions:The counselling helped pregnant women to maintain the proportion of high-fibre bread and to increase vegetable, fruit and fibre intakes, but was unable to prevent excessive gestational weight gain.European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2007) 61, 884–891; doi:10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602602; published online 17 January 2007 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study showed that combination of strength, balance, agility and jumping training prevented functional decline and bone fragility in home-dwelling elderly women. The finding supports the idea that it is possible to maintain good physical functioning by multi-component exercise program and thus postpone the age-related functional problems. This 1-year randomized, controlled exercise intervention trial assessed the effects of two different training programs and their combination on physical functioning and bone in home-dwelling elderly women. One hundred and forty-nine healthy women aged 70–78 years were randomly assigned into: group 1—resistance training (RES), group 2—balance-jumping training (BAL), group 3—combination of resistance and balance-jumping training (COMB), and group 4—controls (CON). Self-rated physical functioning, leg extensor force, dynamic balance, and bone mass and structure were measured. Self-rated physical functioning improved in the COMB group, but was reduced in the CON group; the mean inter-group difference was 10% (95% CI: 0–22%). Mean increase in the leg extensor force was higher in the RES (14%; 4–25%) and COMB (13%; 3–25%) compared with the CON groups. Dynamic balance improved in the BAL (6%; 1–11%) and in the COMB (8%; 3–12%) groups. There were no inter-group differences in BMC at the proximal femur. In those COMB women who trained at least twice a week, the tibial shaft structure weakened 2% (0–4%) less than those in the CON group. Strength, balance, agility, and jumping training (especially in combination) prevented functional decline in home-dwelling elderly women. In addition, positive effects seen in the structure of the loaded tibia indicated that exercise may also play a role in preventing bone fragility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective:We studied the association between weight maintenance, oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) and other lipoproteins in obese men.Methods:A 2-month weight reduction phase (WRP) with a very-low-energy diet was followed by a 6-month weight maintenance period and an unsupervised 2-year follow-up. Ninety men entered and 68 (76%) completed the study. Subjects were analyzed as one group and after division into two subgroups: 20 most successful men in maintaining the lost weight (subgroup 1) and the remaining (n=48) men (subgroup 2). Ox-LDL was measured by quantifying the amount of conjugated dienes in LDL particles.Results:The mean (±s.d.) weight reduction at the end of the WRP (n=68) was 14% (confidence interval (CI) 12.9–14.7%, 14.5±4.2 kg, P<0.001). Ox-LDL decreased by 22% (CI 16.9–28.1, 12.3±15.4 μmol/l, P<0.001). At the end of the 2-year follow-up, the regain in weight from the end of the WRP was 11% (CI 9.0–12.4, 9.6±6.2 kg, P<0.001). The regain in ox-LDL was 30% (CI 18.7–41.2, 8.2±15.4 μmol/l, P<0.001). In subgroup 1 vs 2, the respective regains were 3% (CI 0.9–4.2, 2.2±3.0 kg, P=0.006) vs 14% (CI 12.7–15.6, 12.9±4.0 kg, P<0.001) regarding weight and 9% (2.0±6.9 μmol/l, P=NS) vs 39% (CI 23.7–53.9, 11.2±17.2 μmol/l, P0.001) in ox-LDL.Conclusion:The favorable changes seen in ox-LDL particles and serum lipids during weight reduction could be maintained by keeping the weight reduced, which may indicate decreased risk of atherosclerosis. But weight regain causes a resurge of ox-LDL.International Journal of Obesity (2007) 31, 245–253. doi:10.1038/sj.ijo.0803413; published online 27 June 2006 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective:To test two hypotheses: (1) cardiorespiratory (CRF) and neuromuscular (NMF) fitness is associated with body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC), independent of each other and of leisure-time physical activity; (2) individuals with high CRF and NMF have lower WC for a given BMI, compared with those with low CRF and NMF.Design:Cross-sectional study.Setting:Men participating in refresher training organized by the Finnish Defence Forces.Participants:A total of 951 men (mean age 29.1, s.d. 4.2 years; BMI 25.3 kg/m2, s.d. 3.8; WC 91, s.d. 11 cm).Main outcome measures:Body mass index, WC, maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), height of vertical jump, number of push-ups and sit-ups during a 1-min test, static back extension endurance, isometric grip strength, self-reported leisure-time vigorous physical activity. Multiple linear regressions were used to explain the variation in fitness.Results:Waist circumference had significant (P<0.001) negative association with all test results (standardized beta coefficients from −0.23 to −0.77), except for grip strength. Body mass index had significant negative association with VO2max (−0.12; P<0.05), but positive association (P<0.01) with grip strength (0.28), vertical jump (0.21) and push-ups (0.55). For a given BMI, the estimated WC was highest among those with the poorest results for VO2max, vertical jump, sit-ups and push-ups.Conclusions:Despite stronger isometric grip strength, the functional muscle fitness of the upper body, trunk and lower extremities is impaired in individuals with abdominal obesity. Although the known loss of CRF is a serious consequence of obesity, the deterioration of NMF deserves increased attention.International Journal of Obesity (2006) 30, 962–969. doi:10.1038/sj.ijo.0803243; published online 24 January 2006 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims/hypothesis: The aim of this study was to investigate the association of dietary macronutrient composition and energy density with the change in body weight and waist circumference and diabetes incidence in the Finnish Diabetes Prevention Study. Subjects and methods: Overweight, middle-aged men (n=172) and women (n=350) with impaired glucose tolerance were randomised to receive either ‘standard care’ (control) or intensive dietary and exercise counselling. Baseline and annual examinations included assessment of dietary intake with 3-day food records and diabetes status by repeated 75-g OGTTs. For these analyses the treatment groups were combined and only subjects with follow-up data (n=500) were included. Results: Individuals with low fat (median) intakes lost more weight compared with those consuming a high-fat (

OBJECTIVE:: The aim was to assess long-term changes in food consumption and eating behaviour during and 2?y after dietary counselling in weight-reduced obese men. DESIGN:: Observational study from a randomised controlled trial. SETTING:: Outpatient clinic of a research institute. SUBJECTS:: A total of 36 subjects with complete data on food intake during the study. Subjects were obese (mean body mass index (BMI) 32.8?kg/m2) men aged 35-50?y, recruited by media advertising. INTERVENTIONS:: Dietary counselling was included in 2 months weight reduction with very-low-energy-diet and in 6 months weight maintenance programme, which also included physical activity counselling. This was followed by a 23 months unsupervised follow-up with yearly assessments. Food intake was assessed six times during the study by 4-day food records. Eating behaviour was assessed by Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ). RESULTS:: Increased consumption of low-fat cheese, low-fat margarine, vegetables and high-fibre bread, and decreased consumption of sugar, sausage, high-fat cheese, high-fat margarine, fat products and sweets were observed during dietary counselling. Most of these changes returned later to prestudy consumption level. The relapse in dietary changes was partly associated with scoring low in restraint and high in disinhibition and hunger. CONCLUSION:: In obese men, long-term maintenance of dietary changes was difficult. New ways to ease self-monitoring and increase self-efficacy might be necessary to improve maintenance of dietary changes.International Journal of Obesity (2004) 28, 1548-1554. doi:10.1038/sj.ijo.0802790 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Several studies support the hypothesis that oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) promotes atherogenesis. Obesity is one of the risk factors of atherosclerosis, but it is not known whether obesity is related to LDL oxidation. OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN: We investigated the effect of weight reduction and subsequent weight maintenance program on LDL oxidation in 77 obese premenopausal women (BMI 29-46 kg/m²). Another group of seven obese women served as a control group. Oxidized LDL was measured as baseline concentration of conjugated dienes in LDL lipids (ox-LDL). The weight reduction was performed in 12 weeks, using a very-low-energy diet. RESULTS: The mean weight loss was 13 kg (92 vs 79 kg). During weight reduction, the concentration of LDL cholesterol decreased by 11%, the concentration of ox-LDL decreased by 40%, and the ratio of ox-LDL to LDL by 33%. The concentration of LDL antioxidant capacity (LDL-TRAP) decreased by 8%, but the decrease was caused by the decrease in LDL. The concentration of LDL, ox-LDL or LDL-TRAP did not change in the control group. The weight reduction correlated with the decrease of ox-LDL. During the subsequent 9 month weight maintenance programme, the concentrations of serum LDL (10%), ox-LDL (11%), LDL-TRAP (29%), and the ratio of LDL-TRAP to LDL (21%) decreased. CONCLUSION: This study strengthens the evidence that the risk of atherogenesis is influenced favourably by weight reduction in obese women. This risk reduction is associated with a reduced oxidation of LDL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To study differences in physical activity between normal-weight and obese children, as well as parentchild associations of obesity and physical activity. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SUBJECTS: 129 obese children (67 girls and 62 boys), 142 normal-weight controls (81 boys and 61 girls), and mothers (n = 245) and fathers (n = 222) of the children. METHODS: Physical activity was assessed by a 3-day physical activity record (children and parents), by a questionnaire (children), and by one question on habitual physical activity (parents). The data were analysed by stepwise linear and logistic regressions. Obesity was assessed from relative weight (children) and BMI (parents). RESULTS: Parent inactivity was a strong and positive predictor of child inactivity (β-coefficients 0.25 and 0.16, P < 0.001, for mother and father inactivity, respectively). Scores of parent activity were somewhat weaker predictors of child vigorous activity hours and total physical activity level (β-coefficients 0.13-0.25, P = 0.003-0.08). Child obesity was negatively associated with child habitual physical activity (odds ratio 0.88, P < 0.001). In addition, parent obesity (body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m²) was another strong predictor of child obesity (odds ratio 2.38-3.50, P < 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: The present study underscores the parents' role in childhood activity patterns and obesity. A novel finding was that the parent-child relationship of inactivity appeared to be stronger than that of vigorous activity. Hence, parents who want to reduce their children's inactivity may have to pay attention to their own lifestyle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE:To test the hypothesis that eating control and physical activity help maintain weight and waist circumference after a very-low-calorie diet. DESIGN:A 12 week weight reduction (WR) phase, followed by a 40 week weight maintenance (WM) phase. For the latter, the subjects were randomised into a no-exercise group and one of two groups with a walking program. SUBJECTS:Eighty-five obese (body mass index 29–46, mean 34), clinically healthy, premenopausal women. MEASUREMENTS:Body weight, waist circumference, body composition, the measuring restrained eating, disinhibition and hunger, measured by Three Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ), binge eating measured by the Bulimic Investigatory Test of Edinburgh (BITE), and number of daily steps measured by a pedometer. RESULTS:The change (Δ) in weight during WM was predicted by the following regression: Δweight (kg)=5.23+0.45 Δweight during WR+0.66 disinhibition during WM-0.00039 daily steps during WM, r 2=0.46, SEE 3.3 kg. The change in waist circumference during WM was predicted as Δwaist (cm)=0.76+0.75 Δweight during WM-0.00021 daily steps during WM, r 2=0.67, SEE 2.6 cm. Exercise group assignment did not affect the changes in weight, waist circumference, or indicators of eating control during the maintenance program. CONCLUSIONS:Control of overeating, as indicated by a lower disinhibition factor of the TFEQ, and daily physical activity, as indicated by a higher number of daily steps, were positive and independent predictors of weight maintenance after a very-low-calorie diet. The number of daily steps showed an independent association with change in waist circumference during weight maintenance, even after adjustment for weight change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the comparability of different methods to assess percentage body fat against underwater weighing. Methodology utilized in the examination; Main outcome measures of the examination; Results and conclusion of the analysis.

The hypothesis that a history of one or more weight reductions and regains (weight cycling) is associated with lower site-specific bone mineral density (BMD) was examined in 169 premenopausal women, aged 29–46 years. Data on the previous 10-years' weight cycling history, present weight-bearing physical exercise, number of deliveries, present use of contraceptive pills or hormone-releasing coils, age at menarche and present menstrual status were collected by a self-administered questionnaire. Dietary intake was calculated from food records. The areal BMD (g/cm2) was measured with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (norland XR-26). The lumbar spine (L2–4) BMD, adjusted to weight and age at menarche (ANCOVA), was 0.062 g/cm2 (95% confidence interval: 0.015 to 0.011 g/cm2; p=0.01) higher in the non-cyclers ( n=68) than in subjects with reported weight-cycling history ( n=101). The corresponding difference for femoral neck BMD was 0.019 g/cm2 (−0.018 to 0.056; p=0.30), for trochanter BMD 0.013 g/cm2 (−0.025 to 0.05 g/cm2; p=0.50) and for distal radius BMD 0.022 g/cm2 (0.006 to 0.397 g/cm2; p=0.008). A pairwise comparison of 34 weight-matched subjects (non-cycler vs cycler) gave similar BMD differences as found in the above (ANCOVA) analyses. The results suggest that weight cycling might be associated with lower spine and distal radius BMD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The study was carried out to determine the associations of alcohol beverage drinking with macronutrients, antioxidants, and body mass index.Setting: Dietary subsample of the 1992 Finmonica cardiovascular risk factor survey in Finland; a cross-sectional study.Subjects: 985 women and 863 men were drawn from the population register in the four monitoring areas. All subjects were 25-64 y of age.Methods: The mailed questionnaire included questions covering socioeconomic factors, physical activity, smoking, and alcohol consumption. The diet was assessed using a three-day food record.Results: The dietary differences between abstainers and alcohol consumers were more significant than between consumers of different alcoholic beverages. Among drinkers, fat intake as a percentage of energy was higher and carbohydrate intake was lower than among abstainers. Those who preferred wine, however, had the highest vitamin C intake; female wine drinkers also had the highest carotenoid intake. With the exception of those who mainly preferred spirits, alcohol energy was not added to the diet but seemed to substitute food items both in men and women. Despite the similar total daily energy intakes, daily energy expenditure, and physical activity index, male drinkers were leaner than abstainers. In women, the proportion of underreporters of energy intake increased with increasing alcohol consumption, and the association between alcohol and body mass index was similar to that in men after the exclusion of underreporters.Conclusions: Alcohol consumers were leaner than abstainers, and wine drinkers in particular had more antioxidants in their diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article regarding exercise, substrate oxidation and energy balance by Dumotier and others that was published in an issue.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the EC Concerted Action PASSCLAIM was to develop a set of methods and procedures for assessing the scientific support for function-enhancing and health-related claims for foods and food components. This paper presents a critical review of the existing methods to evaluate the different aspects of physical performance and fitness needed to support claims on foods and food ingredients intended to enhance specific physiological functions. DESIGN AND RESULTS: Based on an inventory of labelling claims on available sport nutrition products, seven physiological functions in the field of physical performance and fitness were identified: 1) strength and power, 2) endurance, energy supply and recovery, 3) hydration/re-hydration, 4) flexibility, 5) tissue growth, 6) free radical scavenger capacity and 7) immune function. For each function the existing methodology was reviewed critically and judged on suitability to generate scientific support for physiological function claims on foods. CONCLUSIONS: A database of methods including advantages and disadvantages of use has been generated for considering the scientific support of claims on foods and food ingredients relating to physical performance and fitness. It will contribute to the formulations of guidelines for assessing the scientific support of enhanced function or reduced disease risk claims on foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]