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Objective Nutrition components of health risk appraisals (HRAs) aim to rapidly and accurately assess dietary behaviors that increase disease risk. Because cognitive research suggests that recalling food likes/dislikes may be simpler and more accurate than recalling intake, we tested whether a preference measure was predictive of cardiovascular disease risk factors within an HRA. Methods HRA participants (422 primarily non-Hispanic white men, mean age 46 [+ or -] 10 years) from a manufacturing company completed surveys to assess fat and sweet food/ beverage preference; frequency of consuming fat and sweet foods/beverages, alcoholic beverages, fiber-rich foods (whole grains, fruits, and vegetables); and physical activity. Per measured risk factors, 34% had central obesity (waist circumference [greater than or equal to] 102 cm), 32% had hypertension ([greater than or equal to] 140 and/or [greater than or equal to] 90 mm Hg), 52% had prehypertension ([greater than or equal to] 120 to 139 and/or [greater than or equal to] 80 to 89 mm Hg), and 52% had an elevated total cholesterol level ([greater than or equal to] 200 mg/dL [5.2 mmol/L]). Statistical analyses Multiple linear regression models explaining variability in waist circumference, blood pressure, and serum lipids were tested. Results Although preference and intake pairs for fat and sweets were significantly correlated, intake of fat and sweets failed to associate significantly with any risk factor. Significant variance in waist circumference was explained by age, fat preference, fiber intake, and physical activity. Those with greater circumferences liked fat more, consumed less fiber, and exercised less. Waist circumference in turn contributed significantly to models predicting serum lipid levels and blood pressure. Alcohol intake explained variability in serum lipid levels--higher intakes were associated with higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. The models predicting risk were generally more explanatory in younger (<50 years) than in older men. Conclusions Including a preference measure within an HRA appears to enhance cardiovascular disease risk factor assessment. Fat preference, intake of fiber-rich foods, and alcohol proved the best dietary determinants of cardiovascular disease risk factors.

Olfaction contributes to nutritional health and food enjoyment by mediating the perception of food odors through the nostrils (orthonasally) and food flavors through the oral cavity (retronasally). Retronasal olfactory perception [...]

Purpose: Rapid yet useful methods are needed to screen for dietary behaviors in clinical settings. We tested the feasibility and reliability of a pediatric adapted liking survey (PALS) to screen for dietary behaviors and suggest tailored caries and obesity prevention messages.Methods: In an observational study, children admitted to a pediatric emergency department (PED) for nonurgent care were approached to complete the PALS (33 foods, 4 nonfoods including brushing teeth). Measured height/weight were used for body mass index (BMI) percentile determination. Feasibility was assessed by response rate and PALS completion time. Reliability was assessed by internal consistency of food groups and test-retest reliability for PED-home reported PALS.Results: PALS was completed by 144 children (96% of approached) - 54% male (average age = 11 ± 3 years) with diversity in family income (43% publicly insured), race/ethnicity (15% African American, 33% Hispanic, 44% Caucasian) and adiposity (3% underweight, 50% normal, 31% overweight, 17% obese, 8% extremely obese). The average completion time was 3: 52 min, and conceptual food groups had reasonable internal reliability. From 57% (n = 82) with PED-home completion, PALS had a good/excellent test-retest reliability. Relative preferences for sweets versus brushing teeth identified unique groups of children for tailored prevention messages (high sweet/brushing preference, sweets > brushing, brushing > sweets). Females with higher adiposity reported significantly greater preference for sweet/high-fat foods, independently of demographic variables; the relationship was nonsignificant in males and with the other food groups.Conclusion: The PALS appears to be a fast, feasible and reliable dietary screener in a clinical setting to assist in forming tailored diet-related messages for dental caries and obesity prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Dietary calcium intake and the renin angiotensin system (RAS) regulate blood pressure (BP) by modulating calcium homeostasis. Despite similar BP regulatory effects, the influence of dietary calcium intake alone and combined with RAS polymorphisms on the BP response following acute aerobic exercise (i.e., postexercise hypotension) has not been studied. Thus, we examined the effect of dietary calcium intake and selected RAS polymorphisms on postexercise hypotension. Methods Subjects were men (n = 50, 43.8 ± 1.3 yr) with high BP (145.3 ± 1.5/85.9 ± 1.1 mm Hg). They completed three experiments: non-exercise control and two cycle bouts at 40% and 60% of maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max). Subjects provided 3 d food records on five protocol-specific occasions. Dietary calcium intake was averaged and categorized as low (1R A/C) were analyzed with molecular methods. Genotypes were reduced from three to two: ACE II/ID and ACE DD; or AT1R AA and AT1R CC/AC. Repeated measure ANCOVA tested if BP differed among experiments, dietary calcium intake level and RAS polymorphisms. Results Systolic BP (SBP) decreased 6 mm Hg after 40% and 60% VO2max compared to non-exercise control for 10 h with LowCa (p < 0.01), but not with HighCa (p ≥ 0.05). Under these conditions, diastolic BP (DBP) did not differ between dietary calcium intake levels (p ≥ 0.05). With LowCa, SBP decreased after 60% VO2max versus non-exercise control for 10 h among ACE II/ID (6 mm Hg) and AT1R AA (8 mm Hg); and by 8 mm Hg after 40% VO2max among ACE DD and AT1R CC/CA (p < 0.01). With HighCa, SBP (8 mm Hg) and DBP (4 mm Hg) decreased after 60% VO2max compared to non-exercise control for 10 h (p < 0.05), but not after 40% VO2max (p ≥ 0.05). Conclusion SBP decreased after exercise compared to non-exercise control among men with low but not high dietary calcium intake. Dietary calcium intake interacted with the ACE I/D and AT1R A/C polymorphisms to further modulate postexercise hypotension. Interactions among dietary calcium intake, exercise intensity and RAS polymorphisms account for some of the variability in the BP response to exercise.

How do we as an Association communicate our stand on issues of food, nutrition, and health? The answer is through positions of The American Dietetic Association (ADA). Each position provides [...]

ABSTRACT Objective To determine if individuals who taste 6-n-propylthiouracil (PROP), one marker of genetic variation in taste, as exceptionally bitter can also perceive sugars as sweeter, other bitters as more [...]