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BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Most of the interventional studies have investigated the impact of the diet on adiponectin and leptin concentrations only in men or in women. Consequently, it is still unknown whether the consumption of a healthy diet influences in a sex-specific manner these adipocytokines. We examined sex differences in the effects of the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) on adiponectin and leptin concentrations, and determined whether changes in these adipocytokines are associated with changes in cardiovascular risk factors in both sexes. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Participants were 38 men and 32 premenopausal women (24-53 years) with slightly elevated low-density lipoprotein cholestrol concentrations (3.4-4.9 mmol/l) or total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholestrol (HDL-C) ≥ 5.0. Adiponectin, leptin and cardiovascular risk factors were measured before and after a 4-week fully controlled isoenergetic MedDiet. RESULTS: Adiponectin concentration decreased in response to the MedDiet, but this decrease reached statistical significance only in men (P < 0.001 for men and P = 0.260 for women;sex-by-time interaction, P = 0.072). Adjustments for body weight or waist circumference did not change results obtained. Changes in adiponectin were positively associated with concomitant variations in HDL-C in men (r = 0.52, P = 0.003) and with variations in apolipoprotein A-1 and insulin sensitivity as calculated by both the homeostasis model assessment index for insulin sensitivity and Cederholm indices in women (respectively, r=0.44, P = 0.021; r = 0.79, P < 0.001 and r = 0.47, P = 0.020). The MedDiet had no impact on leptin and the leptin-to-adiponectin ratio in both sexes. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest a sex difference in adiponectin response to the short-term consumption of the MedDiet, with only men experiencing a decrease. Also sex-specific patterns of associations between changes in adiponectin concentration and changes in cardiovascular risk factors were observed. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2014) 68, 561-566; doi: 10.1038/ejcn.2014.27; published online 5 March 2014, INTRODUCTION It is now widely known that adipose tissue, besides its capacity to store and release energy, is an important metabolically active endocrine organ producing and secreting several hormones called [...]

BACKGROUND: Dietary conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is known to reduce atherosclerosis, plasma total and LDL-cholesterol concentrations, and body fat accumulation in several animal species. Of the few studies that investigated the effects of CLA supplementation in humans, all used commercially formulated oral supplements made from a mixture of CLA isomers. OBJECTIVE: We compared the effects on plasma lipoproteins and body composition of the consumption of a modified butter naturally enriched with CLA (CLA-B: 4.22 g CLA/100 g butter fat) by the addition of sunflower oil to the diet of dairy cows with the consumption of a control butter (CON-B) that was low in CLA (0.38 g CLA/100 g butter fat). DESIGN: In a crossover design study including an 8-wk washout period, 16 men [x +/- SD age: 36.6 +/- 12.4 y; body mass index (in kg/m2): 31.2 +/- 4.4] were fed each of the 2 experimental isoenergetic diets, providing 15% of energy as protein, 45% as carbohydrates, and 40% as lipids, of which >60% was derived from experimental fats, for 4 wk. RESULTS: Consumption of the CLA-B diet induced a significantly (P < 0.05) smaller reduction in plasma total cholesterol and in the ratio of total to HDL cholesterol (-0.02 mmol/L and -0.00, respectively) than did consumption of the CON-B diet (-0.26 mmol/L and-0.34, respectively). Abdominal adipose tissue area measured by computed tomography showed no difference in accumulation of either visceral or subcutaneous adipose tissue after the 2 experimental diets. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that a 10-fold CLA enrichment of butter fat does not induce beneficial metabolic effects in overweight or obese men. Copyright © 2005 American Society for Clinical Nutrition [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) have positive health effects in experimental models. Our objective was to determine the effect of CLA supplementation on milk of dairy cows. A commercial source of CLA was infused abomasally to by-pass rumen fermentation. The supplement contained 61.2% CLA; the major CLA isomers were cis/trans 8,10, cis/trans 9,11, cis/trans 10,12 and cis/trans 11,13. Four Holstein cows were used in a 4 x 4 Latin square design. Treatments were 5-d infusions of 0, 50, 100 and 150 g/d of CLA supplement. Infusion increased milk fat content of CLA from 6.8 mg/g fat (zero dose) to 63.6 mg/g fat (highest dose). All of the major CLA isomers in the supplement were transferred to milk fat in a dose-dependent manner. Apparent efficiency of transfer to milk fat was 22.5, 22.5, 10.2 and 26.3% for cis/trans 8,10, cis/trans 9,11, cis/trans 10,12 and cis/trans 11,13, respectively. CLA infusion had no effect on milk protein and little effect on milk yield (21.5, 20.4, 20.9 and 18.3 kg/d for 0, 50, 100 and 150 g/d CLA supplement, respectively). However, CLA infusion dramatically reduced milk fat. On average, the content and yield of milk fat were reduced by 52 and 55%, respectively. The role of specific CLA isomers and mechanism(s) for the reduction in milk fat have not been established, although the pattern of milk fatty acids demonstrated effects were most pronounced on de novo fatty acid synthesis and the desaturation process. Overall, dietary supplemention of CLA increased milk fat content of CLA, altered milk fatty acid composition and markedly reduced the content and yield of milk fat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The regulation of energy intake is complex and many biological, psychosocial and environmental influences have been identified. To our knowledge, no study has yet investigated how eating patterns could mediate associations between eating behaviors and self-reported energy intake in premenopausal overweight women. Therefore, objectives of this study were to examine associations between eating behaviors and eating patterns in premenopausal overweight women and to test if eating patterns could mediate the associations between eating behaviors and self-reported energy intake. Women completed a 3-day food record and the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire was used to assess eating behaviors (dietary restraint, disinhibition, hunger). In the total sample of women, flexible restraint was negatively (r=-0.18; p=0.03) and binge eating severity was positively (r=0.24; p=0.004) associated with self-reported energy intake. Moreover, flexible restraint was positively associated with the proportion of energy intake at breakfast (r=0.24; p=0.004), whereas disinhibition and binge eating severity were positively associated with the proportion of energy intake from snacks consumed after 5:00 pm (r=0.22, p=0.007 and r=0.22, p=0.01, respectively). In addition, mediational analyses showed that proportion of energy intake from snacks consumed after 5:00 pm explained 24.1% of the association between binge eating severity and self-reported energy intake. In conclusion, these results suggest that eating patterns are important factors to consider in order to explain the associations between eating behaviors and self-reported energy intake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efforts to develop effective strategies that improve dietary intake are needed; however, this improvement in diet quality must not be at the expense of well-being. The Well-Being related to Food Questionnaire (Well-BFQ©) is a tool that has been developed in France to comprehensively measure food well-being. Even though the same language is spoken in France and in Québec, cultural and linguistic differences are present, which supports the importance of adapting and validating this tool before its use in the Québec population. This study aimed to adapt and validate the Well-BFQ© for the French-speaking general adult population of Québec, Canada. The Well-BFQ© underwent a full linguistic adaptation process, including an expert panel adaptation step, a pretest among 30 French-speaking adult (18-65 years) Quebecers, and a final proofreading. The questionnaire was thereafter administered to 203 French-speaking adult Quebecers (49.3% females, M AGE = 34.9, SD = 13.5; 88.2% Caucasians; 54.2% with a university degree). The exploratory factor analysis showed a two-factor structure: (1) food well-being related to physical and psychological health (27 items) and (2) food well-being related to symbolic/pleasure of food (32 items). Internal consistency was adequate, with a Cronbach's α of 0.92 and 0.93, respectively, for the subscales, and 0.94 for the total scale. The total food well-being score, as well as the two subscale scores, were associated with psychological and eating-related variables in expected directions. Overall, the adapted version of the Well-BFQ© was found to be a valid instrument to measure food well-being in the French-speaking general adult population of Québec, Canada.

The objective of this study was to validate an automated self-administered 24-hour dietary recall web application (R24W) against recovery biomarkers for sodium, potassium and protein intakes and to identify individual characteristics associated with misreporting in a sample of 61 men and 69 women aged 20-65 years from Québec City, Canada. Each participant completed 3 dietary recalls using the R24W, provided two 24-hour urinary samples and completed questionnaires to document psychosocial factors. Mean reported intakes were 2.2%, 2.1% and 5.0% lower than the urinary reference values, respectively, for sodium, potassium and proteins (significant difference for proteins only ( p = 0.04)). Deattenuated correlations between the self-reported intake and biomarkers were significant for sodium ( r  = 0.48), potassium ( r  = 0.56) and proteins ( r  = 0.68). Cross-classification showed that 39.7% (sodium), 42.9% (potassium) and 42.1% (proteins) of participants were ranked into the same quartile with both methods and only 4.8% (sodium), 3.2% (potassium) and 0.8% (proteins) were ranked in opposite quartiles. Lower body esteem related to appearance was associated with sodium underreporting in women ( r  = 0.33, p = 0.006). No other individual factor was found to be associated with misreporting. These results suggest that the R24W has a good validity for the assessment of sodium, potassium and protein intakes in a sample of French-speaking adults. Novelty: The validity of an automated self-administered 24-hour dietary recall web application named the R24W was tested using urinary biomarkers. According to 7 criteria, the R24W was found to have a good validity to assess self-reported intakes of sodium, potassium and proteins.

The study aimed at documenting motivational orientations for the regulation of eating as defined by self-determination theory and their association with sociodemographic characteristics and overall diet quality. As part of the PREDISE study, French-speaking women (n = 550) and men (n = 547), aged 18-65 years, living in the Province of Québec, Canada, completed online validated questionnaires. The Regulation of Eating Behavior Scale, based on the self-determination theory, assessed self-determined and non-self-determined motivation to regulate one's eating behavior. Three web-based 24-h food recalls were completed and used to compute the Canadian Healthy Eating Index 2007 (C-HEI), an indicator of the overall adherence to Canadian guidelines for healthy eating. Multiple linear regressions were performed to assess how regulation styles are associated with the C-HEI. Model 1 included no covariate, model 2 included sociodemographic covariates, and fully adjusted model 3 included as covariates sociodemographic variables as well as variables that were previously associated with diet quality, namely nutrition knowledge and social support for healthy eating. Women (p < 0.0001), older individuals (p = 0.0002), those with a higher education level (p < 0.0001), and non-smokers (p < 0.0001) reported higher self-determined motivation score than their counterparts. Self-determined motivation was positively (model 1: B = 4.67, p < 0.0001; model 2: B = 3.82, p < 0.0001; model 3: B = 3.61, p < 0.0001) and non-self-determined motivation was negatively (model 1: B = -1.62, p = 0.0009; model 2: B = -1.63, p = 0.0006; model 2: B = -1.49, p = 0.0022) associated with C-HEI. The present study suggests that some subgroups of the general adult population show more self-determined motivation for eating, which is associated with a better diet quality independently of individual characteristics and other individual and social determinants of healthy eating. Strategies to help individuals internalize the regulation of eating should be further investigated., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To assess how nutrition knowledge is associated with global diet quality and to investigate whether sociodemographic characteristics (ie, sex, age, education, income, marital status, and living with children or not) moderate this association., Design: Cross-sectional web-based study., Participants: The PREDISE study aims at identifying correlates of adherence to healthy eating guidelines in French-speaking adults from the Province of Quebec, Canada., Subjects: A probability sample of 1092 participants (50% female)., Measures: The Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaire and 24-hour food recalls from which the Canadian Healthy Eating Index (C-HEI) was calculated., Analysis: Multiple linear regressions performed to assess how nutrition knowledge is associated with the C-HEI. Interaction terms tested to evaluate whether sociodemographic characteristics moderate the association between nutrition knowledge and the C-HEI., Results: Nutrition knowledge (B = 0.141 [95% CI: 0.075-0.208], P < .0001) was identified as a significant correlate of the C-HEI. Education significantly moderated the association between nutrition knowledge and the C-HEI ( P interaction = .0038), with a significative association among participants with a lower education level (B = 0.295 [95% CI: 0.170-0.421], P < .0001) but not among participants with a higher education level (B = 0.077 [95% CI: -0.004 to 0.157], P = .06). Whether participants lived with or without children also significantly moderated the association ( P interaction = 0.0043); nutrition knowledge was associated with the C-HEI only in participants who were not living with children (B = 0.261 [95% CI: 0.167 to 0.355], P < .0001)., Conclusion: This study suggests that the association between nutrition knowledge and adherence to healthy eating guidelines is not the same in different subgroups of the population. Interventions aiming at increasing nutrition knowledge may be a promising approach to improve diet quality, especially among individuals with a lower education.

The objectives were to assess whether social support for healthy eating and perceived food environment are associated with diet quality, and to investigate if sociodemographic characteristics moderate these associations. A probability sample of French-speaking adults from the Province of Québec, Canada, was recruited in the context of the PREDISE study. Participants reported their perceptions of supportive and non-supportive actions related to healthy eating from close others at home and outside of home ( n = 952), and of the accessibility to healthy foods ( n = 1035). The Canadian Healthy Eating Index (C-HEI) was calculated based on three Web-based 24 h food recalls. Multiple linear regression models showed that supportive (B = 1.50 (95% CI 0.46, 2.54)) and non-supportive (B = -3.06 (95% CI -4.94, -1.18)) actions related to healthy eating from close others at home were positively and negatively associated with C-HEI, respectively, whereas actions from close others outside of home were not. The negative association between non-supportive actions occurring at home and C-HEI was stronger among participants with lower (vs. higher) levels of education ( p interaction = 0.03). Perceived accessibility to healthy foods was not associated with C-HEI ( p > 0.05). These results suggest that the social environment may have a stronger influence on healthy eating than the perceived physical environment. This adds support for healthy eating promotion programs involving entire families, especially for more socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals, whose efforts to eat healthily may be more easily thwarted by non-supportive households.

Some authors have suggested that eating pleasure is underused to promote healthy eating. However, little is known about the potential of pleasure-oriented messages to lead to healthier food choices. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of pleasure- and health-oriented messages on food choices made from a buffet. One hundred and ninety-eight participants (50% women), unaware of the real objective of the study, were randomized in three groups: 1) pleasure, 2) health, and 3) control. They first completed three 24 h food recalls to assess their overall diet quality using the Canadian Healthy Eating Index (C-HEI; score: 0 to 100). Thereafter, participants came to the research institute and those randomized in the "pleasure" and "health" groups read a leaflet on healthy eating, using either a pleasure or a health orientation respectively. Participants in the control group had no leaflet to read. All participants had subsequently to choose four food items in a buffet offering both healthy and unhealthy foods. Results showed a group by diet quality interaction (p = 0.02). Among participants with lower diet quality (C-HEI score below 50), those in the pleasure and health groups were more likely than participants in the control group to choose a healthier main course (prevalence ratios (PR) 1.71, 95% CI 1.12-2.62 and 1.83, 95% CI 1.21-2.77 for the pleasure and health group respectively) and a healthier beverage (PR 1.67, 95% CI 1.02-2.71 and 1.66, 95% CI 1.02-2.72, respectively). No such effect was observed among participants with higher C-HEI scores. In conclusion, our results suggest that in people with sub-optimal dietary habits, pleasure-oriented messages and traditional health messages are both useful to favor healthy main course and beverage choices., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The objective of this study was to identify key elements from the 2007 Canada's Food Guide that should be included in a diet quality score aiming to reflect the risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS). Dietary intakes of 998 adults (mean age: 43.2 years, 50% women) were used to obtain the Canadian Healthy Eating Index 2007 (C-HEI 2007) and Alternative Healthy Eating Index 2010 (AHEI) scores, as well as a dietary pattern (DP) generated by the reduced rank regression (RRR) method. Based on these three scores, a modified version of the C-HEI 2007 (Modified C-HEI) was then proposed. The prevalence ratio (PR) of MetS was examined across diet quality scores using multivariate binomial regression analysis. A higher AHEI, Modified C-HEI, and a lower score for DP were all associated with a significantly lower prevalence of MetS (PR = 0.42; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.28, 0.64; PR = 0.39; 95% CI 0.23, 0.63; and PR = 0.48; 95% CI 0.31, 0.74, respectively), whereas C-HEI 2007 was not (PR = 0.68; 95% CI 0.47, 1.00). Results suggest that a Modified C-HEI that considers key elements from the C-HEI 2007 and the AHEI, as well the DP, shows that participants with a higher score are less likely to have MetS.

The main objective of this study was to compare self-rated diet quality with a more comprehensive score of diet quality and to assess the ability of self-rated diet quality to predict adherence to healthy eating guidelines. This study also aimed to evaluate the influence of individual characteristics on the association between self-rated diet quality and the overall diet quality score. As part of the PRédicteurs Individuels, Sociaux et Environnementaux (PREDISE) study, 1045 participants (51% women) from the Province of Québec, Canada, self-rated their diet quality ("In general, would you say that your dietary habits are excellent, very good, good, fair, or poor?"). Three Web-based 24-h food recalls were completed, generating data for the calculation of the Canadian Healthy Eating Index (C-HEI) score, an overall diet quality indicator. Participants rated their diet quality as excellent (2.4%), very good (22.7%), good (49.5%), fair (20.3%), or poor (5.1%). C-HEI scores differed significantly between diet ratings, in the expected direction (p < 0.0001). Self-rated diet quality predicted adherence to healthy eating guidelines (i.e., C-HEI > 68) with a sensitivity of 44.5% and a specificity of 81.5% (C-statistic = 0.63). Sex significantly modified the association between self-rated diet quality and C-HEI score (p interaction = 0.0131); women had higher C-HEI scores than did men in the "good" and "fair" ratings. Self-rated diet quality can be useful in obtaining an overview of the diet quality of a population, but the results of this study suggest that such data should be used with caution given their poor ability to predict adherence to healthy eating guidelines. Individual characteristics may influence one's ability to appropriately self-evaluate diet quality.

Background: Regular monitoring of the population's food and nutrient intake is essential to develop effective nutrition-focused public health policies. The aim of this study was to provide dietary intake estimates using an age- and sex-representative sample of French-speaking adults with Internet access from 5 administrative regions in the province of Quebec, Canada., Methods: PRÉDicteurs Individuels, Sociaux et Environnementaux (PREDISE) is a multicentre cross-sectional study that used a Web-based approach to collect individual, social, and environmental data on factors associated with adherence to dietary recommendations. Dietary intake was estimated from the average of 3 validated Web-based 24-hour recalls., Results: Mean (± SD) age of the 1147 participants (50.2% women) was 43.2 ± 4.6 years and median body mass index was 26.3 (interquartile range, 23.3-30.3). Less than 25% of participants met Canada's Food Guide recommendations for vegetables and fruit intake (prevalence, 23.6%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 21.1-26.0). Most participants reported consuming more than 2300 mg of sodium (prevalence, 80.5%; 95% CI, 78.2-82.7) and more than 10% energy as saturated fats (prevalence, 74.2%; 95% CI, 71.6-76.7). Mean Canadian Healthy Eating Index score on a scale of 0-100 was 54.5 (95% CI, 53.8-55.2), reflecting relatively poor diet quality according to current dietary recommendations., Conclusions: Self-reported dietary intakes measured using a new validated Web-based 24-hour recall in this sample of French-speaking adults from Quebec and with access to Internet suggest low adherence to current Canadian dietary guidelines. These data emphasize the need for more effective nutrition-focused public health policies to maximize cardiovascular disease prevention at the population level., (Copyright © 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: The present study aimed to develop and validate a questionnaire assessing social support for healthy eating in a French-Canadian population., Design: A twenty-one-item questionnaire was developed. For each item, participants were asked to rate the frequency, in the past month, with which the actions described had been done by family and friends in two different environments: (i) at home and (ii) outside of home. The content was evaluated by an expert panel. A validation study sample was recruited and completed the questionnaire twice. Exploratory factor analysis was performed on items to assess the number of subscales. Internal consistency reliability was assessed using Cronbach's ɑ. Test-retest reliability was evaluated with intraclass correlations between scores of the two completions., Setting: Online survey., Subjects: Men and women from the Québec City area (n 150)., Results: The content validity assessment led to a few changes, resulting in a twenty-two-item questionnaire. Exploratory factor analysis revealed a two-factor structure for both environments, resulting in four subscales: supportive actions at home; non-supportive actions at home; supportive actions outside of home; and non-supportive actions outside of home. Two items were removed from the questionnaire due to low loadings. The four subscales were found to be reliable (Cronbach's ɑ=0·82-0·94; test-retest intraclass correlation=0·51-0·70)., Conclusions: The Social Support for Healthy Eating Questionnaire was developed for a French-Canadian population and demonstrated good psychometric properties. This questionnaire will be useful to explore the role of social support and its interactions with other factors in predicting eating behaviours.

The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a questionnaire assessing food liking in a French-Canadian population. A questionnaire was developed, in which participants were asked to rate their degree of liking of 50 food items. An expert panel evaluated the content validity. For the validation study, 150 men and women completed the questionnaire twice. An Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was performed to assess the number of subscales of the questionnaire. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability of the subscales were evaluated. Concurrent validity was assessed through correlations between liking scores and self-reported frequencies of consumption. Comments from the experts led to changes in the list of foods included in the questionnaire. The EFA revealed a two-factor structure for the questionnaire (i.e., savory and sweet foods) and led to the removal of nine items, resulting in a 32-item questionnaire. The two subscales revealed good internal consistency (Cronbach alphas: 0.85 and 0.89) and test-retest reliability ( p = 0.84 and 0.86). The questionnaire demonstrated adequate concurrent validity, with moderate correlations between food liking and self-reported frequency of consumption ( r = 0.19-0.39, p s < 0.05). This new Food Liking Questionnaire assessing liking of a variety of savory and sweet foods demonstrated good psychometric properties in every validation step. This questionnaire will be useful to explore the role of food liking and its interactions with other factors in predicting eating behaviors and energy intake., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funding sponsors had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript, and in the decision to publish the results.

Objective: The present study aimed to develop and validate a questionnaire assessing perceived food environment in a French-Canadian population., Design: A questionnaire, the Perceived Food Environment Questionnaire, was developed assessing perceived accessibility to healthy (nine items) and unhealthy foods (three items). A pre-test sample was recruited for a pilot testing of the questionnaire. For the validation study, another sample was recruited and completed the questionnaire twice. Exploratory factor analysis was performed on the items to assess the number of factors (subscales). Cronbach's α was used to measure internal consistency reliability. Test-retest reliability was assessed with Pearson correlations., Setting: Online survey., Subjects: Men and women from the Québec City area (n 31 in the pre-test sample; n 150 in the validation study sample)., Results: The pilot testing did not lead to any change in the questionnaire. The exploratory factor analysis revealed a two-subscale structure. The first subscale is composed of six items assessing accessibility to healthy foods and the second includes three items related to accessibility to unhealthy foods. Three items were removed from the questionnaire due to low loading on the two subscales. The subscales demonstrated adequate internal consistency (Cronbach's α=0·77 for healthy foods and 0·62 for unhealthy foods) and test-retest reliability (r=0·59 and 0·60, respectively; both P<0·0001)., Conclusions: The Perceived Food Environment Questionnaire was developed for a French-Canadian population and demonstrated good psychometric properties. Further validation is recommended if the questionnaire is to be used in other populations.

Objective: The present study aimed to develop and validate a nutrition knowledge questionnaire in a sample of French Canadians from the province of Quebec, taking into account dietary guidelines., Design: A thirty-eight-item questionnaire was developed by the research team and evaluated for content validity by an expert panel, and then administered to respondents. Face validity and construct validity were measured in a pre-test. Exploratory factor analysis and covariance structure analysis were performed to verify the structure of the questionnaire and identify problematic items. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability were evaluated through a validation study., Setting: Online survey., Subjects: Six nutrition and psychology experts, fifteen registered dietitians (RD) and 180 lay people participated., Results: Content validity evaluation resulted in the removal of two items and reformulation of one item. Following face validity, one item was reformulated. Construct validity was found to be adequate, with higher scores for RD v. non-RD (21·5 (sd 2·1) v. 15·7 (sd 3·0) out of 24, P<0·001). Exploratory factor analysis revealed that the questionnaire contained only one factor. Covariance structure analysis led to removal of sixteen items. Internal consistency for the overall questionnaire was adequate (Cronbach's α=0·73). Assessment of test-retest reliability resulted in significant associations for the total knowledge score (r=0·59, P<0·001)., Conclusions: This nutrition knowledge questionnaire was found to be a suitable instrument which can be used to measure levels of nutrition knowledge in a Canadian population. It could also serve as a model for the development of similar instruments in other populations.

Twenty-four-hour dietary recalls can provide high-quality dietary intake data, but are considered expensive, as they rely on trained professionals for both their administration and coding. The objective of this study was to develop an automated, self-administered web-based 24-h recall (R24W) for a French-Canadian population. The development of R24W was inspired by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Automated Multiple-Pass Method. Questions about the context of meals/snacks were included. Toppings, sauces and spices frequently added to each food/dish were suggested systematically. A list of frequently forgotten food was also suggested. An interactive summary allows the respondent to track the progress of the questionnaire and to modify or remove food as needed. The R24W prototype was pre-tested for usability and functionality in a convenience sample of 29 subjects between the ages of 23 and 65 years, who had to complete one recall, as well as a satisfaction questionnaire. R24W includes a list of 2865 food items, distributed into 16 categories and 98 subcategories. A total of 687 recipes were created for mixed dishes, including 336 ethnic recipes. Pictures of food items illustrate up to eight servings per food item. The pre-test demonstrated that R24W is easy to complete and to understand. This new dietary assessment tool is a simple and inexpensive tool that will facilitate diet assessment of individuals in large-scale studies, but validation studies are needed prior to the utilization of the R24W., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest. The founding sponsors had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript, and in the decision to publish the results.

Purpose: To determine whether an intervention based mainly on exposure to the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet), along with recommendations and tools for encouraging healthy eating, lead to different effects on dietary adherence and body weight management six months post-intervention in Canadian men and women., Methods: Thirty-eight males and 32 premenopausal females (all aged 24-53 years) were exposed to the same 4-week experimental MedDiet during which all foods were provided to participants. Participants also received some recommendations and tools to adhere to a healthy way of eating, with no other contact until the 6-month follow-up visit., Results: Compared with baseline, the Mediterranean score (MedScore) increased at the end of the 6-month follow-up (time effect P = 0.003), with no sex difference (sex-by-time interaction P = 0.97). With regard to MedScore components, sex differences were observed with males reporting changes in more dietary food groups than females. Although the intervention was not focused on body weight management, compared with baseline, BMI decreased during the intervention in both males and females; however, only females maintained the lower BMI 6 months after the intervention., Conclusions: Exposure to the MedDiet for a short duration promotes the adherence to this food pattern in both sexes and helps in the management of body weight, especially in females.

Our objective was to determine gender differences in the impact of a nutritional intervention based on the self-determination theory and promoting the Mediterranean diet on changes in eating-related self-determined motivation and adherence to the Mediterranean diet. Changes in eating-related self-determined motivation were larger in men than in women in response to the intervention and at follow-up, but the magnitude of change decreased with time in both genders. Changes in eating-related self-determined motivation were positively associated with changes in the Mediterranean diet adherence in response to the intervention and at follow-up in men only, suggesting that the nutritional program seems to fit better men than women., Competing Interests: The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Sex differences have been previously highlighted in the cardioprotective effects of the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet). The objective of this study was to investigate whether sex differences also exist with regard to LDL particle size distribution and oxidation. Participants were 37 men and 32 premenopausal women (24-53 years) with slightly elevated LDL-C concentrations (3.4-4.9 mmol/L) or total cholesterol/HDL-C ≥5.0. Variables were measured before and after a four-week isoenergetic MedDiet. Sex differences were found in response to the MedDiet for the proportion of medium LDL (255-260 Å) (p for sex-by-time interaction = 0.01) and small, dense LDL (sdLDL; <255 Å) (trend; p for sex-by-time interaction = 0.06), men experiencing an increase in the proportion of medium LDL with a concomitant reduction in the proportion of sdLDL, while an opposite trend was observed in women. A sex difference was also noted for estimated cholesterol concentrations among sdLDL (p for sex-by-time interaction = 0.03), with only men experiencing a reduction in response to the MedDiet. The MedDiet marginally reduced oxidized LDL (oxLDL) concentrations (p = 0.07), with no sex difference. Results suggest that short-term consumption of the MedDiet leads to a favorable redistribution of LDL subclasses from smaller to larger LDL only in men. These results highlight the importance of considering sex issues in cardiovascular benefits of the MedDiet.

Background: Some intervention trials have reported a reduction in systemic inflammation with the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) while others have observed no effect. Despite the fact that sex differences have been highlighted in the inflammatory regulation, it is still not known whether MedDiet exerts similar effects on systemic inflammation in men and women. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate sex differences in the effects of the MedDiet on high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP)., Findings: Participants were 35 men and 27 premenopausal women (24-53 years) presenting a slightly deteriorated lipid profile. All foods were provided to participants during a 4-week isocaloric MedDiet. At baseline, women had higher hs-CRP concentrations than men (P = 0.03). No sex difference was observed in hs-CRP response to the MedDiet (P for sex-by-time interaction = 0.36), with both men and women experiencing no change (respectively P = 0.62 and P > 0.99). When subgroups were formed according to hs-CRP concentration before the MedDiet phase, men with elevated baseline values (≥2 mg/l) experienced a reduction in hs-CRP over time with the MedDiet (-26.5 %) while an increase was observed in men with lower baseline values (+96.6 %; P for group-by-time interaction = 0.02). This pattern of change was not observed in women., Conclusions: Results from this controlled feeding study suggest that men and women have similar effects from the MedDiet on systemic inflammation. The individual's overall inflammatory status seems to influence these effects, but only in men., Trial Registration: This clinical trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01293344 .

Few studies have compared men and women in response to nutritional interventions but none has assessed differences between men and women in the response to a nutritional intervention programme based on the self-determination theory (SDT) and using the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) as a model of healthy eating, in a context of CVD prevention and within a non-Mediterranean population. The present study aimed to document differences between men and women in changes in dietary, anthropometric and metabolic variables, in response to a nutritional intervention programme promoting the adoption of the MedDiet and based on the SDT. A total of sixty-four men and fifty-nine premenopausal women presenting risk factors for CVD were recruited through different media advertisements in the Québec City Metropolitan area (Canada). The 12-week nutritional programme used a motivational interviewing approach and included individual and group sessions. A validated FFQ was administered to evaluate dietary intakes from which a Mediterranean score (Medscore) was derived. Both men and women significantly increased their Medscore in response to the intervention (P < 0·0001). Men showed a significantly greater decrease in red and processed meat (-0·4 (95 % CI -0·7, -0·1) portions per d) and a greater increase in fruit (0·9 (95 % CI 0·2, 1·6) portions per d) intakes than women. Significant decreases were observed for BMI and waist circumference in both men and women (P ≤ 0·04). Significant greater decreases were found for total cholesterol (total-C):HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) (-0·2; 95 % CI -0·4, -0·03) and TAG:HDL-C (-0·2; 95 % CI -0·4, -0·04) ratios in men than in women. When adjusting for the baseline value of the response variable, differences between men and women became non-significant for red and processed meat and fruit intakes whereas significant differences between men and women (i.e. larger increases in men than women) were observed for legumes, nuts and seeds (0·6 (95 % CI 0·2, 1·0) portions per d) and whole-grain products (0·5 (95 % CI 0·01, 1·0) portions per d) intakes. For metabolic variables, differences between men and women became non-significant for total-C:HDL-C and TAG:HDL-C ratios when adjusted for the baseline value of the response variable. The present results suggest that the nutritional intervention promoting the adoption of the Mediterranean diet and based on the SDT led to greater improvements in dietary intakes in men than in women, which appear to have contributed to beneficial anthropometric and metabolic changes, more particularly in men. However, the more deteriorated metabolic profile found in men at baseline seems to contribute to a large extent to the more beneficial changes in CVD risk factors observed in men as compared with women.

We examined gender differences in appetite sensations when exposed to Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) meals and determined whether there are gender differences in the change in the satiating properties of the MedDiet over time. Thirty-eight men and 32 premenopausal women consumed a 4-week isoenergetic MedDiet under controlled conditions. Visual analogue scales were used to measure perceived appetite sensations before and immediately after each meal consumed over the course of one day (Wednesday) of the first and the fourth week of intervention. Women reported greater decreases for desire to eat, hunger, and appetite score than men in response to the consumption of the MedDiet meals (gender-by-meal interactions, resp., P = 0.04, P = 0.048, and P = 0.03). Fullness and prospective food consumption responses did not significantly differ between men and women. Between the first and the fourth week of intervention, premeal prospective food consumption increased with time in men (P = 0.0007) but not in women (P = 0.84; P for gender-by-time interaction = 0.04). These results indicate gender differences in appetite sensations when exposed to the MedDiet. These results may be useful in order to have a better understanding of gender issues for body weight management.

Background: Long-term adherence to principles of the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) following a nutritional intervention promoting the Mediterranean food pattern in Canadian men and women is not known. Moreover, gender differences in dietary and metabolic profile in such an intervention context has never been addressed. Objective was to determine gender differences in long-term effects of a 12-week nutritional intervention program promoting the adoption of the MedDiet and based on the Self-Determination Theory (SDT) on dietary intakes, eating behaviors, anthropometric and metabolic variables, in men and women presenting cardiovascular risk factors., Methods: Sixty-four men and 59 premenopausal women were recruited. The 12-week nutritional program used a motivational interviewing approach and included individual and group sessions. A food frequency questionnaire was administered to evaluate dietary intakes from which a Mediterranean score (Medscore) was derived and the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire allowed assessment of eating behaviors. Measurements were performed at baseline and after the 12-week nutritional intervention, and then at 3 and 6-month post intervention., Results: No gender difference was observed in changes in the Medscore during the nutritional intervention and follow-up. However, the Medscore returned towards baseline values during follow-up in men and women (P < 0.0001). Men reported larger decreases in red and processed meat and larger increases in whole fruit intakes than women (P = 0.03 and P = 0.04, respectively). Men showed a greater decrease in habitual susceptibility to disinhibition than women (P = 0.03). A gender by time interaction was found for waist circumference, i.e. men had lower waist circumference at the end of the intervention as well as at follow-up than at baseline while women's waist circumference decreased in response to the intervention only (P = 0.05). As for metabolic variables, changes observed in total-cholesterol (C) to HDL-C ratio, triglyceride levels and triglycerides to HDL-C ratio were more pronounced in men than in women after the intervention as well as at follow-up (P ≤ 0.03)., Conclusions: Our results indicate that the 12-week nutritional intervention based on the SDT leads to more pronounced beneficial changes in long-term dietary intakes in men than in women and to greater improvements in metabolic profile in men., Trial Registration: Current Controlled Trials NCT01852721.

Background: The traditional Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) has been recognized as a food pattern with beneficial effects on cardiovascular health. However, even if sex-related differences in the cardiovascular response to diet have been previously highlighted, the existence of such differences in the impact of the MedDiet on the global cardiovascular risk has not been yet investigated. This study examined sex differences in the global cardiovascular impact of a 4-week isoenergetic controlled MedDiet using the Framingham risk score and the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) metabolic syndrome criteria., Methods: This study included 38 men and 32 premenopausal women (24-53 years) who had slightly elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) concentrations (between 3.4 and 4.9 mmol/L) or total cholesterol-to-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ratios ≥5.0. Cardiovascular risk factors were measured before and after the controlled MedDiet., Results: A time effect (P=0.04) was found for the Framingham risk score, with both men and women showing a nonsignificant decrease in response to the MedDiet. No time effect was found for the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome and the number of metabolic syndrome criteria that were met by participants (P>0.05). However, a time effect was noted for the continuous metabolic syndrome score (P=0.008), with nonsignificant decreases in both men and women. No sex-by-time interaction was noted for any of variables studied (P>0.05)., Conclusions: Results from this study suggest that the global cardiovascular impact of the MedDiet, as assessed by the Framingham risk score and metabolic syndrome criteria, is not significantly different in men than in premenopausal women in isoenergetic conditions.

Objective. To document sex differences in the impact of the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) on glucose/insulin homeostasis and to verify whether these sex-related effects were associated with changes in nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA). Methods. All foods were provided to 38 men and 32 premenopausal women (24-53 y) during 4 weeks. Variables were measured during a 180 min OGTT before and after the MedDiet. Results. A sex-by-time interaction for plasma insulin iAUC was found (men: -17.8%, P = 0.02; women: +9.4%, P = 0.63; P for sex-by-time interaction = 0.005). A sex-by-time interaction was also observed for insulin sensitivity (Cederholm index, P = 0.03), for which only men experienced improvements (men: +8.1%, P = 0.047; women: -5.9%, P = 0.94). No sex difference was observed for glucose and C-peptide responses. Trends toward a decrease in NEFA AUC (P = 0.06) and an increase in NEFA suppression rate (P = 0.06) were noted, with no sex difference. Changes in NEFA were not associated with change in insulin sensitivity. Conclusions. Results suggest that the more favorable changes in glucose/insulin homeostasis observed in men compared to women in response to the MedDiet are not explained by sex differences in NEFA response. This clinical trial is registered with clinicaltrials.gov NCT01293344.

Background/aims: To examine whether a family history of dyslipidemia influences the lipid-lipoprotein response to the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet)., Methods: We recruited 36 individuals with a positive family history of dyslipidemia (i.e. having at least one first-degree relative with a diagnosis of dyslipidemia) and 28 individuals with a negative family history of dyslipidemia, aged between 24 and 53 years, who had slightly elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) concentrations (3.4-4.9 mmol/l) or a total cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio≥5.0. Variables related to the lipid-lipoprotein profile were measured before and after a 4-week isocaloric MedDiet during which all foods and drinks were provided to participants., Results: A group by time interaction was noted for plasma total cholesterol concentrations (p=0.03), subjects with a negative family history of dyslipidemia having greater decreases than those with a positive family history of dyslipidemia (-11.3 vs. -5.1%, respectively). Decreases in LDL-C, HDL-C, total cholesterol to HDL-C ratio, LDL-C to HDL-C ratio, apo B, apo A-1, apo A-2 and apo B to apo A-1 ratio were noted, with no difference between groups (p for group by time interaction≥0.11)., Conclusions: Results highlight that inherited susceptibilities to dyslipidemia may explain at least in part the heterogeneity in the cholesterol-lowering effects of the MedDiet., (© 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

The traditional Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) is now widely recommended in the prevention of CVD. However, it is not known whether the MedDiet has the same beneficial cardiovascular effects in women and in men. The objective of the present study was to investigate sex-related differences with regard to changes in cardiometabolic variables in response to a 4-week isoenergetic MedDiet. Participants were thirty-eight men and thirty-two premenopausal women aged between 25 and 50 years who had slightly elevated LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) concentrations (3·4-4·9 mmol/l) or total cholesterol:HDL-cholesterol ratio ≥ 5·0. A 4-week run-in period preceded the MedDiet in order to control the inter- and intra-individual variability. Cardiometabolic variables were measured before and after the MedDiet. Total cholesterol, LDL-C, apoB and apoA-1 plasma concentrations as well as diastolic blood pressure decreased (P < 0·05) in both men and women (respectively, 10, 10, 10, 6 and 5% for men and 6, 7, 9, 4 and 4% for women). ApoA-2 concentrations and insulin concentrations 2 h after the oral administration of 75 g of glucose demonstrated sex × time interactions (respectively, P = 0·05 and P = 0·03) and only men experienced a decrease for these variables (respectively, 8 and 25%). In conclusion, consuming a MedDiet led to significant changes in plasma lipid profile in both men and women, while only men had significant improvements in insulin homeostasis. These results support the importance of investigating sex-related differences in response to diet in order to perhaps further individualise dietary guidelines in the prevention of CVD and type 2 diabetes.

Background & Aims: Previous studies have shown improvements in eating behaviors following a Health-At-Every-Size approach (HAES). However, to our knowledge, no study has yet investigated how a HAES intervention could influence dietary intakes and eating patterns in overweight women. Therefore, objectives of this study were to determine changes in dietary intakes and eating patterns in premenopausal overweight women in response to a HAES intervention compared to a social support intervention and a control group, and then to determine whether changes in eating behaviors were associated with changes in dietary intakes and eating patterns in response to the HAES intervention., Methods: Women completed a 3-day food record and the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire was used to assess eating behaviors., Results: Energy intake (main effect of time; p = 0.045) and snack frequency (main effect of time; p = 0.0004) decreased similarly over time in the three groups whereas proportion of energy intake from breakfast (main effect of time; p = 0.03) increased over time. Within HAES group, decreases in hunger and external hunger were associated with a decrease in total daily energy intake (r = 0.50, p = 0.0009 and r = 0.50, p = 0.0007, respectively)., Conclusions: HAES intervention has no specific impact on eating patterns. However, a decrease in hunger, which characterizes women who respond well to HAES, is associated with a decrease in overall energy intake. Clinical trial registration number (www.clinicaltrials.gov): NCT01240499., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd and European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism. All rights reserved.)

We investigated the impact of abdominal obesity status on the cardiovascular response to a fully controlled 4-week isoenergetic Mediterranean diet (MedDiet). Thirty-eight abdominally obese individuals (waist circumference >102 cm in men and >88 cm in women) and thirty-one nonabdominally obese individuals were recruited and studied before and after the MedDiet. All analyses were adjusted for the slight decrease in body weight, which occurred during the MedDiet (mean: 0.9 ± 1.2 kg). A group by time interaction was noted for waist circumference (P = 0.02), abdominally obese subjects showing a significant decrease and nonabdominally obese subjects a nonsignificant increase (resp., -1.1 and +0.3%). The MedDiet resulted in decreases in total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C, apolipoprotein B, A-1, and A-2, total cholesterol/HDL-C ratio, LDL-C/HDL-C ratio, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure (time effect: P < 0.05). For all variables related to glucose/insulin homeostasis, no change was observed except for a decrease in 2 h glucose concentrations (time effect: P = 0.03). No group by time interaction was observed in any of the metabolic variables studied. Results from our study suggest that the adoption of the MedDiet leads to beneficial metabolic effects, irrespective of the abdominal obesity status.

This study explored the relationship between muscle fat infiltration derived from mid-thigh computed tomography (CT) scan, central fat distribution and insulin sensitivity in postmenopausal women. Mid-thigh CT scans were used to measure low attenuation muscle surface (LAMS) (0-34 Hounsfield units (HU)), which represented a specific component of fat-rich muscle. Whole-body insulin sensitivity (M/I) was evaluated by an euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp. A group of 103 women aged 57.0 ± 4.4 years was studied. Women with higher levels of LAMS presented higher metabolic risk features, particularly elevated fasting, 2-h plasma glucose (2hPG) concentrations and diminished M/I (P < 0.05). To further study the contribution of muscle fat infiltration and central adiposity on metabolic parameters, we divided the whole group based on the median of LAMS and visceral adipose tissue (VAT). As expected, the best metabolic profile was found in the Low-LAMS/Low-VAT group and the worst in the High-LAMS/High-VAT group. Women with Low-LAMS/High-VAT presented similar metabolic risks to those with High-LAMS/High-VAT. There was no difference between High-LAMS/Low-VAT and Low-LAMS/Low-VAT, which presents the most healthy metabolic and glycemic profiles as reflected by the lowest levels of cardiovascular disease risk variables. This suggests that High-LAMS/Low-VAT is also at low risk of metabolic deteriorations and that High-LAMS, only in the presence of High-VAT seems associated with deteriorated risks. Although increased mid-thigh fat-rich muscle was related to a deteriorated metabolic profile, VAT appears as a more important contributor to alterations in the metabolic profile in postmenopausal women.

Objective: Women with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) are more at risk of cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that increased visceral adipose tissue (VAT) could explain to a large extent alterations in the cardiovascular disease risk profile of postmenopausal women with IGT or T2D., Design, Patients and Measurements: Sixty-two women with normal glucose tolerance (NGT), 33 with IGT and 18 with de novo diagnosed T2D were tested. The sample was further divided into five groups: (i) NGT-low VAT (<130 cm(2) ); (ii) NGT-high VAT (≥130 cm(2)); (iii) IGT-low VAT (<130 cm(2) ); (iv) IGT-high VAT (≥130 cm(2) ) and (v) T2D., Results: Women with T2D, women with IGT-high VAT and those with NGT-high VAT all had lower insulin sensitivity as determined by the euglycaemic-hyperinsulinaemic clamp (M&#95;I), higher triglyceride (TG), lower HDL(2)-cholesterol (chol) levels and higher levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein than women with NGT-low VAT. Only differences in M&#95;I and early insulin response (EIR) were observed between women with IGT-high VAT and those with NGT-high VAT (lower values in IGT-high VAT). Women with T2D had lower M&#95;I and EIR as well as higher plasma TG and lower plasma Apo A1 and HDL-chol concentrations than women with NGT-high VAT., Conclusions: Our results suggest that increase in VAT accumulation usually found in women with IGT explains to a large extent the deterioration in their plasma lipid-lipoprotein and inflammatory profile. However, factors other than VAT are involved in explaining the high TG-low HDL dyslipidaemia observed in women with T2D., (© 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.)

Background: Poor long-term success observed with current weight-control strategies stresses the relevance to explore new weight management approaches., Objective: To assess the effects of a Health-At-Every-Size (HAES) intervention on eating behaviors, appetite sensations, metabolic and anthropometric variables, and physical activity levels in women at 6-month and 1-year postintervention., Design: Randomized controlled trial; measurements at baseline, at the end of the intervention period (4 months), and at 6-month and 1-year postintervention (10 months and 16 months, respectively). Intervention and testing took place from September 2003 to August 2006., Participants/setting: Premenopausal overweight/obese women (n=144; mean age of 42.3+/-5.6 years), recruited from free-living, general community., Intervention: Women were randomly assigned to: HAES group (n=48), social support group (n=48), or control group (n=48)., Main Outcome Measures: Eating behaviors (restraint, disinhibition, and susceptibility to hunger), appetite ratings (desire to eat, hunger, fullness, and prospective food consumption), anthropometric and metabolic variables (body mass index, waist and hip circumferences, blood lipid levels, and blood pressure), and engagement in moderate to intense physical activity (energy cost > or =1.2 k cal x kg(-1) x 15 minutes(-1) [> or =4.8 metabolic equivalents])., Statistical Analyses Performed: Changes for each dependent variable were assessed by linear mixed models according to a group (HAES vs social support vs control) by time (baseline vs 4 months vs 10 months vs 16 months) split-plot design., Results: Situational susceptibility to disinhibition and susceptibility to hunger significantly decreased over time in both HAES group (-0.9+/-0.2 and -1.3+/-0.5, respectively) and the social support group (-0.4+/- 0.2 and -1.4+/-0.5, respectively). Although eating behavior scores observed at 16 months did not differ between HAES and social support groups (situational susceptibility to disinhibition: 2.5+/-0.2 in HAES group vs 2.7 +/- 0.2 in social support group; susceptibility to hunger: 4.2+/-0.5 in both groups), they were lower in these groups than scores noted in the control group (3.3+/-0.2 for situational susceptibility to disinhibition and 5.9+/-0.5 for susceptibility to hunger)., Conclusions: These results suggest that, when compared to a control group, an HAES approach could have long-term beneficial effects on eating behaviors related to disinhibition and hunger. In addition, our study did not show distinctive effects of the HAES approach in comparison to a social support intervention.

The aim of the study was to examine how body fat distribution variables were associated with metabolic parameters in a sample of 113 postmenopausal women not receiving hormone therapy (56.9 +/- 4.4 years, 28.4 +/- 5.1 kg/m(2)). Body fat distribution variables (visceral adipose tissue [AT], subcutaneous AT, and total midthigh AT) were measured using computed tomography; body fat mass was assessed by hydrostatic weighing; insulin sensitivity was determined with the euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp; fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and 2-hour plasma glucose (2hPG) concentrations were measured by a 75-g oral glucose load; and (high-sensitivity) C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) was measured using a highly sensitive assay. After controlling for fat mass, visceral AT was positively associated with plasma triglyceride, hs-CRP, FPG, and 2hPG, and negatively associated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and insulin sensitivity. Total midthigh AT was negatively associated with apolipoprotein B, FPG, and 2hPG, and positively associated with insulin sensitivity. Stepwise multiple regression analyses including abdominal visceral AT, subcutaneous AT and total midthigh AT as independent variables showed that abdominal visceral AT best predicted the variance in plasma triglyceride, HDL-C, low-density lipoprotein peak particle size, hs-CRP, FPG, 2hPG, and insulin sensitivity. Abdominal subcutaneous AT was a significant predictor of only insulin sensitivity, whereas total midthigh AT predicted HDL-C, low-density lipoprotein peak particle size, and apolipoprotein B. These multivariate analyses also indicated that total midthigh AT was favorably related to these outcomes, whereas abdominal visceral AT and subcutaneous AT were unfavorably related. These results confirmed that abdominal visceral fat is a critical correlate of metabolic parameters in postmenopausal women. In addition, a higher proportion of AT located in the total midthigh depot is associated with a favorable metabolic profile.

This study compares indices of insulin sensitivity derived from fasting and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) glucose and insulin measurements, with respect to the reference measure (M/I), obtained from the euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp, in postmenopausal women with varying glucose tolerance status. Fasting plasma insulin index, homeostasis model assessment index, and OGTT-derived indices (insulin 120-minute, Matsuda, metabolic clearance rate [MCR] of glucose, insulin sensitivity [ISI], and Cederholm indices) were calculated and compared with the M/I value in 112 postmenopausal women. All indices examined were significantly correlated with M/I (0.28 < or = r(2) < or = 0.56). Association studies revealed that on average, 48% of women were grouped in the same tertile of insulin sensitivity when using M/I and fasting plasma insulin index, and 54% when using M/I and insulin 120-minute index. However, concordance with M/I tertiles were 57%, 58%, 64%, 64%, and 68% for homeostasis model assessment, Matsuda, MCR, ISI, and Cederholm indices, respectively. Finally, correlation coefficients between M/I and insulin sensitivity indices were generally lower in women with normal glucose tolerance compared with women with impaired glucose tolerance or type 2 diabetes mellitus. These results suggest that in postmenopausal women, surrogate indices of insulin sensitivity obtained from OGTT data and incorporating a measurement of body weight or body mass index) (Cederholm, ISI, and MCR indices) appear to be superior to those without OGTT data or body weight-body mass index measurements and, therefore, could offer a better estimate of insulin sensitivity, allowing an improved clinical evaluation of this population at higher risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Background: The aim of this study was to examine the metabolic risk profile in postmenopausal women characterized by either the metabolic syndrome (MS) as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) or the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Adult Treatment Panel III (ATPIII)., Methods: One hundred and eight postmenopausal women (56.9 +/- 4.2 years; 28.5 +/- 5.9 kg/m(2)) were examined. Each underwent an oral glucose tolerance test, an euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp, an assessment of body fat distribution by computed tomography, a complete plasma lipid-lipoprotein profile, and standard measurements of inflammatory markers., Results: The prevalence of the MS-WHO was 29.6% in our women. Type 2 diabetes was found in 28.1% of women with the MS-WHO. Thirty-one percent of women had the MS-ATP, from which 36.4% had type 2 diabetes. Among the 32 women identified as having MS-WHO, 25 (78.1 %) were also identified as having the MS-ATP. On the other hand, among the 34 women identified as having MS-ATP, 24 (70.0 %) also had MS-WHO (kappa = 0.60). When we subdivided our sample of women as having either isolated MS-WHO, isolated MS-ATP, or combined MS-WHO and MS-ATP, we observed a more deteriorated metabolic risk profile (higher values for visceral adipose tissue, 2-h plasma glucose, and lower HDL-cholesterol concentrations) in women characterized by isolated MS-ATP compared to women with isolated MS-WHO., Conclusions: These results suggest that, in postmenopausal women, the concordance in the identification of subjects with the MS using each of the proposed definitions is only moderate.

The associations of inflammatory markers (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein [hs-CRP], interleukin-6 [IL-6], tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and fibrinogen) with anthropometric and metabolic variables were examined in a sample of 112 postmenopausal women not receiving hormone therapy. Body fat distribution was measured by computed tomography, and insulin sensitivity was determined by an euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp. hs-CRP (0.10 < or = r(2) < or =0.37) and IL-6 (0.06 < or = r(2) < or =0.31) were significantly associated with anthropometric and metabolic variables, including visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and insulin sensitivity (p <0.05). Women with greater hs-CRP concentrations showed deterioration in their metabolic risk profiles, including abdominal obesity, greater triglyceride and lower HDL cholesterol concentrations, and lower insulin sensitivity compared with women with lower hs-CRP levels. Fifty-nine percent of women with high hs-CRP concentrations had the metabolic syndrome as recently defined by the Third Report of the National Cholesterol Education Program Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults. After adjustment for visceral adipose tissue, most of the differences in the plasma lipid-lipoprotein profile were eliminated between women with high hs-CRP levels and women with low hs-CRP levels, whereas some differences in blood pressure variables, insulin sensitivity, and inflammatory markers (IL-6 and fibrinogen) remained significant. In conclusion, these results suggest that increased visceral adipose tissue levels appear to be a determinant covariable of the association between high hs-CRP concentrations and alteration in the metabolic profile.

The aim of this study was to determine the respective contribution of abdominal visceral adipose tissue (AT) accumulation and insulin resistance (IR) to the determination of a comprehensive cardiovascular metabolic risk profile in 108 postmenopausal women not receiving hormone therapy. Insulin sensitivity (M/I) was determined by a hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp, and visceral AT area was measured by computed tomography. Median values of visceral AT (133.9 cm(2)) and insulin sensitivity (0.010189 mg . kg(-1) . min(-1) . pmol(-1)) were used to form four subgroups: 1) low visceral AT-low IR (n = 35), 2) low visceral AT-high IR (n = 19), 3) high visceral AT-low IR (n = 19), and 4) high visceral AT-high IR (n = 35). Women with isolated IR (low visceral AT and high IR) were characterized by significantly higher fasting and 2-h glycemia and higher fibrinogen, triglyceride, and VLDL-apolipoprotein (apo)B concentrations than women with low visceral AT and low IR (P < 0.05). The plasma lipid-lipoprotein profile and inflammatory markers were not significantly different between women with high visceral AT and low IR and women with low visceral AT and low IR. Women with high visceral AT and high IR had higher fasting and 2-h glycemia, triglyceride, and VLDL-apoB levels; lower apoAI and HDL(2) cholesterol levels; as well as higher C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 concentrations than women with low visceral AT and low IR (P < 0.05). In addition, 15 of the 35 women (42.9%) in the high visceral AT and high IR group were newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, whereas no women were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in the group of women with low visceral AT and low IR. These results show that although the presence of high IR in its isolated form is associated with some metabolic alterations, it is the combination of both high visceral AT and high IR that is the most detrimental for the metabolic health in postmenopausal women.

The purpose of this study was to assess the contribution of the apolipoprotein E (apoE) polymorphism and factors, such as age and waist circumference, to variations in plasma low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) response following ad libitum consumption of a diet rich in complex carbohydrates (high-CHO: 58% of energy as CHO) versus a diet rich in fat and monounsaturated fatty acids (high-MUFA: fat, 40% of energy and 22% as MUFA). Sixty-five men participated in this parallel 6- to 7-week study involving either a high-CHO or a high-MUFA diet. Fasting plasma lipid profile and anthropometry were determined at the beginning and at the end of the dietary period. The high-CHO and high-MUFA diets both induced significant (P<.01) and comparable reductions in body weight and waist circumference. These changes were associated with a significant (P<.01) and comparable decrease in LDL-C (-19% and -16%, respectively). Stepwise multiple regression analyses showed that 32% of the variation in the LDL-C response to the high-CHO diet was attributable to the apoE polymorphism (18.5%, P=.04) and waist circumference (13.5%, P=.03) indicating that men with a waist circumference greater than 100 cm and the E2 allele had the greatest reduction in plasma LDL-C after the high-CHO diet. On the other hand, in the high-MUFA group, waist circumference was the only significant contributing factor to the LDL-C response and accounted for 44.5% of its variance. In conclusion, the plasma LDL-C response to ad libitum comsumption of a high-CHO and a high-MUFA diets are not modulated to the same extent by the apoE polymorphism and waist circumference.

We compared the effects of ad libitum consumption of a defined high complex carbohydrate (CHO) diet (% of energy: CHO, 58.3; fat, 25.8) vs. a defined high monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) diet (% of energy: CHO, 44.7; fat, 40.1; MUFA, 22.5) on LDL electrophoretic characteristics. Healthy men [n = 65; age, 37.5 +/- 11.2 (mean +/- SD) y; BMI, 29.2 +/- 4.9 kg/m2] were randomly assigned to one of the two diets that they consumed for 6-7 wk. The high CHO diet significantly reduced body weight (-2%). The diet-induced reduction in plasma LDL cholesterol (C) levels in the high-CHO diet group was due mainly to concurrent reductions in the cholesterol content of small (<25.5 nm, P < 0.01) and medium-sized LDL (25.5-26.0 nm, P = 0.01). The high MUFA diet also reduced body weight, and LDL-C and LDL-apolipoprotein (apo)B levels, which were comparable to those in the high CHO group. The cholesterol levels of small LDL particles tended to be reduced (P = 0.24) in the high MUFA group (-12%), similar to changes in the high CHO group. These results suggest that, when associated with weight loss, ad libitum consumption of high CHO and high MUFA diets may be considered to be equally beneficial for the management of LDL-related atherogenic dyslipidemia. However, the high MUFA diet more favorably affected triglyceride levels, suggesting that it may be preferable to a high CHO diet in cardiovascular disease prevention.