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Summary Gut microbiota seems to play a critical role in health and disease. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a nutritional intervention in children 6–12 years old on the microbiota and to identify possible dietary components involved in the change. A 2‐month parallel, controlled randomised trial was conducted. The nutritional intervention was based on the recommendations of the Mediterranean diet, for both intervention groups, with the difference that in the ALINFA group a more intensive intervention based on a complete diet, while in the control group, dietary advice was provided. After the intervention, ALINFA group showed an increase in the richness and diversity of their microbiota as well as changes in the abundance of different bacterial heels. These changes were mainly influences by fibre intake and the type of fat consumed. The ALINFA nutritional intervention seems to be able to positively influence children's microbiota, showing significant changes within 2 months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background and aims Excess energy intake can lead to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), but the relationship between dietary carbohydrate intake and liver fat content remains unclear. This study aimed to examine the associations between types and sources of dietary carbohydrates and liver fat content. Methods UK Biobank participants with no pre-existing diabetes, liver disease or cardiovascular disease reported dietary intake of types and sources of carbohydrates (total carbohydrates, free sugars, non-free sugars, starch from whole grains, starch from refined grains, and fibre) on at least two 24-h dietary assessments. In cross-sectional analyses, (n = 22,973), odds ratios (OR) of high liver fat content (defined as a score of ≥ 36 in the hepatic steatosis index) by quintiles of carbohydrate intakes were estimated using multivariable logistic regression models. In prospective analyses, a second sample (n = 9268) had liver proton density fat fraction (PDFF) measured by magnetic resonance imaging (2014–2020). Multivariable linear regression models estimated geometric means of PDFF (%) by quintiles of carbohydrate intakes. Models were adjusted for demographic and lifestyle confounders, including total energy intake. Results In the cross-sectional analyses, 6894 cases of high liver fat content were identified. Inverse associations between intakes of fibre (OR of highest vs. lowest quintile 0.46 [95% CI: 0.41–0.52]), non-free sugars (0.63 [0.57–0.70]) and starch from whole grains (0.52 [0.47–0.57]) with liver fat were observed. There were positive associations between starch from refined grains and liver fat (1.33 [1.21–1.46]), but no association with free sugars (p=0.61). In prospective analyses, inverse associations with PDFF (%) were observed for intakes of fibre (− 0.48 geometric mean difference between highest and lowest quintile of intake [− 0.60 to − 0.35]), non-free sugars (− 0.37 [− 0.49 to − 0.25]) and starch from whole grains (− 0.31 [− 0.42 to − 0.19]). Free sugars, but not starch from refined grains, were positively associated with PDFF (0.17 [0.05 to 0.28]). Conclusion This study suggests that different carbohydrate types and sources have varying associations with liver fat, which may be important for MASLD prevention. Non-free sugars, fibre, and starch from whole grains could be protective, while associations with free sugars and starch from refined grains are less clear.

Background: Optimal nutrition during early childhood, including dietary fibre intake, is important for children's health and development. Knowledge of fibre intake and its determinants in early childhood is limited. We aimed to describe fibre intake and sources and to identify trajectories of fibre intake at age 9, 18, 42, and 60 months and its child and maternal determinants. Associations between fibre trajectory groups and BMI z-scores and child overweight status were also assessed. Methods: This is a secondary analysis of longitudinal data from the Melbourne InFANT Program, trial registration: Current Controlled Trials (ISRCTN81847050). Group-based trajectory modelling was used to identify trajectories of fibre intake from ages 9 to 60 months (n = 503). Multivariable logistic or linear regression was used to assess the determinants of fibre intake trajectories and the association between fibre intake trajectories and obesity outcomes. Results: Four fibre intake trajectory groups were identified, with three groups following stable, rising trajectories of "Low" (52.3%), "Moderate" (32.2%), and "High" (13.3%), respectively. The remaining followed an "unstable" trajectory (2.2%). Girls versus boys were more likely to follow the "Low" fibre intake trajectory, whereas children who were breastfed for ≥6 months and whose mother had a university education were less likely to follow the "Low" fibre trajectory. No association was found between fibre trajectory groups and obesity outcomes. Conclusion: Most children followed a stable, rising trajectory of low fibre intake in early childhood. Child sex, breastfeeding duration and maternal education were significant determinants of low fibre intake trajectory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Weaned lambs raised on pasture-based systems in Brazil are often subjected to periods of forage shortage, limiting their nutrient and energy intake and, hence, their growth. Fast recovery of lamb body weight is important to the efficiency, sustainability and profitability of these sheep production systems. Aim: We evaluated the effects of refeeding on growth performance, blood metabolites and physiological parameters of Dorper × Santa Ines lambs after low and moderate feed restriction, to determine whether there was a compensatory growth response. Methods: Twenty-four non-castrated male lambs were assigned to a completely randomised design with three treatments and eight replicates. The trial was conducted in a feedlot and divided into two phases: (1) feed restriction for 64 days, and (2) refeeding for 42 days. In Phase 1, the respective treatments provided energy supplies of 0.481, 0.841 and 1.205 MJ metabolisable energy per kg metabolic weight daily, corresponding to 60% (PR60, moderate) and 30% (PR30, low) feed restriction levels and ad libitum intake. In Phase 2, the lambs in PR60 and PR30 treatments were refed ad libitum. Performance and blood measurements were taken in Phase 1 for the ad libitum treatment, and Phase 2 for PR60 and PR30 treatments. Key results: Highest initial and final bodyweights of 32.7 and 41.2 kg were recorded in the PR30 treatment during Phase 2, compared with 23.0 and 36.7 kg averaged over PR60 and ad libitum treatments. Average daily gain did not differ among treatments (276 g/day, on average). Dry matter intake was significantly higher in PR30 than the ad libitum treatment (1406 vs 1158 g/day), with PR60 intermediate (1267 g/day). Serum levels of albumin, urea and creatinine indicated that protein metabolism was strongly affected by the PR60 treatment. High metabolic rate and subsequent rapid growth determined high respiratory rate and rectal temperature in the lambs from PR60 and PR30 treatments. Conclusions: Moderate feed restriction relative to maintenance level followed by an ad libitum refeeding period in the feedlot leads to a strong compensatory growth response in Dorper × Santa Ines lambs. Implications: In periods of low feed availability, keeping weaned lambs under moderate feed restriction is a good strategy to induce an efficient compensatory growth response in the feedlot during the finishing phase. After a period of low feed availability and limited growth rate, fast recovery of lamb bodyweight makes sheep production systems more efficient, sustainable and profitable. Compensatory growth is followed by several adaptations at metabolic and physiological levels, including accelerated protein metabolism, high respiratory rate and high body temperature. After lambs are subjected to moderate feed restriction relative to the maintenance requirements, an efficient compensatory growth response is obtained under feedlot conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Optimal nutrition during early childhood, including dietary fibre intake, is important for children’s health and development. Knowledge of fibre intake and its determinants in early childhood is limited. We aimed to describe fibre intake and sources and to identify trajectories of fibre intake at age 9, 18, 42, and 60 months and its child and maternal determinants. Associations between fibre trajectory groups and BMI z-scores and child overweight status were also assessed. Methods: This is a secondary analysis of longitudinal data from the Melbourne InFANT Program, trial registration: Current Controlled Trials (ISRCTN81847050). Group-based trajectory modelling was used to identify trajectories of fibre intake from ages 9 to 60 months (n = 503). Multivariable logistic or linear regression was used to assess the determinants of fibre intake trajectories and the association between fibre intake trajectories and obesity outcomes. Results: Four fibre intake trajectory groups were identified, with three groups following stable, rising trajectories of “Low” (52.3%), “Moderate” (32.2%), and “High” (13.3%), respectively. The remaining followed an “unstable” trajectory (2.2%). Girls versus boys were more likely to follow the “Low” fibre intake trajectory, whereas children who were breastfed for ≥6 months and whose mother had a university education were less likely to follow the “Low” fibre trajectory. No association was found between fibre trajectory groups and obesity outcomes. Conclusion: Most children followed a stable, rising trajectory of low fibre intake in early childhood. Child sex, breastfeeding duration and maternal education were significant determinants of low fibre intake trajectory.

Abstract Aims Recent reports have suggested that patients with heart failure (HF) have an altered gut microbiota composition; however, associations with diet remain largely uninvestigated. We aimed to explore differences in the gut microbiota between patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction and healthy controls, focusing on associations with diet and disease severity. Methods and results The microbiota composition of two cross‐sectional cohorts (discovery, n = 40 and validation, n = 44) of patients with systolic HF and healthy controls (n = 266) was characterized by sequencing of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene. The overall microbial community (beta diversity) differed between patients with HF and healthy controls in both cohorts (P < 0.05). Patients with HF had shifts in the major bacterial phyla, resulting in a lower Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratio than controls (P = 0.005). Patients reaching a clinical endpoint (listing for heart transplant or death) had lower bacterial richness and lower F/B ratio than controls (P < 0.01). Circulating levels of trimethylamine‐N‐oxide were associated with meat intake (P = 0.016), but not with gut microbiota alterations in HF. Low bacterial richness and low abundance of several genera in the Firmicutes phylum were associated with low fibre intake. Conclusions The gut microbiota in HF was characterized by decreased F/B ratio and reduced bacterial diversity associated with clinical outcome. The gut microbiota alterations in HF were partly related to low fibre intake, emphasizing the importance of diet as a covariate in future studies. Our data could provide a rationale for targeting the gut microbiota in HF with high‐fibre diet.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) in children is a pro-inflammatory condition leading to a high morbidity and mortality. Accumulation of organic metabolic waste products, coined as uraemic toxins, parallels kidney function decline. Several of these uraemic toxins are protein-bound (PBUT) and gut-derived. Gut dysbiosis is a hallmark of CKD, resulting in a state of increased proteolytic fermentation that might be counteracted by dietary fibre. Data on fibre intake in children with CKD are lacking. We aimed to assess dietary fibre intake in a paediatric CKD cohort and define its relationship with PBUT concentrations. Methods: In this multi-centre, cross-sectional observational study, 61 non-dialysis CKD patients (9 ± 5 years) were included. Dietary fibre intake was assessed through the use of 24-h recalls or 3-day food records and coupled to total and free levels of 4 PBUTs (indoxyl sulfate (IxS), p-cresyl sulfate (pCS), p-cresyl glucuronide (pCG) and indole acetic acid (IAA). Results: In general, fibre intake was low, especially in advanced CKD: 10 ± 6 g/day/BSA in CKD 4–5 versus 14 ± 7 in CKD 1–3 (p = 0.017). Lower concentrations of both total (p = 0.036) and free (p = 0.036) pCG were observed in the group with highest fibre intake, independent of kidney function. Conclusions: Fibre intake in paediatric CKD is low and is even worse in advanced CKD stages. Current dietary fibre recommendations for healthy children are not being achieved. Dietary management of CKD is complex in which too restrictive diets carry the risk of nutritional deficiencies. The relation of fibre intake with PBUTs remains unclear and needs further investigation. Graphical abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Interventions to increase fruit and vegetable intake among community-dwelling older people have shown mixed effects. We investigated whether an intervention based on an initial multidimensional health risk assessment and subsequent physician-lead nutrition counselling has favourable effects on dietary intake among community-dwelling older people. Design: Randomised controlled trial comparing the intervention versus usual care. Setting and participants: Non-disabled persons aged 65 years or older at an ambulatory geriatric clinic in Bucharest, Romania, allocated to intervention (n=100) and control (n=100) groups. Intervention: Participants received a computer-generated health profile report based on answers to a health risk assessment questionnaire, followed by monthly individual counselling sessions with a geriatrician on topics related to health promotion and disease prevention, with a special focus on adequate fruit and vegetable consumption. Measurements: Fruit and vegetable intake at baseline and at 6-month follow-up. Results: At baseline, fruit and vegetable intake was below the recommended five portions per day in most study participants (85% in the intervention group, and 86% among controls, respectively). At six months, intake increased in the intervention group from a median of 3.8 to 4.6 portions per day, and decreased in the control group due to a seasonal effect from a median of 3.8 to 3.1 portions per day. At six months, fruit and vegetable consumption was significantly higher among persons in the intervention group as compared to controls (median difference 1.4 portions per day, 95% confidence interval 1.1–1.7, p<0.001). Conclusion: Personalised food-based dietary guidance, delivered as part of multidimensional preventive health counselling during geriatric clinic visits, results in relevant improvement of fruit and vegetable intake in community-dwelling older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Recent reports have suggested that patients with heart failure (HF) have an altered gut microbiota composition; however, associations with diet remain largely uninvestigated. We aimed to explore differences in the gut microbiota between patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction and healthy controls, focusing on associations with diet and disease severity. Methods and results: The microbiota composition of two cross‐sectional cohorts (discovery, n = 40 and validation, n = 44) of patients with systolic HF and healthy controls (n = 266) was characterized by sequencing of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene. The overall microbial community (beta diversity) differed between patients with HF and healthy controls in both cohorts (P < 0.05). Patients with HF had shifts in the major bacterial phyla, resulting in a lower Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratio than controls (P = 0.005). Patients reaching a clinical endpoint (listing for heart transplant or death) had lower bacterial richness and lower F/B ratio than controls (P < 0.01). Circulating levels of trimethylamine‐N‐oxide were associated with meat intake (P = 0.016), but not with gut microbiota alterations in HF. Low bacterial richness and low abundance of several genera in the Firmicutes phylum were associated with low fibre intake. Conclusions: The gut microbiota in HF was characterized by decreased F/B ratio and reduced bacterial diversity associated with clinical outcome. The gut microbiota alterations in HF were partly related to low fibre intake, emphasizing the importance of diet as a covariate in future studies. Our data could provide a rationale for targeting the gut microbiota in HF with high‐fibre diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on several randomized clinical trials, it has been suggested that baseline glucose homeostasis interacts with the influence of diet composition on weight loss and weight loss maintenance. In this secondary analysis of the YoYo study, a study investigating predictors of weight loss maintenance, we tested the hypothesis that (self-selected) dietary carbohydrate and/or fibre intake interact with the glucose homeostasis parameters for weight loss maintenance. Sixty-one overweight or obese individuals lost around 10 kg of body weight on an energy-restricted diet and were then followed for 9 months. During this period, participants were advised to maintain their body weight and eat a healthy diet without further recommendations on calorie intake or diet composition. Contrary to our hypothesis, carbohydrate intake showed no positive association with weight regain after weight loss, and no interaction with baseline fasting glucose concentration was found. There was a non-significant negative association between fibre intake and weight regain (B = −0.274, standard error (SE) 0.158, p = 0.090), but again, no interaction with fasting plasma glucose was found. In conclusion, the data from the YoYo study do not support a role for baseline glucose homeostasis in determining the association between self-reported carbohydrate and/or fibre intake and weight regain after weight loss.

Imbalanced colonic microbial metabolism plays a pivotal role in generating protein-bound uraemic toxins (PBUTs), which accumulate with deteriorating kidney function and contribute to the uraemic burden of children with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Dietary choices impact the gut microbiome and metabolism. The aim of this study was to investigate the relation between dietary fibre and gut-derived PBUTs in paediatric CKD. Sixty-one (44 male) CKD children (9 ± 5 years) were prospectively followed for two years. Dietary fibre intake was evaluated by either 24-h recalls (73%) or 3-day food records (27%) at the same time of blood sampling for assessment of total and free serum levels of different PBUTs using liquid chromatography. We used linear mixed models to assess associations between fibre intake and PBUT levels. We found an inverse association between increase in fibre consumption (g/day) and serum concentrations of free indoxyl sulfate (−3.1% (−5.9%; −0.3%) (p = 0.035)), free p-cresyl sulfate (−2.5% (−4.7%; −0.3%) (p = 0.034)), total indole acetic acid (IAA) (−1.6% (−3.0%; −0.3%) (p = 0.020)), free IAA (−6.6% (−9.3%; −3.7%) (p < 0.001)), total serum p-cresyl glucuronide (pCG) (−3.0% (−5.6%; −0.5%) (p = 0.021)) and free pCG levels (−3.3% (−5.8%; −0.8%) (p = 0.010)). The observed associations between dietary fibre intake and the investigated PBUTs highlight potential benefits of fibre intake for the paediatric CKD population. The present observational findings should inform and guide adaptations of dietary prescriptions in children with CKD.

We wanted to investigate the current knowledge on the impact of diet on anti-TNF response in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), to identify dietary factors that warrant further investigations in relation to anti-TNF treatment response, and, finally, to discuss potential strategies for such investigations. PubMed was searched using specified search terms. One small prospective study on diet and anti-TNF treatment in 56 patients with CD found similar remission rates after 56 weeks among 32 patients with good compliance that received concomitant enteral nutrition and 24 with poor compliance that had no dietary restrictions (78% versus 67%, p = 0.51). A meta-analysis of 295 patients found higher odds of achieving clinical remission and remaining in clinical remission among patients on combination therapy with specialised enteral nutrition and Infliximab (IFX) compared with IFX monotherapy (OR 2.73; 95% CI: 1.73-4.31, p < 0.01, OR 2.93; 95% CI: 1.66-5.17, p < 0.01, respectively). In conclusion, evidence-based knowledge on impact of diet on anti-TNF treatment response for clinical use is scarce. Here we propose a mechanism by which Western style diet high in meat and low in fibre may promote colonic inflammation and potentially impact treatment response to anti-TNF drugs. Further studies using hypothesis-driven and data-driven strategies in prospective observational, animal and interventional studies are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of diet on inflammation in children remains unclear. We aimed to analyze the influence of diet on high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels in a pre-pubertal population free of other influences that may affect hs-CRP levels. We determined hs-CRP levels in 571 six- to eight-year-old children using an hs-CRP ELISA kit. Information on food and nutrient intake was obtained through a food-frequency questionnaire. Overall dietary quality was assessed using the Healthy Eating Index (HEI). We found that girls in the highest tertile of hs-CRP levels had a higher intake of saturated fatty acid, and lower intakes of fiber and vitamin E and a lower HEI score when compared to those in tertiles 1 and 2. We also observed a significant decrease in fruit and vegetable intakes by hs-CRP tertile. Factor analysis showed that a dietary pattern that was loaded most strongly with vegetable, fruit, fiber and vitamin A and E intakes correlated negatively (-0.132, p < 0.05) with hs-CRP. No such association was found in boys. In conclusion, our data show that girls with a poorer quality diet show higher hs-CRP levels already at a pre-pubertal age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dietary habits strongly influence gut microbiota. The aim of this study was to compare and correlated the abundance of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes phyla, some representative bacteria of these phyla such as Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, Prevotella, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Clostridium leptum and Bifidobacterium longum as a member of Actinobacteria phylum in young adults with their food intake. Faecal samples used came from lean subjects (BMI = 19.83 ± 0.94 kg/m(2)), overweight (BMI = 27.17 ± 0.51 kg/m(2)) and obese (BMI = 41.33 ± 5.25 kg/m(2)). There were significant differences in total studied gut microbiota between the overweight and lean groups. Members of the Firmicutes phylum, and Bifidobacterium longum, were more abundant in the lean group. The results suggest that diet rich in unsaturated fatty acids and fibre promote an abundant population of beneficial bacteria such as B. longum and Bacteroidetes. However, it has been considered that the results may be biased due to the size of the individuals studied; therefore the results could be only valid for the studied population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aimed to determine whether a home-based 6-month lifestyle intervention program complemented by motivational interviewing could improve diet and physical activity behaviours in 50-69 year olds with or at risk of metabolic syndrome, residing in a disadvantaged rural Western Australian community. Methods: Participants from the City of Albany and surrounding towns (n = 401) were recruited into a 6 month randomised controlled trial. They were screened for metabolic syndrome and randomly allocated to intervention (n = 201) or control group (n = 200). Baseline and post-test data collection for both groups included a self-report questionnaire which incorporated the Fat and Fibre Barometer and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form. The intervention group received the program materials at baseline and the control group was waitlisted. Generalised estimating equation models assessed repeated outcome measures over time. Results: A total of 151 (75.1 %) intervention and 159 (79.5 %) control group participants completed post-test and were included in the analysis. After controlling for confounders, the intervention group achieved a marginally significant increase in their metabolic equivalent (MET) minutes of moderate intensity physical activity per week (p = 0.049), and significantly improved fibre intake (p < 0.001), fat intake (p = 0.003), and vegetable serves per day (p = 0.002) from baseline to post-test relative to the control group. Conclusion: A home-based, low-cost intervention with motivational support can effectively improve the physical activity and dietary behaviours of adults aged 50-69 years with or at risk of metabolic syndrome residing in a disadvantaged rural area. Trial registration: Anzctr.org.au Identifier: ACTRN12614000512628 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We wanted to investigate the current knowledge on the impact of diet on anti-TNF response in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), to identify dietary factors that warrant further investigations in relation to anti-TNF treatment response, and, finally, to discuss potential strategies for such investigations. PubMed was searched using specified search terms. One small prospective study on diet and anti-TNF treatment in 56 patients with CD found similar remission rates after 56 weeks among 32 patients with good compliance that received concomitant enteral nutrition and 24 with poor compliance that had no dietary restrictions (78% versus 67%, p = 0.51). A meta-analysis of 295 patients found higher odds of achieving clinical remission and remaining in clinical remission among patients on combination therapy with specialised enteral nutrition and Infliximab (IFX) compared with IFX monotherapy (OR 2.73; 95% CI: 1.73–4.31, p < 0.01, OR 2.93; 95% CI: 1.66–5.17, p < 0.01, respectively). In conclusion, evidence-based knowledge on impact of diet on anti-TNF treatment response for clinical use is scarce. Here we propose a mechanism by which Western style diet high in meat and low in fibre may promote colonic inflammation and potentially impact treatment response to anti-TNF drugs. Further studies using hypothesis-driven and data-driven strategies in prospective observational, animal and interventional studies are warranted.

The influence of diet on inflammation in children remains unclear. We aimed to analyze the influence of diet on high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels in a pre-pubertal population free of other influences that may affect hs-CRP levels. We determined hs-CRP levels in 571 six- to eight-year-old children using an hs-CRP ELISA kit. Information on food and nutrient intake was obtained through a food-frequency questionnaire. Overall dietary quality was assessed using the Healthy Eating Index (HEI). We found that girls in the highest tertile of hs-CRP levels had a higher intake of saturated fatty acid, and lower intakes of fiber and vitamin E and a lower HEI score when compared to those in tertiles 1 and 2. We also observed a significant decrease in fruit and vegetable intakes by hs-CRP tertile. Factor analysis showed that a dietary pattern that was loaded most strongly with vegetable, fruit, fiber and vitamin A and E intakes correlated negatively (−0.132, p < 0.05) with hs-CRP. No such association was found in boys. In conclusion, our data show that girls with a poorer quality diet show higher hs-CRP levels already at a pre-pubertal age.

While the effect of roughage chop length on decreasing the risk of acidosis in cattle is well established, there is limited information on the effect of roughage processing on intake and rumen parameters in sheep. Intake and rumen parameters were assessed in 10-month-old crossbred weathers (n = 24, 48.4 kg ± 5.3) offered wheaten straw as finely chaffed (6 mm), coarsely chaffed (15-20 mm) or unprocessed (40 mm) lengths, along with barley grain. Animals were offered 300 g/head of barley grain on the first day of grain introduction, 450 g/head.day for Days 2-3, 550 g/head.day for Days 4-6, 650 g/head.day for Days 7-9 and 750 g/head on Day 10. Rumen fluid was collected 3 h post-feeding from each animal the day before grain introduction and on Days 1-3 of grain introduction. During Days 1-3 of grain introduction, roughage intake within 3 h of feed being offered was greater (P < 0.05) in sheep offered finely chaffed (0.20 kg ± 0.03) than those offered either coarsely chaffed (0.09 kg ± 0.03) or unprocessed (0.08 kg ± 0.03) straw. Rumen pH did not differ between treatments, but increased grain feeding significantly (P < 0.001) reduced pH. Sheep offered finely chaffed straw had a greater (P < 0.05) daily straw intake (0.59 kg ± 0.06) than sheep offered coarsely chaffed straw (0.37 kg ± 0.06), while sheep offered unprocessed straw had an intermediate intake (0.49 kg ± 0.06); sheep consumed all grain offered. Shorter straw particle lengths may have a role in reducing the risk of acidosis during grain introduction. Roughage intake within 3 h of wheaten straw and barley grain being offered was greater when sheep were offered finely chaffed (6 mm) than either coarsely chaffed (15-25 mm) or unprocessed straw. Rumen pH and total volatile fatty acid concentrations 3 h post-feeding did not differ between roughage types. Over 10 days of grain feeding, daily roughage intake was greater in sheep offered fine than coarse chaff, while sheep offered unprocessed roughage had an intermediate intake. Shorter particle lengths for roughage may play a role during grain introduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of fibre intake on the evolution of maternal BMI from pregnancy to postpartum and to identify dietary patterns associated with fibre intake.DesignCohort study. Food intake was obtained using an FFQ. Focused principal component analysis was used focusing on the variables: postpartum weight retention and total dietary fibre intake. Poisson regression models with robust variance were built in order to measure the effect of fibre intake during the postpartum period on obesity risk.SettingPrimary care clinics in southern Brazil.SubjectsPregnant women (n 370) were followed until the 5th month postpartum.ResultsThe highest contribution to fibre intake came from the consumption of beans. Consumption of bread and rice indicated a common Brazilian food pattern along with beans. Participants retained a median of 4·4 (interquartile range 0·6, 7·9) kg of weight gained during pregnancy. Obesity risk, defined as an unfavourable evolution of BMI during pregnancy and postpartum, was present in 189 (55·1 %) women. Individual food items did not have an important effect on weight retention. In Poisson regression adjusting for maternal age, pre-pregnancy BMI and total gestational weight gain, inadequate postpartum fibre intake increased obesity risk by 24 % (relative risk = 1·24; 95 % CI 1·05, 1·47).ConclusionsImportant maternal weight retention occurred in these women. Adequate fibre intake may reduce obesity risk in the period following childbirth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This intervention aimed to ascertain whether a low-cost, accessible, physical activity and nutrition program could improve physical activity and nutrition behaviours of insufficiently active 60-70 year olds residing in Perth, Australia. Methods: A 6-month home-based randomised controlled trial was conducted on 478 older adults (intervention, n = 248; control, n = 230) of low to medium socioeconomic status. Both intervention and control groups completed postal questionnaires at baseline and post-program, but only the intervention participants received project materials. A modified fat and fibre questionnaire measured nutritional behaviours, whereas physical activity was measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Generalised estimating equation models were used to assess the repeated outcomes over both time points. Results: The final sample consisted of 176 intervention participants and 199 controls (response rate 78.5%) with complete data. After controlling for demographic and other confounding factors, the intervention group demonstrated increased participation in strength exercise (p < 0.001), walking (p = 0.029) and vigorous activity (p = 0.015), together with significant reduction in mean sitting time (p < 0.001) relative to controls. Improvements in nutritional behaviours for the intervention group were also evident in terms of fat avoidance (p < 0.001), fat intake (p = 0.021) and prevalence of frequent fruit intake (p = 0.008). Conclusions: A minimal contact, low-cost and home-based physical activity program can positively influence seniors' physical activity and nutrition behaviours. Trial registration: anzctr.org.au Identifier: ACTRN12609000735257 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extent to which the quality of dietary carbohydrates (CHO) changes throughout puberty is not known. We analysed trends in the quantity and quality of CHO intake among German adolescents by separately examining trends during puberty (pubertal trends) and trends in CHO intake from 1988 to 2007 (secular trends). Linear mixed-effects regression analyses were performed in 216 participants of the Dortmund Nutritional and Anthropometric Longitudinally Designed Study who had provided weighed 3 d dietary records at the onset of the pubertal growth spurt (defined by age at take-off) and over the subsequent 4 years. Over the course of puberty, CHO quality changed little: added sugar intake from beverages increased in girls (0·25 (se 0·12) % energy (% E)/year, P = 0·04) and added sugar intake from sweets decreased in both sexes (boys: − 0·22 (se 0·11) % E/year, P = 0·049; girls: − 0·20 (se 0·10) % E/year, P = 0·04). For both sexes, significant upward secular trends were observed for CHO (% E), glycaemic load (g/MJ) and added sugar intakes from sources other than sweets and soft drinks (% E), while absolute fibre intake (g/d) decreased (P ≤ 0·04). Concomitant increases in total added sugar intake (% E) and decreases in fibre and whole-grain densities (g/MJ) (P = 0·001–0·02) were confined to boys only. The quality of dietary CHO consumed by healthy German adolescents shows notable secular declines, but does not change markedly during puberty. Public health initiatives should be tailored to improve the overall quality of CHO nutrition. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In contrast to some extensively examined food mutagens, for example, aflatoxins, N-nitrosamines and heterocyclic amines, some other food contaminants, in particular polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and other aromatic compounds, have received less attention. Therefore, exploring the relationships between dietary habits and the levels of biomarkers related to exposure to aromatic compounds is highly relevant. We have investigated in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) cohort the association between dietary items (food groups and nutrients) and aromatic DNA adducts and 4-aminobiphenyl-Hb adducts. Both types of adducts are biomarkers of carcinogen exposure and possibly of cancer risk, and were measured, respectively, in leucocytes and erythrocytes of 1086 (DNA adducts) and 190 (Hb adducts) non-smokers. An inverse, statistically significant, association has been found between DNA adduct levels and dietary fibre intake (P = 0·02), vitamin E (P = 0·04) and alcohol (P = 0·03) but not with other nutrients or food groups. Also, an inverse association between fibre and fruit intake, and BMI and 4-aminobiphenyl-Hb adducts (P = 0·03, 0·04, and 0·03 respectively) was observed. After multivariate regression analysis these inverse correlations remained statistically significant, except for the correlation adducts v. fruit intake. The present study suggests that fibre intake in the usual range can modify the level of DNA or Hb aromatic adducts, but such role seems to be quantitatively modest. Fibres could reduce the formation of DNA adducts in different manners, by diluting potential food mutagens and carcinogens in the gastrointestinal tract, by speeding their transit through the colon and by binding carcinogenic substances. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: Changes in diet can alter gastric and small intestinal (SI) motility. The effects of a vegetarian diet on fasting SI motility are unknown. Methods: Manometric studies were performed in 9 lacto-ovo vegetarians (7 women) and 9 omnivores (7 women) of similar age and body mass index. On each study day, manometry was used to assess SI motility for 5 h, or 3 complete cycles of the interdigestive motor complex (IDMC). Lacto-ovo vegetarians were studied once; omnivores were studied twice, on their usual diet, and after consuming a 14-day lacto-ovo vegetarian diet. Diet diaries were kept for 5 days prior to each manometric study. Data were analysed for dietary composition and for cycle length and duration of each phase (I, II and III) of the IDMC. Results: Dietary intake did not differ between chronic vegetarians and chronic omnivores apart from a trend to higher fibre intake (29 ± 3 versus 20 ± 3 g/day; P = 0.058). Omnivores eating a vegetarian diet showed a trend to decreased alcohol consumption (P = 0.068), but did not increase their fibre intake (20 ± 3 versus 21 ± 3 g/day). Neither cycle length nor duration of each IDMC phase differed between chronic vegetarians and chronic omnivores. After 14 days of a vegetarian diet, omnivores had a reduction in cycle length (128 ± 19 versus 86 ± 12 min; P = 0.02), with a non-significant reduction of Phase II (99 ± 20 versus 50 ± 8 min; P = 0.066). Conclusions: A chronic vegetarian diet has no major effect on fasting SI motility; but acute dietary change may alter the cycle length and component phases of the IDMC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on several randomized clinical trials, it has been suggested that baseline glucose homeostasis interacts with the influence of diet composition on weight loss and weight loss maintenance. In this secondary analysis of the YoYo study, a study investigating predictors of weight loss maintenance, we tested the hypothesis that (self-selected) dietary carbohydrate and/or fibre intake interact with the glucose homeostasis parameters for weight loss maintenance. Sixty-one overweight or obese individuals lost around 10 kg of body weight on an energy-restricted diet and were then followed for 9 months. During this period, participants were advised to maintain their body weight and eat a healthy diet without further recommendations on calorie intake or diet composition. Contrary to our hypothesis, carbohydrate intake showed no positive association with weight regain after weight loss, and no interaction with baseline fasting glucose concentration was found. There was a non-significant negative association between fibre intake and weight regain (B = −0.274, standard error (SE) 0.158, p = 0.090), but again, no interaction with fasting plasma glucose was found. In conclusion, the data from the YoYo study do not support a role for baseline glucose homeostasis in determining the association between self-reported carbohydrate and/or fibre intake and weight regain after weight loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Imbalanced colonic microbial metabolism plays a pivotal role in generating protein-bound uraemic toxins (PBUTs), which accumulate with deteriorating kidney function and contribute to the uraemic burden of children with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Dietary choices impact the gut microbiome and metabolism. The aim of this study was to investigate the relation between dietary fibre and gut-derived PBUTs in paediatric CKD. Sixty-one (44 male) CKD children (9 ± 5 years) were prospectively followed for two years. Dietary fibre intake was evaluated by either 24-h recalls (73%) or 3-day food records (27%) at the same time of blood sampling for assessment of total and free serum levels of different PBUTs using liquid chromatography. We used linear mixed models to assess associations between fibre intake and PBUT levels. We found an inverse association between increase in fibre consumption (g/day) and serum concentrations of free indoxyl sulfate (−3.1% (−5.9%; −0.3%) (p = 0.035)), free p-cresyl sulfate (−2.5% (−4.7%; −0.3%) (p = 0.034)), total indole acetic acid (IAA) (−1.6% (−3.0%; −0.3%) (p = 0.020)), free IAA (−6.6% (−9.3%; −3.7%) (p < 0.001)), total serum p-cresyl glucuronide (pCG) (−3.0% (−5.6%; −0.5%) (p = 0.021)) and free pCG levels (−3.3% (−5.8%; −0.8%) (p = 0.010)). The observed associations between dietary fibre intake and the investigated PBUTs highlight potential benefits of fibre intake for the paediatric CKD population. The present observational findings should inform and guide adaptations of dietary prescriptions in children with CKD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Obesity is a growing public health concern. Poor diet and lifestyle choices are the main contributors to its development. Lifestyle modifications should be aggressively promoted in the community. Recent studies found that worksite obesity prevention and control programs are effective in increasing physical activity and weight reduction among employees. In Malaysia, there is insufficient data on prevalence studies of workplaces. This study investigated the proportion of overweight and obesity among workers in a private university and hope to serve as a baseline for future healthy workplace programs. Methods: This cross-sectional study investigated overweight and obesity and examined its association with occupational stress, sleeping quality, dietary behaviour and physical inactivity among employees in an academic institution. Weight and height were measured, and BMI was calculated and coded as underweight, normal, overweight and obese according to the cut-off points for the Asian population. Results: Out of ninety-five employees, 55 participated in the survey. Among the 55 employees, 4 (7.3%) were underweight, 10 (18.2%) were normal, 25 (45.5%) were overweight, and 16 (29.1%) were obese. The obese and overweight proportion was similar to the national prevalence. Poor sleep quality and high Job stress scores were reported by 40% of the employees, while physical inactivity of more than 6 hours a day was reported by 50%, and the majority (90%) do not consume enough fibre. Among the risk factors investigated, none was associated with obesity. Conclusion: The proportion of overweight and obesity in this community was like the general population. While not significant in this study, the association between obesity and the four risk factors should be further investigated using a larger sample size. Based on the results, community-based health promotion intervention is suggested to reduce obesity among the employees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]