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The most perceived benefits associated with healthy eating among European subjects are examined. The most specific benefit was staying healthy (67%), preventing disease (66%), to be fit (53%), weight control (53%) and quality of life (45%). Older subjects believe in the benefit of staying healthy and preventing disease, while to be fit was more important to the younger subjects. Females and educated people associated more benefits from healthy eating.

The perceived need to alter eating habits among nationally-representative samples from each member state of the EU is examined. A total of 71% of respondents agreed with the statement 'I do not need to make changes to the food I eat, as it is already healthy enough,' and 49% agreed with the statement 'I usually do not think of the nutritional aspects of the food I eat.' More females than males disagreed with this statement in all countries except Portugal.

Factors perceived to be important barriers to healthy eating among European adults are examined. Barriers to healthy eating are found to vary from every EU country. Younger and educated subjects mentioned that the most constant difficulties are lack of time (24%), other subjects mentioned giving up of favorite foods (23%), willpower (18%), and price (15%). Survey results suggest that healthy eating promotion should not focus on the stipulation of information but to encourage the public to accept healthy eating as a part of daily life.

The used to conduct the pan-EU survey method on consumer attitudes to food, nutrition and health were evaluated based on questionnaire design and development, sample selection, questionnaire administration, and analysis of the response. The integration of collected data will represent EU member states' database. The primary objective of the survey was to promote nationally-representative samples from each member state, so non-probability methods of sample collection were needed.

Results of a pan-EU survey of consumer attitudes to food, nutrition and health show the need to have separate strategies for different target groups. Although it has some limitations, the survey provides valuable data for the formulation and implementation of nutrition guidelines and the promotion of healthy eating in the EU compatible with the modern lifestyle of the 1990s, where quality and taste are more important.

The Institute of European Food Studie's (IEFS) first pan-EU survey on consumer attitudes to food, nutrition and health gives a baseline data for the investigation of people's perceptions on 'healthy eating'. Such data will help to improve people's diets and serve as a guide to more productive health promotion. It will also give some guidelines and directions for future researchers.

Background: Excessive energy intake and obesity lead to the metabolic syndrome (MetS). Dietary saturated fatty acids (SFAs) may be particularly detrimental on insulin sensitivity (SI) and on other components of the MetS.Objective: This study determined the relative efficacy of reducing dietary SFA, by isoenergetic alteration of the quality and quantity of dietary fat, on risk factors associated with MetS.Design: A free-living, single-blinded dietary intervention study.Subjects and Methods: MetS subjects (n = 417) from eight European countries completed the randomized dietary intervention study with four isoenergetic diets distinct in fat quantity and quality: high-SFA; high-monounsaturated fatty acids and two low-fat, high-complex carbohydrate (LFHCC) diets, supplemented with long chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC n-3 PUFAs) (1.2 g per day) or placebo for 12 weeks. SI estimated from an intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT) was the primary outcome measure. Lipid and inflammatory markers associated with MetS were also determined.Results: In weight-stable subjects, reducing dietary SFA intake had no effect on SI, total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration, inflammation or blood pressure in the entire cohort. The LFHCC n-3 PUFA diet reduced plasma triacylglycerol (TAG) and non-esterified fatty acid concentrations (P < 0.01), particularly in men.Conclusion: There was no effect of reducing SFA on SI in weight-stable obese MetS subjects. LC n-3 PUFA supplementation, in association with a low-fat diet, improved TAG-related MetS risk profiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metabolomics is a comprehensive method for metabolite assessment, measuring the overall metabolic signature of biological samples. This approach opens up many possibilities in areas such as new biomarker discovery and hypothesis generation. The application of metabolomics is growing rapidly but many challenges must first be addressed before it can reach its true potential. Metabolomics organisations are currently working towards guidelines for commonality in metabolomics experiments as development of optimal methodologies and study designs are needed. Blood and urine appear to be the most useful biofluids for nutrition research, but an array of biofluids, cells and tissues can be used. The key steps required for the successful understanding of metabolomics data are compound identification and biological interpretation. Many databases of compounds are available but are still under construction with much information remaining to be populated. An understanding of the effects of normal physiological variation on metabolic profiles is essential for accurate interpretation of profile changes, particularly in human studies, because of diversity in lifestyle and environmental factors. The effects of factors such as ethnicity, gender, age, body composition, health, dietary intake, physical activity, gut microflora and stress need to be further explored in order to advance the understanding of the human metabolome and therefore improve data interpretation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: There is concern that added sugar may dilute micronutrients and displace nutrient dense foods from the diet. METHODS: The data for this analysis was based on the National Children's Food Survey and National Teen Food Survey, which used 7-day food diaries to collect food and beverage intake data in representative samples of Irish children (5-12 years, n = 594) and teenagers (13-17 years, n = 441) respectively. RESULTS: High consumption of added sugars was associated with a decrease in the micronutrient density of the diet and increased prevalence of dietary inadequacies in children and teenagers. The decrease in micronutrient density was significant for several micronutrients, including magnesium (P < 0.001), calcium (P < 0.01 children; P < 0.001 teenagers), zinc (P < 0.05) and vitamins B(12) (P < 0.01 children; P < 0.001 teenagers) and C (P < 0.05). There was wide variation in the micronutrients for which prevalence of dietary inadequacies increased depending on gender and population group. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical data are required before conclusions can be made on whether micronutrient dilution is a concern in Ireland. A change in the consumption of several foods across level of added sugar intake may explain the decrease in the intake of several micronutrients and the decrease in the compliance with macronutrient recommendations in high consumers of added sugars in children and teenagers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Diversity in dietary intake contributes to variation in human metabolomic profiles and artifacts from acute dietary intake can affect metabolomics data. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the role of dietary phytochemicals on shaping human urinary metabolomic profiles. DESIGN: First void urine samples were collected from 21 healthy volunteers (12 women, 9 men) following their normal diet (ND), a 2-d low-phytochemical diet (LPD), or a 2-d standard phytochemical diet (SPD). Nutrient intake was assessed during the study. Urine samples were analyzed by using (1)H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)H NMR) and mass spectrometry (MS), which was followed by multivariate data analysis. RESULTS: Macronutrient intake did not change throughout the study. Partial least-squares-discriminant analysis indicated a clear distinction between the LPD samples and the ND and SPD samples, relating to creatinine and methylhistidine excretion after the LPD and hippurate excretion after the ND and SPD. The predictive power of the LPD versus the ND model was 74 +/- 3% and 82 +/- 6% with the (1)H NMR and MS data sets, respectively. The predictive power of the LPD versus the SPD model was 83 +/- 8% and 69 +/- 4% for the (1)H NMR and MS data sets respectively. A cross platform comparison of both data sets by co-inertia analysis showed a similar distinction between the LPD and SPD. CONCLUSIONS: Acute changes in urinary metabolomic profiles occur after the consumption of dietary phytochemicals. Dietary restrictions in the 24 h before sample collection may reduce diversity in phytochemical intakes and therefore reduce variation and improve data interpretation in metabolomics studies using urine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To assess fat intake with particular focus on trans unsaturated fatty acid (TUFA) intake and the major sources of TUFA among Irish individuals using a Fat Intake Questionnaire (FIQ), designed specifically for an Irish context. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 105 healthy volunteers (43 females, 62 males; aged 23-63 years) were recruited from Dublin Airport Medical centre, Republic of Ireland. Dietary intake was assessed using an 88 food item/food group semi-quantitative FIQ, which was developed and validated for the Irish population. RESULTS: Mean energy intake was 10.6 MJ day(-1), and 34% was provided by fat. Saturated, monounsaturated, polyunsaturated, trans unsaturated fatty acids and linoleic acid contributed 13%, 10%, 6%, 2% and 5% of energy respectively. Mean TUFA intake was 5.4 g day(-1) (range 0.3-26). Margarine spreads provided the majority of TUFAs (1.93 g day(-1)), but the contribution was significantly greater for men compared with women (2.35 g day(-1) versus 1.33 g day(-1); P = 0.024). Milk and meat also contributed more to TUFA intake for men compared with women, but confectionery was a significantly greater contributor for women (8.6% versus 3.1% respectively, P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Although the mean TUFA intake of the total group was 5.4 g day(-1) and was within current dietary recommendations (2% energy intake), some individuals had intakes as high as 26 g day(-1). Public health efforts are therefore required to reduce TUFA intake in those individuals with high intakes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metabolomics has been widely adopted in pharmacology and toxicology but is relatively new in human nutrition. The ultimate goal, to understand the effects of exogenous compounds on human metabolic regulation, is similar in all 3 fields. However, the application of metabolomics to nutritional research will be met with unique challenges. Little is known of the extent to which changes in the nutrient content of the human diet elicit changes in metabolic profiles. Moreover, the metabolomic signal from nutrients absorbed from the diet must compete with the myriad of nonnutrient signals that are absorbed, metabolized, and secreted in both urine and saliva. The large-bowel microflora also produces significant metabolic signals that can contribute to and alter the metabolome of biofluids in human nutrition. Notwithstanding these possible confounding effects, every reason exists to be optimistic about the potential of metabolomics for the assessment of various biofluids in nutrition research. This potential lies both in metabolic profiling through the use of pattern-recognition statistics on assigned and unassigned metabolite signals and in the collection of comprehensive data sets of identified metabolites; both objectives have the potential to distinguish between different dietary treatments, which would not have been targeted with conventional techniques. The latter objective sets out a well-recognized challenge to modern biology: the development of libraries of small molecules to aid in metabolite identification. The purpose of the present review was to highlight some early challenges that need to be addressed if metabolomics is to realize its great potential in human nutrition. Copyright © 2005 American Society for Clinical Nutrition [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The metabolic syndrome is a very common disease associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and CVD. The clinical characteristics of the metabolic syndrome include insulin resistance, dyslipidaemia, abdominal obesity and hypertension. The diverse clinical characteristics illustrate the complexity of the disease process, which involves several dysregulated metabolic pathways. Thus, multiple genetic targets must be involved in the pathogenesis and progression of the metabolic syndrome. Nevertheless, the human genome has not changed markedly in the last decade but the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome has increased exponentially, which illustrates the importance of gene-environmental interactions. There is good evidence that nutrition plays an important role in the development and progression of the metabolic syndrome. Indeed, obesity is a key aetiological factor in the development of the metabolic syndrome. Understanding the biological impact of gene-nutrient interactions will provide a key insight into the pathogenesis and progression of diet-related polygenic disorders, including the metabolic syndrome. The present paper will explore the interactions between genetic background and dietary exposure or nutritional therapy, focusing on the role of dietary fatty acids within the context of nutrient regulation of gene expression and individual responsiveness to dietary therapy. Only with a full understanding of gene-gene, gene-nutrient and gene-nutrient-environment interactions can the molecular basis of the metabolic syndrome be solved to minimise the adverse health effects of obesity and reduce the risk of the metabolic syndrome, and subsequent T2DM and CVD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To validate a fat intake questionnaire (FIQ) developed to assess habitual dietary intake while focusing on the assessment of detailed fatty acid intake including total trans unsaturated fatty acids (TUFA).Design: An 88 food item/food group FIQ was developed using a meal pattern technique. Validation was achieved by comparison with dietary intake assessed by a modified diet history (DH) in a cross-over design. Eighty-four individuals supplied adipose tissue biopsies for linoleic acid and total TUFA analysis as an independent validation of the FIQ and DH.Setting: Medical Centre, Dublin Airport, Republic of Ireland.Subjects: One hundred and five healthy volunteers (43 females and 62 males aged 23-63 years).Results: Significant correlations (P<0.0005) were achieved for intakes of energy (0.78), total fat (0.77), saturated fat (0.77), monounsaturated fat (0.63), polyunsaturated fat (0.73), TUFA (0.67) and linoleic acid (0.71) assessed by the FIQ compared with the DH. Linoleic acid intake assessed by the FIQ and the DH was significantly correlated with adipose tissue concentrations (r=0.58 and 0.49, respectively; P<0.005); however, total TUFA intake was poorly correlated with adipose tissue concentrations (r=0.17 and 0.10 for FIQ and DH, respectively).Conclusions: The FIQ compared favourably with the DH in assessing habitual diet, in particular fatty acid intake. In addition, the FIQ was successfully validated against the linoleic acid composition of adipose tissue, an independent biomarker of relative fatty acid status. The FIQ could therefore be used as an alternative to the DH as it is a shorter, less labour-intensive method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Regular intake of plant sterol (phytosterol)-enriched foods enhances the cholesterol lowering effect of diets. One side effect associated with plant sterol consumption is a modest reduction in plasma carotenoid concentrations. This study investigated the effect of consuming a low-fat National Cholesterol Education Programme (NCEP) Step 1 diet, including a low-fat plant sterol ester (PSE)-enriched spread on cholesterol metabolism to determine if specific dietary advice to increase daily fruit and vegetable intake could prevent reduced plasma carotenoid concentrations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this randomised, crossover double-blind trial, 48 hypercholesterolaemic men received 21 g day(-1) of a low-fat PSE-enriched spread or placebo for 3 weeks, interrupted by 3 weeks washout. Individuals also adhered to a NCEP Step 1 diet and repeated 3-day food diaries monitored adherence. Specific advice was provided to increase dietary fruit and vegetable intakes. Fasting blood samples were collected at pre- and post-intervention for lipoprotein and carotenoid analysis. RESULTS: Plasma total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol concentrations were significantly (P <0.05) reduced, by 4.6 and 7.1%, respectively, after the PSE-enriched low-fat spread. Plasma apo B concentrations were significantly (P <0.0005) lower after the PSE spread. PSE consumption was also associated with significantly (P <0.05) lower total plasma beta-carotene concentrations, but this change was not significant after lipid standardisation. PSE consumption had no effect on retinol, alpha-carotene, gamma-tocopherol, alpha-tocopherol, lutein, zeaxanthin, beta-crypyoxanthin or lycopene concentrations. CONCLUSION: Dietary advice to increase daily fruit and vegetable consumption may be effective in preventing a reduction in plasma carotenoid concentrations previously associated with PSE consumption. Further, PSE incorporated in a low-fat spread and consumed as part of a NCEP Step 1 diet are effective in reducing total and LDL cholesterol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is extensive evidence to show that there is considerable variation in diet and disease patterns in Europe and that many of the dietary patterns are predictive of chronic disease. Increasingly, there is evidence that this dietary effect is mediated by genetic background. The present paper examines the role of polymorphisms within three genes, those responsible for the synthesis of apoE, 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) and PPARgamma. There is clear evidence to support the concept that the diet-disease link is moderated by genetic variation. The paper then considers whether this moderating effect will have implications for dietary recommendations. In the formulation of dietary reference values it has long been recognized that these values cannot cover the needs of all individuals. By setting the upper level at the mean value +2 sd, the needs of 97.5% of the population are covered. Setting a hypothetical scenario of a nutrient requirement of 200 mg/d and a polymorphism with an allelic frequency in the general population in the range of 0, 10, 20 and 30% that causes an increased nutrient requirement of 25%, there was no evidence that the traditional approach requires revision. Whilst it is recognized that genetic variability may not influence population goals, genetic variability will have to be taken into account in the clinical nutrition management of disease. To knowingly assign a patient to life-long treatment with a diet that for genetic reasons will have no success is both unethical and uneconomical. Once accepted in clinical nutrition, the diet-gene interaction will filter into the prevention of disease in public health nutrition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present paper the prevalence of obesity (BMI > or = 30 kg/m2) and current physical activity levels in Irish adults have been evaluated. The prevalence of obesity in Irish adults is currently 18%, with men at 20% and women at 16%. A further 47% of men and 33% of women are overweight (BMI 25.0-29.9 kg/m2). Since 1990, obesity has more than doubled in men from 8% to 20%, and increased from 13% to 16% in women. The highest prevalence of obesity (30%) was found in women aged 51-64years. Defined waist circumference action levels identified 48% of the population who are in need of weight management and who also are at a 1.5-4.5 times increased risk of having at least one cardiovascular disease risk factor. Physical activity levels were low overall. Men were more active in work and recreational pursuits than women, but women were more active in household activities. Walking was the most popular recreational pursuit. However, TV viewing occupied most of the leisure time of men and women. Higher levels of activity were associated with a lower BMI and waist circumference. The results indicate the need for sensitive and individualised strategies to promote physical activity and to achieve a healthy weight status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To identify the factors associated with an adequate perception of body image in relation to body weight. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An observational, cross-sectional study was conducted in a representative sample of the European Union (7,155 men and 8,077 women). Body Mass Index (BMI) was grouped into four categories, perceived body image was assessed using the nine silhouettes drawing scheme. A multivariable logistic regression model for each sex was used to adjust for potentially confounding variables. RESULTS: Underweight men and women classified themselves better than other groups (92.9% of correct answers among men and 79.3% among women). Overall, women classified themselves better than men (57.6% vs. 32.7%). DISCUSSION: Perceived body image as a method of assessment for body weight has different validity depending on sociodemographic or attitudinal categories. Perceived body image as an estimate of the nutritional status has a limited individualized application. Thus, perhaps it could be applied as a proxy measure of adiposity among slim males and among slim and overweight females, but not among the other groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: This study was an extension of a previous study that showed different lipemic responses to standard test meals in subjects from southern and northern Europe. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to determine in 32 healthy young men from northern and southern Europe whether differences in the secretion of insulin and glucose-dependent insulinotrophic polypeptide (GIP) might explain these findings through the actions of these hormones on lipoprotein lipase. DESIGN: We investigated in a randomized, single-blind, crossover study the effects of 2 test meals of identical macronutrient composition but different saturated fatty acid (SFA) and monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) contents on postprandial GIP, insulin, the ratio of incremental triacylglycerol to apolipoprotein B-48 (a marker of chylomicron size), and the activity of postheparin lipases. RESULTS: Fasting and postprandial GIP concentrations and postheparin hepatic lipase activities were significantly higher in the southern Europeans (P < 0.001 and P < 0.02, respectively). Lipoprotein lipase activity after the SFA-rich meal was significantly higher in the northern Europeans (P < 0.01). HL activity 9 h after the SFA-rich meal and the area under the curve (AUC) for the postprandial insulin response correlated with the AUC for the postprandial GIP response [r = 0.44 (P < 0.04) and r = 0.46 (P < 0.05), respectively]. There were no significant differences in chylomicron size between the 2 groups for either meal, but when the groups were combined there was a significant difference in chylomicron size between the SFA- and MUFA-rich meals (P < 0.05), which could be due to the formation of larger chylomicrons after the MUFA-rich meal. CONCLUSION: The significantly higher GIP and insulin responses and HL activities in southern Europeans may provide an explanation for our previous report of attenuated postprandial triacylglycerol and apolipoprotein B-48 responses in them. Copyright © 2000 American Society for Clinical Nutrition [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]