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The primary objective of nutrition research is to make discoveries that will improve human health, and this is more likely to happen when researchers collaborate and share research findings with clinicians, program and policy makers, and the public. Nutrition research directly informs evidence-based care provided by registered dietitian nutritionists. However, the current academic model often lacks sufficient incentives and preparation for researchers to effectively disseminate their work. Consequently, research findings can be misrepresented, misinterpreted, distorted from their original context, or fail to reach the intended audience altogether. The aim of this article was to describe the importance and value of communication and disseminating nutrition research with various audiences and discuss what material should be disseminated. The information presented can serve as a guide for nutrition researchers to effectively disseminate their research for maximal impact and relevance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effective dietary interventions are vital for combating morbidity and mortality, necessitating reliable assessment tools. This article explores diverse dietary assessment methods, emphasizing their complexities and applications. Food Frequency Questionnaires (FFQs) offer insights into dietary habits over specified periods but require validation for target populations. Traditional Food Records provide detailed insights but are labor-intensive and prone to underreporting. Technology-based and technology-assisted records offer efficient alternatives, leveraging mobile apps and wearable sensors, albeit with access and privacy concerns. 24 hour Dietary Recall (24HR) methods capture detailed intake within a day, with traditional and technology-assisted approaches strengthening population studies. The Automated Multi-Pass Method (AMPM) and technology-assisted ASA24 represent traditional and contemporary 24HR methodologies, respectively, both yielding comprehensive dietary data. In conclusion, dietary assessments are crucial for understanding dietary patterns and health implications. Integration of novel technologies streamlines data collection and analysis, enhancing researchers' ability to accurately gauge short- and long-term dietary impacts. Proper utilization of these tools empowers researchers to make informed decisions regarding dietary interventions and public health initiatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For some 20 years, science funding bodies have been asking for the integration of sex- and gender-related factors into the content of research and innovation. The rationale for those requirements has been the accumulated evidence that sex and gender are important determinants of health and disease. The European Commission (EC) has been the first, since 2002, to seriously ask for the integration of sex and gender into research and innovation in the context of their multi-annual framework programmes. When introduced, this condition was not immediately applauded by the research community, who perhaps lacked training in methods for the integration of sex- and gender-related factors. The EC Expert Group on Gendered Innovations sought to fill this gap. This review describes the work of this international collaborative project which has resulted in the development of general and field-specific methods for sex and gender analysis and 38 case studies for various research domains (science, health and medicine, environment, engineering) to illustrate how, by applying methods of sex and gender analysis, new knowledge could be created. Since 2010, science funding bodies in Canada, the USA and several EU member states have followed the example of the EC issuing similar conditions. Although the effects of nutritional patterns on a range of (physiological and health) outcomes may differ for men and women, sex and gender analyses are rarely conducted in nutrition research. In this review, we provide examples of how gender is connected to dietary intake, and how advancing gender analysis may inform gender-sensitive policies and dietary recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Historically, the constructs of inclusion, diversity, equity, and access (IDEA) have not been sufficiently considered or included in population health nutrition research and practice. Consequently, current nutrition assessment benchmarks and knowledge translation tools may not accurately or adequately reflect diversity in the Canadian population or produce meaningful dietary guidance. The purpose of this current opinion paper is to introduce the population health nutrition research and practice framework and explore the current application of IDEA within this framework. Recommendations are offered to incorporate the constructs of IDEA along the continuum of future nutrition research and services to improve population nutritional health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, there is no standard for the citation of food composition data. This leads to the questions: how are food and nutrient data cited in research papers, and are they presented in a way that allows studies to be reproduced? To answer these questions, we performed a review of the literature and quantified the accuracy and completeness of data citations from publications (January to December 2020) in the top 5 nutrition journals as ranked by the Scimago Journal Rankings. We then performed a review of citation guidelines currently in place in other disciplines. Similar to the requirement of completing the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses checklist for systematic reviews, we have developed a comprehensive data citation checklist, the Comprehensive Food Data Citation (CFDC) checklist. The CFDC checklist was developed through a benchmarking assessment against established data citation standards. Its purpose is to establish a standardized, best-practice approach for reporting food composition data. The CFDC checklist has been designed to cater to both publishers and authors, ensuring consistency and accuracy in food composition data reporting. The CFDC checklist is also available as an interactive citation generator to facilitate the adoption of consistent and comprehensive citation of food composition data and is available at https://www.nutrientinstitute.org/cfdc. Despite general agreement that accurate data citation is paramount, this is the first citation standard specifically developed to capture food composition data. Because food composition data are the foundation of nutrition research, our proposed guidelines aim to provide the field with a much-needed foundation for acknowledging and sharing data in a way that fosters reproducibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The history of reconstruction and philanthropic aid efforts in Western Europe after the Second World War ended cannot be fully understood without examining the wartime networks, scientific projects and miscalculations of Allied planners. This case study of a Rockefeller Foundation project in Second World War Britain shows that the war gave scientists studying human nutrition an opportunity to conduct research on an unprecedented scale, with an unprecedented level of government support. The war thus paradoxically extended the vitality of certain international health projects at a time when support for many public health institutions and personnel was suspended. Nutrition research projects in Britain made considerable gains in refining the measurement and definition of malnutrition during the war, yet had little access to information about the fallout from food shortages operating across the Channel in occupied territory. Planning a rational, efficient system for dealing with hunger in liberated post-war territories proved to be an elusive goal. Only with the end of war in Europe could Allied scientists begin to witness the full force and extent of starvation policies imposed on civilians and prisoners by the Nazi regime and its allies. After assessing full-fledged starvation cases in the spring of 1945, a number of researchers who had worked in wartime Britain turned to assessing nutritional deficiencies in wider populations in Western Europe. The reconstruction period in Allied-occupied Germany provided a new set of opportunities for testing the effects of civilian rationing policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Longitudinal measures of diet spanning pregnancy through adolescence are needed from a large, diverse sample to advance research on the effect of early-life nutrition on child health. The Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program, which includes 69 cohorts, >33,000 pregnancies, and >31,000 children in its first 7-y cycle, provides such data, now publicly available. Objectives: This study aimed to describe dietary intake data available in the ECHO Program as of 31 August, 2022 (end of year 6 of Cycle 1) from pregnancy through adolescence, including estimated sample sizes, and to highlight the potential for future analyses of nutrition and child health. Methods: We identified and categorized ECHO Program dietary intake data, by assessment method, participant (pregnant person or child), and life stage of data collection. We calculated the number of maternal-child dyads with dietary data and the number of participants with repeated measures. We identified diet-related variables derived from raw dietary intake data and nutrient biomarkers measured from biospecimens. Results: Overall, 66 cohorts (26,941 pregnancies, 27,103 children, including 22,712 dyads) across 34 US states/territories provided dietary intake data. Dietary intake assessments included 24-h recalls (1548 pregnancies and 1457 children), food frequency questionnaires (4902 and 4117), dietary screeners (8816 and 23,626), and dietary supplement use questionnaires (24,798 and 26,513). Repeated measures were available for ~70%, ~30%, and ~15% of participants with 24-h recalls, food frequency questionnaires, and dietary screeners, respectively. The available diet-related variables describe nutrient and food intake, diet patterns, and breastfeeding practices. Overall, 17% of participants with dietary intake data had measured nutrient biomarkers. Conclusions: ECHO cohorts have collected longitudinal dietary intake data spanning pregnancy through adolescence from a geographically, socioeconomically, and ethnically diverse US sample. As data collection continues in Cycle 2, these data present an opportunity to advance the field of nutrition and child health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Placebo (PE) and nocebo effects (NE) have been subjects of systematic research in medicine and psychotherapy for many decades to distinguish between the (specific) pharmacological effect of medication and the (unspecific) effect of the context. Despite this significant research, the awareness, operationalisation, and reflection of the multiplicity of PE, NE, and psychosocial context effects (PSCE) is currently limited when researching outcomes of diet changes in studies without randomisation and placebo control. This neglection is critical as it could systematically influence outcomes by moderating and mediating them and thus reducing the validity and evidence base of these studies. Therefore, we performed a (non-systematic) narrative review (NR) on the following objectives: (1) present a concise overview about the relevance of PE, NE, and PSCE in medicine and nutrition research; (2) review the current state of research on reflecting context effects when studying diet changes; (3) provide useful theoretical foundations via consideration and integration of micro- and macro context effects; (4) operationalise as hypotheses the potential PE, NE, and PSCE which are specific for researching diet changes; and (5) derive their impact for future research as well as for nutrition counselling. The electronic search in this NR for objective (2) identified N = 5 publications and for objective (4) we found N = 61 articles retrieved in the first round of search, additional references were identified by a manual and snowball search among the cited references resulting finally in N = 37. This NR offers a synoptical basis to foster awareness and operationalisation of a variety of PE, NE, and PSCE. Interdisciplinary research teams should monitor these factors using, e.g., qualitative, mixed-method studies, process evaluation, item bank approaches, moderator and mediator analysis that might reveal substantially new insights, and outcomes of relevance to science and nutrition counselling. Nevertheless, the present NR has several limitations, especially as it is non-systematic, because it is a very heterogeneous field of research, in which the topic we are investigating is usually regarded as marginal and subordinate. Therefore, future research should conduct systematic reviews and particularly theory-based primary studies (experimental research) on hypotheses of PE, NE, and PSCE in outcome research in diet changes.

The Nutrition Evidence Systematic Review (NESR) team conducts nutrition- and public health-related systematic reviews and is within the USDA's Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion. NESR has collaborated with scientific experts to conduct systematic reviews on nutrition and public health topics for more than a decade and is uniquely positioned to share recommendations with the research community to strengthen research quality and impact, especially the evidence base that supports public health nutrition guidance, including future editions of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Leveraging the expertise of NESR and its systematic review process resulted in the following recommendations for the research community: a) use the strongest study design feasible with sufficient sample size(s); b) enroll study participants who reflect the diversity of the population of interest and report participant characteristics; c) use valid and reliable dietary assessment methods; d) describe the interventions or exposures of interest and use standard definitions to promote consistency; e) use valid and reliable health outcome measures; f) account for variables that may impact the relationship between nutrition-related interventions or exposures and health outcomes; g) carry out studies for a sufficient duration and include repeated measures, as appropriate; and h) report all relevant information to inform accurate interpretation and evaluation of study results. Implementing these recommendations can strengthen nutrition and public health evidence and increase its utility in future public health nutrition systematic reviews. However, implementation will require additional support from the entire research community, including scientific journals and funding agencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nutritional biochemistry is finally getting the attention it deserves, despite the fact that food and nutrition have been studied for centuries. In 1926, less than 100 years ago, the first vitamin was extracted and chemically characterized, leading to studies on single-nutrient deficiency diseases. Nutritional research on chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, and malignancies has hastened in the past few decades, especially after the year 2000. Nutrition has played a key role in the improvement of public health since the past 200 years, and is expected to play a major role in public health for the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pouring rights contracts between universities and beverage companies are common and grant companies the exclusive right to serve, sell, and market specific beverages on campuses. In exchange, universities receive financial payments and other incentives. At the same time, beverage industry-sponsored research at universities has increased. Pouring rights contracts may include provisions that allocate funds for or place limitations on scientific research. In this cross-sectional study, we assessed whether pouring rights contracts contained provisions that allocated funds for or placed limitations on scientific research. From 2019 to 2020, we obtained contracts through requests under public records laws from US universities (public, 4-year, ≥ 20,000 students) with contracts active 2018–2019. Of the 143 requests, 6 did not have contracts and 9 declined to provide contracts. Our final sample included 131 contracts from 124 universities in 38 states. Thirty contracts (22.9%) referenced research (18 Coke; 12 Pepsi). Three contracts (2.3%) included provisions that made direct grants or gifts of research funding, 3 (2.3%) permitted the university to acknowledge funding from competitors, and 26 (19.8%) allowed for research using beverages from competing companies. Given increases in industry-sponsored research, the absence of provisions that made direct grants or gifts of research funding suggests that sponsorship of research is occurring through other mechanisms. Additionally, universities must be able to acknowledge funding and conduct research on any beverage and should not need permission via contract provisions to do so. Future studies should consider practical implications of these provisions in pouring rights contracts and assess whether they facilitate or hinder research.

Methods and approaches that can be used in food and nutrition research are changing at a faster pace than ever. Whereas animal methods are mostly known for their use in food safety analysis (see Part I), they also play in important role in proof-of-concept and mechanistic studies of products, as well as studying potency, efficacy, and tolerance of foods and food ingredients. Members of the International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI) Europe have formed an expert group to review possibilities, opportunities, and challenges for the potential use of alternative testing strategies in nutrition research and regulatory requirements, supporting the 3Rs principle of Replacement, Reduction, Refinement of animal research, which can ultimately be used in support of regulatory submissions for pre-market authorisation. For the different areas of food for specific groups and health claims, the acceptability of non-animal approaches is evaluated in comparison to legislative requirements in Europe. The alternative approaches considered cover emerging tools and methodologies such as organoids, organs-on-a-chip or human in vitro gastrointestinal simulators. In nutrition research, there has been a long tradition of following a certain experimental trajectory for grounding scientific hypotheses starting from in vitro data moving on to in vivo verification in a preferred animal model and finally proving this in a human setting. From a regulatory perspective there is no specific requirement for animal experimentation that justifies the use of the majority of animal experiments in the assessment of nutritional content and value of food products. However, animal data are mostly considered as the standard, and guidance for alternative approaches that would be accepted is lacking. It is therefore important to further build evidence and offer validation for the adequacy of already existing in vitro tools to ensure their suitability for substantiating dose levels and further planning clinical trials. What are we waiting for? • There is great potential for research strategies that reduce the use of animal tests. • Opportunities and challenges exist for the use of alternative testing strategies in nutrition research. • Legislation do not match the quantity of animal tests demanded in nutrition research. • Need further evidence and validation to ensure suitability of pre-existing tools. • Action is required by all stakeholders to be more challenging in applying non-animal approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development and progression of nutrition as a scientific field is ever evolving and complex. Although the history of nutrition research began by exploring specific food components, it has evolved to encompass a more holistic view that considers the impact of dietary patterns over time, interactions with the environment, nutrition's role in disease processes, and public policy related to nutrition health. To guide the future direction of nutrition science, both federal and other professional organizations have established agendas and goals. The Strategic Plan for National Institutes of Health Nutrition Research outlines four goals and five cross-cutting research areas that are priorities to explore between 2020 and 2030. Similarly, the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition and other governmental and professional organizations have identified priority areas in their research agendas. Rigorous research studies are needed to explore these areas of interest while also considering practical implementation strategies for translating research into practice. Nutrition clinicians are uniquely positioned to lend expertise in the areas of research design, implementation, advocacy and evidence-based practice; there are numerous resources to support practitioners in these endeavors., (© 2024 The Authors. Nutrition in Clinical Practice published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition.)

This article is part of a series of articles in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics exploring the importance of research design, epidemiological methods, and statistical analysis as applied to nutrition and dietetics research. The purpose of this ongoing statistical portfolio is to assist registered dietitian nutritionists and nutrition and dietetic technicians, registered with interpreting nutrition research and applying scientific principles to produce high-quality data analysis. A survey is a systematic method for collecting reportable information on a topic of interest. Developing, adapting, and conducting survey research is a complex process; its aim is to collect accurate and useful data for the intended purpose and context. This article, which accompanies a companion article on electronic survey research, is an overview of survey methodology for data collection and analysis in nutrition and dietetics research. Its purpose is to highlight the general principles and components of survey development and survey administration that would maximize the validity of the data obtained. The goal is to provide a practical guide on the design and implementation of a survey as a method for data collection. Supporting figures are provided for use in direct application by practitioners and students., (Copyright © 2024 Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Keywords: COVID-19; nutrition research; research EN COVID-19 nutrition research research 1690 1702 13 12/13/21 20211101 NES 211101 I titled my presidential address "Research in a pandemic - Why, what, how?" The goal from a research standpoint in these patients with moderate COVID-19 is to try to find treatments that get these patients better faster and, if we cannot find treatments that get them better faster, at least find treatments that prevent them from progressing to more severe disease. ACTT-1 enrolled >1000 patients from sites both in the United States and internationally, from February 21 through April 19, 2020, and demonstrated that remdesivir got patients better faster.18 Remdesivir shortened the time to resolution of symptoms and time to recovery, which really amounted to getting out of the hospital in patients who were hospitalized with COVID-19. As long as we had access to a list of patients who had tested positive for COVID-19 or patients who tested positive self-referred through advertisements, we could enroll a patient in Montana. So this was big, because this was the first proven treatment for patients with COVID-19, and everybody sort of celebrated this treatment and was excited about the fact that finally, in April 2020, we had something that had demonstrated benefit and that was a treatment specific to patients with COVID-19. [Extracted from the article]

Background: It is well-recognized that consumers face many challenges in understanding and applying nutritional guidance for low-calorie sweeteners (LCS). Thus, this research aims to (1) assess how benchmarks for safe levels of consumption of LCS are utilized by researchers, and (2) understand how varying use of such benchmarks may contribute to challenges in understanding and applying nutritional guidance for LCS consumption.Methods: A systematic mapping exercise was employed to characterize when and how acceptable daily intake (ADI) values are used as health-based benchmarks in nutrition research studies that consider the safety of LCS.Results: Based on results from charting 121 studies, our findings demonstrate that comparisons of LCS intake to an ADI derived by an authoritative body have been made in a diverse set of published literature, varying widely in their objectives, approaches, and populations of interest. The majority of studies compared the ADI to intake in a population under study; these represent the type of comparison that is most consistent with the intent of the ADI. Other applications of the ADI included use as a benchmark in experimental studies, risk-benefit analyses, and metabolism studies.Conclusion: Although most instances of ADI use were reasonable within the context of the individual studies' objectives, the diversity in use by original-study authors amplifies the continued need for development of "best practices" regarding the use and interpretation of the ADIs in current research. Using comparisons to the ADI can be a helpful way to provide context to research findings. However, in doing so, it is important that researchers utilize the value in a manner specific with its intent, as the ADI is a metric that represents an estimate of the amount of a substance that can be consumed daily over a lifetime without presenting an appreciable risk to health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The trustworthiness of nutrition science has been questioned recently. According to the critics, the food industry has corrupted scientists in the field. I argue that the worries that commercialization threatens the epistemic trustworthiness of nutrition science are indeed well-founded. However, it is problematic that the discussion has revolved around how funding can threaten the integrity of researchers and the methodological quality of the studies. By extending Wilholt's (Br J Philos Sci 64(2):233–253, 2013) account of epistemic trustworthiness, I argue that when assessing the epistemic trustworthiness of research that forms the basis for different health policy measures, it is necessary to evaluate research at the macro-level and whether agenda setting advances the goals that are assigned to the field. The prevalence of commercial funding becomes problematic if it leads to a situation where the body of available evidence that is used for making health policy decisions does not reflect the shared sense of what epistemic and non-epistemic goals of the inquiry are important. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Nutrition plays a major role in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular and other chronic diseases; hence, nutrition research is a priority for the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). The purpose of this analysis is to describe the scope of NHLBI-funded extramural nutrition research grants over the past decade and offer insights into future opportunities for nutrition research relevant to NHLBI's mission.Methods: Data were extracted using the Research, Condition, and Disease Categorization spending categories from the publicly available NIH Research Portfolio Online Reporting Tool Expenditures and Results. New 2018 and 2019 grants were coded into categories and mapped to the 2016 NHLBI Strategic Vision priorities.Results: Approximately 90% of nutrition research funds supported extramural grants, particularly through investigator-initiated R series grants (69.6%). Of these, 19.8% were classified as clinical trials. Consistent nutrition-related topics, including physical activity, weight loss, fatty acids, metabolic syndrome, childhood obesity, and other topics such as gut microbiota, arterial stiffness, sleep duration, and meal timing, emerged in 2014-2019.  Mapping of the NHLBI Strategic Vision objectives revealed that 32% of newly funded grants focused on pathobiological mechanisms important to the onset and progression of heart, lung, blood, and sleep disorders, with opportunities including developing novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies and clinical and implementation science research.Discussion: The findings show the breadth of NHLBI-funded nutrition research and highlight potential research opportunities for nutrition scientists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adequate nutrition and physical activity are of great importance for the general health and school success of individual, and for preventing obesity, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, and cancer. The aim of study is to reveal the dimensions of the nutrition and physical activity behaviors of students in the 1-6 years of our medical faculty. In this study, 670 people (58.6%) were reached. The dependent variables are physical activity, nutrition, and body mass index (BMI). 16.3% of the students were overweight or obese; only 37.7% had a physical exercise at least one day a week. 29.4% of the students skip meals very often, 30.7% made a diet in the last 12 months. Students BMI> 25 had less diet; use more addictive substances, less participate in organized activities; are members of the community to a lesser extent and personal beliefs were found to be weaker. The most important variables affecting BMI are body perception and participation in organized activities. Living in a family home or dormitory and having room are the factors that affect the nutrition behavior positively and at least one cigarette per day affects negatively. The most important factors affecting adequate physical activity are to pay attention to weight, to make a holiday, to meet with friends in the evening and to study less than 2 hours per day. Being upper grades, not participating in organized activities, and depressive mood are other factors cause physical inactivity. In conclusion, systemic exercise and eating habits are insufficient. Students' positive habits are gradually decreasing as the period progresses. Faculty administrations should take measures for health promotion activities and should concentrate on students who are in grades 4 and above. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To examine the associations between the numbers of posterior functional contacts (FCs) and selected nutrient intakes and serum/plasma nutrient values in 3,554 adults 25 years of age and older from the 2003-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Materials and Methods: FCs consist of the number of zones of contact between the maxillary and opposing mandibular posterior teeth when the maxillary and mandibular posterior teeth are together. There were 16 possible zones of contact. Nutrient intakes were calculated from one 24-h dietary recall and selected nutritional biochemistries were measured. Multivariate linear regression was used to examine the association between the numbers of FCs and nutrient intakes or serum/plasma nutrient values, controlling for potential confounding variables. Results: Males with 6 or more FCs had higher vitamin A (p < 0.05), C (p < 0.05), E (p < 0.01) and B-6 intakes (p < 0.05) than those with 5 or fewer FCs. Females with 6 or more FCs had higher dietary fiber (p < 0.05), vitamin E (p < 0.05) and folate intakes (p< 0.05) than those with 5 or fewer FCs. Males and females with 6 or more FCs had higher serum p-carotene than those with 5 or fewer FCs (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001, respectively). Males with 6 or more FCs had higher serum folate levels than those with 5 or fewer FCs (p < 0.01), and females with 6 or more FCs had higher serum vitamin C levels than those with 5 or fewer FCs (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Dietary intakes and serum levels of certain nutrients differ by the number of FCs present. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this scoping review by the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN) Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Nutrition Task Force was to examine nutrition research applicable to the COVID-19 pandemic. The rapid pace of emerging scientific information has prompted this activity to discover research/knowledge gaps. This methodology adhered with recommendations from the Joanna Briggs Institute. There were 2301 citations imported. Of these, there were 439 articles fully abstracted, with 23 main topic areas identified across 24 article types and sourced across 61 countries and 51 specialties in 8 settings and among 14 populations. Epidemiological/mechanistic relationships between nutrition and COVID-19 were reviewed and results mapped to the Population, Intervention, Comparator, Outcome, and Time (PICO-T) questions. The aggregated data were analyzed by clinical stage: pre-COVID-19, acute COVID-19, and chronic/post-COVID-19. Research gaps were discovered for all PICO-T questions. Nutrition topics meriting urgent research included food insecurity/societal infrastructure and transcultural factors (pre-COVID-19); cardiometabolic-based chronic disease, pediatrics, nutrition support, and hospital infrastructure (acute COVID-19); registered dietitian nutritionist counseling (chronic/post-COVID-19); and malnutrition and management (all stages). The paucity of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was particularly glaring. Knowledge gaps were discovered for PICO-T questions on pediatrics, micronutrients, bariatric surgery, and transcultural factors (pre-COVID-19); enteral nutrition, protein-energy requirements, and glycemic control with nutrition (acute COVID-19); and home enteral and parenteral nutrition support (chronic/post-COVID-19). In conclusion, multiple critical areas for urgent nutrition research were identified, particularly using RCT design, to improve nutrition care for patients before, during, and after COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increase in food-related diseases in society has led to a variety of public policy and private sector initiatives, such as the use of nutritional labels. Although nutritional labels have been shown to be broadly effective in terms of informing food choice, their influence is moderated by a variety of factors, such as how information is conveyed and processed by consumers. Recent advances in technology might overcome these limitations. Using a choice experiment, this paper examines consumer preferences for alternative technological devices that may aid consumer processing of nutritional information on food packaging. The results show which attributes of the technology consumers prefer, and identifies three distinct segments of consumers (‘information hungry innovators’, ‘active label readers’, and ‘onlookers’), and differences between them in relation to their preferences, demographics, and psychographic characteristics. The identification of segments is a novel aspect of this research, and highlights the importance of finding more customised solutions to the communication of nutritional information – an issue to which technology can contribute. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Particular interest in selenium (Se) was generated as a result of clinical studies showing that balanced Se dietary system is very important for many physiological processes. There is no recent information available on the Se content in Egyptian foods. The present study was conducted to measure Se content in different food groups. A cross-sectional study was designed; a total of 87 food items were randomly purchased from the main markets and hypermarkets in Alexandria governorate, then digested by wet ashing procedure and finally analyzed using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). The highest mean Se value was obtained in protein-rich food followed by nuts and sweetened products (6.8, 6.2, and 5.89 μg/g respectively) shrimps had the highest value among all studied samples (6.8 μg/g), while the lowest one was in soft cheese (0.0036 μg/g). Selenium content in food groups is strongly correlated with food matrix and composition of food items, soil composition, and fortification process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The period from conception to two years of life denotes a critical window of opportunity for promoting optimal growth and development of children. Poor nutrition and health in women of reproductive age and during pregnancy can negatively impact birth outcomes and subsequent infant survival, health and growth. Studies to improve birth outcomes and to achieve optimal growth and development in young children have usually tested the effect of standalone interventions in pregnancy and/or the postnatal period. It is not clearly known whether evidence-based interventions in the different domains such as health, nutrition, water sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and psychosocial care, when delivered together have a synergistic effect. Further, the effect of delivery of an intervention package in the pre and peri-conception period is not fully understood. This study was conceived with an aim to understand the impact of an integrated intervention package, delivered across the pre and peri-conception period, through pregnancy and till 24 months of child age on birth outcomes, growth and development in children.Methods: An individually randomized controlled trial with factorial design is being conducted in urban and peri-urban low- to mid-socioeconomic neighbourhoods in South Delhi, India. 13,500 married women aged 18 to 30 years will be enrolled and randomized to receive either the pre and peri-conception intervention package or routine care (first randomization). Interventions will be delivered until women are confirmed to be pregnant or complete 18 months of follow up. Once pregnancy is confirmed, women are randomized again (second randomization) to receive either the intervention package for pregnancy and postnatal period or to routine care. Newborns will be followed up till 24 months of age. The interventions are delivered through different study teams. Outcome data are collected by an independent outcome ascertainment team.Discussion: This study will demonstrate the improvement that can be achieved when key factors known to limit child growth and development are addressed together, throughout the continuum from pre and peri-conception until early childhood. The findings will increase our scientific understanding and provide guidance to nutrition programs in low- and middle-income settings.Trial Registration: Clinical Trial Registry - India #CTRI/2017/06/008908; Registered 23 June 2017, http://ctri.nic.in/Clinicaltrials/pmaindet2.php?trialid=19339&EncHid=&userName=society%20for%20applied%20studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Germans were instrumental in shaping "nutritional modernity," an era stretching from the 1840s to the present, in which nutrition became a vibrant field of scientific study as well as a preeminent tool of social control. Nutrition emerged as a scientific discipline in German laboratories and statistical studies in the nineteenth century. Responding to recurrent bouts of food insecurity associated with key moments of national crisis, moreover, German scientists turned hunger into a major social problem whose best solution lay in their hands. The article begins by considering major nineteenth-century contributions to nutrition science, from Carl Voit's intake-output method to Max Rubner's caloric vision of the human body. Second, the article investigates the development of nutrition as a scientific discipline against the backdrop of recurrent cycles of nutritional insecurity. Fear over the political threat posed by a hungry proletariat at the fin-de-siècle turned nutrition into a labor problem and stimulated the emergence of Volksernährung , an applied branch of nutrition science that was nationalized when the country faced severe food shortages during the First World War. Finally, the article turns to scientists' social action in important fields such as nutritional prescription and popularization, from their frequent appearance as endorsers of reformist cookbooks in the nineteenth century to their role in developing didactic visual materials and mass scientific spectacles for the state in the twentieth. German nutritional modernity in its scientific aspects emerged from the confluence of these three trends: the scientization of nutrition in the nineteenth century, the medicalization and nationalization of hunger at the fin-de-siècle, and a vibrant tradition of scientific popularization that began in the nineteenth century and continued well into the twentieth. The German case provides a particularly useful venue for exploring how the social and scientific aspects of nutrition became entangled with the project of national governance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the association of masticatory ability and dental status with intake of fruits and vegetables after adjusting for other factors in independently living elderly Japanese subjects. Materials and Methods: The study population consisted of 1,535 community-dwelling, independent elderly subjects over the age of 60 years. Self-assessed general health, financial status, dental status, self-assessed masticatory ability by food acceptance, and frequency of food intake were evaluated from responses to a questionnaire. Multiple logistic regression analysis for shortage of food intake was carried out. Results: Of the participants, 29% had natural dentitions in both the maxilla and mandible and 15% were edentulous in at least one arch and wearing a complete denture. Percentages of participants with nutrient shortages of meat, fish and seafood, green and yellow vegetables, other vegetables, and fruits were 44%, 17%, 30%, 33%, and 12%, respectively. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that men and subjects with a poor financial status had significant associations with shortages of dietary intake. In addition, shortages of meat, green and yellow vegetables, other vegetables, and fruit were significantly related to poor masticatory ability but not to dental status. Masticatory ability was significantly associated with shortages of green and yellow vegetables. Conclusion: Multivariate analyses showed that after adjusting for age, sex, and financial status, self-assessed masticatory ability rather than dental status by itself was significantly associated with shortages in vegetable and fruit intake in independently living elderly Japanese subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study compared the dietary intake of edentulous subjects dissatisfied with their existing mandibular complete dentures following two different prosthodontic management interventions. Materials and Methods: A convenience sample of 60 subjects was randomly allocated into two equal treatment modalities: relined conventional denture (RCD) or converted implant-retained overdenture (IOD). Two-year data incorporating demographics and food avoidance were recorded using a self-administered questionnaire at baseline and regular follow-up intervals. Twenty-four-hour dietary intake assessments were obtained by telephone interviews at three spaced intervals. Dietary analyses were based on nutrient values from the Norwegian Food Composition Table. Results: Twenty-seven patients in the IOD group and 26 in the RCD group completed the protocol. There were no statistical differences regarding dietary intake and energy distribution. Intake of protein and fat, especially saturated fat, were above Nordic recommendations, and carbohydrate intake was below. Vitamin D intake was at the recommended level, but that of vitamin C, folate, and fiber were lower than recommended. The IOD group reported significantly less avoidance of certain food items at 3 and 24 months (P < .001), better chewing ability (P < .001), and greater willingness to eat more of some food items (P < .001). Conclusion: There were no significant differences regarding food choices and nutrient intake between the IOD and RCD groups. However, the IOD group reported significantly better chewing ability, less food avoidance, and greater willingness to eat more of certain food items. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the evolutionary origins of human dietary and activity patterns, and their implications for understanding modern health problems. Humans have evolved distinctive nutritional characteristics associated the high metabolic costs of our large brains. The evolution of larger hominid brain size necessitated the adoption of foraging strategies that both provided high quality foods, and required larger ranges and activity budgets. Over time, human subsistence strategies have become ever more efficient in obtaining energy with minimal time and effort. Today, populations of the industrialized world live in environments characterized by low levels of energy expenditure and abundant food supplies contributing to growing rates of obesity. Analyses of trends in dietary intake and body weight in the US over the last 50 years indicate that the dramatic rise in obesity cannot be explained solely by increased energy consumption. Rather, declines in activity are also important. Further, we find that recent recommendations on physical activity have the potential to bring daily energy expenditure levels of industrialized societies surprisingly close to those observed among subsistence-level populations. These findings highlight the importance of physical activity in promoting nutritional health and show the utility of evolutionary approaches for developing public health recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study's objective was to determine whether orally ingested caffeine could help overcome excitation-contraction-coupling failure, which has been suggested to explain part of the strength loss associated with eccentric-contraction-induced muscle injury. A sample of 13 college students (4 men and 9 women) was used in a double-blind, repeated-measures experimental design. Each participant performed 2 experimental trials, 1 with each leg, with each trial lasting 4 consecutive days. On a given day, each participant was randomly assigned to ingest a capsule containing 6 mg/kg of either caffeine or flour (placebo). On the day of and the first 2 days after a bout of 50 injurious eccentric contractions done by the knee extensors, the interpolated-twitch technique was used to assess electrically evoked strength, maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) strength, and percent muscle activation during MVIC both before and after capsule ingestion. These variables were also measured before and after capsule ingestion the day before the eccentric-contraction bout—when the muscle was uninjured. In injured muscle, caffeine had no effect on any variable. In uninjured muscle, caffeine also had no effect on electrically evoked strength but increased MVIC strength by 10.4% compared with placebo (p = .00002), and this was attributed to an increase in muscle activation (6.2%; p = .01). In conclusion, the data provide no evidence that caffeine ingestion can help overcome excitation-contraction-coupling failure, if it exists, in injured human muscle. The data do indicate that caffeine ingestion can increase MVIC strength and activation in uninjured muscle but not in injured muscle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to investigate the pre- and during-race nutritional intake of cyclists competing in a 210-km 1-day ultraendurance cycle race. Forty-five endurancetrained male cyclists participated in this dietary survey and completed a 3-day dietary record. Mean reported carbohydrate (CHO) intake over the 3 days before the race (5.6 ± 1.7 g/kg) was below the recommended guidelines of 7-10 g/kg. Although 57% of participants indicated that they CHO loaded 1-3 days before the race, only 23% of these participants achieved CHO intakes of ≥7 g/kg over the 3-day period before the race, demonstrating a discrepancy between perceived and actual intakes of CHO. Most participants indicated the use of CHO supplements before (84%) and during (98%) the race and achieved a CHO intake of 63 ± 23 g/hr during the race. Although most cyclists failed to meet recommended prerace CHO intakes, most achieved the recommended CHO intakes during the race. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this prospective, cross-sectional study male adolescent tennis players (44) and nonathletic controls (32) were evaluated to determine the effects of physical activity, dietary nutrient intakes, sexual maturation, and body composition on bone-mineral density (BMD). Dietary nutrient intakes and physical activity expenditure were estimated by 4-d diaries. Total body composition, bone-mineral content (BMC), and BMD (L1-L4, femur, and nondominant forearm) were assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Tennis players had significantly greater lean body mass (mean [SEM] 50.6 [1.6] kg vs. 45.1 [1.7] kg, p = .022), trochanter BMD (1.0 [0.02] g/cm² vs. 0.9 [0.03] g/cm², p = .032), and dominant forearm BMC (173.7 [7.4] g vs. 146.5 [9.3] g) but lower BMD in the nondominant forearm (0.7 [0.02] g/cm² vs. 0.8 [0.03] g/cm², p = .028). Daily average calcium intake was below the recommendation in both groups. No correlation was found between BMD and calcium intake and exercise. Lean body mass was the best predictor of BMD and BMC for both tennis players and controls (R² = .825, .628, and .693 for L1-L4, total femur, and nondominant forearm, respectively). Based on these results the authors conclude that lean body mass is the best predictor of BMD and BMC for both tennis players and others. Tennis exerts a site-specific effect, and training should focus on ways minimize this effect. Although calcium intake showed no effect on BMD, nutrition education for young athletes should focus on promoting a balanced diet, providing energy and nutrients in adequate amounts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Creatine (Cr) supplementation increases muscle mass, strength, and power. Arginine α-ketoglutarate (A-AKG) is a precursor for nitric oxide production and has the potential to improve blood flow and nutrient delivery (i.e., Cr) to muscles. This study compared a commercial dietary supplement of Cr, A-AKG, glutamine, taurine, branched-chain amino acids, and medium-chain triglycerides with Cr alone or placebo on exercise performance and body composition. Thirty-five men (∼23 yr) were randomized to Cr + A-AKG (0.1 g · kg-1 · d-1 Cr + 0.075 g · kg-1 · d-1 A-AKG, n = 12), Cr (0.1 g · kg-1 · d-1, n = 11), or placebo (1 g · kg-1 · d-1 sucrose, n = 12) for 10 d. Body composition, muscle endurance (bench press), and peak and average power (Wingate tests) were measured before and after supplementation. Bench-press repetitions over 3 sets increased with Cr + A-AKG (30.9 ± 6.6 → 34.9 ± 8.7 reps; p < .01) and Cr (27.6 ± 5.9 → 31.0 ± 7.6 reps; p <.01), with no change for placebo (26.8 ± 5.0 → 27.1 ± 6.3 reps). Peak power significantly increased in Cr + A-AKG (741 ± 112 → 794 ± 92 W; p < .01), with no changes in Cr (722 ± 138 → 730 ± 144 W) and placebo (696 ± 63 → 705 ± 77 W). There were no differences in average power between groups over time. Only the Cr-only group increased total body mass (79.9 ± 13.0→81.1 ± 13.8 kg; p < .01), with no significant changes in lean-tissue or fat mass. These results suggest that Cr alone and in combination with A-AKG improves upper body muscle endurance, and Cr + A-AKG supplementation improves peak power output on repeated Wingate tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose and Methods: To investigate dietary habits of Flemish adolescent track and field athletes using a 7-d weighed-food record. Besides adequacy for growth, development, and physical performance, dietary health aspects were considered. Results: Twenty-nine girls and 31 boys, with minimum 2 yr of track and field training practice, were recruited. All participants had daily breakfast (girls 22.5% ± 5.5% of total energy intake [TEI]; boys 19.8% ± 7.3%). Fruit in girls and juices and sports drinks in boys were consumed mostly between meals (girls 21.3% ± 8.1% of TEI; boys 24.3% ± 10.1%). Soft drinks contributed considerably to energy intake between meals in both sexes. Protein intake (1.5 ± 0.3 g · kg-1 · d-1 for both sexes) was within the recommended daily intake (RDI) for strength athletes. Mean daily carbohydrate intake in girls was lower than in boys (girls 5.1 ± 1.1 g/kg; boys 6.0 ± 0.9 g/kg), with mono- and disaccharides contributing 26% to TEI in both sexes. Total fat intake was above 30% of TEI in more than half the participants, and only 10 participants had a saturated-fat intake below 10% of TEI. Fiber intake (girls 23.7 ± 7.9 g; boys 29.1 ± 11.2 g) was far below the Belgian RDI. Intake of vitamins and minerals were generally low, despite micronutrient supplementation in 37.5% of the participants. Conclusion: Few athletes reached all nutrient RDIs. Unhealthy food habits with regard to refined sugars, fat, and micronutrients were observed. These adolescent sprinters should be encouraged to consume more nonsweetened beverages, fruits, and vegetables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim was to investigate the effects of 48 hr of fluid, energy, or combined fluid and energy restriction on circulating leukocyte and lymphocyte subset counts (CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+) and bacterially stimulated neutrophil degranulation at rest and after exercise. Thirteen healthy men (M ± SEM age 21 ± 1 yr) participated in 4 randomized 48-hr trials. During control (CON) participants received their estimated energy (2,903 ± 17 kcal/day) and fluid (3,912 ± 140 ml/day) requirements. During fluid restriction (FR) they received their energy requirements and 193 ± 19 ml/day water to drink. During energy restriction (ER) they received their fluid requirements and 290±6 kcal/day. Fluid and energy restriction (F+ER) was a combination of FR and ER. After 48 hr, participants performed a 30-min treadmill time trial (TT) followed by rehydration (0-2 hr) and refeeding (2-6 hr). Circulating leukocyte and lymphocyte counts remained unchanged for CON and FR. Circulating leukocyte, lymphocyte, CD3+, and CD4+ counts decreased by ∼20% in ER and ∼30% in F+ER by 48 hr (p < .01), returning to within 0-hr values by 6 hr post-TT. Circulating neutrophil count and degranulation were unaltered by dietary restriction at rest and after TT. In conclusion, a 48-hr period of ER and F+ER, but not FR, decreased circulating leukocyte, lymphocyte, CD3+, and CD4+ counts but not neutrophil count or degranulation. Circulating leukocyte and lymphocyte counts normalized on refeeding. Finally, dietary restriction did not alter circulating leukocyte, lymphocyte, and neutrophil responses to 30 min of maximal exercise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endurance athletes commonly consume carbohydrate-electrolyte sports beverages during prolonged events. The benefits of this strategy are numerous--sportsbeverage consumption during exercise can delay dehydration, maintain blood glucose levels, and potentially attenuate muscle glycogen depletion and central fatigue. Thus, it is generally agreed that carbohydrate-electrolyte beverages can improve endurance performance. A controversy has recently emerged regarding the potential role of protein in sports beverages. At least 3 recent studies have reported that carbohydrate-protein ingestion improves endurance performance to a greater extent than carbohydrate alone. In addition, carbohydrate-protein ingestion has been associated with reductions in markers of muscle damage and improved postexercise recovery. Although many of these muscle damage and recovery studies examined postexercise nutritional intake, recent evidence suggests that these benefits may be elicited with carbohydrate-protein consumption during exercise. These findings are intriguing and suggest that the importance of protein for endurance athletes has been underappreciated. However, 2 studies recently reported no differences in endurance performance between carbohydrate and carbohydrateprotein beverages. The varied outcomes may have been influenced by a number of methodological differences, including the amounts and types of carbohydrate or protein in the beverages, the exercise protocols, and the relative statistical power of the studies. In addition, although there are plausible mechanisms that could explain the ergogenic effects of carbohydrate-protein beverages, they remain relatively untested. This review examines die existing research regarding the efficacy of carbohydrate-protein consumption during endurance exercise. Limitations of the existing research are addressed, as well as potential areas for future study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is likely no other dietary component that inspires as much debate, insofar as athletes are concerned, as protein. How much dietary protein is required, optimal, or excessive? Dietary guidelines from a variety of sources have settled on an adequate dietary protein intake for those over the age of 19 of ∼0.8-0.9 g protein·kg body weight-1⋅d-1. According to U.S. and Canadian dietary reference intakes (33), the recommended allowance for protein of 0.8 g protein·kg-1⋅d-1 is "the average daily intake level that is sufficient to meet the nutrient requirement of nearly all [∼98%]… healthy individuals" (p. 22). The panel also statod, "in view of the lack of compelling evidence to the contrary, no additional dietary protein is suggested for healthy adults undertaking resistance or endurance exercise" (33, p. 661 ). Currently, no group or groups of scientists involved in establishing dietary guidelines see a need for any statement that athletes or people engaging in regular physical activity require more protein than their sedentary counterparts. Popular magazines, numerous Web sites, trainers, and many athletes decry protein intakes even close to those recommended. Even joint position stands from policy-setting groups state that "protein recommendations for endurance athletes are 1.2 to 1.4 g/kg body weight per day, whereas those for resistance and strength-trained athletes may be as high as 1.6 to 1.7 g/kg body weight per day" (1, p. 1544). The divide between those setting dietary protein requirements and those who might be making practical recommendations for athletes appears substantial, but ultimately, most athletes indicate that they consume protein at levels beyond even the highest recommendations. Thus, one might conclude that any debate on protein "requirements" for athletes is inconsequential; however, a critical analysis of existing and new data reveals novel ideas and concepts that may represent some common ground between these apparently conflicted groups. The goal of this review was to provide a critical and thorough analysis of current data on protein requirements in an attempt to provide some guidance to athletes, trainers, coaches, and sport dietitians on athletes' protein intake. In addition, an effort was made to clearly distinguish between "required" dietary protein, "optimal" intakes, and intakes that are likely "excessive," perhaps not from the standpoint of health, but certainly from the standpoint of potentially compromised performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protein, protein hydrolysates, and amino acids have become popular ingredients in sports nutrition. The use of protein, protein hydrolysates, and amino acid mixtures has multiple applications when aiming to improve postexercise recovery. After exhaustive endurance-type exercise, muscle glycogen repletion is the most impotent factor determining the time needed to recover. Coingestion of relatively small amounts of protein and/or amino acids with carbohydrate can be used to augment postprandial insulin secretion and accelerate muscle glycogen synthesis rotes. Furthermore, it has been well established that ingesting protein, protein hydrolysates, and amino acid can stimulate protein synthesis and inhibit protein breakdown and, as such, improve net muscle protein balance after resistance- or endurance-type exercise. The latter has been suggested to lead to a more effective adaptive response to each successive exercise bout. To augment net muscle protein accretion, athletes involved in resistance-type exercise generally ingest both protein and carbohydrate during postexercise recovery. However, carbohydrate ingestion after resistance-type exercise does not seem to be warranted to further stimulate muscle protein synthesis or improve whole-body protein balance when ample protein has already been ingested. Because resistance-type exercise is also associated with a substantial reduction in muscle glycogen content, it would be preferred to coingest some carbohydrate when aiming to accelerate glycogen repletion. More research is warranted to assess the impact of ingesting different proteins, protein hydrolysates, and/or amino acids on muscle protein accretion after exercise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The small intestine acts as interface and regulator between the gut lumen and the rest of the body and controls the degree and rate of transport of amino acids coming from dietary protein via the portal vein to the liver and the systemic circulation. To measure protein absorption, kinetics multicatheter animal (pig) models in combination with amino acid tracer technology are available. Dietary factors influence the absorption rates from the lumen to the gut. metabolism of dietary component in the gut, and the release of amino acids to the portal circulation from digested protein. In a balanced-protein meal, the gut dietary amino acid utilization (30-50%) for gut protein synthesis will result in a labile protein pool in the gut that can be beneficial during the postabsorptive state. To enhance gut retention, amount and quality of protein and the presence of carbohydrate are major factors. Besides this the use of a slowly digestible protein or the presence of fiber in the meal can increase retention further. During the absorption of low-quality protein meals, fewer amino acids are utilized by the gut, resulting in higher amounts of amino acid release to the portal circulation. Malnutrition or starvation, protein depletion, deficiencies of specific nutrients, or illness such as sepsis all inhibit the growth and change protein turnover of the intestinal mucosa and therefore affect absorption kinetics. Therefore, the kind of protein meal that has the most optimal absorption kinetics (the most beneficial) for gut and for the rest of the body depends on these (patho)physiological circumstances. Despite the absence of different absorption kinetics between protein, peptides, and amino acids, they could be beneficial in specific circumstances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To illustrate the effects of low-carbohydrate (LC) and grain-based (GB) diets on body composition, biomarkers, athletic training, and performance in an elite triathlete. Methods: The athlete followed 2 dietary interventions for 14 d while maintaining a prescheduled training program. Pre- and postintervention measurements for each diet included plasma and serum samples, resting energy expenditure, body composition, and a performance bike ride. Results: Compared with the GB diet, the LC diet elicited more disruptions to training and unfavorable subjective experiences. Total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, ratings of perceived exertion, and heart rate were elevated on the LC diet. Blood insulin, resting lactate, postexercise lactate, and C-reactive protein were lowest on the LC diet. Conclusion: The LC diet resulted in both favorable and unfavorable outcomes. The primary observation was a disruption to scheduled training on the LC diet. Researchers should consider how the potential mediating effect of disruptions to training could influence pretest--posttest designs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To quantify the fluid and food consumed during a men's and women's professional road-cycling tour. Methods: Eight men (age 25 ± 5 y, body mass 71. 4 ± 7. 4 kg, and height 177. 4 ± 4. 5 cm) and 6 women (age 26 ± 4 y, body mass 62. 5 ± 5. 6 kg, and height 170. 4 ± 5. 2 cm) of the Australian Institute of Sport Road Cycling squads participated in the study. The men competed in the 6-d Tour Down Under (Adelaide, Australia), and the women, in the 10-d Tour De L'Aude (Aude, France). Body mass was recorded before and immediately after the race. Cyclists recalled the number of water bottles and amount of food they had consumed. Results: Men and women recorded body-mass losses of ∼2 kg (2. 8% body mass) and 1. 5 kg (2. 6% body mass), respectively, per stage during the long road races. Men had an average fluid intake of 1. 0 L/h, whereas women only consumed on average 0. 4 L/h. In addition, men consumed CHO at the rate suggested by dietitians (average CHO intake of 48 g/h), but again the women failed to reach recommendations, with an average intake of ∼21 g/h during a road stage. Conclusions: Men appeared to drink and eat during racing in accordance with current nutritional recommendations, but women failed to reach these guidelines. Both men and women finished their races with a body-mass loss of ∼2. 6% to 2. 8%. Further research is required to determine the impact of this loss on road-cycling performance and thermoregulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the effectiveness of two lifestyle modification programs of exercise training and nutritional intake (ad libitum) on improving body composition and disease risk in overweight/obese men and women. Sixty-three subjects were weight matched and assigned to one of three groups for a 12 wk intervention: 1) high-intensity resistance and cardiovascular training and a balanced diet (RC+BD, 40% CHO: 40% PRO; n = 27, 16 female/11 male, age = 42 ± 9 y); 2) moderate-intensity cardiovascular training and a traditional food guide pyramid diet (C+TD, CHO 50 to 55%; PRO 15 to 20%; FAT < 30%; n =19, 10 female/9 male, age = 43 ± 10 y); and 3) an inactive control group (C, n = 17, 5 female/12 male, age 43 ± 11 y). RC+BD resulted in more favorable changes (P < 0.01) in percent body fat (-15.8% vs. -6.9%) and abdominal fat (-15.6% vs. -7.5%) compared to C+TD and C. Total cholesterol (-13.8%), LDL-cholesterol (-20.8%), and systolic blood pressure (-5.7%) declined (P > 0.05) in RC+BD, whereas C+TD and C remained unchanged. Our results suggest that RC+BD may be more effective than C+TD and C in enhancing body composition and lowering cardiovascular risk in obese individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Homocysteine is an independent cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor modifiable by nutrition and possibly exercise. While individuals participating in regular physical activity can modify CVD risk factors, such as total blood cholesterol levels, the impact physical activity has on blood homocysteine concentrations is unclear. This review examines the influence of nutrition and exercise on blood homocysteine levels, the mechanisms of how physical activity may alter homocysteine levels, the role of homocysteine in CVD, evidence to support homocysteine as an independent risk factor for CVD, mechanisms of how homocysteine increases CVD risk, and cut-off values for homocysteinemia. Research examining the impact of physical activity on blood homocysteine levels is equivocal, which is partially due to a lack of control for confounding variables that impact homocysteine. Duration, intensity, and mode of exercise appear to impact blood homocysteine levels differently, and may be dependent on individual fitness levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little is known about if and how team coaches disseminate nutrition information to athletes. In a census survey, New Zealand premier rugby coaches (n = 168) completed a psychometrically validated questionnaire, received by either Internet or standard mail (response rate, 46%), identifying their nutrition advice dissemination practices to players, their level of nutrition knowledge, and the factors determining this level of knowledge. The majority of coaches provided advice to their players (83.8%). Coaches responded correctly to 55.6% of all knowledge questions. An independent t-test showed coaches who imparted nutrition advice obtained a significantly greater score, 56.8%, than those not imparting advice, 48.4% (P = 0.008). One-way ANOVA showed significant relationships between total knowledge score of all coaches and qualifications [F(1,166) = 5.28, P = 0.001], own knowledge rating [F(3,164) = 6.88, P = 0.001] and nutrition training [F(1,166) = 9.83, P = 0.002]. We conclude that these rugby coaches were inadequately prepared to impart nutrition advice to athletes and could benefit from further nutrition training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]