Implications of fat replacement for nutrition and food intake

The expanding development and marketing of fat replacers and reduced-fat foods is primarily directed at nutritional concerns regarding excessive fat and energy consumption. Existing and proposed ingredients used to replace fat span a range of physical and chemical properties, with varied functionality and differences in their potential physiological effects. Although the safety and functionality of such ingredients and technologies have been scrutinized by industrial and governmental bodies, there has been rather less consideration given to assessments of their likely effects on food intake and nutritional status. It is often assumed that products made using fat replacement technologies would help to reduce fat intake and aid in weight control, despite little research directly assessing the effects of purchase and consumption of these products by normal consumers in the domestic environment. This review considers existing and proposed fat replacers and reduced-fat foods, focusing on their potential beneficial and adverse influences on diet and nutrition, highlighting the possible implications for fat intake and energy balance.     

Analysis of the application of methods recommended by FAO/WHO 1973 for determining the protein quality in Chilean food. Effect of the dietary protein concentration

The 1973 FAO/WHO Joint Expert Committee on Energy and Protein Requirements has recommended two methods to adjust the safe level of protein intake according to protein quality: chemical score and net protein utilization (NPU). However, the effect of protein concentration on protein utilization is not considered. The results of the present work, as well as those obtained by other investigators, show that there is an inverse relationship between protein concentration and protein utilization. The net protein utilization (NPU) at 10% of protein-calories or the chemical score adjusted by the nitrogen digestibility can be applied when results are to be projected to national average diets, which have values ranging between 9 and 13%. When it is necessary to evaluate the diet of specific relatively homogeneous population groups, the recommended method should use the NPU determined or calculated in each meal considering the level of protein concentration of the diet as eaten (NPU op). This method takes into account the amino acid complementation in each meal. The data on which these conclusions are based have been presented and discussed.     

The potential value of cultured dairy products for child nutrition

The author suggests that under certain conditions cultured milk, rather than fluid milk, can be used for infant and child nutrition as well as for school milk programs. Some of the major problems with fluid milk, fresh or reconstituted, are discussed. A review of the literature indicates that the assumption of lactose intolerance among many populations is exaggerated. Inappropriate handling of pasteurized milk very often is responsible for a high bacterial count and organoleptic defects. Such quality defects are more pronounced in countries with a warm climate. The use of polluted water in the reconstitution of milk powder, is probably more often responsible for diarrhea than lactose intolerance. For these reasons it is suggested that under appropriate conditions a cultured milk product such as yogurt or quark, be used for infant and child nutrition. The advantages are: 1) the low pH caused by the high lactic acid content detrimentally affects food spoilage and pathogenic organisms in milk; 2) longer shelf life of the fermented product at ambient temperature; and 3) fermented milk products contain the enzyme lactase which facilitates digestion of residual lactose even after ingestion.     

Relative validation of a food frequency questionnaire for national health and nutrition monitoring

Background  

Validation of a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) is important as incorrect information may lead to biased associations. Therefore the relative validity of an FFQ developed for use in the German Health Examination Survey for Adults 2008-2011 (DEGS) was examined.     

Potato protein for human food use

Potato protein can be produced as by-product of potato starch production in relatively large amounts. The technical problems concerning the production as well as the necessary purification of the protein for human consumption are mainly solved. However, the marketing of potato protein is difficult because it can be used, without purification, only in limited fields. Besides many physiological advantages, there may exist som hygienic risk factors which must be investigated in detail before potato protein can be applied by the food industry as a new source of protein.     

The intravenous use of fat for the total parenteral nutrition of the infant

A new program for the total iv feeding of the postoperative neonate has been described and evaluated. The program is based on a crystalline 1-amino acid solution as the nitrogen source and a soybean fat emulsion as the major source of calories. This program has three main advantages over ones based on hypertonic glucose as the main calorie source: (a) no central venous catheter is needed, (b) the complication of osmotic diuresis is eliminated, and (c) the high caloric value of fat allows small volumes of fluid to be infused into the infant. The present regimen has been shown to sustain nitrogen and potassium retention in amounts similar to those found in normal newborns and in other parenteral feeding programs. In the initial phase of this study, 32 newborns were treated with this program and 26 survived, following surgery for life-threatening congenital anomalies. Since this first evaluation, over 75 infants have been placed on this iv feeding protocol.     

Development and evaluation of a low-cost amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus) containing food for preschool children

A powdered blend for feeding preschool children was prepared from whole amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus) seeds, pearled oats, soybeans, sucrose and vegetable oil. The blend was similar in proximal chemical analysis and total caloric content, and identical in calorie distribution and vitamin and mineral patterns to a soy/oats infant formula previously developed. The amaranth blend equalled the FAO/WHO 1973 children's pattern in tryptophan and exceeded this pattern, as well as the soy/oats formula in all other essential amino acids; it reflected higher PER than casein and the soy/oats formula. In feeding trials with children 1-3 years of age, no significant differences in weight gain was observed when either product was fed. The anticipated cost of the amaranth blend is 6% lower than that of the soy/oats formula.     

INCAP'S policies and strategies for training and capacitation of human resources in food and nutrition

The activities of the Institute of Nutrition of Central America and Panama (INCAP), are focused according to the present food and nutrition situation of the Central American and Panamanian population, their conditioning factors and the prevailing political, economical and social context. According to the mandate of its Directing Council, INCAP has developed teaching activities in the field of food and nutrition at the subregional level, as a priority function. This function falls within the initiative of the plan of priority needs in health, promoted by the countries that integrate the Contadora group, the Central American area Governments and PAHO/WHO. The INCAP's human resources policy is centered on formation and training, which are closely linked to aspects such as holistic planning, recruiting, utilization and evaluation of human resources according to guidelines set up by the Central American countries and PAHO/WHO, in regard to the development of human resources in health and allied fields. The document herein discussed responds to the institutional objective of possessing an explicit guide to orient INCAP's technical cooperation in the programmatic area of human resources, pointing out priorities and fundamental aspects really effective in supporting the institutional development of the countries, thus contributing to the improvement of their food and nutrition situation. The experience accumulated by the Institute and the countries, in formation and training activities oriented to benefit the communities have also been considered in the present document. Likewise, strategies that guide the present and future actions according to the reality of the subregion have also been considered.     

Factors that influence the antirachitic value of milk for infant feeding

Summary It is quite evident from the foregoing that both breast milk and cow’s milk contain variable amounts of calcium, phosphorus and Vitamin D. Since these factors are of primary importance for promoting satisfactory bone growth it is apparent that neither breast milk nor cow’s milk can always be depended upon to protect infants against rickets. Hence it has become a quite general practice to supplement breast milk with orange juice and cod liver oil or other sources of the necessary vitamins, and modify cow’s milk by adding materials which supply the desired minerals, vitamins and calories. Accordingly the need for careful supervision of the diet of the infant has become very generally accepted, particularly as the infant’s dietary is very restricted and its margin of safety as regards its nutritive requirements is lower than during later life.     

Marketing considerations for improved protein food products

The conventional approach to marketing of improved products in the retail commercial markets of highly industrialized Western countries is of little utility in meeting presently unfulfilled protein needs of the underdeveloped countries. To be effective and accepted by the target consumers, improved protein foods must be classless, and must be introduced simultaneously at all levels of the economy. This can rarely be accomplished by the conventional business approach. New enterprise structures must be developed in which private companies can participate in joint ventures with governments, cooperatives and voluntary agencies. Successful market development in the less developed countries demands a systems approach in which interrelationships among food availabilities, nutritional needs, acceptability factors and purchasing power are evaluated in the context of the total food system of the country. One of 21 papers presented at the Symposium, “Oilseed Processors Challenged by World Protein Need,” ISF-AOCS World Congress, Chicago, September 1970.     

The development and evaluation of the Australian child and adolescent recommended food score: a cross-sectional study

Vitamin D may have a role in many chronic conditions in addition to bone health. Nutritional surveys among Americans have reported high levels of vitamin D insufficiency, especially among Blacks and Latinos. Our study examined variation in vitamin D supplementation practices in an adult health plan population by age, gender, and race-ethnicity. Self-report data from a 2008 general health survey in a large Northern California health plan were used to characterize number and types of sources of vitamin D supplementation (multivitamin, calcium with D, singular D) among women and men aged 25-85, overall, by race-ethnicity, and for obese, diabetic, and hypertensive subgroups. In this population, 40% of women and 54% of men ≤ 50, and 24% of women and 53% of men aged 51-85 get no vitamin D from dietary supplements. Higher vitamin D supplementation among women > 50 is associated with higher reported intake of calcium with D. Black and Latina women aged 25-85 and Filipinas in the ≤ 50 age group were significantly less likely than non-Hispanic Whites to get vitamin D from supplements, whereas vitamin D supplementation practices among Chinese women did not significantly differ from non-Hispanic Whites. Among men, Latinos aged 25-85 and Black and Chinese ≤ 50 were significantly less likely than non-Hispanic Whites to get vitamin D from supplements. Similar race-ethnic differences in vitamin D supplementation patterns were observed for people in the obese, diabetic, and hypertensive groups. Our survey results suggest that in 2008, a large percentage of women and an even larger percentage of men in a large Northern California health plan get no vitamin D from dietary supplements, and that Blacks and Latinos and obese adults, who are at higher risk of vitamin D deficiency, are also the least likely to get any vitamin D from dietary supplements.     

Relation between food habits and nutritional status of preschool children in a rural community

Food habits in regard to the nutritional status of preschool children and their socioeconomic situation were analyzed in this research. The study was carried out in Cuetzalan, State of Puebla; all families were studied and, besides the presence of a preschool child in the home, both father and mother should also be living in the same house. Forty children considered as well nourished and 40 malnourished in the opposite case, were selected, taking the limits of the Gómez classification. In order to define socioeconomic differences between the two groups, the sample population was divided into different levels, with the following results. The socioeconomic level of the well-nourished children did correlate with a good living standard of their families; in the other case, families with a low socioeconomic status, presented more nutritional problems. A questionnaire was applied to every mother selected. This included two items: a) In the first case, we tried to assess the mother's attitude towards food habits and children's illnesses. b) In the second case, the mother's knowledge concerning pregnancy, breast feeding, feeding of the child during the first year of life, taboos, beliefs and other aspects which could be related to nutrition. On the whole, the main objective of this study was attained, because significant differences were found between these two groups. Firstly, a good relationship between food habits and good nutritional status of the children was found. Secondly, mother with well-nourished children had better food habits and better socioeconomic status than mothers having children with poor health status, and therefore, of a lower socioeconomic status.     

Progress and future needs for research in soya protein utilization and nutrition

Although soya protein was clearly recognized as an essential part of the diet in the Orient centuries ago, its acceptance in the western world has been slow and recent. Progress in utilization has revolved around solving problems of flavor, nutrition and functionality, and has resulted in commercial development of flours and grits, concentrates, isolates, textured products, cereal-soya blends and beef-soya blends. Among the latter two developments, cereal-soya blends established the principle of using soya to increase protein content and quality of cereal diets consumed in many countries, and beef-soya blends demonstrated the usefulness of soya in extending expensive meat supplies. Governmental actions such as approval of soya in school lunches and in military diets in the U.S. have also contributed to progress in utilizing soya protein in foods. Future research needed to increase food uses of soya protein includes: further improvement in flavor, greater versatility in functional properties, development of new foods rather than simulation of traditional items, and elaboration of adequate methods for determining soya proteins in regulated products. Highlights in soya protein nutrition research include: discovery of the need for moist heat treatment to develop maximal nutritive value; establishment of methionine as the first limiting amino acid; isolation and characterization of trypsin inhibitors; determination that trypsin inhibitor retards growth and causes pancreatic hypertrophy; discovery of negative feedback control of pancreatic enzyme secretion; and demonstration of apparent adequacy of soya proteins in meeting protein requirements of young children and adults. Further nutritional research is needed in the following areas: long-term studies with humans to determine protein quality as well as possible needs for fortification with vitamins and minerals; establishment of need or lack of need for supplementation with methionine; mechanism of action trypsin inhibitors when ingested from soya and other sources; and development of rapid methods for measuring protein quality.