Food consumption and dietary adequacy according to income in 1,200 families, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil, 1973-1974

Data from a household expenditure survey of 1,200 Manaus families performed by the Amazonas State Government in 1973-74 are analyzed by income group. The per cent frequency of families buying different foods and the daily per capita consumption of each were calculated. The daily per capita intakes of energy, protein, vitamin A, thiamine, riboflavin, nicotinic acid, ascorbic acid, calcium, phosphorus, iron and zinc were estimated and their adequacy evaluated. In contrast to the south and northeast of Brazil, the main bulk of the diet was derived from cereals and fish. The quantities of eggs, meats, fruit and vegetables consumed per person, increased 50-100% as income improved, whereas fish consumption decreased 30%. The nutrients quantitatively most deficient were zinc, vitamin A, calcium, thiamine and riboflavin, with 60-80% of low and middle income families not achieving safe levels of intake for zinc and vitamin A. The beneficial effect of income on the adequacy of calcium, thiamine and riboflavin intake was quantitative. For zinc and vitamin A, increased income was associated with a qualitative improvement in the diet, principally due to the increased consumption of meat and liver. These results are discussed in relation to existing clinical evidence of deficiency states in the region.     

Food habits and culture factors in pregnant adolescents

The purpose of this study was to identify the food habits of pregnant adolescents and their perception about which, of her cultural concepts, have higher influence. 54 subjects between 12 and 19 years old from Guadalajara City were included and socioeconomic, dietetic data, as food frequency consumption and cultural concepts about feeding were also explored. Chi square was used for identifying association between variables. The fat intake was lower in late vs. Early and middle stage of adolescence (57 vs. 71 g/d, p = 0.05). The iron, calcium and zinc intake was also deficient in the early/middle stage; meanwhile, the folic acid consumption was very low in the late stage of adolescence. Corn tortillas were the most consumed cereal and food (93-96%); junk food and sodas (62 and 55%) prevailed in the early/middle stage. About local costumes, "tacos", "pozole" and burgers were the most referred (74.1%). They also mentioned that fat (36.7%), junk food (30%), chili (26.7%), sodas (23.3%), processed meals (26.7%) and salt (10%) were harmful. They also believed that vegetables (77%), fruits (60 %), milk (21%), broths (17%), and meat (12.5%) were beneficial; and, 96% considered that chicken and bean broths were nutritious (myth). There were some prohibited foods (taboos) during pregnancy: chili (48%), junk food (20%), and salt (16%). Prejudices were more common among later adolescents (60.9%) (p = 0.03). The erratic food habits and the conceptual confusion of these adolescents cause a low intake of nutrients and place them in a nutritional risk.     

Comparison of 3 methods of evaluating the energy and nutrient content of diets

A total of 83 diets served over a period of 20 days to hospitalized diabetic patients were studied. The diets were modified in both calories and carbohydrates and were prepared in a centralized cooking facility. The diets studied were randomly selected, without replacement, using a random number table. Quantities of food served were determined using the direct weighing method. The nutritional value of the diets was determined by three indirect methods. The first, the detailed method, using energy and nutrient values of individual foods, and two abbreviated methods, I and II, based on the reference food values and food group mean values. Calories, proteins, carbohydrate, calcium, phosphorus, iron, retinol, and thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, and ascorbic acid contents were calculated for each diet. Furthermore, for each of the energy and nutrient calculations, the mean, standard deviation and variance were determined for all diets. A correlation and linear regression study was performed, to establish differences between the detailed and the abbreviated methods. Also, Student's "t" test of equality of means was used to identify differences in the calculation of the nutrient content of the diets. Significant differences among the values obtained by the three methods were found. In relation to the values obtained by the abbreviated methods, significant differences were found only for calcium and thiamine. In general, however, the diet calculation using the abbreviated methods gave similar results as those obtained by using the detailed method. Therefore, the use of the abbreviated methods at hospital level is considered convenient because they considerably reduce work, time and costs of diet planning and evaluation, making them easier. Nevertheless, their limitations should be taken into account. The preceding results document substantial problems in the use of the two abbreviated methods studied. The differences observed between the detailed and abbreviated methods in mean levels of most nutrients are unacceptably large, suggesting that the abbreviated methods suffer biases in estimating the nutrient content in the hospital diets studied. These problems are particularly important for the diabetic patients who composed the sample, in that dietary energy, fat, and carbohydrates were over-estimated in a consistent manner by both abbreviated methods used. Nonetheless, abbreviated methods, such as those used in the present study, have advantages which cannot be ignored: they are easy to use, reducing time requirement, and conceptual simplicity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Sodium, potassium and calcium content in regional dishes consumed in Sonora, Mexico

The content of sodium, potassium and calcium was determined in 15 regional dishes, by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The Na:K ratio was high in most of the dishes due to the high sodium content and low content of potassium found. The higher sources of the studied minerals were "tortilla de harina" with 1,372.8 mg/100 g of sodium; "chorizo con papas" with 466 mg/100 g of potassium, and "calabacitas con queso" with 244.1 mg/100 g of calcium. Two of the dishes considered as desserts, "capirotada" and "arroz con leche" showed the lowest Na:K ratio (0.66 and 0.81, respectively).     

Prenatal diet, nutrient intake and pregnancy outcome in urban Ecuadorian primiparas.

A nutritional survey was conducted in an urban public maternity hospital, Hospital Gineco-Obstétrico Isidro Ayora (HGOIA), located in Quito, Ecuador. Seventy-four primiparas in the third trimester of pregnancy were recruited to assess the influence of sociedemographic factors on food patterns and nutrient intake, and the interrelationship between prenatal nutrient intake, maternal weight gain and pregnancy outcome. Results of the regression analysis indicated that maternal education was the factor most strongly associated with nutrient intake, followed by monthly per capita income. Maternal nutrient intake was next analyzed and compared with the WHO (1974, 1985) and NRC (1980) recommended daily allowances. Results also indicated the average daily intake of energy, protein, phosphorus, vitamins C and A, thiamine, riboflavin, and niacin met or exceeded the recommended daily allowances. Dietary calcium and iron intake, however, were below recommendations. Sodium and fat intake were both relatively high. Higher dietary fat intake was associated with increased birth weight, while lower protein intake was associated with increased risk of delivering a low-birth weight baby. Maternal weight gain during the third trimester predicted baby birth weight and height but not head circumference.     

Food consumption patterns of children 4 to 14 years old in Valencia, Venezuela

Results from a nutritional assessment are presented to establish the usual food consumption pattern of 438 children between 4-14 years of age, from a low income urban community in Valencia, Venezuela. Food intake data were collected through multiple 24 hours recalls and converted to individual food item weight in grams. Amounts of energy, macronutrients, iron, calcium, vitamin A, and vitamin C were estimated to compare them to national references. The food pattern was established according to intake frequency per food item and per food groups. Arepa was the most commonly consumed food item, and a main source of kilocalories, protein, carbohydrates, iron, and vitamin A. Unlike coffee, fruits were not among the most commonly consumed foods. Black beans were the main source of protein. Cookies and sodas were among the major sources of energy. Energy and nutrient intake were adequate, except for calcium (67% in preschoolers y 43% in school-aged children). Preschoolers' diet showed a better adequacy for all nutrients (p < 0.005), except for iron which was significantly higher in school-aged children. Since children below 15 years old are still forming food behaviors and habits, they are an ideal group to develop nutritional education strategies to modify harmful patterns such as high intake of sodas, and low intakes of calcium rich foods.     

Dietary evaluation of pregnant adolescents during first, second and third trimester

In order to identify risk of inadequate intake of calories and nutrients during pregnancy, 75 pregnant adolescents (14 to 18 years old) apparently healthy, from low socioeconomic level, in their first prenatal control (12 weeks) were studied by two 24 hour recalls and a food frequency questionnaire at each trimester. Nutritional status was assessed by body mass index (pregestation weight/height) and classified according to American Medicine Institute reference. Paired t-test, frequency distribution and ANOVA were used for statistical analysis. Low weight was found in 34.6% of adolescent at the first visit and 5.3% were overweight. Even though, caloric intake was below recommendation, significant increases were observed between first and second trimester for energy, carbohydrates, niacin and zinc (p < 0.001) and for fat, proteins, riboflavin, thiamin, vitamin C, calcium and iron (p < 0.05). From second to third trimester, differences (p < 0.05) were significant only for vitamin A. Between first and third trimester, differences were significant (p < 0.05) for energy, proteins, carbohydrates, niacin, riboflavin, zinc and for thiamin, vitamin A and calcium (p < 0.05). A high proportion of pregnant adolescent did not reach recommendations for energy, folate, calcium and zinc. Food intake pattern did not change significantly among trimesters. Mean total weight gain was 9.2 kg and 0.412 +/- 0.4 g/week. Newborn's mean weight was 3.221 +/- 418 grams. It is concluded that adolescents are at high nutritional risk and deficiency of dietary intake should be followed. Attention should be addressed from the preconceptional period to postpartum in order to improve maternal and fetal conditions.     

Food intake of students graduating from basic education in the metropolitan area of Santiago, Chile

This study pursued to evaluate the adequacy of the dietary intake of students graduating from Basic Education in the Metropolitan Area of Santiago, Chile. A random sample of 258 students from public and non-public schools (1:1), of both sexes (1:1) and from high, medium and low socioeconomic level (SEL) (1:1:1), was selected. Standard procedures for 24-hr dietary recall individual interviews were used to collect data. The students' dietary intake was then compared with the FAO/WHO 1973 Recommended Dietary Allowances. Results revealed that 53.5% and 62.0% of the sample registered a deficient and excessive intake for energy and protein, respectively. Protein contributed 13.2% of the dietary energy, fat, 27.1%, and carbohydrates, 59.8%. Animal and vegetable protein intake was found in the proportion of 1:1. As findings indicated, the dietary intake of students differed significantly according to SEL. Deficiencies in energy, vitamin A, riboflavin, niacin and calcium intake were observed, in both sexes, besides iron deficiency in the female group. It is considered that results could be useful for food and nutrition planning in school feeding programs.     

Quality characterization of several bolognas in Mexico. I. Chemical and microbiologic evaluation

The State of Sonora, is one of the main producers of beer, cattle and pork in México. In the work herein reported, it was determined that the total processed meat consumption in Sonora was 403.69 ton/month. The main product was bologna which for this reason, was the basis of our study. Chemical and microbiological evaluations of the commercial brands of bologna, purchased in local markets, were performed, including analysis for determinations of protein, ash, nitrites, phosphates and benzoic acid content. Total mesophyllic counts, and most probable number of coliforms, Staphylococcus aureus (positive coagulase) and Salmonella sp. were also determined. The results of the chemical analysis revealed that none of the brands complied with established norms, particularly in regard to protein, carbohydrates, phosphates and benzoic acid levels which exceeded the norms. Aerobic mesophyllic counts, and most probable number of coliforms, had wide variations even within the same brand. Only one sample contained Staphylococcus aureus, and all samples were negative for Salmonella sp.     

利用电石渣生产水泥新思路

利用电石渣制水泥通常采用"干磨干烧"或"湿磨干烧"工艺,通过对两种工艺过程的对比分析,提出一种利用电石渣生产水泥的新方法,即"干磨湿烧"工艺。该方法的主要特点是除电石渣外的其他原料单独粉磨;电石渣滤饼直接入分解炉。该方法可以大幅度降低投资,节约电耗、热耗,取得更好的经济效益。     

Evolution of the nutritional and food situation of the metropolitan area of San Jose, Costa Rica]

Evolution of food and nutrient intake patterns in urban San José, Costa Rica, during the last decade, was studied comparing data from the last two national surveys (1978, 1982) and 1987 data obtained from 5 families previously included in the 1982 survey. Total food and nutrient intake was found to be similar to the 1982 results, although the pattern was altered, with a substantial decreased contribution of milk products to both energy and protein intakes. A small but constant decrease in the intake of more than half of the foods registered was also observed. Nevertheless, the nutritional adequacy of energy (from 100 to 78%), retinol (from 83 to 69%), riboflavin (from 94 to 63%), iron (from 106 to 69%) and niacin (from 103 to 81%), were found to be significantly lower than in previous years. The findings herein reported suggest that the effects of the economic crisis initiated in 1980 on food availability, could well be showing a time lag.     

Legume consumption among pre-school children: effect of energy density and type of preparation

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the energy density (E.D.), children's age and type of meals on the consumption of dishes based on legumes and its combination with cereals by preschool children, for the purpose of defining if they were adequate for preschool children's feeding. Thirty children aged 2 to 5 years old who lived in a foster home, were assigned to three experimental groups. Each group was formed by 10 children. Twenty-nine meals were offered to all groups, differing in their energy density: 0.85, 0.94 and 1.03 kcal/g in dishes of legumes and cereals, and 0.47, 0.62 and 0.80 kcal/g in soups. The study was conducted during 29 non-consecutive days throughout a period of 80 days. Food consumption of each child was determined by differential weighing. Food and energy consumption of the legume-cereal dishes was significantly higher than those observed in the case of soups (312 vs 223 g and 288 vs 138 kcal, respectively). The effect of age was verified only when the volume and energy intake was expressed by kg of body weight, being the group with the highest age which showed the lowest food and energy intake, either in dishes or in soups. The relationship between meal consumption and E.D. was significantly inverse. Dishes based on legume-cereal were consumed by pre-school children in sufficient amounts to satisfy their energy requirements in one meal, when these meals have an E.D. of 1.03 kcal/g (3% of added oil). The low E.D. of soups conditioned the fact that these meals were inadequate for the feeding of this age group.     

More distinct food intake patterns among women than men in northern Sweden: a population-based survey

Background

The need to promote a healthy diet to curb the current obesity epidemic has today been recognized by most countries. A prerequisite for planning and evaluating interventions on dietary intake is the existence of valid information on long-term average dietary intake in a population. Few large, population-based studies of dietary intake have been carried out in Sweden. The largest to date is the Västerbotten Intervention Program (VIP), which was initiated in 1985, with data collection still ongoing. This paper reports on the first comprehensive analyses of the dietary data and presents dietary intake patterns among over 60,000 women and men in northern Sweden during 1992–2005.

Methods

Between 1992 and 2005, 71,367 inhabitants in Västerbotten county aged 30, 40, 50, and 60 years visited their local health care center as part of the VIP. Participants of VIP filled in an 84- or 64-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and provided sociodemographic information. Complete and realistic information on consumption frequency was provided by 62,531 individuals. Food intake patterns were analyzed using K-means cluster analyses.

Results

The mean daily energy intake was 6,83 (± 1,77) MJ among women and 8,71 (± 2,26) MJ among men. More than half of both women and men were classified as Low Energy Reporters (defined as individuals reporting a food intake level below the lower 95% confidence interval limit of the physical activity level). Larger variation in frequency of daily intake was seen among women than among men for most food groups. Among women, four dietary clusters were identified, labeled "Fruit and vegetables", "High fat", "Coffee and sandwich", and "Tea and ice cream". Among men, three dietary clusters were identified, labeled "Fruit and vegetables", "High fat", and "Tea, soda and cookies".

Conclusion

More distinct food intake patterns were seen among women than men in this study in northern Sweden. Due to large proportions of Low Energy Reporters, our results on dietary intake may not be suitable for comparisons with recommended intake levels. However, the results on food intake patterns should still be valid and useful as a basis for targeting interventions to groups most in need.     

人体必需矿物质与营养强化剂

必需矿物质是维持人体正常生理功能所必需的,但我国居民普遍缺乏铁、钙等必需矿物质。食品营养强化是纠正营养缺乏和改善居民健康的重要手段,但我国居民对矿物质营养强化剂的认识仍有很多误区。从人体必需矿物质的生理功能出发,介绍了目前我国常用的矿物质营养强化剂和载体,指出了食用矿物质强化食品的注意事项。     

Vitamins and minerals from sardine in tomato sauce, from the Mexican Pacific fish zones

Sardine is a sea food widely consumed in Mexico due to it's abundance and very low price. Its content in vitamins, minerals and chemical composition were evaluated in its canned presentation in tomato sauce. Samples proceeded from 3 fishery areas of the Mexican Pacific: (L1) Baja California Sur, (L2) Sonora and (L3) Sinaloa. The proximal chemical analysis was carried out by the AOAC methods; mineral content (Ca, Mg, Na, K, Fe, Zn, Cu, Cd, Cr, Pb) was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry and vitamins A, B1, B2 and niacin were quantified by HPLC. Results showed a high moisture content from 69 to 82%, ether extract ranged between 7.8% (L2) and 10.2% (L3) and crude protein content between 10.6% (L3) and 14.6% (L1). Vitamin A (IU/100 g) was similar for all samples: L1 (63-66); thiamin (mg/100 g) was high in L1 (0.13) and low in L3 (0.09); riboflavin was high in L1 (0.15) and showed values of 0.13 for both L2 and L3; niacin content was high in all samples: L1 (2.24), L2 (1.48) and L3 (1.75). Minerals were abundant (mg/100 g) in Na, K, and P; L1 showed a great variation for Na (363-636) compared with L2 and L3 (250); K was very variable among the samples: L1 (597), L2 (100) and L3 (57). Phosphorous and magnesium had small variations: P (229, 243 and 212) and Mg (28, 23 and 23) for L1, L2 and L3. Iron was more abundant in L1 (5.5) and L3 (4.3); Zn was higher in L2 (3.4) and similar in L1 (2.5) and L3 (2.2). Copper showed a great variation in L2 (0.21-0.48) but the averages were similar (0.37, 0.35, 0.33, for L1, L2 and L3 respectively). Finally, heavy metal content was lower than 0.002 mg/100 g. In conclusion, there are some variation in Ca, Na, K, thiamin and niacin content in canned sardine with tomato sauce, depending upon the fishing area.     

Variations in the individual consumption of table salt with or without chili in food, in a community of México

The present study was carried out in a rural community in the central plateau of Mexico, with the objective of estimating the mean daily consumption of table salt at the family and individual level, and to determine if the individual taste to salt added to the food at the table, varied with the presence or absence of a hot species, "chile", to the food. Our results showed variability in three "barrios" of the community, which go from the central, more urban-type (Temascalcingo) to an intermediate-type (Boquí), and to a more rural-type (Bonshó), showing the highest mean consumption of salt at the family level in the most urban barrio (47.2 g/day), while the mean family consumption in the other two barrios (28.2 and 33.9 g/day, respectively) was lower. At the individual level, there were differences in salt consumption associated to sex and age. The highest consumptions were found in the more urban-type barrio, in which men in the 15-22 year-old group consumed a mean of 9 g/day, and women in the 7-14 year-old group consumed a mean of 6.37 g/day. When the individual taste for salt added to foods commonly prepared in the community were studied, we found a statisticaly significant difference in individual taste associated with the presence or absence of chile in the food. In two of the study meals (breakfast and lunch) the total grams of salt added to the food which did not contain chile was significantly higher than the salt added to the food which contained chile, suggesting that the presence of the specie may account for a great part of the need to enhance food flavor. This in turn could explain the smaller consumption of table salt in the more rural-type section of the population noted in the first part of the study, in which families tend to add more chile to their food than in the urban-type settings.     

Evaluation of the Dacos 3.0 analyser

The selective multitest Coulter Dacos 3.0 analyser was evaluated according to the guidelines of the Comisión de Instrumentación de la Sociedad Española de Química Clínica and of the European Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards.The evaluation was performed in four steps: examination of the analytical units; evaluation of routine working; study of interferences; and assessment of practicability.The evaluation included a photometric study. The inaccuracy is acceptable for 340 nm and 420 nm, and the imprecision at absorbances from 0.05 to 2.00 ranged from 0.06 to 0.28% at 340 nm and from 0.06 to 0.08% at 420 nm. The linearity showed some dispersion at low absorbance for PNP at 420 nm and the drift was negligible.The imprecision of the pipette delivery system, the temperature control system and the washing system were satisfactory.In routine work conditions, seven analytical methods were studied: glucose, creatinine, iron, total protein, AST, ALP and calcium. Within-run imprecision ranged, at low concentrations, from 0.9% (CV) for glucose, to 7.6% (CV) for iron; at medium concentrations, from 0.7% (CV) for total protein to 5.2% (CV) to creatinine; and at high concentrations, it ranged from 0.6% (CV) for glucose to 3.9% (CV) for ALP.Between-run imprecision at low concentrations ranged from 1.4% (CV) for glucose to 15.1% (CV) for iron; at medium concentrations it ranged from 1.2% (CV) for protein to 6.7% (CV) for iron; and at high concentrations the range is from l.2for AST to 5.7% (CV) for iron.No contamination was found in the sample carry-over study. Some contamination was found in the reagent carry-over study (total protein due to iron and calcium reagents). Relative inaccuracy is good for all the constituents assayed. Only LDH (high and low levels) and urate (low level) showed weak and negative interference caused by turbidity, and γ-GT (high level) and amylase, bilirubin and ALP (two levels) showed a negative interference caused by haemolysis.     

Quality characterization of several bolognas in Mexico. II. Evaluation of the nutritive value of their proteins

Bologna is the most widely consumed processed meat product in the State of Sonora, Mexico. In the study herein described, the nutritive value of the protein in each brand was evaluated by means of the protein efficiency ratio (PER). Additionally, protein apparent digestibility (Cr2O3) and protein digestibility, both in vivo and in vitro, were determined, as well as apparent digestible energy in the same products. Results revealed significant differences in PER (p less than 0.05) among the commercial bologna brands with respect to ANRC casein. Nevertheless, when tested against the specific contrast, no significant PER differences were detected among the six bologna brands, and the control. Neither was there any difference detected in regard to apparent digestible energy consumption, or protein digestibility in vitro or in vivo.     

Ca2+-regulated photoproteins: structural insight into the bioluminescence mechanism

The bioluminescent jellyfish has contributed two famous proteins to modern science: green fluorescent protein or GFP, which finds wide use as a probe in cell biology studies, and aequorin, which has been used for intracellular calcium measurement for more than 30 years. More recently, obelin, a protein from the bioluminescent hydroid and also in the family of what are called "Ca2+-regulated photoproteins", has been shown to have very attractive properties both in general applications and for basic structural biology investigations. This review will survey the new information into their molecular mechanism of bioluminescence action.     

Evaluation of the Hitachi 717 analyser

The selective multitest Boehringer Mannheim Hitachi 717 analyser was evaluated according to the guidelines of the Comisión de Instrumentación de la Sociedad Española de Química Clinica and the European Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards. The evaluation was performed in two steps: examination of the analytical units and evaluation in routine operation.The evaluation of the analytical units included a photometric study: the inaccuracy is acceptable for 340 and 405 nm; the imprecision ranges from 0.12 to 0.95% at 340 nm and from 0.30 to 0.73 at 405 nm, the linearity shows some dispersion at low absorbance for NADH at 340 nm, the drift is negligible, the imprecision of the pipette delivery system increases when the sample pipette operates with 3 μl, the reagent pipette imprecision is acceptable and the temperature control system is good.Under routine working conditions, seven determinations were studied: glucose, creatinine, iron, total protein, AST, ALP and calcium. The within-run imprecision (CV) ranged from 0.6% for total protein and AST to 6.9% for iron. The between run imprecision ranged from 2.4% for glucose to 9.7% for iron. Some contamination was found in the carry-over study. The relative inaccuracy is good for all the constituents assayed.