Prevention of dieting disorders: screening and preventive intervention (the NHMRC initiative)
Author:Mark L Wahlqvist, Janice Russell, Peter Beumont
Keywords:Dieting disorders, anorexia nervosa, bulimia, epidemiology, prevention, screening, nutrition surveillance, primary health care, risk groups, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, women, sports people, dancers, jockeys, the aged
Abstract:
Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 1997;6(3):153-161.doi:
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Biotechnology to harness the benefits of dietary phenolics; focus on Lamiaceae
Author:Shetty K
Keywords:Biotechnology, medicinal plants, phenolics, phytochemicals, phytopharmaceuticals, Lamiaceae, rosmarinic acid, proline, pentose phosphate pathway, ginger, curcurma, chili pepper, melon
Abstract:Phytochemicals from herbs and fermented legumes are excellent dietary sources of phenolic metabolites. These phenolics have importance not only as food preservatives but increasingly have therapeutic and pharmaceutical applications. The long-term research objecitves of the food biotechnology program at the University of Massachusetts are to elucidate the molecular and physiological mechanisms associated with synthesis of important health-related, therapeutic phenolic metabolites in food-related plants and fermented plant foods. Current efforts focus on elucidation of the role of the proline-linked pentose phosphate pathway in regulating the synthesis of anti-inflammatory compound, rosmarinic acid (RA). Specific aims of the current research efforts are: (i) To develop novel tissue culture-based selection techniques to isolate high RA-producing, shoot-based clonal lines from genetically heterogeneous, cross-pollinating species in the family Lamiaceae; (ii) To target genetically uniform, regenerated shoot-based clonal lines for: (a) preliminary characterization of key enzymes associated with the pentose phosphate pathway and linked to RA synthesis; (b) development of genetic transformation techniques for subsequent engineering of metabolic pathways associated with RA synthesis. These research objectives have substantial implications for harnessing the genetic and biochemical potential of genetically heterogeneous, food-related medicinal plant species. The success of this research also provides novel methods and strategies to gain access to metabolic pathways of pharmaceutically important metabolites from ginger, curcuma, chili peppers, melon or other food-related species with novel phenolics.
Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 1997;6(3):162-171.doi:
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Prevalence of overweight and obese school children aged between 7 to 16 years amongst the major 3 ethnic groups in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Author:Kasmini K, Idris MN, Fatimah A, Hanafiah S, Iran H
Keywords:Epidemiology, prevalence, obese, overweight, school children, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Malay, Chinese, Indian
Abstract:6239 children aged 7 to 16 years, attending 22 primary and secondary schools in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, were screened using a self report questionnaire, with their heights and weights measured using a digital electronic SECA beam balance. The selection was done by a two staged stratified random sampling from a total of 226 schools in Kuala Lumpur. The racial distribution was 56.7% Malays, 33.8% Chinese and 8.1% Indians; 3.6% (n:222) of the children were identified as obese and 6% (n:373) identified as overweight. The definitions of obese and overweight were computed using growth charts of the National Centre for Health Statistics (NCHS) from the median of the reference population. There were no significant differences amongst the 3 major ethnic groups in the obese group. The differences were significant in the overweight group with the Indians most overweight, followed by the Chinese and the Malays.
Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 1997;6(3):172-174.doi:
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Body mass index of young Chinese adults
Author:Keyou Ge
Keywords:BMI(body mass index), China(Beijing, Tianjin and Shanghai) National Nutrition Survey of 1992, rural, urban, energy intake, fat intake, undernourished, overweight
Abstract:
Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 1997;6(3):175-179.doi:
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Abdominal adiposity and metabolic alterations in hypertension -a case control study
Author:Kodali V, Tripuraribhatla PK, Raghu Ram TC, Kodava
Keywords:Abdominal obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidaemic, insulin resistance, men, women, India, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh
Abstract:Indians are particularly susceptible to chronic diseases like hypertension, diabetes and coronary heart disease. Several Western studies have documented the role of obesity, especially the role of regional adiposity, and associated metabolic aberrations in the aetiopathogenesis of these chronic diseases. However, there is a paucity of information on the Indian sub-continent. This study was therefore undertaken to investigate the role of regional adiposity and metabolic abnormalities in hypertension. Subjects, aged between 30-50 years, attending the out-patient department of Osmania General Hospital {1000 beds), which caters to middle and low income group of people located at Hyderabad City in India, were screened for hypertension. A total of 158 newly diagnosed subjects were selected along with 172 age and gender matched controls. Body mass index (BMI), waist hip ratio (WHR), total body fat and percentage of body fat were calculated from the anthropometric parameters. Biochemical parameters like serum lipids and plasma glucose and insulin (at fasting as well as 2 h post load glucose) were determined in a subsample of 78 hypertensives and 74 controls. Hypertensives had significantly higher body weight, body fat, BMI and WHR as compared to controls in both men and women. No differences were observed in lipid profile. Plasma glucose, fasting as well as 2 h post load, was significantly higher in both hypertensive men and women. Though there were no differences in plasma insulin at fasting, insulin level at 2 h post-load was elevated in hypertensive women. Higher glucose levels, despite elevated insulin levels, suggested insulin resistance. The calculated odds ratios revealed that increased BMI, WHR, plasma triglycerides, and 2 h post load glucose increased the risk for hypertension in both women and men. Insulin was identified as a risk factor only in women. These results suggest a role for regional adiposity and insulin resistance 1000 in the development of hypertension in the Indian sub-continent.
Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 1997;6(3):180-185.doi:
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The validity of predicted body fat percent in Chinese children with Caucasian prediction formulas
Author:Deurenberg P, Wang J
Keywords:Body composition, body fat, densitometry, bioelectrical impedance, skinfolds, body mass index, children, Chinese
Abstract:Body composition was measured by underwater weighing and by anthropometry and bio-electrical impedance in 165 Chinese boys and 150 Chinese girls, aged 7 to 17 years and living in Beijing. Until age 12 years there were no differences in body weight, body height and body mass index (kg/m2) between boys and girls, but body fat from density was slightly higher in girls. After age 12 boys had higher body weights, body heights and body mass index but lower body fat as calculated from body density. Predicted body fat from body mass index, body impedance and skinfold thickness was generally slightly lower compared to body fat from body density, except for body fat from impedance, which was both in boys and in girls slightly higher compared to body fat from body density. However, the mean differences were small and maximally reached 2.7% body fat in boys (impedance) and 1.7% in girls (skinfolds). The standard deviations of the differences were within the estimation error of the used methodology and comparable with values obtained in other studies. The differences between measured and predicted values were slightly higher in the youngest and the oldest children, probably indicating invalid assumptions in the used methodologies at these ages. At the lower level of body fatness all prediction formulas systematically overestimated body fat, and at higher fat levels body fat was systematically underestimated. It is concluded that prediction formulas developed in Caucasian subjects are generally valid in Chinese (Beijing) children.
Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 1997;6(3):186-190.doi:
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Weight, skinfolds and circumference characteristics of poor elderly people in Mumbai, India
Author:Manandhar MC, Anklesaria PS, Ismail SJ
Keywords:Anthropometry, India, Mumbai, elderly, urban slums, poverty, weight, height, skinfolds, circumference, malnutrition, oedema
Abstract:This paper describes the anthropometric characteristics of 1,335 (males 545, females 790) people of low socio-economic classes aged 50-97 years (mean age 60 years) living in slums and tenement blocks around a major teaching hospital in central Mumbai (Bombay). Descriptive statistics for weight, mid-upper arm and calf circumferences, and biceps, triceps, subscapular and suprailiac skinfolds are presented. Subjects were much lighter, thinner and had smaller circumferences than their age- and sex- matched American counterparts but were similar to nationally representative Indian slum groups, as well as other Asian groups. Men were significantly heavier than women and had larger circumferences whereas women had significantly fatter skinfoldss. Age was significantly but non-linearly related to all variables in women but only to mid-upper arm and calf circumferences in men : there was a marked step effect with the age cut-off 70 years. Reliability for all measurements was high (R > 0.95), with technical errors of measurement highest for skinfolds, especially the suprailiac. The overall prevalence of oedema was 2.8%. In the whole sample, men were significantly older than women, probably because men are more likely to be out working than women, especially below 65 years old. A good participation rate was achieved (78%), with women more likely to participate than men. Almost half of the non-participancy can be attributed to work-related activity, particularly in men. Discussion focuses on practical issues of taking anthropometric measurements in elderly people living in the community, reliability, and non-participant bias.
Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 1997;6(3):191-199.doi:
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Evaluation of FIRI (Fasting Insulin Resistance Index) and selected plasma parameters associated with insulin resistance as predictors of cardiovascular mortality in rural Chinese women
Author:Jeffrey R Gates, Banoo Parpia, T Colin Campbell, C
Keywords:Insulin resistance, FIRI(Fasting Insulin Resistance Index), cardiovascular disease, mortality, Chinese, women, biomarkers, SMBG(sex hormone binding globulin), lipids, hypertension, glucose, stroke, myocardial infarction
Abstract:Insulin Resistance Syndrome (IRS) refers to a cluster of pathologies including hypercholesterolaemia, diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease indicating that these diseases share a common aetiology in insulin resistance and hyperinsulinaemia. Recently a simple index of insulin resistance referred to as the Fasting Insulin Resistance Index (FIRI) was proposed by Duncan et al, for use in clinical practice and epidemiologic investigations of disease FIRI is estimated as the product of fasting plasma glucose and fasting plasma insulin divided by 25 (FIRI = (glucose x insulin/25). This communication evaluates the utility of FIRI using data from a large comprehensive ecologic study on diet and disease in rural counties in the People's Republic of China and provides support for the use of this biomarker/index in epidemiologic studies on disease states associated with IRS.
Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 1997;6(3):200-202.doi:
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Prevalence of dyslipidaemia in non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients attending armed forces clinics in Kuala Lumpur
Author:M Maznorila, A Fatimah, MN Idris, A Rahman
Keywords:Diabetes, NIDDM, dyslipidaemia, Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, armed forces, obesity, gender
Abstract:
Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 1997;6(3):203-206.doi:
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Lipid profiles, anthropometry and dietary habits of adolescent school boys in Sri Lanka
Author:Atukorala TM, de Silva LD, Jayasinghe KS
Keywords:Adolescence, boys, Sri Lanka, Colombo, Negombo, Kurunegala, Coronary risk factors, smoking, serum lipids, anthropometry, BMI, dietary habits, fat intake, dietary fibre intake
Abstract:Serum lipid profiles, anthropometric parameters, dietary habits and smoking practice were determined in 637 adolescent school boys in the 10th to 13th year of school (mean age 16.7 ± 1.3 years), to determine the prevalence of risk factors for cardiovascular disease in later life. They all attended schools in Colombo, the capital city (n=416), and two other cities, Negombo and Kurunegala. Seven percent of the subjects had body mass index (BMI) values above a reference range (for age 14-16, > 23.5 kg/m2; older than 16 years > 24.5 kg/m2). The mean serum total cholesterol concentration was within the reference range (158.9± 27.2 mg/dL: 4.11± 0.70 mmol/L), but 16.5% had values >185 mg/dL. The percentages of subjects with high LDL (low density lipoprotein)cholesterol (>110 mg/dL) and apolipoprotein B (>85 mg/dL) concentrations were 21.9 % and 23.0% respectively, while low HDL (high density lipoprotein) cholesterol (<35 mg/dL) levels were noted in 27.3% of subjects. A significant (p<0.001) positive association was noted between serum total cholesterol concentration and BMI. There was no significant difference in the mean BMI or total cholesterol levels of subjects from the three areas in the age group 15-16.9 years. However, in the age group 17-18.9 years, subjects in the Kurunegala area had a lower prevalence of risk factors ie. significantly lower BMI and serum total cholesterol and apolipoprotein B concentrations than those in other areas. Overall, smoking prevalence was 4.5%, and higher in Colombo than in Negombo and Kurunegala. Further, the mean intake of cholesterol was significantly lower and the fibre intake was higher among subjects in Kurunegala, than those in other areas. Thirty two percent of subjects had a family history of coronary artery disease, hypertension or diabetes and these subjects had significantly higher BMI values than those who did not have a family history of the above diseases, but their lipid patterns were similar. Thus high BMI was a major factor leading to hypercholesterolaemi.
Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 1997;6(3):207-213.doi:
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Macronutrient intake of elderly people in the Padang area,West Sumatra, Indonesia
Author:Nakano M, Oenzil F, Itoh Y, Mizuno T, Saitoh Y, Ko
Keywords:Nutrients, elderly people, epidemiological study, Padang, West Sumatra, Indonesia
Abstract:We examined the macronutrient intake of residents in Padang area, West Sumatra, Indonesia. The daily energy intake (1130±420 kcal) of elderly people in a rural traditional group was significantly lower than that in an urbanised "modernised" group (1700±460 kcal) (p<0.01). Even in young urbanised people (younger than 60 years old), 44.2% were below 2000 kcal per day. In the case of elderly people, in rural and urbanised groups 90%, and 33% of the respondents were below 1500 kcal per day, respectively. As for individual nutrients, the daily protein intake of elderly people in both the urbanised and rural groups was rather low. However, daily fat intake and carbohydrate intake of the younger people in the urbanised group were adequate, but those in the elderly group were not. In the case of the rural elderly group, macronutrient and energy intake were extremely low. To improve dietary habits and nutrient intakes of people in the Padang area, rural elderly people need a greater energy intake and an increased intake of all macronutrients.
Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 1997;6(3):214-218.doi:
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Amino acid levels following beef protein and amino acid supplement in male subjects
Author:Uhe AM, O'Dea K, Collier GR
Keywords:Amino acids, beef, supplements, insulin, LNAA(large neutral amino acids)
Abstract:In the present study the plasma amino acid response of six lean subjects to a protein meal and a commercial amino acid supplement were compared. The amino acid supplement studied was formulated and marketed to be taken after exercise and at other times with the aim of increasing protein synthesis and/or decreasing protein degradation and to lower the ratio of tryptophan to the other large neutral amino acids (LNAA); tyrosine, valine, leucine, isoleucine, phenylalanine and methionine (trp/LNAA), to reduce fatigue. The amino acid supplement administered at the dose recommended by the manufacturer (4 g) was able to bring about a rapid but short-lived (15-30 min) increase in plasma amino acid concentrations and to produce a similarly brief decrease in the trp/LNAA and tyr/LNAA ratios and therefore achieved these aims with respect to amino acid levels even if only briefly. The changes in trp/LNAA and tyr/LNAA ratios after the supplement were of the same order as those produced after the much larger (50 g) protein meal but of shorter duration. However the relatively small insulin response after the amino acid supplement points to a lower level of amino acid uptake by muscle and other tissues for protein synthesis compared to that produced by the beef meal.
Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 1997;6(3):219-223.doi:
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Iodine status of pregnant mothers residing in a district of endemic iodine deficiency in the state of Himachal Pradesh, India
Author:Kapil U, Saxena N, Ramachandran S, Nayar D
Keywords:IDD(Iodine Deficiency Disorder), pregnancy, iodised salt, urinary iodine excretion, India, Himachal Pradesh
Abstract:For the last 40 years the Kullu district in Himachal Pradesh, India, has been recognised as an area of endemic iodine deficiency. The state government has adopted a policy of universal iodisation of salt since 1984. The iodine status of pregnant mothers is an indicator of the community status of iodine deficiency. This study was, therefore, undertaken on the iodine status of pregnant mothers to assess the impact of universal salt iodisation. A total of 147 pregnant mothers between 20-30 years of age in their second and third trimesters, attending the antenatal clinic at the district hospital, were selected for the study. Urine samples were collected from all the pregnant mothers and analysed using standard laboratory methods. It was found that 0.68% of the pregnant mothers had urinary iodine excretion between 2.0-4.9 mcg/dL, 8.8 % between 5.0-9.9 mcg/dL and 90.5% had 10 mcg/dL or more, where below 10 signifies iodine deficiency disorder (IDD). This indicates that there is a need to strengthen the implementation of the universal salt iodisation program in the Kullu district to combat IDD.
Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 1997;6(3):224-225.doi:
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Is there an effect of menopause on CHD mortality? Asia Pacific comparisons
Author:Robertson IK, Bell MJ
Keywords:Coronary heart disease, menopause, mortality statistics, Australasian-epidemiology, Asian-epidemiology
Abstract:This study examines the mortality rates of men and women from coronary heart disease (CHD) in a number of Asia-Pacific countries with very different incidences of this disorder. In all countries, mortality rates from CHD were higher in men. In women, no unequivocal change in mortality rate from CHD attributable to the menopause could be detected.
Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 1997;6(3):226-228.doi:
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