Childhood stunting remains a global public health concern. Little has been documented on the effect of women's decision-making autonomy on child growth in settings where decision-making at the household and community levels is largely dominated by men. To assess the relationship between maternal autonomy and child growth, we analysed data from a cross-sectional study of 422 mothers and their youngest child aged 6–24 months in the Bawku West District of Ghana. The dimensions of women's autonomy measured were decision-making power, freedom of mobility and financial autonomy. We then compared how each dimension was associated with the likelihood of stunting and wasting. The important predictors of child growth and dietary intake as measured by the mean length-for-age Z-score (LAZ) and minimum acceptable (MAD) diet, respectively, were determined using multivariable regression models. The overall composite index of women autonomy (CIWA) showed that 52⋅8 % of women were of high autonomy and half of them had higher autonomy regarding their own and their children's health. After adjusting (multiple regression analysis) for potential confounders, the mean LAZ of children born to women of high autonomy was significantly higher than LAZ of children born to women of low autonomy (β = 0⋅132; 95 % CI 0⋅19, 0⋅95; P = 0⋅004). Similarly, high women's autonomy was a significant independent predictor of meeting MAD (AOR = 1⋅59; CI 1⋅09, 2⋅34). Of all, the dimensions of women's autonomy measured in this study, health care autonomy better predicted child growth and dietary intake. Based on the findings, nutrition policies and interventions that enhance women's decision-making autonomy could have a positive impact on child growth outcomes.

This study examines if lactase non-persistent (LNP) children and adolescents differ from those who are lactase persistent (LP) as regards milk avoidance and Ca intake. We also studied potential differences in anthropometric features related to obesity, and examined if milk avoidance is associated with lactase-persistence status. Additionally, we aimed to determine if heterozygous subjects showed an intermediary phenotype as regards Ca intake. Furthermore, we tested if LP and LNP influence vitamin D intake. The European Youth Heart Study is an ongoing international, multi-centre cohort study primarily designed to address CVD risk factors. Children (n 298, mean age 9·6 years) and adolescents (n 386, mean age 15·6 years) belonging to the Swedish part of the European Youth Heart Study were genotyped for the LCT-13910 C > T polymorphism. Mendelian randomisation was used. Milk avoidance was significantly more common in LNP adolescents (OR 3·2; 95% CI 1·5, 7·3). LP subjects had higher milk consumption (P < 0·001). Accordingly, energy consumption derived from milk and Ca intake was lower in LNP (P < 0·05 and P < 0·001, respectively). Heterozygous subjects did not show an intermediary phenotype concerning milk consumption. LP or LNP status did not affect vitamin D intake or anthropometric variables. LNP in children and adolescents is associated with reduced intake of milk and some milk-product-related nutritional components, in particular Ca. This reduced intake did not affect the studied anthropometric variables, indicators of body fat or estimated vitamin D intake. However, independently of genotype, age and sex, daily vitamin D intake was below the recommended intakes. Milk avoidance among adolescents but not children was associated with LNP.

The present study aimed to determine the effects of mannoheptulose (MH) (8 mg/kg) on energy expenditure (EE), respiratory quotient (RQ) and glycaemic response in healthy adult Beagle dogs (n 8; 9·62 (sem 0·31) kg; body condition score 4·5). The study was designed as replicated 4 × 4 Latin squares with a 2 × 2 factorial treatment structure. The dietary treatments were low carbohydrate (CHO) relative to fat diet (LC; 31 % CHO, 28 % fat) with placebo (0 mg/kg) or MH supplement and high CHO relative to fat diet (HC; 54 % CHO, 11 % fat) with placebo (0 mg/kg) or MH supplement. Dogs were fed to maintain body weight (HC and HC+MH 3625 (sem 295) kJ and LC and LC+MH 3542 (sem 284) kJ). Resting and postprandial (0–4 h; 5–10 h; 11–17 h; 18–23 h) EE and RQ were determined by indirect calorimetry (days 12 or 14). Glycaemic response to a meal (24 h) and plasma MH concentrations were determined on days 12 or 14. Plasma MH followed first-order kinetics, confirming that MH is absorbed and available to the animal. In the presence of high dietary CHO, MH increased postprandial EE (5–10 h only), suggesting MH increased dietary induced thermogenesis. In contrast to earlier reports, MH did not affect serum glucose or insulin in the present study. Irrespective of MH, dogs adapted RQ to diet composition and dogs consuming the LC diet had a greater incremental AUC for glucose, but not insulin, than dogs consuming the HC diet.

There is a lack of accurate prevalence data on undernutrition and the risk of undernutrition among the hospitalised elderly in Europe and Norway. We aimed at estimating the prevalence of nutritional risk by using stratified sampling along with adequate power calculations. A cross-sectional study was carried out in the period 2011 to 2013 at a university hospital in Norway. Second-year nursing students in acute care clinical studies in twenty hospital wards screened non-demented elderly patients for nutritional risk, by employing the Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS2002) form. In total, 508 patients (48·8 % women and 51·2 % men) with a mean age of 79·6 (sd 6·4) years were screened by the students. Mean BMI was 24·9 (sd 4·9) kg/m2, and the patients had been hospitalised for on average 5·3 (sd 6·3) d. WHO's BMI cut-off values identified 6·5 % as underweight, 48·0 % of normal weight and 45·5 % as overweight. Patients nutritionally at risk had been in hospital longer and had lower average weight and BMI compared with those not at risk (all P < 0·001); no differences in mean age or sex were observed. The prevalence of nutritional risk was estimated to be 45·4 (95 % CI 41·7 %, 49·0) %, ranging between 20·0 and 65·0 % on different hospital wards. The present results show that the prevalence of nutritional risk among elderly patients without dementia is high, suggesting that a large proportion of the hospitalised elderly are in need of nutritional treatment.

A nationwide survey of 2022 consumers was conducted in Australia in late 2011. A short list of questions about knowledge of the nutrient composition of common foods was administered along with questions about the respondents' food attitudes, demographics, school education and dieting practices. Overall, the results showed that nutrition knowledge was relatively high. Latent class analysis showed two groups of consumers with ‘high’ and ‘low’ knowledge of nutrition. Higher knowledge was positively associated with age, female sex, university education, experience of home economics or health education at school, having a chronic disease, and attitudes to food issues, and negatively with type 1 diabetes or the use of diabetes-control diets. The implications of the findings for nutrition communication are discussed.

Endurance sled dogs have unique dietary energy requirements. At present, there is disparity in the literature regarding energy expenditure and thus energy requirements of these dogs. We sought to further elucidate energy requirements for endurance sled dogs under field conditions. Three sled dog teams completing the 2011 Yukon Quest volunteered to provide diet history. Nutritional content was evaluated and a mock meal was analysed for each team. Race data were obtained from www.yukonquest.com. Dogs were weighed at the start of the race in Whitehorse Yukon (WH), a mid-way checkpoint in Dawson Yukon (DS) and at the finish in Fairbanks Alaska. Data are average value per dog or per dog per d. Linear regression compared average weight loss to average kcal/dog consumed daily. Diets and feeding regimes were similar for all three teams. The average daily energy intake and nutrient content was similar for all diets. During leg one (WH to DS), team 1 gained weight overall, whereas the other two teams experienced weight loss. Linear regression revealed 37 638 kJ/dog/d (8995 kcal/dog/d) was required for weight maintenance. During leg two (DS to Fairbanks Alaska), average weights decreased for all three teams. The extrapolated kcal requirement was approximately 57 734 kJ/dog/d (13 799 kcal/dog/d). The carbohydrate contents of these diets also suggest that presumed fat intake for endurance sled dogs may be slightly less than previously thought. Finally, these data support the concept that dietary energy requirements vary substantially with additional variables such as load pulled, terrain and ambient temperature.

Extruded cat foods differ greatly in macronutrient distribution compared with wild-type diets (i.e. small mammals, reptiles, birds and insects). Based on the literature, this variability likely impacts faecal microbial populations. A completely randomised design was utilised to test the impacts of two dietary treatments on faecal microbial populations: (1) chicken-based extruded diet (EXT; n 3 cats) and (2) raw 1–3-d-old chicks (CHI; n 5 cats). Cats were adapted to diets for 10 d. Bacterial DNA was isolated from faecal samples and amplicons of the 16S rRNA V4–V6 region were generated and analysed by 454 pyrosequencing. Faeces of cats fed CHI had greater (P < 0·05) proportions of the following bacterial genera: unidentified Lachnospiraceae (15 v. 5 %), Peptococcus (9 v. 3 %) and Pseudobutyrivibrio (4 v. 1 %). Faeces of cats fed EXT had greater (P < 0·05) proportions of Faecalibacterium (1·0 v. 0·2 %) and Succinivibrio (1·2 v. < 0·1 %). Five genera, including Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, were present in a majority of samples (two to three out of three) from cats fed EXT, but were not detected in the samples (zero of five) for cats fed CHI. These shifts in faecal bacterial populations compared with feeding a whole-prey diet may impact the functional capacities of the microbiota and its interaction with the host. Further research is warranted to determine the impacts of these shifts on long-term health of domestic cats.

The double burden of overnutrition and undernutrition is rapidly becoming a public health concern in low- and middle-income countries. We explored the occurrence of mother−child pairs of over- and undernutrition and the contributing factors using the 2014 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey data. A weighted sample of 7830 mother−child pairs was analysed. The children's nutritional status was determined using the WHO 2006 reference standards while maternal nutritional status was determined with BMI. Descriptive statistics, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were conducted. The proportion of overweight and obese mothers was 26 % (18·8 % overweight and 7·2 % obese). The prevalence of child stunting, underweight and wasting was 26·3, 12·8 and 5·1 %, respectively. Out of the overweight/obese mothers (weighted n 2034), 20 % had stunted children, 5·4 % underweight children and 3·1 % wasted children. Overweight/obese mother−stunted child pairs and overweight/obese mother−underweight child pairs were less likely to occur in the rural areas (adjusted OR (aOR) = 0·43; P < 0·01) in comparison with those residing in the urban areas (aOR = 0·54; P = 0·01). Children aged more than 6 months were more likely to be in the double burden dyads compared with children below 6 months of age (P < 0·01). The double burden mother−child dyads were more likely to be observed in wealthier households. Mother−child double burden is a notable public health problem in Kenya. Household wealth and urban residence are determinants of the double burden. There is need for target-specific interventions to simultaneously address child undernutrition and maternal overweight/obesity.

The impact of oligofructose (OF) intake on stool frequency has not been clearly substantiated, while significant gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms have been reported in some individuals. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of OF on stool frequency and GI symptoms in healthy adults. In an 8-week, randomised, double-blind, parallel-arm study, ninety-eight participants were provided with 16 g OF in yogurt and snack bars (twenty male and thirty female) or matching control foods (seventeen male and thirty-one female), to incorporate, by replacement, into their usual diets. Participants completed a daily online questionnaire recording stool frequency and rating four symptoms: bloating, flatulence, abdominal cramping and noise, each on a Likert scale from ‘0’ for none (no symptoms) to ‘6’ for very severe, with a maximum symptom intensity score of 24 (sum of severities from all four symptoms). Online 24 h dietary recalls were completed during pre-baseline and weeks 4, 6 and 8 to determine fibre intake. When provided with OF foods, fibre intake increased to 24·3 (sem 0·5) g/d from pre-baseline (12·1 (sem 0·5) g/d; P < 0·001). Stool frequency increased with OF from 1·3 (sem 0·2) to 1·8 (sem 0·2) stools per d in males and 1·0 (sem 0·1) to 1·4 (sem 0·1) stools per d in females during intervention weeks compared with pre-baseline (P < 0·05),but did not change for control participants (males: 1·6 (sem 0·2) to 1·8 (sem 0·2); females: 1·3 (sem 0·1) to 1·4 (sem 0·1)). Flatulence was the most commonly reported symptom. Mean GI symptom intensity score was higher for the OF group (3·2 (sem 0·3)) v. control (1·7 (sem 0·1)) (P < 0·01), with few participants reporting above moderate symptoms. No change in symptom intensity occurred over time. Consuming yogurt and snack bars with 16 g OF improves regularity in young healthy adults. However, GI symptoms, resulting from an increase in oligofructose intake, may not diminish with time.

Data on the combination of foods consumed simultaneously at specific eating occasions are scarce, primarily due to a lack of assessment tools. We applied a recently developed meal coding system to multiple-day dietary intake data for assessing its ability to estimate food and nutrient intakes and characterise meal-based dietary patterns in the Japanese context. A total of 242 Japanese adults completed sixteen non-consecutive-day weighed dietary records, including 14 734 eating occasions (3788 breakfasts, 3823 lunches, 3856 dinners and 3267 snacks). Common food group combinations were identified by meal type to identify a range of generic meals. Dietary intake was calculated on the basis of not only the standard food composition database but also the substituted generic meal database. In total, eighty generic meals (twenty-three breakfasts, twenty-one lunches, twenty-four dinners and twelve snacks) were identified. The Spearman correlation coefficients between food group intakes calculated based on the standard food composition database and the substituted generic meal database ranged from 0·26 to 0·85 (median 0·69). The corresponding correlations for nutrient intakes ranged from 0·17 to 0·82 (median 0·61). A total of eleven meal patterns were established using principal components analysis, and these accounted for 39·1 % of total meal variance. Considerable variation in patterns was seen in meal type inclusion and choice of staple foods (bread, rice and noodles) and drinks, and also in meal constituents. In conclusion, this study demonstrated the usefulness of a meal coding system for assessing habitual diet, providing a scientific basis towards the development of simple meal-based dietary assessment tools.

The relationships between the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of the diet and the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) have not previously been assessed. The aim of this study was to assess relationships between DTAC and odds of NAFLD in a case–control study. This case–control study was carried out in 158 patients with NAFLD and 357 healthy individuals aged 18–55 years. Dietary data were collected using validated 168-item quantitative food frequency questionnaires. Triacylglycerols (TAGs), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) and fasting blood glucose (FBS) concentrations were assessed using enzymatic methods and commercial kits. The DTAC was calculated based on the oxygen radical absorbance capacity of each food reported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The mean ± sd (standard deviation) for age and body mass index (BMI) of the study participants were 43⋅9 years ±5⋅9 and had 30⋅5 kg/m2 ±2⋅6. The NAFLD patients included higher BMI and female proportion, compared with the control group. The NAFLD patients included higher smoking rates, biochemical parameters (TG, TC, LDL-C and FBS) and DTAC scores, compared with control groups (P-value < 0⋅05). However, patients with NAFLD had lower HDL levels and physical activities, compared with the control group. The highest tertile of DTAC showed lower odds of NAFLD, compared with the lowest tertile. This association was significant after adjustment for potential confounders (OR, 0⋅19; 95 % CI, 0⋅9–0⋅34; P for trend 0⋅001). Findings suggest that the promotion of naturally increased antioxidant capacities may help prevent odds of NAFLD.

Population-based studies have shown an inverse association between dietary menaquinones (MK-n, vitamin K2) intake, coronary calcification and CHD risk, suggesting a potential role of vitamin K in vascular health. To date, the effects of increased menaquinone intake on (markers of) vascular health have been investigated using predominantly food supplements. Dairy products contain many essential nutrients and can serve as a good matrix for food fortification in order to support health. We were therefore interested to study the effects of a menaquinone-fortified yogurt drink (menaquinone as menaquinone-7 (MK-7); 28 µg MK-7/yogurt drink) on vitamin K status and markers of vascular health. The yogurt drink was also fortified with n-3 PUFA, vitamin D, vitamin C, Ca and Mg to support vascular and/or general health. Healthy men (n 32) and postmenopausal women (n 28) with a mean age of 56 (sd 5) years received either basic or fortified yogurt drink twice per d for 12 weeks. MK-7 was efficiently absorbed from the fortified yogurt drink. Levels of circulating MK-7 were significantly increased from 0·28 to 1·94 ng/ml. In accordance, intake of the fortified yogurt drink improved vitamin K status, as measured by significant decreases in uncarboxylated osteocalcin and desphospho-uncarboxylated matrix Gla-protein. No effects were, however, seen on markers of inflammation, endothelial dysfunction and lipid metabolism. In summary, consumption of a yogurt drink fortified with low doses of among others MK-7 for 3 months significantly improved vitamin K status in a healthy population.

Dietary fatty acids have been shown to exert a clear effect on the stress response, modulating the release of cortisol. The role of fatty acids on the expression of steroidogenic genes has been described in mammals, but little is known in fish. The effect of different fatty acids on the release of cortisol and expression of stress-related genes of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) head kidney, induced by a pulse of adenocorticotrophin hormone (ACTH), was studied. Tissue was maintained in superfusion with 60 min of incubation with EPA, DHA, arachidonic acid (ARA), linoleic acid or α-linolenic acid (ALA) during 490 min. Cortisol was measured by RIA. The quantification of stress-related genes transcripts was conducted by One-Step TaqMan real-time RT-PCR. There was an effect of the type of fatty acid on the ACTH-induced release of cortisol, values from ALA treatment being elevated within all of the experimental period. The expression of some steroidogenic genes, such as the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) and c-fos, were affected by fatty acids, ALA increasing the expression of StAR after 1 h of ACTH stimulation whereas DHA, ARA and ALA increased the expression of c-fos after 20 min. ARA increased expression of the 11β-hydroxylase gene. Expression of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) was increased in all the experimental treatments except for ARA. Results corroborate previous studies of the effect of different fatty acids on the release of cortisol in marine fish and demonstrate that those effects are mediated by alteration of the expression of steroidogenic genes.

We developed a culturally-specific Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) to the Ethiopian context and evaluate its validity in comparison to two 24-h dietary recalls (24-HRs) of food and nutrient intake. To evaluate the validity of a culturally-specific FFQ against two 24-HRs, we used a paired t-test, Wilcoxon-signed-rank test, Correlation coefficients, cross-classification, κ and Bland-Altman analysis. The FFQ was obtained 15 d after the second 24-HR was completed. A total of 105 adults, of which 43 (41 %) were men and 62 (59 %) women, aged 20–65 years participated in this present study. Mean energy and macronutrient intake obtained from the FFQ were significantly higher than those obtained from the mean of two 24-HRs. For energy and nutrient intakes, the crude correlation ranged from 0⋅05 (total fat) to 0⋅49 (vitamin B1). The de-attenuated correlation ranged from to 0⋅10 (total fat) to 0⋅80 (vitamin A). For the majority of food groups, no significant difference was observed in the median intake of food and nutrients. Crude correlation for food groups ranged from 0⋅12 (egg) to 0⋅78 (legumes). The de-attenuated correlation ranged from 0⋅24 (egg) to 1⋅00 (meat/poultry/fish and dairy). The FFQ is valid to assess and rank individuals in terms of intake of most food groups according to high and low intake categories.

Maintaining healthy eating habits in college is challenging. Interventions focused on nutrition education can assist in reversing these trends of poor eating habits among college students. The purpose of the study was to identify factors affecting the dietary habits, food choices and BMI of college females majoring in nutrition (NMs) compared with non-nutrition majors (OMs). A questionnaire-based cross-sectional survey study of dietary behaviour and food frequency of 202 college females was conducted at San Diego State University. Data were analysed by using t tests, χ2 tests and regression analysis in SPSS. NMs exhibited a lower BMI than OMs (P < 0·01); however, BMI values for both groups were within a healthy range. Interestingly, 3 % of NMs had a BMI in the range of overweight or obese; however, prevalence was three times higher for OMs, being 9·2 %. A healthier meal option was the most influential factor in NMs’ meal choices whereas convenience and weight control were influential factors in OMs’ meal choices. Most NMs read nutrition labels and reported that this affects their food choices. NMs exercised longer than OMs in the <120 min/week category. Exercise affected healthy meal conception in NMs only (P < 0·001). Taking dietary supplements influenced healthy meal awareness in OMs only (P < 0·05). University-level nutrition education is strongly associated with healthier eating habits and superior food choices among young adult females. More regular meal patterns, healthier snack choice and adherence to dietary guidelines may contribute to the lower BMI values observed among NMs compared with OMs.

Melatonin-rich and 1,8-cineole-rich extracts have been successfully obtained from yellow mustard (YM) and small cardamom (SC) seeds, respectively, employing green technology of supercritical CO2 (SC-CO2) extraction. Chemical profiling confirmed the presence of melatonin and 1,8-cineole and co-extractants in the respective extracts. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy attested strong antioxidant activities of the extracts foregoing pan-assay interference compounds involved in spectroscopic analysis. These extracts also exhibited synergistic efficacies greater than unity confirming antioxidant synergy among the co-extracted bioactives therein. To ascertain hypocholesterolaemic efficacies, these extracts were co-administered orally with Triton X (at the pre-optimised dose of 175 mg/kg body weight (BW)) to Wistar albino rats at doses of 550, 175 and 55 mg/kg BW. Serum total cholesterol levels in the rats were monitored on days 3, 7, 15 and 21. On day 21, total cholesterol level reduced appreciably by 49·44 % in rats treated with YM seed extract and by 48·95 % in rats treated with SC seed extract, comparable with atorvastatin-administered rats (51·09 %). Either extract demonstrated inhibitory effects on hepatic 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase activity. A molecular docking exercise identified specific compounds in the extracts which possessed binding affinities comparable with therapeutically used HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. In silico and in vivo studies concertedly concluded that the consortium of bioactive components in the extracts cannot be considered as invalid metabolic panaceas and therefore these ‘green’ extracts could be safely subjected to clinical studies as preventive biotherapeutics for hypercholesterolaemia. These extracts could be consumed per se as hypocholesterolaemic supplements or could be ingredients of new spice-based therapeutic foods.

While methods to evaluate antioxidant capacity in animals exist, one problem with the models is induction of oxidative stress. It is necessary to promote a great enough challenge to induce measurable alterations to oxidative parameters while ensuring the protocol is compatible with animal welfare. The aim of the present study was to evaluate caged transport as a viable short-term stress that would significantly affect oxidative parameters. Twenty adult Beagle dogs, maintained on the same diet for 60 d prior to the transport, were included in the study. To simulate the stress, the dogs were housed in pairs in transport cages (1·0 m × 1·0 m × 1·5 m), placed on a truck coupled to a trailer and transported for a period of 15 min. Blood collection was performed immediately before and again 3 h after the transportation to evaluate oxidative parameters in blood serum, including thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), sequestration activity of the radical 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH•), protein carbonylation (PC), total sulfhydryl groups (SH), alpha-tocopherol (αToc) and retinol (Ret). PC, SH and αToc were not significantly changed in the study; however, TBARS, TAC and DPPH increased, whereas Ret decreased after the transport. Although the lack of a control group of dogs not submitted to transport is a limitation to be considered, we conclude that the transport model is effective in inducing an antioxidant response in dogs and relevant blood parameters show sensitivity to this proposed model.

There is little information regarding factors that determine dietary diversity among pregnant women in Ghana. The present study, therefore, sought to assess the independent predictors of dietary diversity and its relationship with nutritional status of pregnant women in the Northern Region of Ghana. The present study was an analytical cross-sectional survey involving 423 pregnant women in different stages of gestation. The 24-h dietary recall method was used to assess minimum dietary diversity for women (MDD-W), and nutritional status was assessed using mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) measurements. Binary logistic regression was performed to assess the association between maternal dietary diversity and maternal thinness and a P value of <0⋅05 was considered statistically significant. Of the 423 women, 79⋅9 % (95 % CI 76⋅1, 83⋅7) met the MDD-W and the prevalence of undernutrition among the pregnant women was 26⋅0 %. The analysis showed that women of low household wealth index were 48 % less likely (AOR 0⋅52, CI 0⋅31, 0⋅88) of meeting the MDD-W, whereas women from households of poor food insecurity were 88 % less likely (AOR 0⋅12, CI 0⋅05, 0⋅27) of achieving the MDD-W. Women of low household size were three times more likely of meeting the MDD-W (AOR 3⋅07, CI 1⋅13, 8⋅39). MDD-W was not associated with maternal underweight during pregnancy. In conclusion, the results of the present study showed that food insecurity and not low MDD-W, associated with mothers’ thinness (underweight) during pregnancy in peri-urban setting of Northern Ghana.

Vitamin D deficiency has been commonly reported in elite athletes, but the vitamin D status of UK university athletes in different training environments remains unknown. The present study aimed to determine any seasonal changes in vitamin D status among indoor and outdoor athletes, and whether there was any relationship between vitamin D status and indices of physical performance and bone health. A group of forty-seven university athletes (indoor n 22, outdoor n 25) were tested during autumn and spring for serum vitamin D status, bone health and physical performance parameters. Blood samples were analysed for serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (s-25(OH)D) status. Peak isometric knee extensor torque using an isokinetic dynamometer and jump height was assessed using an Optojump. Aerobic capacity was estimated using the Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test. Peripheral quantitative computed tomography scans measured radial bone mineral density. Statistical analyses were performed using appropriate parametric/non-parametric testing depending on the normality of the data. s-25(OH)D significantly fell between autumn (52·8 (sd 22·0) nmol/l) and spring (31·0 (sd 16·5) nmol/l; P < 0·001). In spring, 34 % of participants were considered to be vitamin D deficient (<25 nmol/l) according to the revised 2016 UK guidelines. These data suggest that UK university athletes are at risk of vitamin D deficiency. Thus, further research is warranted to investigate the concomitant effects of low vitamin D status on health and performance outcomes in university athletes residing at northern latitudes.

A dietary survey was performed during a large screening study in Sweden among 13-year-old adolescents. The aim was to study how the intake of food groups was affected by a screening-detected diagnosis of coeliac disease (CD) and its gluten-free (GF) treatment. Food intake was reported using a FFQ, and intake reported by the adolescents who were diagnosed with CD was compared with the intake of two same-aged referent groups: (i) adolescents diagnosed with CD prior to screening; and (ii) adolescents without CD. The food intake groups were measured at baseline before the screening-detected cases were aware of their CD, and 12–18 months later. The results showed that food intakes were affected by screen-detected CD and its dietary treatment. Many flour-based foods were reduced such as pizza, fish fingers and pastries. The results also indicated that bread intake was lower before the screened diagnosis compared with the other studied groups, but increased afterwards. Specially manufactured GF products (for example, pasta and bread) were frequently used in the screened CD group after changing to a GF diet. The present results suggest that changing to a GF diet reduces the intake of some popular foods, and the ingredients on the plate are altered, but this do not necessarily include a change of food groups. The availability of manufactured GF replacement products makes it possible for adolescents to keep many of their old food habits when diagnosed with CD in Sweden.