To examine the association of consumption of whole grains (WG) with diet quality and nutrient intake in children and adolescents.

Secondary analysis of cross-sectional data.

The 1999–2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Children aged 2–5 years (n 2278) and 6–12 years (n 3868) and adolescents aged 13–18 years (n 4931). The participants were divided into four WG consumption groups: ≥0 to <0·6, ≥0·6 to <1·5, ≥1·5 to <3·0 and ≥3·0 servings/d. Nutrient intake and diet quality, using the Healthy Eating Index (HEI)-2005, were determined for each group from a single 24 h dietary recall.

The mean number of servings of WG consumed was 0·45, 0·59 and 0·63 for children/adolescents at the age of 2–5, 6–12 and 13–18 years, respectively. In all groups, HEI and intakes of energy, fibre, vitamin B6, folate, magnesium, phosphorus and iron were significantly higher in those consuming ≥3·0 servings of WG/d; intakes of protein, total fat, SFA and MUFA and cholesterol levels were lower. Intakes of PUFA (6–12 years), vitamins B1 (2–5 and 13–18 years), B2 (13–18 years), A (2–5 and 13–18 years) and E (13–18 years) were higher in those groups consuming ≥3·0 servings of WG/d; intakes of added sugars (2–5 years), vitamin C (2–5 and 6–12 years), potassium and sodium (6–12 years) were lower.

Overall consumption of WG was low. Children and adolescents who consumed the most servings of WG had better diet quality and nutrient intake.

Dietary habits, including dietary patterns, have been associated with the risk of chronic diseases, including cancer. The objective of the present study was to evaluate Korean dietary patterns as assessed by using an FFQ and associations of dietary patterns with lifestyle risk factors.

Dietary patterns were analysed by factor analysis using a sixteen-group FFQ. The associations between dietary patterns and lifestyle risk factors were investigated by logistic regression analysis.

The National Cancer Center in South Korea.

The study population included 11 440 participants aged ≥30 years who were recruited between 2002 and 2007.

Compared with the lowest quartile intake of each dietary pattern, current smoking was positively associated with the Western pattern (OR = 1·55 for the highest quartile, 95 % CI 1·27, 1·88; P < 0·001) and the traditional pattern (OR = 1·34, 95 % CI 1·11, 1·62; P = 0·002) in men, but was inversely associated with the healthy pattern in both genders (P < 0·001) and the traditional pattern (OR = 0·52, 95 % CI 0·36, 0·75; P = 0·001) in women. Alcohol consumption was positively associated with all patterns in both genders, while no association was observed with the healthy pattern in women. Physical activity and dietary supplement use were positively associated with all patterns in both genders, with the exception of physical activity in women, which showed an inverse association with the traditional pattern.

Dietary patterns are strongly associated with health behaviours. The possible confounding effect of other risk behaviours should be appropriately considered when conducting nutritional epidemiological studies.

To examine various sociodemographic aspects related to consumption of micronutrient-rich foods like green leafy vegetables (GLV), which will be helpful in modifying dietary habits, a strategy that merits consideration for prevention of anaemia.

Cross-sectional study for collecting data on socio-economic and anthropometric (weight, height) variables, Hb, dietary pattern (FFQ) and peripheral smear examination for classifying nutritional and iron-deficiency anaemia (IDA).

Three villages near Pune city, Maharashtra, India.

Rural women (n 418) of childbearing age (15–35 years).

Mean Hb was 11·07 g/dl. Seventy-seven per cent of the women were anaemic (Hb < 12 g/dl) and 28 % had IDA, indicating that a large proportion of the women had nutritional anaemia. Higher prevalence of IDA was associated with several sociodemographic and maternal parameters, but multiple logistic regression analysis showed significant (P < 0·05) risk of IDA with lower body weight (<40 kg), short maternal height (<145 cm), younger age at marriage (<19 years) and higher parity (≥2). Various socio-cultural reasons associated with low consumption of GLV included non-cultivation of GLV, priority for selling them rather than home consumption, dislike of GLV by husband and children, and lack of awareness about different recipes for GLV.

Our findings highlight that low consumption of GLV, which are treasures of micronutrients including Fe, is associated with genuine social reasons. This indicates a need for developing action programmes to improve nutritional knowledge and awareness leading to enhanced consumption of Fe-rich foods for preventing anaemia in rural India.

To investigate the frequency of psychiatric disorders in subjects wishing to lose weight categorized according to BMI.

Cross-sectional study.

An academic outpatient clinical nutrition service in Italy.

A total of 207 subjects (thirty-nine men and 168 women; mean age: 38·7 (sd 14·1) years) consecutively attending the study centre for the first time between January 2003 and December 2006.

In the entire study group, eighty-three (40 %) subjects had a psychiatric disorder according to criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition, text revision. Eating disorders were the most prevalent psychiatric condition (thirty-six subjects, 17·4 %), followed by mood and anxiety disorders (9·7 % and 8·7 %, respectively). The frequency of psychiatric disorders among different BMI categories was as follows: 75·0 % in underweight, 50·0 % in normal weight, 33·3 % in overweight and 33·3 % in obese subjects.

Psychiatric disorders may be frequently found in subjects wishing to lose weight. Our results highlight the importance of psychiatric assessment especially in underweight and normal-weight subjects.