Development of an at-risk assessment approach to dietary data quality in a food-based clinical trial

Accurate and valid dietary data is the basis to investigate diet-disease relationships. Potential data discrepancies may be introduced when collecting and analysing data, despite rigorous quality assurance protocols. The aim of this study was to identify at-risk areas of dietary data in a food-based clinical trial. Source data verification was performed on a 10% random sample (n=38) of paper-based baseline diet history interview records in a registered clinical trial. All items listed in the source data underwent 100% manual verification based on the food input data from FoodWorks nutrient analysis software. Food item discrepancies were explored using food categories and summarised based on meals. The differences in identified discrepancies for energy and macronutrient output generated from FoodWorks software between previously entered data and re-entered data were compared. An overall discrepancy rate of 4.88% was identified. It was found that dinner intake data were more prone to discrepancy incidences than breakfast, lunch and snacks. Furthermore, assessing intake based on reported quantity and frequency may be more effective to correct discrepancies for quality improvement. Therefore, the dinner meal appeared to be an at risk area of dietary data. The method implemented in this study offers a systematic approach to evaluating dietary data in a research setting

Finishing the euchromatic sequence of the human genome

The sequence of the human genome encodes the genetic instructions for human physiology, as well as rich information about human evolution. In 2001, the International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium reported a draft sequence of the euchromatic portion of the human genome. Since then, the international collaboration has worked to convert this draft into a genome sequence with high accuracy and nearly complete coverage. Here, we report the result of this finishing process. The current genome sequence (Build 35) contains 2.85 billion nucleotides interrupted by only 341 gaps. It covers ∼99% of the euchromatic genome and is accurate to an error rate of ∼1 event per 100,000 bases. Many of the remaining euchromatic gaps are associated with segmental duplications and will require focused work with new methods. The near-complete sequence, the first for a vertebrate, greatly improves the precision of biological analyses of the human genome including studies of gene number, birth and death. Notably, the human enome seems to encode only 20,000-25,000 protein-coding genes. The genome sequence reported here should serve as a firm foundation for biomedical research in the decades ahead

Dietary intake data quality in the clinical research setting: Implications of quality improvement

Food-based randomised controlled trials (RCTs) provide the highest level of evidence on diet-disease relationships, which is used in decision-making for dietary recommendations. Such decision-making processes largely rely on dietary intake data. Thus, high-quality dietary intake data is a prerequisite for better information and decision-making for dietary recommendations. Dietary intake data is generated by the process of collection and coding, emphasising that dietary intake data is generated via a stepwise process. The stepwise process of dietary intake data derivation was used as the conceptual framework for this thesis. Moreover, due to the use of open-ended dietary intake assessment tools in food-based RCTs, dietary intake data coding from dietary intake data source documents (e.g., food records) to the nutrition analysis software is commonly required. Therefore, sources of measurement error may be unique to RCTs. However, little is currently known about the quality of the self reported dietary intake data in food-based RCTs

Hoping to get in shape for summer? Ditch the fads in favour of a diet more likely to stick

Weight gain can creep up on us. Over the winter months we enjoy foods that create a feeling of comfort and warmth. Many of these foods tend to be higher in calories, usually from fat or added sugars. As we enter the summer months, some of us start to think about getting in shape - and how we\u27re going to look in a bathing costume. These concerns might be met with the temptation to seek a quick fix to weight loss. But this sort of approach is likely to mean finding yourself back in the same position this time next year. Looking past the quick fix and fad diets to longer-term solutions will improve your chance of keeping the weight off and staying healthy all year round

Five food mistakes to avoid if you\u27re trying to lose weight

Many people wonder why they\u27re not losing weight when they follow a strict diet and exercise routine. One possible reason is that what look like healthy options aren\u27t what they seem. Many foods and drinks contain hidden fats, sugars or salt, each of which will curb your weight loss efforts. In addition to the kilojoules, these flavoursome foods leave you wanting more. Losing weight is largely about tipping the balance of kilojoules in and out. If you\u27re trying to lose weight or simply seeking a healthier lifestyle, here are five common traps that might be hindering you

Four simple food choices that help you lose weight and stay healthy

It\u27s difficult to lose weight. And it\u27s even harder to keep it off. Many people achieve short-term weight-loss only to return to their previous lifestyle choices - and their previous weight - over time. This can lead to yo-yoing between weight loss and weight gain. One of the problems is that weight-loss diets aren\u27t sustainable. They leave dieters feeling hungry and aren\u27t giving them the essential nutrients they need to maintain their long-term health

Development of a Choline database to estimate australian population intakes

The AUSNUT 2011-13 food composition database was expanded to include Australian choline values. The development began with a systematic literature review of published studies. Analytical data from the food studies were extracted and aligned with their equivalent AUSNUT food identification code. Global food composition databases containing choline values were matched to the remaining AUSNUT food codes, following the FAO INFOODS food matching guidelines, including adjustments for moisture and protein composition. Composite foods, and not further-specified foods, were developed using the Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) recipe files. The completed choline database was then employed to analyse the Australian National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey 2011-12, with population and sampling weightings applied. Survey respondents were classified into categories based on their level of choline intake and compared with the Australian Adequate Intake levels. Food sources of intake were also explored. Multiple linear regression models were developed for food group contributors to choline intake. Mean choline intakes varied from 151.50 mg for pregnant 14-18 years old, to 310.54 mg for 19-64 year old males. Less than 10% of the population by age and gender were achieving the Adequate Intake for choline. Eggs and their contributing food groups were the top ranked food sources of choline for the population

A systematic review of food composition tools used for determining dietary polyphenol intake in estimated intake studies

Translating food intake data into phytochemical outcomes is a crucial step in investigating potential health benefits. The aim of this review was to examine the tools for determining dietary-derived polyphenol intakes for estimated intake studies. Published studies from 2004 to 2014 reporting polyphenol food composition information were sourced with 157 studies included. Six polyphenol subclasses were identified. One quarter of studies (n = 39) reported total flavonoids intake with 27% reporting individual flavonoid compounds. Assessing multiple compounds was common with approximately 10% of studies assessing seven (n = 13), six (n = 12) and five (n = 14) subclasses of polyphenol. There was no pattern between reported flavonoids compounds and subclass studied. Approximately 60% of studies relied on publicly accessible food composition data to estimate dietary polyphenols intake with 33% using two or more tools. This review highlights the importance of publicly accessible composition databases for estimating polyphenol intake and provides a reference for tools available globally

Dietary phytochemical intake from foods and health outcomes: A systematic review protocol and preliminary scoping

Introduction: Dietary phytochemicals are found in plant-based foods such as fruits, vegetables and grains and may be categorised in a nested hierarchical manner with many hundred individual phytochemicals identified to date. To associate phytochemical intakes with positive health outcomes, a fundamental step is to accurately estimate the dietary phytochemical intake from foods reported. The purpose of this systematic review protocol is to describe the process to be undertaken to summarise the evidence for food-based dietary phytochemical intakes and health outcomes for adults. Methods and analysis: The review will be undertaken following the PRISMA guidelines and the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions using the Review Manager software. Phytochemical subclasses (phenolic acids, flavanols, etc) will be used to search for relevant studies using the Web of Science and Scopus scientific databases. The retrieved studies will be screened based on inclusion of natural whole food items and health outcomes. Phytochemical studies related to cardiovascular disease, cancer, overweight, glucose tolerance, digestive, reproductive, macular and bone health and mental disorders, fatigue and immunity will be examined based on prior scoping. The evidence will be aggregated by the food types and health outcomes. Comparison of differences in the outcomes for randomised controlled trials and observational studies will be undertaken. The strength of the review lies in its focus on whole food items and health conditions rather than one type of phytochemical related to one single health condition. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses will be conducted where an adequate number of publications are found per phytochemical subclass. Dissemination: By comparing the outcomes from experimental and observational studies, the review will determine whether the overall conclusions related to the phytochemical subclasses are the same between study types for the identified health conditions. This is useful to public health policymakers and health professionals alike

Effect of walnut consumption on markers of blood glucose control: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic disease increasing in global prevalence. While habitual consumption of walnuts is associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, there is inconsistent evidence for the impact of walnut consumption on markers of glycaemic control. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to examine the effect of walnut consumption on markers of blood glucose control. A systematic search of Medline, PubMed, CINAHL and Cochrane databases (to 2nd March 2019) was conducted. Inclusion criteria were randomised controlled trials conducted with adults which assessed the effect of walnut consumption on: fasting blood glucose and insulin, glycated haemoglobin, and Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance. Random effects meta-analyses were conducted to assess the weighted mean differences (WMD) for each outcome. Risk of bias in studies was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool 2.0. Sixteen studies providing 18 effect sizes were included in the review. Consumption of walnuts did not result in significant changes in fasting blood glucose levels (WMD: 0.331 mg/dL [95% confidence intervals: -0.817, 1.479]) or other outcome measures. Studies were determined to have either \u27some concerns\u27 or be at \u27high risk\u27 of bias. There was no evidence of an effect of walnut consumption on markers of blood glucose control. These findings suggest that the known favourable effects of walnut intake on cardiovascular disease are not mediated via improvements in glycaemic control. Given the high risk of bias observed in the current evidence base, there is a need for further high quality randomised controlled trials