Sleep and Food Choice in a Dutch Student Population

BACKGROUND: The increased risk of obesity among short sleepers is most likely explained by increased energy intake. However, food intake could not only be altered quantitavely but also qualitatively. Therefore, we performed a correlational analysis on self-reported food intake and sleep in 51 students from Maastricht and surroundings. RESULTS: Students that slept longer had a lower caloric intake: ρ = -0.378, p = 0.006, the amount of calories consumed per minute awake remaining relatively stable. However, sleep duration did not correlate with intake of percentage fat, saturated fat, carbohydrates or protein. Average energy intake during the reported breakfasts, lunches, dinners or snacks separately did also not correlate with total sleep time. CONCLUSION: It seems that shorter sleep correlates with absolute caloric intake, but not with the intake of specific dietary components

Prevalence of bladder and bowel dysfunction in duchenne muscular dystrophy using the childhood bladder and bowel dysfunction questionnaire

Introduction: Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and gastrointestinal (GI) problems are common in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), but not systematically assessed in regular care. We aimed to determine the prevalence of bladder and bowel dysfunction (BBD) in DMD patients compared with healthy controls (HC). Methods: The Childhood Bladder and Bowel Dysfunction Questionnaire (CBBDQ) based on the International Rome III criteria and the International Children’s Continence Society was filled out by 57 DMD patients and 56 HC. Additionally, possible associations of BBD with, for example, medication use or quality of life were evaluated in an additional questionnaire developed by experts. Results: In 74% of patients versus 56% of HC ≥1 LUTS (n.s.) were reported, 68% of patients versus 39% of HC reported ≥1 bowel symptom (p = 0.002) and 53% of patients versus 30% of HC reported combined LUTS and bowel symptoms (p = 0.019). A negative impact of BBD on daily life functioning was reported by 42% of patients. Conclusions: These data underscore that standard screening for BBD is needed and that the CBBDQ could be of added value to optimize DMD care.</p