Validation of self-reported anthropometrics in the Adventist Health Study 2

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Relying on self-reported anthropometric data is often the only feasible way of studying large populations. In this context, there are no studies assessing the validity of anthropometrics in a mostly vegetarian population. The objective of this study was to evaluate the validity of self-reported anthropometrics in the Adventist Health Study 2 (AHS-2).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We selected a representative sample of 911 participants of AHS-2, a cohort of over 96,000 adult Adventists in the USA and Canada. Then we compared their measured weight and height with those self-reported at baseline. We calculated the validity of the anthropometrics as continuous variables, and as categorical variables for the definition of obesity.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>On average, participants underestimated their weight by 0.20 kg, and overestimated their height by 1.57 cm resulting in underestimation of body mass index (BMI) by 0.61 kg/m². The agreement between self-reported and measured BMI (as a continuous variable), as estimated by intraclass correlation coefficient, was 0.97. The sensitivity of self-reported BMI to detect obesity was 0.81, the specificity 0.97, the predictive positive value 0.93, the predictive negative value 0.92, and the Kappa index 0.81. The percentage of absolute agreement for each category of BMI (normoweight, overweight, and obese) was 83.4%. After multivariate analyses, predictors of differences between self-reported and measured BMI were obesity, soy consumption and the type of dietary pattern.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Self-reported anthropometric data showed high validity in a representative subsample of the AHS-2 being valid enough to be used in epidemiological studies, although it can lead to some underestimation of obesity.</p

Dietary patterns of infant and preschool children in Mwingi and Makueni districts of Ukambani region, eastern Kenya.

A cross -sectional study was conducted in the Ukambani region of eastern Kenya to describe dietary patterns of infants and preschool children. The purpose of the study was to provide region specific data on dietary patterns of children living in Mwingi (MW) a region that mainly grows pearl millet and Makueni (MA), a region that grows maize. A modified rapid, knowledge, practice and coverage (KPC) questionnaire and a 24-hr dietary recall were used to collect the data. A total of 403 households (201 – MW, 202 – MA) were surveyed from four randomly selected divisions of MW and MA districts. This yielded 629 surrogate 24-hr dietary recalls with 314 children from MW district and 315 children from MA district (49% boys and 51% girls). Intake of nutrients and food groups were compared between the two districts using t- test. On average, grains contributed 62-68 percent of total energy intake in both districts. Mean daily energy intake (mean ±SD) for all the children was 1056 ± 553 Kcal. Daily energy intake (1130 ± 595 Kcal) in MW children was 15% higher compared to MA children (983 ± 499 Kcal, p = 0.002). Boys had a 12% higher daily energy intake than girls (p = 0.005). The contribution to total energy from grains was 27% higher in MW children (p = 0.0001) and breast milk contribution to total energy intake was 50% less in MW children (p < 0.001). Consumption of fruits and vegetables was significantly lower in MW children (

Dietary Patterns Of Infant And Preschool Children In Mwingi And Makueni Districts Of Ukambani Region, Eastern Kenya

A cross -sectional study was conducted in the Ukambani region of Eastern Kenya to describe dietary patterns of infants and preschool children. The purpose of the study was to provide region specific data on dietary patterns of children living in Mwingi (MW) a region that mainly grows pearl millet and Makueni (MA), a region that grows maize. A modified rapid, knowledge, practice and coverage (KPC) questionnaire and a 24-hr dietary recall were used to collect the data. A total of 403 households (201 - MW, 202 - MA) were surveyed from four randomly selected divisions of MW and MA districts. This yielded 629 surrogate 24-hr dietary recalls with 314 children from MW district and 315 children from MA district (49% boys and 51% girls). Intake of nutrients and food groups were compared between the two districts using t- test. On average, grains contributed 62-68 percent of total energy intake in both districts. Mean daily energy intake (mean ±SD) for all the children was 1056 ± 553 Kcal. Daily energy intake (1130 ± 595 Kcal) in MW children was 15% higher compared to MA children (983 ± 499 Kcal, p < 0.002). Boys had a 12% higher daily energy intake than girls (p < 0.005). The contribution to total energy from grains was 27% higher in MW children (p < 0.0001) and breast milk contribution to total energy intake was 50% less in MW children (p < 0.001). Consumption of fruits and vegetables was significantly lower in MW children (p<0.0001). Intakes of carbohydrate, protein and iron were higher in MW children and vitamin A intake was lower. Fat intake was the same in both districts for these children. Gender and geographical differences were observed in diets of children in Ukambani region, with the most prominent being the type and amount of cereal intake

Influence of body mass index and serum lipids on the cholesterol-lowering effects of almonds in free-living individuals. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis 2011;21 (suppl 1):S7–13

Abstract Background and aims: Short-term (4e9 weeks) human feeding trials have shown nut consumption to reduce serum total cholesterol (TC) and LDL-cholesterol (LDL). We hypothesized that individual levels of BMI, LDL, TC and triglycerides modify the cholesterol-lowering effect of almonds in a 24-week almond supplementation trial in a free-living population. Methods and results: We performed secondary analysis on data from a previously published study. Using a sequential study design, all participants followed their habitual diets during the first six months (control), and then consumed an almond-supplemented diet (habitual þ almonds) for another six months. 100 adults enrolled; 19 were lost to attrition. Those who completed the study were men (n Z 43) and women (n Z 38) with mean (SD) age 49.4 (13.6) years. During almond supplementation, we found statistically significant changes in TC (À0.22 mmol/L), LDL (À0.22 mmol/L), TC:HDL (À0.35), and LDL:HDL (À0.28) in participants with baseline LDL levels ! 3.30 mmol/L, but not among normocholesterolemic individuals. Direction and magnitude of change were similar among individuals with TC ! 5.20 mmol/L but not in the lower strata. Tests of interaction (diet  TC and diet  LDL) were significant. Reductions in the ratios TC:HDL, and LDL:HDL were significant among those with BMI &lt; 25 kg/m 2 , but not in heavier individuals; however, formal tests of interaction did not reach significance. Conclusions: We provide strong evidence that the cholesterol-lowering effect of almonds is responsive among hypercholesterolemic individuals, and weak evidence that BMI modifies the effect of almonds on serum lipids.