Salad Consumption in Relation to Daily Dietary Intake and Diet Quality among U.S. Adults, 2003-2012

Backgrounds: This study examined salad consumption in relation to daily dietary intake and diet quality among U.S. adults. Methods: Nationally representative sample came from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003-2012 waves. Salad consumption was identified through both Food and Nutrient Database for Dietary Studies codes for salad items and combination code for components of and/or additions to salads. First-difference estimator addressed confounding bias from time-invariant unobservables (e.g., eating habits, taste preferences) by using within-individual variations in salad consumption between 2 nonconsecutive 24-hour dietary recalls. Results: Approximately 28.7% of U.S. adults consumed salad on any given day. Among salad consumers, salad consumption occupied 12.5% of daily total energy, 62.8% vegetable, 11.9% fruit, 18.4% fiber, 9.1% sugar, 20.3% total fat, 14.7% saturated fat, 14.9% cholesterol, and 17.7% sodium intake. Compared to no salad consumption on a dietary recall day, salad consumption was associated with increased daily intake of total energy by 461.5 kJ (110.3 kcal), vegetable 85.0 g, fiber 1.0 g, sugar 5.7 g, total fat 10.0 g, saturated fat 1.3 g, cholesterol 18.7 mg, and sodium 216.3 mg. Salad consumption was associated with an increase in the Healthy Eating Index-2010 score by 4.2. Conclusion: Salad consumption is related to better overall diet quality but also higher total energy, sugar, fat, cholesterol, and sodium intake. Interventions that promote salad consumption should provide low-energy-dense, nutrient-rich salad products. Salad consumers should prudently evaluate the caloric and nutrient content of salad in order to make informed and more healthful diet choices

Retinal Morphometric Markers of Crystallized and Fluid Intelligence Among Adults With Overweight and Obesity

Objective: To investigate the relationship between retinal morphometric measures and intellectual abilities among adults with overweight and obesity.Methods: Adults between 25 and 45 years (N = 55, 38 females) with overweight or obesity (BMI ≥ 25.0 kg/m2) underwent an optical coherence tomography (OCT) scan to assess retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) volume, ganglion cell layer (GCL) volume, macular volume, and central foveal thickness. Dual-Energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to assess whole-body adiposity (% Fat). The Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test-2 was used to assess general intelligence (IQ), fluid, and crystallized intelligence. Hierarchical linear regression analyses were performed to examine relationships between adiposity and intelligence measures following adjustment of relevant demographic characteristics and degree of adiposity (i.e., % Fat).Results: Although initial bivariate correlations indicated that % Fat was inversely related to fluid intelligence, this relationship was mitigated by inclusion of other demographic factors, including age, sex, and education level. Regression analyses for primary outcomes revealed that RNFL was positively related to IQ and fluid intelligence. However, only GCL was positively related to crystallized intelligence.Conclusion: This work provides novel data linking specific retinal morphometric measures – assessed using OCT – to intellectual abilities among adults with overweight and obesity.Clinical Trial Registration:www.clinicaltrials.gov, identifier NCT02740439

Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity is Related With Retinal Neuronal and Axonal Integrity in Persons With Multiple Sclerosis

Background Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) may confer benefits for axonal and/or neuronal integrity in adults with multiple sclerosis (MS). Purpose Examine the association between device-measured MVPA with optical coherence tomography (OCT) metrics of retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness and total macular volume (TMV) in persons with and without MS. Methods Adults with MS (N = 41), along with sex-matched healthy control (HC) participants (N = 79), underwent measurements of retinal morphology via OCT and wore an accelerometer for a period of 7 days as a measure of MVPA. Results Persons with MS had significantly lower MVPA, RNFL thickness, and TMV compared with HCs. MVPA was correlated with RNFL (r = .38, P \u3c .01) thickness and TMV (r = .49, P \u3c .01). Hierarchical linear regression analyses indicated that addition of MVPA attenuated the Group effect on RNFL and TMV. MVPA accounted for 8% and 3% of the variance in TMV (β = .343, P \u3c .01) and RNFL thickness (β = .217, P = .03), respectively. Conclusion MVPA was positively associated with axonal and neuronal integrity assessed by OCT and partially explained group differences in those metrics. These results present possible future targets for MS management by increasing MVPA

Six-minute walking test performance relates to neurocognitive abilities in preschoolers

This study investigated the relationship between six-minute walking test (6MWT) distance walked and preschool-aged children\u27s academic abilities, and behavioral and event-related potentials (ERP) indices of cognitive control. There were 59 children (25 females; age: 5.0 ± 0.6 years) who completed a 6MWT (mean distance: 449.6 ± 82.0 m) to estimate cardiorespiratory fitness. The Woodcock Johnson Early Cognitive and Academic Development Test evaluated academic abilities. A modified Eriksen flanker, hearts and flowers task, and auditory oddball task eliciting ERPs (N2, P3) assessed cognitive control. After adjusting for adiposity, diet, and demographics, linear regressions resulted in positive relationships between 6MWT distance and General Intellectual Ability (β = 0.25, Adj

Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, indices of cognitive control, and academic achievement in preadolescents

To assess whether preadolescents' objectively measured moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) is associated with cognitive control and academic achievement, independent of aerobic fitness.A sample of 74 children (Meanage = 8.64 years, SD = .58, 46% girls) were included in the analyses. Daily MVPA (min/d) was measured over 7 days using ActiGraph wGT3X+ accelerometer. Aerobic fitness was measured using a maximal graded exercise test and expressed as maximal oxygen uptake (mL*kg(-1)*min(-1)). Inhibitory control was measured with a modified Eriksen flanker task (reaction time and accuracy), and working memory with an Operation Span Task (accuracy scores). Academic achievement (in reading, mathematics, and spelling) was expressed as standardized scores on the Kaufman Test of Educational Achievement. The relationships were assessed using hierarchical regression models adjusting for aerobic fitness and other covariates.No significant associations were found between MVPA and inhibition, working memory, or academic achievement. Aerobic fitness was positively associated with inhibitory control (P = .02) and spelling (P = .04) but not with other cognitive or academic variables (all P > .05).Aerobic fitness, rather than daily MVPA, is positively associated with childhood ability to manage perceptual interference and spelling. Further research into the associations between objectively measured MVPA and cognitive and academic outcomes in children while controlling for important covariates is needed

Sleep Disorders and Genes

Versão preprintThe sleep-wake cycle is a neurobiological phenomenon that shows intervals of activity alternating with restfulness that appears with a periodicity approximating the 24h day-night cycle. The sleep-wake cycle is under the control of diverse neuroanatomical and neurochemical systems, including monoaminergic, cholinergic, adenosinergic among many other systems. In addition, neuroanatomical centers linked to sleep promotion, such as hypothalamus, project to the cerebral cortex, subcortical relays and brainstem. In addition, the sleep-wake cycle has been associated to aberrant features known as sleep disorders. Here, we will discuss the role of specific gene expression on sleep disturbances. Given the expansion of the knowledge in the sleep-wake cycle area, it is indeed ambitious to describe all the genetics involved in the sleep modulation. However, in this chapter we reviewed the current understanding of the sleep disorders and gene expression.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity, Indices of Cognitive Control, and Academic Achievement in Preadolescents.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether preadolescents' objectively measured moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) is associated with cognitive control and academic achievement, independent of aerobic fitness. STUDY DESIGN: A sample of 74 children (Meanage = 8.64 years, SD = .58, 46% girls) were included in the analyses. Daily MVPA (min/d) was measured over 7 days using ActiGraph wGT3X+ accelerometer. Aerobic fitness was measured using a maximal graded exercise test and expressed as maximal oxygen uptake (mL*kg(-1)*min(-1)). Inhibitory control was measured with a modified Eriksen flanker task (reaction time and accuracy), and working memory with an Operation Span Task (accuracy scores). Academic achievement (in reading, mathematics, and spelling) was expressed as standardized scores on the Kaufman Test of Educational Achievement. The relationships were assessed using hierarchical regression models adjusting for aerobic fitness and other covariates. RESULTS: No significant associations were found between MVPA and inhibition, working memory, or academic achievement. Aerobic fitness was positively associated with inhibitory control (P = .02) and spelling (P = .04) but not with other cognitive or academic variables (all P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: Aerobic fitness, rather than daily MVPA, is positively associated with childhood ability to manage perceptual interference and spelling. Further research into the associations between objectively measured MVPA and cognitive and academic outcomes in children while controlling for important covariates is needed.This study was funded in part by a grant from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development HD069381 to Charles Hillman and Arthur Kramer, which also funded the work of Bonnie Hemrick and Jeanine Bensken. Lauren Sherar and Dale Esliger were funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Diet, Lifestyle & Physical Activity Biomedical Research Unit, University Hospitals of Leicester; the National Institute for Health Research Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care – East Midlands (NIHR CLAHRC – EM); Lauren Raine was funded by the National Institute for Agriculture under the Illinois Transdisciplinary Obesity Prevention Program grant (2011-67001-30101); the Hatch Project #ILLU-971-358. The manuscript formed a part of a PhD research by Dominika Pindus funded by the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University. No industry relations were noted for Bonnie Hemrick or Jeanine Bensken. Conflict of interests: Neither authors nor individuals listed in the acknowledgements report any potential, perceived or real conflict of interests in relation to this manuscript.This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Elsevier via http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jpeds.2016.02.04

Diet and media components related to central adiposity in prepubertal children

Overweight and obesity in childhood have tripled since 1980 and currently stand at 30% and 17% among 2-19-year-olds (Ogden et al., 2010), respectively. Excess fat mass in childhood is a strong predictor of obesity in adulthood and can lead to life-threatening medical conditions, such as diabetes, coronary heart disease, and certain cancers (Flegal et al., 2010). Previous studies have utilized BMI as the primary outcome and failed to measure diet and activity-related effects on actual fat mass. Abdominal adipose tissue (central adiposity) in children has been previously correlated with higher plasma lipids, elevated blood pressure, and insulin resistance (Daniels et al., 1999; Morrison et al., 1999; Krekoukia, 2007). Furthermore, children above the recommended values for waist circumference-for-age (≥75th percentile) and waist-to-height ratio (≥0.5) have elevated lipid profiles and higher insulin resistance (Savva, 2000). These studies suggest that central adiposity may be the most clinically relevant distribution of body fat in children, as is the case with adults. The overall objective of this research was to determine how media use and diet intake, independently or in concert, affect central adiposity in prepubertal children. Our central hypothesis was that poor diet quality is related to increased central adiposity, independent of aerobic fitness. The aims of our study were to determine the relationships between: 1) media use and central adiposity; and 2) diet and central adiposity. Prepubertal children (113 females and 116 males) were recruited from an on-going NIH-funded afterschool physical activity research trial (FITKids). Pubertal staging was assessed using a modified Tanner Staging System (Tanner, 1962; Taylor, 2001). Parents reported their child’s weekday and weekend television (TV) and videogame use. Maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) and one 24-hour recall were used to assess fitness level and dietary intake, respectively. Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was used to measure whole body percent fat mass (WB %FM) and central adiposity (FM-abd). Gender-specific waist circumference-for-age percentiles (WC-age) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) were determined to further assess central adiposity. Body composition results showed that females (N=105) had significantly higher WB %FM (p0.05). However, fitness was inversely related to FM-abd among females (r=-.59, p<0.001) and males (r=-.47, p<0.001). Weekend TV time among females was related to increased FM-abd (r=.17, p=0.03) and WHtR (r=.22, p<0.001), after controlling for fitness. Females who watched more than 2 hours of TV/day had significantly higher FM-abd (p=0.03). Females above the recommended WC-age cutoff (≥75th percentile) had significantly higher cholesterol-saturated fatty index (CSI) (p=0.04) and intake of added sugars (p<0.001). CSI was the only dietary variable related to increased FM-abd among females, after controlling for both fitness and energy intake (r=.26, p=0.03). However, no diet-body composition relationships remained significant after controlling for fitness and energy intake among males. Standard linear regression models suggested that the strongest predictors of FM-abd among females were pubertal staging (β=.418, p<0.001) and fitness (β=-.405, p<0.001). The addition of energy intake, added sugars, and CSI accounted for an additional 10% of the variance in FM-abd. The same model explained 53% of the variance in WHtR. Among males, age was a positive predictor (β=.306, p=0.005) and fitness was a negative predictor (β=-.453, p<0.001) of FM-abd. Subsequent addition of diet variables only accounted for 0.5% of the variability in FM-abd. Fitness was the strongest predictor of WHtR (β=.331, p=0.005). Among females, pubertal staging accounted for 13% of the variability in WB %FM. Energy from protein was a positive predictor of whole body adiposity (β=.265, p=.007). However, the contribution of energy from protein became non-significant when energy from fat was included in the model. The overall model accounted for 52% of the variability in WB %FM. Among males, age (β=.335, p=.001) and fitness (β=-.427, p<0.001) remained the strongest predictors of WB %FM. In conclusion, females and males differed across all measures of adiposity, including the primary outcome of FM-abd. Weekend TV time appeared to influence energy intake, cholesterol and added sugars, however, these relationships attenuated once energy intake was controlled for. Added sugars and cholesterol-saturated fatty acid index were important predictors of central adiposity. After controlling for fitness and energy intake, the influence of these nutrients was non-significant among males. Collectively, these results suggest that dietary and sedentary behaviors may have differential health-related outcomes for prepubertal children based on gender. Body composition appeared to be significantly influenced by pubertal staging in girls and chronological age in boys. Therefore, our findings have implications for nutrition intervention efforts targeting obesity prevention during the critical period of preadolescence. Future work is needed to assess influence of diet and media on central adiposity as children transition into adolescence

Added Sugar Intake and Weekend Television Viewing is Related to Increased Central Adiposity among Prepubertal Children

Central adiposity is strongly related to insulin resistance and is the most clinically relevant type of body fat in children as is the case in adults. This study aimed to determine diet and media use components related to central adiposity among 229 prepubertal children (8.85 ?? 0.59 years). It was hypothesized that increased sugar intake and television viewing will be related to increased central adiposity. Parents reported their child???s weekend television viewing (TV). Maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) and one 24-hour recall were used to assess fitness and diet, respectively. Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to measure percent fat mass (%Fat) and central adiposity (FM-abd). Gender specific waist circumference-for-age percentiles (WC-age) were determined. Among females, increased FM-abd was related to weekend TV (r=0.22, p=0.02), intake of added sugars (r=0.36, p=0.03), and cholesterol-to-saturated fatty acid index (r=0.28, p=0.22). These relationships remained significant after controlling for fitness and total diet energy density (kcals/grams). Among males, no diet or media use variables were related to FM-abd. Females above the 75th percentile cutoff of WC-age (N=32) had higher energy intake (p=0.04), added sugars (p<0.01), and cholesterol-to-saturated fatty index (p=0.03) than females below the cutoff. Weekend TV and added sugar intake appears to be related to central adiposity, independent of fitness and energy density. These relationships were only significant among females and not males suggesting that dietary and sedentary behaviors may have differential health-related outcomes for prepubertal children based on gender.NIH HD055352unpublishednot peer reviewe