Diet quality is positively associated with 100% fruit juice consumption in children and adults in the United States: NHANES 2003-2006

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>One hundred percent fruit juice (100% FJ) has been viewed by some as a sweetened beverage with concerns about its effect on weight. Little regard has been given to the contribution of 100% FJ to diet quality.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In this study data from the 2003-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were used to examine the association of 100% FJ consumption with diet quality in participants 2-5 years of age (y) (n = 1665), 6-12 y (n = 2446), 13-18 y (n = 3139), and 19+y (n = 8861). Two 24-hour dietary recalls were used to determine usual intake using the National Cancer Institute method. Usual intake, standard errors, and regression analyses (juice independent variable and Healthy Eating Index-2005 [HEI-2005] components were dependent variables), using appropriate covariates, were determined using sample weights.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The percentage of participants 2-5 y, 6-12 y, 13-18 y, and 19+y that consumed 100% FJ was 71%, 57%, 45%, and 62%, respectively. Usual intake of 100% FJ (ounce [oz]/day) among the four age groups was: 5.8 ± 0.6, 2.6 ± 0.4, 3.7 ± 0.4, and 2.4 ± 0.2 for those in age groups 2-5 y, 6-12 y, 13-18 y, and 19+y, respectively. Consumption of 100% FJ was associated with higher energy intake in 6-12 y, 13-18 y, and 19+y; and higher total, saturated, and discretionary fats in 13-18 y participants. Consumption of 100% FJ was associated with higher total HEI-2005 scores in all age groups (< 0.0001). In 100% FJ consumers, total and whole fruit consumption was higher and intake of added sugars was lower in all age groups.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Usual intake of 100% FJ consumption exceeded MyPyramid recommendations for children 2-5 y, but was associated with better diet quality in all age groups and should be encouraged in moderation as part of a healthy diet.</p

Behavioral predictors of quantitative ultrasound broadband attenuation score in young adult Caucasian women

Aim: Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) is frequently used to screen older individuals for bone fracture risk and to identify younger adults \u27with low bone quality. Current public health recommendations suggest that bone density and quality are related to being physically active, consuming sufficient amounts of calcium, and maintaining an appropriate body weight. This study examined the relationship of QUS broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) and speed of sound (SOS) measured at the calcaneus with behavioral and physical factors commonly associated with bone health. Methods: The study had a cross-sectional design. Ninety-eight Caucasian female university students 20-29 years of age were measured for height and weight, participated in QUS measurements of the calcaneus and completed questionnaires assessing health history, physical activity, calcium intake, and restrained eating. Results: Body weight explained 5% of the variance in BUA score (P\u3c0.05), but BUA was not associated with age, height, physical activity, calcium intake, restrained eating score, or use of oral contraceptives. Restrained eating score was positively related to subject weight (r=0.32, P\u3c0.01) and BMI (r=0.40, P\u3c0.01). The SOS score was not related to any of the physical or behavioral variables examined. Conclusion: In this group of young adult women, the attenuation of sound through bone was associated with body weight but not with behavioral factors commonly promoted to improve bone health. These findings question the advice commonly given to young women with low bone quality and suggest that other factors, including body weight, be considered

Endurance and Resistance Training Lowers C-Reactive Protein in Young, Healthy Females

The purpose of this study was to determine whether endurance (E) or endurance + resistance (ER) training affects C-reactive protein (CRP) and if these changes are related to alterations in fitness and (or) body composition in young females. Thirty-eight females (aged 18-24 years) were assigned to 1 of 3 groups: (1) E, (2) ER or (3) active control (AC). The E and ER groups completed 15 weeks of marathon training. The ER group performed additional resistance training and the AC group maintained their usual exercise routine. Primary outcomes were measured pre- and post-training and included anthropometric indices, dual-energy x-ray absorption metry, plasma CRP, time to complete 1.5 miles (in minutes), and upper and lower body strength tests (i.e., 8 repetition max on bench and leg press (ER group only)). There were no differences in any variable among the groups at baseline. After training, the E group decreased time to complete 1.5 miles (p \u3c 0.05). The AC group decreased percent and absolute body fat while the E group decreased percent body fat, absolute body fat, and android and gynoid body fat (p \u3c 0.05). The ER group significantly improved strength (p \u3c 0.001) and reduced plasma CRP from 2.0 ± 1.1 to 0.8 ± 0.3 mg ·L -1 (p = 0.03). No significant associations were observed between CRP and measures of body composition or aerobic capacity. Combined endurance and resistance training may be an effective modality for reducing plasma CRP in young adult females independent of changes in aerobic capacity or body composition