Adherence to a priori dietary patterns in relation to obesity: results from two cycles of the Canadian National Nutrition Survey

Abstract Objective: To test whether adherence to the Mediterranean diet, the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) or a dietary pattern in-line with the 2015–2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) was associated with obesity. Design: 24-h dietary recall data from the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS)-Nutrition, 2004 and 2015 cycles, were analysed. Diet quality index scores were computed for the Mediterranean-Style Dietary Pattern Score (MSDPS), a DASH index and the 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans Adherence Index (DGAI). Higher scores indicated greater adherence. Association between scores and obesity was examined using logistic regression, adjusting for age, sex, physical activity, smoking status, sequence of dietary recall and alcohol and energy intake. Setting: Canada (excluding territories and the institutionalised population). Participants: Canadian adults (≥ 18 years), non-pregnant and non-breast-feeding; 11 748 from CCHS 2004 and 12 110 from CCHS 2015. The percentage of females in each sample was 50 %. Results: Mean MSDPS, DASH and DGAI scores were marginally but significantly higher in CCHS 2015 than in CCHS 2004. Those affected by obesity obtained lower scores for all indexes in CCHS 2004 (OR 10th v. 90th percentile for DASH: 2·23 (95 % CI 1·50, 3·32), DGAI: 3·01 (95 % CI 1·98, 4·57), MSDPS: 2·02 (95 % CI 1·14, 3·58)). Similar results were observed in CCHS 2015; however, results for MSDPS were not significant (OR 10th v. 90th percentile for DASH: 2·45 (95 % CI 1·72, 3·49), DGAI: 2·73 (95 % CI 1·85, 4·03); MSDPS: 1·30 (95 % CI 0·82, 2·06)). Conclusion: Following DASH or the 2015–2020 DGA was associated with a lower likelihood of obesity. Findings do not indicate causation, as the data are cross-sectional

Program evaluation of a dietary sodium reduction research consortium of five low- and middle-income countries in Latin America

Excess dietary sodium is a global public health priority, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where rates of hypertension and cardiovascular disease are high. The International Development Research Centre funded a research consortium of five Latin American countries (LAC) to inform public health policy for dietary sodium reduction (2016-2020). The objective of this study was to determine the outcomes of this funding on short-term (e.g., research, capacity building) and intermediary outcomes (e.g., policies). A summative program evaluation was conducted, using a logic model and multiple data sources including document review, surveys, and interviews. Researchers from Argentina, Costa Rica, Brazil, Peru, and Paraguay produced a significant amount of scientific evidence to guide decision making on sodium policy related to its content in foods, consumer behaviors (social marketing), and the health and economic benefits of dietary reduction. A substantive number of knowledge translation products were produced. The funding enabled training opportunities for researchers who developed skills that can be scaled-up to other critical nutrients and health issues. It was unexpected that intermediary policy changes would occur, however several countries demonstrated early policy improvements derived from this research. A funded research consortium of LAC is a practical approach to invoke policy innovations

Kids’ meals from Canadian chain restaurants are exceedingly high in calories, fats, and sodium: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Due to the increased prevalence of eating outside-the-home, alongside high rates of childhood obesity, the objective of this study was to analyze the nutritional quality of kids’ meals (including main entrées with accompanying side dishes, desserts and beverages) from Canadian fast-food (FFR) and sit-down restaurant (SDR) chains. Methods Data (serving size, calories, fat, saturated fat, trans fat, sodium and fibre) for 3,235 meals were obtained in 2010 from the websites of 7 SDRs and 10 FFRs of the 35 chains with more than 20 outlets in Canada and offering kids’ meals. T-tests were used to compare nutrient levels from SDR and FFR. Results On average, SDR meals had larger serving sizes compared to FFR meals (628 g vs. 562 g). As a result, SDR meals contained significantly higher amounts of calories (846 kcal vs. 737 kcal) and saturated fat (12 g vs. 8 g) (p < 0.0001). More than 50 % of kids’ meals from SDR and 35 % of meals from FFR exceeded 1,200 mg of sodium – the daily Adequate Intake for children aged 4-8 years. SDR meals had 41 % and 13 % of total calories coming from fat and saturated fat, while FFR had 37 % and 10 %, respectively. However, standardized comparisons of meals calculated per 100 g showed that FFR had significantly higher (p < 0.001) amounts of calories (244 vs 185 kcal/100 g) and sodium (538 vs 381 mg/100 g) compared to SDR. Conclusion These results illustrate that addressing the poor nutritional quality of restaurant kids’ meals should be a major public health priority

Assessing the Dietary Habits of Canadians by Eating Location and Occasion: Findings from the Canadian Community Health Survey, Cycle 2.2

Occasion and location of food environment has an influence on dietary habits, nutritional quality and overall health and nutrition-related chronic disease risk. Eating occasion and location was assessed in 20,402 Canadians aged &ge; 2 years, with a focus on energy, saturated fat, added sugars, and sodium intake by age group. Data showed &gt;80% of children, compared to ~60% of adolescents and adults, consumed three meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) plus snacks in a day. Dinner contributed the most calories [ranging from 395 &plusmn; 11 kcal (2&ndash;3 year olds) to 952 &plusmn; 27 kcal (men 19&ndash;30 years)], saturated fat [7.4 &plusmn; 0.2% energy (2&ndash;3 year olds) to 9.1 &plusmn; 0.3% energy (women 31&ndash;50 years)], and sodium [851 &plusmn; 24 mg (2&ndash;3 year olds) to 1299 &plusmn; 69 mg (men 19&ndash;30 years)], while snacks contributed the most added sugars [22 &plusmn; 1 kcal (men &gt;70 years) to 45 &plusmn; 1 kcal (2&ndash;3 year olds)]. By eating location, most Canadians (&gt;90%) reported consuming food from home. Subsequently, home was associated with the majority of energy [1383 &plusmn; 23 kcal (women &gt;70 years) to 2090 &plusmn; 35 kcal (boys 9&ndash;13 years)], saturated fat [20.4 &plusmn; 0.4%E (men 51&ndash;70 years) to 24.2 &plusmn; 0.4%E (2&ndash;3 year olds)], added sugars [77 &plusmn; 3 kcal (men 19&ndash;30 years) to 117 &plusmn; 2 kcal (2&ndash;3 year olds)], and sodium [2137 &plusmn; 59 mg (women 19&ndash;30 years) to 2638 &plusmn; 45 mg (men 51&ndash;70 years)] intakes. Reported eating behaviours suggest action is needed at individual and population levels to alter food purchasing and consumption habits, specifically with regards to snacking habits and foods prepared at home

Nutritional quality of the food choices of Canadian children

Background The release of the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS), Nutrition 2015 provides a unique opportunity since CCHS 2004 to investigate food choices of Canadian children and adolescents at a national level. Objective This study examined the quality and quantity of food choices of children ages 2–8 years and adolescents 9–18 years, using Health Canada’s Surveillance Tool Tier System 2014. It is hypothesized that Canadian children and adolescents are consuming diets poor in nutritional quality based on evidence from the last national nutrition survey in 2004. Design Intakes from CCHS 2015, 24-h dietary recall were categorized into Health Canada’s Tiers 1–4, based on CNF/CFG classification system and thresholds for nutrients to limit i.e., total fat, saturated fats, sugars, and sodium to assess quality of food choices. Additionally, dietary intakes were grouped according to Canada’s 2007 food guide servings as the 2019 food guide was not available. Results Majority of foods reported by children 2–18 years were categorized as Tier 2 and Tier 3 foods. Investigation of energy contributions from the Tier 4 and “other foods” represented 21–25% of daily calorie intake and of these foods, high fat and/or high sugar foods contributed majority of daily calories to these categories. Conclusions This study showed Canadian children 2–18 years are consuming diets high in nutrients recommended to limit. Evidence from this study provides a unique opportunity to improve the nutritional quality of foods, and the food choices of children.Land and Food Systems, Faculty ofNon UBCReviewedFacult

Additional file 1: of Unregulated serving sizes on the Canadian nutrition facts table – an invitation for manufacturer manipulations

List of food categories with reference amount, serving size and FLIP data characteristics. This table outlines the food categories included in the paper along with the Schedule M reference amounts, CFIA suggested serving sizes and the number of products in the FLIP database that corresponded to each category. (DOCX 23 kb