Weight cycling is prevalent in sports/professions with body composition standards, and has been associated with weight management behaviours that may contribute to suboptimal diet quality and weight gain. US Army Soldiers may be at increased risk of weight cycling relative to civilians due to mandated body composition standards. However, the relationship between weight cycling, weight management behaviours, BMI and diet quality among Soldiers is unknown. In this cross-sectional study, 575 Soldiers (89 % enlisted, 90 % male, 23 ± 4 years) at Army installations at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, AK, Joint-Base Lewis McChord, WA, and Fort Campbell, KY completed questionnaires on food frequency, health-related behaviours and history of weight cycling (≥ 3 weight fluctuations ≥ 5 % body weight). Weight cycling was reported by 33 % of Soldiers. Those who reported weight cycling reported higher BMI (27 ± 4 v. 25 ± 3 kg/m2, P < 0·001) and higher prevalence of engaging in weight management behaviours prior to body weight screening but did not report lower dietary quality (Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI) scores 59 ± 10 v 59 ± 11, P = 0·46) relative to those who did not report weight cycling. Results of mediation analyses suggested that weight cycling may affect BMI both directly (c’ = 1·19, 95 % CI: 0·62, 1·75) and indirectly (ab = 0·45, 95 % CI: 0·19, 0·75), and HEI scores indirectly (ab = 0·69, 95 % CI: 0·20, 1·35) through the adoption of weight management behaviours. Weight cycling is common in Soldiers and is associated with higher BMI and higher prevalence of engaging in weight management behaviours that mediate associations between weight cycling, BMI and diet quality.

Excessive dietary NaCl in association with a paucity of plant foods, major sources of K alkaline salts, is a common feature in Western eating habits which may lead to acid–base disorders and to Ca and Mg wasting. In this context, to evaluate the effects of potato, rich in potassium citrate, on acid–base homeostasis and mineral retention, Wistar rats were fed wheat starch (WS) or cooked potato (CP) diets with a low (0·5 %) or a high (2 %) NaCl content during 3 weeks. The replacement of WS by CP in the diets resulted in a significant urinary alkalinisation (pH from 5·5 to 7·3) parallel to a rise in citrate and K excretion. Urinary Ca and Mg elimination represented respectively 17 and 62% of the daily absorbed mineral in rats fed the high-salt WS diet compared with 5 and 28% in rats fed the high-salt CP diet. The total SCFA concentration in the caecum was 3-fold higher in rats fed the CP diets compared with rats fed the WS diets, and it led to a significant rise in Ca and Mg intestinal absorption (Ca from 39 to 56 %; Mg from 37 to 60 %). The present model of low-grade metabolic acidosis indicates that CP may be effective in alkalinising urine, enhancing citrate excretion and ameliorating Ca and Mg balance.

The present study examines the association of diabetes with BMI (kg/m2) in Asian-Indian and Melanesian Fijian populations sharing a common environment. A population-based survey was used to investigate the risk of diabetes (defined by glycosylated Hb concentration ≥ 6·5 % among participants who denied previous diagnosis of the disease by a medical practitioner) by sex, ethnicity and strata of BMI in a series of age-adjusted logistic regression models. Ethnicity and BMI interactions were compared using WHO and empirically derived BMI cut-off points. Indians had a greater risk (BMI and age adjusted) of undetected diabetes than Melanesians in both males (OR 2·99, 95 % CI 1·73, 5·17; P < 0·001) and females (OR 2·26, 95 % CI 1·56, 3·28; P < 0·001). BMI ≥ 25 to < 30 and ≥ 30 kg/m2 conferred a higher risk of diabetes compared with a BMI ≥ 18·5 to < 25 kg/m2. Risk was higher for males with a BMI ≥ 25 to < 30 kg/m2 (OR 2·35, 95 % CI 1·24, 4·46; P = 0·007) and BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 (OR 6·08, 95 % CI 3·06, 12·07; P < 0·001) than for females with the same BMI (OR 1·85, 95 % CI 1·11, 3·08; P = 0·027 and OR 2·10, 95 % CI 1·28, 3·44; P = 0·002, respectively). However, the threshold that appeared to differentiate higher risk varied by ethnicity and sex. For Melanesians, BMI thresholds suggested were 25 kg/m2 for males and 32 kg/m2 for females. For Indo-Fijians, these were 24 and 22 kg/m2 for males and females, respectively. Disaggregating by ethnicity and sex, and applying specific evidence-based thresholds, may render BMI a more discriminating tool for assessing the risk of developing diabetes among Fiji adults.

1. Methionine-deficient diets were given to rats for 4 weeks. 2. This resulted in a decrease in total body iron, due to a decrease either in Fe absorption or Fe retention. 3. There was inhibition of growth, development of anaemia and a shift of body Fe to the liver. 4. There were no histological alterations which could be interpreted as specific to methionine deficiency. 5. These findings were different from reports of effects of ethionine in which there is an increased Fe absorption and various tissue alterations, including pancreatic acinar and liver damage.

This study examined the contribution of long-term use of Lipiodol capsules, as a supplement to iodised salt to the control of iodine deficiency disorders among women in Xinjiang of China. A total of 1220 women across Kashgar, Aksu, Turpan and Yili Prefectures were surveyed in 2017. Lipiodol capsules were administered twice yearly in Kashgar and once yearly in Aksu and Turpan, but not in Yili. Urinary iodine concentration (UIC), free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroglobulin antibody, thyroid peroxidase antibody and thyroid volume values were assessed. All the women in the four areas were in a state of non-iodine deficiency by UIC. The UIC were higher than adequate in Kashgar and Aksu (619·4 v. 278·6 μg/l). Thyroid hormone levels differed significantly in Turpan and Yili (FT3: 4·4 v. 4·6 pmol/l, FT4: 13·8 v. 14·2 pmol/l, TSH: 2·0 v. 2·7 mIU/l), but did not differ significantly in Kashgar, Aksu and Yili. The four areas did not differ significantly with regard to thyroid nodules, autoimmune thyroiditis or goitre. However, the detection rates of subclinical hypothyroidism (16·6 %) and total thyroid dysfunction (25·4 %) were higher among women in Yili. The supplementation with Lipiodol capsules had improved the iodine nutrition status of women in iodine-deficient areas of Xinjiang since 2006. To avoid negative effects of excess iodine, we suggest a gradual discontinuation of Lipiodol capsules in women with special needs based on the existing iodine nutrition level of local women.

1. The excretion of calcium and potassium in urine, milk and faeces by grazing monozygotic twin cows has been determined at intervals throughout four grazing seasons.

2. In Expt I three sets of twins were used to study the variation within pairs in the excretion of Ca and K. It was found that the variation within pairs was non-significant and small, less than 5% of the overall mean, for all but one of the factors measured. The variation in urinary excretion of Ca within pairs was significant (P <0.05) in 1962.

3. In Expt 2 the effects of lactation on the excretion of Ca and K by three sets of twins were studied over two grazing seasons. Only one of each of the twins was in milk at a time, each twin being in milk for one season.

4. Lactation increased (P <0001) urinary and faecal Ca in 1964 but not in 1965. The concentrations of Cain the faeceswere lower (P <0.01) for lactatingthanfornon-lactating cows.

5. Lactation increased (P < 0.001) the excretion of K in urine and faeces. Differences within pairs in faecal concentration were significant in 1964 (P <0001) and 1965 (P < 0.01), but the effect was not attributable to lactation.

6. Significant differences between pairs were found for urinary Ca and K in 1964 (P < 0.05) and for the concentration of K in faeces in both years ( P < 001 or P < 0.001).

7. In 1964 greatest total excretions of Ca were found in June and July and of K in May, whereas in 1965, although the differences between periods for Ca and K were significant (P < 0.001), there were no obvious seasonal trends.

8. Mean intakes of Ca and K by the cows have been calculated from the estimated drymatter intake of herbage and the Ca and K content of the cut herbage and compared with total excretion in urine, milk and faeces. The differences between intake and excretion differed between periods (P < 0.001); for Ca, negative values were greatest in July and August in 1964 but not in 1965 and for K the values were small in July and large and positive in May, September and October in both years. The differences between lactating and non-lactating cows were significant for Ca(P < 0.001) and K (P < 0.01) in 1964. Selective grazing was considered to be the main factor responsible for these differences.

Pregnancy and diabetes lead to metabolic alterations in the energy balance that may not be completely independent. The objective of the present study was to look at the alterations induced by type 1 diabetes mellitus on the energy balance of pregnant rats and the offspring. Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin injection 15 d before the starting of pregnancy. The rats had their energy balance variables followed for 21 d. Protein, fat and energy content of dams was determined from samples of the carcasses. Pregnancy led to increased energy intake, energy gain and energy expenditure as well as higher gross food efficiency than non-pregnant counterparts. Diabetes increased metabolizable energy intake but not the energy gain of the animals: they had very high energy expenditure, so that diabetes blocked the improvement in gross food efficiency shown during pregnancy. Offspring from diabetic dams were born with lower body weight. Pregnant animals did not present the usual energy storage as seen by lower energy gain of diabetic dams as well as by the lower fat content in the carcasses of pregnant diabetic rats. It is concluded that diabetes impairs the energy variables usually enhanced by pregnancy alone.

Optimal nutrition during pregnancy is vital for both maternal and child health. Our objective was to explore if prenatal diet is associated with children’s height and body fat. Nutrient intake was assessed through a FFQ from 808 pregnant women and summarised to a nutrition index, ‘My Nutrition Index’ (MNI). The association with children’s height and body fat (bioimpedance) was assessed with linear regression models. Secondary analysis was performed with BMI, trunk fat and skinfolds. Overall, higher MNI score was associated with greater height (β = 0·47; (95 % CI 0·00, 0·94), among both sexes. Among boys, higher MNI was associated with 0·15 higher BMI z-scores, 0·12 body fat z-scores, 0·11 trunk fat z-scores, and larger triceps, and triceps + subscapular skinfolds (β = 0·05 and β = 0·06; on the log2 scale) (P-value < 0·05). Among girls, the opposite associations were found with 0·12 lower trunk fat z-scores, and smaller subscapular and suprailiac skinfolds (β = −0·07 and β = −0·10; on the log2 scale) (P-value < 0·05). For skinfold measures, this would represent a ± 1·0 millimetres difference. Unexpectedly, a prenatal diet in line with recommended nutrient intake was associated with higher measures of body fat for boys and opposite to girls at a pre-pubertal stage of development.

1. Twenty-four healthy black Kenyan children, mean age 29 (SD 19) months, were studied over a 24 h period. Energy expenditure (EE) was determined using a ventilated-hood indirect calorimeter; measuring oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production. Metabolizable energy intake was measured in twenty children. Anthropometric measurements were used to estimate surface area and lean body-weight.

2. The mean daily intake of metabolizable energy was 338.4 (se 28.4) kJ/kg; 70% of gross dietary energy being provided by carbohydrate. The level of postprandial EE was significantly (P > 0.05) higher than the resting level (12.6 (se 0.47) and 11.38 (se 0.37) kJ/kg per h respectively) while the level of the postprandial respiratory quotient (RQ) was similar to the resting level (0.94 (se 0.02)) and 0.98 (se 0.03 respectively). In 33% of total observations of the resting RQ the value was more than 1.0. These findings suggest that short-term fat storage may be a normal feature of metabolism in children, and also that the energy cost of (postprandial) fat synthesis is increased by a high-carbohydrate diet.

3. Values for the resting metabolic rate and various estimators of body size were compared using regression analysis. It was evident that, in these young children with considerable variation in body composition, body-weight remained a satisfactory metabolic-size estimator.

1. The absorption and secretion of 65Zn in the stomach and intestinal tract regions was studied in sets of two and three sheep which were exchanging digesta via re-entrant cannulas in the proximal duodenum. One sheep from each of the three three-sheep sets was dosed intraruminally with the radioisotope. One sheep from the three two-sheep sets received an intravenous dose.

2. Measurements of 65Zn in blood plasma from intraruminally dosed sheep showed that there was no apparent absorption from the stomach region. Measurements from sheep receiving radioactive digesta intraduodenally showed that mean apparent absorption of 65Zn was 0.07 and mean true absorption was 0.103. There was a large variation in endogenous recycling of 65Zn into the stomach region.

3. Secretion of 65Zn into the stomach and intestinal regions in the intravenously dosed sheep of the two-sheep sets was calculated on the basis of total recovery over 10 d in the digesta and faeces. The present study showed that for every 1 molecule Zn secreted into the stomach region, 2.1 molecules were secreted into the intestinal tract region.