During lactation, areal (a) and volumetric (v) bone mineral density (BMD) are known to temporarily decrease. Factors that affect skeletal changes postpartum are not fully elucidated. The aim was to study determinants of the previously observed changes in aBMD at lumbar spine, and cortical vBMD, microstructure and dimensions at ultra-distal tibia postpartum. Women (25–40 years) were studied longitudinally at 2 weeks (baseline) and 4 months (n 81), 12 months (n 79) and 18 months (n 58) postpartum. At each visit, blood samples were collected, body weight and height were measured and information about lactation habits, oestrogen contraceptives and physical activity was obtained. Ca intake was measured using 4-d food diaries at 4 months postpartum. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) was analysed by liquid chromatography-tandem MS. Skeletal changes were assessed with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography. Mean baseline BMI was 24·8 (sd 3·1) kg/m2. Median (quartiles 1–3) duration of total lactation was 8·1 (6·8–10·4) months. Longer duration of full lactation was associated with larger decreases of lumbar spine aBMD and tibia vBMD and microstructure. Higher baseline body weight was associated with smaller decreases in tibia vBMD and microstructure. Higher Ca intake was associated with smaller decreases in tibia cortical vBMD and thickness. Higher baseline 25OHD was only associated with larger decreases in lumbar spine aBMD. In conclusion, lactation and body weight were the main determinants of skeletal changes during the first 18 months postpartum. Ca intake and serum concentrations of 25OHD appear to have different associations with cortical and trabecular bone.

Solving complex problems in large-scale research programmes requires cooperation and division of labour. Simultaneously, large-scale problem solving also gives rise to unintended side effects. Based upon 5 years of researching two large-scale nutrigenomic research programmes, we argue that problems are fragmented in order to be solved. These sub-problems are given priority for practical reasons and in the process of solving them, various changes are introduced in each sub-problem. Combined with additional diversity as a result of interdisciplinarity, this makes reassembling the original and overall goal of the research programme less likely. In the case of nutrigenomics and health, this produces a diversification of health. As a result, the public health goal of contemporary nutrition science is not reached in the large-scale research programmes we studied. Large-scale research programmes are very successful in producing scientific publications and new knowledge; however, in reaching their political goals they often are less successful.

Stimulation of gastrointestinal taste receptors affects eating behaviour. Intraduodenal infusion of tastants leads to increased satiation and reduced food intake, whereas intraileal infusion of tastants does not affect eating behaviour. Currently, it is unknown whether oral- or intragastric administration of tastants induces a larger effect on eating behaviour. This study investigated the effects of oral- and/or intragastric administration of quinine on food intake, appetite sensations and heart rate variability (HRV). In a blinded randomised crossover trial, thirty-two healthy volunteers participated in four interventions with a 1-week washout: oral placebo and intragastric placebo (OPGP), oral quinine and intragastric placebo (OQGP), oral placebo and intragastric quinine (OPGQ) and oral quinine and intragastric quinine (OQGQ). On test days, 150 min after a standardised breakfast, subjects ingested a capsule containing quinine or placebo and were sham-fed a mixture of quinine or placebo orally. At 50 min after intervention, subjects received an ad libitum meal to measure food intake. Visual analogue scales for appetite sensations were collected, and HRV measurements were performed at regular intervals. Oral and/or intragastric delivery of the bitter tastant quinine did not affect food intake (OPGP: 3273·6 (sem 131·8) kJ, OQGP: 3072·7 (sem 132·2) kJ, OPGQ: 3289·0 (sem 132·6) kJ and OQGQ: 3204·1 (sem 133·1) kJ, P = 0·069). Desire to eat and hunger decreased after OQGP and OPGQ compared with OPGP (P < 0·001 and P < 0·05, respectively), whereas satiation, fullness and HRV did not differ between interventions. In conclusion, sole oral sham feeding with and sole intragastric delivery of quinine decreased desire to eat and hunger, without affecting food intake, satiation, fullness or HRV.

Vitamin and mineral supplements (VMS) are widely available and commonly used. Little is known about patterns of poisoning exposures to VMS in the Australian population. We performed a retrospective study of calls to the New South Wales Poisons Information Centre (NSWPIC), July 2014–June 2019. NSWPIC is Australia’s largest PIC, taking approximately 100 000 calls/year (50 % of Australian poisoning calls) from healthcare professionals and members of the public. We conducted additional analyses on Fe exposures due to their high risk of acute toxicity. There were 10 944 VMS exposures reported to NSWPIC during the study period, increasing 9·6 % per annum over a 5-year period (95 % CI, 7·2, 12·1 %). Toddlers (1–4 years) accounted for 41·5 % (4546) of cases. Agents most commonly involved were multivitamins (n 3610), vitamin D (n 2080), Fe (n 1533) and Mg (n 804). In 17·7 % (1934) of cases, the call originated from hospital or the patient was referred to hospital by NSWPIC. Fe exposures increased by 14·0 % per year (95 % CI, 9·5, 18·5 %), and most were associated with high-strength products (> 45 mg elemental Fe per unit dose, n 1036). Fe exposures were hospitalised in 38 % of cases (n 583). We conclude that VMS exposures are increasing in Australia. Although most exposures can be managed at home, many required hospitalisation. Fe exposures are increasing and had higher rates of hospitalisation than other agents. VMS are often considered safe and without the potential for adverse effects, highlighting the importance of public education into the potential risks of misuse of these products.

1. The B-vitamins in milk from baboons (Papio cynocephalus) at various stages of lactation were measured microbiologically.

2. Mature milk contained, on average (μg/ml): thiamin 0.18, riboflavin 0.74, nicotinic acid 3.2, folate 0.03, vitamin B6 0.70, vitamin B12 0.002, pantothenic acid 2.63, biotin 0.0065.

3. Colostrum contained much less vitamin B6 and pantothenic acid than mature milk; otherwise, there were only slight changes in composition as lactation progressed. Neither these changes, nor the absolute values, resembled those for human or cow's milk.

4. The average daily secretion of B-vitamins in milk represented less than 10% of the mother's dietary intake; that of folate was less than 0.5% of the mother's dietary intake.

5. Baboon milk was calculated to provide infants with approximately the following quantities of B-vitamins (/d): thiamin 0.06 mg, riboflavin 0.25 mg, nicotinic acid 1.1 mg, folate 10 μg, vitamin B6 0.25 mg, vitamin B12 0.7 μg, pantothenic acid 0.9 mg, biotin 2.2 μg.

Undernutrition is a major public health problem in developing countries. Around 40·2 % of children are stunted in Pakistan. This longitudinal study aimed to assess the effectiveness of locally produced ready-to-use supplementary foods in the prevention of stunting by detecting change in of children in intervention v. control arm against the 2006 WHO growth reference. A community-based non-randomised cluster-controlled trial was conducted from January 2018 to December 2020 in the district of Kurram, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. A total of 80 clusters (each cluster comprising ≈ 250–300 households) were defined in the catchment population of twelve health facilities. Children aged 6–18 months were recruited n 1680. The intervention included a daily ration of 50 g – locally produced ready-to-use-supplementary food (Wawa-Mum). The main outcome of this study was a change in length for age z-score (LAZ) v. WHO growth standards. Comparison between the interventions was by t test and ANOVA. Cox proportional hazard models were used to assess the association between stunting occurrence and the utilisation of locally produced supplement. Out of the total 1680, fifty-one out of the total 1680, 51·1 out of the total 1680 and 51·1 % (n 859) were male. Mean age 13·9 months (sd + 859) were male. Mean age 13·9 months (sd + –4·4). At baseline, 36·9 % (n 618) were stunted. In the intervention group, mean LAZ score significantly increased from −1·13(2·2 sd) at baseline to −0·93(1·8 sd) at 6-month follow-up (P value 0·01) compared with the control group. The incidence rate of stunting in the intervention arm was 1·3 v. 3·4 per person year in the control arm. The control group had a significantly increased likelihood of stunting (Hazard Ratio (HR) 1·7, 95 % CI 1·46, 2·05, P value < 0·001) v. the intervention group. Locally produced ready-to-use supplementary food is an effective intervention for reducing stunting in children below 2 years of age. This can be provided as part of a malnutrition prevention package to overcome the alarming rates of stunting in Pakistan.

The present study examines the influence of parental history of death from cardiovascular disease on dietary habits and nutritional status of a group of seventy-two Spanish elderly. Those with at least one parent who had died of cardiovascular disease (43·1% of the cases) had higher diastolic blood pressure (P < 0·05) and nutrient intakes less favourable from the cardiovascular risk point of view than those whose parents died of other causes. Descendants whose parents died of cardiovascular disease had higher total fat, animal fat, saturated fatty acids, myristic acid and palmitic acid intakes and a lower monounsaturated fatty acids: saturated fatty acids value than descendants of those who died from other causes (all P < 0·05).

Rats were weaned onto high (HCa, 14.6 g/kg)- or low (LCa, 3.88 g/kg)-Ca diets for 12 d and the efficiency of absorption of Ca measured from 20 mg Ca (as CaCl2, labelled with 47Ca) by means of wholebody counting. The LCa group absorbed 74 % of the test dose and the HCa group 60 % of the test dose (P < 0.001). All animals were then given the LCa diet for 6 weeks and the absorption test repeated. This time there was no difference in efficiency of absorption (HCa 54%, LCa 57%). The femur dry weight was significantly lower in the group initially fed on the LCa diet, but the Ca concentration was similar to that of the HCa group. The results do not lend support to the suggestion that early dietary exposure to Ca manifests itself as a difference in Ca metabolism in later life. They do, however, highlight the importance of adequate Ca intake during critical periods of growth.

We examined whether lipid metabolism in orchiectomised (ORX) rats was affected by fructose ingestion and the amount of ingested fructose. Sucrose was used as a fructose source. Sham-operated and ORX rats were fed one of the following three diets for 28 d: a maize starch-based diet without sucrose (SU0), a diet by which half or all of maize starch was replaced by sucrose (SU50 or SU100). Body-weight gain and food intake were increased by sucrose ingestion, but decreased by ORX. Plasma total cholesterol concentration was increased by ORX and dose-dependently by sucrose ingestion. Plasma TAG concentration was decreased by ORX, but was increased dose-dependently by sucrose ingestion. Plasma insulin concentration was decreased by ORX, but was not affected by sucrose ingestion. Liver TAG was increased by sucrose ingestion and ORX; however, liver cholesterol concentration was not affected by sucrose ingestion and ORX. The hepatic activity of cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase 1 was not affected by sucrose ingestion and ORX; however, faecal excretion of bile acids was decreased. The mRNA level of microsomal TAG transfer protein, which is the gene related to hepatic VLDL production, was increased by ORX and sucrose ingestion. The mRNA level of uncoupling protein-1 was decreased by ORX, but not by sucrose ingestion. Plasma insulin concentration tended to correlate with the level of sterol-regulatory element-binding protein-1c mRNA (r 0·747, P = 0·088). These results show that lipid metabolism in ORX rats would be affected by the consumption of fructose-rich sweeteners such as sucrose and high-fructose syrup.

1. Energy expenditure determinations have been made on thirty-two soldiers newly arrived in the warm humid climate of southern Malaya. Ergometer cycling was investigated as well as everyday activities such as lying, sitting, riding in a trunck, abultions, buildings a jungle camp and walking with loads over four different routes.

2. The inter-individual variation in the gross energy expenditure (kcal/min and kJ/min) of each activity has been compared with the variation in energy expenditure standardized for body-weight, surface area and lean body mass. Standardization for body size did not consistently or effectively reduce the coefficients of variation of energy expenditure.

3. The gross energy expenditure of most activities was significantly correlated with bodyweight, surface area or lean body mass but the correlation coefficients were not of a high order, suggesting that less than 41% of the inter-individual variation in energy expenditure was accounted for by variation in body size.

4. The energy expenditure of walking at various speeds over both firm and uneven terrain was related to the square of the walking speed and the total weight of the man and his equipment (correlation coefficients 0.89–0.92, P < 0.001).