Fish is considered an important part of a healthy diet and is frequently recommended as a main course at least twice a week.

To study the frequency of fish consumption among young overweight European adults and their compliance to varying seafood consumption in weight loss intervention diets.

After meeting the inclusion criteria, the subject’s seafood intake was evaluated. Subjects were randomly assigned into four groups and were advised energy-restricted diets for 8 weeks, including no seafood (control), cod, salmon or fish oil. A validated FFQ was used to evaluate the consumption of seafood at baseline, midpoint and endpoint, and long-chain n-3 fatty acids in blood erythrocytes were measured.

Iceland, Ireland and Spain.

The sample (n 324); 20–40-year-olds with BMI = 27·5–32·5 kg/m2; 85 % participated.

At baseline, 34 % of the participants reported eating fish at least twice a week as the main course. During the intervention, six participants reported that they did not finish their fish portions, 15 % of the participants consumed small amount of fish additional to the study protocol in weeks 1–4 and 23 % in weeks 5–8 (P = 0·010). Changes in erythrocyte long-chain n-3 fatty acids confirmed good compliance, with increases in the salmon (P < 0·001) and fish oil (P < 0·001) groups, smaller increase in the cod group (P = 0·037) and decrease in the control group (P = 0·030).

Frequency of fish consumption among 66 % of young European overweight adults is lower than frequently recommended. Compliance to varying seafood consumption was good. Therefore, including more fish in the diet of this group should be encouraged.

To describe part of the results of the CALIPSO study, i.e. to provide seafood consumption data on high seafood consumers in France and its contribution to n-3 long-chain (LC) PUFA intake.

A total of 1011 individuals aged 18 years and over, who consumed fish and seafood at least twice weekly, were recruited. A consumption survey and a local ‘total diet study’ were performed to examine seafood consumption, fatty acids composition of seafood and to assess n-3 LC PUFA intake.

The CALIPSO survey was conducted in four French coastal regions (Le Havre, Lorient, La Rochelle and Toulon).

The subjects were questioned about their consumption habits, especially concerning fish and seafood, through a first validated FFQ. A sample of the most consumed seafood products (n 47) was analysed for each region for its fatty acid composition. Fatty acids and especially n-3 LC PUFA intakes in this population were then calculated.

The average consumption of fresh and frozen fish was found to be 633, 636·5 and 787·8 g/week among men aged 18–64 years, women aged 18–64 years and people over 65 years, respectively. In these population groups, the consumption of crustaceans and molluscs was 270·3, 259·9 and 279·3 g/week, respectively. The results show that, irrespective of the age group and gender, consumption of fish and seafood twice weekly without excluding oily fish allowed people to reach the national and international recommended n-3 LC PUFA intakes and demonstrates the validity of the French recommendations for fish consumption.

We investigated the relationship between the intake of fish and the risk of death from prostate cancer.

Data were derived from a prospective cohort study in Japan. Fish consumption obtained from a baseline questionnaire was classified into the two categories of ‘low intake’ and ‘high intake’. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) and 95 % confidence intervals.

Data for 5589 men aged 30–79 years were analysed.

A total of twenty-one prostate cancer deaths were observed during 75 072 person-years of follow-up. Mean age at baseline study of these twenty-one subjects was 67·7 years, ranging from 47 and 79 years old. Results showed a consistent inverse association of this cancer between the high v. low intake groups. The multivariate model adjusted for potential confounding factors and some other food items showed a HR of 0·12 (95 % CI 0·05, 0·32) for the high intake group of fish consumption.

These results support the hypothesis that a high intake of fish may decrease the risk of prostate cancer death. Given the paucity of studies examining the association between prostate cancer and fish consumption, particularly in Asian populations, these findings require confirmation in additional cohort studies.

To evaluate the feasibility of the UK Nutrient Profile (NP) model for identifying ‘unhealthy’ food advertisements using a case study of New Zealand television advertisements.

Four weeks of weekday television from 15.30 hours to 18.30 hours was videotaped from a state-owned (free-to-air) television channel popular with children. Food advertisements were identified and their nutritional information collected in accordance with the requirements of the NP model. Nutrient information was obtained from a variety of sources including food labels, company websites and a national nutritional database.

From the 60 h sample of weekday afternoon television, there were 1893 advertisements, of which 483 were for food products or retailers. After applying the NP model, 66 % of these were classified as advertising high-fat, high-salt and high-sugar (HFSS) foods; 28 % were classified as advertising non-HFSS foods; and the remaining 2 % were unclassifiable. More than half (53 %) of the HFSS food advertisements were for ‘mixed meal’ items promoted by major fast-food franchises. The advertising of non-HFSS food was sparse, covering a narrow range of food groups, with no advertisements for fresh fruit or vegetables.

Despite the NP model having some design limitations in classifying real-world televised food advertisements, it was easily applied to this sample and could clearly identify HFSS products. Policy makers who do not wish to completely restrict food advertising to children outright should consider using this NP model for regulating food advertising.

To assess the magnitude of three micronutrient deficiency disorders (iron, vitamin A and iodine), nutritional deficiencies and their association with related factors.

Using the three-stage sampling technique, a study was conducted in twenty-eight villages of Jodhpur district. A total of 1193 women, 384 pregnant, 400 lactating and 409 non-pregnant non-lactating controls (15 years and above, women who have not attained their family status) were examined for three micronutrient deficiency disorders, nutritional deficiencies, dietary and associated factors.

Majority of the women were anaemic. Anaemia was higher among pregnant and lactating women (80·7 %). Severe anaemia was three-fold higher among pregnant and lactating women in comparison to controls (4·1 %). Vitamin A deficiency was observed to be higher among pregnant women (8·8 %). A high proportion of women (80·8 %) consumed salt, having inadequate iodine content. Median urinary iodine values were less in pregnant and lactating women than the WHO cut-off points. Consumption of pulses and legumes was low besides leafy vegetables. Average intake of nutrients showed deficiency of protein and energy, iron and folic acid and vitamin A deficiency. Anaemia and iodine deficiency disorder were found to be inversely proportional to education and income.

The proportion of anaemia in this study was higher in comparison to national-level studies besides the low consumption of normal iodised salt. Only 19 % of salt samples had adequate iodine content, which calls for caution. In addition to iodisation of salt, the study suggests the development of nutritional packages utilising local dietary aspects.

To investigate nutritional status and related living conditions among drug addicts in Oslo.

A cross-sectional study of nutritional status evaluated by anthropometric and biochemical measurements; a structured interview concerning education, living conditions, income source, drug history and sex practice; and biochemical testing of sexually transmitted infections.

The present study was conducted between November 2001 and April 2003 in locations where the drug addicts reside in Oslo.

A total of 123 male and seventy-two female addicts using drugs by injections regularly.

We found that 20 % of the women were moderately underweight (BMI in kg/m2) (16·5 < BMI < 18·5), 7 % were severely underweight (BMI ≤ 16·5) and 3 % of the men were moderately underweight (16·5 < BMI < 18·5). BMI was positively correlated with days institutionalised and number of eating events per day. Respondents sleeping rough had significantly reduced BMI compared to those in hostels and shelters. The concentrations of Hb, serum ferritin and albumin supported a higher prevalence of malnutrition among the women. Hepatitis C was found in 85 %, active hepatitis B in 6 % and less than 2 % were HIV positive. Also, 84 % received public financial support, 38 % of the women had prostitution as a significant income source, while burglary was most prevalent among the men; 20 % were pushing drugs.

Malnutrition among the drug addicts varied from 5 % to 30 %, independent of drug history, education and income. Moderate and severe underweight was most prevalent among the women. Being previously institutionalised and having increased number of eating events increased BMI. Sleeping rough correlated with reduced body weight. Hepatitis C infection was common; hepatitis B and HIV were rare.

To assess consumer understanding of fruit and vegetable serving sizes.

The Western Australian Health Department launched the Go for 2&5® campaign to promote fruit and vegetables in March 2002. The Health & Wellbeing Surveillance System surveyed 1108 adults, aged 16 years and over, between September and November 2002 about what constituted a serving of fruit and of vegetables, their usual daily fruit and vegetables intake, and their recall of the campaign.

The study was undertaken as a part of a public health intervention – social marketing campaign in Western Australia, which had a population of 1 927 000 in 2002.

Forty-two per cent of respondents knew that the fruit serving size was one piece and only 14·5 % reported the ½ cup vegetable serving size. The mean fruit intake was 1·8 (95 % CI 1·7, 1·8) servings/d and the mean vegetable intake was 2·8 (95 % CI 2·7, 3·0) servings/d. Vegetable intake was associated with being female (P = 0·006), increasing age (P < 0·0001), awareness of the campaign (P = 0·031) and knowledge of standard serving size (P = 0·006). Fruit consumption was associated with being female (P = 0·007). Fruit and vegetable intakes were not associated with educational attainment or household income.

The Go for 2&5® campaign uses a prescriptive message to promote increased consumption of fruit and vegetables. Respondent’s knowledge of the standard of serving sizes for fruit and vegetables suggests there is value in separating fruit and vegetable recommendations in messages to encourage increased consumption.

To validate a 53-item quantitative FFQ (QFFQ) for the assessment of dietary protein intake in type 2 diabetic outpatients in Bamako, Mali.

Consumption of protein-containing foods over the week preceding the interview was measured with a 7d QFFQ and compared with intakes measured with 48-h recalls.

Centre National de Lutte contre le Diabète.

Seventeen male and forty female adults with type 2 diabetes.

Correlation between protein intakes estimated using the QFFQ and 48h recalls was 0·63 (P < 0·0001). There was no significant difference between the two methods concerning the total protein daily intakes and intakes per kilogram of body weight. The QFFQ indicated that foods of animal origin were a lesser source of protein. Animal protein intake did not differ between men and women but sources did. In men, the main sources were beef (54 % of total animal protein), fish (15 %) and milk powder (8 %). In women, the principal sources were fish (28 %), beef (20 %) and birds (13 %). In contrast, plant protein intake was significantly higher in men than in women (P = 0·01), but the same plant foods contributed in similar proportions for both genders, rice being by far the greatest source (47 % of plant protein in men, 53 % in women).

The QFFQ developed in this study is a valid tool to evaluate dietary protein intakes in Malian diabetic subjects. While the total protein intakes were low in both men and women, differences in choices and amounts of protein food sources were shown.

To develop and evaluate a pictorial, web-based version of the NCI diet history questionnaire (Web-PDHQ).

The Web-PDHQ and paper version of the DHQ (Paper-DHQ) were administered 4 weeks apart with 218 participants randomised to order. Dietary data from the Web-PDHQ and Paper-DHQ were validated using a randomly selected 4 d food record recording period (including a weekend day) and two randomly selected 24 h dietary recalls during the 4 weeks intervening between these two diet history administrations.

Research office in Reston, VA, USA.

Computer-literate men and women recruited through newspaper advertisements.

Mean correlation of energy and the twenty-five examined nutrients between the Web-PDHQ and Paper-DHQ was 0·71 and 0·51, unadjusted and energy-adjusted by the residual method, respectively. Moderate mean correlations (unadjusted 0·41 and 0·38; energy-adjusted 0·41 and 0·34) were obtained between both the Web-PDHQ and Paper-DHQ with the 4 d food record on energy and nutrients, but the correlations between the Web-PDHQ and Paper-DHQ with the 24 h recalls were modest (unadjusted 0·31 and 0·29; energy-adjusted 0·37 and 0·26). A subset of participants (n 48) completing the Web-PDHQ at the initial visit performed a retest on the same questionnaire 1 week later to determine repeatability, and the unadjusted mean correlation was 0·82.

These data indicate that the Web-PDHQ has comparable repeatability and validity to the Paper-DHQ but did not improve the relationship of the DHQ to other food intake measures (e.g. food records, 24 h recall).

To determine the prevalence of anaemia, identify the predictors of anaemia, compare the prevalence of anaemia among children living in American Samoa to those found in children living in the USA, and compare the growth patterns obtained from this study to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data and data obtained earlier in American Samoan children.

Cross-sectional.

American Samoa, a Pacific Island.

In all, 208 children aged 5–10 years.

Anaemia (Hb < 11·5 g/dl) prevalence was 17·3 %. There was a significant difference in mean Hb levels in children within American Samoa as compared to National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III data (P < 0·05). In children with BMI Z-score (BMIZ) (P < 0·05) and weight-for-age Z-score (WAZ) (P < 0·05) >2·0, females had a significantly higher prevalence of anaemia than males. Females with a WAZ > 2·0 had a significantly higher prevalence of anaemia than females with a WAZ ≤ 2·0 (P < 0·03). Risk factors for anaemia were mother having less than a high school education (P = 0·02), no car (P < 0·01) and no phone (P = 0·02). The BMIZ (P < 0·000), height-for-age Z-score (P < 0·000) and WAZ (P < 0·000) were significantly different from the distribution of CDC reference data and that found in children previously assessed in American Samoa.

Anaemia is high among children aged 5–10 years living in American Samoa. Growth pattern Z-scores reveal that American Samoan children are, on average, taller, heavier and more overweight. Further examination into the causes of anaemia and overweight is warranted.

To examine the effect of community-based nutrition education intervention on calcium intake and bone mass in Vietnamese postmenopausal women.

A controlled trial was conducted in two groups as intervention and control. The intervention group was given nutrition education during 18 months to improve calcium intake, while the control subjects had the usual diet. Calcium intake and bone mass were evaluated every 6 months. Bone mass was assessed by speed of sound (SOS) at calcaneus, referred to as quantitative ultrasound measurement. Anthropometric indices and serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) were determined at baseline and at the end of intervention.

Two rural communes of Hai Duong province located in the Red River Delta in Vietnam.

A total of 140 women aged 55–65 years, who were more than 5 years postmenopausal and with low calcium intake (<400 mg/d), were recruited. After 18 months of intervention, 108 women completed the study.

Calcium intake in the intervention group had increased significantly (P < 0·01) while it had no significant changes in controls. SOS values were not changed significantly in the intervention subjects while it decreased significantly by 0·5 % in the controls (P < 0·01). The intervention led to a decrease in serum PTH by 12 % (P < 0·01). In the controls, there was an increase in serum PTH by 32 % (P < 0·001).

Nutrition education intervention was effective in improving calcium intake and retarding bone loss in the studied subjects.

To examine the association between the risk of neural tube defects (NTD) and maternal serum vitamin B12, folate and homocysteine in a high-risk area of China.

A case–control study was carried out in Luliang mountain area of Shanxi Province.

A total of eighty-four NTD pregnancies and 110 matched controls were included in the study; their serum vitamin B12 and folate concentrations were measured by chemiluminescent immunoenzyme assay and total homocysteine concentrations by fluorescent polarisation immunoassay.

Serum vitamin B12 and folate concentrations were lower in NTD-affected pregnant women than in controls (P < 0·01). Serum total homocysteine was higher in the NTD group than in controls at less than 21 weeks of gestation (P < 0·01). Adjusted odds ratios revealed that women with lower vitamin B12 (adjusted OR=4·96; 95 % CI 1·94, 12·67) and folate (adjusted OR=3·23; 95 % CI 1·33, 7·85) concentrations had a higher risk of NTD compared to controls. Based on dietary analysis, less consumption of meat, egg or milk, fresh vegetables and fruit intake would increase the risk of NTD.

Lower serum concentrations of folate and vitamin B12 are related to the increased risk of NTD in high-risk populations. Both folate and vitamin B12 intake insufficiency could contribute to the increased risk of NTD. A dietary supplement, combining folate and vitamin B12, might be an effective measure to decrease the NTD incidence in these areas.

The objective of the present study was to assess the prevalence and determinants of preconceptional folic acid supplement use among pregnant women in Lebanon.

The study was a descriptive epidemiological study. Analysis was performed on 5280 deliveries admitted to twelve member hospitals of the National Collaborative Perinatal Neonatal Network during the period September 2003–January 2005. Information on folic acid intake and maternal and neonatal characteristics were obtained from obstetric charts along with direct interviews performed by trained personnel. Logistic regression was performed to determine the predictors of preconceptional folic acid use.

The overall use of preconceptional folic acid supplementation was 14·0 % (18·6 % in urban hospitals v. 2·7 % in rural hospitals). Higher socio-economic status, lower parity and having a history of previous spontaneous abortions were significantly associated with preconceptional folic acid use.

Our study shows that Lebanon currently has a low rate of preconceptional folic acid supplement use. Intervention through the means of awareness campaigns needs to be implemented on a national level.

To determine the uptake of a free fruit provision to low-decile primary-school children by quantitatively assessing changes in fruit intake.

A randomised controlled trial using a paired, cluster randomisation.

Twenty low-decile primary schools (schools attended by the most deprived children) in Auckland, New Zealand.

In total 2032 children, aged 7–11 years, provided data on at least one occasion.

Ten pairs of low-decile primary schools matched by roll size and location were randomly allocated to control (no free fruit) or intervention (free fruit) for a school term. Dietary assessments using the 24 h recall methodology were made at baseline, on the last week of the intervention and 6 weeks post-intervention.

Fruit intakes in this cohort were lower than the national average with over 40 % reporting no fruit intake at baseline and did not differ between groups. After the free fruit period the intervention group increased school fruit intakes by 0·39 pieces/school d from baseline (P ≤ 0·001) and the proportion of children consuming no fruit reduced to 22 %. This increase, however, was not sustained and fruit intakes fell below baseline levels at 6 weeks post-intervention. Control subjects did not significantly alter their fruit intakes throughout the study.

Improving exposure and accessibility to fruits at school increases fruit intakes of low socio-economic group children, particularly those who do not normally eat fruit. The present pilot study demonstrates some possible negative effects of short-term free fruit interventions, but is informative for developing and evaluating sustained fruit intervention programmes.

To assess the trends in overweight and obesity in pre-school children in urban areas of Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), Vietnam, over the period 2002 to 2005.

Two cross-sectional studies were conducted in 2002 and 2005. Multistage cluster sampling was used in both surveys to select the subjects. Sociodemographic information was collected using a self-administered questionnaire given to parents in 2002 and using an interview-administered questionnaire to parents in 2005. Weight and height were measured using the same standard methods in both surveys. BMI (kg/m2) was calculated and overweight/obesity was defined using the age- and sex-specific BMI cut-off points proposed by the International Obesity Taskforce.

Children aged 4 to 5 years, attending pre-schools in urban areas of HCMC, Vietnam, in 2002 (n 492) and 2005 (n 670).

The prevalence of overweight and obesity almost doubled from 2002 to 2005 (21·4 % and 36·8 %, respectively). The increase was more evident in less wealthy districts than in wealthy districts. The proportion of boys classified as obese in 2005 (22·5 %) was three times that in 2002 (6·9 %).

The prevalence of overweight and obesity has increased rapidly in children aged 4 to 5 years in urban areas, and especially in less wealthy districts, over a 3-year period. These results signal an urgent need for prevention programmes to control and reverse this rapid upward trend in overweight and obesity in young children in HCMC.

To estimate the prevalence of overweight, obesity and nutritional habits in schoolchildren aged 10–18 years.

Contemporary, cross-sectional, population-based study, with a stratified probabilistic sample of secondary schools in Porto Alegre comprising a total of 511 schoolchildren. Data on family risk factors, anthropometrics and eating habits were collected.

The prevalence of excess weight was 27·6 % among the schoolchildren, with 17·8 % being overweight (BMI ≥ 85th and <95th percentile) and 9·8 % obese (BMI ≥ 95th percentile). Overweight was more prevalent in females (19·9 %) and obesity in males (11·8 %). Children who ate fewer meals per day tend to be more obese (mean: 3·51 (sd 1·14) v. 4·22 (sd 1·01) meals/d for students with normal weight). The mean weekly intake of unhealthy foods was 3·25 times for soft drinks, 2·91 for fried foods and 4·01 for sweets. The intake of skimmed milk (38·9 %) and diet soft drinks (20·9 %) was greater among obese children.

Overweight and obesity are increasing even in developing countries such as Brazil. Although many families are already taking measures towards healthier health habits, preventive actions must be considered a priority, with an emphasis on education, in order to avoid the need to treat obesity and its significant burden in the near future.

To compare estimates of under-nutrition among pre-school Pakistani children using the WHO growth standard and the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) reference.

Prevalence of stunting, wasting and underweight as defined by WHO and NCHS standards are calculated and compared.

The data are from two cross-sectional surveys conducted in the early 1990s, the time frame for setting the baseline for the Millennium Development Goals: (i) National Health Survey of Pakistan (NHSP) assessed the health status of a nationally representative sample and (ii) Thatta Health System Research Project (THSRP) was a survey in Thatta, a rural district of Sindh Province.

In all, 1533 and 1051 children aged 0–35 months from national and Thatta surveys, respectively.

WHO standard gave a significantly higher prevalence of stunting for both national [36·7 (95 % CI 33·2, 40·2)] and Thatta surveys [52·9 (95 % CI 48·9, 56·9)] compared to the NCHS reference [national: 29·1 (95 % CI 25·9, 32·2) and Thatta: 44·8 (95 % CI 41·1, 48·5), respectively]. It also gave significantly higher prevalence of wasting for the Thatta survey [22·9 (95 % CI 20·3, 25·5)] compared to the NCHS reference [15·7 (95 % CI 13·5, 17·8)]. Differences due to choice of standard were pronounced during infancy and for severely wasted and severely stunted children.

Pakistan should switch to the robustly constructed and up-to-date WHO growth standard for assessing under-nutrition. New growth charts should be introduced along with training of health workers. This has implications for nutritional intervention programmes, for resetting the country’s targets for Millennium Development Goal 1 and for monitoring nutritional trends.