Zinc nutritional status in obese children and adolescents

Studies in animals and humans have corroborated that zinc (Zn) metabolism is altered in obesity. The present work intends to evaluate the Zn nutritional status in obese children and adolescents by the determination of some biochemical parameters and analyses of the diets. The investigation was carried out in a group of obese children and adolescents (n=23) and compared to a control group (n=21), both between 7 and 14 yr of age. A software analyzed diet information from 3-d food records. Body composition was evaluated by body mass index, bioelectrical impedance, and skinfold measurements. Zinc nutritional status was evaluated by Zn determination in plasma, erythrocyte, and 24-h urine, by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (γ=213.9 nm). Diets consumed by both groups had marginal concentrations of zinc. Zinc concentrations in plasma and erythrocytes were significantly lower in the obese group. Urinary zinc excretion was significantly higher in the same group. The results allowed one to conclude that zinc nutritional status in obese individuals is altered.     

Zinc nutritional status and its relationships with hyperinsulinemia in obese children and adolescents

A perturbation of zinc metabolism has been noted in subjects with obesity. The present work intends to investigate whether the zinc nutritional status is associated with hyperinsulinemia in obesity. A study was carried out in a group of obese children and adolescents (n=23) and compared to a control group (n=21), both between 7 and 14 yr of age. Software analyzed diet information from 3-d food records. Body composition was evaluated by body mass index (BMI), bioelectrical impedance, and skinfold measurements. Zinc nutritional status was evaluated by Zn determination in plasma, erythrocyte, and 24-h urine, by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (λ=213.9 nm). Insulin was measured by radioimmunoassay (Linco Res). Diets consumed by both groups had marginal concentrations of zinc. Zinc concentrations in plasma and erythrocytes were significantly lower in the obese group. Urinary zinc excretion and serum insulin were significantly higher in the same group, although the insulinemia and the parameters of zinc nutritional status were not significantly correlated. As a result, considering that zinc is part of the synthesis and secretion of this hormone, an assessment is necessary of the possible participation of the oligoelement in the mechanisms of insulin resistance, commonly present in obese patients.     

The relationships between oral status, physical and mental health, nutritional status and diet type in elderly Japanese women with dementia

Objectives: To suggest methods for maintaining an adequate nutritional status for elderly patients with dementia by evaluating the relationships between oral status, physical and mental health, and feeding conditions. Background: Feeding difficulties in dementia patients are related to food intake, and failure to eat may be associated with weight loss in long‐term care facilities. The relationship between compromised oral function and diet is still unclear. Materials and methods: A cross‐sectional study of 94 elderly women with dementia (mean age 89.6 ± 5.6 years) from a nursing home was undertaken to investigate their oral, physical and mental and nutritional status. Results: There were significant differences in serum albumin (p = 0.0284), N‐ADL (p = 0.0005), NM scale (p = 0.0004) and HDS‐R (p = 0.0004) between denture wearers and non‐denture wearers. However, there were no significant differences in body mass index between denture wearers and non‐denture wearers. Conclusion: A suitable type of diet and assistance with feeding could maintain the nutritional status of elderly patients with dementia if they are still feeding themselves. The nutritional support team will benefit from the participation of a dentist.     

ASSESSMENT OF INTAKE AND NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF VITAMIN B1, B2, AND B6 IN MEN AND WOMEN WITH DIFFERENT PHYSICAL ACTIVITY LEVELS

The purpose of the present study was to examine the nutritional status of vitamin B₁, B₂, and B₆ in respect to dietary intake of these vitamins and activity coefficients of the erythrocyte enzymes transketolase, glutathione reductase, and aspartic aminotransferase in young men and women with different physical activity levels. The participants of this study were 20 women and 20 men with high physical activity (groups HAW and HAM, respectively), and 20 women and 20 men with low physical activity (groups LAW and LAM, respectively). The intake of vitamins B₁, B₂, B₆, proteins, and calorie content of the diet was based on the average of the 4-day dietary recalls. To assess nutritional status of vitamin B₁, B₂, and B₆, the activity coefficients (α) of erythrocyte transketolase (ETK), erythrocyte glutathione reductase (EGR), and erythrocyte aspartic aminotransferase (EAST) were estimated in blood hemolysates. The intake of the studied vitamins in the diet was statistically significantly lower in the female groups compared with the respective male groups. Deficiency of vitamin B₆ in the diet was present more often in women than in men (in terms of the recommended dietary allowances [RDA]). Values of the activity coefficient α_ETK indicated that none of the groups in this study suffered the risk of vitamin B₁ deficiency. The value of the activity coefficient α_EGR indicated that the groups of women and men with low physical activity were more prone to vitamin B₂ deficiency compared with the high physical activity groups. The risk of vitamin B₆ deficiency (α_EAST) in both male groups was higher than in both female groups. The obtained results do not allow for unequivocal determination of the impact of sex and the level of physical activity on intake and nutritional status of vitamin B₁, B₂, and B₆. Independently of sex and the level of physical activity, the women and men consumed insufficient quantities of vitamins B₁ and B₆, although this was not always related to increased values of corresponding activity coefficients.     

PHYSICAL FITNESS AND NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF POLISH GROUND FORCE UNIT RECRUITS

The purpose of the work was to conduct an examination of the physical fitness and nutritional status of recruits (221 men beginning military service in the infantry unit). Soldiers’ physical efficiency was estimated using 4 tests: standing long jump, pull-ups on bar, 30-second sit-ups and 1000-metre run. The nutritional status assessment was done based on anthropometric measurements including measurements of body height, body mass and selected skin fold thickness. The study group of soldiers were the best at sit-ups (46.33 points). They got over 40 points for the 1000-metre run (43.68 points) and for pull-ups on bar (41.69 points). They obtained the lowest scores for standing long jumps (30.77 points). About 14% of recruits were overweight and 4.1% underweight. Recruits enrolling in the infantry unit present a low physical fitness level. Overweight and obesity occurrence, and particularly underweight, in recruits testify to improper nutrition before beginning military service.     

On the adaptive significance of energetic efficiency

Models of energetic efficiency have been widely used by ecological anthropologists to study human subsistence patterns. This paper explicitly tests an hypothesis posed by Smith (1979) about energy utilization in the highland community of Nunoa, Peru. Smith's hypothesis is largely confirmed, as greater energy availability is associated with increased caloric consumption and improved measures of health and well-being among the wealthier sectors of this population. However, an energetics model does not provide a full understanding of the behavior and biology of this population. Interacting social/economic and environmental forces impose different constraints on different sectors of this population. These differences are in turn reflected in variation in adaptive strategies and in biological well-being. Future work in human ecology will benefit from (1) attention to the interaction of ecological and socio-economic forces, (2) greater appreciation of intra-populational variation in adaptive strategies, and (3) explicit linking of variation in adaptive strategies to differences in human biological parameters.     

Association between nutrition and the prosthetic condition in edentulous elderly

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the possible risk of malnutrition among the elderly population. Subjects: twenty‐three pairs of complete dentures were made for a group of patients and 17 upper complete dentures with implant‐supported lower dentures were made for a different group. Methods: The study was performed at the University of São Paulo – Dental Branch, Brazil. The patients were submitted to a nutritional test, as well as to a clinical examination and interview. Chewing ability and patient's satisfaction with their prostheses were evaluated. The nonparametric statistics proof of chi‐squared, level 0.05 was performed and because of the low frequencies. The Fischer test was also used. Results: Patients wearing mandibular implant‐supported dentures were considered well nourished (76.47%) when compared with complete dentures users (43.48%). There was a significant difference between the two groups, concerning to chewing ability (χ² = 5.79) and nutritional status (χ² = 4.35). Conclusion: The risk of malnutrition was higher for elderly wearing complete dentures. The psychological state influences the interest in diet and choice of food.     

Utilization of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and the response of the marine flagellate Isochrysis galbana to carbon or nitrogen stress

The growth of the marine flagellate Isochrysis galbana was followed in batch cultures at four concentrations of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), from C- and N-replete lag phase into C- and/or N-deplete stationary phase. Organic buffers were omitted from the growth medium, and culture pH was maintained at 8.30±0.05 by the addition of acid or alkali. The responses of the flagellate to N stress included an increase in the C:N ratio, and decreases in the ratios of glutamine (Gln):glutamate (Glu) and Chl a :C, and the cell Chl a quota. Conversely, the responses to C stress included a decrease in the C:N ratio, and increases in the ratios of Gln:Glu and Chl a :C, and the cell Chl a quota. The relationship between carbon-specific growth rate (C-μ), and the concentration of extracellular DIC, [DIC]_ext, exhibited Michaelis–Menten type kinetics with a half saturation constant, K _G(DIC), of 81 μM. Comparative studies of the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum showed similar results, although the value of K _G(DIC) was lower at 30 μM.     

Female weight and reproductive condition in a population of olive baboons (Papio anubis)

The study reported here tested Altmann's prediction [Baboon Mothers and Infants. Cambridge, Harvard University Press, 1980] that lactating female baboons endure a weight loss. Data from 64 adult female olive baboons (Papio anubis) residing in six troops in Kenya revealed that reproductive condition was related to weight. Lactating females weighed less and pregnant females weighed more than cycling females. There was a negative correlation between the weight of cycling females and the number of months postweighing to their next conception. These results indicate that lactation in wild baboons imposes energy costs that result in lost weight. It is suggested that female baboons may have to surpass a minimum weight threshold prior to resumption of postlactational cycling and that nutritional status is more influential than rank in affecting female reproductive success.     

Nutritional status assessment in complete denture wearers

doi: 10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2011.00620.x Nutritional status assessment in complete denture wearers Background and objectives: The relationship between oral health and the nutritional status in the elderly is complex and controversial. It has been suggested that poor oral health and a decreased ability to chew have a profound influence on food selection, diet and thereby the nutritional status of the individual. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of edentulousness and prosthetic treatment on the nutritional status of the individual. Methods: A total of 94 patients were selected for the study, which was conducted over a period of 16 months. The nutritional status was assessed using the Mini Nutritional Assessment Form (MNA) before the complete denture treatment and after an interval of 6 months and 9 months following the treatment. The individual scores obtained for each question and the total scores at the baseline study were compared with those obtained after 6 and 9 months. Proportions were compared using chi‐squared test of significance. Results: The results showed statistically significant differences in the total MNA scores between the baseline study and after 6 and 9 months. The edentulous patients without complete dentures had significantly lower MNA scores. Conclusion: Prosthetic rehabilitation of the edentulous patients with complete dentures, along with the dietary counselling, improved the nutritional status of these patients.