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Objective: The present study aimed to identify dietary patterns, compare dietary patterns regarding nutrient profile and investigate the association between dietary patterns and body composition in a population in western Austria.Design: In a cross-sectional study, eating habits, anthropometric measurements and body composition were assessed. Food intake was collected by two non-consecutive 24 h recalls. Factor analysis (principal component analysis) with complementary cluster analysis was applied to identify dietary patterns. Associations of dietary patterns with body composition and nutrient profile were examined by the t test, one-way ANOVA and ANCOVA with Bonferroni's correction. The χ 2 test was used for categorical variables.Setting: Tyrol, western Austria, 2014-2015.ParticipantsAdults (n 463) aged 18-64 years.Results: Three dietary patterns were derived, labelled as the 'health-conscious', the 'western' and the 'traditional' dietary pattern. After adjustment for confounding variables, individuals following the traditional and western patterns were more likely to be overweight/obese (P <0·001) and to have a higher body fat percentage (P <0·05). Individuals following the traditional dietary pattern consumed significantly more SFA and less PUFA and dietary fibre (P <0·001) than those in the other groups.Conclusions: Individuals who mostly eat in a traditional way should be encouraged to increase their consumption of vegetables, fruits, whole grains and healthy fats. It is important to know local eating habits not only for planning individual nutritional therapy, but also for well-directed public health actions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European Food Safety Authority’s 2010 scientific opinion on dietary reference values for total water intakes was partly based on observed intakes in population groups. Large variability was observed, and it is unlikely that these differences can be explained by differences in climate, activity level and/or culture. This suggests that there are uncertainties in the methodologies used to assess water intake from food and fluids, including all types of beverages. To determine current methods for recording and reporting total water, beverages and fluid intakes, twenty-one European countries were surveyed using an electronic questionnaire. In total, twelve countries responded and ten completed surveys were summarised. Countries reported that their survey was representative of the population in terms of age and socio-economic status. However, a variety of methods were used – that is, repeated 24-h recalls, estimated food diaries and FFQ. None of the methods were validated to assess water and fluid intakes. The methods used to record liquid foods – for example, soup and diluted drinks – were inconsistent. Clarity and consistency on definitions of categories of beverages to facilitate comparisons between countries are needed. Recommendations for a unified approach to surveying and quantifying intake of water from fluids and foods are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

ObjectiveAdherence to a Mediterranean diet is associated with significant improvements in health status. However, to date no systematic review and meta-analysis has summarized the effects of Mediterranean diet adherence on the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus.DesignElectronic searches for randomized controlled trials and cohort studies were performed in MEDLINE, SCOPUS, EMBASE and the Cochrane Trial Register until 2 April 2014. Pooled effects were calculated by an inverse-variance random-effect meta-analysis using the statistical software Review Manager 5·2 by the Cochrane Collaboration.SettingMeta-analysis of randomized controlled trials and cohort studies.SubjectsEligibility criteria: 19+years of age.ResultsOne randomized controlled trial and eight prospective cohort studies (122 810 subjects) published between 2007 and 2014 were included for meta-analysis. For highest v. lowest adherence to the Mediterranean diet score, the pooled risk ratio was 0·81 (95 % CI 0·73, 0·90, P<0·0001, I2=55 %). Sensitivity analysis including only long-term studies confirmed the results of the primary analysis (pooled risk ratio=0·75; 95 % CI 0·68, 0·83, P<0·00001, I2=0 %). The Egger regression test provided no evidence of substantial publication bias (P=0·254).ConclusionsGreater adherence to a Mediterranean diet is associated with a significant reduction in the risk of diabetes (19 %; moderate quality evidence). These results seem to be clinically relevant for public health, in particular for encouraging a Mediterranean-like dietary pattern for primary prevention of type 2 diabetes mellitus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic stress is associated with impacting eating behavior, namely food choice and energy intake, with a shift towards more palatable and energy dense foods. Additionally, eating behavior is influenced by other psychological factors like mood and emotions. The categorization of people into eating types such as restrained, emotional, and external eaters has gained attraction. Reported changes in eating behavior due to psychological stress are only occasionally accompanied by measures of physiological hunger through ghrelin. The primary objective of this study was to investigate how chronic stress and acute cortisol reactivity affect active ghrelin secretion and how these outcomes account for different eating types. 16 healthy, young males (age: 23 ± 3 years, BMI: 22.5 ± 1.3kg/m2) with low (n = 8) and average-to-high (n = 8) chronic stress level were subjected to the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) and a control version on two separate days. Active ghrelin, cortisol, glucose, and heart rate were measured throughout the test. Subjects rated their hunger by means of visual analog scale and current mood was assessed with the Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS). In addition, participants filled out the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ) to account for their subjective eating behavior. Overall ghrelin values where higher on the test day compared to the control day. Ghrelin values were also higher during the time leading up to the stress or control test (TSST) than during the conclusion of said tests. On both days, mean values for active ghrelin where higher in individuals with low chronic stress exposure compare to those with average-to-high chronic stress exposure. While values from test to control day decreased for lower stressed participants, they slightly increased for higher stressed participants. Cortisol responders displayed higher ghrelin values on test day than cortisol non-responders, but this association inverted for the control day. Results indicate that chronic stress influences acute stress response and further alters active ghrelin production, which in turn can influence eating behavior. Replication in a greater group of participants of differing weight and sex could yield a greater understanding of stress induced eating. Factors such as relaxation techniques and coping mechanisms could further improve our knowledge and evaluate treatment possibilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing problem with the irreproducibility of the results of metabolic research urged us to analyse potential critical factors contributing to the disparities. Microbiota composition constitutes crucial variable in animal research. Gut flora changes depending on multiple factors including fibre intake. Mice derive fibre from diet but, especially under fasted conditions, also from bedding ingestion. Our project aims at assessing the impact of cage bedding on several aspects of metabolic research. Mice were divided into an overnight (ON) fasted, caloric restricted (CR) and ad libitum groups. In order to evaluate the effects of different beddings, mice were housed in cages with the most commonly used beddings: wooden, corncob or cellulose. Additionally, ON-fasted mice were kept without bedding or on metal grid preventing coprophagy. Mice bedding consumption and faeces production were measured. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed. Metabolites composition and microbial diversity were analysed in caecum content. Mice organ weight and gene expression measurements were conducted. Mice show preference towards wooden bedding and consume it in highest amount followed by corncob and cellulose beddings. As a result of the bedding ingestion, caecum weight increases in the CR compared to ad libitum fed mice. CR leads to a reduced faeces production and it is the lowest in the CR wood and CR cellulose groups. Housing on metal grid results in greater body weight loss and decreases stomach and caecum size. ON-fasted mice housed without bedding or on grids show lower glucose levels when submitted to OGTT. CR influences the caecal bacterial diversity as well as the caecal metabolic profile. In the CR group, mice on the corncob bedding show a distinct caecal microbial composition and caecal metabolic profile compared to wooden and cellulose groups. CR is associated with increased abundance of Marinifilaceaefrom the phylum Bacteroidales, and Erysipelotrichaceaefrom the phylum Firmicutes and with a decreased abundance of Lachnospiraceaefrom the phylum Firmicutes. The main metabolites effected by CR are organic acids, fructose, sucrose and glutamine. The type of bedding exerts the strongest effect on valeric acid, lysine, threonine and organic acids. CR- and ON-fasting-associated weight loss, bedding consumption and fibre accumulation in the caecum depends on the bedding type. CR mice housed on wooden and cellulose beddings show similarities and are distinguishable from CR corncob group. Thus, depending on the composition and consumed amount, bedding intake affects numerous parameters and shapes the microbiome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Being the predominant osmotically active element inside cells, potassium is a central regulator of the osmotic balance and the electrochemical membrane potential. As such, it has an effect on blood pressure and therefore counteracts the effects of excess dietary sodium intake. Furthermore, potassium affects glucose homeostasis by influencing insulin secretion from the pancreatic β-cells. Due to the health-promoting effects of potassium, the German-speaking countries have recently updated the reference values for potassium. The revised estimates of adequate potassium intake are 4000 mg/d instead of previously recommended 2000 mg/d. However, a typical Western diet on average contains less potassium and more sodium. Materials and methods: The presented data were collected within the Austrian Study on Nutrition 2014/2016, a regularly conducted representative cross-sectional survey to monitor food consumption in Austria. Altogether, data from 2129 adults aged between 18 and 64 years were included in the analysis. In the course of two years, and thus with the consideration of seasonal variations, the survey was conducted on the basis of two non-consecutive 24 hour recalls in accordance with the guidelines of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). The survey was approved by the Ethical Committee of the University of Vienna (reference number: 00284). Results: After exclusion of misreporters the final sample consisted of 2018 individuals, of which 1282 (63.5%) were women. The mean age was 38.8 ± 11.9 years. Median dietary potassium intake was 2783 mg/d (IQR: 1245). Men had a higher median intake than women (3018 mg/d (IQR: 1303) vs. 2546 mg/d (IQR: 1112), p < 0.001). Significant differences between sexes existed in all age groups (p < 0.001). However, there was no significant correlation between age and dietary potassium intake. The estimates of adequate potassium intake of 4000 mg/d (DGE et al., 2017) were met by only 13.3% of the participants, 7.4% of women and 19.2% of men. Moreover, only 479 participants (23.8%, 16.7% of women and 30.9% of men) had intakes equal to or above 3500 mg/d, the adequate intake established by EFSA (2016). Discussion: Our data show that potassium intake has to be improved in all gender and age groups by increasing the consumption of potassium-rich foods. However, since the estimates of adequate potassium intake have doubled recently, it seems even more difficult to achieve these recommendations in daily food routine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is sufficient evidence that the periconceptional period is a key window during which poor maternal nutrition can adversely influence long-term health and disease risk into adulthood. The higher rate of obesity in women of childbearing age and bad quality of mother's diet may result in higher incidence of hyperglycemia or hyperlipidemia, associated with an impaired metabolism in the offspring. This cross-sectional study analysed dietary habits and physical activity of 190 pregnant women aged 31 ± 6 years in the second and third trimester of their pregnancy in Austria. Dietary intake data were collected by two non-consecutive 24-h-recalls using GloboDiet software, physical activity was examined with the Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire. 31.6 % of investigated women were overweight or obese; a moderate higher prevalence compared to non-pregnant women (21.9–27.8 %). Mean gestational weight gain (GWG) was 3.9 (± 4.8) kg in the second and 9.6 (± 5.1) kg in the third trimester. More than half of the pregnant women exceed the GWG recommendations of the Institute of Medicine (2009). In contrary, average energy consumption was 1765 kcal/d, which is below the DACH (German, Austrian and Swiss Society for Nutrition) reference value assuming a Physical Activity Level of 1,4. However, one quarter of participants exceeded reference value of energy intake. Ratio of energy supply by macronutrient intake was 36.2 E% fat: 48.5 E% carbohydrates: 15.3 E% protein. Mean intakes of linoleic acid and alpha-linoleic acid were within the DACH reference values, but DHA intake (125 mg/d) did not reach the recommendation of 200 mg/d. In addition, average intake of dietary fibre (19.8 g/d) was too low. Intakes of vitamins A, E, B1, B6, and folate as well as potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, and iodine were unsatisfying. These results are in accordance with an inadequate supply with fruits, vegetables, cereals, and milk products, at the same time exceeding intake of meat(products) and sweets. Only half of the examined pregnant women have reached the recommendation of 120 minutes of physical activity of moderate to vigorous intensity per week. This study demonstrates that dietary behaviour and physical activity during pregnancy need to be improved. Adequate energy and nutrient intake is essential before conception, as well as throughout pregnancy to support maternal needs, and to fill up stores required for foetal development. Health strategies supporting women in childbearing age in adopting a healthy lifestyle are important for the health of the next generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food cues modulate hunger and dictate nutritional choices. The omnipresent stimulus of palatable food promotes the epidemics of obesity and metabolic diseases. The aim of our study was to investigate the impact of visual stimulation with food pictures on appetite-related hormones as well as the functionality of the secreted hormones and its impact on macronutrient uptake and deposition in healthy subjects. Additionally, we sought to identify differences in response to visual food cues of total and active ghrelin to and to a meal followed by the stimulation. Healthy, non-obese participants were recruited for two two-day studies. During the first study, the subjects were shown random non-food pictures on the first day and pictures of appetizing foods on the second day of the study. The second study followed the same schedule and additionally, following the picture session, the participants were asked to drink a milkshake. The subjects reported subjective hunger. Levels of glucose, triglycerides and hunger-related hormones were measured in blood. In addition, an animal study was performed, during which 4 hours fasted mice were submitted to visual and olfactory stimulation using chow, while not being able to access the food. Following the stimulation, oral glucose tolerance test was performed, gene expression and blood total, as well as acylated ghrelin, were measured. Exposure to food pictures affected participant's blood glucose and incretin levels. Concentrations of several hormones in the blood were interdependent and in case of ghrelin and GIP as well as ghrelin and GLP-1 this co-occurrence relied on the visual cues. Changes of total ghrelin concentration following food stimulation was highly individual and participants could be grouped as ghrelin responders or non-responders. The responders showed upregulated total ghrelin and their total ghrelin levels correlated with food picture score revealing that in ghrelin non-responders reaction to food pictures was diminished. The concentration of active ghrelin decreased following a meal but was not affected by exposure to the pictures of food. Protein content and color intensity of food pictures correlated reversely with participants' rating of the pictures. Sensory stimulation of mice resulted in increased blood glucose levels. We conclude that observation of food pictures significantly influences blood glucose levels and concentration of several appetite-related hormones. The protein content of the observed foods and green color intensity in pictures may serve as a predictor of subjective attractiveness of the presented meal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]