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BACKGROUND: Both the incidence of diabetes mellitus and consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages are high in the Hispanic/Latino population in the United States. The associations between consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages, artificially sweetened beverages, and 100% fruit juice with prediabetes and glucose metabolism markers in the diverse Hispanic/Latino population in the United States are unknown. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to examine the cross-sectional associations between consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages, artificially sweetened beverages, and 100% fruit juice with prediabetes and glucose metabolism markers such as fasting glucose and insulin, 2-h oral-glucose-tolerance test, HOMA-IR, HOMA index for β-cell function (HOMA-B), and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) among US Hispanic/Latino adults. METHODS: Using baseline data from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (2008–2011), beverage consumption was ascertained using two 24-h dietary recalls and a food propensity questionnaire. Diabetes/prediabetes status was defined by self-report, antihyperglycemic medication use, and American Diabetes Association laboratory criteria. Among 9965 individuals without diabetes (5194 normoglycemia, 4771 prediabetes) aged 18–74 y, the associations of beverage consumption with prediabetes and glucose metabolism markers were analyzed using logistic and linear regressions, respectively, accounting for complex survey design. RESULTS: Compared with individuals who consumed 2 servings/d (>480 mL/d) had 1.3 times greater odds of having prediabetes (95% CI: 1.06, 1.61) and higher glucose metabolism markers including fasting glucose, fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, and HbA1c. Consumption of artificially sweetened beverages showed an inverse association with β-cell function (HOMA-B). Intake of 100% fruit juice was not significantly associated with prediabetes nor with glucose metabolism markers. CONCLUSIONS: Among US Hispanic/Latino adults, higher sugar-sweetened beverage consumption was associated with increased odds of prediabetes and higher glucose metabolism markers. Public health initiatives to decrease sugar-sweetened beverage consumption could potentially reduce the burden of diabetes among Hispanics/Latinos in the United States.

BACKGROUND There is a lack of consensus in the literature about the association between meal patterning during pregnancy and birth outcomes. This study examined whether maternal meal patterning in the week before birth was associated with an increased likelihood of imminent spontaneous labor. METHODS Data came from 607 participants in the third phase of the Pregnancy, Infection, and Nutrition Study (PIN3). Data were collected through an interviewer-administered questionnaire after birth, before hospital discharge. Questions included the typical number of meals and snacks consumed daily, during both the week before labor onset and the 24-hour period before labor onset. A self-matched, case-crossover study design examined the association between skipping one or more meals and the likelihood of spontaneous labor onset within the subsequent 24 hours. RESULTS Among women who experienced spontaneous labor, 87.0% reported routinely eating three daily meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) during the week before their labor began, but only 71.2% reported eating three meals during the 24-hour period before their labor began. Compared with the week before their labor, the odds of imminent spontaneous labor were 5.43 times as high (95% CI: 3.41-8.65) within 24 hours of skipping 1 or more meals. The association between skipping 1 or more meals and the onset of spontaneous labor remained elevated for both pregnant individuals who birthed early (37

Objective/Background: Fewer than one-third of U.S. women meet the Institute of Medicine guidelines for healthy gestational weight gain (GWG). While poor sleep quality and short sleep duration have been associated with weight gain and obesity in the general population, the relationship of sleep with pregnancy weight and body composition changes is unclear. This study aimed to examine associations of sleep duration and quality with pregnancy-related changes in body weight and fat. Participants: Pregnant women obtaining obstetric care through the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Healthcare System (UNC) (n = 339 who reported any sleep data) participating in the Pregnancy Eating Attributes Study. Materials and Methods: Participants were recruited at ≤12 weeks gestation and followed through delivery. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index measured sleep duration and quality in early and late pregnancy. Weight was measured at each pregnancy medical visit and skinfolds were measured each trimester. t-tests examined sleep changes from early to late pregnancy and regression analyses estimated associations of sleep quality and duration with GWG and gestational fat gain (GFG). Results: Sleep quality and duration declined across pregnancy. A greater proportion of women with high early pregnancy body mass index (>25) reported low sleep quality and short sleep duration. Sleep quality was not associated with GWG adequacy, whereas longer late pregnancy sleep duration was associated with greater odds of inadequate GWG. Shorter sleep duration and lower sleep quality in late, but not early, pregnancy were associated with greater GFG. Conclusions: Lower sleep quality and shorter sleep duration in late pregnancy were associated with greater GFG. Experimental studies are needed to test the direction of causality between GFG and sleep attributes. ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT02217462.

This was a cross-sectional study associating vitamin D, calcium, magnesium, and potassium intakes with markers of glucose metabolism in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL). HCHS/SOL is a multicenter, prospective, population-based cohort study on Hispanics/Latinos aged 18–74 years in the US. For this analysis, we included 10,609 participants who were free of diabetes. Analysis of covariance was used to assess associations of a range of micronutrient intake on the Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR), Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and 2-hour post-oral glucose tolerance test (2h-plasma glucose) separately for normoglycemic and with pre-diabetes, after controlling for important confounders. All analyses accounted for the complex sample design and sampling weights. HOMA-IR levels were significantly lower among adults with intakes in the highest quartile for vitamin D, magnesium, and potassium compared to the respective lowest quartiles, for those with normoglycemia and pre-diabetes, even after adjusting for confounders, such as diet quality (p

Background/Objectives. Reward-related eating is hypothesized to underlie risk for weight gain in obesogenic environments, but its role is unknown during pregnancy and postpartum when weight change is normative, but excess weight gain and weight retention are common. This study examined associations of self-reported reward-related eating, self-regulation, and the home food environment with excessive gestational weight gain (GWG) and postpartum weight change. Subjects/Methods. Participants in the Pregnancy Eating Attributes Study observational cohort were enrolled at ≤12 weeks pregnancy and followed through one-year postpartum (458 recruited; 367 retained through delivery). Participants completed four measures of reward-related eating – Modified Yale Food Addiction Scale, Power of Food Scale, Multiple Choice Procedure, and a Reinforcing Value of Food Questionnaire; two measures of self-regulation – Barratt Impulsiveness Scale and Delay of Gratification Inventory; and a Home Food Inventory. Measured weight and skinfolds were obtained. Multinomial logistic and multiple linear regression analyses estimated associations of reward-related eating, self-regulation, and home food environment with excessive GWG, gestational fat gain, postpartum weight change, and percent of GWG retained. Results. Excessive GWG was associated with food reinforcement intensity, but not with any other measure of reward-related eating, self-regulation, or home food environment. Greater gestational fat gain was associated only with higher Multiple Choice Procedure. Postpartum weight change and percent of GWG retained were associated with greater Delay of Gratification and obesogenic home food environment, but not with any measure of reward-related eating or with impulsivity. Conclusions. Findings do not support the hypothesis that self-reported reward-related eating is associated with weight outcomes in pregnancy and postpartum but indicate a relation of Delay of Gratification with postpartum weight retention. Further research using both surveys and objective measures of reward-related eating is needed to advance our understanding of the relation of reward-related eating with weight changes during this critical period of a woman’s life.

Background Suboptimal feeding behaviors during infancy, such as introducing solids prior to 4 months and providing foods containing added sugars, are associated with increased risk of later obesity. Although focus group studies suggest that infant appetitive traits during milk feeding stage may influence complementary feeding practices, quantitative evidence on this relationship is lacking. Methods This study included women who were followed from first trimester to 1-year postpartum. At 6-months postpartum, mothers (n = 217) completed the Baby Eating Behavior Questionnaire which assesses infant appetitive traits during exclusive milk-feeding (food responsiveness, satiety responsiveness, slowness in eating, enjoyment of food and general appetite). Mothers reported infant dietary intake via a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) administered at 6, 9 and 12 months, from which age at introduction to solids and sweet foods/beverages, and 6- and 12-month sweet food/beverage intake frequency, were calculated. Linear regression analyses examined the relationship of appetitive traits with age at introduction to solids and sweet foods/beverages, and frequency of sweet food/beverage intake, whereas logistic regression examined associations of appetitive traits with odds of introduction to solids prior to 4 months. Results Greater infant enjoyment of food was associated (B±SE = 0.45 ± 0.18, p = 0.01) with higher age at introduction to solids. Slowness in eating was inversely associated with 12-month sweet food/beverage intake frequency (B±SE = −0.25 ± 0.10, p = 0.01). Other associations of appetitive traits with age at introduction to solids and sweet food/beverage exposure were not statistically significant. Conclusions Findings imply that lower infant enjoyment of food and greater speed of eating during the period of exclusive milk-feeding could be associated with suboptimal complementary feeding practices. Understanding how parents respond to infant appetitive traits may be important considerations in efforts to promote appropriate complementary feeding practices during infancy.

Background The vaginal microbiome has been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, but information on the impact of diet on microbiome composition is largely unexamined. Objective To estimate the association between prenatal diet and vaginal microbiota composition overall and by race. Methods We leveraged a racially diverse prenatal cohort of North Carolina women enrolled between 1995 and 2001 to conduct this analysis using cross-sectional data. Women completed food frequency questionnaires about diet in the previous 3 months and foods were categorised into subgroups: fruits, vegetables, nuts/seeds, whole grains, low-fat dairy, sweetened beverages and red meat. We additionally assessed dietary vitamin D, fibre and yogurt consumption. Stored vaginal swabs collected in mid-pregnancy were sequenced using 16S taxonomic profiling. Women were categorised into three groups based on predominance of species: Lactobacillus iners, Lactobacillus miscellaneous and Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)-associated bacteria. Adjusted Poisson models with robust variance estimators were run to assess the risk of being in a specific vagitype compared to the referent. Race-stratified models (Black/White) were also run. Results In this study of 634 women, higher consumption of dairy was associated with increased likelihood of membership in the L. crispatus group compared to the L. iners group in a dose-dependent manner (RR quartile 4 vs. 1: 2.01 [95% CI: 1.36, 2.95]). Increased intake of fruit, vitamin D, fibre and yogurt was also associated with increased likelihood of membership in L. crispatus compared to L. iners, but only among black women. Statistical heterogeneity was only detected for fibre intake. There were no detected associations between any other food groups or risk of membership in the BV group. Conclusions Higher consumption of low-fat dairy was associated with increased likelihood of membership in a beneficial vagitype, potentially driven by probiotics.

Low diet quality during pregnancy and postpartum is associated with numerous adverse maternal and infant health outcomes. This study examined relations of ultra-processed food intake with diet quality during pregnancy and postpartum. Using data from 24-h recalls, ultra-processed food intake was operationalized as percent energy intake from NOVA-classified ultra-processed foods; diet quality was measured using Healthy Eating Index 2015 (HEI) total and component scores. Pearson correlations examined associations of ultra-processed food intake with HEI total and component scores, and food group intake was compared across four levels of ultra-processed food intake. On average, ultra-processed food comprised 52.6 ± 15.1% (mean ± SD) of energy intake in pregnancy and 50.6 ± 16.6% in postpartum. Ultra-processed food intake was inversely correlated with HEI total and 8 of 13 component scores. Compared to participants with the highest ultra-processed food intake (≥60% energy), those with the lowest ultra-processed food intake (

Background Depression, stress, and poor-quality sleep are common during pregnancy and postpartum, but the relationship of these factors with reward-related eating is not well understood. This observational cohort study examines associations of depression, stress, and sleep quality with self-reported reward-related eating in pregnancy and postpartum. Methods Participants were enrolled at Results During pregnancy, greater depressive symptoms (β ± SE = 0.03 ± 0.01, p p p = 0.03) were associated with greater hedonic hunger. Similarly, greater depressive symptoms (OR = 1.08, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.14, p = .01), higher stress (OR = 1.09, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.14, p = p = .04) were associated with greater odds of addictive-like eating. These associations were also significant in postpartum except that sleep quality was not associated with hedonic hunger. Greater depressive symptoms (β ± SE = 0.06 ± 0.02, p p = p p p p p = 0.01) and addictive-like eating (0.88 ± 0.33, p = 0.01), and increased stress was associated with increased hedonic hunger (1.71 ± 0.76, p = 0.02). Change in stress was not associated with change in addictive-like eating and change in sleep quality was not associated with change in either hedonic hunger or addictive-like eating. Conclusions Greater depressive symptoms, perceived stress, and poorer sleep quality are associated with greater self-reported reward-related eating during pregnancy and postpartum, suggesting that efforts to improve diet during and after pregnancy may benefit from addressing mental health and sleep. Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov Registration ID – NCT02217462. Date of registration – August 13, 2014

Some food parenting practices (FPPs) are associated with obesogenic dietary intake in non-Hispanic youth, but studies in Hispanics/Latinos are limited. We examined how FPPs relate to obesogenic dietary intake using cross-sectional data from 1214 Hispanic/Latino 8–16-year-olds and their parents/caregivers in the Hispanic Community Children’s Health Study/Study of Latino Youth (SOL Youth). Diet was assessed with 2 24-hour dietary recalls. Obesogenic items were snack foods, sweets, and high-sugar beverages. Three FPPs (Rules and Limits, Monitoring, and Pressure to Eat) derived from the Parenting strategies for Eating and Activity Scale (PEAS) were assessed. K-means cluster analysis identified 5 groups of parents with similar FPP scores. Survey-weighted multiple logistic regression examined associations of cluster membership with diet. Parents in the controlling (high scores for all FPPs) vs. indulgent (low scores for all FPPs) cluster had a 1.75 (95% CI: 1.02, 3.03) times higher odds of having children with high obesogenic dietary intake. Among parents of 12–16-year-olds, membership in the pressuring (high Pressure to Eat, low Rules and Limits and Monitoring scores) vs. indulgent cluster was associated with a 2.96 (95% CI: 1.51, 5.80) times greater odds of high obesogenic dietary intake. All other associations were null. Future longitudinal examinations of FPPs are needed to determine temporal associations with obesogenic dietary intake in Hispanic/Latino youth.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between neonatal jaundice and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and non-ASD developmental disorder (DD). STUDY DESIGN: We analyzed data from the Study to Explore Early Development, a US multisite, case-control study conducted from 2007 to 2011. Developmental assessment classified children aged 2–5 years into: ASD (n= 636), DD (n= 777), or controls (POP; n= 926). Neonatal jaundice (n= 1054) was identified from medical records and maternal interviews. We examined associations between neonatal jaundice and ASD and DD using regression models to obtain adjusted odds ratios (aOR). RESULTS: Our results showed interaction between gestational age and neonatal jaundice. Neonatal jaundice was associated with ASD at 35–37 weeks (aOR = 1.83, 95%CI 1.05, 3.19), but not ≥38 weeks gestation (aOR = 0.97, 95%CI 0.76, 1.24). Similar results were observed with DD. CONCLUSIONS: Further exploration of timing and severity of neonatal jaundice and ASD/DD is warranted.

BACKGROUND: There is evidence vitamin A plays a role in neuroblastoma. Not only is 13-cis-retinoic acid used as maintenance therapy for high-risk cases, but prenatal vitamin intake use may decrease neuroblastoma risk. We hypothesized that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in vitamin A-related genes are may be associated with neuroblastoma risk and potentially be modified by vitamin A intake. METHODS: The Neuroblastoma Epidemiology in North America (NENA) study recruited 563 case-parent sets through the Children’s Oncology Group’s Childhood Cancer Research Network. We ascertained dietary nutrient intake through questionnaires and genotyped 463 SNPs in vitamin A-related genes from saliva DNA. Offspring and maternal log-additive risk ratios (RR) and stratum-specific RR for gene-environment interaction were estimated with a log-linear model. We avoided false positives due to multiple testing by using the false discovery rate (FDR). RESULTS: When all neuroblastoma cases were considered together, no offspring variants met the significance criteria (FDR Q-value

Previous studies have shown complications of pregnancy, often examined in aggregate, to be associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Results for specific complications, such as maternal diabetes and hypertension, have not been uniformly consistent and should be investigated independently in relation to ASD in a large community-based sample. The Study to Explore Early Development (SEED), a US multisite case-control study, enrolled children born in 2003-2006 at 2-5 years of age. Children were classified into three groups based on confirmation of ASD (n = 698), non-ASD developmental delay (DD; n = 887), or controls drawn from the general population (POP; n = 979). Diagnoses of any diabetes or hypertensive disorder during pregnancy were identified from prenatal medical records and maternal self-report. Logistic regression models estimated adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and confidence intervals (CI) adjusting for maternal age, race/ethnicity, education, smoking during pregnancy, and study site. Models for hypertension were additionally adjusted for parity and plurality. Among 2,564 mothers, we identified 246 (9.6%) with any diabetes and 386 (15.1%) with any hypertension in pregnancy. After adjustment for covariates, any diabetes during pregnancy was not associated with ASD (aOR = 1.10 [95% CI 0.77, 1.56]), but any hypertension was associated with ASD (aOR = 1.69 [95% CI 1.26, 2.26]). Results were similar for DD, and any diabetes (aOR = 1.29 [95% CI 0.94, 1.78]) or any hypertension (aOR = 1.71 [95% CI 1.30, 2.25]). Some pregnancy complications, such as hypertension, may play a role in autism etiology and can possibly serve as a prompt for more vigilant ASD screening efforts. Autism Res 2019, 12: 967-975. © 2019 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc. LAY SUMMARY: We studied if common complications in pregnancy are associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in a large sample of mothers and children. Our results show an association between conditions marked by high blood pressure and ASD, but no association with conditions marked by high blood sugar and ASD. Associations were similar for children who had a developmental disorder that was not ASD, suggesting that this relationship may not be specific to ASD.

Background: Maximizing data completion and study retention is essential in population research. There is scant research to inform how remuneration schedules and data collection modality influence participant data completion and retention. Purpose: We examined the effect of remuneration schedule and data collection modality on data completion and retention in the Pregnancy Eating Attributes Study (PEAS) cohort. Methods: Participants (n=458) completed self-administered surveys and diet recalls online and attended six study visits. Initially, remuneration was a prespecified amount per visit (lump sum). The remuneration schedule was changed mid-study to be based on the number of forms completed (pro-rated). Survey data collection modality was changed to in-person at the 1-year postpartum visit. Remuneration schedule as a predictor of withdrawal by visit was modeled using Poisson regression; differences in retention at 1-year postpartum were examined by t-test. Differences in survey and diet record completion were determined by t-test, analysis of covariance, and logistic regression. Results: There was no significant difference in the time to withdrawal and no interaction of visit with remuneration schedule on withdrawal. Survey and diet recall completion were significantly lower under prorated remuneration at the first visit but did not significantly differ at subsequent visits. Survey completion at 1-year postpartum was significantly higher for in-person versus online completion. Conclusions: Findings suggest that remuneration schedule and data collection modality can impact completion of self-reported assessments. Further research is needed to understand how remuneration and data collection practices intersect with diverse populations to influence data completion and retention.

Individuals of South Asian ethnicity have an increased risk for obesity and related diseases. Foods available in the home during the first 1000 days (conception to 24 months old) are an important determinant of diet, yet no study has examined the association of early‐life home food availability (HFA) with later diet and obesity risk in South Asian households. We examined whether obesogenic HFA at 18 months of age is associated with dietary intake and body mass index (BMI) at 36 months of age in low‐income Pakistani and White households in the United Kingdom. In this prospective birth cohort study (Born in Bradford 1000), follow‐up assessments occurred at 18 (n = 1032) and 36 (n = 986) months of age. Variety and quantity of snack foods and sugar‐sweetened beverages (SSBs) in the home and consumed were measured using the HFA Inventory Checklist and food frequency questionnaires, respectively. BMI was calculated using measured length/height and weight. Multinomial logistic regression models examined associations between HFA and tertiles of dietary intake, and multivariable linear regression models assessed associations between HFA and BMI. Pakistani households had a greater variety and quantity of snack foods and SSBs available compared with White households. Variety and quantity of snack foods and SSBs in the home at 18 months were positively associated with children's intake of these items at 36 months, but associations between HFA and BMI were null. Reducing obesogenic HFA during the first 1000 days may promote the development of more healthful diets, though this may not be associated with lower obesity risk during toddlerhood.

Background Neurobehavioral factors, including reward-related eating and self-regulation, in conjunction with the food environment, may influence dietary behaviors. However, these constructs have not been examined in pregnancy and postpartum, a time of changing appetite and eating behaviors, and when dietary intake has implications for maternal and child health. This study examined associations of reward-related eating, self-regulation, and the home food environment with pregnancy and postpartum diet quality. Methods Participants in the Pregnancy Eating Attributes Study observational cohort were enrolled at ≤12 weeks gestation and followed through one-year postpartum. Pregnancy and postpartum Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI-total), and adequacy and moderation scores, respectively, were calculated by pooling 24-h diet recalls administered each trimester and during 2, 6, and 12 months postpartum. Participants completed four measures of reward-related eating – Modified Yale Food Addiction Scale (mYFAS), Power of Food Scale (PFS), Multiple Choice Procedure (MCP), and Reinforcing Value of Food Questionnaire (RVFQ); two measures of self-regulation – Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS) and Delay of Gratification Inventory (DGI); and a Home Food Inventory (HFI), yielding obesogenic (OBES) and fruit/vegetables (FV) scores. Linear regression analyses estimated associations of reward-related eating, self-regulation, and home food environment with diet quality during pregnancy and postpartum, adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics. Results Pregnancy HEI-total was inversely associated with PFS (β = − 0.14 ± 0.05, p = 0.009), mYFAS(β = − 0.14 ± 0.06, p = 0.02), 2 of the 5 RVFQ indices, MCP (β = − 0.14 ± 0.05, p = 0.01), and DGI food subscale (β = 0.23 ± 0.05, p p = 0.004 and β = − 0.19 ± 0.07, p = 0.006, respectively), and positively with HFI-FV (β = 0.21 ± 0.05, p p = 0.009, respectively). Conclusions Associations of poorer diet quality with greater reward-related eating during pregnancy but not postpartum suggests the need to better understand differences in the determinants of eating behaviors and approaches to circumvent or moderate reward-related eating to facilitate more optimal diet quality across this critical period. Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov. URL – Registration ID – NCT02217462. Date of registration – August 13, 2014.

BackgroundDiet quality may be an important area of focus for promoting cognitive health; however, the association between diet quality and cognitive function among Hispanics/Latinos remains largely unexamined. We hypothesized that a healthier diet quality will be associated with better cognitive function in middle-aged and older Hispanics/Latinos.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to examine associations between the Alternate Healthy Eating Index (AHEI-2010), a measure of diet quality, and cognitive function in middle-aged and older Hispanics/Latinos.MethodsData from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) Visit 1 (2008-2011) were used (n=8461; ages 45-74 y). Cognitive function was assessed with tests of verbal learning and memory, verbal fluency, and processing speed; a global cognition score was derived by summing the z scores of individual tests. Dietary intake was assessed via two 24-h recalls. Total AHEI-2010 score was categorized into quintiles (higher quintiles indicating healthier diet). Linear regression models were used to examine associations between AHEI-2010 quintiles and cognitive function adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics, daily energy intake, type 2 diabetes, smoking, and depressive symptoms.ResultsCompared with the lowest quintile, in the second to fourth AHEI-2010 quintiles, global cognition scores were significantly higher by 0.28, 0.52, and 0.48 units (P-trend=0.042). In the second to fifth AHEI-2010 quintiles, verbal learning scores were significantly higher by 0.60, 0.62, 0.92, and 0.88 units, and verbal memory scores were higher by 0.33, 0.40, 0.52, and 0.46 units (P-trend=0.020 and 0.007, respectively). No associations were observed between the AHEI-2010 and verbal fluency or processing speed (P-trend=0.49 and 0.84, respectively). Among AHEI-2010 components, adequate consumption of vegetables, alcohol, and whole fruits were each associated with better cognitive function.ConclusionsAn overall healthier diet quality was associated with better global cognition, verbal learning, and verbal memory in middle-aged and older Hispanics/Latinos.

BACKGROUND: Latent class models (LCMs) have been used in exploring dietary behaviors over a wide set of foods and beverages in a given population, but are prone to overgeneralize these habits in the presence of variation by subpopulations. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to highlight unique dietary consumption differences by both study site and ethnic background of Hispanic/Latino populations in the United States, that otherwise might be missed in a traditional LCM of the overall population. This was achieved using a new model-based clustering method, referred to as robust profile clustering (RPC). METHODS: A total of 11,320 individuals aged 18–74 y from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (2008–2011) with complete diet data were classified into 9 subpopulations, defined by study site (Bronx, Chicago, Miami, San Diego) and ethnic background. At baseline, dietary intake was ascertained using a food propensity questionnaire. Dietary patterns were derived from 132 food groups using the RPC method to identify patterns of the general Hispanic/Latino population and those specific to an identified subpopulation. Dietary patterns derived from the RPC were compared to those identified from an LCM. RESULTS: The LCM identified 48 shared consumption behaviors of foods and beverages across the entire cohort, whereas significant consumption differences in subpopulations were identified in the RPC model for these same foods. Several foods were common within study site (e.g., chicken, orange juice, milk), ethnic background (e.g., papayas, plantain, coffee), or both (e.g., rice, tomatoes, seafood). Post hoc testing revealed an improved model fit in the RPC model [Deviance Information Criterion DIC(RPC) = 2.3 × 10(4), DIC(LCM) = 9.5 × 10(6)]. CONCLUSIONS: Dietary pattern behaviors of Hispanics/Latinos in the United States tend to align by ethnic background for some foods and by location for other foods. Consideration of both factors is imperative to better understand their contributions to population health and developing targeted nutrition intervention studies.

Background Excess adiposity, which affects 69% of US adults, increases coronary heart disease ( CHD ) risk in an association that manifests below conventional obesity cut points. The population‐level impact on CHD risk that is attainable through modest adiposity reductions in populations is not well characterized. We estimated the effect of hypothetical reductions in both body mass index ( BMI ) and waist circumference ( WC ) on CHD incidence. Methods and Results The study population included 13 610 ARIC (Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities) participants. Our hypothetical reduction in BMI or WC was applied relative to the temporal trend, with no hypothetical reduction among those with BMI >24 or WC >88 cm, respectively. This threshold for hypothetical reduction is near the clinical guidelines for excess adiposity. CHD risk differences compared the hypothetical reduction with no reduction. Sensitivity analysis was conducted to estimate the effect of applying the hypothetical BMI reduction at the established overweight cut point of 25. Cumulative 12‐year CHD incidence with no intervention was 6.3% (95% CI, 5.9–6.8%). Risk differences following the hypothetical BMI and WC reductions were −0.6% (95% CI, −1.0% to −0.1%) and −1.0% (95% CI, −1.4% to −0.5%), respectively. These results were robust for the sensitivity analyses. Consequently, we estimated that this hypothetical reduction of 5% in BMI and WC, respectively, could have prevented 9% and 16%, respectively, of the CHD events occurring in this study population over 12 years, after adjustment for established CHD risk factors. Conclusions Meaningful CHD risk reductions could derive from modest reductions in adiposity attainable through lifestyle modification.

Background The nutritional status of women in the preconception period is of paramount importance due to its role in reproduction. Objective Our aim was to assess overall diet quality during the preconception period and its association with infant birth weight adjusted for gestational age (GA). Design This is an observational longitudinal cohort of Hispanic people living in the United States. Participants/setting Data are from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos baseline (2008-2011) and second clinic examinations (2014-2017). Included are the first 497 singleton live-born infants among the 2,556 women (younger than 45 years) who attended the second visit. Field sites were located in Miami, FL; Bronx, NY; Chicago, IL; and San Diego, CA, and represent individuals with heritage from Cuba, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Central and South America. Main exposure Diet assessment included two 24-hour recalls from baseline. The 2010 Healthy Eating Index (HEI-2010) was used to measure diet quality, with higher scores indicating better quality. Statistical analyses performed Complex survey linear regression estimated the association between HEI-2010 scores (continuous variable and categorized into tertiles) and birth-weight z score and birth weight for GA percentile. Results Mean (standard deviation) age of women was 25.8 (5.2) years and 36.4% were classified as underweight or normal weight, 30.0% were overweight, and 33.6% had obesity at baseline. Mean (standard deviation) HEI-2010 score was 56.5 (13.4), and by weight classifications was 54.4 (14.1) for underweight or normal weight and 57.7 (12.8) for overweight or obesity. Median (interquartile range) birth-weight z score was 0.5 (interquartile range [IQR], –0.2 to 1.3) overall and 0.2 (IQR, –0.5 to 1.0), 0.6 (IQR, –0.2 to 1.3), and 0.5 (IQR, –0.2 to 1.4) for the first, second, and third HEI-2010 tertile, respectively. Median birth weight for GA percentile was 68.2 (IQR, 40.2 to 89.7) overall, and 56.8 (IQR, 29.6 to 85.0), 71.5 (IQR, 42.8 to 90.0), and 70.1 (IQR, 42.9 to 91.2) by HEI-2010 tertile. In adjusted models, the highest tertile of the HEI-2010 score was associated with a higher birth-weight z score and birth weight for GA percentile, and the continuous HEI-2010 score was only associated with birth weight for GA percentile. Preconception body mass index (calculated as kg/m2) did not modify these associations. Conclusions Overall diet quality, as measured by the HEI-2010, in the preconception period is associated with infant birth weight adjusted for GA among US Hispanic and Latina women.

Background Acculturation among Hispanic/Latinos has been linked to deteriorating dietary quality that may contribute to obesity risks. This study examined the relationship between acculturation, ethnic identity, and dietary quality in U.S. Hispanic/Latino youth. Methods This cross-sectional study included 1298 Hispanic/Latino youth ages 8–16 from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latino Youth (HCHS/SOL Youth), an ancillary study of offspring of participants in the adult HCHS/SOL cohort. Multivariable regression analyses assessed relationships between acculturation and ethnic identity with dietary quality as measured by Healthy Eating Index (HEI) scores, accounting for covariates, design effects, and sample weights. We also compared HEI scores by immigrant generation and language of interview. Results Youth were 12 ± 2.5 -years and 49.3% female. They were placed into five acculturation categories—including 48% integrated (bicultural orientation), 32.7% assimilated (high U.S. and low Latino orientation), 5.9% separated (high Latino and low U.S. orientation) or marginalized (neither U.S. nor Latino orientation), and 13.3% unclassified. Mean HEI was 53.8; there were no differences in HEI scores by acculturation category, but integrated youth had higher whole grains scores, lower sodium scores, and lower empty calories scores compared to assimilated youth. There were no differences in HEI scores by ethnic identity scores, and no consistent trend between dietary quality and ethnic identity. First- and second-generation youth had higher HEI scores, compared to third-generation youth, and, Spanish-speaking youth had higher HEI scores compared to English-speaking youth. Conclusion Results suggest that integrated youth in the U.S. may engage in healthier eating behaviors than those who are assimilated. Additional research on Hispanic/Latino youths' acculturation and diet can inform health promotion efforts to improve eating habits and health outcomes among this population.

Summary Background & aims Diet quality may influence non-traditional cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors – namely, C-reactive protein (CRP) and the ankle-brachial index (ABI). Pre-existing traditional cardiometabolic conditions may confound this association. We aimed to determine whether diet quality was associated with high-risk CRP or ABI, independently from traditional cardiometabolic risk factors. Methods Baseline data were analyzed from US-Hispanics/Latinos aged 18–74 y without previously-diagnosed CVD participating in the population-based Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos cohort. Included were 14,623 participants with CRP data, and 7892 participants (≥45 y) with ABI data. Diet quality was measured with the Alternate Healthy Eating Index (AHEI). Results Nearly 35% of Hispanics/Latinos had high-risk CRP concentration and 6.3% had high-risk ABI (peripheral artery disease (PAD): 4.2%; arterial stiffness: 2.1%). After adjusting for sociodemographic and lifestyle factors, diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and obesity, the odds (95% confidence interval) of having high-risk ABI were 37% (5, 44%) lower per 10-unit increase in AHEI ( p = 0.018). The association was marginally significant for PAD (0.77 (0.58, 1.00); p = 0.05), and non-significant for arterial stiffness ( p = 0.16). Each 10-unit increase in AHEI was associated with 21% (10, 30%) lower odds of high-risk CRP ( p = 0.0002) after similar adjustments. There were no significant interactions between AHEI and age, sex, ethnicity, smoking, or pre-existing cardiometabolic conditions for associations with ABI. The association between AHEI and high-risk CRP was stronger for those with diabetes ( p -interaction p -interaction = 0.005), or ages 45–74 y ( p -interaction = 0.011). Conclusions Higher diet quality is associated with lower inflammation and less adverse ABI among Hispanics/Latinos, independently from traditional cardiometabolic risk factors.

Maternal nutrition plays a critical role in the course of pregnancy and in the health of the mother and child at birth and beyond. While evidence in support of following specific dietary patterns during pregnancy for an optimal outcome is weak, due to the many methodological limitations of previous studies, there are other guidelines that women should follow. These guidelines include, the healthy dietary patterns included in the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, and other global guidelines. Key characteristics of these patterns include higher intakes of fish and seafood, vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts and seeds, legumes, and vegetable oils. Additionally, maternal weight status, in particular a high BMI (≥30) prior to conception itself, is strongly associated with many adverse birth outcomes. Current gestational weight gain guidelines are dependent on a woman's starting weight, and intervention studies that have been successful in helping women gain within the target require frequent, high intensity diet counseling. Intervention studies conducted in overweight and obese women show greater heterogeneity in success, but it seems prudent to provide counseling to these women even through the inter-conceptional period to help mitigate pregnancy complications and child outcomes associated with a high BMI in future pregnancies.

The postpartum period can impact diet quality and subsequently place women at greater risk for overweight or obesity. This study examined consumption of key food groups during the first 2 years postpartum among low income, non-Hispanic black, first-time mothers. Data were from the Infant Care, Feeding and Risk of Obesity Study, a cohort of 217 mother–infant dyads, followed from 3 to 18 months postpartum, collected from 2003–2007. At each study visit (3, 6, 9, 12, and 18 months) 24-hour dietary recalls were collected. Consumption levels were compared to those recommended from the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs) for each of the following food groups: fruits, vegetables, grains, whole grains, protein foods and dairy, as well as an estimated upper limit for sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption. At each time point, mothers met recommended intake levels for grains and protein foods only. In random-intercept logistic regression models, no demographic or household characteristics were associated with a likelihood of consuming recommended levels for any of the food groups according to the DGAs. Given the low intake of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein foods and high intake of SSBs and refined grains, interventions targeting women’s diet during the postpartum period are warranted.

BACKGROUND The eating in the absence of hunger (EAH) experimental paradigm measures intake of highly palatable, highly processed foods when sated. However, no studies have examined EAH in pregnant women. OBJECTIVE The objectives were to investigate whether EAH in pregnant women differs by level of food processing and to examine relationships of EAH with hedonic hunger, addictive-like eating, and impulsivity. DESIGN EAH was assessed in a counterbalanced crossover feeding substudy in which participants completed two free-access eating occasions following a standardized meal during their second pregnancy trimester. Hedonic hunger (Power of Food Scale), addictive-like eating (modified Yale Food Addiction Scale), and impulsivity (Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-15) were assessed by self-report during early pregnancy. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING Data were collected from March 2015 through September 2016 from a subsample of participants (n = 46) enrolled at ≤12 weeks gestation in an observational, prospective cohort study (the Pregnancy Eating Attributes Study) in North Carolina. INTERVENTION Participants were presented with highly processed and minimally processed foods in two separate assessments. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Energy intake (EAH-kcal) and percent consumed (EAH-%) (calculated as 100 × [amount consumed (g) / amount served (g)]) was measured overall and separately for sweet and savory foods. STATISTICAL ANALYSES PERFORMED Linear mixed models estimated the effect of condition on EAH. Hedonic hunger, addictive-like eating, impulsivity and their interaction were examined separately. RESULTS EAH-% was similar across conditions (16.3% ± 1.1% highly processed vs 17.9% ± 1.2% minimally processed; P = 0.76), resulting in 338.5 ± 34.2 kcal greater energy intake in the highly processed vs minimally processed condition (P < 0.001). Hedonic hunger was not significantly associated with EAH; reward-related eating was positively associated with EAH-kcal and EAH-% of savory foods, and Barratt Impulsivity was positively associated with EAH-kcal and EAH-% overall, and with EAH-% of sweet foods (P < 0.05). There was little evidence of an interaction of Barratt Impulsivity with hedonic hunger or reward-related eating. CONCLUSIONS EAH in pregnant women occurs for both highly processed and minimally processed foods and correlates positively with self-reported addictive-like eating, but not hedonic hunger. Impulsivity did not modify associations of addictive-like eating with EAH in this sample.

OBJECTIVE To identify trends in birth outcomes that may be associated with legalization of recreational marijuana which occurred in 2013 using vital records from Colorado and Washington states for the period of 2008-2016. METHODS Data were from birth certificates of live births (between 22 and 44 weeks gestation) of which there were 576,369 singleton births included for Colorado and 771,547 for Washington State. Outcomes included preterm birth defined as

Background Maternal diet before and during pregnancy could influence fetal growth and birth outcomes. Objective Two systematic reviews aimed to assess the relationships between dietary patterns before and during pregnancy and 1) gestational age at birth and 2) gestational age- and sex-specific birth weight. Methods Literature was searched from January, 1980 to January, 2017 in 9 databases including PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane. Two analysts independently screened articles using predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data were extracted from included articles and risk of bias was assessed. Data were synthesized qualitatively, a conclusion statement was drafted for each question, and evidence supporting each conclusion was graded. Results Of the 9103 studies identified, 11 [representing 7 cohorts and 1 randomized controlled trial (RCT)] were included for gestational age and 21 (representing 19 cohorts and 2 RCTs) were included for birth weight. Limited but consistent evidence suggests that certain dietary patterns during pregnancy are associated with a lower risk of preterm birth and spontaneous preterm birth. These protective dietary patterns are higher in vegetables; fruits; whole grains; nuts, legumes, and seeds; and seafood (preterm birth, only), and lower in red and processed meats, and fried foods. Most of the research was conducted in healthy Caucasian women with access to health care. No conclusion can be drawn on the association between dietary patterns during pregnancy and birth weight outcomes. Although research is available, the ability to draw a conclusion is restricted by inconsistency in study findings, inadequate adjustment of birth weight for gestational age and sex, and variation in study design, dietary assessment methodology, and adjustment for key confounding factors. Insufficient evidence exists regarding dietary patterns before pregnancy for both outcomes. Conclusions Maternal dietary patterns may be associated with a lower preterm and spontaneous preterm birth risk. The association is unclear for birth weight outcomes.

Background Although the occurrence of food cravings during pregnancy is well established, there is a paucity of qualitative data on pregnant women’s perceptions of and responses to food cravings. This study sought to assess and describe pregnant women’s experiences and behaviors pertaining to food cravings. Methods Eight focus groups were conducted with 68 pregnant women in their second trimester from March 2015 to October 2016. Using a semistructured approach, the facilitator asked women open-ended questions regarding their experience of eating behaviors and food cravings. The content from the focus groups was analyzed using a bottom-up approach based on grounded theory and constant comparison analysis. Results Participants described cravings as urgent, food-specific, and cognitively demanding occurrences that were differentiated from hunger. They described beliefs surrounding the physiological causes of cravings and rationales for satisfying their cravings. Strategies used to manage cravings included environmental modifications to limit proximity and availability of craved foods, cognitive and behavioral strategies like distraction, and acceptance through satisfying the craving. Participants described food cravings as a psychologically salient aspect of their pregnancy, reporting a variety of emotional precursors and reactions surrounding their cravings. Conclusions A better understanding of food cravings may assist with the development of interventions to improve eating behaviors and reduce eating-related distress during pregnancy. Acceptance regarding food cravings was indicated as a way to diffuse pregnancy-related stress. These findings contribute to our understanding of psychological influences on eating behaviors in pregnant women.

Background. Individuals with “metabolically healthy obesity” (MHO) phenotype (i.e., obesity and absence of cardiometabolic abnormalities: favorable levels of blood pressure, lipids, and glucose) experience lower risk of cardiovascular disease compared with those with “metabolically at-risk obesity” (MAO) phenotype (i.e., obesity with concurrent cardiometabolic abnormalities). Among Hispanic/Latino women and men with obesity, limited data exist on the correlates of and body composition measures associated with obesity phenotypes. Methods. Data from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (2008–2011) were used to estimate the age-adjusted distribution of obesity phenotypes among 5,426 women and men (aged 20–74 years) with obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) and to compare characteristics between individuals with MHO and MAO phenotypes. Weighted Poisson regression models were used to examine cross-sectional associations between 1-standard deviation (SD) increase in body composition measures (i.e., body fat percentage, waist circumference, and body lean mass) and MHO phenotype prevalence. Results. The age-adjusted proportion of the MHO phenotype was low (i.e., 12.5% in women and 6.5% in men). In bivariate analyses, women and men with the MHO phenotype were more likely to be younger, have higher education and acculturation levels, report lower lifetime cigarette use, and have fasting insulin and waist circumference levels than MAO. Adjusting for sociodemographic and lifestyle factors, among women, each 1-SD increase in body fat percentage, waist circumference, and lean body mass was, respectively, associated with a 21%, 33%, and 31% lower prevalence of the MHO phenotype. Among men, each 1-SD increase in waist circumference and lean body mass was, respectively, associated with a 20% and 15% lower prevalence of the MHO phenotype. Conclusions. We demonstrated that higher waist circumference and higher lean body mass were independently associated with a lower proportion of the MHO phenotype in Hispanic/Latino women and men. Findings support the need for weight reduction interventions to manage cardiometabolic health among Hispanics/Latinos.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate first-year survival of infants born with spina bifida, and examine the association of maternal prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) with infant mortality. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study of 1,533 liveborn infants with nonsyndromic spina bifida with estimated dates of delivery from 1998 to 2011 whose mothers were eligible for the National Birth Defects Prevention Study (NBDPS). NBDPS data were linked to death records to conduct survival analyses. Kaplan–Meier survival functions estimated mortality risk over the first year of life. Cox proportional hazards models estimated hazard ratios (HRs) for maternal prepregnancy BMI categorized as underweight (

Background/objectives:This study investigates secular trends in diet quality distribution and related socioeconomic disparity from 1991 to 2011 in the Chinese adult population.Subjects/methods:The analysis uses the 1991-2011 China Health and Nutrition Survey data on 13 853 participants (6876 men and 6977 women) aged 18-65 with 56 319 responses. Dietary assessment was carried out over a 3-day period with 24-h recalls combined with a household food inventory. We tailored Alternative Healthy Eating Index 2010 (named as tAHEI) to measure diet quality and performed quantile regression to investigate shifts in tAHEI scores at different percentiles and used mixed-effect linear regression to examine average diet quality trend and potential sociodemographic disparity.Results:The energy-adjusted mean tAHEI scores increased from 36.9 (36.7-37.1) points in 1991 to 50.3 (50.1-50.5) in 2011 for men (P

Poor maternal diet in pregnancy can influence fetal growth and development. We tested the hypothesis that poor maternal diet quality during pregnancy would increase neonatal adiposity (percent fat mass (%FM)) at birth by increasing the fat mass (FM) component of neonatal body composition. Our analysis was conducted using a prebirth observational cohort of 1079 mother–offspring pairs. Pregnancy diet was assessed via repeated Automated Self-Administered 24-h dietary recalls, from which Healthy Eating Index-2010 (HEI-2010) scores were calculated for each mother. HEI-2010 was dichotomized into scores of ⩽57 and >57, with low scores representing poorer diet quality. Neonatal %FM was assessed within 72 h after birth with air displacement plethysmography. Using univariate and multivariate linear models, we analyzed the relationship between maternal diet quality and neonatal %FM, FM, and fat-free mass (FFM) while adjusting for prepregnancy body mass index (BMI), physical activity, maternal age, smoking, energy intake, preeclampsia, hypertension, infant sex and gestational age. Total HEI-2010 score ranged between 18.2 and 89.5 (mean: 54.2, s.d.: 13.6). An HEI-2010 score of ⩽57 was significantly associated with higher neonatal %FM (β=0.58, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.07–1.1, P

Objective.To estimate the effects of preconceptional cardiovascular (CV) health, measured by American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines, on pregnancy outcomes in women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).Methods.The study included patients in the Hopkins Lupus Pregnancy Cohort. Body mass index (BMI), total cholesterol, and blood pressure (BP) in the most recent clinic visit prior to conception or first trimester were used to determine CV health (ideal, intermediate, or poor health) based on AHA definitions. Outcomes included preterm birth, gestational age at birth, and small for gestational age (SGA). Multivariable linear and logistic regression models with generalized estimating equations estimated the association of each CV health factor and outcome.Results.The analysis included 309 live births. There were 95 preterm births (31%), and of the 293 pregnancies with birth weights, 18% were SGA. Ideal BMI, total cholesterol, and BP were reported in 56%, 85%, and 51% of pregnancies, respectively. Intermediate BMI was associated with decreased odds of SGA (OR 0.26, 95% CI 0.11–0.63), adjusted for race and prednisone use. Intermediate/poor total cholesterol was associated with increased odds of preterm birth (OR 2.21, 95% CI 1.06–4.62). Intermediate/poor BP was associated with decreased gestational age at birth (β −0.96, 95% CI −1.62 to −0.29).Conclusion.Poor/intermediate preconception CV health affects pregnancy outcomes of preterm birth and SGA infants among women with SLE. Efforts to maintain BMI, total cholesterol, and BP within the recommended ideal range prior to pregnancy is important to improve pregnancy outcomes in women with SLE.

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are common maternal complications during pregnancy, with short- and long-term sequelae for both mothers and children.Two systematic review questions were used to examine the relation between 1) dietary patterns before and during pregnancy, 2) HDP, and 3) GDM.A search was conducted from January 1980 to January 2017 in 9 databases including PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane. Two analysts independently screened articles using a priori inclusion and exclusion criteria; data were extracted from included articles, and risk of bias was assessed. After qualitative synthesis, a conclusion statement was drafted for each question and the evidence supporting the conclusion was graded.Of the 9103 studies identified, 8 [representing 4 cohorts and 1 randomized controlled trial (RCT)] were included for HDP and 11 (representing 6 cohorts and 1 RCT) for GDM. Limited evidence in healthy Caucasian women with access to health care suggests dietary patterns before and during pregnancy that are higher in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, legumes, fish, and vegetable oils and lower in meat and refined grains are associated with reduced risk of HDP, including preeclampsia and gestational hypertension. Limited but consistent evidence suggests certain dietary patterns before pregnancy are associated with reduced risk of GDM. These protective dietary patterns are higher in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, legumes, and fish and lower in red and processed meats. Most of the research was conducted in healthy, Caucasian women with access to health care. Insufficient evidence exists on the associations between dietary patterns before and during pregnancy and risk of HDP in minority women and those of lower socioeconomic status, and dietary patterns during pregnancy and risk of GDM.Although some conclusions were drawn from these systematic reviews, more research is needed to address gaps and limitations in the evidence.

Background Arsenic is widely distributed in the environment in both inorganic and organic forms. Evidence from animal studies suggests that maternal inorganic arsenic may lead to the development of orofacial clefts (OFC)s in offspring. This evidence, together with the limited epidemiologic data available, supports the need for a comprehensive examination of major sources of arsenic exposure and OFCs in humans. Methods Using interview data collected in the National Birth Defects Prevention Study, public and well water arsenic sampling data, and dietary arsenic estimates, we compared expert-rater assessed occupational arsenic exposure, individual-level exposure to arsenic through drinking water, and dietary arsenic exposure between mothers of OFC cases (N = 435) and unaffected controls (N = 1267). Associations for each source of exposure were estimated for cleft lip ± palate (CL/P) and cleft palate (CP) using unconditional logistic regression analyses. Results Associations for maternal drinking water arsenic exposure and CL/P were near or below unity, whereas those for dietary arsenic exposure tended to be positive. For CP, positive associations were observed for maternal occupational arsenic and inorganic arsenic exposures, with confidence intervals that excluded the null value, whereas those for drinking water or dietary arsenic exposures tended to be near or below unity. Conclusions Positive associations were observed for maternal occupational arsenic exposure and CP and for maternal dietary arsenic exposure and CL/P; the remainder of associations estimated tended to be near or below unity. Given the exploratory nature of our study, the results should be interpreted cautiously, and continued research using improved exposure assessment methodologies is recommended.

BACKGROUND: Away-from-home foods (AFHFs) influence diet quality, a modifiable obesity risk factor, with limited generalizable evidence in Hispanic/Latino adults. OBJECTIVE: We investigated associations between AFHF intake with diet quality and overweight or obesity among US Hispanic/Latino adults. METHODS: Cross-sectional baseline (2008–2011) analyses included adults (n = 16,045) aged 18–74 y in the national Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos. Participants self-reported AFHF consumption frequency from 10 different settings and dietary intake (2-d 24-h recall). The Alternate Healthy Eating Index–2010 (AHEI-2010) was used to measure diet quality; higher scores indicated a healthier diet and scores were categorized into tertiles. WHO classifications categorized overweight [body mass index (BMI; kg/m(2)): 25.0–29.9] and obesity (BMI ≥30). Multivariate-adjusted associations of AFHF frequency or type with AHEI-2010, overweight, or obesity were assessed by using complex survey logistic regression (ORs and 95% CIs). RESULTS: Almost half of participants (47.1%) reported eating AFHFs ≥5 times/wk. The mean ± SE AHEI-2010 score was 47.5 ± 0.2. More than one-third (37.2%) were classified as overweight and 39.6% classified as obese. Compared with consuming AFHFs ≥5 times/wk, consuming AFHFs

Cardiovascular disparities remain pervasive in the United States. Unequal disease burden is evident among population groups based on sex, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, educational attainment, nativity, or geography. Despite the significant declines in cardiovascular disease mortality rates in all demographic groups during the last 50 years, large disparities remain by sex, race, ethnicity, and geography. Recent data from modeling studies, linked micromap plots, and small-area analyses also demonstrate prominent variation in cardiovascular disease mortality rates across states and counties, with an especially high disease burden in the southeastern United States and Appalachia. Despite these continued disparities, few large-scale intervention studies have been conducted in these high-burden populations to examine the feasibility of reducing or eliminating cardiovascular disparities. To address this challenge, on June 22 and 23, 2017, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute convened experts from a broad range of biomedical, behavioral, environmental, implementation, and social science backgrounds to summarize the current state of knowledge of cardiovascular disease disparities and propose intervention strategies aligned with the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute mission. This report presents the themes, challenges, opportunities, available resources, and recommended actions discussed at the workshop.

The crux of Dr. Harcombe’s critique is her assertion that our study design was inappropriate for our research objective, which was to investigate whether maternal carbohydrate restriction before conception was associated with neural tube defects (NTDs) in the National Birth Defects Prevention Study (NBDPS), a population-based case-control study of birth defects (Desrosiers, Siega-Riz, Mosley, Meyer, & The National Birth Defects Prevention Study, 2018). In her Letter, Dr. Harcombe claims that our study is fundamentally flawed because “cases should have been women who restrict carbohydrates and the controls should have been women who don’t and the outcome measure should have been NTD-affected pregnancies.” Despite her confusing (mis)use of the terms case and control, what Dr. Harcombe appears to be describing is a cohort study.

Aim We examined the association between diet quality and diabetes and major cardiometabolic risks among adults in China. Methods and Results We developed the China Dietary Guideline Index (CDGI) based on the 2007 Chinese dietary guidelines and tailored the Alternate Healthy Eating Index 2010 (which we call the tAHEI) to assess diet quality. Our analysis linked the dietary intake and covariates measured in 2006 with CM risk factors measured in 2009. We used diet data the longitudinal China Health and Nutrition Survey 2006 collected in 3 consecutive 24-h recalls from 4440 adults aged 18 to 65 to calculate both the tAHEI and the CDGI scores. We performed multivariable logistic regressions to analyze the association of each 2006 score with diabetes, abdominal obesity, elevated blood pressure, and lipid-related cardiometabolic risk factors in 2009. After we adjusted for potential confounders, adults in the top quintile compared with the bottom quintile of the tAHEI scores showed 36% lower odds of high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (odds ratio [OR] 0.64; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.46, 0.90] in men and 33% lower odds (OR 0.67; 95% CI 0.49, 0.91) in women, while the CDGI scores showed 35% lower odds of high LDL-C (OR 0.65; 95% CI 0.46, 0.92) in men only. Further, the CDGI scores indicated 55% lower odds of diabetes in the top versus the bottom quintile (OR 0.45; 95% CI 0.23, 0.87) in men only, whereas a null association was observed for the tAHEI scores for both sexes. Both index scores showed null associations with other cardiometabolic risk factors. Conclusions Chinese diets that scored high on both the CDGI and the tAHEI showed similarly negative associations with high LDL-C risk, whereas only CDGI score was negatively related to diabetes risk in men.

Objective To study the association between total and early pregnancy (, Tweetable abstract There was no association between weight gain during pregnancy and stillbirth among most women.

Adverse birth outcomes can lead to problematic long-term outcomes for children, and are also known to transmit socioeconomic disadvantage across generations, thereby amplifying the importance of identifying their social determinants. However, the full set of factors causing adverse birth outcomes remains unknown. Drawing together theory describing intragenerational (life course) processes linking early life adversity to adult health, and intergenerational transmissions of inequality via birthweight, this study tests a chain of risk that originates within early adolescence, impacts young women's risky health behaviors in late adolescence/early adulthood and risky health behaviors during pregnancy, and ultimately decreases offspring's birthweight. We do so using structural equation models and prospective, population-level data on a racially and socioeconomically diverse cohort of young adults (National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health). Results (a) reveal four pathways that fully mediate the association between a young woman's family-of-origin socioeconomic status in adolescence and her offspring's birthweight, and (b) identify a trigger effect-a place in the chain of risk where prevention efforts could be targeted, thereby breaking the chain of risk leading to poor offspring health at birth for vulnerable individuals.

BACKGROUND Folic acid fortification significantly reduced the prevalence of neural tube defects (NTDs) in the United States. The popularity of "low carb" diets raises concern that women who intentionally avoid carbohydrates, thereby consuming fewer fortified foods, may not have adequate dietary intake of folic acid. METHODS To assess the association between carbohydrate intake and NTDs, we analyzed data from the National Birth Defects Prevention Study from 1,740 mothers of infants, stillbirths, and terminations with anencephaly or spina bifida (cases), and 9,545 mothers of live born infants without a birth defect (controls) conceived between 1998 and 2011. Carbohydrate and folic acid intake before conception were estimated from food frequency questionnaire responses. Restricted carbohydrate intake was defined as ≤5th percentile among controls. Odds ratios were estimated with logistic regression and adjusted for maternal race/ethnicity, education, alcohol use, folic acid supplement use, study center, and caloric intake. RESULTS Mean dietary intake of folic acid among women with restricted carbohydrate intake was less than half that of other women (p

We investigated measurement error in the self-reported diets of US Hispanics/Latinos, who are prone to obesity and related comorbidities, by background (Central American, Cuban, Dominican, Mexican, Puerto Rican, and South American) in 2010–2012. In 477 participants aged 18–74 years, doubly labeled water and urinary nitrogen were used as objective recovery biomarkers of energy and protein intakes. Self-report was captured from two 24-hour dietary recalls. All measures were repeated in a subsample of 98 individuals. We examined the bias of dietary recalls and their associations with participant characteristics using generalized estimating equations. Energy intake was underestimated by 25.3% (men, 21.8%; women, 27.3%), and protein intake was underestimated by 18.5% (men, 14.7%; women, 20.7%). Protein density was overestimated by 10.7% (men, 11.3%; women, 10.1%). Higher body mass index and Hispanic/Latino background were associated with underestimation of energy (P < 0.05). For protein intake, higher body mass index, older age, nonsmoking, Spanish speaking, and Hispanic/Latino background were associated with underestimation (P < 0.05). Systematic underreporting of energy and protein intakes and overreporting of protein density were found to vary significantly by Hispanic/Latino background. We developed calibration equations that correct for subject-specific error in reporting that can be used to reduce bias in diet-disease association studies.

Obesity continues to be a problem in the United States. Of particular concern is the epidemic of early childhood obesity. A significant predictor of child diet is maternal diet, but little is known about this relationship during infancy. This study examined the association between maternal and infant consumption of key food groups from 6 to 18 months using data from the Infant Care, Feeding, and Risk of Obesity Study, a prospective cohort of 217 non-Hispanic black, low-income, first-time mothers. Using data from 24-hr dietary recalls collected during in-home visits at 6, 9, 12, and 18 months, we assessed longitudinal associations between mother and child intake of both energy-dense, nutrient-poor (obesogenic) food groups and fibre-, nutrient-rich food groups using random intercept logistic regression. Both mothers and their infants had high intake of sugar-sweetened beverages, desserts, and sweets and low intake of vegetables and whole grains. Infant consumption of key food groups was strongly associated with maternal consumption, suggesting the need for focused interventions to target maternal diet as a pathway to decreasing risk for the establishment of poor dietary patterns early in life.

BACKGROUND: Nutritional guidance for infants and toddlers is lacking, and the diets of American children in the first 2 years of life are not well characterized. METHODS: Cross-sectional data from the NHANES were used to describe the diets of 0- to 23-month-olds in the United States. Participants with complete dietary data were eligible for the analysis (N = 2359). Linear regression models were constructed to identify changes from 2005 to 2008 and from 2009 to 2012 in food and beverage consumption, both overall and within sociodemographic groups. RESULTS: We observed several trends toward meeting early-feeding recommendations, such as a decline in the prevalence of complementary feeding among 0- to 5-month-olds. However, the prevalence of vegetable consumption was consistently lower than desired (∼25% of 6- to 11-month-olds and 20% of 12- to 23-month-olds had no reported vegetable consumption on dietary recall days in the 2009–2012 set). Subgroup analyses revealed that some trends were limited to certain populations (eg, a decline in juice consumption was observed among 6- to 11-month-old non-Hispanic whites and non-Hispanic blacks but not among Mexican Americans), and additional trends emerged within groups (eg, the prevalence of breast milk consumption declined among 0- to 5-month-old Mexican Americans). CONCLUSIONS: Although there have been some improvements in the diets of 0- to 23-month-olds in recent years, there are areas in which this population continues to fall short of current recommendations. This underscores the need for additional policy guidance for providers and education for parents and caretakers on helping infants and toddlers achieve healthy diets.

Background: Maternal dietary intake during pregnancy may influence offspring growth and adiposity. Specific dietary patterns associated with newborn adiposity have not been identified. Objective: We aimed to identify patterns of maternal dietary intake associated with gestational weight gain (GWG) and fasting glucose during pregnancy and to evaluate whether adherence to these patterns is associated with newborn adiposity. Methods: In the Healthy Start prospective cohort, dietary intake during pregnancy was assessed via 24-h recalls. Reduced-rank regression identified dietary patterns predictive of GWG and fasting glucose. Associations between dietary patterns and newborn fat mass, fat-free mass, and adiposity were estimated by using linear regression models among 764 ethnically diverse mother-infant pairs. Results: Two dietary patterns were identified. Pattern 1, correlated with greater GWG (r = 0.22, P < 0.01), was characterized by a higher consumption of poultry, nuts, cheese, fruits, whole grains, added sugars, and solid fats. Greater adherence to pattern 1 (upper compared with lower tertile) predicted a greater newborn fat-free mass (61 g; 95% CI: 12, 110 g) but no difference in fat mass or adiposity. Pattern 2, correlated with greater maternal fasting glucose (r = 0.16, P < 0.01), was characterized by a higher consumption of eggs, starchy vegetables, solid fats, fruits, and nonwhole grains and a lower consumption of dairy foods, dark-green vegetables, and whole grains. Greater adherence to pattern 2 was associated with a greater newborn birth weight (80 g; 95% CI: 15, 145 g), fat mass (33 g; 95% CI: 8, 59 g), and adiposity (0.9%; 95% CI: 0.3%, 1.6%). Conclusions: Among pregnant women, adherence to a dietary pattern characterized by an intake of poultry, nuts, cheese, and whole grains was associated with greater GWG but not maternal fasting glucose or newborn adiposity. Adherence to a pattern characterized by an intake of eggs, starchy vegetables, and nonwhole grains was associated with higher maternal fasting glucose and greater newborn adiposity. Maternal dietary patterns during pregnancy may influence newborn body composition.

Measurement error in assessment of sodium and potassium intake obscures associations with health outcomes. The level of this error in a diverse US Hispanic/Latino population is unknown. We investigated the measurement error in self-reported dietary intake of sodium and potassium and examined differences by background (Central American, Cuban, Dominican, Mexican, Puerto Rican and South American). In 2010-2012, we studied 447 participants aged 18-74 years from four communities (Miami, Bronx, Chicago and San Diego), obtaining objective 24-h urinary sodium and potassium excretion measures. Self-report was captured from two interviewer-administered 24-h dietary recalls. Twenty percent of the sample repeated the study. We examined bias in self-reported sodium and potassium from diet and the association of mismeasurement with participant characteristics. Linear regression relating self-report with objective measures was used to develop calibration equations. Self-report underestimated sodium intake by 19.8% and 20.8% and potassium intake by 1.3% and 4.6% in men and women, respectively. Sodium intake underestimation varied by Hispanic/Latino background (P

To examine the effects of intimate partner violence (IPV) at varied time points in the perinatal period on inadequate and excessive gestational weight gain.Retrospective cohort using population-based secondary data.Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System and birth certificate data from New York City and 35 states.Data were obtained for 251,342 U.S. mothers who gave birth from 2004 through 2011 and completed the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System survey 2 to 9 months after birth.The exposure was perinatal IPV, defined as experiencing physical abuse by a current or ex-partner in the year before or during pregnancy. Adequacy of gestational weight gain (GWG) was categorized using 2009 Institute of Medicine guidelines. Weighted descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression models were used.Approximately 6% of participants reported perinatal IPV, 2.7% reported IPV in the year before pregnancy, 1.1% reported IPV during pregnancy only, and the remaining 2.5% reported IPV before and during pregnancy. Inadequate GWG was more prevalent among participants who experienced IPV during pregnancy and those who experienced IPV before and during pregnancy (23.3% and 23.5%, respectively) than in participants who reported no IPV (20.2%; p .001). Participants who experienced IPV before pregnancy only were significantly more likely to have excessive GWG (p .001). Results were attenuated in the multivariate modeling; only participants who experienced IPV before pregnancy had weakly significant odds of excessive GWG (adjusted odds ratio = 1.14, 95% CI [1.02, 1.26]).The association between perinatal IPV and inadequate GWG was explained by confounding variables; however, women who reported perinatal IPV had greater rates of GWG outside the optimal range. Future studies are needed to determine how relevant confounding variables may affect a woman's GWG.