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BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The effect of added sugar on health is a topical area of research. However, there is currently no analytical or other method to easily distinguish between added sugars and naturally occurring sugars in foods. This study aimed to develop a systematic methodology to estimate added sugar values on the basis of analytical data and ingredients of foods. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A 10-step, stepwise protocol was developed, starting with objective measures (six steps) and followed by more subjective estimation (four steps) if insufficient objective data are available. The method developed was applied to an Australian food composition database (AUSNUT2007) as an example. RESULTS: Out of the 3874 foods available in AUSNUT2007, 2977 foods (77%) were assigned an estimated value on the basis of objective measures (steps 1-6), and 897 (23%) were assigned a subjectively estimated value (steps 7-10). Repeatability analysis showed good repeatability for estimated values in this method. CONCLUSIONS: We propose that this method can be considered as a standardised approach for the estimation of added sugar content of foods to improve cross-study comparison. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2015) 69, 154-161; doi:10.1038/ejcn.2014.256; published online 17 December 2014, INTRODUCTION The term 'added sugar' is usually understood to mean sugar added to foods during processing. In many countries, the majority of sugar added to food is in the form [...]

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: It has been postulated that a higher dairy consumption may affect blood pressure regulation. The aim of this study was to examine the association between dairy consumption and blood pressure in mid-childhood. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Subjects (n = 335) were participants of a birth cohort at high risk of asthma with information on diet at 18 months and blood pressure at 8 years. Multivariate analyses were used to assess the association of dairy consumption (serves) and micronutrient intakes (mg). In a subgroup of children (n = 201), dietary intake was also measured at approximately 9 years. RESULTS: Children in the highest quintile of dairy consumption at 18 months had lower systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) at 8 years (2.5 mm Hg, P = 0.046 and 1.9 mm Hg, P = 0.047, respectively) than those in the lowest quintiles. SBP was lowest among children in the highest quintiles of calcium, magnesium and potassium intakes. Significant negative linear trends were observed between SBP and intakes of dairy serves, calcium, magnesium and potassium. Furthermore, SBP and DBP were lowest in the group of children that consumed at least two dairy serves at both 18 months and the follow-up dietary data collection at 9 years, compared with all other children (SBP 98.7 vs 101.0 mm Hg, P = 0.07; and DBP 56.5 vs 59.3 mm Hg, P = 0.006, respectively). CONCLUSION: These results are consistent with a protective effect of dairy consumption in childhood on blood pressure at age 8 years. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2012) 66, 652-657; doi: 10.1038/ejcn.2011.218; published online 11 January 2012 Keywords: blood pressure; children; diet; dairy products, INTRODUCTION High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease, stroke, congestive heart failure and kidney disease. (1) As childhood blood pressure is known to track significantly into [...]

Background/Objectives: To assess the changes in the consumption of core foods among Australian children between the 1995 National Nutrition Survey (1995 NNS) and the 2007 Australian National Children's Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey (2007 Children's Survey). Subjects/Methods: Core food consumption was analysed using 24-h recall data from 2-16 year old children using the 1995 NNS (n = 2435) and the 2007 Children's Survey (n = 4380). Differences in percent consuming, amounts consumed and percent energy contribution were assessed. Results: The consumption of core foods increased significantly between the 1995 and 2007 surveys, including per-capita consumption and percent energy contribution (both P [less than or equal to] 0.001). Core foods contributed to 59% of energy intake in 1995 compared with 65% in 2007. The types of core foods consumed also changed during this time period with more children reporting eating healthy options such as wholemeal bread, reduced-fat milk, reduced-fat cheese and fruit in the 2007 Children's Survey. Conversely, the consumption of white bread, full-fat milk and low-fibre breakfast cereals was lower in 2007. Conclusions: Overall, reported dietary intake had improved from 1995 to 2007 among Australian children with an increase in the amounts of core foods consumed and healthier types of foods being chosen. Continued health-promotion activities and monitoring of food consumption are highly warranted. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2011) 65, 1201-1210; doi: 10.1038/ejcn.2011.109; published online 22 June 2011 Keywords: child nutrition; energy intake; food habits; nutrition surveys; Australia, Introduction Regular monitoring of dietary intake of children is essential for the development of evidence based food and nutrition policies. This is particularly relevant in Australia with available data showing [...]

Objectives: To identify the types and quantities of 'extra' foods, or energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods, consumed by Australian adults, and assess their contribution to total energy and nutrient intakes. Subject/Methods: We used 24-h recall data from 10851 adults, aged 19 years and over, who participated in the nationally representative 1995 National Nutrition Survey. 'Extra' foods were defined using principles outlined in the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating and by applying cut points for maximum amounts of fat and sugar within each food category. Results: 'Extra' foods contributed to 36% of daily energy intake with the highest contributors being fried potatoes (2.8%), margarine (2.6%), cakes and muffins (2.5%), beer (2.4%), sugar-sweetened soft drinks (2.4%), and meat pies (2.2%). Both age and sex were important determinants of 'extra' foods intake; younger adults were more likely to consume sugar-sweetened soft drinks, fried potatoes, meat pies and savoury pastries, pizza, crisps, lollies and chocolate; whereas older adults were more likely to consume sweet and savoury biscuits, cakes and muffins, margarine and butter. In all age groups, 'extra' foods contributed more to energy intake for men than women. Overall, 'extra' foods contributed 16% protein, 41% total fat, 41% saturated fat, 47% sugar and approximately 20% of selected micronutrients to the diet. Conclusions: 'Extra' foods contribute excessively to the energy, fat and sugar intakes of Australian adults, while providing relatively few micronutrients. This is of concern for the increasing risk of overweight and chronic disease and poor micronutrient status. doi:10.1038/ejcn.2008.51; published online 29 October 2008 Keywords: energy intake; food habits; nutrition surveys; Australia, Introduction A diet high in energy-dense, nutrient-poor (EDNP) foods has been associated with excessive energy intakes and obesity. The WHO report Diet, Nutrition and the Prevention of Chronic Disease indicated [...]

Objective: To measure the types and quantities of energy-dense, nutrient-poor 'extra' foods consumed by Australian children and adolescents and their contribution to total energy and nutrient intakes. Design, setting and [...]

OBJECTIVE:: The rising epidemic worldwide in overweight and obese children requires urgent attention. Leptin has been found to be associated with body weight control and possibly affects insulin sensitivity. Since insulin resistance is associated with obesity in adults and possibly in adolescents, we set out to investigate the association of plasma leptin level with various anthropometric indices, body fat mass (FM), lipids, and insulin resistance (IR) index in nondiabetic adolescents. DESIGN:: A cross-sectional study from three high schools in Taipei City in Taiwan. SUBJECTS:: A total of 402 nondiabetic subjects (162 boys and 240 girls; age range, 10-19?y; mean age, 15.8±1.9?y, and mean body mass index (BMI), 24.8±4.6?kg/m2) were recruited. MEASUREMENTS:: The fasting plasma leptin, plasma glucose, insulin, lipids, and anthropometric indices including height, weight, waist (WC) and hip circumferences, and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) were examined. Total body FM and percentage body fat (FM%) were obtained from dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The homeostasis model was applied to estimate the degree of IR. RESULTS:: The plasma leptin levels were significantly higher in girls (17.45±10.13?ng/ml) than boys (8.81±6.71?ng/ml, P<0.001). The plasma leptin levels were positively correlated to BMI, WC, WHR, FM, FM%, and triglycerides (TG). The IR index was positively correlated to BMI, WC, WHR, FM, FM%, TG, and leptin. Using the multivariate linear regression models, we found that plasma leptin remains significantly associated with IR index even after adjusting for age, gender, BMI, FM, WC, Tanner stage, and TG. CONCLUSION:: Plasma leptin was associated with IR index independent of age, gender, BMI, FM, WC, Tanner stage, and TG. Plasma leptin levels in adolescents could be a predictor for the development of the metabolic syndrome disorders and cardiovascular diseases.International Journal of Obesity (2004) 28, 470-475. doi:10.1038/sj.ijo.0802531 Published online 2 March 2004 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]