The Dairy Report

Feb

2010

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Saturated fat and cardiovascular disease

Posted by Greg Miller, PhD, MACN @ 12:31 PM

An American Journal of Clinical Nutrition article, first published online ahead of print on January 13, 2010 by Siri-Tarino et.al., is a meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies examining the association between saturated fat and coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, or cardiovascular disease (CVD; CHD inclusive of stroke). They found that during 5-23 years of follow-up of 347,747 subjects, 11,006 developed CHD or stroke. When examining the relationship between saturated fat intakes they found that the intake of saturated fat was not associated with an increased risk of CHD, stroke or CVD. Interestingly they also indicated, “Our results suggested publication bias, such that studies with significant associations tended to be received more favorably for publication.”

The strength of this study is that it used prospective epidemiological studies that adjusted for the relevant covariates and included large studies that had a significant number of incident cases. A weakness is the accuracy of measuring food intake in the various studies.

The results of this study will add fuel to the debate about dietary intake recommendations that focus on single nutrients, like recommendations to severely restrict intake of saturated fat.

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Feb

2010

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Protein may help elderly women preserve bone and muscle

Posted by Judith Jarvis, MS, RD @ 5:30 PM

An age-related decrease in skeletal muscle and bone mineral content can increase the risk for falls and fracture. Few studies have evaluated the effects of protein intake on both bone and muscle in elderly women long-term. Recent results from an observational study conducted in Australia provides support for the possible benefit of higher protein intake for this age group.

The researchers examined the association of protein consumption at baseline with bone-free lean mass, muscle size, and bone mass five years later in a group of 862 community-dwelling elderly women (average age 75 years). The average baseline protein intake was 81 gm/day contributing 19 percent of total energy.

Results showed:
• A higher baseline protein intake was associated with significantly higher whole body and appendicular (upper and lower limbs) bone-free lean mass, bone mineral content, and upper arm muscle area.
• “Compared with those in the lowest tertile of protein intake (<66 gm/day), women in the top tertile (>87 gm/day or 1.6 gm/kg/d) had 5.4-6% higher whole body and appendicular lean mass and upper arm muscle area, and 5.3-6% higher whole body and appendicular bone mineral content.”

The authors say these findings are consistent with a review of recent nitrogen balance studies in the healthy elderly, concluding that a protein intake of 1.0-1.3 gm/kg/d is necessary to maintain nitrogen balance, and a review of safe protein intake in the elderly suggesting 1.0-1.2 gm/kg/d of high-quality protein. “Providing further studies do not show adverse effects,” they conclude, “it would be reasonable to recommend such an increase in protein intake to elderly women.”

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Feb

2010

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Healthy kids, healthy schools

Posted by Teresa Wagner, MS, RD, LD @ 2:31 PM

Teresa Wagner On January 16th, I attended the Houston Wellness Association 2010 Wellness Symposium. The theme for the symposium was to offer strategies for companies & communities to impact health in a challenging economy. The goal of the symposium was to leave with solutions and tools for transforming Houston into a widely-modeled, innovative city for healthy living and thus a role model for the entire nation.

One of the major initiatives highlighted at the summit was the Healthy Kids, Healthy Schools (HKHS) program. DairyMax, National Dairy Council and leaders across Houston have joined together in a unique public-private partnership pioneering new ways to help students in Houston Independent School District (HISD) eat better and move more. As a result of Healthy Kids, Healthy Schools, an unprecedented, comprehensive and exciting campaign for wellness is underway in HISD. Stakeholders from a wide range of community, health, government and business organizations are working together to create a new “culture of wellness” through a range of coordinated communications, programs and activities – all geared toward empowering students to make better food choices and become more physically active. With collaboration as a guiding principle, this upbeat public-private partnership has a single goal: create a district-wide population of healthy, high-achieving students.

FUTP60 event

Concrete tools and programs have been collaboratively envisioned, piloted and rolled out including the HKHS Making Wellness Happen Guide for School Leaders, the HKHS Planner and identification of Health Coaches to help make change happen and monitor progress at the school building level. The student-led “Change the Game” social marketing campaign is underway to help spread the word. Direct student involvement in school meals is ramping up through the “Have a Say” effort.

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Feb

2010

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Best available evidence – who decides?

Posted by Greg Miller, PhD, MACN @ 11:30 AM

An article in the July/August 2009 issue of Nutrition Today by S. Rowe and N. Alexander entitled, “‘Best Available Evidence’” in Nutrition: What is it and Who Decides?”, is a very thought provoking article. They rightly indicate that all of the available research evidence should be considered by policy makers in the formulation of nutrition guidelines for the public. However, evaluating the relevance or usefulness of any particular study in setting dietary recommendations can be a judgment call by those interpreting the study. For example, do the outcomes apply to the general population or to individuals (i.e., at risk)? We have seen from one of my previous posts, that interpretation of research outcomes can be biased (see Bias in research), even with good intentions. Rowe and Alexander provide some of the possible reasons for over-interpreting conclusions from research studies, such as a natural over anxiousness to find the cause of a health condition, a desire to achieve fame or funding for future research, pressure to publish important findings, ideological/political/religious/philosophical bias, or funding bias.

They discuss the potential issue of public guidelines that should potentially target individuals. This raises the question of is there a “one size fits all” approach to dietary guidance and what are the potential unintended consequences?

This article is certainly worth a read.

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Jan

2010

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Enhancing the satiating power of yogurt

Posted by Judith Jarvis, MS, RD @ 1:30 PM

Judy Jarvis With holiday indulgences from family get-togethers, parties, gift baskets, and our own baking mostly behind us, many will be making the New Year’s resolution to lose weight – one more time. Many are looking for foods that can assist their efforts. An article in the December issue of the American Dietetic Association tests the short-term satiating power of yogurt beverages.

Researchers from the University of Washington, led by Adam Drewnowski, tested the effects of 6 gm of a soluble fiber, inulin, on the satiating properties of low-energy-density (180 kcal; 0.4 kcal/g) and high-energy-density (440 kcal; 0.9 kcal/g) 16-ounce strawberry flavored yogurt beverages against the same volume of orange juice or no beverage at all. The drinks were provided to participants (18 men and 20 women 18-35 years old) two hours before an ad libitum lunch.

Results:
• Yogurt beverages -- whether or not they contained fiber or were low or high in calories -- had greater satiating power than did orange juice, as evidenced by higher satiety ratings and reduced energy intakes at lunch.
• The satiating power of low-energy-density yogurt with added fiber was comparable to that of high-energy-density yogurt.

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Jan

2010

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USDA joins NFL and NDC in partnership on Fuel Up to Play 60!

Posted by Erin Coffield, RD, LDN @ 4:34 PM

As I posted last week, a new partnership pertaining to the Fuel Up to Play 60 campaign was formally announced at a press conference and student pep rally hosted at Central Park East Middle School in New York City on January 15. As I was replaying last Friday’s chain of events in my head, the enormity of the people at the event and their ability to make a sustainable impact on the health and wellness of the nation’s children really hit home for me.

This event was a milestone in the fight against childhood obesity. National Dairy Council (NDC) and its partner the National Football League (NFL) were joined by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), multiple health and nutrition organizations and several major corporations to further promote and expand an innovative nutrition and physical activity program for children—Fuel Up to Play 60.

The USDA formed a public-private partnership between USDA, the NFL and NDC to allow USDA programs and Fuel Up to Play 60 to collaborate and collectively tackle the critical issue of children’s health and wellness.

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Jan

2010

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American Academy of Pediatrics Consensus Report

Posted by Greg Miller, PhD, MACN @ 1:15 PM

The January 2010 issue of Pediatrics has a consensus report on the evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal disorders in individuals with Autism spectrum disorders (ASD). This report is the result of the efforts of a multidisciplinary panel, which reviewed the medical literature with the aim to generate evidence-based recommendations. Due to the lack of high-quality clinical research data at this time, evidence-based recommendations could not be made. However, the panel’s consensus was that individuals with ASD should have the same thoroughness and standard of care in the diagnostic workup and treatment of gastrointestinal concerns as that of patients without ASD.

This report also concludes that, “Available research data do not support the use of a casein-free diet, a gluten-free diet, or combined gluten-free, casein-free diet as a ptherimary treatment for individuals with ASDs.”

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Jan

2010

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Fuel Up to Play 60 campaign unites government, health professionals, industry and educators to defeat childhood obesity

Posted by Erin Coffield, RD, LDN @ 8:46 AM

Erin Coffield Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has joined a campaign to fight and defeat childhood obesity in cooperation with the NFL, National Dairy Council, multiple health organizations and several major corporations. USDA secretary Tom Vilsack joined Roger Goodell, NFL Commissioner, and Tom Gallagher, CEO of Dairy Management Inc., the managing organization for National Dairy Council, at a New York City public school to support and promote the initiative.

To learn more about this exciting event, click here.

FUTP60

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Jan

2010

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Will low-fat diets prevent weight gain?

Posted by Judith Jarvis, MS, RD @ 4:55 PM

A large, prospective study conducted in Europe provides food for thought as we emerge from the holidays to counsel clients about losing weight.

European researchers analyzed data from 89,432 men and women from six cohorts and five countries enrolled in the EPIC (European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition) study to assess the association between the amount and type of dietary fat and subsequent weight change over time (3.7 to 10 years). Country-specific food-frequency questionnaires were used to assess baseline intake of total, saturated, polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats.

The average total fat intake of participants ranged between 31.5 percent to 36.5 percent of calories, and the average annual weight change was 109 gm/year in men and 119 gm/year in women.

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Jan

2010

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Protein intake and bone: Challenging the acid-ash hypothesis

Posted by Judith Jarvis, MS, RD @ 4:50 PM

A meta-analysis published in a recent issue of the Journal of Bone Mineral Research challenges the acid-ash hypothesis, a belief that protein and grain intake may be detrimental to bone.

According to this hypothesis, protein and grain foods in the modern diet are detrimental to bone health because their metabolic production of acid causes the body to buffer this acid by mobilizing bone mineral, resulting in urinary calcium loss and osteoporosis. In contrast, fruit and vegetables are considered bone protective because of their potassium-organic anion content. “Despite no critical review,” say the authors, “this hypothesis is promoted to the public as the ‘alkaline diet’ through the internet as a cure to almost any disease.”

These researchers explain that urinary calcium excretion is not a direct measure of osteoporosis or calcium balance, since a change in calcium excretion may be offset by changes in calcium absorption.

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