Nutrition transition in a middle-income country: 22-year trends in the Seychelles

Marine Capture Fisheries from Western Indian Ocean: An Excellent Source of Proteins and Essential Amino Acids

The Republic of Seychelles is located in Western-Central Indian Ocean, and marine capture fisheries play a key role in the country's economic and social life in terms of food security, employment, and cultural identity. The Seychellois are among the highest per capita fish-consuming people in the world, with a high reliance on fish for protein. However, the diet is in transition, moving towards a Western-style diet lower in fish and higher in animal meat and easily available, highly processed foods. The aim of this study was to examine and evaluate the protein content and quality of a wide range of marine species exploited by the Seychelles industrial and artisanal fisheries, as well as to further to assess the contribution of these species to the daily intake recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). A total of 230 individuals from 33 marine species, including 3 crustaceans, 1 shark, and 29 teleost fish, were collected from the Seychelles waters during 2014-2016. All analyzed species had a high content of high-quality protein, with all indispensable amino acids above the reference value pattern for adults and children. As seafood comprises almost 50% of the consumed animal protein in the Seychelles, it is of particular importance as a source of essential amino acids and associated nutrients, and as such every effort to sustain the consumption of regional seafood should be encouraged.

Egg Protein Transferrin-Derived Peptides Irw (Lle-Arg-Trp) and Iqw (Lle-Gln-Trp) Prevent Obesity Mouse Model Induced by a High-Fat Diet via Reducing Lipid Deposition and Reprogramming Gut Microbiota

Egg-derived peptides play important roles in insulin secretion and sensitivity, oxidative stress, and inflammation, suggesting their possible involvement in obesity management. Hence, the aim of this study is to explore the alleviating effects of IRW (lle-Arg-Trp) and IQW (lle-Gln-Trp) on obesity via the mouse model induced by a high-fat diet. The entire experimental period lasted eight weeks. The results demonstrated that IQW prevented weight gain (6.52%), decreased the glucose, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), malonaldehyde, triglycerides, total cholesterol (TC), and leptin levels, and increased the concentration of adiponectin (p < 0.05, n = 8). Although IRW failed to prevent weight gain, it reduced the concentration of glucose, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), LDL, and leptin, and increased the concentration of adiponectin (p < 0.05, n = 8). Moreover, IRW and IQW increased glucose tolerance and insulin resistance based on the results of the intraperitoneal glucose test and insulin tolerance test (p < 0.05, n = 8). The quantitative polymerase chain reaction results revealed that IRW and IQW downregulated the mRNA expression of DGAT1 (Diacylglycerol O-Acyltransferase 1), DGAT2 (Diacylglycerol O-Acyltransferase 2), TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β of liver tissue (p < 0.05, n = 8). The results of the 16S ribosomal RNA amplicon sequencing showed that IQW and IRW tended to reduce the relative abundance of Firmicutes and Parabacteroides, and that IRW enhanced the abundance of Bacteroides (p < 0.05, n = 8). Collectively, IRW and IQW supplementation could alleviate the progression of obesity due to the fact that the supplementation reduced lipid deposition, maintained energy balance, and reprogrammed gut microbiota.

Dietary Sources of Salt in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Literature Review

Rapid urbanization in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is transforming dietary patterns from reliance on traditional staples to increased consumption of energy-dense foods high in saturated fats, trans fats, sugars, and salt. A systematic literature review was conducted to determine major food sources of salt in LMICs that could be targeted in strategies to lower population salt intake. Articles were sourced using Medline, Web of Science, Scopus, and grey literature. Inclusion criteria were: reported dietary intake of Na/salt using dietary assessment methods and food composition tables and/or laboratory analysis of salt content of specific foods in populations in countries defined as low or middle income (LMIC) according to World Bank criteria. Of the 3207 records retrieved, 15 studies conducted in 12 LMICs from diverse geographical regions met the eligibility criteria. The major sources of dietary salt were breads, meat and meat products, bakery products, instant noodles, salted preserved foods, milk and dairy products, and condiments. Identification of foods that contribute to salt intake in LMICs allows for development of multi-faceted approaches to salt reduction that include consumer education, accompanied by product reformulation.

Body Mass Index Increases With Ageing and Risk Factors for Overweight/Obesity in a Representative Macau Population

The aim of this study was to investigate trends of body mass index (BMI) with age in westernizing Macau and to make comparisons with Australian data. A representative random sample (n = 1406, 18-93 years, 55% female) from Macau was recruited in 2012. The Australian sample was extracted from the Australian Health Survey 2011-2012 (n = 7958, 18 to ≥85 years, 52% female). BMI in Australians was greater than Macanese, mean difference 4.4 kg/m² ( P < .001). While BMI increases steadily with ageing in each population, the plateau for Macau subjects appears 5 to 10 years earlier than Australians. Prevalence of overweight/obesity in young Macanese adults (18-40 years) was 25% (men) and 22% (women), with the greatest increase in BMI from age 25 to 39 years and 24 to 45 years in men and women, respectively. BMI shifts in younger Macanese men and women, which may reflect emerging lifestyle and nutrition transitions, are a future population health concern in Macau.

Gut microbiota, short chain fatty acids, and obesity across the epidemiologic transition: the METS-Microbiome study protocol

BACKGROUND

While some of the variance observed in adiposity and weight change within populations can be accounted for by traditional risk factors, a new factor, the gut microbiota, has recently been associated with obesity. However, the causal mechanisms through which the gut microbiota and its metabolites, short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) influence obesity are unknown, as are the individual obesogenic effects of the individual SCFAs (butyrate, acetate and propionate). This study, METS-Microbiome, proposes to examine the influence of novel risk factors, the gut microbiota and SCFAs, on obesity, adiposity and weight change in an international established cohort spanning the epidemiologic transition.

METHODS

The parent study; Modeling the Epidemiologic Transition Study (METS) is a well-established and ongoing prospective cohort study designed to assess the association between body composition, physical activity, and relative weight, weight gain and cardiometabolic disease risk in five diverse population-based samples in 2500 people of African descent. The cohort has been prospectively followed since 2009. Annual measures of obesity risk factors, including body composition, objectively measured physical activity and dietary intake, components which vary across the spectrum of social and economic development. In our new study; METS-Microbiome, in addition to continuing yearly measures of obesity risk, we will also measure gut microbiota and stool SCFAs in all contactable participants, and follow participants for a further 3 years, thus providing one of the largest gut microbiota population-based studies to date.

DISCUSSION

This new study capitalizes upon an existing, extensively well described cohort of adults of African-origin, with significant variability as a result of the widespread geographic distributions, and therefore variation in the environmental covariate exposures. The METS-Microbiome study will substantially advance the understanding of the role gut microbiota and SCFAs play in the development of obesity and provide novel obesity therapeutic targets targeting SCFAs producing features of the gut microbiota.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Registered NCT03378765 Date first posted: December 20, 2017.

Dietary Determinants of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid (PUFA) Status in a High Fish-Eating Cohort during Pregnancy

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are essential for neurodevelopment and the developing foetus depends on an optimal maternal status. Fish is a rich source of PUFA. The current study investigated dietary patterns, and associations with PUFA status in a high-fish consuming cohort of pregnant women in the Seychelles. At 28 weeks' gestation, pregnant women provided a blood sample, from which serum total PUFA concentrations were measured, A Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) and Fish Use Questionnaire (FUQ) were also completed. Principal component analysis (PCA) of dietary information identified four patterns. Regression analyses found dietary pattern 2, containing foods traditionally eaten in the Seychelles e.g., fish, fruit and vegetables was positively associated with serum docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (β = 0.134; CI = 0.001, 0.022), and serum total n-3 PUFA (β = 0.139; CI = 0.001, 0.023) concentrations. Dietary pattern 1, high in processed foods, snacks, white meat and eggs, was not significantly associated with any of the serum PUFA concentrations. The FUQ indicated that fatty fish was associated with EPA status (β = 0.180; CI = 0.001, 0.005) in high consumers. The second dietary pattern, consisting of higher consumption of fish and fruit, was positively associated with n-3 PUFA status during pregnancy.

Socioeconomic predictors of dietary patterns among Guatemalan adults

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to assess the associations of socioeconomic factors with dietary patterns in a Guatemalan population.

METHODS

Cross-sectional data of 1076 participants (42 % men, mean age 32.6 ± 4.2 years) collected between 2002 and 2004 in four rural villages in Guatemala. Dietary patterns were derived using principal component analysis. Chi-square and Poisson regression models were used to assess associations between socioeconomic factors and dietary patterns.

RESULTS

Three dietary patterns were identified: "Western" (high in processed foods), "traditional" (high in traditional foods) and "coffee and sugar", explaining 11, 7 and 6 % of the variance, respectively. Annual expenditures were associated with a higher adherence to the "Western" pattern: prevalence ratios [(PR) (95 % confidence interval)] 1.92 (1.17-3.15) for the highest vs. lowest expenditure group in men and 8.99 (3.57-22.64) in women. A borderline significant (p = 0.06) negative association was found between the "traditional" pattern and higher household expenditures [0.71 (0.49-1.02) in men] and with schooling [0.23 (0.05-1.02)] in women (p = 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Dietary patterns in Guatemala are predicted by socioeconomic factors. In particular, high annual expenditures are associated with a more westernized, less traditional diet.

Socioeconomic Differences in Dietary Patterns in an East African Country: Evidence from the Republic of Seychelles

BACKGROUND

In high income countries, low socioeconomic status (SES) is related to unhealthier dietary patterns, while evidence on the social patterning of diet in low and middle income countries is scarce.

OBJECTIVE

In this study, we assess dietary patterns in the general population of a middle income country in the African region, the Republic of Seychelles, and examine their distribution according to educational level and income.

METHODS

Data was drawn from two independent national surveys conducted in the Seychelles among adults aged 25-64 years in 2004 (n = 1236) and 2013 (n = 1240). Dietary patterns were assessed by principal component analysis (PCA). Educational level and income were used as SES indicators. Data from both surveys were combined as no interaction was found between SES and year.

RESULTS

Three dietary patterns were identified: "snacks and drinks", "fruit and vegetables" and "fish and rice". No significant associations were found between SES and the "snacks and drinks" pattern. Low vs. high SES individuals had lower adherence to the "fruit and vegetables" pattern [prevalence ratio (95% CI) 0.71 (0.60-0.83)] but a higher adherence to the traditional "fish and rice" pattern [1.58 (1.32-1.88)]. Income modified the association between education and the "fish and rice" pattern (p = 0.02), whereby low income individuals had a higher adherence to this pattern in both educational groups.

CONCLUSION

Low SES individuals have a lower consumption of fruit and vegetables, but a higher consumption of traditional foods like fish and rice. The Seychelles may be at a degenerative diseases stage of the nutrition transition.

Growth retardation at early life and metabolic adaptation among North Korean children

The high prevalence of obesity is a major public health issue and contributes to the 'double burden' of disease in developing countries. Early exposure to poor nutrition may cause metabolic adaptations that, when accompanied by exposure to 'affluent' nutrition, may increase the risk for obesity and other metabolic disorders. The aim of this study was to determine differences in energy metabolism and nutritional status between normal-height and growth-retarded North Korean children living in South Korea. A total of 29 children were recruited and underwent measurements of resting energy expenditure (REE), respiratory quotient (RQ), anthropometrics and dietary intake. There was no difference in REE or any assessment of obesity between the growth-retarded and normal-height children. Children who were classified as growth retarded (HAZ<-1.0) or stunted (HAZ<-2.0) had a significantly higher RQ (β=0.036 or 0.060, respectively, P=0.018 or 0.016), independent of sex, age, fat-free mass, fat mass and food quotient, compared with children with normal height. The results from this study, the first from an Asian population, add to the growing body of literature suggesting that undernutrition early in life results in adaptations in energy metabolism that favor fat deposition, increasing the risk of stunted children becoming overweight or obese later in life. Continued research on this topic is warranted, given the continued rise in the prevalence of the double burden in transitional countries.

The ethnoepidemiology of obesity

The prevalence of overweight and obesity varies significantly across ethnic groups and among aboriginal people in Canada and appears to be increasing overall in children and youth, which will have significant health consequences in the future. Individual health behaviours, genetic predisposition, and community-level factors all contribute to the high burden of overweight and obesity across communities in Canada. Preliminary studies indicate that individuals who live in neighbourhoods in Canada with increased walkability, fewer fast food outlets, and higher socioeconomic status have lower rates of overweight/obesity when compared with other neighbourhoods. However, more research is required to understand the impact of community level factors on overweight/obesity trends in Canadian ethnic groups, including children and youth, and aboriginal people.