Showing papers by "Katherine Gray-Donald published in 2006"

Association of low intake of milk and vitamin D during pregnancy with decreased birth weight

Abstract: Background: Some pregnant women may be advised or choose to restrict milk consumption and may not take appropriate supplements. We hypothesized that maternal milk restriction during pregnancy, which can reduce intakes of protein, calcium, riboflavin and vitamin D, might represent a health risk by lowering infant birth weight. Methods: We screened women between the ages of 19 and 45 years who were attending prenatal programs in Calgary, Alberta (51°N) for low milk consumption (≤ 250 mL/d). Using repeat dietary recalls, we compared these women and their offspring with women whose daily milk consumption exceeded 250 mL (1 cup). Birth weight, length and head circumference were obtained from birth records. Resu ults: Women who consumed ≤ 250 mL/d of milk (n = 72) gave birth to infants who weighed less than those born to women who consumed more (n = 207; 3410 g v. 3530 g, respectively; p = 0.07). Infant lengths and head circumferences were similar. Women who restricted milk intake had statistically significantly lower intakes of protein and vitamin D as well. In multivariate analyses controlled for previously established predictors of infant birth weight, milk consumption and vitamin D intake were both significant predictors of birth weight. Each additional cup of milk daily was associated with a 41 g increase in birth weight (95% confidence interval [CI] 14.0‐75.1 g); each additional microgram of vitamin D, with an 11 g increase (95% CI 1.2‐20.7 g). Neither protein, riboflavin nor calcium intake was found to predict birth weight.

A novel dysphagia diet improves the nutrient intake of institutionalized elders.

Abstract: Objectives Dysphagia affects 35% to 60% of the institutionalized elderly population. This study aimed at evaluating the nutrient intake of frail institutionalized elderly persons with dysphagia and to assess the impact of Sainte-Anne's Hospital Advanced Nutritional Care program on dietary intake and weight. Design A 12-week intervention study. Subjects/setting Ninety-three individuals residing in a Montreal, Canada, long-term care facility who were aged at least 65 years were evaluated. Seventeen subjects with a body mass index (BMI; calculated as kg/m 2 ) 7.5% within 3 months and with dysphagia were included. Intervention The treated group (n=8; aged 82.5±4.41 years, weight 55.9±12.1 kg, BMI 22.4±3.93) received Sainte-Anne's Hospital reshaped minced- or pureed-texture foods with thickened beverages where required. The control group (n=9; aged 84.6±3.81 years, weight 54.3±7.49 kg, BMI 21.2±2.31) maintained traditional nourishment. Main Outcome Measures Macronutrient and micronutrient intake, weight, and BMI were measured at baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks. Statistics Student t tests were performed to evaluate change within and between groups. Results The treatment and control groups were similar at baseline, having a mean age of 82.5±4.41 years vs 84.6±3.81 years and BMI of 22.4±3.93 vs 21.2±2.31, respectively. The average weight in the treated group increased compared to the control group (3.90±2.30 vs –0.79±4.18 kg; P =0.02). Similarly, the treated group presented an increased intake of energy, proteins, fats, total saturated fats, monounsaturated fats, potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, zinc, vitamin B-2, and vitamin D compared to control subjects ( P Conclusion Institutionalized elderly patients with dysphagia can eat better and increase body weight via a diversified, modified in texture, and appealing oral diet that meets their nutrition needs.

Primary food sources of nutrients in the diet of Canadian adults.

Abstract: Purpose: Food sources of nutrients in the Canadian diet were explored. Knowledge of these sources is important to public health professionals and to those in clinical practice. Methods: Using data from the Food Habits of Canadians study, we investigated nutrient sources from detailed food groupings in a sample of 1,543 adults (971 women, 572 men) from across Canada. Subjects were interviewed by trained dietitians. At the time of the interview, a sociodemographic questionnaire and a 24-hour dietary recall were completed. Results: The response rate was 30%. Subjects aged 18 to 34 reported eating more prepared and convenience foods than did those aged 35 to 65. Energy was contributed mainly by breads, pasta, rice, grains, and fluid milk. Protein intake was primarily derived from meat and dairy products; legumes, nuts, seeds, and eggs were not high contributors. For men aged 35 to 65 and women aged 18 to 65, butter, margarine, and oil were the primary fat sources; they were the second most common source for m...

Validating MOSPA questionnaire for measuring physical activity in Pakistani women.

Abstract: Background: Precise measurements of activity at a population level are important for monitoring trends and evaluating health promotion strategies. Few studies have assessed the measurement of physical activity in developing countries. The aim of this study was to validate the MOSPA (Monica Optional Study of Physical Activity) questionnaire which was developed for the WHO-Monitoring trends and determinants of cardiovasculr disease (MONICA) study sites. Methods: The MOSPA questionnaire assesses energy expendtiture (EE) related to physical activity (employment, household work, transportation, and leisure time) over a one year period. This questionnaire has been described in the manuscript as the long term (LT) questionnaire. An adapted short term (ST) 5 day questionnaire was developed to assess convergent validity. Questionnaire data were compared with physical activity EE estimates from a Caltrac accelerometer and with body composition measures (height, weight and bioelectrical impedance) in 50 women from the Aga Khan University (AKU) hospital antenatal clinics, Pakistan. Other forms of EE i.e. resting EE and thermic effect of food were not assessd in this study. Results: Subjects were aged 26 ± 3.8 years and were 16.1 ± 6.7 weeks pregnant. Their average weight was 58.8 ± 10.7 Kg. The average EE/day assessed by the Caltrac accelerometer, was 224 kcal and by MOSPA LT questionnaire it was 404 kcal. The questionnaires and Caltrac data were reasonably well correlated: r = 0.51 and r = 0.60 (P < 0.01) for LT and ST questionnaires respectively. Energy expenditure from questionnaire data was not correlated with body composition measures. Conclusion: The MOSPA questionnaire is useful in assessing physical activity levels in a sedentary population over a one year period.

Vegetable and fruit food frequency questionnaire serves as a proxy for quantified intake

Abstract: Background: Public health practitioners need valid tools to survey trends in dietary intake The Rapid Risk Factor Surveillance System (RRFSS) includes an optional six-item vegetable and fruit intake food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) module Our objectives were 1) to compare reported vegetable and fruit consumption from the FFQ to quantified servings (portions) defined by Canada’s Food Guide to Healthy Eating and ascertained by a reference method, and 2) to compare the FFQ with the reference method for their classification of the proportion of respondents consuming five or more servings of vegetables and fruit per day Methods: Dietitians administered 24-hour recalls to each of 174 adult respondents who had completed the FFQ as part of the RRFSS Recalls were conducted over the telephone on three separate occasions using an adaptation of the multiple pass method Results: The mean total intake of vegetables and fruit for the group was 46 times/day from the FFQ versus 48 servings/day from the recalls (paired t-test; p=092) Thirty-seven percent of respondents were classified as consuming five or more times/day by the FFQ versus 35% by the 24-hour recall servings Conclusion: The FFQ tool can be used as a proxy for quantified intake of vegetable and fruit consumption

Medición de las capacidades físicas de adultos mayores de Quebec: un análisis secundario del estudio NuAge

Abstract: Objective: To assess the validity of a battery of functional capacity tests in community-living elderly Canadians. Material and Methods. Design: cross-sectional study. Study population: baseline data from 1793 men and women aged 74.4 ± 4.1 participating in the NuAge longitudinal study were collected from December 2003 to April 2005 and used for the analyses. A global score measuring functional capacities (BFC) was constructed as the sum of four tests according to a method proposed by Guralnik [Timed Up & Go, walking speed (4 m), chair stands (five times), standing balance]. Multivariate linear regression analysis was used to study the relationship between age, sex, and physical activity, and BFC score. Results: The global functional capacities score had an internal consistency of 0.74. It was significantly associated with age, sex and measures of mental and physical health status including: cognitive function (<0.001), depressive symptoms (<0.001), nutritional risk (<0.001), burden of disease (<0.001), and level of physical activity (<0.001) thus supporting the construct validity of the global score. Age related differences in BFC were consistent and similar among men and women. Conclusion: The global score of functional capacity tests provided a valid assessment of physical capacities in the community-living elderly. While men had higher global BFC scores than women, among both sexes the best performance was observed in the youngest age group and in those reporting more physical activity.

Effect of a Ban on Extracurricular Sports Activities by Secondary School Teachers on Physical Activity Levels of Adolescents: A Multilevel Analysis:

Abstract: To study the effect of a teachers' ban on supervising sports-related extracurricular physical activities (ECAs), levels of physical activity among 979 grade 7 students (mean age = 12.7 [0.5] years at baseline) were comparedduringand after the ban in seven schools that fully implementedthe ban, and three schools that did not implement the ban fully. On average, schools offered 18.0 (SD = 5.1) ECAs during a no-ban school year. Students attending full implementation schools were significantly more likely than students in nonimplementation schoolsto be active after the banended(oddsratio forbeingactive = 1.89[95%confidenceinterval: 1.39,2.58]). They also increased the number of physical activities in which they participated (coefficient = 4.04;SE = 1.01). Ending a teachers' ban on sports-related ECAs was associated with increased involvement in physical activity among secondary school students.

Community-based communication strategies to promote infant iron nutrition in northern Canada.

Abstract: Objectives. To evaluate innovative communication strategies promoting iron nutrition for infants at risk for iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in a northern Aboriginal community. Study Design. A prospective process evaluation. Methods. A social marketing approach was used in the development, implementation and evaluation of the communication strategies. A post-intervention questionnaire was administered to a sample (n = 45) to evaluate reach and exposure of the strategies, and sales of iron-rich infant foods were examined pre- and post-intervention. Results. Multiple communication channels were associated with an increased awareness of IDA and an increased self-reported use of iron-rich infant food. Radio was the most successful channel for reach and exposure of messages. Iron-rich infant food sales increased from pre- to post-intervention (p < 0.05). Breadth of exposure to cooking activity was more limited; however, participants reported increased confidence in preparing homemade baby food. Conclusions. Communication strategies are a promising strategy for infant IDA prevention where appropriate food is available. (Int J Circumpolar Health 2006;65(1):65-78.) Keywords: aboriginal health, infant feeding, iron deficiency anemia, primary prevention