Showing papers by "Katherine Gray-Donald published in 2007"

Nutrition as a determinant of successful aging: description of the Quebec longitudinal study Nuage and results from cross-sectional pilot studies.

Abstract: Optimal nutrition is essential for general well being, maintenance of physical and functional capacities and prevention of chronic disease in the elderly. The 5-year longitudinal study, NuAge, was designed to assess the pivotal role of nutrition on physical and cognitive status, functional autonomy and social functioning. A cohort of 1793 men and women, selected from three age groups (68-72, 73-77, 78-82) at recruitment, has been followed annually since 2003-2004. A plurimethodological approach, including basic, clinical, epidemiologic, and social research has been used. Data on various facets of nutritional status (diet, food habits, appetite, anthropometry and body composition), and functional (muscle strength, physical activity, physical and functional capacities and performance), medical (physical, mental and cognitive health, medication) and social data (network, support, participation) are collected by questionnaires or direct measurements. Blood, urine, and saliva samples are also collected and processed for genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, and biochemical analyses and to study markers of endocrine, immune, and cognitive functions. Selected bio-psycho-social characteristics of the cohort, consumption of macronutrients, and biologic variables are presented, including the impact of intake of certain foods on total antioxidant status. Understanding the aging process as regulated by a modifiable factor such as nutrition should facilitate the development of targeted strategies for promoting successful aging.

Relationship of childhood protein-energy malnutrition and parasite infections in an urban African setting.

Abstract: A clear understanding of protein-energy malnutrition (PEM), parasite infection and their interactions is essential in formulating health and development policies. We studied the prevalence of PEM indicators and the prevalence and/or intensity of infection in 558 Zairian children aged 4 months to 10 years. Multivariate analyses were used to estimate relationships between PEM indicators and parasitic infection. Stunting was found in 40.3% of children, wasting in 4.9% and kwashiorkor in 5.1%. The risk of stunting was significantly higher in children with Ascaris lumbricoides. The risk of wasting was higher in children with A. lumbricoides or Trichuris trichiura, whereas the risk of kwashiorkor was high with T. trichiura but very reduced in those with A. lumbricoides. Plasmodium infection was not related to nutritional indicators. These relationships highlight important interactions, both synergistic and antagonistic, between nutrition and parasites in central Africa.

Increased body fat percentage and physical inactivity are independent predictors of gestational diabetes mellitus in South Asian women

Abstract: This study aims to identify lifestyle predictors of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in South Asian women. Pre-gravid body mass index, body composition, rate of weight gain during pregnancy, physical activity (PA) and dietary intake were studied. Prospective cohort study (n=611) of South Asian women at Aga Khan University Hospital antenatal clinic in Karachi, Pakistan. Weight, height and body fat % were measured and data on PA, diet and socio-economic covariates were collected at baseline. A glucose screen was performed at 29.8±2.6 weeks. Using logistic regression analysis for the full cohort, the risk of GDM increased with older maternal age (odds ratio (OR) 1.13, confidence interval (CI) 1.06–1.21), increased body fat % (OR 1.07, CI 1.03–1.13) and the risk was inversely associated with PA (100 kcal) (OR 0.79–0.99, CI 0.89). Using a nested case (n=49) control (n=98) design to study dietary intake, the risk of GDM decreased with increasing protein (% energy) in the diet (OR 0.75, CI 0.60–0.95). Body fat %, physical inactivity and, possibly, diet quality are important modifiable risk factors for GDM.

Serum zinc and copper status in hospitalized vs. healthy elderly subjects.

Abstract: Objective: To assess serum zinc and copper concentrations of elderly hospitalized patients with a broad range of diseases and compare their levels to those of healthy community dwelling controls of similar age.Methods: This case-control study compared serum zinc and copper levels of 668 hospitalized subjects, aged 70 or over, with 104 healthy controls of the same age and from the same geographical area. The study protocol, conducted by one physician on the day after the admission to the hospital, included a questionnaire on sociodemographic characteristics, a medical examination, and serum zinc and copper measured with flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Data were analysed using analysis of covariance, controlling for age and sex.Results: The diseased subjects had markedly lower zinc concentrations than the control group. The frequency of low values (<0.70 mg/L) was high (20.2% vs. zero in controls, p < 0.001), and it differed among various disease categories: 35.7% for respiratory disease, 20%- 27...

Peanut-free guidelines reduce school lunch peanut contents

Abstract: Background: Some schools implement peanut-free guidelines (PFG) requesting omission of peanut from lunches. Our study assessed parental awareness of, and adherence to, PFG by comparing the percentage of lunches containing peanut between primary school classes with and without PFG in Montreal, Quebec. Methods: Parents, school principals and teachers were queried concerning the school’s PFG and children’s lunches were inspected by a dietician for peanut-containing foods. Results: When lunch peanut contents were compared in randomly selected classrooms, peanut was found in 5/861 lunches in classes with PFG (0.6%, 95% CI 0.2% to 1.4%) and in 84/845 lunches in classes without PFG (9.9%, 95% CI 8.0% to 12.2%), a 9.4% (95% CI 7.3% to 11.4%) difference. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that PFG are effective in reducing peanut in classrooms providing a basis for future research that should address whether or not the reduction in peanut achieved by restrictive lunch policies decreases the morbidity associated with peanut allergy in the school setting.

Association between Fruit and Vegetable Consumption in Mothers and Children in Low-Income, Urban Neighborhoods.

Abstract: To understand factors influencing fruit and vegetable (FV 53% of girls and 63% of boys did not consume whole fruits daily. Each unit increase in F&V consumption in mothers was associated with a 10% to 20% increase in F&V consumption in children. Interventions to improve F&V consumption should aim to improve awareness among parents of the importance of fruits and vegetables and of the impact of their own behavior on their children's F&V consumption.

Lifestyle risk factors for chronic disease across family origin among adults in multiethnic, low-income, urban neighborhoods.

Abstract: OBJECTIVES To describe the prevalence and co-occurrence of lifestyle risk factors for chronic disease by family origin. DESIGN Cross-sectional analysis. SETTING Multiethnic, low-income, urban neighborhoods in Montreal, Canada. PARTICIPANTS 2033 adults (42.2% male), mean age 39.7 (standard deviation 6.4) years OUTCOME MEASURES Smoking, level of physical activity, dietary habits, body mass index. METHODS Subjects completed self-report questionnaires on sociodemographic characteristics, height, weight, and lifestyle behaviors. We tested family origin (based on language first learned in childhood and country of birth) as an independent correlate of co-occurrence (having at least two lifestyle risk factors) in multivariate logistic regression analyses. RESULTS The prevalence of smoking and poor diet was highest among participants of French Canadian family origin. Although physical inactivity was uniformly high across family origins, it was highest among participants of Portuguese, Italian, and Haitian family origin. Obesity was highest among Europeans. The prevalence of smoking was lowest among Haitians; poor diet was lowest among South Asians; and physical inactivity was lowest among Eastern Europeans. Obesity was lowest among Asians, with the exception that 55.9% of South Asians were overweight or obese. Relative to French Canadians, adults in all other family-origin groups had a lower risk of co-occurrence of lifestyle risk factors. Adults of Asian family origin had the lowest prevalence of co-occurrence of lifestyle risk factors. CONCLUSION Variation in the distribution of lifestyle risk factors may explain in part differences in chronic disease morbidity and mortality across ethnic groups. Prevention programs should take differential distribution of lifestyle risk factors by ethnicity into account.

Community-based participatory research: lessons from sharing results with the community: Kahnawake Schools Diabetes Prevention Project.

Abstract: Background: Kahnawake Schools Diabetes Prevention Project (KSDPP) is an ongoing, community-based participatory research project with an Aboriginal community in Canada, promoting healthy lifestyles to prevent type 2 diabetes. Objectives: To document lessons learned from sharing results with the community, and analyzing feedback from attendees. Methods: In 2004, a researcher–community team delivered 16 sessions of a contextualized presentation of data collected from 1994 to 2002. The team documented the resulting questions and discussions, attendees completed anonymous questionnaires including open-ended questions, and presenters summarized their impressions. Results: One hundred eighty-one people attended the presentations and question/discussion periods were summarized.One hundred sixty-two (82%) of attendees (87% female),completed the questionnaires; 99% understood the presentations and 142 (88%) stated they intended to improve their lifestyles. Qualitative analysis of discussions and open-ended comments categorized attendees' comments about KSDPP, the 1994 through 2002 results, the community, and lifestyle habits. Lessons learned included the time needed to develop and make the presentations, the importance of using community knowledge to guide the experience, ways of attracting an audience, difficulty of reaching men, use of feedback from those attending the presentations, and the need to plan prospectively for analyzing attendee feedback. Conclusions: Community feedback was used to improve interventions and finalize interpretation of the results.

Lactating women restricting milk are low on select nutrients.

Abstract: Objective: Currently there are no recommendations for vitamin/mineral supplementation for lactating women but supplementation may be important, particularly for those women who choose to restrict milk intake during lactation. The objective of this study was to assess nutrient adequacy for lactating women and compare their dietary intake, including supplements, between those who restrict milk and those who do not.Methods: A cohort of 175 healthy exclusively breast-feeding women (19–45 yrs) recruited from prenatal classes were divided into milk restrictors (RS) defined as milk intake ≤250 ml/day and non-restrictors (NRS) (>250 ml/day) and followed for six months postpartum. Participants provided repeated 24-hr dietary recalls, detailed use of vitamin/mineral supplements and reasons for restricting milk.Statistical Analyses: Observed intakes were adjusted to remove day-to-day variability. Nutrient intakes were estimated for macronutrients and vitamins C, D, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, and minerals, calcium ...