ETS can reduce concentrations of ascorbate, an important blood antioxidant, even when the amount of smoke exposure is minimal. Children exposed to ETS should be encouraged to consume increased amounts of foods rich in vitamin C or should be given the equivalent amount of this vitamin as a supplement.
This study was designed to determine among various personal, socioeconomic, and environmental factors those which had the greatest influence on exposure to environmental tohacco smoke (ETS) in a population of children residing in a tropical environment and to compare these results with those obtained in the literature of tobacco exposed children in temperate climates. Urine specimens were collected from 606 healthy Puerto Rican children (2-12 years) living in an industrial area and analyzed for cotinine, a quantitative hiomarker for exposure to ETS. Parents completed a questionnaire covering smoking hahits and socioeconomic information. Seventy per cent of the children were reported to be exposed to ETS, 50% resulting from exposure to smoke from either or both parents. Major determinants to ETS exposure were found to be presence of smoker, numher of smokers, identity of smoker, numher of cigarettes smoked in the household and child age with the youngest children suffering twice the exposure of older children. Non-determinants were exposure to smoke other than from the parent, sex of the child, season of the year and several socioeconomic factors including civil and employment status ofthe mother, mother's age and educational background and whether food stamps were being received. Results of a muitiple regression analysis showed that our predictors accounted for 40% of cotinine appearing in the urine. Reasons for this relatively low value may be due in part to precision of our analytic method und lower levels of ambient smoke in our population vs. others that reported higher R^ values. Predictions from questionnaire information for high ETS exposure were not always the same as those indicated by urinar>' cotinine emphasizing that the bioindicator, which indicates the actual inhalation of ETS, is a better predictor of exposure than responses from a questionnaire.
Extensive evaluations of the federally‐funded national school lunch program (NSLP) have been carried out on the U.S. mainland. Puerto Rico, a commonwealth of the U.S. but with an ethnically diverse population is an active participant in this program but has never been included in assessment studies. Multiple 24‐hr recall questionnaires were administered to groups of participating (P) and non‐participating (NP) children in the NSLP at 3 educational levels: elementary, middl and high‐schools. Comparisons were made for children within the study as well as between comparable children in mainland studies for total intake of several macro‐ and micro‐nutrients, contribution of the lunch to the total daily intake and adherence to U.S. Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI's) including acceptable macronutrient distribution ranges (AMDR's). Results show Both P and NP groups failed to reach RDA's for Vitamins A, D, E and calcium and exceeded levels for sodium, total fat and saturated fat Nevertheless, results suggest healthier intake of several nutrients in P vs NP which include increased Vitamin B12, folate, iron, zinc as well as less trans‐fatty acids. These findings parallel overall results from mainland reports. The unique feature of this study is that it is the first assessment of the NSLP in a completely Hispanic population. Supported by USDA, NRI Grant # 2003‐35200‐13590.
Background Commercial manufacturers have formulated diets to promote not only weight reduction but also to reduce risks of chronic diseases. The objective of this study is to determine if these formulations satisfy requirements for essential nutrients. Methods We have selected two established commercial diets, one low fat, high carbohydrate (diet 1) and the other, high fat, low carbohydrate (diet 2) and determined “representative meals” through use of recipes suggested in the manufacturer’s manuals. Nutrition Data System for Research (NDSR) software has been used to perform the most extensive nutrient analysis to date of these diets. Tables report macronutrients (energy), vitamins, minerals, essential amino acids, essential lipids and nutrient-related components for a total of 62entries. Results Diet 1 satisfied requirements for 50 of these (81%) with only vitamin B12, vitamin D, and essential fatty acids not reaching recommended levels, while fiber and glycemic load exceeded suggested values. Diet 2 satisfied requirements for 46 of the components (71%) but had excess percentage of fat, especially saturated fat, sodium and cholesterol as well as decreased percentage of carbohydrate resulting in suboptimal intake of B-complex vitamins (B1, niacin and total folate) as well as fiber. Conclusions Neither diet satisfied adequacy for all reported nutrients. However, based on nutrient content alone diet 1, if supplemented or modified, could be sustained over the long term whereas diet 2 should not be encouraged for long term adaptation
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.