Diet and Consumer Behavior in U.S. Vegetarians: A National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) Data Report

Rizzo²,

Müller

et al. 2022

Nutrients

Self Cite

Dietary fiber is of paramount importance in the prevention of large-bowel diseases, yet fiber intake in many high income countries is well below daily recommendations. Vegetarian diets high in fiber-rich plant-foods have been associated with a higher frequency of bowel movements and softer stools. Thus, vegetarians appear to suffer less frequently from constipation and other bowel disorders. The number of studies investigating these associations, however, is limited. The present study sought to investigate bowel health and constipation prevalence in a self-identified vegetarian population from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2007–2010). Bowel health assessment included Bristol Stool Scale (BSS), Bowel Movement (BM) frequency and Fecal Incontinence Severity Index (FISI). The present study included 9531 non-vegetarians and 212 vegetarians. We found no associations between vegetarian status and all examined bowel health items (BM frequency, BSS and FISI). Vegetarians consumed significantly more fiber than omnivores (21.33 vs. 16.43 g/d, p < 0.001) but had a lower moisture intake (2811.15 vs. 3042.78 g/d, p = 0.045). The lack of an association of vegetarian status and bowel health is surprising, and may be a result of the relatively low fiber intake in this particular vegetarian cohort, which did not meet the daily fiber recommendations.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bowel Health in U.S. Vegetarians: A 4-Year Data Report from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)

Rizzo²,

Müller

et al. 2022

Nutrients

Self Cite

“…For the current analysis, we combined adult data from two different NHANES cycles (2007–2008 and 2009–2010) [ 29 , 30 ]. Approximately 5000 individuals participate in the NHANES annually [ 22 , 31 ]. All NHANES participants gave oral and written informed consent, and the study protocol was approved by the NCHS Research Ethics Review Board [ 32 ].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…We described the employed assessment of dietary behavior, food security, and consumer behavior in great detail in one of our previous publications [ 31 ]. In brief, we included data from three major modules: (a) the consumer behavior module, (b) the diet and nutrition behavior module, and (c) the food security module.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Shiftwork Is Associated with Higher Food Insecurity in U.S. Workers: Findings from a Cross-Sectional Study (NHANES)

Rizzo²,

Lombardo³

2022

IJERPH

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The number of shift workers has increased substantially within the last decades to keep pace with the increasingly complex societal need for 24 h services. Shift work has been associated with unhealthy lifestyles and a lower overall diet quality. Little is known, however, with regard to food security and consumer behavior in shift workers. The present study sought to address this gap in the literature, exploring a sample of n = 4418 day workers and n = 1065 shift workers in the United States. Using cross-sectional data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES, 2007–2010), we found that shiftwork was associated with a lower amount of money spent on eating out and higher food insecurity issues. Compared to day workers, a higher proportion of shift workers reported receipt of food stamps (12.5% vs. 23.4%, p < 0.001) and worried about running out of food (3.95% vs. 8.05%, p < 0.001). These associations remained significant after adjustment for confounders when using multivariate logistic regression. The number of not-home-prepared meals did not differ between both groups. In light of the population health disparities and adverse health outcomes associated with food insecurity, novel strategies are urgently warranted to improve the situation of shift workers.

“…More recent NHANES cycles (e.g., 2010–2011 and onward) were not appended because some key data on occupational health were no longer included in these circles. More than 10,000 individuals participated in the NHANES per cycle [ 33 ]. Informed consent was obtained from all participants, and all procedures in the NHANES were in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki [ 34 , 35 ].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bowel Health in U.S. Shift Workers: Insights from a Cross-Sectional Study (NHANES)

Lombardo²,

Rizzo³

et al. 2022

IJERPH

Self Cite

Working outside of regular daytime hours is increasingly common in current societies and poses a substantial challenge to an individual’s biological rhythm. Disruptions of the gastrointestinal tract’s circadian rhythm and poor dietary choices subsequent to shiftwork may predispose the shift workforce to an increased risk of gastrointestinal disorders, including constipation, peptic ulcer disease, and erosive gastritis. We investigated bowel health in a US population of shift workers, using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, and compared bowel movement (BM) frequency and defecation patterns between 2007 day workers and 458 shift workers (representing 55,305,037 US workers). Using bivariate and multivariate logistic regression techniques, our results suggested no association between shiftwork status and BM frequency, bowel leakage of gas, and stool consistency. Constipation prevalence was high but comparable in both groups (6.90% vs. 7.09%). The low fiber intake observed in both groups (15.07 vs. 16.75 g/day) could play a potential role here. The two groups did not differ with regard to other nutrients that may influence BM frequency and stool consistency (e.g., carbohydrate or caffeine intake). Additional studies including food group analyses and fecal biomarkers are warranted for a better understanding of GI health in shift workers.