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Abstract Context Consuming calories later in the day is associated with obesity and metabolic syndrome. We hypothesized that eating a late dinner alters substrate metabolism during sleep in a manner that promotes obesity. Objective The objective of this work is to examine the impact of late dinner on nocturnal metabolism in healthy volunteers. Design and Setting This is a randomized crossover trial of late dinner (LD, 22:00) vs routine dinner (RD, 18:00), with a fixed sleep period (23:00-07:00) in a laboratory setting. Participants Participants comprised 20 healthy volunteers (10 male, 10 female), age 26.0 ± 0.6 years, body mass index 23.2 ± 0.7 kg/m2, accustomed to a bedtime between 22:00 and 01:00. Interventions An isocaloric macronutrient diet was administered on both visits. Dinner (35% daily kcal, 50% carbohydrate, 35% fat) with an oral lipid tracer ([2H31] palmitate, 15 mg/kg) was given at 18:00 with RD and 22:00 with LD. Main Outcome Measures Measurements included nocturnal and next-morning hourly plasma glucose, insulin, triglycerides, free fatty acids (FFAs), cortisol, dietary fatty acid oxidation, and overnight polysomnography. Results LD caused a 4-hour shift in the postprandial period, overlapping with the sleep phase. Independent of this shift, the postprandial period following LD was characterized by higher glucose, a triglyceride peak delay, and lower FFA and dietary fatty acid oxidation. LD did not affect sleep architecture, but increased plasma cortisol. These metabolic changes were most pronounced in habitual earlier sleepers determined by actigraphy monitoring. Conclusion LD induces nocturnal glucose intolerance, and reduces fatty acid oxidation and mobilization, particularly in earlier sleepers. These effects might promote obesity if they recur chronically.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally changed the quality and quantity of people’s food consumption. Objective: This study aimed to explore the dietary shifts among different racial groups resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on changes in consumption across various food categories. Methods: This cross-sectional study included a sample of 10,050 urban residents aged 40–100 years across the United States. Dietary patterns among African American, Asian, Hispanic, and White populations were assessed before and since the pandemic (retrospective condition) using the Dietary Screening Tool (DST). The DST investigates consumption trends in food groups aligned with the MyPlate guidelines, plus fat, sugar, and sweet (FSS) intake and processed meats. Results: This study found significant shifts in food consumption patterns among racial groups since COVID-19. The data indicate that African American individuals largely reduced their consumption of several food groups compared to White individuals, with a 43% decrease in processed meats, 42% in dairy, 36% in lean protein, 21% in fruit, 17% in grains, and 15% in FSS, although their vegetable consumption did not significantly decrease. African American individuals also consumed 66% less processed meat, 57% less dairy, and 30% less lean protein in comparison to Asian individuals. Hispanic individuals also showed a tendency to reduce their consumption more than White individuals, with a 34% decrease in dairy, 28% in vegetables, and 24% in fruit. In contrast, Asian individuals consumed 37% less FSS and 34% less grains than White individuals. Additionally, when compared to Asian individuals, Hispanic individuals consumed 49% less dairy and 47% less processed meat. The findings also revealed that African American individuals were the most nutritionally vulnerable group since the pandemic. Specifically, they were 38% and 35% more likely to be considered at nutritional risk than Asians and White participants, respectively. Conclusions: These findings illuminate the considerable dietary shifts induced by the COVID-19 pandemic and emphasize the critical need to address the racial disparities in nutritional vulnerability and public health policy.

In transitioning from adolescence to adulthood, college students are faced with significant challenges to their health habits. Independence, stress, and perceived lack of time by college students have been known to result in poor eating and exercise habits, which can lead to increased disease risk. To assess the feasibility and to determine preliminary efficacy of an electronic wellness program in improving diet and physical activity in college students. A 24-week diet and physical activity program was delivered via email to 148 college students. The intervention involved weekly, tailored, and interactive diet and physical activity goals. The control group received nondiet and nonexercise-related health fact sheets. Anthropometric and blood pressure measurements, as well as food frequency and physical activity surveys were conducted at baseline, week 12, and week 24. Students' choice of fruit as a snack was also monitored at study visits. Students were 18-20 years old, 69% female, and from a diverse college campus (46% Caucasian, 23% Asian, 20% African American, 11% other). At week 24, 84% of students reported reading at least half of all emails. Mean change (standard error [SE]) from baseline of saturated fat intake was marginally significant between the treatment groups at week 24, 0.7 (SE 0.42) % kcal for control and -0.3 (SE 0.30) % kcal for intervention (P=0.048). A significant difference in percent of snacks chosen that were fruit (χ(2)1, N=221 = 11.7, P<0.001) was detected between the intervention and control group at week 24. Use of an electronic wellness program is feasible in college students and resulted in a decrease in saturated fat intake and an increase in observed fruit intake compared to a control group.

Abstract Recent advances in technology related to objective measures of dietary intake have led to tools such as the Veggie Meter®. The Veggie Meter uses pressure-mediated reflection spectroscopy to determine skin carotenoid status as an objective proxy of fruit and vegetable intake. This project is part of a larger study to determine seasonal changes in skin carotenoids of residents in an urban setting. The purpose of this project is to report baseline measures of skin carotenoids in a subset of older urban adults. Adults frequenting community events (senior center, food pantries, health fairs) consented to triplicate Veggie Meter readings. Adults (n=54) ages >60 years old who provided consent completed a survey and a baseline Veggie Meter reading. Participants were 68% female with a mean ± standard deviation age of 68 ± 7.2 years. Mean BMI was 29.9 ± 7.47 kg/m² . Most were non-smokers (75%). Participants identified as African American (78%), Caucasian (7%), two or more races (7%), or other race (6%). Mean Veggie Meter score was 275.6 ± 98.88. Smokers had a significantly lower Veggie Meter® score (216±73.4) than non-smokers (295 ± 98.7) p=0.006. Conclusion: For this sample of older adults in the DC area, differences in skin carotenoid status was seen by smoking status. Additional data is pending for Winter, Spring and Summer readings to determine whether seasonal variations exist in skin carotenoid status as measured by the Veggie Meter.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic exacerbated food insecurity in the United States, with older adults facing heightened vulnerability due to fixed incomes, chronic illness, and limited mobility. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted with 4961 urban U.S. adults aged 65 and older. Food insecurity was assessed using the USDA Six-Item Short Form. Paired sample t-tests, chi-square tests, and multivariate logistic regression were used to examine demographic predictors of food insecurity before and during the pandemic. Results: Logistic regression indicated that race and income were significant predictors of food insecurity. African American and Hispanic participants were 92.1% and 126.4%, respectively, more likely to experience food insecurity than White participants (p < 0.001). Compared with those earning less than USD 50,000, participants earning USD 50,000–USD 100,000 and USD 100,000+ were 32.4% and 63.8% less likely to experience food insecurity (p < 0.001). Bivariate analyses showed that food insecurity increased most among African Americans (9.2%) and middle-income participants (USD 50,000–USD 100,000: 11.0%). Education did not remain significant in the adjusted model. Conclusions: Older adults of color and those with lower incomes were disproportionately impacted by food insecurity during the pandemic. The findings highlight the need for targeted, equity-driven policy responses to mitigate food insecurity in older adulthood.

Introduction Consuming calories later in the day is associated with obesity and metabolic syndrome. We hypothesized that eating a late dinner alters metabolic function during sleep in a manner that promotes obesity. Methods We compared metabolic effects of routine dinnertime (RD, 18:00) versus late dinnertime (LD, 22:00) with a fixed sleep period (23:00-07:00) on the daily metabolic profile of healthy volunteers in a randomized crossover study. An isocaloric diet was administered at 8:00, 13:00, 18:00, or 22:00. For RD, dinner (35% daily kcal) was given at 18:00 and a snack (10% kcal) was given at 22:00; for LD, these meals were reversed. Peripheral venous blood samples were collected at 1-hour intervals from 17:00 to 12:00 the next day on both visits. We assessed plasma triglycerides (TG), free fatty acids (FFAs), glucose, insulin, cortisol, and sleep architecture. Participants ingested a lipid tracer, [2H31]palmitate with dinner to measure fatty acid oxidation. Time series data was analyzed using mixed effects regression models. Results To date, eight participants (5 male and 3 females) aged 26.4 ± 0.7 years old, with a BMI of 24.1 ± 1.2 kg/m2 completed the study. During sleep, LD increased plasma glucose (β=16.8 mg/dl, P<0.001), insulin (β=15.4 μU/ml, P<0.001), cortisol (β=1.5 μg/dl, P=0.017), and decreased plasma FFA (β=-0.1 mmol/l, P<0.001). Morning glucose, insulin, cortisol and FFA levels were not significantly different between two visits. Morning TG were increased by RD (β=17.4 mg/dl, P<0.001). The evening postprandial period following LD was characterized by higher glucose and lower FFA as compared to RD (P<0.05). Fatty acid oxidation will be measured by serial enrichment of plasma 2H20 (pending). Dinner time did not affect sleep architecture. Conclusion LD increases nocturnal glucose, insulin, cortisol, and decreases FFA. The inhibition of nocturnal lipolysis with LD may lower morning TG. Overall, LD leads to an anabolic state during sleep that might promote the development of obesity. Support (If Any) R01HL135483, R03HL138068

Introduction: In transitioning from adolescence to adulthood, college students are faced with significant challenges to their health habits. Time, independence and stress have been known to result in poor eating and exercise habits which can lead to increased disease risk. Objective: To assess whether an electronic health intervention can improve health habits in college students. Methods: A 24-week diet and physical activity program was delivered by e-mail to 148 college students. The intervention involved weekly tailored, interactive diet and physical activity goals. The control group received non-diet-non-exercise-related health fact sheets. Baseline, 12-week, and 24-week diet and physical activity surveys were completed online. BMI, neck circumference, waist circumference, and percent fat mass (FM%) by bioelectrical impedance analysis were measured at baseline, week 12 and week 24. Results: Students were 18-20 years old 70% female from a diverse college campus (46% Caucasian, 23% Asian, 20% African American, 5% Hispanic, and 6% other). At baseline, 23% were overweight/obese by BMI, 88% reported consuming <5 fruits and vegetables daily, 59% consumed >10% of kcalories from saturated fat, although 91% met or exceeded 150 minutes/week of moderate-vigorous exercise. Seventy-one percent of students completed all study visits. Repeated measures ANOVA showed a significant treatment by linear time interaction for saturated fat. A significant change from baseline saturated fat intake was detected between the treatment groups at week 24 (mean change ± standard error 0.7±0.42% of kcal for control and -0.3±0.30% of kcal for intervention). Differences in saturated fat intake between the two treatment groups were more evident in those whose intake exceeded recommendations. BMI, neck circumference, waist circumference, FM%, weekly minutes of moderate and vigorous physical activity as well as intake of fruit, vegetables, and added sugar were not significantly different between treatment groups. Conclusion: College students enrolled in an interactive electronic health intervention decreased saturated fat intake compared to control. Furthermore, the decrease observed in the intervention group was mainly due to those whose intake of saturated fat intake was above the recommended 10% of total kcalories. Further development of the electronic intervention program is needed to maximize health benefits in college students.

As part of a study initiating the development of an analytically validated Dietary Supplement Ingredient Database (DSID) in the United States (US), a selection of dietary supplement products were analyzed for their caffeine content. Products sold as tablets, caplets, or capsules and listing at least one caffeine-containing ingredient (including botanicals such as guarana, yerba mate, kola nut, and green tea extract) on the label were selected for analysis based on market share information. Two or three lots of each product were purchased and analyzed using high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). Each analytical run included one or two National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Standard Reference Materials (SRMs) and two products in duplicate. Caffeine intake per serving and per day was calculated using the maximum recommendations on each product label. Laboratory analysis for 53 products showed product means ranging from 1 to 829 mg caffeine/day. For products with a label amount for comparison (n = 28), 89% (n = 25) of the products had analytically based caffeine levels/day of between -16% and +16% of the claimed levels. Lot-to-lot variability (n = 2 or 3) for caffeine in most products (72%) was less than 10%.

In this column, the author addresses the use of dietary supplements and prenatal vitamins during pregnancy.In this column, the author addresses the use of dietary supplements and prenatal vitamins during pregnancy.