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Nutritional Epidemiology of Non-communicable Diseases—Feature Papers

A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Nutritional Epidemiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2024) | Viewed by 12306

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Guest Editor
College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, School of Public Health, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 2Z4, Canada
Interests: nutritional epidemiology; vitamin D; calcium; national nutrition surveys; osteoporosis; bone health; CVD
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Nutritional epidemiology is the application of epidemiological methods to the study of how diet is related to health and disease in human populations. Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), also known as chronic diseases, such as heart disease, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes, are the leading causes of death worldwide and represent an emerging global health threat. The exposure measure of interest in nutritional epidemiology is usually long-term diet, since the effects of intake on most health outcomes, especially those related to NCDs, are likely to occur over extended periods.

The aim of this Special Issue is to collect feature papers (including original research and review articles) on the nutritional epidemiology of non-communicable diseases. Examining the role of nutritional epidemiology may reduce diet-related deaths from non-communicable diseases, induce dietary changes and create healthy and sustainable diets, preserve human and planetary health, and enable the identification of dietary patterns that meet the recommendations for healthy and sustainable diets.

Prof. Dr. Hassan Vatanparast
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • nutritional epidemiology
  • non-communicable diseases
  • chronic diseases
  • prevention nutrition
  • dietary pattern
  • food consumption
  • sustainable diets

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Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

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11 pages, 261 KiB  
Article
Study of the Association Between Diets Containing Nuts and Seeds and the Degree of Abdominal Aortic Calcification
by Larry A. Tucker
Nutrients 2024, 16(24), 4325; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16244325 - 15 Dec 2024
Viewed by 942
Abstract
Background: The association between nuts and seeds (nuts/seeds) consumption and abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) has been studied rarely, if at all. However, AAC is a good marker of CVD risk and premature mortality. Consequently, the present observational study was conducted. It had [...] Read more.
Background: The association between nuts and seeds (nuts/seeds) consumption and abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) has been studied rarely, if at all. However, AAC is a good marker of CVD risk and premature mortality. Consequently, the present observational study was conducted. It had two primary purposes: (1) to determine the relationship between the consumption of nuts/seeds and AAC, and (2) to examine the effects of nine potential confounding variables on the relationship between nuts/seeds consumption and AAC. Methods: The sample included 2611 randomly selected adults representative of the United States population. Data were collected as part of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). The outcome measure was AAC, divided into three categories: none, mild, and moderate/severe. Total consumption of nuts/seeds was assessed utilizing the mean of two diet recall assessments. Results: There was an inverse dose–response relationship between categories of nuts/seeds consumption and AAC, with age, sex, and race controlled (F = 6.4, p = 0.0233). After controlling for the demographic variables and physical activity, hypertension status, waist circumference, diabetes status, and smoking, the relationship between nuts/seeds and AAC was minimally affected (F = 6.0, p = 0.0268). Conclusions: In conclusion, nuts/seeds consumption appears to differentiate among adults with different levels of AAC. Control of many covariates had little impact on the associations. The recommendations of the U.S. Dietary Guidelines (2020–2025) that encourage the eating of nuts/seeds are supported by the results of this investigation. Full article
15 pages, 1746 KiB  
Article
Impact of Dietary Niacin on Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease in Mediterranean Subjects: A Population-Based Study
by Maria Antentas, Marina Idalia Rojo-López, Pau Vendrell, Minerva Granado-Casas, Idoia Genua, Berta Fernandez-Camins, Joana Rossell, Julia Niño-Narvión, Estefanía Moreira, Esmeralda Castelblanco, Emilio Ortega, Bogdan Vlacho, Nuria Alonso, Didac Mauricio and Josep Julve
Nutrients 2024, 16(23), 4178; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16234178 - 30 Nov 2024
Viewed by 1228
Abstract
Background: The impact of dietary niacin on metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is elusive. This sub-study aimed to investigate the relationship between dietary niacin intake and the presence of MASLD in participants from two Catalonian cohorts. Methods: A total of 222 subjects [...] Read more.
Background: The impact of dietary niacin on metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is elusive. This sub-study aimed to investigate the relationship between dietary niacin intake and the presence of MASLD in participants from two Catalonian cohorts. Methods: A total of 222 subjects with MASLD were age- and sex-matched to 222 non-MASLD subjects. Dietary nutrients were analyzed using a validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Dietary niacin and other nutrients were adjusted for total energy intake. MASLD was defined by a Fatty Liver Index (FLI) of >60 and by having at least one component of metabolic syndrome. The association between niacin intake (distributed into tertiles) and the presence of MASLD was assessed using multivariate logistic regression. Potential non-linear relationships were also analyzed through restricted cubic spline regression (RCS). Results: Our data revealed that subjects with MASLD had worse metabolic profiles. The dietary intake of niacin did not differ between subjects with and without MASLD. Even after adjusting for different confounding variables, i.e., sociodemographic variables, smoking status, physical activity, and cardiometabolic comorbidities, no significant associations were observed between higher intakes of niacin (tertiles 2 and 3) and the presence of MASLD: odds ratio (95% confidence) second tertile: 0.99 (0.89–1.09); third tertile: 0.98 (0.89–1.10). However, RCS analysis uncovered a significant non-linear dose-response association between dietary niacin intake and odds of MASLD. Specifically, such analysis revealed that MASLD risk was decreased in subjects with niacin intake values of <35 mg/day. Conclusions: Our data showed that dietary niacin intake was associated with lower odds of MASLD in a Mediterranean population; however, our logistic regression analysis failed to reveal significant associations between the intake of niacin and the risk of MASLD. Further research is warranted to establish a causal relationship between dietary niacin interventions and MASLD. Full article
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15 pages, 921 KiB  
Article
Evaluating the Screening Capability of the SarQoL Questionnaire in Sarcopenic Obesity: A Comparison Study Between Spanish and Belgian Community-Dwelling Older Adults
by Angela Diago-Galmés, Carlos Guillamón-Escudero, Jose M. Tenías-Burillo, Jose M. Soriano and Julio Fernandez-Garrido
Nutrients 2024, 16(22), 3904; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16223904 - 15 Nov 2024
Viewed by 1098
Abstract
Background/Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the potential of the SarQoL questionnaire as a screening tool for sarcopenic obesity by comparing its effectiveness in Spanish and Belgian community-dwelling older people. This research seeks to address the primary question of whether the SarQoL can [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the potential of the SarQoL questionnaire as a screening tool for sarcopenic obesity by comparing its effectiveness in Spanish and Belgian community-dwelling older people. This research seeks to address the primary question of whether the SarQoL can reliably differentiate quality of life impacts between these groups. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving community-dwelling older adults from Valencia (Spain) and Liège (Belgium). Participants were assessed using the SarQoL questionnaire, which measures health-related quality of life specifically for sarcopenia, and a sarcopenic obesity diagnostic method based on a combination of the EWGSOP2 criteria for sarcopenia and of body mass index for obesity. The sample included diverse demographic and clinical characteristics to ensure comprehensive analysis. Statistical methods were employed to compare the outcomes between the two populations. Results: The study highlighted a significant relationship between quality-of-life scores and the prevalence of sarcopenic obesity in the Spanish and Belgian populations. The SarQoL questionnaire effectively identified lower quality of life in individuals with sarcopenic obesity, demonstrating its potential as a reliable screening tool across different populations. In conclusion, the SarQoL questionnaire proved to be an effective tool for evaluating quality of life and for screening individuals with sarcopenic obesity. Conclusions: Future research should prioritize longitudinal studies to determine the SarQoL questionnaire’s predictive value and investigate interventions to alleviate the adverse effects of sarcopenic obesity. Our results highlight the critical need to include quality of life assessments in managing sarcopenic obesity, advocating for a comprehensive approach to patient care. Full article
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17 pages, 870 KiB  
Article
Trends in Plant-Based Diets and the Associated Health Characteristics among Canadians
by Zoe Lillian Longworth, Razieh Mohammadkhani, Michael Szafron, Ginny Lane and Hassan Vatanparast
Nutrients 2024, 16(16), 2628; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16162628 - 9 Aug 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1902
Abstract
In Canada, unhealthy dietary patterns comprise diets with poor nutrient density and are associated with chronic conditions. Plant-based diets have gained popularity due to their ability to provide a nutritionally adequate healthy diet. This study aims to compare sociodemographic, socioeconomic, and health characteristics, [...] Read more.
In Canada, unhealthy dietary patterns comprise diets with poor nutrient density and are associated with chronic conditions. Plant-based diets have gained popularity due to their ability to provide a nutritionally adequate healthy diet. This study aims to compare sociodemographic, socioeconomic, and health characteristics, and diet quality between Canadian adults following plant-based and omnivore diets as well as assess the extent to which key nutrient intakes are of public health concern among Canadians following plant-based diets. The study used nationally representative nutritional data from the 2015 Canadian Community Health Survey and descriptive statistics were computed. The analysis determined that Canadians following strict plant-based diets (1% of total population) were significantly more likely to be an immigrant to Canada, less likely to meet national physical activity guidelines, and less likely to be overweight, compared to Canadians following omnivore diets. Compared to omnivore diets, plant-based diets were nutritionally superior according to the Nutrient-Rich Food index. Continued knowledge translation on what comprises healthy plant-based diets, public guidance on the intersection between diet and health, and the completion of prospective cohort studies are needed. To conclude, the research suggests well-planned plant-based diets, in comparison to omnivore diets, offer a nutrient-dense diet. Full article
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14 pages, 419 KiB  
Article
Adherence to a Cholesterol-Lowering Diet and the Risk of Pancreatic Cancer: A Case–Control Study
by Matteo Di Maso, Livia S. A. Augustin, David J. A. Jenkins, Anna Crispo, Federica Toffolutti, Eva Negri, Carlo La Vecchia, Monica Ferraroni and Jerry Polesel
Nutrients 2024, 16(15), 2508; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16152508 - 1 Aug 2024
Viewed by 2220
Abstract
Background: Pancreatic cancer risk has been associated with increased serum cholesterol level, which is in turn partially influenced by diet. This study aimed at evaluating the association between pancreatic cancer risk and the adherence to a plant-based cholesterol-lowering diet. Methods: Data were derived [...] Read more.
Background: Pancreatic cancer risk has been associated with increased serum cholesterol level, which is in turn partially influenced by diet. This study aimed at evaluating the association between pancreatic cancer risk and the adherence to a plant-based cholesterol-lowering diet. Methods: Data were derived from an Italian case–control study including 258 pancreatic cancer patients and 551 controls. The cholesterol-lowering diet score was based on seven components: high intakes of (i) non-cellulosic polysaccharides (a proxy of viscous fibers), (ii) monounsaturated fatty acids, (iii) legumes, and (iv) seeds/corn oils (a proxy of phytosterols); and low intakes of (v) saturated fatty acids, (vi) dietary cholesterol, and (vii) food with a high glycemic index. The score was calculated adding one point for each fulfilled component, thus ranging from zero (no adherence) to seven (complete adherence). The odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated through the logistic regression model. Results: Scores 5–7 were associated with reduced cancer risk (OR = 0.30; 95% CI: 0.18–0.52) compared to scores 0–2. Conclusions: Adherence to a plant-based cholesterol-lowering diet was associated with a reduced risk of pancreatic cancer. Full article
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15 pages, 1033 KiB  
Article
Vitamin D and the Risk of Developing Hypertension in the SUN Project: A Prospective Cohort Study
by Ana Valer-Martinez, Maira Bes-Rastrollo, Jose Alfredo Martinez, Miguel Angel Martinez-Gonzalez and Carmen Sayon-Orea
Nutrients 2024, 16(14), 2351; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16142351 - 20 Jul 2024
Viewed by 1609
Abstract
Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with a higher risk of multiple diseases, including cardiovascular disorders. The purpose of this study was to examine the potential association between predicted levels of serum 25(OH)D and the risk of new-onset hypertension in a large Mediterranean [...] Read more.
Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with a higher risk of multiple diseases, including cardiovascular disorders. The purpose of this study was to examine the potential association between predicted levels of serum 25(OH)D and the risk of new-onset hypertension in a large Mediterranean cohort. A validated 136-item food frequency questionnaire was used as the dietary assessment tool. 25(OH)D serum levels were predicted using a previously validated equation. We performed Cox regression models to analyze the association between predicted serum 25(OH)D and the risk of hypertension, according to quartiles of forecasted vitamin D at baseline, after adjusting for multiple potential confounders. Over a median follow-up of 12.3 years, 2338 new cases of hypertension were identified. The analyses revealed a significant inverse association between predicted serum levels of 25(OH)D at baseline and the risk of hypertension. Individuals in the highest quartile showed a 30% relatively lower risk of hypertension compared to the lowest quartile (hazard ratio (HR): 0.70; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.60–0.80, p-trend < 0.001). The outcomes remained significant after performing sensitivity analyses. The findings suggested that higher levels of forecasted vitamin D are inversely and independently associated with the risk of incident hypertension, implying that vitamin D may offer protective benefits against the disease. Full article
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17 pages, 1269 KiB  
Article
Comparative Analysis of Dietary and Supplemental Intake of Calcium and Vitamin D among Canadian Older Adults with Heart Disease and/or Osteoporosis in 2004 and 2015
by Hassan Vatanparast, Ginny Lane, Naorin Islam, Rashmi Prakash Patil, Mojtaba Shafiee and Susan J. Whiting
Nutrients 2023, 15(24), 5066; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15245066 - 11 Dec 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1955
Abstract
Despite the role of calcium and vitamin D in osteoporosis and heart disease, little research has examined changes in the intake of calcium and vitamin D among individuals with these conditions over time. Using data from the 2004 and 2015 Canadian Community Health [...] Read more.
Despite the role of calcium and vitamin D in osteoporosis and heart disease, little research has examined changes in the intake of calcium and vitamin D among individuals with these conditions over time. Using data from the 2004 and 2015 Canadian Community Health Surveys, we investigated changes in dietary and supplemental intake of calcium and vitamin D among Canadian older adults aged ≥ 50 years, both with and without heart disease and/or osteoporosis, between 2004 and 2015. Notable declines in dietary calcium intake occurred, particularly among non-supplement users. Surprisingly, individuals with osteoporosis and heart disease, who are at higher nutritional risk, were less likely to use calcium supplements in 2015 compared to 2004. Among calcium supplement users, those with osteoporosis or both conditions experienced significant reductions in their usual calcium intake in 2015, with an increased proportion failing to meet recommended intake levels. Conversely, vitamin D supplement users experienced a substantial rise in vitamin D intake in 2015. In 2015, only a small proportion of supplement users did not meet the recommended vitamin D intake levels. These findings underscore the importance of public health initiatives to facilitate safe increases in calcium and vitamin D intake for older adults, particularly those with heart disease and osteoporosis. Full article
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Review

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17 pages, 948 KiB  
Review
Consumption of Red Versus White Wine and Cancer Risk: A Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies
by Rachel K. Lim, Jongeun Rhee, Megan Hoang, Abrar A. Qureshi and Eunyoung Cho
Nutrients 2025, 17(3), 534; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17030534 - 31 Jan 2025
Viewed by 429
Abstract
Background/Objectives: While alcoholic beverage consumption increases cancer risk, red wine has been touted as a healthier option. To address this unexplored question, we conducted a meta-analysis to summarize evidence from observational studies. Methods: A literature search of PubMed and EMBASE through December 2023 [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: While alcoholic beverage consumption increases cancer risk, red wine has been touted as a healthier option. To address this unexplored question, we conducted a meta-analysis to summarize evidence from observational studies. Methods: A literature search of PubMed and EMBASE through December 2023 identified studies examining wine and cancer risk. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed to estimate relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for an association between wine intake and overall cancer risk. Results: A total of 20 cohort and 22 case–control studies were included. Wine intake was not associated with overall cancer risk (n = 95,923) when comparing the highest vs. lowest levels of consumption, with no differences observed by wine type (red: summary RR = 0.98 [95% CI = 0.87, 1.10], white: 1.00 [0.91, 1.10]; Pdifference = 0.74). However, white wine intake was significantly associated with an increased risk of cancer among women (white: 1.26 [1.05, 1.52], red: 0.91 [95% CI: 0.72, 1.16], Pdifference = 0.03) and in analyses restricted to cohort studies (white: 1.12 [1.03, 1.22], red: 1.02 [95% CI: 0.96, 1.09], Pdifference = 0.02). For individual cancer sites, there was a significant difference in associations between red and white wine intake only in skin cancer risk [6 studies, white: 1.22 (1.14, 1.30), red: 1.02 (0.95, 1.09); Pdifference = 0.0003]. Conclusions: We found no differences in the association between red or white wine consumption and overall cancer risk, challenging the common belief that red wine is healthier than white wine. Our significant results related to white wine intake in subgroup analyses warrant further investigation. Full article
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