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ABSTRACT: To compare children with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) with controls in Iceland regarding their consumption of cow's milk in infancy, and to investigate the beta-casein fractions in Scandinavian and Icelandic cow's milk. The A1 variant of beta-casein has been shown to be diabetogenic in animal studies, and suggestions have been made that the B variant of beta-casein acts similarly. Differences in the relative proportions of beta-casein fractions might explain the lower incidence of IDDM in Iceland than in Scandinavia.
A retrospective case-control study on IDDM patients and matching controls was performed in Iceland to compare their diets in infancy. Fifty-five children with IDDM born in Iceland over a 16-year period and randomly collected controls (n = 165) were recruited to the study. Mothers of the children answered questions on breastfeeding habits and on when cow's milk products were introduced. Samples of cow's milk from randomly selected milk batches from the largest consumption areas in Iceland and Scandinavia were collected. The milk samples were freeze-dried and their beta-casein fractions were analyzed using capillary electrophoresis.
No significant difference was found between IDDM patients and controls in the frequency and duration of breastfeeding or the first introduction of cow's milk products. The analyses of milk samples showed that the percentage of the A1 and B variants of beta-casein in Icelandic milk was significantly lower than in the milk from the Scandinavian countries.
Cow's milk consumption in infancy is not related to IDDM in Iceland. The lower fraction of A1 and B beta-caseins in Icelandic cow's milk may explain why there is a lower incidence of IDDM in Iceland than in Scandinavia.
PEDIATRICS 11/2000; 106(4):719-24. · 4.47 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To investigate infants' energy intake and growth in a population with a high frequency of breast-feeding and high birth weight.
The infants' consumption was recorded once a month from 1 to 12 months of age. At the ages of 2, 4, 6, 9 and 12 months all ingested food was weighed accurately to calculate nutrient intake. A control group participated at the age of 9 months.
Participants, who were born healthy, were recruited from four different maternity wards. Growth data were collected from healthcare centres and consumption data with parents' assistance from the infants' homes.
Infants (n=250) were randomly selected and divided into a research group (n=180) and a control group (n=70). The research group participants numbered 138 (77%) and the control participants 57 (81%).
Energy intake was lower than current recommendations but was similar to that found in recent studies. Growth, as a percentage of birth weight, correlated negatively with birth weight, with r=0.77 (P<0.001) for growth to 12 months. Infants breast-fed at 7 months of age gained less weight from 6 to 9 months, 1057+/-58 g, than those not breast-fed, 1498+/-130 g (P<0.001). Analysis of the control group's intake showed that participation in the study did not affect intake.
The findings support the need for new recommendations on energy intake and new growth charts based on current knowledge about breast-fed infants. Birth weight is a determining factor of growth in infancy, and percentage weight gain during the first year of life increases as birth weight decreases.
The Icelandic Research Council, The Research Fund of the University of Iceland, The Icelandic Nutrition Council, The Students' Innovation Fund, The Icelandic Dairy Marketing Board
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition 10/2000; 54(9):695-701. · 2.46 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To identify the effect of different gestational weight gains among women of normal weight before pregnancy on babies' birth weights, and women's weights 18-24 months postpartum.
Two groups of women of normal weight before pregnancy (body mass index [BMI] 19.6-25.4 kg/m2) took part in the study (n = 200). They gained either moderate weight (9-15 kg) or high weight (18-24 kg) during pregnancy. From maternity records and telephone interviews, information on age, height, prepregnancy and postpartum weight, gestational weight gain, babies' birth weights, lactation, parity, and smoking habits was collected.
High maternal weight gain during pregnancy resulted in mean birth weight 286 g higher than that of babies of mothers who gained moderate weight. The correlation coefficient between birth weight and gestational weight gain was 0.3 (P < .001). The postpartum weight of women with high weight gain during pregnancy was 2.6+/-0.38 kg (mean +/- standard error of the mean [SEM]) more than before pregnancy but the group of moderate weight gain weighed 0.1+/-0.47 kg less than before pregnancy (P < .001). However, most women in both groups (88.6%) regained normal weight, and prepregnant weight correlated strongly with the weight 18-24 months postpartum (r = 0.79, P < .001). There was not a significant correlation between the duration of lactation and postpartum weight loss (r = 0.04, P > .05).
High gestational weight gain among women of normal weight before pregnancy increases birth weight and women's weight postpartum, compared with moderate weight gain. Prepregnant weight is more indicative of postpartum weight, and women reach normal weight again irrespective of gestational weight gain.
Obstetrics and Gynecology 10/1998; 92(3):377-83. · 4.73 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The object of the study was to investigate the effects of sugar beet fiber in formula diet on blood glucose, serum insulin and serum hydroxyproline in humans.
Two formula test meals with and without 7 g of sugar beet fiber, namely 5.1 g total dietary fiber, were ingested on two mornings, in random order, by the subjects.
The test meals were served in a clinic to the subjects after a 12 h fast.
Fifteen healthy male human volunteers (mean age 25 y, range 21-42) registered to participate in the study after an announcement.
The test meals of formulas contained similar amounts of nutrients and gave total energy of 1778 kJ (425 kcal). Blood samples were drawn before and after the test meals. The total test time from the start of ingestion of the meal was 155 min.
The formula with sugar beet fiber reduced the postprandial blood glucose response (P < 0.05), serum insulin response (P < 0.025) and serum hydroxyproline response (P < 0.025), compared with the formula without fiber.
Sugar beet fiber in a formula could thus reduce hyperglycemia in enteral nutrition and be useful in therapeutic liquid and formula diets. Sugar beet fiber was shown to tolerate preparation for canning well, namely homogenization and heating, and to be capable of diminishing the glycemic responses in the relatively small amount used.
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition 02/1998; 52(2):155-6. · 2.46 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To access publisher full text version of this article. Please click on the hyperlink in Additional Links field Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) is one of the fastest growing diseases in developed countries. All research shedding light on how to prevent IDDM is therefore of great value. The search for scientific explanations has considered genetic and environmental factors where food, especially milk, has come to play a key role. The varying incidence of IDDM among the Nordic countries provides an opportunity to investigate food factors important in the development of dietary recommendations to prevent IDDM. The incidence of IDDM is lower in Iceland than among the genetically related nations of Scandinavia. Recent animal research in New Zealand has pinpointed a specific protein fraction in cow's milk, A 1 β-casein, as one of the possible causes of an immunological destruction of the pancreatic β- cells resulting in IDDM. Milk protein allele frequencies in Nordic cattle breeds varies, and preliminary results indicate that A 1 β-casein is especially low in Icelandic milk
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International Journal of Obesity 31 (2007) 10.
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A Yngve,
I De Bourdeaudhuij,
A Wolf,
A Grjibovski,
J Brug,
P Due,
B Ehrenblad,
I Elmadfa,
Bela Franchini,
K I Klepp,
E Poortvliet,
M Rasmussen, I Thorsdottir,
C Perez Rodrigo
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ABSTRACT: Objectives: To assess country differences in prevalence of overweight, obesity, underweight and stunting in the Pro Children Survey. Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted in a random sample of schools in nine European countries in 2003. The subjects were 8317 11-year-old children from Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Iceland, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden. Parents reported height and weight of the children, and BMI values were analysed using the US Centers of Disease Control and Prevention and the International Obesity Task Force reference populations. Continuous variables were compared with one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Games-Howell post hoc tests. Categorical variables were analysed using chi-square tests. Results: The prevalence of overweight + obesity varied between the countries from 8.6% to 30.6% and 5.9% to 26.5%, respectively, depending on the reference population, with the lowest prevalence in Dutch girls, the highest in Portuguese boys. Obesity prevalence varied from 1.1% (Dutch and Danish girls) to 10.7% (Portuguese boys) and from 0.3% (Dutch girls) to 6.2% (Portuguese boys), respectively. Portugal and Spain had the highest prevalence of overweight and obesity for both genders. The ranking of the countries according to overweight and obesity prevalence was roughly the same, independent of reference population. The prevalence of underweight varied from 2.3% (Swedish boys) to 12.3% (Belgian boys), using the American reference population. The proportion of stunted children was highest in Portugal, Spain and Belgium. Conclusions: The highest levels of overweight, obesity and stunting in the pro children material are found in Portugal and Spain. Keywords: childhood, Europe, growth, short stature
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ABSTRACT: To access publisher full text version of this article. Please click on the hyperlink in Additional Links field AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Epidemiological research indicates that long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC n-3 PUFA) improve insulin resistance. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of seafood consumption on insulin resistance in overweight participants during energy restriction. METHODS: In this 8 week dietary intervention, 324 participants (20-40 years, BMI 27.5-32.5 kg/m(2), from Iceland, Spain and Ireland) were randomised by computer to one of four energy-restricted diets (-30E%) of identical macronutrient composition but different LC n-3 PUFA content: control (n = 80; no seafood; single-blinded); lean fish (n = 80; 150 g cod, three times/week); fatty fish (n = 84; 150 g salmon, three times/week); (4) fish oil (n = 80; daily docosahexaenoic/eicosapentaenoic acid capsules, no other seafood; single-blinded). Fasting glucose, insulin, adiponectin, plasma triacylglycerol and fatty acids in erythrocyte membrane were measured at baseline and endpoint. Insulin resistance was calculated using the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Linear models with fixed effects and covariates were used to investigate the effects of seafood consumption on fasting insulin and HOMA-IR at endpoint in comparison with the control group. RESULTS: Of the participants, 278 (86%) completed the intervention. Fish oil intake was a significant predictor of fasting insulin and insulin resistance after 8 weeks, and this finding remained significant even after including weight loss, triacylglycerol reduction, increased LC n-3 PUFA in membranes or adiponectin changes as covariates in the statistical analysis. Weight loss was also a significant predictor of improvements. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: LC n-3 PUFA consumption during energy reduction exerts positive effects on insulin resistance in young overweight individuals, independently from changes in body weight, triacylglycerol, erythrocyte membrane or adiponectin. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00315770. Funding: The YOUNG study is part of the SEAFOODplus Integrated Project, which is funded by the EC through the 6th Framework Programme Contract No. FOOD-CT-2004-506359.
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ABSTRACT: To access Publisher full text version of this article. Please click on the hyperlink in Additional Link Background: Intake of fruit and vegetables, which are important sources of antioxidant nutrients, has frequently been inversely related to the risk of chronic diseases. Objective: To investigate the serum concentration of vitamin C and β-carotene in relation to fruit and vegetable intake in 6-year-old children and their parents. Design: An observational study on families of healthy 6-year-old children in the Greater Reykjavik area. Serum vitamin C and β-carotene were analysed. Fruit and vegetable intake of children and their parents was assessed by 3 day weighed food records and by a food frequency questionnaire. Results: A positive correlation was seen in serum vitamin C concentration (r=0.454–0.570, p<0.005) and serum β-carotene concentration (r=0.385–0.497, p<0.02) between family members. The total intake of fruit, vegetables and fruit juice was 164±124g (mean±SD), 302±181g and 238±175g for children, mothers and fathers, respectively. Family members’ intake of fresh fruit, fruit juice and green leafy vegetables was positively related (r=0.227, p<0.02 and r=0.313, p<0.01 between children and their mother and father, respectively, and r=0.247, p<0.05 between parents). Conclusions: The relationship between children's and their parents’ fruit and vegetable intake is supported in the present study by an even stronger correlation of serum vitamin C and β-carotene between family members. Interventions aimed at increasing fruit and vegetable consumption by children should focus on the whole family.
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ABSTRACT: To access publisher full text version of this article. Please click on the hyperlink in Additional Link field Background: The Icelandic bovine herd has been isolated for over 1100 years. Knowledge is needed about how its milk constituents differ from those of milk in the other Nordic countries, where cattle have been interbred with other European races. As milk and dairy products comprise a substantial part of food intake, especially in children, variations in cow's milk composition may be of value when considering environmental factors in public health. Regional variation in milk composition may explain contradictory results from studies on milk consumption and aetiology of diseases, type 1 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. Objective: To investigate differences in milk composition, particularly substances suggested to influence public health. Design: Analyses of the proteins ß-casein and ß-lactoglobulin, as well as fatty acid profiles and nitrates, were performed in samples of cow's milk as sold to consumers, at four different times during 1 year in three different regions in Iceland and in the capital areas of the other countries. Results: The Icelandic milk was significantly (p<0.05) lower in ß-casein fractions A1 and B and higher in the A2 fraction, lower in ß-lactoglobulin B and higher in A (p<0.001), had less than half in n-6/n-3 ratio and was higher in the very long-chain n-3 fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid. It was slightly higher in saturated fatty acids. No significant difference was seen in the total amount of ß-caseins, ß-lactoglobulins or nitrates. Conclusions: Although slightly higher in saturated fatty acids, the Icelandic milk has a composition of proteins and fatty acids that may be associated with health benefits.
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ABSTRACT: To access publisher full text version of this article. Please click on the hyperlink in Additional Links field BACKGROUND/AIMS: To investigate lactating mothers' intake of fat-soluble vitamins in free-living subjects and to what extent cod liver oil supplementation influences the maternal intake in a population with common intake of cod liver oil. The impact of maternal diet on the concentration of fat-soluble vitamins in human milk was studied. METHODS: Dietary intake of 77 lactating women was investigated by 24-hour diet recalls and breast-milk samples were taken at the same occasions. Breast milk samples were analyzed for fat-soluble vitamins. RESULTS: The median intakes were 927 microg/day for vitamin A, 5.5 mg/day for vitamin E and 3.3 microg/day for vitamin D. Maternal vitamin A, E and D intakes were higher when the diet was supplemented with cod liver oil. Icelandic breast milk was found to have high contents of vitamin A and E. Only vitamin D was too low in breast milk to meet the recommended intake for infants. Retinylpalmitate in relation to lipids correlated with maternal vitamin A intake (r = 0.23, p < 0.05). The group with cod liver oil supplementation had significantly lower levels of gamma-tocopherol in breast milk (p < 0.01), whereas the supplementation did not affect other fat-soluble vitamins. CONCLUSION: The recommended intake of fat-soluble vitamins for lactating women can more easily be met with a cod liver oil supplementation than diet alone. Only vitamin D in human milk cannot meet the recommended intakes for infants, with normal breastfeeding. There is a relationship between the content of vitamins A and E in human milk and the maternal diet.
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ABSTRACT: The aim of the study was to validate a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) measuring seafood intake among young adults in Europe. Participants from Iceland, Spain and Ireland (n = 56), aged 20–40, filled out a pre-coded FFQ on seafood. One week after filling out the questionnaire, the participants started a 7–14-day food record (FR). The FFQ was found suitable to rank young adults according to their customary intake of fish and fish oil, but it overestimated the amount consumed. The FFQ could be used as a tool to identify high- and low-fish consumers.
Food Control.
