Browsing by master's degree program "Ihmisen ravitsemuksen ja ruokakäyttäytymisen maisteriohjelma"

We assessed the association between hair cortisol concentration (HCC), a biomarker for long-term stress, and pre-schoolers’ diet on the macronutrient level in this cross-sectional study. The data was collected in 2015-16 from a population of 655 Finnish children of ages 3-6 years. Hair samples of 2cm from the scalp were collected to represent the HCC from the past two months. Macronutrient intake was examined using food diaries filled out by the parents and Early childhood education and Care (ECEC) on behalf of the pre-schoolers. For the socioeconomic status (SES) the parents reported their highest education level reached and family income. We evaluated the association between the pre-schoolers’ HCC and energy percentage (E%) macronutrient intake with univariate and multiple linear regression models. We evaluated three models which we adjusted for varying confounders; Model 1 had no adjustments, model 2 was adjusted with the ISO BMI and energy intake (KJ) and Model 3 had further adjustments with the highest education level and the relative household monthly income. There was no association found between the pre-schoolers’ HCC and macronutrient intake. Our results are in line with a previous study which also assessed the association between HCC and macronutrient intake in E% but not in g/day. Further studies are needed to gain a deeper understanding of the relationship between HCC and macronutrient intake in young children.

Introduction According to Finnish nutrition recommendations children should eat fruit and vegetables (FV) diversely and at least 250 g/d or five handfuls measured by the child’s hand a day. There are many possible health benefits associated with higher fruit and vegetable diversity (FVD). There is no previous information on children’s FVD in Finland. Aims The main aims were to describe the FVD of 3- to 6-year-old children’s diet in Finland and to analyse whether socioeconomic status (SES) is associated with it. The other aim was to describe which FV species the children consumed. Materials and methods The data used is from the cross-sectional DAGIS survey (n=864) conducted during 2015–2016 in eight municipalities in Finland. The data used in the analyses consisted of 3- to 6-year-old children with three complete food record days (n=760). Ingredient level food data was used to create FV variables. Using these variables, a 3-day FVD score, which indicated the number of different FV species consumed by children during the three days, was calculated for each child. Hierarchical linear model adjusted with the season of food record collection days and children’s age and gender was used to analyse whether SES was associated with FVD. The SES variables used were family relative income, perceived income adequacy and parental educational level (PEL) and all of them were categorized as three-class variables (low, middle and high). Results The median (25th; 75th percentile) of the 3-day FVD score was 10.0 (8.0; 13.0). The low PEL was associated with a lower FVD score in the children’s diet compared to the high PEL. The association remained significant after adjusting for the season of food record collection days and child’s age and gender. No association was found with family relative income or perceived income adequacy. The ten most consumed FV species per gram in children’s diet in decreasing order were juice, apple, banana, cucumber, carrot, tomato, mandarin, pear, strawberry and grapes. Conclusions The children with low PEL had lower FVD than the children with high PEL. Increasing FV consumption in Finland, from the perspectives of both quantity and FVD, is an important task for the public health as it could have important health benefits.

The purpose of this thesis was to find out how a brain-friendly dietary intervention affects plasma metabolites. The data was from the BraVe (Brainfood interVention) study conducted by Fazer, Nokia, Nightingale and Afekta Technologies. 88 working aged men and women underwent an 8-week diet-switch trial: first 4 weeks consisted of a control diet similar to a typical western diet and the following 4 weeks of an intervention diet which emphasized brain-friendly foods. Lunch was controlled and the subjects received nutritional guidance as well as breakfast cereals and healthy snack options to take home. Dietary intake was measured with food diaries and transformed into FFQ-like data and the subjects were divided into four groups based on their diet compliance. Also weight, blood glucose, insulin, CRP, cholesterol and plasma metabolites were measured during the trial. The metabolite samples were analysed with liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and identified with MS-DIAL. Correlations between metabolites and food groups were determined with SPSS. There were 99 significantly correlating (FDR p<0.1) metabolites: phospholipids, phosphatidylcholines, amino acids and acylcarnitines. 42 metabolites remained unknown. The strongest correlations were found between the intake of red meat and PC(O-16:0/20:4) (=0,494, FDR-p<0,001) and LysoPC(O-16:0) (=0,423, FDR-p<0,001) and between the intake of full grain products and 3,2-dihydroksyfenyylivalericacid (=0,418, FDR-p<0,001). Compliance to brain-friendly diet affected the strength and significance of the metabolite correlations . The results of this thesis are similar to those previously found in metabolomics which suggests that the results are valid and the trial successful. These results provide also additional information in the field of metabolomics which can be useful in further research.

Background Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), such as butyrate, acetate and propionate, mainly originate from dietary fibre fermentation in the colon. In recent years, additional gastrointestinal (local) and systemic effects of SCFAs have been observed in vitro and in both animals and humans in vivo. Faecal SCFAs have been associated with several conditions and diseases, including irritable bowel syndrome, type 2 diabetes, colorectal cancer, and cardiovascular diseases. Aim(s) The BEAN MAN study was carried out to assess the effects of the partial replacement of red and processed meat with legumes on nutrient intake, nutritional status, and the risk factors of type 2 diabetes, colorectal cancer and cardiovascular diseases. This thesis was part of the BEAN MAN study and investigated the effects of partially replacing red and processed meat with legumes on the concentration and composition of faecal SCFAs in healthy, working-age Finnish men. As a secondary outcome, the intake of dietary fibre and soluble polysaccharides were assessed and correlations between the total and individual SCFAs were analysed. Methods The BEAN MAN study was a 6-week randomized dietary intervention, with two diet groups in a parallel design. The Conventional Finnish diet group (Conventional FIN) was given 760 g/week of red and processed meat, corresponding the average meat consumption of Finnish men. The Flexitarian/Legume group (Flex/Leg) received 200 g/week of red and processed meat, and legume products to provide an equal amount of protein as 560 g of red meat. The faecal samples obtained from the participants before and at the end of the intervention period were freeze-dried, and SCFA were extracted and analysed using gas chromatography. Dietary fibre intake was analysed based on 4-day food records. Results At the endpoint, no significant differences in total (p = 0.560) nor individual SCFAs concentration and composition between the two diet groups were observed (ANCOVA, baseline as a covariate). The dietary fibre intake of the Flex/Leg group was higher (p < 0,001) when compared to the Conventional FIN. This was not the case for soluble polysaccharides. No correlation between the dietary fibre intake and the concentration of total or individual SCFA was found. Conclusion The concentration and composition of faecal SCFAs were not significantly affected by the partial replacement of red and processed meat with legumes during the 6-week intervention. This may highlight a more complex relationship between diet, microbiota and the production of SCFA.

Background: Birch hemicellulose, mainly composed of glucuronoxylan (GX), is emerging as a sustainable food hydrocolloid. However, studies on health impacts of GX are limited. Aim(s): To study the effects of birch-derived GX on the expression of tight junction proteins in the colonic mucosa of healthy rats. Methods: An animal intervention study was conducted on 42 rats, stratified into three groups that received different diets for 28 days: 1) AIN-93 + 10% of cellulose (control), 2) AIN-93 + 10% of highly purified GX (GXpure), and 3) AIN-93 + 10% polyphenol-and-GX-rich extract (GXpoly). Protein expressions in the proximal and distal colon were analysed with western blot and examined with ANOVA and Tukey’s post-hoc tests. Results: In the proximal colon, no statistically significant differences in occludin, claudin-1 and claudin-7 expression were observed between the control and GX-diet groups. Similarly, no statistically significant differences in all tight junction proteins expressions were observed between the three groups. There were no differences in the results when adjusted for sex. Conclusion: The findings suggest that birch-derived GX consumption did not significantly alter the expression of TJ proteins, which is a positive sign for its usage as food hydrocolloids. As this is one of the first studies on this topic, further research, especially on a diseased model, is needed before determining the safety of birch-derived GX for human consumption.

Background: Consumption of vegetables, fruits, and berries (VFB) is connected to better health. However, most Finnish adults fail to consume the recommended 500 grams a day. Service workers share risk factors for poor financial situation and low socioeconomic status (SES). Low SES is often perceived as a barrier to healthy eating and is associated with low intake of VFB. Food choice motives (FCMs) are associated with dietary choices. Aims: This thesis aimed to investigate, how sociodemographic factors and VFB consumption are associated. Another aim was to research, if service working adults’ FCMs of eating “healthy”, “locally grown”, “environmentally friendly” and “rich in VFB” diet are associated with their VFB consumption and if income level or self-perceived adequacy of income moderate the associations. Materials and Methods: The data was gathered in 2019 from PAM members (N=6435) with a questionnaire and data provided by Statistical Finland from 2019 connected to the questionnaire answers. VFB consumption frequencies and sociodemographic variables were studied with one-way ANOVAs. VFB consumptions, FCMs, and income levels were analysed with correlations. Linear regression models were built for FCMs and VFB consumptions and adjusted with two sets of sociodemographic factors. The first models of VFB consumption and absolute FCMs were moderated with income level and income adequacy. Results: Women, married and university-level educated participants, participants considering themselves healthy and reporting adequate income consumed more VFB than their counterparts. FCMs correlated with VFB consumptions and were able to explain 10-20% of their variation. Self-perceived adequacy of income did not moderate the associations. However, the interaction effect of income level was significant with FCM “healthy” p<0.01 and with FCM “rich in VFB” p<0.01 and berry consumption. Those with higher income levels ate more berries when the FCMs were reported as unimportant, but less when the FCMs were reported as very important, compared to those with lower income levels. Conclusions: Even though the participants had financial difficulties, the FCMs were associated with the service workers’ VFB consumption. The interaction effect of income level was significant with FCMs “healthy” and “rich in VFB” and berry consumption.

Verenpainetta ja kolesterolia alentavien lääkkeiden käyttö yleistyy väestön lisääntyvän lihomisen vuoksi. Rationaalinen lääkehoito on keskeinen hoitokeino etenkin perinnöllisen alttiuden sydän- ja verisuonitauteihin omaavilla henkilöillä. Lääkehoidon lisäksi on tärkeää huomioida elintapamuutoksen rooli ruokavalion, liikunnan, tupakoinnin ja alkoholin käytön osalta, koska kohonneet verenpaine- ja kolesteroliarvot johtuvat ensisijaisesti epäterveellisistä elintavoista. Aikaisemman tutkimuksen perusteella lääkkeitä käyttävät eivät muuta elintapojaan terveellisemmiksi ja heidän vyötärönympäryksensä on suurempi verrattuna lääkkeitä käyttämättömiin. Tämän vuoksi on tärkeää tutkia verenpaine- ja kolesterolilääkkeitä käyttävien ruokatottumuksia ja muita elämäntyylejä. Verenpaine- ja kolesterolilääkkeitä käyttävien ruokavalintoja on tutkittu kansainvälisesti jonkin verran, mutta suomalaisten näitä lääkkeitä käyttävien ruokavalinnoista ei ole kovinkaan paljon tutkimustietoa saatavilla. Tämän pro gradu -tutkielman tarkoituksena oli selvittää ruoankäytön eroavaisuuksia verenpaine- ja kolesterolilääkkeitä käyttävillä ja niitä käyttämättömillä 62-86 vuotiailla päijäthämäläisillä vuonna 2012 ja vastata kysymyksiin: Millaiset ruokatottumukset verenpaine- ja kolesterolilääkkeitä käyttävillä on verrattuna niitä käyttämättömiin? Onko verenpaine- ja kolesterolilääkkeiden käytöllä yhteys ruokatottumuksiin ikääntyvillä päijäthämäläisillä? Onko verenpaine- ja kolesterolilääkkeiden käytöllä yhteyttä ruokavalion terveellisyyteen? Tutkielman tulokset antavat lisää tietoa verenpaine- ja kolesterolilääkkeitä käyttävien ruokatottumuksista ja elintavoista. Tarpeeksi kattavan tutkimuksen ja vahvan tutkimusnäytön avulla voidaan luoda suosituksia ja ohjata lääkkeitä käyttäviä parempiin valintoihin, niin yksilöllisellä kuin yhteiskunnallisella tasolla. Tietoa voidaan mahdollisesti jatkossa hyödyntää kun suunnitellaan elintapaneuvontaa lääkityksen aloitusta suunniteltaessa, sen aloituksen yhteydessä ja säännöllisesti lääkkeiden käytön aikana. Pro gradun tutkimusväestönä oli päijäthämäläinen väestökohortti, joka muodostui kolmesta ikäluokasta (tutkimuksen alkaessa iältään 52–56, 62–66, ja 72–76 vuotta (n=2 815) Tutkimushenkilöt täyttivät elintapoja ja terveydentilaa koskevia kyselyitä. Tutkielmassa hyödynnettiin Ikihyvä -Päijät-Häme 2012- tutkimuksen aineiston ruokafrekvenssikyselyn ja lääkkeidenkäyttö kysymysten vastauksia. Otos oli (n=969), joista naisten osuus oli 54% ja miesten 46%. Verenpaine- ja kolesterolilääkkeitä käyttävien ja käyttämättömien ravitsemuksen tarkastelun työkaluksi muodostettiin ravitsemussuositusten mukainen terveellisen ruokavalion pisteytys. Pisteytys mittaa ainoastaan ruokavalion kokonaisuutta, joten tutkimuksessa tarkasteltiin lisäksi siihen valittujen elintarvikeryhmien käyttöä yksi kerrallaan. Ruokatottumusten lisäksi tarkastelussa olivat muista elintavoista liikunta, tupakointi ja alkoholin käyttö. Aineistoa tutkittiin Khiin neliötestillä ja varianssianalyysillä, joissa tutkittiin lääkkeenkäyttöryhmien eroja ruokatottumuksissa. Tämän tutkimuksen perusteella ei voida todeta, että verenpaine- ja kolesterolilääkkeiden käyttö tai toisaalta käyttämättömyys olisi yhteydessä suositusten mukaisiin ruokatottumuksiin. Tilastollisesti merkitseviä eroja ruokatottumuksissa ei ollut lääkkeenkäyttöryhmien välillä. Terveellisen ravitsemuksen ja elämäntyylin avulla on mahdollista vaikuttaa ikääntyvien sydän- ja verisuonitautiriskiin. Sekä lääkitystä, että elämäntapainterventioita tarvitaan ikääntyvillä kohonneen verenpaineen ja veren kolesterolitason alentamiseksi