Deborah Gustafson

Perspectives on Intake of Calcium-Rich Foods Among Asian, Hispanic, and White Preadolescent and Adolescent Females

OBJECTIVEnDeclining calcium intake among adolescents warrants attention. Our objective was to identify influences on adolescents consumption of calcium-rich foods.nnnDESIGNnFocus groups were conducted with girls representing 2 age groups (11 to 12 or 16 to 17 years) and 3 macroethnic groups (Asian, Hispanic, or white).nnnSETTINGnPublic schools in 10 states.nnnPARTICIPANTSnA convenience sample (n = 200) was recruited through schools.nnnVARIABLES MEASUREDnFocus groups (n = 35) were audiotaped and transcribed. Influences relative to consumption of milk or other calcium-rich foods were identified.nnnANALYSISnComments were coded as motivators or barriers within each focus group. Content analysis procedures were used to compare ethnic and age groups.nnnRESULTSnA barrier to milk consumption that was more common among older girls and Asian groups was the limited expectation within families for drinking milk. Many controlled their own beverage choices, and milk, even if liked, was only one option. Milk was positively associated with strength and bone health, but these attributes were viewed as being more important for boys than girls. Milk was associated with breakfast, school lunches, cereal, and desserts. White girls had the most positive reactions to milk and Hispanic girls the most negative. All groups were positive toward pizza, ice cream, and cheese.nnnCONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONSnTo improve calcium intake among teens, interventions should include a family component, stress the benefits of milk for girls, and focus on breakfast.

Hypertension and related factors in the etiology of Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: The prevalence of hypertension is estimated to approach 50% in individuals above age 70. The consequences of hypertension include cerebrovascular disease, coronary heart disease, and general atherosclerosis. Several recent studies suggest that there may be an association also between hypertension and Alzheimers disease (AD). This review will examine the evidence for this association and possible pathways between hypertension, Alzheimer encephalopathy, and clinical dementia.

Calcium intake of Asian, Hispanic and white youth.

Objective: To examine calcium intake and food sources among Asian, white and Hispanic youth, in order to develop and target interventions to improve calcium intake. Methods: Cross-sectional survey with two 24-hour dietary recalls one week apart. Calcium intake was evaluated in 167 male and female adolescents of Asian, Hispanic and white ethnicity, ages 10–18 years, from six states. Main outcome measures were mean daily calcium intake (mg/day). Statistical analyses performed: t tests, Chi-square and analysis of variance for differences by age, ethnicity and gender, multiple regression of factors influencing calcium intake. Results: Overall median calcium intake was 938 mg/day with 868 mg/day for Asians, 1180 mg/day for whites and 896 mg/day for Hispanics. Daily milk intake was the primary predictor of calcium intake with Asian ethnicity and female gender each showing a negative association to calcium intake in multiple regression models. Conclusions: Milk intake was the primary factor positively influencing calcium intake, while Asian ethnicity and female gender negatively influenced calcium intake. Thus, interventions to improve calcium intake should focus on improving milk intake of Asians and females.

GSTM1 and GSTT1 polymorphisms and postmenopausal breast cancer risk

Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are a family of important enzymes involved in the detoxification of a wide variety of known and suspected carcinogens, including potential mammary carcinogens identified in charred meats and tobacco smoke. A substantial proportion of the Caucasian population has a homozygous deletion (null) of the GSTM1 or GSTT1 gene, which results in lack of production of these isoenzymes. We conducted a case-control study in a cohort of postmenopausal Iowa women who in 1986 completed a mailed questionnaire on lifestyle factors including information on cigarette smoking and breast cancer risk factors. DNA samples and information related to charred meat intake were obtained, in the case-control study, from breast cancer cases diagnosed during 1992–1994, and a random sample of cancer-free cohort members. Included in this study were 202 cases and 481 controls who were genotyped for GSTM1 or GSTT1 gene polymorphisms. Compared to women who had both GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes, a 60% elevated risk (95% CI = 1.0–2.5) was observed among those whose GSTM1 or GSTT1 gene was deleted. When stratified by meat eating habits, the risk of breast cancer associated with null GSTM1 or GSTT1 genotype was observed primarily among women who ate meats consistently well- or very well-done. Women who carried either one of the null genotypes and consumed meat consistently well- or very well-done had a 3.4-fold elevated risk of developing breast cancer (95% CI = 1.6–7.1). Cigarette smoking was not a risk factor for breast cancer among women who had either the GSTM1 or GSTT1 genes. Among those with the null GSTT1 genotype, however, a significantly elevated risk of breast cancer was associated with cigarette smoking (OR = 2.5, 95% CI = 1.1–5.4) and the association was stronger among former (OR = 4.4, 95% CI = 1.5–12.8) than current smokers (OR = 1.3, 95% CI = 0.4–4.1). This study suggests that certain null GST genotypes may be associated with an elevated risk of breast cancer and the association may be modified by charred meat intake and cigarette smoking.

Age Differences in Milk Consumption as a Snack and by Eating Occasion

This article is based on findings of the W-191 Regional Research Project, Motivators and Barriers to the Consumption of Calcium-rich Foods, which was partially funded by the Agriculture Experiment Stations in Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. The authors wish to acknowledge the assistance of Dr. Carol Boushey, Assistant Professor, Purdue University, in the preparation and editing of this manuscript. Snacking frequency has risen in the past decade. Adolescents may obtain up to one-third of their calories from snacks. Consequently, snacking may have a significant impact on overall, as well as, individual nutrient intake. Calcium intake is a concern for adolescents because of its potential to affect long term bone health. As part of a larger study, researchers in 10 states gathered focus group data on motivators and barriers to calcium-rich snack choices in preadolescents (11–12 years old) and adolescents (16–17 years old). Age was found to influence calcium-rich snack choices. Milk was a less common snack choice for older adolescents. For both age groups, soda/soft drink consumption often replaced milk as a beverage and consequently was a barrier to calcium nutriture. Eating away from home was associated with a lower intake of both milk and other calcium-rich foods.