Milena L. Mandić

Daily dietary intake of selenium in eastern Croatia.

Data on the selenium content in the soil and human milk in eastern Croatia indicate a possibility of inadequate Se status of people in the area. In order to determine the daily dietary intake of Se in eastern Croatia, a 7-day duplicate diet study was performed. There were 41 participants (18-53 years old; 14 males and 27 females). Selenium measurement was carried out in a HG-AAS. The average daily Se intake in the area is 27.3 micrograms. A significant difference (P < 0.05) exists between male (32.2 micrograms) and female (24.8 micrograms) participants. Percentage of optimum Se intake shows an inverse association with the increasing age of subjects (r = 0.43; P < 0.01). Relationship between Se intake and intakes of different foods (cereal products, milk and dairy products, meat, fish, etc.) was also examined. The sub-optimal Se intake (RDA is 55 micrograms/day for women and 70 micrograms/day for men) is a reflection of low Se levels in the environment, so supplementation of fertilizers with Se should be considered.

Adolescent acceptance of different foods by obesity status and by sex

This work investigated possible differences in food preference between obese and normal-weight adolescents, as well as between female and male seventh-grade pupils (average age = 13.1 years). Survey of affinities for nine food groups was determined with a facial hedonic scale. The children were divided according to their BMI into normal-weight and obese group, respectively. In this sample of adolescents, we could not find any proof for the theory of increased preference for fattening foods by obese compared to normal-weight people. In fact, our normal-weight group showed greater liking of sweets, meat, and cereals than the obese group. Normal-weight boys also preferred meat and sweets more than normal-weight girls. We consider psychological and social factors (e.g., perception of ideal body shape or social stigmatism of obesity) as the most logical explanations for the observed differences. Further research should clarify whether food preference plays a significant role in the etiology of adolescent obesity.

Aluminium content of soft drinks from aluminium cans

ZusammenfassungEs wurde der Aluminiumgehalt in Erfrischungsgetränken aus Aluminiumdosen im Laufe von zwölf Monaten Lagerzeit durch GFAAS gemessen. Der Aluminiumgehalt nimmt in allen Proben im Laufe der erwähnten Lagerungszeit zu als Folge des Lösens von der inneren Dosenseite her durch das VorhandenScin von aggressiven Bestandteilen in Erfrischungsgetränken, vor allem durch Säuren. Der Aluminiumgehalt steigt mit der Säurekonzentration, d. h. mit der Abnahme des pH-Wertes, in Getränken. Die Tagesaufnahme von Aluminium (0,8 mg) durch den Konsum dieser Getränke ist allerdings bedeutungslos im Vergleich mit der Gesamttagesaufnahme von Aluminium durch die Nahrung sowie im Vergleich mit der zugelassenen Tagesaufnahme. Aus diesem Grunde stellen Erfrischungsgetränke aus Aluminiumdosen keine beachtenswerte Quelle der Aluminiumaufnahme dar.AbstractThe aluminium (A1) content of soft drinks from A1 cans has been measured during 12 months of storage, by the graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry (GFAAS) method. The results show that the A1 content in all soft drinks increased during the whole storage time. This increase was a result of dissolution of A1 from the can wall due to the presence of aggressive ingredients in the soft drinks, mainly acids. The A1 content rose with increasing acid concentration and decreasing pH value of the soft drinks. The evaluated possible daily intake of A1 (0.8 mg) through consumption of these drinks was practically negligible in relation to total daily dietary Al intake, as well as to tolerable daily intake. Thus, soft drinks from A1 cans are an insignificant source of dietary A1 intake and it appears that the A1 intake from this source should not be a cause for concern in regard to A1 toxicity for the human body.

Aluminium levels in human milk

Aluminium levels in human milk in the winter period of 1992/93 ranged from 0.004 mg/l to 2.67 mg/l and the mean value was 0.38 mg/l. The nursing women were divided into several groups according to the results of a questionnaire, i.e. according to their social status (if they were refugees or not), number of deliveries, post partum day, the weight they put on during pregnancy, their age, and smoking habits. The mean levels of aluminium for each group were presented. The measurement of aluminium was done by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry.

Ash and chromium levels of some types of honey

ZusammenfassungEs wurde der Einfluß der Jahreszeit und der Pflanzenarten auf den Asche- und Chromgehalt von Honigarten studiert, und zwar Sonnenblume, Acacia, Blütenpflanzen. Der botanische Ursprung des Honigs wurde durch mikroskopische Analyse der Pollen und der organoleptischen Eigenschaften untersucht. Der Chromgehalt wurde durch Flammen-Atomabsorptions-spektrometrie bestimmt. Der mittlere Cr-Gehalt für alle Arten in zwei aufeinanderfolgenden Jahreszeiten war 0,121 μg/g Feuchtgewicht bzw. 0,1515 μ/g Trockengewicht. Für Sonnenblume, Acacia, Blüten- und Wildblume war der mittlere Gehalt des Honigs 0,103 μg/g, 0,152 μ/g, 0,125 μg/g und 0,098 μg/g Feuchtgewicht bzw. 0,1305 μg/g, 0,1883 μg/g, 0,1602 μg/g und 0,1206 μg/g Trockengewicht. Es gab einen statistisch gesicherten (P<0.05) Einfluß der Jahreszeit beim Aschegehalt und ebenso für die Pflanzenarten und Jahreszeiten beim Cr-Gehalt.AbstractThe effect of season and species of plant on the ash and chromium (Cr) content of honey was studied. There were four types of honey: sunflower, acacia, floral and wild floral. In total there were 80 samples. The botanical origin of the honey was determined by microscopic analyses of pollen as well as the organoleptic properties. The Cr content was measured by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The average Cr content in two consecutive seasons for all species was 0.121 μg/g wet weight, and 0.1515 μg/g dry weight. For sunflower, acacia, floral and wild floral honey the mean values were 0.103 μg/g, 0.152 μg/g, 0.125 μg/g and 0.098 μg/g wet weight and 0.1305 μg/g, 0.1883 μg/g, 0.1603 μg/g and 0.1206 μg/g dry weight, respectively. The average ash content in all 80 samples was 0.141%. There was a statistically significant (P<0.05) influence of season on the ash content as well as interaction of species and season on the Cr content.

Selenium content of breast milk

Selenium levels in human milk in the winter period ranged from 5.3 μg/l to 23.8 μg/l, the mean value being 11.0 μg/l. The nursing women were divided into several groups according to the results of a questionnaire, i.e. according to their social status (refugees or otherwise), number of deliveries, post partum days, the weight they had gained during pregnancy, their age and smoking habits. The mean levels of selenium for each group are presented. Selenium was determined by hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry.

Copper and zinc content in human milk in Croatia

The aim of this paper was to research whether there had been any statistically significant difference in the content of Cu and Zn in human milk depending on the social status of women (refugee and non-refugee), age, number of deliveries, days after delivery, weight gained by nursing women and smoking habits, as well as whether the infants had received sufficient quantities of these elements. The elements were determined by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy. The samples were collected in the Clinical Hospital Osijek and Refugee Centre Nabrde, near Osijek, Eastern Croatia. The Cu in human milk ranged from 0.27 mg/l to 1.35 mg/l, and Zn from 0.62 mg/l to 15.0 mg/l. The mean levels of Cu and Zn for each group, formed according to the results of the questionnaire are presented too. Calculated daily dietary intake of these elements accords with the RDA.

Daily menus can result in suboptimal nutrient intakes, especially calcium, of adolescents living in dormitories

The aims of this study were to evaluate daily menus in Croatian dormitories and to assess the overall intake of dairy products among resident adolescents. For this purpose, 168 daily menus were chosen for nutritional evaluation by random sampling. In addition, 227 adolescents (133 girls and 94 boys) participated in a questionnaire focused on food intake in addition to the meals supplied in dormitories with the aim to assess the amount and the type of dairy products consumed. The results showed that only 35% of the daily menus were nutritionally balanced. Most of the menus provided an excess of energy, protein, carbohydrate, saturated fat, phosphorus, riboflavin, and vitamin A. The levels of calcium and magnesium in the menus were suboptimal. The menus offered to adolescents provided approximately 2 servings of dairy products per day. Milk was the most often supplied dairy product (1.1 servings per day), whereas yogurt had the lowest frequency of serving (0.2 servings per day). The most preferred dairy-based snack for both sexes was milk. Dairy-based snacks provided about 1 serving per day for both sexes and contributed to about 30% of the recommended dietary allowances for calcium. Adolescents who regularly consumed dairy-based snacks meet the recommendations (3.2 servings of dairy products per day and about 98% recommended dietary allowances for calcium). We conclude that the institutional menu planning should be improved because the intake of dairy snacks will continue to be a problem for achieving a healthy diet in adolescences.

Fat and fatty acids intake of adults in eastern Croatia

The objective of this work was to determine dietary intake of total fat and fatty acids in adults in eastern Croatia. Thirty nine participants (25 women and 14 men) took part in a duplicate diet study. Total fat was extracted from the duplicated portions using a method by Bligh and Dyer, and fatty acids were determined using a GC analysis after methylation with boron trifluoride. Mean fat and fatty acids intakes for all subjects expressed as percentage of daily energy intake (% E) were: 33.4%, 9.9%, 11.8%, 9.0%, and 0.7% for total fat, saturated, monounsaturated, polyunsaturated, and trans fatty acids, respectively. The differences between sexes were not significant when expressed as % E. Also, a very low intake of linolenic acid (0.5% E), and a high linoleic acid/linolenic acid ratio (17.1), were noted. Because of the health implications of such an imbalance, further research on the prevalence of this in general population is warranted. Nevertheless, these results indicate a need for a more aggressive education of the public on health benefits of n-3 fatty acids and on their dietary sources.

Longitudinal observational study on diet quality during pregnancy and its relation to several risk factors for pregnancy complications and outcomes.

Aims: A mother’s diet during pregnancy is considered one of the most important external factors affecting health of her child further in life. Unfavourable diet, together with advanced maternal age, high pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), and excessive pregnancy weight gain are considered to be significant risk factors for adverse pregnancy complications and outcomes. The aim of this study was to determine correlations between pre-pregnancy BMI, quality of nutrition during pregnancy, and pregnancy outcomes in pregnant women with an excessive weight gain during pregnancy. Study Design: Randomized, observational, prospective, long-term study. Methodology: The study included pregnant women from the area of the city Osijek, eastern Croatia. The subjects were monitored throughout pregnancy to labour and 6 weeks postpartum. Analysis included anthropometry, blood glucose, incidence of gestosis (i.e. hypertension, gestational diabetes, edemas and proteinuria) and delivery outcomes (e.g. mode of delivery, birth weight) and a24-hour dietary record was used to asses nutrition quality. Based on the risk factors for adverse pregnancy complications and outcomes, two groups of women were selected for the sub-group analysis. The first group of women with a normal pre- pregnancy BMI and an excessive pregnancy weight gain (n=47), and the second group of women with an overweight/obese BMI (BMI≥25 kg/m2) and an excessive pregnancy weight gain (n=43). Results: For women with a normal pre-pregnancy BMI, the balance of specific carbohydrates had the greatest importance on pregnancy complications and outcomes. On the other hand, for women starting pregnancy at-risk ; with an overweight/obese BMI, the total dietary intake of fats and the balance in specific fatty acids had the greatest impact on pregnancy complications and outcomes. Conclusion: The present study provides important data on how specific dietary components influence pregnancy complications and outcomes. This information may be useful in creating specific timed interventions for women of reproductive age, ensuring a healthy pregnancy, and a healthy child.