Shuying Jiang

The Difference in Nutrient Intakes between Chinese and Mediterranean, Japanese and American Diets

Across countries, the predominant diets are clearly different and highly related with human health. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate dietary nutrients between them. This study aimed to evaluate dietary nutrients in China and compare those between Chinese and Mediterranean (Italian), Japanese and American diets. Dietary intakes of 2659 subjects in south-east China, Zhejiang province, from 2010 to 2012, were estimated by three consecutive 24-h dietary recalls. The contribution of carbohydrate to total energy in Chinese subjects was lower than that in Japanese and American subjects, but higher than that in Italian subjects. However, the energy contribution from fat in Chinese subjects was higher than that in Japanese and American subjects, and similar to that in Italian subjects. Moreover, the Chinese diet had lower daily intakes of fiber, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B2 and vitamin C, compared with the Japanese, American and Italian diets. Nevertheless, intakes of sodium, iron, copper and vitamin E were higher among Chinese people relative to the people of other three countries. The present study demonstrated that the structure of the Chinese diet has been shifting away from the traditional diet toward high-fat, low-carbohydrate and low-fiber diets, and nutrients intakes in Chinese people have been changing even worse than those in American people.

Maternal dyslipidemia during pregnancy may increase the risk of preterm birth: A meta-analysis.

Epidemiological studies have reported an inconsistent relationship between maternal lipid levels and preterm birth (PTB). We performed this meta-analysis to evaluate the association between maternal dyslipidemia and PTB. Overall, three nested case-control studies and eight cohort studies were eligible. Effect estimates [odds ratio(OR)/relative risk] were pooled using a fixed-effects or a random-effects model. Subgroup and metaregression analyses were conducted to evaluate the sources of heterogeneity. Eleven studies involving 13,025 pregnant women were included. Compared with pregnant women with normal lipid levels, the women with elevated levels of lipids had an increased risk of PTB, and the pooled OR was 1.68 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.25-2.26)]; meanwhile, women with lower levels of lipids also had a trend of an increased risk of PTB (OR=1.52, 95% CI=0.60-3.82). The pooled ORs for elevated levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and lower levels of high density lipoprotein-cholesterol were 1.71 (95% CI: 1.05-2.79), 1.55 (95% CI: 1.13-2.12), 1.19 (95% CI: 0.95-1.48), and 1.33 (95% CI: 1.14-1.56), respectively. The present meta-analysis found that maternal dyslipidemia during pregnancy, either the elevated total cholesterol or triglycerides, was associated with an increased risk of PTB. These findings indicate that a normal level of maternal lipid during pregnancy may reduce the risk of PTB.

Nutrient Status of Vitamin D among Chinese Children

Background: Vitamin D deficiency is considered to be a public health problem. However, the nutrient status of vitamin D in Chinese children is unclear. The aim of this study was to describe the vitamin D status among children aged under 18 years in southeast China. Methods: Children who visited the Huzhou Maternal and Child Care Hospital from January 2012 to August 2015 were included in this large cross-sectional study. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations were measured by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Vitamin D status was defined as deficiency (25(OH)D < 20 ng/mL), insufficiency (25(OH)D: 20–29 ng/mL) and sufficiency (25(OH)D ≥ 30 ng/mL). The association between relevant variables and vitamin D status was analyzed by a using generalized estimated equation model and a multivariate regression model. Results: 13,997 children aged under 18 years were included. Of these, 23.3% children suffered from low vitamin D status (deficiency and insufficiency), while 76.7% had a sufficient vitamin D status. The prevalence of low vitamin D status was 29.7% in winter and 23.4% in spring, which was higher than that in summer (21.4%) and autumn (19.9%). Clinical visiting children (32.1%) suffered more from low vitamin D than health examination children (17.6%). Additionally, age and season were independently and significantly associated with 25(OH)D concentrations, respectively. Conclusions: The deficiency and insufficiency status of vitamin D was very common among newborns and children aged one to 17 years. This indicates that more sunshine and vitamin D–fortified foods are necessary among Chinese children.

Outdoor temperature and temperature maintenance associated with blood pressure in 438,811 Chinese adults

Abstract Objectives: The association of temperature maintenance with blood pressure (BP) has not been studied and the association of temperature with season-related BP was not being well understood. The present study aims to be further aware of season-related BP variation in Chinese adults. Methods: We used decoded data from adults who visited the hospital for health examination from January 2008 to November 2013. Multivariate regression models were used to analyses the association between outdoor temperature and BP. Results: The analysis included 438,811 adults. Larger change of BP accompanied with unit change of average outdoor temperature among outpatient than inpatient patients. The association of temperature with BP was stronger in normotensives than that in hypertensives. Compared with temperature variation, the impact of temperature maintenance on BP was smaller. These associations were stronger in men, older individuals. Conclusions: Temperature was strongly inversely associated with BP in Chinese adults. Temperature maintenance was mildly associated with BP compared to temperature variance. Seasonal temperature variation should be considered when screening for hypertension.

Prevalence and relevant factors of anxiety and depression among pregnant women in a cohort study from south-east China

ABSTRACT Objective: To describe the prevalence rate of prenatal anxiety and depression among pregnant women in a prospective cohort study and to explore the relevant factors of anxiety and depression during each trimester. Methods: Pregnant women were recruited into the Zhoushan Pregnant Women Cohort at Zhoushan Maternal and Child Care Hospital from September 2011 to March 2015. A self-made questionnaire was used to collect information about social demography, reproductive history, physical activity, and life behaviour at the first, second and third trimester, respectively. The Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and the Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) were used to assess anxiety and depression status at each trimester, respectively. Prevalence rates of prenatal anxiety and depression at each trimester were described. Results: The prevalence of anxiety status was 22.7%, 17.4% and 20.8% in the first, second and third trimester, respectively. The corresponding prevalence rate of depression status was 35.7%, 24.0% and 26.1%, respectively. Furthermore, women with a lower education level (junior high school or below) and a more physical occupation had higher prevalence of anxiety and depression status. Conclusions: The prevalence of prenatal anxiety and depression status was very common during pregnancy among pregnant women. Lower educational level and more physical occupations were associated with higher prevalence of anxiety and depression status.

The relationship of dietary diversity score with depression and anxiety among prenatal and post‐partum women

The objective of the study is to explore the relationship between the dietary diversity score (DDS) and anxiety and depression of perinatal women.

The association of gestational diabetes mellitus with fetal birth weight

AIMS Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and different time-point glucose levels might have different effects on fetal birth weight. The aim of this study was to further evaluate the associations of GDM and different time-point blood glucose levels with fetal birth weight in a prospective cohort study. METHODS This prospective cohort study was conducted in Zhoushan Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Zhejiang, from August 2011 to May 2015. 1232 pairs of singleton, full-term newborns and their mothers without other pregnant and perinatal complications were selected as participants. RESULTS Of the 1232 women, 234 had GDM. GDM was positively associated with birth weight (β = 99.5 g, P = 0.0002), gestational age-specific Z-score of birth weight (β = 0.23, P = 0.0003), and an increased risk of large for gestational age (LGA; OR = 1.79, 95%CI: 1.11-2.89) and macrosomia (OR = 2.13, 95%CI: 1.34-3.40). Compared with abnormal fasting plasma glucose (FPG) during the second trimester, abnormal postload glucose in oral glucose tolerance test had significantly higher birth weight and gestational age-specific Z-score of birth weight, and an increased risk of macrosomia. Abnormal FPG and abnormal postload glucose had significantly joint effect on birth weight (β = 161.4 g, P = 0.0192), gestational age-specific Z-score of birth weight (β = 0.42, P = 0.0121) and risk of macrosomia (OR = 3.24, 95%CI: 1.21-8.67) and LGA (OR = 5.73, 95%CI: 2.20-14.90). Compared with abnormal blood glucose during the first trimester, GDM had significantly higher birth weight and gestational age-specific Z-score of birth weight. Abnormal blood glucose during the first trimester and GDM had significantly joint effect on birth weight (β = 125.8 g, P = 0.0010), gestational age-specific Z-score of birth weight (β = 0.30, P = 0.0013) and risk of macrosomia (OR = 2.34, 95%CI: 1.28-4.30) and LGA (OR = 2.53, 95%CI: 1.37-4.67). However, we did not find blood glucose during the first trimester independently associated with birth weight. CONCLUSIONS GDM was significantly associated with higher birth weight and an increased risk of LGA and macrosomia. Fetal growth was mostly influenced by postload glucose levels, rather than FBG. Moreover, different time-point blood glucose levels had significantly joint effects on birth weight and risk of LGA and macrosomia.

Effect of Low-Dose Vitamin D Supplementation on Serum 25(OH)D in School Children and White-Collar Workers

Objective: Our study aimed to investigate the nutritional vitamin D status of school children aged 9–15 years and white-collar workers in Zhejiang province, and evaluate the efficacy of low-dose-oral vitamin D supplementation in both populations. Methods: We conducted a prospective controlled trial during March 2014 to November 2015, comparing the efficacy of vitamin D supplements (400 IU/day) with non-intervention for 18 months in school children aged 9–15 years. Meanwhile, a before-after study was conducted among white-collar workers for 1 year. Serum 25(OH)D concentration was measured at baseline and after vitamin D supplementation, respectively. Results: At the baseline, 95% of school children and 84% of adult participants had vitamin D deficiency (<20 ng/mL). In school children, no difference was observed between the intervention and control groups with regard to anthropometric data. Serum 25(OH)D concentrations of the school children intervention group, school children control group and white-collar workers were 12.77 ± 3.01 ng/mL, 14.17 ± 3.59 ng/mL and 16.58 ± 3.66 ng/mL at baseline and increased to 17.34 ± 3.78 ng/mL, 18.04 ± 4.01 ng/mL and 17.75 ± 5.36 ng/mL after vitamin D supplementation, respectively. Although, after adjusting for potential confounders, the 400 IU oral vitamin D supplementation increased serum 25(OH)D concentration in school children (β = 0.81, p = 0.0426) as well as in white-collar workers (p = 0.0839), the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was still very high among school children (79.23% in intervention group and 72.38% in control group) and white-collar workers (76.00%). Conclusions: High prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was common in these two study populations. Daily doses of 400 IU oral vitamin D supplementation was not able to adequately increase serum 25(OH)D concentrations. A suitable recommendation regarding the level of vitamin D supplementation is required for this Chinese population.

Serum thyroid hormone levels among Chinese pregnant women

Abstract Aim: The aim of this study is to examine gestational serum thyroid hormone levels and influencing factors among Chinese pregnant women with high dietary iodine intake. Methods: The study was conducted from 2011 and 2013 in Zhoushan Women & Children’s Hospital, Zhejiang, China. A total of 1991 pregnant women were enrolled and their serum levels of free thyroid hormones (FT4, FT3, and TSH) were detected by chemiluminescence method. Results: Gestational serum FT4 and FT3 decreased with gestational week while TSH increased. Furthermore, the prevalence rate of subclinical hypothyroid increased with gestational stages, especially in the third trimester. Women aged more than 30 years had lower FT4 and FT3 in the first trimester and lower FT4 in the second trimester. No significant difference was found in the association of gestational serum thyroid hormones with maternal height and the gender of fetuses. Conclusion: Gestational serum thyroid hormones significantly changed with gestational week and were associated with the age of women. Specific normal range of thyroid hormones might be modified so as to better evaluate the thyroid hormone levels of pregnant women during pregnancy.