Food fights: deciding about diet and disease

Article Abstract:

A symposium, Food Fights: Deciding about Diet and Disease, was held in Virginia in April, 1990. Scientific data indicate links between diet and disease, many of which have been identified from long-term epidemiological studies. Risk factors identified by such studies are only rough indicators for a group, not for an individual's risk. Another aspect, that of ethics and decision-making, was brought up in reference to epidemiological studies. These studies, less precise than rigidly controlled laboratory studies, do not allow the same firm conclusions, and the ways in which data from these studies are accepted or rejected will affect the resulting conclusions and policies. The food industry frequently tends to resort to a double-pronged type of advertising, as exemplified by the current practice of associating certain food products with gains in health or fitness, while alluding to memories of good food and home cooking for other foods. Multiple health claims by food advertisers combined with indefinite scientific conclusions lead to worse confusion among consumers. It is often the consumer advocate who counters industrial claims and spurs the government to action. Appropriate food labels are the key to protecting and informing the consumer. Organizations such as the American Heart Association (AHA) also claim a role in promoting better health and educating the public, and the AHA has recently focused on the food label as a critical point for influencing dietary choice. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is currently working on guidelines as to which claims may be made, and the food labeling format is also to be revised. The forum participants agreed that epidemiological methodologies need improvement, particularly so that long-term studies can be performed without the need for short-term demonstrable results. However, they disagreed as to whether current research findings are adequate to justify strong changes in public policy. The audience wanted more information about estimation of personal risk, especially for women and children, and for identification of predisposing genetic factors. They also wanted to know the tradeoffs involved with dietary modification, so that they could make their own informed decisions about life style changes. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Conferences, meetings and seminars, Food, Labeling, Food labeling

---

Changing dietary patterns

Article Abstract:

Dietary patterns in Japan no longer follow tradition. Twenty-five years ago, a study of the unusually low fat content of Japanese diets and other studies of the low incidence of cardiovascular disease and cancer in Japanese people contributed to the conclusion that dietary fat intake is strongly linked to heart disease and cancer. However, the modern Japanese diet now resembles the American diet in many ways, and this has implications for Japanese health. Studies have suggested that the American incidence of heart disease, diabetes, and cancers of the colon, breast, and lung may be reduced by making healthy changes in diet or lifestyle. Correspondingly, a large decrease in Japanese deaths due to cerebral bleeding (stroke) has been linked to the nationwide effort to decrease salt intake. Stomach and liver cancer continue to be much more common in Japan than in the US. Early studies concentrated on the role of total fat and cholesterol in the diet. Recent findings have demonstrated the significance of dietary unsaturated fats, especially omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids, in health. The traditional Japanese diet had fish as the major source of protein, and this provided n-3 fatty acids. Careful evaluation of current and past dietary patterns in Japan should be done to better understand the relationship of unsaturated fats to disease in Japan today. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Japan, Cardiovascular diseases, International aspects, Cancer

---

Basic and clinical aspects of regional fat distribution

Article Abstract:

Very low and high body weights are associated with increased risk of death. Recent research suggests that variations in fat distribution within certain regions in the body may be stronger and more specific predictors of health risk. A workshop was held in September 1989 to address current knowledge of this topic. Gaps in understanding of the health aspects of fat distribution were identified, and future research topics were recommended. This article reviews the data presented at the workshop. The research suggesting an association between fat distribution and disease was reviewed. Three principal elements of body fat have been identified: total body fat, trunk or upper-body fat, and fat located within the abdominal cavity. The methods by which regional fat distribution is measured were discussed. The average values for body composition and fat distribution were reviewed; certain ethnic groups may deviate from these norms in fat levels or health risks. Many factors, including age, gender, genetic factors, and hormonal status, influence fat distribution, and metabolic dysfunction also plays a role. The medical consequences of differences in regional fat distribution and the possibility of altering fat distribution were discussed. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Physiological aspects, Obesity, Body composition, Adipose tissues, Adipose tissue

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Alcohol beverage drinking, diet and body mass index in a cross-sectional survey. Complementary effects of Mediterranean diet and moderate red wine intake on haemostatic cardiovascular risk factors
• Abstracts: The impact of nonclinical factors on repeat cesarean section. Alternative strategies for controlling rising cesarean section rates
• Abstracts: Folic acid safety and toxicity: a brief review. Folate deficiency and cervical dysplasia. Evaluation of the deoxyuridine suppression test by using whole blood samples from folic-acid supplemented individuals
• Abstracts: Gender, coronary artery disease and coronary bypass surgery. Increased mortality of women in coronary artery bypass surgery: evidence for referral bias
• Abstracts: Evaluation and management of breast abnormalities. Lightscanning versus mammography for the detection of breast cancer in screening and clinical practice: a Swedish multicenter study

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.