The iodine content of several kinds of foods representing different product groups available on the Swiss market was analyzed by isotope dilution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry using the enriched long-lived nuclide I. Considerable variations in levels of iodine between single foodstuffs within food groups were found, which also applied for levels in different food groups. The cont...

Background: Asthenozoospermia, a disorder of sperm motility, is a common cause of human male infertility and is found to play a role in approximately 19% of infertile patients. Epidemiological studies indicated a link between environmental pollutants, lifestyle changes, and dietary habits and infertility. In view of the fact that nutrition is coming to the fore as a major environmental factor, ...

Food deprivation stimulates foraging and hoarding and to a much lesser extent, food intake in Siberian hamsters. Leptin, the anorexigenic hormone secreted primarily from adipocytes, may act in the periphery, the brain, or both to inhibit these ingestive behaviors. Therefore, we tested whether leptin given either intracerebroventricularly or intraperitoneally, would block food deprivation-induce...

Little is known about the distinct perceptions towards rice and beans that may shape the consumption of these main staple foods among Costa Ricans. We aimed to identify barriers and motivators that could change the current staple into a healthier one, and assess the sensory perceptions of these foods in this population. Focus group discussions and sensory tastings of 8 traditional white or brow...

PURPOSE To explore the effect of caffeine on voice, as evidenced by acoustic and aerodynamic measures, based on the fact that caffeine is considered to be a systemic dehydrating agent. METHODS The participants in this investigation were 58 females ranging in age from 18 to 35 years, who self-reported normal vocal production. The participants abstained from caffeine ingestion for 24 hours and ...

OBJECTIVE To examine how fruit and vegetable (FV) programs address barriers to FV access and consumption as perceived by low-income individuals. DESIGN From 2011 to 2012, the researchers used 13 focus groups to better understand low-income individuals' perceptions about FV programs. SETTING Five North Carolina counties at community-serving organizations. PARTICIPANTS Low-income participan...

OBJECTIVE Many older adults consume inadequate protein for their needs. This study explored the factors associated with the consumption of high-protein foods in older adults. METHODS Participants over the age of 65 years (n = 28) took part in 1 of 4 focus group discussions on meat, fish, eggs, dairy products, nuts, and pulses. Discussions were audio taped, transcribed, and analyzed using them...

Previous (mainly population-based) studies have suggested the health benefits of the elective, lifelong inclusion of whole-grain foods in the diet, forming the basis for public health recommendations to increase whole grain consumption. Currently, there is limited evidence to assess how public health recommendations can best result in longer-term improvements in dietary intake. The present stud...

Twenty years of testing in the field has consistently revealed that food intake is inadequate when packaged military rations are fed as the sole source of food. Food intake is much lower and there is a loss of body weight. Conversely when these rations are fed to students or military personnel for periods ranging from 3 to 42 days in a cafeteria-like setting, food intake is comparable to levels...

OBJECTIVE Focus group (FG) interviews with students and adults were used to obtain a rich understanding of the Cooking with Kids classroom experience from the child and adult participant perspectives. METHODS FG topics included students' cooking experiences at school and home and perceptions of Cooking with Kids. Verified transcripts of recorded interviews were entered into NVivo, coded for t...