Objetivo Examinar a correlação entre fatores dietéticos, obtidos por questionário de freqüência alimentar (QFA) validado, e concentrações séricas ou plasmáticas de homocisteína (hcy), ácido fólico, vitaminas B12 e B6 em mulheres de São Paulo. População e métodos Foram analisados os dados dietéticos de 1.434 mulheres de 21 a 65 anos de um estudo caso-controle sobre consumo alimentar e lesões neoplásicas do colo uterino realizado em três hospitais públicos da cidade de São Paulo, excluindo-se os casos de câncer invasivo. Todas participantes tiveram sua ingestão alimentar usual avaliada por entrevista, usando um QFA, e forneceram amostras sangüíneas em jejum para separação de plasma e soro. Concentrações séricas de ácido fólico e vitamina B12 séricos foram analisadas por técnica de fluoroimunoensaio, enquanto concentrações plasmáticas de hcy e vitamina B6 foram analisadas por Cromatografia Líquida de Alta Performance em fase reversa. Correlações entre ingestão estimada de nutrientes, ajustados pelas calorias totais, e alimentos com as variáveis bioquímicas foram avaliadas em modelos de regressão linear múltiplos, após ajuste para co-variáveis, tais como idade, Índice de Massa Corporal (IMC), estilo de vida (incluindo tabagismo), morbidade ginecológica pregressa ou atual, história obstétrica e uso de anticoncepcional oral. Resultados Embora apenas 6,2% das participantes do estudo tenham apresentado concentrações séricas de ácido fólico abaixo do valor de referência (7 nmol/L), 45,7% e em 97,1% tiveram um consumo estimado de folato inferior a 180 ug/dia e 400 ug/dia, respectivamente. Modelos de regressão múltiplos mostraram correlação positiva entre ácido fólico sérico e ingestão estimada de proteína, ferro, folato, vitaminas B1, B3, B6, A, C e frutas/sucos cítricos e de vegetais verdes, e correlação inversa entre ácido fólico sérico e consumo estimado de gorduras, doces e leite e derivados. Resultados similares foram obtidos após ajuste adicional para fibra da dieta, exceto com consumo de folato e de vegetais verdes, que perderam a significância estatística como preditores independentes das concentrações séricas de ácido fólico. Concentrações séricas de vitamina B12 abaixo do ponto de corte de 148 pmol/L foram observadas em 11,0% da amostra; a maioria delas (70,4%) apresentou ingestão estimada de vitamina B12 igual ou superior à recomendação (2 ug/dia). As concentrações séricas de vitamina B12 foram positivamente correlacionadas com consumo estimado de produtos lácteos e das vitaminas B2 e B12. A ingestão de fibra, vitamina E e leguminosas foi inversamente correlacionada com as concentrações séricas de vitamina B12. Ingestão de vitamina B6 abaixo das recomendações de 1,3 mg/dia (≤50 anos) e 1,5 mg/dia (>50 anos) foi observada em 49% das participantes. Nenhuma correlação foi encontrada entre dados da dieta e concentrações plasmáticas de vitamina B6. As concentrações plasmáticas de hcy foram positivamente correlacionadas com o consumo estimado de carboidratos e doces, e inversamente correlacionadas com o consumo estimado de proteína, colesterol, ferro, zinco de origem animal, vitaminas A, B2, B12 e B6, e pescados. Entretanto, essas correlações perderam a significância após ajuste adicional por proteína da dieta, um dos mais fortes preditores das concentrações plasmáticas de hcy. Conclusão Nutrientes e alimentos selecionados da dieta mostraram-se preditores independentes das concentrações séricas de ácido fólico e de vitamina B12, indicando as principais fontes alimentares desses nutrientes nesta população e em outras similares. A forte correlação negativa entre concentração plasmática de Hcy e proteína da dieta sugere base para o planejamento de futuras intervenções nutricionais. Nenhuma correlação foi observada entre concentração plasmática de vitamina B6 e fatores dietéticos estimados. / Objective To examine whether measurements of dietary intakes, obtained with a validated quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), correlated with serum or plasma levels of folic acid, vitamins B12 and B6 and homocystein (hcy) measured in low-income women living in São Paulo, Brazil. Population and methods We analyzed dietary data from 1434 women aged 21-65 years enrolled in a case-control study of diet and cervical cancer carried out in three public hospitals of São Paulo. Data for women with invasive cervical cancer were excluded. All participants had their usual dietary intake assessed by interview, using a validated FFQ, and provided a fasting blood sample for serum and plasma separation. Serum concentrations of folic acid and vitamin B12 were measured by fluorimmunoassay, while serum levels of vitamin B6 and plasma levels of hcy were measured by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography. Correlations between estimates of food and energy-adjusted nutrient intakes and levels of folic acid, vitamins B12 and B6 and hcy were assessed using multiple linear regression models, adjusted for covariates such as age, body mass index, lifestyle (including smoking), past and current gynecologic morbidity and obstetric history, and use of oral contraceptives. Results Although only 6.2% of the study participants had serum folic acid levels below the reference value of 7 nmol/L, 45.7% and 97.1% had a dietary intake of folic acid estimated to be less than 180 g/day and 400 g/day, respectively. Multiple linear models showed serum folic acid levels to be positively correlated with the estimated intake of protein, iron, folate, vitamins B1, B3, B6, A and C, citrus fruits and juices and green vegetables, and negatively correlated with the estimated intake of fat, sweets and dairy products. Similar results were obtained after a further adjustment for fiber intake in the model, except for the estimated intake of folic acid and green vegetables, which lost their statistical significance as independent predictors of serum folic acid levels. Serum levels of vitamin B12 below the cut-off point of 148 pmol/L were found in 11.0% of study participants; most of them (70.4%) had their vitamin B12 intake estimated to be equal or greater than the reference value of 2 g/day. Serum levels of vitamin B12 were positively correlated with the estimated intake of dairy products and vitamins B2 and B12. The estimated intakes of fiber, vitamin E and beans were negatively correlated with serum levels of vitamin B12. Dietary vitamin B6 was estimated to be below the recommended levels of 1.3 mg/day (age  50 years) or 1.5 mg/day (age > 50 years) in 49.0% of study participants. No correlation was found between estimated intakes of foods and nutrients and plasma levels of vitamin B6. Hcy concentrations were positively correlated with the estimated intake of carbohydrates and sweets, and negatively correlated with the estimated intake of protein, cholesterol, iron, zinc of animal origin, vitamins A, B2, B12 and B6 and fishes. However, these correlations were no longer significant after additional adjustment for dietary protein, the strongest predictor of hcy plasma levels. Conclusion The estimated dietary intakes of selected foods and nutrients were shown to be independent predictors of measured serum levels of folic acid and vitamin B12, providing a basis for indentifying the main dietary sources of these nutrients in this and similar populations. The strong negative correlation between plasma levels of hcy and dietary protein provides a basis for future nutritional interventions. No correlation was found between plasma concentrations of vitamin B6 and estimated dietary intakes.

Introdução: A fortificação mandatória de ferro foi implantada no Brasil em 2004 com o intuito de combater a deficiência desse micronutriente. No entanto, alguns estudos indicam que o consumo excessivo de ferro pode estar relacionado ao desenvolvimento de síndrome metabólica, resistência à insulina e alterações do metabolismo lipídico. Objetivos: Avaliar a ingestão de ferro antes e após a implementação da política de fortificação mandatória, investigar a associação da ingestão de ferro heme, não heme e total com a síndrome metabólica e seus componentes, avaliar o papel da ingestão do ferro heme, não heme e total na resistência à insulina mediado pela interleucina-6, malondialdeído e leptina. Metodologia: Os dados foram provenientes de dois estudos transversais de base populacional (ISA-Capital 2003 e 2008), conduzidos em amostra representativa de residentes do município de São Paulo, de ambos os sexos e com idade superior a 12 anos. O consumo alimentar foi avaliado por meio de recordatórios de 24 horas e utilizou-se um questionário estruturado para obter informações socioeconômicas, demográficas e de estilo de vida. Coletou-se amostras de sangue em jejum de 12h para as análises bioquímicas e aferiu-se pressão arterial, peso, estatura e circunferência da cintura. Os analitos avaliados foram glicemia plasmática de jejum, insulina sérica de jejum, triglicerídeos plasmáticos, lipoproteína de alta densidade, malondialdeído, proteína C reativa ultrassensível, interleucina-6 e leptina sérica. As análises estatísticas foram realizadas utilizando os softwares Stata®, versão 13 e Mplus®, versão 7.4, com nível de 7 significância de 0,05. Resultados: A média do consumo de ferro aumentou em todas as faixas etárias no período pós-fortificação. Houve uma redução superior a 90 por cento na prevalência de inadequação dos homens em todas as faixas etárias, no entanto, apesar da substancial redução nas mulheres em idade fértil (63 por cento ), estas ainda possuem alta prevalência de inadequação desse micronutriente (34 por cento ). Maior ingestão de ferro total (OR=3,98; IC 95 por cento =1,2113,12) e não heme (OR= 2,92; IC 95 por cento =1,10-7,72) foram positivamente associadas a hiperglicemia. Houve uma associação positiva entre maior ingestão de ferro heme com síndrome metabólica (OR=2,39; IC 95 por cento =1,105,21) e concentrações elevadas de triglicérides (OR=2,51; IC 95 por cento =1,065,91). A ingestão de ferro heme, não heme e total tiveram um efeito direto e positivamente associado às concentrações de interleucina-6 e negativamente associado às concentrações de malondialdeído. Observou-se um efeito indireto da ingestão do ferro heme, não heme e total na resistência à insulina mediado pela interleucina-6. Conclusão: Este estudo sugere que os diferentes tipos de ferro estão associados a importantes fatores de risco para doenças crônicas não transmissíveis. Assim, o monitoramento da adição de ferro na farinha de trigo e milho é essencial para garantir uma ingestão ferro segura para toda a população. / Introduction: The mandatory fortification of foods with iron was initiated in Brazil in 2004 with order to combat this micronutrient deficiency. However, some studies indicate that excessive consumption of iron can be related to the development of metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance and alterations in lipid metabolism. Objectives: To assess the iron intake before and after the implementation of the mandatory fortification policy, to investigate the association of haem, nonhaem iron and total iron intake with metabolic syndrome and its components, and to evaluate the role of haem, nonhaem iron, and total iron intake in insulin resistance mediated by interleukin 6, leptin and malondialdehyde. Methods: Data were drawn from two cross-sectional population based studies (ISA-Capital 2003 and 2008), conducted with a representative sample of residents of São Paulo, of both sexes and aged over 12 years old. Dietary intake was measured by two 24-hour dietary recall. Socioeconomic, demographic and lifestyle data were obtained through a structured questionnaire. Blood samples were collected after a 12-hour fasting for biochemical analysis and blood pressure, weight, height and waist circumference were measured. The analytes analysed were fasting plasma glucose, fasting serum insulin, plasma triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, malondialdehyde, C-reactive protein, interleukin-6 and serum leptin. All analyses were performed with Stata®, version 13 e Mplus®, version 7.4, and a p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The iron intake mean increased in all the population in the post fortification period. The prevalence of inadequate iron intake decreased by over 90 per cent in men in all 9 analyzed age groups. Although despite the substantial decrease (over 63 per cent ), women in reproductive age remain with a high inadequate intake (34 per cent ). Higher total iron intake (OR=3.98, 95 per cent CI=1.21 13.12) and nonhaem iron intake (OR=2.92, 95 per cent CI=1.107.72) were positively associated with hyperglycaemia. There was a positive association between higher haem iron intake with metabolic syndrome (OR=2.39, 95 per cent CI=1.105.21) with elevated triglyceride levels (OR=2.51, 95 per cent CI=1.065.91). Haem, nonhaem iron and total iron intake had a direct and positive effect on levels of interleukin-6 and negative effect on malondialdehyde levels. There was an indirect effect of haem, nonhaem iron and total iron intake on insulin resistance mediated by interleukin-6. Conclusion: This study suggests that the different types of dietary iron are associated with major risk factors of noncommunicable diseases. Thus, monitoring of iron addition in wheat and maize flour is essential to guarantee a safe iron intake for all the population.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-08-20T13:49:10Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Camila Zuchetto.pdf: 704903 bytes, checksum: 232b840be35044acdbd5da5c79baf3ff (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-02-22 / Down syndrome (DS) is a genetic abnormality in which has its own characteristics and inherent affecting nutritional status. Individuals with Down syndrome have a predisposition to overweight by genetic factors and / or environmental. The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutritional status and its association with dietary intake, physical activity levels and demographic variables of children and adolescents with Down syndrome living in the city of Pelotas, Brazil. Participants were 41 children and adolescents aged between six and 18 years. It was observed that about 20% of children and adolescents were overweight, and physical activity is rarely practiced by the population, since more than 60% subjects were classified as having insufficient active. The findings about food consumption, point to an excessive consumption of carbohydrates and proteins, contributing to the nutritional status found. The formation of healthy eating habits and behaviors occurs in childhood, and if they give up properly can prevent of chronic illnesses that are so increasingly early, affecting children and young people. / A Síndrome de Down (SD) é uma anomalia genética na qual possui características próprias e inerentes que afetam o estado nutricional. Indivíduos com SD apresentam predisposição ao excesso de peso por fatores genéticos e/ou ambientais. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o estado nutricional e sua associação com o consumo alimentar, nível de atividade física e variáveis demográficas de crianças e adolescentes com Síndrome de Down residentes na cidade de Pelotas, RS. Participaram da pesquisa 41 crianças e adolescentes com idade entre seis e 18 anos. Observou-se que cerca de 20% das crianças e adolescentes apresentaram excesso de peso, e a atividade física foi pouco praticada pela população estudada, visto que mais de 60% dos indivíduos foram classificados com insuficiente ativos. Os achados acerca do consumo alimentar, apontaram para um consumo excessivo de carboidratos e proteínas, contribuindo para o estado nutricional encontrado. A formação de hábitos e comportamentos alimentares saudáveis ocorre na infância, e se estas se derem de forma adequada se pode prevenir as doenças crônicas que estão, de forma cada vez mais precoce, acometendo crianças e jovens.

Magister Scientiae - MSc / This secondary analysis aimed to develop dietary scores to assess the dietary intake of pregnant women in the West Coast/ Winelands region and determine the association with LBW. Further to determine the association between the dietary scores and maternal socioeconomic and socio-demographic characteristics and maternal smoking and/or alcohol consumption during pregnancy. / South Africa

<p>Inadequate nutrition in childhood can inhibit optimal growth and development, and is also associated with increased risk of chronic diseases later in life. Children living in households with limited financial resources may face a number of challenges to meet nutrient needs through unhealthy eating patterns, which may lead to health inequalities throughout the life-course. Therefore, improving low-income children’s diet would be an effective strategy for their health promotion and disease prevention, and potentially for narrowing health inequalities. The essential step for an efficient intervention would be to identify the unique nutrition risk that low-income children have. Therefore, the overarching aim of research in this dissertation was to identify nutrition risk of U.S. infants and children with low income or food insecurity, or participating in federal nutrition assistance programs using data from nationally representative surveys. An additional aim was to assess whether the inclusion of micronutrient intake from dietary supplements impacts micronutrient inadequacy in children. </p><p>For low-income infants and young children up to the age of 5 years, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides tailored food packages to improve dietary intake that may be inadequate due to economic constraints. Therefore, it is expected that nutrient intake of WIC participants would be more like those of higher-income nonparticipants and higher than those of lower-income nonparticipants who are likely to be eligible for WIC. The results from the Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study 2016 data analysis supported the hypothesis for several nutrients of concern, although WIC participants were more likely to exceed the recommended limits for sodium and added sugars compared to higher-income nonparticipants. However, higher-income nonparticipants were more likely to use dietary supplements than both WIC participants and lower-income nonparticipants, which can impact total nutrient intake (i.e., nutrient intake from all sources). </p><p>Systematic differences in dietary supplement use by income and WIC participation were also observed in a nationally representative sample of children aged 18 years and younger from the 2011-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Dietary supplement use was lower among children in low-income families compared to those in higher-income families. Among children in low-income families, those participating in WIC were less likely to use dietary supplements compared to nonparticipants. In addition, food insecurity and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participation were associated with lower use of dietary supplements. Overall, one-third of children used any dietary supplements, mostly multivitamin-minerals, with primary motivations for use as “improve” or “maintain” health. </p><p>The following analysis of the 2011-2014 NHANES data showed that the inclusion of dietary supplements in nutrient intake assessments may lead to wider disparities in dietary intake by food security. This study also demonstrated the dose-response relationship between food security status and mean adequacy ratio, a summary measure of micronutrient adequacy. The mean adequacy ratio, inclusive of dietary supplements, was the highest in high food-security group (mean of 0.77), lower in marginal and low food security group (mean of 0.74), and the lowest in very low food security group (mean of 0.66), based on classification by food security among household children. However, the mean adequacy ratio does not reflect the usual intake (i.e., a long-term, habitual intake). </p><p>Therefore, another analysis of the 2011-2016 NHANES data estimated total usual nutrient intake of U.S. children 18 years and younger by food security status, using the National Cancer Institute method that adjusts for random error by statistical modeling. The results suggested that food insecurity was associated with higher risks of inadequate intakes for some nutrients, such as vitamins D and E and magnesium among boys and girls and vitamin A and calcium among girls only. Poor overall dietary quality and excessive sodium intake were of concern, regardless of food security status. </p><p>Collectively, the results from the studies in this dissertation add value to the evidence base about the adverse association of low income level and food insecurity status with dietary intake and extend the finding to include nutrient intakes from dietary supplements, which widens the disparity in nutrition risk. These findings highlight a need for interventions to reduce nutrient inadequacies and improve dietary quality among children across all socioeconomic levels, but especially among those with low income or food insecurity.</p><div><br></div>

The late second and early third decades of life are critical periods for bone health due to the attainment of peak bone mass during this time, yet little is known about relationships between lifestyle factors and bone health among young-adult females. Therefore, anthropometric, body composition, and nutritional variables were examined in relation to bone mineral density (BMD) and biochemical markers of bone turnover in a group of 60 healthy, young-adult females aged 18 to 25 years. Body weight, body mass index (BMI), fat-free soft tissue mass (FFST), and fat mass had statistically significant and positive associations with BMD. Mean daily dietary protein, magnesium, and iron intakes had statistically significant and negative associations with BMD. A second study compared dietary intake, BMD, and biochemical markers of bone turnover in young-adult females with chronic dieting habits to nondieters. Anthropometric and body composition variables between chronic dieters and nondieters were not statistically different; however, chronic dieters had statistically significantly lower average daily dietary intakes of energy, macronutrients, and selected micronutrients compared to nondieters. Chronic dieters had statistically significantly higher whole body (WB) BMD compared to nondieters. Moderate effects were observed for WB, lumbar spine, trochanter, and total proximal femur BMD such that chronic dieters possessed greater BMD compared to nondieters. It appears that among young-adult females, total body weight, particularly FFST mass, has an important association with BMD. Although nutritional inadequacies among young-adult females raise concerns, overconsumption of nutrients may increase the likelihood of nutrient-nutrient interactions that may have a less than optimal impact on BMD. Future investigations of dietary intake and BMD among young-adult females are warranted. / Master of Science

Suicide is among the leading cause of adolescent deaths worldwide and thus a significant public health concern. Risk factors for suicidal behavior include drinking alcohol, smoking, and engaging in risky sexual behaviors. One area of concern is dietary patterns and their association with depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation. Bandura's social cognitive theory emphasizes the assumption that one can perform specific actions to bring about desired outcomes. The primary research questions for this quantitative, retrospective, cross-sectional study concerned whether there is a statistically significant interaction between fruit and vegetable intake and suicidal ideation or suicide attempts. Data from 71,776 adolescents in the Centers for Disease Control's Youth Risk Behavioral Surveillance Survey were analyzed using complex samples binominal logistic regression. The dependent variable was suicidal ideation or suicide attempts, and the independent variable was intake of fruits and vegetables. Suicidal ideation was significantly, positively correlated with fruit and vegetable intake. Even after controlling for age, sex, race, and depression, there was a significant, positive correlation with fruit and vegetable intake. Suicide attempt was significantly, positively correlated with fruit and vegetable intake even after controlling for age, sex, race, and depression. Although the results of this study were contrary to previous findings, these results do support the claim that sugary foods and fast foods have a dopaminergic 'reward effect'. The findings may foster positive social change by identifying the relationship between fruit and vegetable intake and suicidal ideation or suicide attempts in adolescents.

No description available.

Introduction: Unhealthy diets are significant contributors to chronic diseases. Variations in CVD rates across ethnicities in Canada could be attributable to diverse dietary habits and nutrition environmental influences. The extent to which individuals’ food environment perceptions influence dietary intake is also understudied. Methods: This cross-sectional study, utilizing data from 7,077 of the 10,100 adults in the Canadian Alliance for Healthy Hearts and Minds (CAHHM) cohort, assessed associations of elements of the nutrition environment (food prices, advertisements, and availability) and ethnicity with dietary intakes. Results: Self-reported intakes of carbohydrates, junk foods, meat, and cholesterol varied significantly across Asians and White Europeans (p<0.0001). Rural/urban differences were also observed in carbohydrate, fat, protein, cholesterol, vegetable, meat, and sweet drink intakes (p<0.0001), excluding junk foods, and fruits. Interestingly, while individuals' perceptions of their food environment did not correlate with objective measures of the same environment, a 1$ increase in vegetable prices was significantly associated with a decrease in vegetable consumption by 0.0078 In(servings/day) (p= 0.0233), after adjusting for rural/urban living, ethnicity and BMI. No associations were found between fruits, meat, bread, eggs, cola, chocolate, poultry, rice, and milk prices and respective intakes. No association was also found between fruit/vegetable availability and consumption; nor between junk foods, sweet drinks and fruit/vegetable ads and consumption. Notably, alcohol advertisement was associated with alcohol intake. Discussion/Conclusion: The price-inelastic nature of foods like milk and eggs due to their perceived essentiality, implies the superimposing effects of other factors on consumption aside, price. While food advertisements undoubtedly impact eating behaviours, their influence might be subtle considering factors like price which could pose barriers to healthy eating. These findings emphasize the intricate interplay between prices, availability, advertisement, and other factors and dietary choices. Policymakers, food industries, and health advocates can leverage these insights to create healthier food environments for improved health. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc) / Unhealthy diets are significant contributors to chronic diseases. Diverse influences from the nutrition environment also impact consumption. To better inform public health strategies promoting healthy eating, it is imperative to ascertain whether modifying the food environment of individuals would be more effective in transforming their eating behaviours. This cross-sectional study, utilizing data from 7,077 adults from the CAHHM cohort, assessed the influence of elements of the nutrition environment and ethnicity on dietary intake. Differences in carbohydrate, junk food, meat, and cholesterol intake were found among Asians and White Europeans. Carbohydrate, fat, protein, vegetable, meat, and sweet drink intakes varied between rural and urban settings. Increased vegetable prices were associated with reduced consumption, while food advertisements were not associated with dietary intake. This study shows that the costs of healthy foods impact dietary choices more than advertisements. Policymakers can utilize these findings to promote healthy food environments in Canada.

Taste is one of the crucial factors that contributes to shaping eating behaviors and is also one of the leading reasons that affects our preferences to like or dislike some foods that mainly have a bitter taste. Variation in bitter phenotype (tasters and non-tasters) could influence diet quality and in turn body weight, which overall influenced health outcomes. The objective of this study was to identify whether bitter taste phenotype status influences anthropometric measurements, body fat percentage, and eating behaviors (liking and intake) in female college students. In this cross-sectional study (n = 86), female college students aged 18 to 22 from Mississippi State University were classified into one of two groups (taster or non-taster) by means of a taste test of filter paper saturated with the bitter compound 6-n-propylthiouracil (PROP). Adiposity was measured using anthropometric measurements and body composition was measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis. A food liking survey was administrated to identify how much participants liked or disliked various foods and beverages. Dietary intake of total energy intake, macronutrients, fruits, and vegetables were evaluated using the NIH Diet History Questionnaire. Bitter phenotype status was not significantly associated with adiposity indicators; however, it was associated with food liking scores for foods that have bitter and umami tastes such as kale and mushrooms. Additionally, bitter phenotype was associated with dietary intake for total fruits and vitamin C intakes. Ethnic background was the strongest independent variable that was significantly correlated with adiposity indicators and food liking. These results suggested that while bitter taste phenotype may influence eating behaviors in certain foods, it does not affect adiposity indicators and body fat percentage.