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Biomedical subjects

M J Gibney

Publications and source records attributed to M J Gibney.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Differences in postprandial lipaemic response between Northern and Southern Europeans.

Postprandial lipaemic responses to two test meals were investigated in 30 Northern (15 British and 15 Irish), and 30 Southern (Greeks from Crete) healthy male Europeans. The meals were a saturated fatty acid (SFA) meal, which resembled the fatty acid composition of an average UK diet, and a monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) meal in which the fat consisted of olive oil. Habitual diets of the two groups differed, with higher total fat, (P < 0.03) and MUFA (P < 0.0001) and lower polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) (P < 0.0001) intakes in Southern than Northern Europeans. Levels of total MUFA (P < 0.02) and oleic acid (P < 0.004) were also higher in adipose tissue of Southern in comparison to Northern Europeans. In both European groups there were no significant differences in postprandial triglyceride response between the two meal types, SFA or MUFA. However, Northern and Southern Europeans showed significant differences in their patterns of postprandial response in plasma triglycerides (P < 0.0001), apolipoprotein B-48 (P < 0.0001), NEFA (P < 0.0001), insulin (P < 0.0007), and factor VII activity (P-0.03). In the case of NEFA, areas under the response curve were higher following the SFA than the MUFA meal for both groups, (P < 0.003) and were greater in Southern than Northern Europeans (P < 0.002) and apo B-48 responses were lower (P < 0.005). Some of these differences may reflect differences in fasting levels since fasting apolipoprotein B-48 levels were lower (P < 0.01) and fasting NEFA (P < 0.02) and insulin (P < 0.005) were higher in the Southern than in the Northern Europeans. In addition, 9 h postprandial post-heparin lipoprotein lipase activity was lower in the Southern than in the Northern Europeans (P < 0.0006). This is the first report of differences in postprandial lipid, factor VII and insulin responses in Southern and Northern Europeans which may be of importance in explaining the different susceptibilities of these two populations to risk of coronary artery disease.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1998

The pursuit of thinness: a study of Dublin schoolgirls aged 15 y.

Despite increasing trends in the prevalence of overweight and obesity, fatness phobia is common during female adolescence. This study has demonstrated a high level of dissatisfaction with body weight in a sample of Dublin schoolgirls aged 15 y. Of 420 subjects, 59% reported that they wanted to be slimmer and 68% had previously tried to lose weight. Contrary to expectations, overweight girls were not found to hold the monopoly on such dissatisfactions. Normal weight and even underweight girls also expressed a desire to be thinner and reported using unhealthy weight control practices including random avoidance of staple foods, fasting, smoking and purging, in their pursuit of the 'perfect' female figure. Obesity prevention programmes which target adolescent girls 'at risk' of overweight and obesity, must take cognizance of their profound fear of fatness, otherwise the use of harmful slimming strategies may be further increased as teenage girls frantically try to lose weight and to avoid the stigma associated with female fatness.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

The effect of test meal monounsaturated fatty acid: saturated fatty acid ratio on postprandial lipid metabolism.

Epidemiological evidence shows that a diet high in monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) but low in saturated fatty acids (SFA) is associated with reduced risk of CHD. The hypocholesterolaemic effect of MUFA is known but there has been little research on the effect of test meal MUFA and SFA composition on postprandial lipid metabolism. The present study investigated the effect of meals containing different proportions of MUFA and SFA on postprandial triacylglycerol and non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) metabolism. Thirty healthy male volunteers consumed three meals containing equal amounts of fat (40 g), but different proportions of MUFA (12, 17 and 24% energy) in random order. Postprandial plasma triacylglycerol, apolipoprotein B-48, cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, glucose and insulin concentrations and lipoprotein lipase (EC 3.1.1.34) activity were not significantly different following the three meals which varied in their levels of SFA and MUFA. There was a significant difference in the postprandial NEFA response between meals. The incremental area under the curve of postprandial plasma NEFA concentrations was significantly (P = 0.03) lower following the high-MUFA meal. Regression analysis showed that the non-significant difference in fasting NEFA concentrations was the most important factor determining difference between meals, and that the test meal MUFA content had only a minor effect. In conclusion, varying the levels of MUFA and SFA in test meals has little or no effect on postprandial lipid metabolism.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

A longitudinal study of iron status in children at 12, 24 and 36 months.

OBJECTIVES: To assess iron status in a sample of clinically well, Caucasian children and explore the complex factors which contribute to iron deficiency during infancy. DESIGN: Infants recruited at birth and followed longitudinally at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 12, 24 and 36 months; feeding practices and socioeconomic data recorded. Iron status assessed using venous blood at 12, 24 and 36 months. SETTING: Baseline data recorded in the maternity unit. Follow-up visits took place in the infants' homes and blood sampling in a paediatric hospital. SUBJECTS: Subjects comprised a mixed socioeconomic group of healthy children (n = 121). Blood samples taken from 85, 72 and 67% at 12, 24 and 36 months, respectively. RESULTS: Prevalence of anaemia (Hb < 110 g l(-1)) in the longitudinal sample (n = 76) increased from 2.6% at age 12 months to 9.2% at 24 months, and at age 36 months (n = 70) was 8%. The most significant finding was that at age 12 months, cows' milk consumption was negatively associated with iron status. Other variables also had an influence. At both 24 and 36 months the most significant predictor of iron status was earlier iron status. CONCLUSIONS: Infants born to anaemic mothers or mothers who smoke and infants who consume cows' milk during infancy are at increased risk of developing anaemia. Breast milk is the ideal, but for the infant who is not breast fed an iron fortified formula should be used. Advice to mothers should focus on the importance of introducing nutrient dense complementary foods, such as meat, which contains readily absorbable iron.

Anemia↗
PubMed1998

Predicting percentage of individuals consuming foods from percentage of households purchasing foods to improve the use of household budget surveys in estimating food chemical intakes.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the hypothesis that there is sufficient agreement between percentage of households purchasing selected foods using household budget surveys and percentage of individuals consuming these foods as determined in individual-based surveys to allow the former to act as a surrogate for the latter when estimating food chemical intakes using household budget data. DESIGN: Database study. SETTING: Databases from Sweden, The Netherlands. Ireland and the UK. SUBJECTS: 319 foods (Sweden n = 60, The Netherlands n = 80, Ireland n = 90, UK n = 89). RESULTS: Pearson correlations demonstrated a high degree of linear association between % households purchasing and % consumers (r = 0.86). Regression analysis defined a close positive relationship between the two datasets (slope 0.95, intercept +2.74). Across countries, using the regression equation, the % households predicted % consumers to within 5% of the true value for between 33 and 48% of foods and to within 10% for between 53 and 78% of foods. CONCLUSIONS: Values for % households can be used as a crude surrogate for % consumers and can thus play a role in improving estimates of food additive intake.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Effect of long-term olive oil dietary intervention on postprandial triacylglycerol and factor VII metabolism.

Although the beneficial effects of Mediterranean-type diets, which are rich in olive oil, a good source of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), are generally accepted, little is known about the effects of long-term dietary MUFA intake on postprandial lipoprotein metabolism and hemostasis. This study used a single-blind, randomized, crossover design to investigate the relative effects of a long-term dietary olive oil intervention and a control [saturated fatty acid (SFA)-enriched] diet on postprandial triacylglycerol metabolism and factor VII activity. The postprandial response to a standard test meal was investigated in 23 healthy men who adhered to both diets for 8 wk. cis-MUFAs were successfully substituted for SFAs in the MUFA diet without affecting total dietary fat or energy intakes. The long-term dietary MUFA intervention significantly reduced plasma and LDL-cholesterol concentrations (P = 0.01). Postprandial triacylglycerol concentrations were significantly greater in the early postprandial period after the MUFA diet (P = 0.003). Postprandial factor VII activation and the concentration of the factor VII antigen were significantly lower after the MUFA diet (P = 0.04 and P = 0.006, respectively). This study showed that isoenergetic substitution of MUFAs for SFAs reduces plasma cholesterol and reduces the degree of postprandial factor VII activation. The alterations in the postprandial triacylglycerol response suggest a greater rate of dietary fat absorption and postprandial triacylglycerol metabolism after a diet rich in MUFAs. This study presents new insights into the biochemical basis of the beneficial effects associated with long-term dietary MUFA consumption, which may explain the lower rates of coronary mortality in Mediterranean regions.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

The effects of fasting and refeeding healthy volunteers on serum folate levels.

Fasting serum folate levels are commonly used in assessing folate status and also in estimating the bioavailability of synthetic folic acid and food folate. Previous work has shown that serum folate more than doubles in concentration during a 48 hour fast. Following a 24-hour standardisation procedure, serum and urinary folate levels were measured in nine healthy female volunteers fasting for 36 hours and in the first 6 hours during refeeding. Serum folate concentration increased from a mean of 14.8 ng/ml to 29.3 ng/ml during the 36 hour fast and fell to 22.1 ng/ml during the 6 hour refeeding period. The rise in serum folate concentration during the fast was negatively related to serum folate concentration at 0 hours fasting. It is hypothesised that the enterohepatic recirculation of folate plays an important role in the underlying physiological mechanism. These findings highlight the need to standardise energy intake to control for hepatic influences on folate metabolism in future studies assessing the bioavailability of folate in food.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

The effect of acute carbohydrate load on the monophasic or biphasic nature of the postprandial lipaemic response to acute fat ingestion in human subjects.

Previous studies in this laboratory have elicited a monophasic response in postprandial plasma triacylglycerol (TAG) level with fat intakes of 0.5 g fat/kg body weight accompanied by about 17 g carbohydrate as lactose. Recent studies involving the same level of fat with a higher level of carbohydrate, 136 g of which 60 g was sucrose, appeared to elicit a biphasic response. The present study compared these two test meals and showed a significant meal x time interaction for plasma total TAG (P = 0.0228) reflecting a monophasic response with the lower-carbohydrate test meal. The higher-carbohydrate meal induced significantly higher insulin and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide responses (P = 0.0009 and P = 0.0041 respectively). A significant meal x time interaction was seen for plasma non-esterified fatty acids (P = 0.0437). The biphasic plasma TAG response seen with the high-carbohydrate meal largely reflected the TAG-rich lipoprotein (TRL) or chylomicron fraction, which would tend to suggest a biphasic pattern of absorption. This was borne out by TRL-TAG fatty acid compositions. Both peak in the biphasic response showed active incorporation of the main dietary fatty acids, 18:1n-9, 18:2n-6 and 18:3n-3 into TRL-TAG. These results indicate that under the specific test-meal conditions used in the present study, a biphasic pattern of fat absorption was seen.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Postprandial coagulation factor VII activity: the effect of monounsaturated fatty acids.

The present study investigated the effect of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) on postprandial coagulation factor VII activity. Fifteen healthy male volunteers consumed three meals containing equal amounts (40 g) of fat, but providing different proportions of MUFA (12, 17 and 24% energy) in random order. Fasting and postprandial blood samples were drawn every hour for 9 h. The magnitude of the postprandial triacylglycerolaemic response and the postprandial plasma non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentrations were not significantly different following the three meals. Coagulation factor VII was activated during postprandial triacylglycerolaemia but the area under the curve of postprandial coagulation factor VII activity was not significantly different following the three meals. Regression analysis showed that fasting factor VII activity was the single most important factor affecting postprandial factor VII activity, irrespective of plasma lipid concentrations and meal fat composition. Peak postprandial factor VII activity was attained significantly earlier following the high-MUFA meal compared with the low-MUFA meal (6.33 (SD 2.16)h, 3.60 (SD 1.81)h respectively; P = 0.016). Regression analysis showed that meal MUFA content was the primary determinant of time to peak postprandial factor VII activity. Although the magnitude of postprandial coagulation factor VII activity was not affected by meal MUFA content, peak postprandial factor VII activity occurred earlier and fasting activity levels were quickly restored following the high-MUFA meal. A short-lived increase in factor VII activity may be more beneficial than a prolonged thrombotic response.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Perceived need to alter eating habits among representative samples of adults from all member states of the European Union.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the perceived need to alter eating habits among nationally-representative samples from each member state of the European Union (EU). DESIGN: A cross-sectional study in which quota-controlled, nationally-representative samples of approximately 1000 adults from each country completed a face-to-face interview-assisted questionnaire. SETTING: The survey was conducted between October 1995 and February 1996 in the 15 member states of the European Union. SUBJECTS: 14,331 subjects (aged 15 y upwards) completed the questionnaire. Data were weighted by population size for each country and by sex, age and regional distribution within each member state. RESULTS: 71% of EU subjects agreed with the statement 'I do not need to make changes to the food I eat, as it is already healthy enough'. There was wide variation between the member states ranging from 47% in Finland to 87% in Italy indicating agreement. Overall there was little difference between the sexes except in Austria, Belgium, Germany, Greece and Ireland, but the proportions of subjects agreeing with the statement generally increased with advancing age and decreased with higher levels of education. The effects of demographics were not consistent across member states. A total of 49% of EU subjects agreed with the statement 'I usually do not think of the nutritional aspects of the food I eat'. Significantly more females than males disagreed with the statement in all countries except Portugal. In all member states there were widespread beliefs that people in general should decrease their consumption of savoury snacks and increase their consumption of fruit and vegetables. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study demonstrate that dietary advice may not be perceived as personally relevant among EU subjects. In addition important target groups for the promotion of healthy eating have been identified for example, males or subjects with low levels of education. Because of the variation in attitudes a single pan-EU healthy eating programme is unlikely to be effective for all countries or for different demographic groups.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Difficulties in trying to eat healthier: descriptive analysis of perceived barriers for healthy eating.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the factors which are perceived to be important barriers to healthy eating among European adults. DESIGN: A cross sectional study in which quota-controlled, nationally-representative samples of approximately 1000 adults from each country completed a face-to-face interview-assisted questionnaire. SETTING: The survey was conducted between October 1995 and February 1996 in the 15 member states of the European Union. SUBJECTS: 14,331 subjects (aged 15 y upwards) completed the questionnaire. Data were weighted by population size for each country and by sex, age and regional distribution within each member state. RESULTS: The study demonstrates a great variability in the perceived barriers to healthy eating between different EU countries. Lack of time was the most frequently mentioned difficulty among EU subjects for not following nutritional advice (24% of total EU sample). This barrier was frequently reported by the younger and the higher education people. Other frequently reported barriers were giving up favourite foods (23%) and willpower (18%). Thus healthy diets do not appear to be viewed as an easy or attractive alternative to current diets. There was wide geographical variation in the number of subjects mentioning price as an important barrier to healthy eating (15% in overall EU sample) ranging from less than 10% in Germany and Italy to 23% in the UK and 24% in Luxembourg.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Perceived benefits of healthy eating among a nationally-representative sample of adults in the European Union.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the main perceived benefits associated with healthy eating among European adults. Efforts to make a healthy diet more attractive have to be based on motives capable of stimulating alterations in nutritional behaviour. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study in which quota-controlled, nationally-representative samples of approximately 1000 adults from each country completed a face-to-face interview-assisted questionnaire. SETTING: The survey was conducted between October 1995 and February 1996 in the 15 member states of the European Union. SUBJECTS: A total of 14331 subjects (aged 15 y upwards) completed the questionnaire. Data were weighted by population size for each country and by sex, age and regional distribution within each member state. RESULTS: The question 'which specific benefits, if any, would you personally believe can be achieved by healthy eating'? was answered from a collection of 9 given items with stay healthy by 67% of subjects, with prevent disease by 66%, with be fit by 53%, with control weight by 53% and with quality of life by 45%. The most important personal benefit was asked by the question 'which one benefit would be the most personally significant for you'? 31% of subjects stated stay healthy, 24% prevent disease, 10% control weight, 10% quality of life, 9% be fit. The frequency of answered statements differed considerably between the EU countries, however, no regional structure was detected. More women then men expected benefits from healthy eating. With increasing age more people tended to believe in the benefits stay healthy and prevent disease. Be fit was a more important benefit for younger people (aged 15-34 y). People with a higher level of education associated more benefits from healthy eating.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Eating patterns in functional dyspepsia: a case control study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether eating patterns differ between patients with endoscopically determined functional dyspepsia and non-dyspeptic controls. DESIGN: Case-control study (50 per group). A seven-day record of food consumption with time of food consumption was determined. SETTING: Endoscopy clinic, St. James' Hospital and the Clinical Nutrition Laboratory at the Trinity College Medical School. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Meal eating pattern and their temporal distribution; consumption of food categories and their temporal distribution; data for all subjects and for employed vs unemployed subjects. RESULTS: There was no evidence to suggest that the pattern of food and meal intake throughout the day was in any way influenced by endoscopically determined functional dyspepsia. CONCLUSION: The widely held belief that patients with functional dyspepsia eat differently to healthy controls to relieve or prevent symptoms of dyspepsia is not supported by these findings.

Adult↗