Alastair B Ross1,2, Marjorelee T Colega3, Ai Lin Lim3, Irma Silva-Zolezzi2, Katherine Macé2, Seang Mei Saw4, Kenneth Kwek5, Peter Gluckman3,6, Keith M Godfrey7, Yap-Seng Chong3,8, Mary F F Chong3,9,10. 1. Food and Nutritional Science, Department of Biology and Biological Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden. Email: Alastair.Ross@chalmers.se. 2. Nestlé Research Centre, Vers chez les Blanc, Lausanne, Switzerland. 3. Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences (SICS), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore. 4. Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore. 5. KK Children's and Women's Hospital, Singapore. 6. Liggins Institute, Auckland, New Zealand. 7. MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit and NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University of Southampton and University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, UK. 8. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore. 9. Clinical Nutrition Research Centre, SICS, A*STAR, Singapore. 10. Department of Paediatrics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To quantify whole grain intake in pregnant women in Singapore in order to provide the first detailed analysis of whole grain intake in an Asian country and in pregnant women. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: Analysis of 24-h diet recalls in a cross-sectional cohort study and analysis of a biomarker of whole grain intake (plasma alkylresorcinols) in a subset of subjects. The Growing Up in Singapore Towards healthy Outcomes-mother offspring cohort study based in Singapore. 998 pregnant mothers with complete 24-h recalls taken during their 26-28th week of gestation. Plasma samples from a randomly select subset of 100 subjects were analysed for plasma alkylresorcinols. RESULTS: Median (IQR) whole grain intake for the cohort and the 30% who reported eating whole grains were 0 (IQR 0, 9) and 23.6 (IQR 14.6, 44.2) g/day respectively. Plasma alkylresorcinol concentrations were very low [median (IQR)=9 (3, 15) nmol/L], suggesting low intake of whole grain wheat in this population. Plasma alkylresorcinols were correlated with whole grain wheat intake (Spearman's r=0.35; p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Whole grain intake among pregnant mothers in Singapore was well below the 2-3 (60-95 g) servings of whole grains per day recommended by the Singapore Health Promotion Board. Efforts to increase whole grain intake should be supported to encourage people to choose whole grains over refined grains in their diet.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To quantify whole grain intake in pregnant women in Singapore in order to provide the first detailed analysis of whole grain intake in an Asian country and in pregnant women. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: Analysis of 24-h diet recalls in a cross-sectional cohort study and analysis of a biomarker of whole grain intake (plasma alkylresorcinols) in a subset of subjects. The Growing Up in Singapore Towards healthy Outcomes-mother offspring cohort study based in Singapore. 998 pregnant mothers with complete 24-h recalls taken during their 26-28th week of gestation. Plasma samples from a randomly select subset of 100 subjects were analysed for plasma alkylresorcinols. RESULTS: Median (IQR) whole grain intake for the cohort and the 30% who reported eating whole grains were 0 (IQR 0, 9) and 23.6 (IQR 14.6, 44.2) g/day respectively. Plasma alkylresorcinol concentrations were very low [median (IQR)=9 (3, 15) nmol/L], suggesting low intake of whole grain wheat in this population. Plasma alkylresorcinols were correlated with whole grain wheat intake (Spearman's r=0.35; p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Whole grain intake among pregnant mothers in Singapore was well below the 2-3 (60-95 g) servings of whole grains per day recommended by the Singapore Health Promotion Board. Efforts to increase whole grain intake should be supported to encourage people to choose whole grains over refined grains in their diet.
Authors: Jia En Neo; Saihah Binte Mohamed Salleh; Yun Xuan Toh; Kesslyn Yan Ling How; Mervin Tee; Kay Mann; Sinead Hopkins; Frank Thielecke; Chris J Seal; Iain A Brownlee Journal: J Nutr Sci Date: 2016-08-04