Total body potassium (TBK) data calculated from longitudinal measurements over 18 y of 40K by whole-body counting of 564 male and 61 female healthy humans in a 2-pi liquid scintillation counter show little change in females younger than 50 y compared with males of those ages. Males show less TBK from 41 y onward as they age, with most rapid rate of loss between 41 and 60 y. Females have a rapid loss of TBK when they are older than 60 y; the loss is at a greater rate than that of males. Percent total body fat calculated from total body weight and lean body mass (LBM) derived from TBK document greater adiposity in females at all ages except ages 51-60 y when females are similar to males in change in percent fat per year per centimeter.

The old adage, "You are what you eat," is not always reliable, as demonstrated in this mixed-longitudinal study of men that began in 1969. Mean values of percent body fat, total body potassium (TBK), and total serum cholesterol (SCHOL) did not show changes that correlated with any studied nutrient from repeated 4-day diet records. Mean blood pressure increased with increased body weight as age increased. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased when polyunsaturated fat intake increased. The men had decreased mean height, TBK and increase in percent body fat as age increased. Food energy intake decreased equally from carbohydrates, protein and fat as age increased. Large standard deviations of mean values of measured parameters document heterogeneity of these subjects. A subset of 144 male cohorts was studied serially for 20 years in time-age, cross-sectional and longitudinal series. As they aged, height and TBK decreased (p < or = 0.05), percent body fat and blood pressure increased (p < or = 0.04) and SCHOL had no significant change. Intake of all nutrients decreased significantly (p < or = 0.03) longitudinally and with time, showing a time effect.

MyPlate is a guidance system for healthier eating choices. In this cross-sectional study, we investigated the influence of MyPlate food group consumption and exercise on metabolic syndrome (MetS) parameters in college students. Participant (n = 462) blood was analyzed using Cholestech for triglycerides (TG), glucose, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). In addition, weight, waist circumference (WC), and blood pressure (BP) were measured. Diet and Wellness Plus was used to compute participant diet records. Regression analysis and a recursive decision tree were made to predict MetS using RStudio (V.1.1.463). BP decision tree predicted high risk of elevated blood pressure with a recall rate of 93.7%. For males; exercise, empty calories, dairy, and protein were main predictors. For females, vegetable and empty calorie consumption were primary determinants. HDL-C decision tree had a recall rate of 91.8% and showed that the main low HDL-C risk determinants for males were; exercise and grain consumption. Conversely, for females; empty calories, grain, and vegetable consumption were the key factors determining low HDL-C risk. This study shows that MyPlate recommendations are valuable to achieve adequate HDL-C and blood pressure and provides insight into the importance of tailoring food intake guidance based on gender.

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