Background Nutrigenomics forms the basis of personalized nutrition by customizing an individual’s dietary plan based on the integration of life stage, current health status, and genome information. Some common genes that are included in nutrition-based multigene test panels include CYP1A2 (rate of caffeine break down), MTHFR (folate usage), NOS3 (risk of elevated triglyceride levels related to omega-3 fat intake), and ACE (blood pressure response in related to sodium intake). The complexity of gene test–based personalized nutrition presents barriers to its implementation. Objective This study aimed to compare a self-driven approach to gene test–based nutrition education versus an integrated practitioner-facilitated method to help develop improved interface tools for personalized nutrition practice. Methods A sequential, explanatory mixed methods investigation of 55 healthy adults (35 to 55 years) was conducted that included (1) a 9-week randomized controlled trial where participants were randomized to receive a standard nutrition-based gene test report (control; n=19) or a practitioner-facilitated personalized nutrition intervention (intervention; n=36) and (2) an interpretative thematic analysis of focus group interview data. Outcome measures included differences in the diet quality score (Healthy Eating Index–Canadian [HEI-C]; proportion [%] of calories from total fat, saturated fat, and sugar; omega 3 fatty acid intake [grams]; sodium intake [milligrams]); as well as health-related quality of life (HRQoL) scale score. Results Of the 55 (55/58 enrolled, 95%) participants who completed the study, most were aged between 40 and 51 years (n=37, 67%), were female (n=41, 75%), and earned a high household income (n=32, 58%). Compared with baseline measures, group differences were found for the percentage of calories from total fat (mean difference [MD]=−5.1%; Wilks lambda (λ)=0.817, F 1,53 =11.68; P =.001; eta-squared [η²]=0.183) and saturated fat (MD=−1.7%; λ=0.816; F 1,53 =11.71; P =.001; η²=0.18) as well as HRQoL scores (MD=8.1 points; λ=0.914; F 1,53 =4.92; P =.03; η²=0.086) compared with week 9 postintervention measures. Interactions of time-by-group assignment were found for sodium intakes (λ=0.846; F 1,53 =9.47; P =.003; η²=0.15) and HEI-C scores (λ=0.660; F 1,53 =27.43; P <.001; η²=0.35). An analysis of phenotypic and genotypic information by group assignment found improved total fat (MD=−5%; λ=0.815; F 1,51 =11.36; P =.001; η²=0.19) and saturated fat (MD=−1.3%; λ=0.822; F ...

BackgroundFood energy under-reporting is differentially distributed among populations. Currently, little is known about how mental health state may affect energy-adjusted nutrient intakes among food energy under-reporters.MethodsStratified analysis of energy-adjusted nutrient intake by mental health (poor vs. good) and age/sex was conducted using data from Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) respondents (14–70 years; n = 8,233) who were deemed as under-reporters based on Goldberg's cutoffs.ResultsMost were experiencing good mental health (95.2%). Among those reporting poor mental health, significantly lower energy-adjusted nutrient intakes tended to be found for fiber, protein, vitamins A, B2, B3, B6, B9, B12, C, and D, and calcium, potassium, and zinc (probability measures (p) &lt; 0.05). For women (51–70 years), all micronutrient intakes, except iron, were significantly lower among those reporting poor mental health (p &lt; 0.05). For men (31–50 years), B vitamin and most mineral intakes, except sodium, were significantly lower among those reporting poor mental health (p &lt; 0.05). Among women (31–50 years) who reported poor mental health, higher energy-adjusted intakes were reported for vitamin B9 and phosphorus (p &lt; 0.05).ConclusionsAmong food energy under-reporters, poor mental health tends to lower the report of specific energy-adjusted nutrient intakes that include ones critical for mental health. Future research is needed to discern if these differences may be attributed to deviations in the accurate reports of food intakes, measurement errors, or mental health states.

Current salt consumption is the major risk factor for hypertension and consequently cardiovascular disease (CVD). Accurate measurement of Na intake is an important component of developing dietary interventions to treat hypertension and lower CVD risk. Given that existing methods have a large subject burden, quick and practical ways to assess Na intake in individuals, particularly in hypertensive subjects, are needed. Such tools may be used for motivation to quantify salt intake and to set targets for lifestyle changes for prevention of CVD within a clinic setting. Patients at high risk of development of CVD may be identified and targeted for motivational interviewing. They may also be used as part of cardiac rehabilitation programs and will allow individuals to measure their own intake and to see the results of their individual action.

To determine the impact of educational programs on immigrant groups in the United States, nutrition educators must have assessment and evaluation tools that use the language and vocabulary of the target population. Filipino Americans exhibit health disparities with regard to several conditions and are an important target for nutrition education. Currently, there are no existing rigorously tested tools in the Tagalog language which also have a low user burden and are designed to measure diet for assessment and evaluation of nutrition education programs. As these programs are generally evaluated using time-intensive dietary assessment tools not tailored specifically to Filipinos, they may not effectively characterize the diet of this population. Given the high adoption rates of mobile phones by populations outside of the United States, mobile apps may represent a best choice for developing tools to assist individuals recently migrating to the United States or speaking English as an additional language. Several tools of this nature have been developed for immigrant groups and hold promise in terms of acceptability. Examples of dietary assessment tools using technology developed for Spanish speakers in the United States are provided. These methods may also be appropriate for addressing the needs of immigrant groups such as Filipinos.