Association between dietary intake and seasonal variations in postmenopausal women

Abstract

BackgroundEvidence supports that increasing number of postmenopausal women are suffering from one or more chronic diseases. Dietary patterns have a pivotal role in maintaining human health. The aim of this study was to characterize the nutrients and energy intake in postmenopausal women, with the special focus on seasonal variation effect in their food intake.MethodsThe study population consisted of 30 postmenopausal women referred to Dr. Shariati Hospital, Tehran (Iran). Socio-demographic characteristics and BMI were registered. Dietary assessment was performed by a 3 day food records in each season through one year, allowing the estimation of energy, protein, carbohydrate, total fat, monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and saturated fatty acids (SFA) intake. The mean of nutrient intake in each season was adjusted for energy intake. The effect of season on energy and nutrients intake was assessed based on the General linear model (GLM).ResultsThe mean of daily intake of vitamin C, B, B2, B12, iron, zinc, phosphorus and chromium was significantly higher than Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDAs ) (p < 0.05). The mean of vitamin D, E, B6, B5, folate, calcium, magnesium, potassium and selenium consumption was significantly less than RDAs (p < 0.05). All the participants meet the goal for vitamins A, K and B3 from food. The mean of energy intake was not different between seasons. However, the mean intake of fat, vitamin C, vitamin K and folate was significantly different between seasons.ConclusionThese findings highlight some nutrients deficiency in postmenopausal women and therefore suggest nutritional education with emphasis on seasonal variation effect.

Dietary Intake Patterns Are Consistent Across Seasons in a Cohort of Healthy Adults in a Metropolitan Population

“…2, 3, 5–7, 9, 10, 19, 20, 24 In contrast to our results, some studies found differences in energy, carbohydrate, and protein intake across seasons. 2–4, 6, 8, 11, 20 In a study by Ma et al, 20 which is perhaps the study with the most similar population to the current study, differences in daily caloric intake by season were reported.…”

“…Previous research is not consistent in its comparison of seasons. Although most studies have looked at differences across all four seasons, 2, 3, 6–8, 10–13, 17, 18, 20, 21, 24 a few have only analyzed differences between summer and winter. 4, 5, 9, 19 The nutrients analyzed, the division and definition of food groups and seasons, and adjustment for confounding factors are also inconsistent across studies.…”

“…2, 4–6 Seasonal differences in fat and protein intake have been described, 2, 4–9 but seasonality of carbohydrate intake is most consistent across studies with several researchers showing highest intakes in the summer. 2, 4, 6, 8 Additionally, while a lack of seasonal differences in vitamin 6, 8 and mineral 6–8, 10–16 intakes has been shown, some reports have noted equivocal seasonal changes in select micronutrients. For instance, a few studies identify summer as the season with the highest intake of vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin D, thiamin, and vitamin B6, 4, 5, 7, 11 but contrastingly, others have demonstrated lowest intakes of vitamin C and vitamin A in summer.…”

“…For instance, a few studies identify summer as the season with the highest intake of vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin D, thiamin, and vitamin B6, 4, 5, 7, 11 but contrastingly, others have demonstrated lowest intakes of vitamin C and vitamin A in summer. 4, 10, 17 Furthermore, sodium, zinc, and magnesium intakes have been noted to increase in the winter compared to the summer, 9 however others have reported that intake of these minerals was highest in the spring. 17 These inconsistencies in the data may be attributed to different methodologies, including use of FFQs, food records of various lengths, and 24-hour diet recalls, as well as to dissimilar samples of participants.…”

Menaquinones, Bacteria, and Foods: Vitamin K2 in the Diet

“…The researchers found a significantly higher intake of vitamin K in the spring, summer, and autumn compared to the winter. Unfortunately, these authors did not further specify vitamin K and did not provide any information about consumption of different food items containing vitamin K [50]. A study in older individuals to calculate the desired duration of a diet recording to estimate the individual vitamin K intake concluded that 13 24-hour recalls are ideal to record intraindividual variance.…”