Project Number: 1950-51530-007-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: May 01, 2004
End Date: Apr 30, 2009

Objective:
LAB:Nutritional Epidemiology Determine, using epidemiologic approaches, the independent influence of different aspects of nutrition on the prevention of insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, type 2 DM and CVD. Test with epidemiologic methods whether age-related cataract and maculopathy can be prevented or delayed with higher intake of antioxidant nutrients, healthier dietary patterns and higher intakes of PUFAs. Examine the effect of homocysteine lowering with B vitamin therapy on change in cognitive function. Identify the causes and consequences of mild hyperhomocysteinemia to test whether 1) homocysteine, nutrients and genetic mutations related to one-carbon metabolism affect risk of cardiovascular disease and dementia; 2) homocysteine and vitamin B12 levels have a high degree of heritability; and 3) homocysteine concentrations of adult offspring can predict risk of CVD and dementia in their parents. Measure the amount of folic acid in enriched grain products to determine the amount provided by fortification and assess the safety by examining the relation of folic acid intake to a) circulating unmetabolized folic acid, b) vitamin B12 status, and c) cognitive function. Assess the prevalence of high vitamin E levels and examine the use of vitamin E supplements is associated with risk of CVD to exmine the hypothesis that vitamin E supplements are associated with a reduced incidence of CVD among individuals free of CVD and diabetes, but CVD events, including death, is not associated with vitamin E supplement use among individuals with existing CVD or diabetes. Develop an index to assess adherence to the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and test the hypothesis that adherences to the DGA is associated with less age-related chronic disease. Examine the role of diet, starting with both data-defined and policy-based dietary patterns and working from foods to nutrients, in development of CVD using intermediate markers of CVD risk including brachial artery flow-mediated dilation and biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress. Using an epidemiological approach, investigate the role of whole grains, selected nutrients, other bioactive food components, and healthy dietary patterns in preventing development of age-related conditions such as type 2 DM, CVD, cancer and musculoskeletal disorders. LAB:Dietary Assessment To determine if low micronutrient intakes and poor dietary patterns increase bone loss and fracture risk with aging. To determine if specific vitamin of fatty acid intakes protect against depression and loss of cognitive function. To identify subgroups of older adults in the US with inadequate dietary intakes, and the extent to which inadequate intakes are associated with poor nutritional status. To determine the relationship between dietary patterns and heart disease risk factors, including obesity, among older adults. To determine how genetic polymorphisms modify dietary effects on risk of heart disease, cognitive function and bone status. To determine whether cumulative environmental stress is modified by nutritional factors to affect risk of obesity, diabetes, depression, cognitive decline and physical disability.

Approach:
LAB:Nutritional Epidemiology Development of public health nutrition guidelines and interventions to reduce economic and societal costs associated with age-related disabilities and premature death from chronic disease requires a greater understanding of the presumptive role that nutrition plays in delaying the development of these conditions. This project will focus on two major two overall goals to address these issues: 1) to identify environmental, lifestyle and genetic factors that influence the nutritional status and requirements of the elderly, and 2) to determine the role of nutritional status in healthy aging and the development of chronic disease and age-related impairments such as cardiovascular disease, dementia, type 2 diabetes mellitus, cataract and maculopathy. These goals will be achieved through the application of epidemiological methods and community-based investigation of aging population samples. Our approach will provide knowledge on the role of nutrition in preventing a number of age-related disabilities that can be readily applied to the development of nutrition guidelines and interventions. LAB:Dietary Assessment Establish a longitudinal cohort of Puerto Rican adults and assess dietary intake and nutritional status, along with stress measures and genetic markers and relate to the development and progression of chronic health conditions . Conduct intervention studies with Puerto Rican adults. Analyze data from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging to assess relationships between dietary patterns and metabolic syndrome. Analyze data from the Normative Aging Study to assess relationships between dietary intake, vitamin status and cognitive decline. Compare dietary intake measured by food frequency with serum biomarkers in the Jackson Heart Study. Analyze data from the Framingham Osteoporosis study to assess relationships between dietary pattern and bone mineral density and fracture.