| Healthy eating is associated with physical health and an improved quality of life. The diet of many Americans is poor. The following research is aimed at measuring and improving the diet quality of adults in Northern California. A thorough review of dietary assessment methodology was completed including a method validation study of a computerized program. Next, the relationship between specific food intake behaviors and diet quality was explored. A cross-sectional study compared the diet quality of habitual breakfast eaters and breakfast skipper. A blinded, control trial compared the affects of different types of added sugar on energy compensation and satiety. In summary, this work finds that obtaining accurate measures of dietary intake is difficult. However, computer-administered, 24 hour recalls may be a useful tool in overweight and obese women. Breakfast eating is associated with a diet more closely aligned with the US Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Finally, regardless of the type of sugar used, sweetened beverage consumption leads to extra energy intake. |
