Objective: Visual estimation, which is one of methods of plate waste measurement to evaluate food intake, is generally used in food service facilities. The purpose of this study was to systematically review the process of visual estimation, and to examine its reliability, validity in measuring plate waste in food service facilities.
Methods: We utilized two databases (“Igaku chuo zassi” and CiNii) to identify Japanese articles, and two databases (PubMed and CINAHL complete) and manual search to identify English articles published between January 1981 and July 2013.
Results: Finally, 12 English articles were selected. Out of the 12 chosen articles, 5 were from hospitals, 3 were from nursing homes or long-term care facilities, 2 were from schools, and 2 were from other contexts. Most of the articles did not evaluate meals of different serving sizes. The correlation between the visual estimation method and the weighed method for measuring plate waste (g), as measured by the Pearson coefficient, ranged from 0.63 to 0.96, indicating sufficient criterion-related validity, the inter-rater reliability between three dietitians had been calculated (the Pearson coefficient ranged from 0.95~0.97). All the articles were found to have used different rating scales. Specifically, 1 used a 3-point scale, 1 used a 4-point scale, 3 used a 5-point scale, 3 used a 6-point scale, 2 used a 7-point scale, 1 used 12-point scale, and 2 used other scales.
Conclusion: The visual estimation method was appropriate if the serving sizes were uniform within individual facilities.

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Objective: This study aimed to investigate the safety of resveratrol (Res), which is one of popular anti-aging dietary supplements, by evaluating its effects on the expression of genes encoding hepatic drug metabolizing enzymes (cytochrome P450 (Cyp)) in ovariectomized (OVX) mice.
Methods: Female ddY mice, aged 8 weeks, were either sham-operated or OVX. The OVX mice were randomly divided into 4 groups of 6 mice each: control OVX mice, OVX mice that subcutaneously received 0.1 mg Res (OVX + Res 0.1) daily, OVX mice that subcutaneously received 0.5 mg Res (OVX + Res 0.5) daily, and OVX mice that subcutaneously received 0.03 μg β-estradiol (OVX + E2) daily. In order to examine the effects of Res on Cyp gene expression, after 2 weeks, the expression levels of the genes encoding hepatic drug metabolizing enzymes were determined using DNA microarrays.
Results: There were no significant differences in body weight or hepatic weight among the groups of mice. Expression levels of the hepatic enzymes Cyp2b9, Cyp2d10, Cyp2d13, Cyp2d26, Cyp2e1, and Cyp4a10 in the OVX + Res 0.5 group were significantly lower than the expression levels of the corresponding enzymes in the sham group. However, the level of expression of Cyp3a41 was significantly up-regulated in the OVX mice, compared to that in the mice in the sham group, and daily administration of 0.5 mg Res (OVX + Res 0.5) was shown to significantly inhibit this up-regulation.
Conclusions: These results suggest that daily administration of 0.5 mg Res over a period of 2 weeks inhibits the expression of specific hepatic cytochrome P450 genes in OVX mice.

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Objective: The acquisition of the ability for pronunciation is important for hard of hearing preschool children. Nutrition teachers are expected to support children through school-lunch and nutrition education (NE). We therefore conducted a NE program at a school for students with special hearing needs and assessed the program at each stage of the plan-do-check cycle.
Methods: Seventeen pairs of children and parents participated in the study. We taught children how to chew using puppets and continued encouraging them to chew well during school-lunchtime. We also educated parents on the benefits of mastication. In the planning assessment, the NE program was checked by teachers, according to the “kindergarten education guidelines.” In the process assessment, we obtained feedback from parents and teachers, and conducted a mid-term evaluation after the summer vacation. In the effect assessment, we obtained information of NE through homeroom teachers regarding children's chewing behavior during school-lunchtime, and administered questionnaires to parents both before and after NE.
Results: The results of the planning assessment were satisfactory. However, in the process assessment, parents' and teachers' feedback indicated difficulties in maintaining proper chewing behavior. In the effect assessment, six of the nine children with chewing problems showed improvement. Moreover, children's eating habits at home improved, including a reduction in television viewing during meals and an increase in parents' awareness about leaving food crunchy while cooking.
Conclusion: Children's chewing behavior at both school and home improved following NE. However, the results also indicated a regression to original chewing behavior after the summer vacation. Therefore, the contents of NE need to be improved to ensure maintenance of proper chewing behavior.

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Objective: The practice of skipping breakfast by university students is a health problem in Japan. This study examined the relationship of skipping breakfast and student living arrangements.
Methods: From June to October 2012, 483 university students completed a cross-sectional, self-administered questionnaire survey. The questionnaire included items about the number of breakfasts consumed per week, lifestyle, and eating habits. The 386 valid responses were grouped by the students' living arrangements: at home with parents or independently. The relationship between skipping breakfast and living arrangements, lifestyle, and eating habits were analyzed using chi-square tests and logistic regression analysis.
Results: The students who lived at home and bought a delicatessen four or more days per week were more likely to skip breakfast than students living at home who purchased food three or fewer days per week (adjusted odds ratio (OR): 2.54; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.22~5.26). The students who lived independently and worked part-time were more likely to skip breakfast than the students who did not work (adjusted OR: 4.63; 95% CI: 1.49~14.41).
Conclusions: The students who lived at home and frequently bought a delicatessen habitually skipped breakfast, while the students who lived independently and worked part-time habitually skipped breakfast. The factors associated with skipping breakfast differed across living situations.

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