Background and objectives: A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCT's) was performed to investigate the effects of whole dairy foods and supplements containing dairy ingredients, with and ...without resistance training (RT), on lean mass, strength, muscle size, muscle protein synthesis and physical function in people aged 50+ years. Methods: RCT's published to March 1 2015 were identified by a comprehensive systematic search of scientific databases. Eligible reports were critically appraised in duplicate. Data were pooled using random-effects meta-analyses. Results: 34 RCT's were eligible for inclusion. Dairy consumed in combination with RT resulted in a small increase in lean mass (weighted mean difference 95% CI; 0.5 0.02, 0.98kg; P=0.04; I2=68%) but had no effect on muscle size (P=0.80), leg press strength (P=0.40) or grip strength (P=0.29). Dairy consumed in the absence of RT had no effect on lean mass (P=0.58). There were insufficient data to analyse gait speed. Dairy protein supplements of different dosages (i.e. 20 vs. 40g/day) increased fractional synthetic rate of myofibrilliar protein both in the context of RT (0.03 0.0, 0.06%/hr; P=0.02; I2=87%) and without RT (0.02 0.01, 0.02%/hr; P<0.001; I2=0%). Conclusions: Increased dairy intake (at least 20 g per day--particularly in the form of dairy protein supplements) when combined with RT, is an effective nutritional strategy to augment lean body mass in people aged 50+ years. While dairy protein acutely up-regulates muscle protein synthesis in this age group irrespective of RT, this effect does not directly translate into increases in regional muscle size, muscle strength or function.
This study is the first to describe disparity and change in the food supply between metropolitan, rural and remote stores by Accessibility/Remoteness Index of Australia (ARIA)1 category. A total of ...92 stores (97% response rate) within five aggregate ARIA categories participated throughout Queensland in 2000. There was a strong association between ARIA category and the cost of the basket of basic foods, with prices being significantly higher (20% and 31% respectively) in the 'remote’ and 'very remote’ categories than in the 'highly accessible’ category. The association with ARIA was less marked for fruit and vegetables than for other food groups, but not for tobacco and take‐away food items. Basic food items were less available in the more remote stores. Over the past two years, relative improvements in food prices have been seen in stores in the 'very remote’ category, with observed increases less than the consumer price index (CPI) for food. Some factors which may have contributed to this improvement are discussed.
Australia is a food trading nation with a complex food system. Change can have important implications for rural communities, employment, trade, public health nutrition and food security. This study ...compares Australian food intake scenarios to 2050 with linear projections for Australian agricultural production. The study is distinguished by its nutritional perspective, characterising food balance in terms of basic foods rather than food energy or macronutrients, as well as its systems perspective, taking into account the transformations that occur in food processing and cooking, livestock feed requirements, as well as supply chain and kitchen losses. With Australia’s population projected to increase from around 23 million in 2015 to 37.5 million in 2050, substantial increases in domestic food supply will be required. Although the situation and outlook differ for each commodity, in most respects demand is projected to increase at a greater rate than local production. This suggests that the Australian food system is on a trajectory toward reduced net food exports and increased dependence on imports. This will have implications for Australia’s role in the global food system and presents a change in some of the determinants of national food security. The trajectory of the food system also appears to be at odds with the massive public health challenges associated with diet related disease. These and other implications of an enlarging and increasingly international food system are discussed.
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