The effects of daily dietary intake of fibres on perceived general health immune functioning in young adults

D. Bury, A.M. Fernstrand, J. Garssen, J.C. Verster

Research output: Contribution to journalMeeting AbstractAcademic

Abstract

Background: Daily intake of dietary fibres provides many health benefits. Generous intake of dietary fibres has been associated with a reduced risk of various diseases and conditions as well as enhanced immune functioning. The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of daily dietary intake of fibres on perceived health state and immune functioning in healthy young adults. Methods: N = 509 Dutch university students completed a survey collecting data on dietary intake of fibres (food frequency questionnaire), perceived health status and immune functioning (1-item score ranging from absent (0) to severe (10)). Perceived general health status and immune functioning were associated with daily intake of fibres using nonparametric (Spearman) correlations for the group as a whole, and men and women separately. Results: Mean (SD) age was 20.8 (2.6) years old, 71.9% of the sample were females. Mean (SD) daily dietary total fibre intake was 15.5 g (6.9). Daily dietary intake of fibres correlated significantly with the general health rating (r = 0.171, p = 0.0001) and perceived immune functioning (r = 0.124, p = 0.008). When controlling for total caloric intake, the partial correlation remained significant between general health and fibre intake (r = 0.151, p = 0.002). The effects were considerably more pronounced in men when compared to women. Conclusion: A significant association between dietary intake of fibres and perceived general health and immune functioning was found in a cohort of healthy young adults. Future studies should further explore the nature and cause of the observed gender differences.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)528-529
Number of pages2
JournalAllergy
Volume70
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Sept 2015

Keywords

  • dietary intake
  • fiber
  • health
  • young adult
  • European
  • allergy
  • clinical immunology
  • human
  • health status
  • female
  • dietary fiber
  • male
  • food frequency questionnaire
  • university student
  • sex difference
  • caloric intake
  • diseases
  • risk

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