Diet, lung function, and lung function decline in a cohort of 2512 middle aged men.
BACKGROUND
A prospective cohort study of 2512 Welshmen aged 45-59 living in Caerphilly in 1979-1983 was used to investigate associations between diet and lung function.


METHODS
At baseline (phase I) and at five year follow up (phase II), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV(1)) was measured using a McDermott spirometer and dietary data were obtained using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire.


RESULTS
Good lung function, indicated by high maximum FEV(1) given age and height, was associated with high intakes of vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, citrus fruit, apples, and the frequent consumption of fruit juices/squashes. Lung function was inversely associated with magnesium intake but there was no evidence of an association with fatty fish. Following adjustment for confounders including body mass index, smoking history, social class, exercise, and total energy intake, only the associations with vitamin E and apples persisted, with lung function estimated to be 39 ml (95% confidence interval (CI) 9 to 69) higher for vitamin E intakes one standard deviation (SD) apart and 138 ml higher (95% CI 58 to 218) for those eating five or more apples per week compared with non-consumers. Decline in lung function between phases was not significantly associated with the changing intakes of apples or vitamin E. An association between high average apple consumption and slow decline in lung function lost significance after adjustment for confounders.


CONCLUSIONS
A strong positive association is seen between lung function and the number of apples eaten per week cross sectionally, consistent with a protective effect of hard fruit rather than soft/citrus fruit. The recent suggestion that such effects are reversible was not supported by our longitudinal analysis.
Butland
B K
BK
Department of Public Health Sciences, St George's Hospital Medical School, Cranmer Terrace, London SW17 0RE, UK.
Fehily
A M
AM
Elwood
P C
PC
D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004032:Diet; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005395:Fish Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000502:physiology*; D008176:Lung Volume Measurements; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012650:Self Disclosure; D013147:Spirometry; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage; D019207:beta Carotene / Q000008:administration & dosage
D005395:Fish Oils; D019207:beta Carotene; D014810:Vitamin E; D001205:Ascorbic Acid