Nutrition Policy

Nutrition is how food affects the health of the body. Food is essential—it provides vital nutrients for survival, and helps the body function and stay healthy. Food is comprised of macronutrients including protein, carbohydrate and fat that not only offer calories to fuel the body and give it energy but play specific roles in maintaining health. Food also supplies micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) and phytochemicals that don't provide calories but serve a variety of critical functions to ensure the body operates optimally. The word health refers to a state of complete emotional and physical well-being. Healthcare exists to help people maintain this optimal state of health. Good nutrition is one of the keys to a healthy life. You can improve your health by keeping a balanced diet. You should eat foods that contain vitamins and minerals. This includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, dairy, and a source of protein.

Aim: This paper describes the development, implementation and validation of general practice standards, supported by a continuous quality improvement (CQI) process that teaches practice teams how to work together to identify and enhance the quality of care they provide. Methods: Practice standards were developed through consensus by key stakeholders in general practice, pre-tested in four practices, and refined and piloted in 20 practices throughout New Zealand during 1999. A further field trial was undertaken to validate the standards and test the process of practice assessment. During 2000-2001, 74 practices volunteered to be assessed against the standards. Sixty one general practitioners, practice nurses and practice managers, nominated from independent practitioner associations (IPAs) or primary care organisations (PCOs), were trained to undertake the assessments. Results: On five of 13 variables, no statistically significant differences at the 0.05 level were identified between the practices in the field trial and a random sample of practices studied by Kljakovic. The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (RNZCGP) standards were found to have excellent face validity and content validity, and good construct validity. Internal consistency was fair. Lessons from the evaluation have informed an improved version of the practice assessment tool. Conclusions: The validation field trial provided the RNZCGP with a framework and tool for an accreditation process based on the principles of CQI. The tool offers patients and other stakeholders a credible measure of quality and safety at the practice level through a process bridging quality control and quality improvement.

This study examined the nutritional disparities in school breakfasts across income-based school districts, focusing on added sugar and sodium levels. The objective of this study was to determine whether income levels influence the nutritional quality of meals served to students. A cross-sectional quantitative research design was employed with a sample size of 1,500 from 60 U.S. public schools' breakfasts distributed equally across low-, middle-, and high-income districts. Nutritional data on added sugar (g) and sodium (mg) were collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics, ANOVA, normality tests (Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Shapiro-Wilk), and Tukey's test to assess distribution patterns and significant group differences. Findings revealed that low-income districts served meals with the highest levels of added sugar (12.012 ± 0.133 g) and sodium (493.152 ± 4.425 mg), whereas high-income districts served the lowest levels (8.153 ± 0.092 g added sugar; 402.806 ± 3.864 mg sodium). These differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05), indicating a disparity in nutritional quality according to income. This study underscores the existence of nutritional inequities in school breakfast. Policy interventions are essential to ensure that all students, regardless of socioeconomic background, have access to healthy, nutritionally balanced meals.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, the most prevalent liver disease in developed countries, remains difficult to manage with no proven safe and effective pharmacotherapy available. While weight reduction is the most commonly practiced treatment strategy, this is difficult to both achieve and/or maintain in the majority. Furthermore evidence-based dietary recommendations to guide the nutritional management of these patients are lacking. Using a randomised controlled trial design, this study compares the effectiveness of the Mediterranean diet to a standard low fat diet in terms of differences in insulin sensitivity, hepatic steatosis and metabolic outcomes in participants with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Ninety four eligible patients who have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and who are insulin resistant, will be randomised into either a Mediterranean or low fat diet group for a 3 month intervention period. Insulin sensitivity will be measured on peripheral blood using Homeos...

Background: This study evaluates the changes in Spain between 2006 and 2012, of school-based policies encouraging healthy eating and the undertaking of physical activity (PA). Methods: A longitudinal study was undertaken comprising 277 representative schools from all the regions of Spain. The questionnaires were completed by the school management board. An indicator for school policies on PA was constructed (score 0-4) from the following indicators: (i) participation in PA programmes, (ii) existence of written PA guidelines, (iii) training of teachers about PA and (iv) organization of extracurricular PA activities. For nutrition, indicators similar to the first three for PA were evaluated, together with access to healthy foods (score 0-4). In addition to comparing the scores for 2006 and 2012, multivariate linear regression was used to study the association between the characteristics of the schools and the changes in the scores. Results: The indicators for schoolbased policies on nutrition and PA improved between 2006 and 2012: the average score for PA increased from 1.33 to 1.79 (P < 0.001) and that for nutrition from 1.28 to 1.92 (P < 0.001). The greatest changes were seen regarding the written guidelines for action and participation in PA and nutrition programmes as well as the training of teachers about nutrition. The schools with the least number of students had the highest changes in scores for policies on nutrition (P < 0.05). Conclusions: There has been an increase of school-based policies on PA and nutrition, although there is still room for improvement.

Successful food and health research infrastructure is necessary to conduct high quality research and design effective public health strategies to improve population health through lifestyle, food and nutrition. Objectives: EuroDISH will provide recommendations to stakeholders such as the European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI), the Joint Programming Initiative-Healthy Diet Healthy Life (JPI-HDHL) and future European funding programmes (e.g. Horizon 2020) on the needs and best-practice for food and health research infrastructures. Methods/results: Research has been organised using the “DISH” model which represents four areas of food and health research: Determinants of dietary behaviour; Intake of foods and nutrients; Status and functional markers of nutritional health; Health and disease risks of foods and nutrients. The project consists of three phases: - Phase one (completed July 2013): Desk research, interviews (N=30) and stakeholder workshop conducted to map ...

Objective: Effective interventions to improve population and individual health require environmental change as well as strategies that target individual behaviours and clinical factors. This is the basis of implementing an ecological approach to health programs and health promotion. For Aboriginal People and Torres Strait Islanders, colonisation has made the physical and social environment particularly detrimental for health. Methods and Results: We conducted a literature review to identify Aboriginal health interventions that targeted environmental determinants of health, identifying 21 different health programs. Program activities that targeted environmental determinants of health included: Caring for Country; changes to food supply and/or policy; infrastructure for physical activity; housing construction and maintenance; anti-smoking policies; OPEN ACCESS increased workforce capacity; continuous quality improvement of clinical systems; petrol substitution; and income management. Targets were categorised according to Miller's Living Systems Theory. Researchers using an Indigenous community based perspective more often identified interpersonal and community-level targets than were identified using a Western academic perspective. Conclusions: Although there are relatively few papers describing interventions that target environmental determinants of health, many of these addressed such determinants at multiple levels, consistent to some degree with an ecological approach. Interpretation of program targets sometimes differed between academic and community-based perspectives, and was limited by the type of data reported in the journal articles, highlighting the need for local Indigenous knowledge for accurate program evaluation. Implications: While an ecological approach to Indigenous health is increasingly evident in the health research literature, the design and evaluation of such programs requires a wide breadth of expertise, including local Indigenous knowledge.

Previous studies found that developed and developing countries present opposite education-overweight gradients but have not considered the dynamics at different levels of national development. An inverted U-shaped curve is hypothesized to best describe the education-overweight association. It is also hypothesized that as the nutrition transition unfolds within nations the shape of education-overweight curve changes. Multilevel logistic regression was used to estimate the moderating effect of the nutrition transition at the population level on the education-overweight gradient. At the individual level, a non-linear estimate of the education association was used to assess the optimal functional form of the association across the nutrition transition. Twenty-two administrations of the Demographic and Health Survey, collected at different time points across the nutrition transition in nine Latin American/Caribbean countries. Mothers of reproductive age (15-49 years) in each administrati...

Caffeine has a stimulating effect on the central nervous system, which can reduce fatigue and drowsiness. In addition, it has been shown to improve sports performance. In this current study, researchers used a randomized, placebo-controlled single-blind parallel groups trial to investigate the effects of caffeine on the sprint performance of male university football players aged 18 to 25 years in the Multan zone of South Punjab, Pakistan. A total of 120 players were divided into four groups of 30 each, with each group receiving a different dose of caffeine in capsule form. Group A received 3 mgkg-1 , Group B received 6 mg-kg-1 and Group C received 9 mg-kg-1 , while Group D was given a placebo 0mg-kg-1. Sprint performance were measured through 20m Sprint test before and after the administration of caffeine and data analysis was conducted using GraphPad Prism version 6.0 software, with statistical tests like paired sample ''t''-test, ANOVA and Pearson correlation being applied to determine the relationship of each dose of caffeine on sprint performance. In our study, all three study groups 3, 6 and 9 mg/kg-1 presented conspicuous effects of caffeine on the 20-m sprint test. Overall results of this study showed that high doses 9 mg/kg-1 had prominent effects on the Sprint performance of university football players. Pearson correlation coefficient results showed that there was a positive significant correlation between Group B 6mg Pre and Group C 9mg Post. Moreover, high doses of caffeine do more to improve the sprint performance of university football players.

The stimulating properties of caffeine can alleviate feelings of tiredness and drowsiness and even enhance sports performance. A study was conducted in South Punjab, Pakistan, with male university football players aged 18 to 25 years. The study was a randomized, placebocontrolled single-blind parallel-group trial with a total of 120 participants divided into four groups of 30 each. Each group was given a different dose of caffeine in capsule form: Group A received 3 mg-kg-1 , Group B received 6 mg-kg-1 , Group C received 9 mg-kg-1 and Group D was given a placebo 0 mg-kg-1. Endurance performance was measured before and after caffeine administration and statistical analyses such as paired sample ''t''-test, ANOVA and Pearson correlation were performed on the data using GraphPad Prism version 6.0 software. The results showed that all three groups that received caffeine in doses of 3, 6, and 9 mg/kg-1 experienced significant improvements in their endurance performance. The study concluded that high doses of caffeine (9 mg/kg-1) had the most noticeable effects on the endurance performance of university football players.

The development of nutrition and health guidelines and policies requires reliable scientific information. Unfortunately, theoretical considerations and empirical evidence indicate that a large percentage of science-based claims rely on studies that fail to replicate. The session "Strategies to Optimize the Impact of Nutrition Surveys and Epidemiological Studies" focused on the elements of design, interpretation, and communication of nutritional surveys and epidemiological studies to enhance and encourage the production of reliable, objective evidence for use in developing dietary guidance for the public. The speakers called for more transparency of research, raw data, consistent data-staging techniques, and improved data analysis. New approaches to collecting data are urgently needed to increase the credibility and utility of findings from nutrition epidemiological studies. Such studies are critical for furthering our knowledge and understanding of the effects of diet on health.

Workshops sponsored by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) and the World Health Organization suggested that incorporating systematic (evidence) reviews into the process of updating nutrient reference values would provide a comprehensive and distilled evidence document to decision makers and enhance the transparency of the decision-making process the IOM used in recommending the Dietary Reference Intake values (DRIs) for US and Canadian populations. At the request of the US and Canadian government sponsors of the ongoing review of the 1997 vitamin D and calcium DRI values, the Tufts Evidence-based Practice Center performed a systematic review for the current DRI Committee to use early in its deliberations. We described the approach used to include systematic review into the IOM process for updating nutrient reference values and highlighted major challenges encountered along with the solutions used. The challenges stemmed from the need to review and synthesize a large number of primary studies covering a broad range of outcomes. We resolved these challenges by 1) working with a technical expert panel to prioritize and select outcomes of interest, 2) developing methods to use existing systematic reviews and documenting the limitations by doing so, 3) translating results from studies not designed to address issues of interest by using a transparent process, and 4) establishing tailored quality-assessment tools to assist in decision making. The experiences described in this article can serve as a basis for future improvements in systematic reviews of nutrients and to better integrate systematic review into development of future nutrient reference values.

Workshops sponsored by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) and the World Health Organization suggested that incorporating systematic (evidence) reviews into the process of updating nutrient reference values would provide a comprehensive and distilled evidence document to decision makers and enhance the transparency of the decision-making process the IOM used in recommending the Dietary Reference Intake values (DRIs) for US and Canadian populations. At the request of the US and Canadian government sponsors of the ongoing review of the 1997 vitamin D and calcium DRI values, the Tufts Evidence-based Practice Center performed a systematic review for the current DRI Committee to use early in its deliberations. We described the approach used to include systematic review into the IOM process for updating nutrient reference values and highlighted major challenges encountered along with the solutions used. The challenges stemmed from the need to review and synthesize a large number of primary studies covering a broad range of outcomes. We resolved these challenges by 1) working with a technical expert panel to prioritize and select outcomes of interest, 2) developing methods to use existing systematic reviews and documenting the limitations by doing so, 3) translating results from studies not designed to address issues of interest by using a transparent process, and 4) establishing tailored quality-assessment tools to assist in decision making. The experiences described in this article can serve as a basis for future improvements in systematic reviews of nutrients and to better integrate systematic review into development of future nutrient reference values.

Background: Most sodium in the US diet comes from commercially processed and restaurant foods. Sodium reduction in these foods is key to several recent public health efforts. Objective: The objective was to provide an overview of a program led by the USDA, in partnership with other government agencies, to monitor sodium contents in commercially processed and restaurant foods in the United States. We also present comparisons of nutrients generated under the program to older data. Design: We track w125 commercially processed and restaurant food items ("sentinel foods") annually using information from food manufacturers and periodically by nationwide sampling and laboratory analyses. In addition, we monitor .1100 other commercially processed and restaurant food items, termed "priority-2 foods" (P2Fs) biennially by using information from food manufacturers. These foods serve as indicators for assessing changes in the sodium content of commercially processed and restaurant foods in the United States. We sampled all sentinel foods nationwide and reviewed all P2Fs in 2010-2013 to determine baseline sodium concentrations. Results: We updated sodium values for 73 sentinel foods and 551 P2Fs in the USDA's National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference (releases 23-26). Sodium values changed by at least 10% for 43 of the sentinel foods, which, for 31 foods, including commonly consumed foods such as bread, tomato catsup, and potato chips, the newer sodium values were lower. Changes in the concentrations of related nutrients (total and saturated fat, total sugar, potassium, or dietary fiber) that were recommended by the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans for reduced or increased consumption accompanied sodium reduction. The results of sodium reduction efforts, based on resampling of the sentinel foods or re-review of P2Fs, will become available beginning in 2015. Conclusion: This monitoring program tracks sodium reduction efforts, improves food composition databases, and strengthens national nutrition monitoring.

Stunting still becomes a health problem that must be taken into serious
consideration in Indonesia because it affects the quality of Human
Resources in the future. Several attempts were made to meet the needs of
micronutrients to overcome stunting. One of the Government's steps to
decrease the stunting rate is adding more nutrients to foods often consumed
by the public (fortification), one of which is palm cooking oil. Fortification
of Vitamin A in palm cooking oil is a government program to decrease the
rate of children lacking Vitamin A. This study aims to determine the
feasibility status of vitamin A fortification in palm cooking oil that spreads
within stunting areas in Central Sulawesi, South Sulawesi, North Sulawesi, and South Kalimantan. This research used a descriptive research method
with a qualitative approach by using data collection from sipt.pom.go.id in
the year 2016-2020. Samples were taken in districts where the stunting
prevalence was located. Determining vitamin A levels using the
Chromatography method based on SNI 7709:2019 with the standard
vitamin A in cooking oil that spread in distribution channels was 20 IU/g.
The status of Vitamin A fortification in palm cooking oil that spread in
Central Sulawesi, South Sulawesi, North Sulawesi, and South Kalimantan
was still below the standard, and if it was being averaged, for over the last
five years, it has only reached 36.12%. Hence, it is suggested that the
Government establish a specific regulation that regulates the use of safer
palm cooking oil to maintain its quality, as well as the importance of
education about the food stock storage for the public in the distribution area to maintain people's food stability.

Obesity prevention efforts for school-aged children and adolescents are increasing in number. However, little has been done to address the problem in the pre-school age. To address this age group, an evidence-based pre-school programme on physical activity (PA) and nutrition is developed within the ToyBox project. Environmental influencing factors such as policies and competitive health promotion activities could inhibit or induce a successful health promotion programme. This paper describes an overview of existing policies, legislation and/or regulations and health promotion activities in the pre-school setting. Method: data were gathered on policies and activities aiming to improve healthy eating and PA of young children (age group 4-6 years) in Belgium-Flanders,

Background/Objectives: Maternal dietary behaviors, including meal frequency patterns, may influence fetal growth. This study examined the associations between maternal meal frequency patterns during pregnancy—categorized as structured, moderately irregular, or highly irregular—and neonatal anthropometric outcomes, including weight, length, head, chest, and abdominal circumferences, and Apgar score. A secondary objective was to assess whether maternal education and household income modify these associations. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 1025 mother–newborn pairs from a socioeconomically diverse Romanian cohort. Maternal meal frequency patterns were classified based on self-reported weekly consumption. Neonatal anthropometric outcomes were obtained from medical records. Multivariable linear regression models, adjusted for maternal and neonatal characteristics, assessed the associations between meal frequency patterns and birth outcomes. Interaction terms evaluated effect modification by maternal education and income. Results: Structured maternal meal frequency patterns were associated with a slight but significant reduction in neonatal length compared to highly irregular patterns (β = −0.36 cm; 95% CI: −0.68 to −0.04; p = 0.02). A borderline inverse association with birth weight was also observed (β = −63.82 g; 95% CI: −128.87 to 1.23; p = 0.05). No significant differences were found for other anthropometric indicators or Apgar score. Maternal education modified the association between moderately irregular patterns and chest circumference (β = 0.15 cm; 95% CI: 0.04 to 0.25; p = 0.003), while household income modified the association with abdominal circumference (β = 0.14 cm; 95% CI: 0.02 to 0.26; p = 0.02). Conclusions: Maternal meal frequency patterns were modestly associated with neonatal length, while socioeconomic factors modified specific anthropometric outcomes. These findings highlight the importance of considering social context in prenatal nutritional recommendations.

Diversity in the genetic profile between individuals and specific ethnic groups affects nutrient requirements, metabolism and response to nutritional and dietary interventions. Indeed, individuals respond differently to lifestyle interventions (diet, physical activity, smoking, etc.). The sequencing of the human genome and subsequent increased knowledge regarding human genetic variation is contributing to the emergence of personalized nutrition. These advances in genetic science are raising numerous questions regarding the mode that precision nutrition can contribute solutions to emerging problems in public health, by reducing the risk and prevalence of nutrition-related diseases. Current views on personalized nutrition encompass omics technologies (nutrigenomics, transcriptomics, epigenomics, foodomics, metabolomics, metagenomics, etc.), functional food development and challenges related to legal and ethical aspects, application in clinical practice, and population scope, in terms ...

Objectives: We examined whether state laws and district policies pertaining to nutritional restrictions on school fundraisers were associated with school policies as reported by administrators in a nationally-representative sample of United States public elementary schools. We gathered data on school-level fundraising policies via a mail-back survey during the 2009-10 and 2010-11 school years. Surveys were received from 1,278 public elementary schools (response rate = 60.9%). Data were also gathered on corresponding school district policies and state laws. After removing cases with missing data, the sample size for analysis was 1,215 schools. Results: After controlling for school characteristics, school policies were consistently associated with state laws and district policies, both those pertaining to fundraising generally, as well as specific restrictions on the sale of candy and soda in fundraisers (all Odds Ratios .2.0 and Ps,.05). However, even where district policies and state laws required fundraising restrictions, school policies were not uniformly present; school policies were also in place at only 55.8% of these schools, but were more common at schools in the West (77.1%) and at majority-Latino schools (71.4%), indicating uneven school-level implementation of district policy and state law. Conclusions: District policies and state laws were associated with a higher prevalence of elementary school-level fundraising policies, but many schools that were subject to district policies and state laws did not have school-level restrictions in place, suggesting the need for further attention to factors hindering policy implementation in schools.

ObjectiveTo describe fruit and vegetable intake of 11-year-old children in ten European countries and compare it with current dietary guidelines.DesignCross-sectional survey. Intake was assessed using a previously validated questionnaire containing a pre-coded 24 h recall and an FFQ which were completed in the classroom. Portion sizes were calculated using a standardized protocol.SettingSurveys were performed in schools regionally selected in eight countries and nationally representative in two countries.SubjectsA total of 8158 children from 236 schools across Europe participating in the PRO GREENS project.ResultsThe total mean consumption of fruit and vegetables was between 220 and 345 g/d in the ten participating countries. Mean intakes did not reach the WHO population goal of ≥400 g/d in any of the participating countries. Girls had a significantly higher intake of total fruit and vegetables than boys in five of the countries (Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Bulgaria and Slovenia). Mea...

Fortified complementary foods could be effective in preventing and controlling vitamin A and other common nutritional deficiencies in young children. Milk from well-nourished women is an excellent source of vitamin A. However, in Latin America many children are weaned prematurely and must receive the entire requirement of vitamin A from food. This paper proposes vitamin A fortification levels for foods targeted for children aged 6-23 mo to meet the existing intake gap among both breast-fed and weaned infants and young children. Estimates assume a nonsignificant contribution of common complementary foods and average levels of human milk intake by breast-fed infants and children. The estimated vitamin A gap for breast-fed infants aged 6-11 mo amounts to 63-92 microg RE [16-23% of recommended daily intake (RDI)] and for breast-fed children reaches 125 microg RE (31% of RDI). Weaned infants and children would have to fully meet the RDI (400 microg RE) from complementary foods. A fortifi...

Children's learning about food is considerable during their formative years, with parental influence being pivotal. Research has focused predominantly on maternal influences, with little known about the relationships between fathers' and children's diets. Greater understanding of this relationship is necessary for the design of appropriate interventions. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between the diets of fathers and their children and the moderating effects of fathers' BMI, education and age on these associations. The diets of fathers and their first-born children (n 317) in the Melbourne Infant Feeding Activity and Nutrition Trial (InFANT) Program were assessed using an FFQ and 3 × 24-h recalls, respectively. The InFANT Program is a cluster-randomised controlled trial in the setting of first-time parents groups in Victoria, Australia. Associations between father and child fruit, vegetable, non-core food and non-core drink intakes were assessed using linear regression. The extent to which these associations were mediated by maternal intake was tested. Moderation of associations by paternal BMI, education and age was assessed. Positive associations were found between fathers' and children's intake of fruit, sweet snacks and take-away foods. Paternal BMI, education and age moderated the relationships found for the intakes of fruit (BMI), vegetables (age), savoury snacks (BMI and education) and take-away foods (BMI and education). Our findings suggest that associations exist at a young age and are moderated by paternal BMI, education and age. This study highlights the importance of fathers in modelling healthy diets for their children.

Children&#39;s learning about food is considerable during their formative years, with parental influence being pivotal. Research has focused predominantly on maternal influences, with little known about the relationships between fathers&#39; and children&#39;s diets. Greater understanding of this relationship is necessary for the design of appropriate interventions. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between the diets of fathers and their children and the moderating effects of fathers&#39; BMI, education and age on these associations. The diets of fathers and their first-born children (n 317) in the Melbourne Infant Feeding Activity and Nutrition Trial (InFANT) Program were assessed using an FFQ and 3×24-h recalls, respectively. The InFANT Program is a cluster-randomised controlled trial in the setting of first-time parents groups in Victoria, Australia. Associations between father and child fruit, vegetable, non-core food and non-core drink intakes were asses...

Dry fruit oils, extracted from nutrient-dense nuts and seeds through cold-pressing, solvent extraction, and supercritical CO₂ methods, represent a rich source of bioactive compounds, including monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), tocopherols, phytosterols, and polyphenols. This comprehensive review synthesizes current evidence on the therapeutic applications of major dry fruit oils, including almond, walnut, pistachio, hazelnut, cashew, and pine nut oils, examining their nutritional profiles, mechanisms of action, and clinical efficacy across multiple health domains. Cardiovascular benefits constitute the most extensively documented therapeutic effects, with clinical trials demonstrating significant reductions in LDL cholesterol (10-15%), improved HDL levels, and decreased cardiovascular event risk by up to 39.86%. The PREDIMED study provided landmark evidence showing a 30% reduction in major cardiovascular events among participants consuming Mediterranean diets enriched with nuts. Antioxidant properties, primarily mediated by γ-tocopherol and polyphenols, demonstrate superior free radical scavenging capacity, with walnut oil exhibiting the highest antioxidant activity among tested oils. Neurological benefits are particularly pronounced with omega-3-rich oils, especially walnut oil containing alpha-linolenic acid, which enhances cognitive function and memory retention and provides neuroprotection against age-related. Anti-diabetic effects include improved insulin sensitivity, reduced glycemic response, and enhanced adiponectin concentrations. Immunomodulatory properties manifest through NF-κB pathway inhibition, reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6), and demonstrate anti-cancer potential against colon and gastric malignancies. Applications extend beyond nutrition therapy to include cosmetic formulations for skin barrier repair, anti-aging treatments, and functional food development. Safety profiles are generally excellent, with recommended dosages ranging from 5 to 20 mL daily for oral consumption. Quality control through proper extraction methods and storage conditions ensures bioactive compound stability and therapeutic efficacy. Future research priorities include standardized dosing protocols, personalized nutrition approaches based on genetic profiling, and long-term clinical trials to establish definitive therapeutic guidelines for integrating dry fruit oils into evidence-based medical practice.

Vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy has been associated with the development of several adverse health outcomes, e.g., pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes mellitus, preterm delivery, low birth weight, birth length, and bone mineral content. The aims of the present study were to estimate the intake and sources of vitamin D in Danish pregnant women and to examine potential determinants of vitamin D intake of the recommended level (10 µg per day). In 68,447 Danish pregnant women the mean ± SD for vitamin D intake was 9.23 ± 5.60 µg per day (diet: 3.56 ± 2.05 µg per day, supplements: 5.67 ± 5.20 µg per day). 67.6% of the women reported use of vitamin D supplements but only 36.9% reported use of vitamin D supplements of at least 10 µg. Supplements were the primary source of vitamin D for the two higher quartiles of total vitamin D intake, with diet being the primary source for the two lower quartiles. Determinants of sufficient total vitamin D intake were: high maternal age, nulliparity, non-smoking, and filling out of the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) during summer or fall. We propose that clinicians encourage vitamin D supplementation among pregnant women, with special focus on vulnerable groups such as the young, smokers and multiparous women, in order to improve maternal and fetal health both during and after pregnancy.

Vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy has been associated with the development of several adverse health outcomes, e.g., pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes mellitus, preterm delivery, low birth weight, birth length, and bone mineral content. The aims of the present study were to estimate the intake and sources of vitamin D in Danish pregnant women and to examine potential determinants of vitamin D intake of the recommended level (10 µg per day). In 68,447 Danish pregnant women the mean ± SD for vitamin D intake was 9.23 ± 5.60 µg per day (diet: 3.56 ± 2.05 µg per day, supplements: 5.67 ± 5.20 µg per day). 67.6% of the women reported use of vitamin D supplements but only 36.9% reported use of vitamin D supplements of at least 10 µg. Supplements were the primary source of vitamin D for the two higher quartiles of total vitamin D intake, with diet being the primary source for the two lower quartiles. Determinants of sufficient total vitamin D intake were: high maternal age, nulliparity, non-smoking, and filling out of the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) during summer or fall. We propose that clinicians encourage vitamin D supplementation among pregnant women, with special focus on vulnerable groups such as the young, smokers and multiparous women, in order to improve maternal and fetal health both during and after pregnancy.

Cognitive decline may lead to dementia whose most frequent cause is Alzheimer's disease (AD). Among the many potential risk factors of cognitive decline and AD, diet raises increasing interest. Most studies considered diet in the frame of a single nutrient approach with inconsistent results. A novel approach to examine the link between nutrition and cognitive function is the use of dietary patterns. The aim of the present review was to update and complete the body of knowledge about dietary patterns in relationship with various cognitive outcomes in the elderly. Two approaches can be used: a priori and a posteriori patterns. A priori patterns are defined by the adhesion to a predefined healthy diet using a score such as the Mediterranean diet (MeDi) score, the Healthy Eating Index, the Canadian Healthy Eating Index, the French National Nutrition and Health Programme (Programme National Nutrition Sante ´) Guideline Score (PNNS-GS), the Recommended Food Score (RFS) and Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH). MeDi score, RFS, PNNS-GS and DASH have been associated with lower risks of cognitive impairment, cognitive decline, and dementia or AD. Principal components analysis, reduced rank regression and clustering methods allow the identification of 'healthy' patterns associated with lower risk of cognitive decline. However, some studies did not report any associations with cognitive outcomes and results are discordant especially regarding MeDi and the risk of dementia. Several methodological challenges should be overcome to provide a higher level of evidence supporting the development of nutritional policies to prevent cognitive decline and AD.

In England, more than a fifth of 10-11-year-olds live with obesity. Given its detrimental effects on health and well-being, addressing childhood obesity is critical, and understanding how children select foods is crucial to this. This study aimed to investigate children's selection of school lunches. Selection data (>11,000 transactions) for 155 schoolchildren (5-11 years), were collected from a primary school. The school offered three lunch options: meat/fish-based dish (MFD); a vegetarian dish (VEG); and sandwich/jacket potato (SJP). A time-series analysis revealed stable selection at the school population level, with consistent patterns across identical rounds of the menu cycle. There was also no difference in selections for younger and older children, and for pupils entitled to Free School Meals (FSM) and pupils who were not. Cluster analysis revealed four patterns of selection: Cluster 1 (n = 43) with a distinct preference for meat/fish-based dishes (76.8 % MFD, 10.5 % SJP, 12.7 % VEG); Cluster 2 (n = 42) with low selection of vegetarian dishes (50.2 % MFD, 36.8 % SJP, 13.0 % VEG); Cluster 3 (n = 40) with a tendency toward main meals (57.8 % MFD, 12.4 % SJP, 29.8 % VEG); and Cluster 4 (n = 30) with an assorted selection (36.8 % MFD, 27.9 % SJP, 35.3 % VEG). Cluster membership was not associated with age nor FSM entitlement. Findings, such as the stability of children's choices and the relative size of clusters point to the valuable insights afforded by selection data. These offer unique opportunities to examine children's behaviour within a school food environment, including in the longer term and as a means to inform school-based interventions.

This Working Paper forms part of a series that reviews the range of ways in which livelihoods approaches are currently used by operational agencies and researchers working in situations of chronic conflict and political instability (SCCPI). The aim of the series is to document current practice so that useful lessons can be learned and applied to ensure for more effective policies, needs assessment, and aid programming to support livelihoods during protracted conflict. Many of these lessons from each of the individual papers are summarised in a synthesis paper. The series also includes an annotated bibliography and a paper outlining the conceptual issues relating to the applications of livelihoods approaches to SCCPI. The author wishes to thank Helen Sida for carrying out research with agencies, donors and academics, including interviews and critical analysis upon which section 2.3 of the report is based. The time given by individuals to respond thoughtfully and honestly to enquiries is much appreciated. The author also thanks the Humanitarian Policy Group and the Rural Policy and Environment Group at the Overseas Development Institute for their input into the overview, and particularly

Improving diet and other lifestyle behaviours has considerable potential for reducing the global burden of non-communicable diseases, promoting better health across the life-course and increasing wellbeing. However, realising this potential will require the development, testing and implementation of much more effective behaviour change interventions than are used conventionally. Evidence-based, personalised (or stratified) interventions which incorporate effective behaviour change techniques (BCT) and which are delivered digitally are likely to be an important route to scalable and sustainable interventions. Progress in developing such interventions will depend on the outcomes of research on: (i) the best bases for personalisation of dietary advice; (ii) identification of BCT which are proven to enhance intervention efficacy; (iii) suitable platforms (digital-based tools) for collection of relevant participant characteristics (e.g. socioeconomic information, current diet and lifesty...

Selenium levels in soil generally reflect its presence in food and the Se levels in human populations. Se food content is influenced by geographical location, seasonal changes, protein content and food processing. Periodic monitoring of Se levels in soil and food is necessary. Diet is the major Se source and approximately 80% of dietary Se is absorbed depending on the type of food consumed. Se bioavailability varies according to the Se source and nutritional status of the subject, being significantly higher for organic forms of Se. Se supplements can be beneficial for subjects living in regions with very low environmental levels of Se. Several strategies have been followed: (1) employment of Se-enriched fertilizers; (2) supplementation of farm animals with Se; (3) consumption of multimicronutrient supplements with Se. Nevertheless, detailed investigations of possible interactions between Se supplements and other food components and their influence on Se bioavailability are needed. Suppliers also need to provide more information on the specific type of Se used in supplements. In addition, research is lacking on the mechanisms through which Se is involved in hepatocyte damage during hepatopathies. Although Se potential as an antioxidant for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) is promising, additional long-term intervention trials are necessary. As a result, indiscriminate Se supplements cannot be reliably recommended for the prevention of CVD in human beings. Some interesting findings reported an association of Se intake with a reduced prevalence and risk for prostate and colon cancer. However, random trials for other cancer types are inconclusive. As a final conclusion, the general population should be warned against the employment of Se supplements for prevention of hepatopathies, cardiovascular or cancer diseases, because benefits of Se supplementation are still uncertain, and their indiscriminate use could generate an increased risk of Se toxicity.

This policy council document addresses the high consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) in the UAE and its connection to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Despite implementing an Excise Tax on SSBs in 2019, research showed minimal impact on consumption patterns. The council identified challenges including adolescent type 2 diabetes, easy access to SSBs, and limited education on healthy lifestyles. The report presents ten comprehensive policy recommendations: establishing a governing body for healthy lifestyles, developing a strategy linked to SDGs, supporting organizational policies in schools and workplaces, utilizing public health frameworks, using demographic data in policy design, strengthening legislation for taxation and labeling, mandating industry social responsibility, supporting innovative strategies, developing awareness campaigns, and implementing rigorous monitoring systems. The document emphasizes that reducing SSB consumption requires collaboration between public, private, and voluntary sectors across three dimensions: behavior change, interventions, and policy measures to significantly reduce the burden of NCDs and improve quality of life in the UAE.

Obesity is now recognised as a growing Public Health epidemic. National Health Service (NHS) costs attributable to overweight and obesity are projected to reach £9.7 billion by 2050 in the UK, with wider costs to society estimated to reach £49.9 billion per year. It is now well recognised that being overweight or obese will soon be the leading cause of premature death and disease in the UK. Obesity is a key risk factor for circulatory disease, cancer and diabetes.Evidence suggests that obesity prevention interventions does raise public awareness and contribute toward the reduction ofobesity. We report on an intervention to encourage the adoption of healthier cooking practices among fast food caterers in a London Borough. Our results indicate an average decrease of 52 grams (12.2%) in portion weight of chips, an average decrease in total energy per portion of 144 kcals (14%), an average decrease in total fat per portion of 7.1 grams (15%), an average decrease in total saturated fat 2.84 grams (36%) and an average decrease in salt per portion 0.35 grams (22%). We also report an improvement of caterer’s behaviour toward healthier cooking practices. Local fast-food caterers in England can adopt healthier cooking practices and may play an important role to address the obesity epidemic. The extent of what can be achieved through such intervention remains unclear and requires further investigation. The involvement of more fast food premises and sampling a wider range of fast foods will enhance the opportunity to develop healthier cooking interventions.

A woman who is healthy at the time of conception is more likely to have a successful pregnancy and a healthy child. We reviewed published evidence and present new data from low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries on the timing and importance of preconception health for subsequent maternal and child health. We describe the extent to which pregnancy is planned, and whether planning is linked to preconception health behaviours. Observational studies show strong links between health before pregnancy and maternal and child health outcomes, with consequences that can extend across generations, but awareness of these links is not widespread. Poor nutrition and obesity are rife among women of reproductive age, and differences between high-income and low-income countries have become less distinct, with typical diets falling far short of nutritional recommendations in both settings and especially among adolescents. Several studies show that micronutrient supplementation starting ...

attributes of these products. Conversely, strict adherence to regulatory guidelines could result in safer dietary supplements and fewer adverse reactions requiring medical attention. If new regulations or stricter interpretation/application of existing regulations result in certain dietary supplements being taken off the market, will continued demand create a completely unregulated, underground economy that will create unforeseen problems? More research should be supported by government agencies to determine the effectiveness of dietary supplements, nutritional products and complementary medicine in reducing personal and societal medical costs and further contribution to the overall health of the population. Since the completion of the good manufacturing practices (GMPs) regulations in the USA in 2007, the dietary supplements industry has continued to experience solid growth, thanks in part to a regulatory structure that allows new products a quick time-to-market. In turn, consumers have benefitted from the wide range and availability of dietary supplements that help support a healthy lifestyle. However,

Guidance from Health Canada to limit highly processed foods (HPF) seeks to ensure that Canadians remain within intake recommendations for nutrients of concern. However, HPF can contribute to dietary requirements of specific populations. The Canadian Nutrition Society and Institute for the Advancement of Food and Nutritional Sciences convened speakers for a Food for Health workshop in 2021 to provide evidence and perspectives from government, industry, and healthcare on reasons for advocating limits and potential unintended consequences of limiting HPF, and implications and necessity of HPF in clinical settings. This paper discusses advantages and disadvantages of HPF explored at this workshop.

Complications resulting from zinc and copper deficiency, or adverse effects from excessive zinc and copper intake should be avoided during total parenteral nutrition (TPN). This study was conducted on critically ill patients requiring TPN to determine the relationship between the zinc and copper levels of the TPN mixtures, patients&#39; clinical progression, and changes in plasma levels of zinc, serum levels of copper, and erythrocyte levels of zinc and copper. 29 adult critically ill patients following pancreatitis or after a major abdominal surgery were studied. Zinc and copper levels in TPN, plasmatic zinc levels, copper serum levels and erythrocyte levels of zinc and copper were determined at the onset and at the end of the treatment (5-21 days) (using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry). The mean+/-standard deviation (and ranges in parenthesis) of zinc and copper levels in TPN were (microg/mL): zinc: 4.2+/-1.7 (1.8 a 9.3); copper: 0.94+/-0.66 (0.1 a 3.1). Biochemical parameters at ...

Childhood malnutrition has been a major, long-standing health concern in northeastern Brazil. In response, during 1992-1994, the state government of Ceará, with financial support from the World Bank, established 34 new nutrition centers. During 1996 an evaluation of the centers was conducted to determine their effectiveness in treating children with malnutrition and to identify weaknesses in the system and possible solutions. Also evaluated were the adequacy of resources, admission and discharge criteria, staff training, and community satisfaction. Effectiveness was found to be low. Treatment procedures did not conform with World Health Organization recommendations. Rates of weight gain were inadequate, and the mean duration of rehabilitation-8.7 months-was too long. Case fatality in two centers was unacceptably high, 40% and more. Entry and exit criteria for rehabilitation were ill defined, resulting in some nonmalnourished children being enrolled. Few staff were adequately trained; knowledge was weak, especially about case management; and mothers were not effectively instructed. Recommendations include setting objectives for the centers, improving referral systems, standardizing entry criteria, improving case management, and establishing performance indicators.

ObjectiveTo examine prevalence, risk factors, and consequences of maternal severe thinness in India.MethodsThis mixed methods study analyzed data from the Indian National Family Health Survey (NFHS)‐4 (2015–2016) to estimate the prevalence of and risk factors for severe thinness, followed by a desk review of literature from India.ResultsPrevalence of severe thinness (defined by World Health Organization as body mass index [BMI] &lt;16 in adult and BMI for age Z score &lt; –2 SD in adolescents) was higher among pregnant adolescents (4.3%) compared with pregnant adult women (1.9%) and among postpartum adolescent women (6.3%) than postpartum adult women (2.4%) 2–6 months after delivery. Identified research studies showed prevalence of 4%–12% in pregnant women. Only 13/640 districts had at least three cases of severely thin pregnant women; others had lower numbers. Three or more postpartum women aged ≥20 years were severely thin in 32 districts. Among pregnant adolescents, earlier parit...

Objectives To evaluate the nutrient adequacy of theoretical, modern-day Paleo meal plans relative to the U.S. Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs). Methods This analysis used data from the Adhering to Dietary Approaches for Personal Taste (ADAPT) Feasibility Study, which captured data on 9 726 self-reported, popular diet followers. Paleo respondents (N = 925) reported sources of recipes and diet guidance. Five days from each of the top six sources were used to generate 30 days of meal plans among a random sample of n = 200 Paleo respondents. Nutrition Data System for Research (NDSR) was used to estimate daily nutrient content of meal plans which was compared to DRIs and recommendations, as follows: recommended daily allowances (RDAs) for vitamins D, E, and folate, which do not vary by age (years, y)/sex; sex and age-specific RDAs for vitamins A, C, calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and iron (Fe); adequate intakes (AIs) for potassium (K) and fiber; upper intake level (UL) for sodium (Na); an...

The amount of time spent in poor health at the end of life is increasing. This narrative review summarizes consistent evidence indicating that healthy dietary patterns and maintenance of a healthy weight in the years leading to old age are associated with broad prevention of all the archetypal diseases and impairments associated with aging including: noncommunicable diseases, sarcopenia, cognitive decline and dementia, osteoporosis, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea, urinary incontinence, and constipation. In addition, randomized clinical trials show that disease-specific nutrition interventions can attenuate progression—and in some cases effectively treat—many established aging-associated conditions. However, middle-aged and older adults are vulnerable to unhealthy dietary patterns, and typically consume diets with inadequate servings of healthy food groups and essential nutrients, along with an abundance of energy-dense b...

Receptivity to strategies to improve the food environment by increasing access to healthier foods in small food stores is underexplored. We conducted 20 in-depth interviews with small storeowners of different ethnic backgrounds as part of a small-store intervention trial. Store owners perceived barriers and facilitators to purchase, stock, and promote healthy foods. Barriers mentioned included customer preferences for higher fat and sweeter taste and for lower prices; lower wholesaler availability of healthy food; and customers&#39; lack of interest in health. Most store owners thought positively of taste tests, free samples, and communication interventions. However, they varied in terms of their expectations of the effect of these strategies on customers&#39; healthy food purchases. The findings reported add to the limited data on motivating and working with small-store owners in low-income urban settings.

Background: Prepared food sources, including fast food restaurants and carry-outs, are common in low-income urban areas. These establishments provide foods high in calories, sugar, fat, and sodium. The aims of the study were to (1) describe the development and implementation of a carry-out intervention to provide and promote healthy food choices in prepared food sources, and (2) to assess its feasibility through a process evaluation. Methods: To promote healthy eating in this setting, a culturally appropriate intervention was developed based on formative research from direct observation, interviews and focus groups. We implemented a 7-month feasibility trial in 8 carry-outs (4 intervention and 4 comparison) in low-income neighborhoods in Baltimore, MD. The trial included three phases: 1) Improving menu boards and labeling to promote healthier items; 2) Promoting healthy sides and beverages and introducing new items; and 3) Introducing affordable healthier combo meals and improving food preparation methods. A process evaluation was conducted to assess intervention reach, dose received, and fidelity using sales receipts, carry-out visit observations, and an intervention exposure assessment. Results: On average, Baltimore Healthy Carry-outs (BHC) increased customer reach at intervention carry-outs; purchases increased by 36.8% at the end of the study compared to baseline. Additionally, menu boards and labels were seen by 100.0% and 84.2% of individuals (n = 101), respectively, at study completion compared to baseline. Customers reported purchasing specific foods due to the presence of a photo on the menu board (65.3%) or menu labeling (42.6%), suggesting moderate to high dose received. Promoted entrée availability and revised menu and poster presence all demonstrated high fidelity and feasibility. Conclusions: The results suggest that BHC is a culturally acceptable intervention. The program was also immediately adopted by the Baltimore City Food Policy Initiative as a city-wide intervention in its public markets.

This chapter delves into the intriguing dual nature of selenium (Se), a vital yet paradoxical essential trace element for human health. While indispensable for numerous physiological processes, Se has an extremely narrow margin between its benefits and potential toxicity, making its intake a delicate balancing act. Still, its consumption varies globally due to dietary habits, geographic differences, and environmental conditions. Se's history, sources, biomarkers, nutritional guidelines, and its deficiency and toxicity implications are discussed. It also provides an in-depth look at the pivotal role of selenoproteins, including their synthesis, various types, functions, and the concerns arising from their deficiency or genetic variations. From supporting the brain, fertility, development, and immunity to regulating thyroid function, these proteins illustrate the multifaceted importance of Se in human biology. Notably, Se has also emerged as an environmental contaminant that warrants attention. To address this challenge, the contamination sources, remediation strategies, and analysis methods were summarized.

Introduction: Whole-grains are very useful components of our daily diet. Whole grain consumption is associated with many health benefits. Whole grains also help in the maintenance of glucose, insulin homeostasis, lowering of serum Cholesterol and Low Density Lipoproteins Cholesterol concentration reducing inflammation and oxidative stress. Very few studies were done in Indian (Maharashtra) students, so in order to assess the whole-grain consumption and awareness about its importance in Indian student population we decided to conduct this study. Objectives: The study was carried out to assess whole-grain intake pattern and factors influencing intake among Maharashtra students. The study also helped to reveal the awareness about whole-grains in Indian students. Methods: A cross-sectional study investigating whole-grain intake was done among 331 students in Maharashtra. Validated questionnaire was given to assess various variables regarding knowledge and attitudes of the consumption of...

Results: A year after OAANP's low-sodium policy, average sodium intake was statistically significantly reduced (p<.001), 2329.7AE177; 1021.9 mg and 1959.7AE177; 1026.2 at pre-and post-survey respectively. Also, the proportion of older adults consuming $2,300 mg sodium was also significantly reduced (p¼ .002). At baseline, 97.5% participants took anti-hypertensive medication and about 40% participants still had uncontrolled blood pressure ($150/90). A majority of participants (82.9%) were overweight or obese. Respectively, 68.4 and 65.4% ate less than 3-4 servings of vegetables and 2-3 servings of fruit. As expected, these key hypertension risk factors haven't been changed at post survey. Also, average blood pressure tended to increase at postsurvey, although it was not statistically significant (p¼.06). Conclusions and Implications: Utilizing a congregate meal program to reduce sodium intake for older adults is an effective strategy. To address hypertension related risk factors, however, further multifaceted intervention strategies are necessary.