Nitrogen Utilization in Goats Consuming Buffelgrass Hay and Molasses-Based Blocks with Incremental Urea Levels.

The use of goats for meat production faces challenges from environmental and nutritional factors. Urea is an affordable non-protein nitrogen source commonly utilized in ruminant nutrition. The objective of this study was to investigate nitrogen utilization in goats fed low-quality hay supplemented with molasses blocks containing urea. Twenty Anglo-Nubian doelings were individually housed in metabolic cages and provided with chopped Buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris) hay ad libitum. Goats were randomly assigned to four urea levels (0, 2, 4, and 6%; n = 5 per treatment) in molasses blocks for a duration of 30 days. A negative nitrogen balance (-2.458 g/day) was observed in doelings consuming blocks without urea, compared with a positive balance (0.895 g/d) for those consuming the 6% urea blocks. Block nitrogen intake significantly increased with urea level, but urea supplementation did not affect dry matter (DM) or neutral detergent fiber (NDFom) intake or digestibility. A minimum crude protein (CP) requirement of 8% for maintenance in doelings consuming low-quality forage with a urea-based supplement was determined through regression analysis between CP intake (% of DM) and N balance (r2 = 0.479; p < 0.002). The value of 8% of CP obtained in this study is similar to several previous studies reported in the literature, but in this case, the increments in CP came exclusively from urea. In this study, increasing the urea content of molasses blocks up to 6% significantly increased nitrogen intake, retention, and balance in goats. These results contribute to a better understanding of nitrogen utilization in goats fed low-quality hay with urea supplementation.

Aluminosilicates as a Double-Edged Sword: Adsorption of Aflatoxin B1 and Sequestration of Essential Trace Minerals in an In Vitro Gastrointestinal Poultry Model.

Aflatoxins can cause intoxication and poisoning in animals and humans. Among these molecules, aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is the most dangerous because of its carcinogenic and mutagenic properties. To mitigate these effects, clay adsorbents are commonly included in the diet of animals to adsorb the carcinogens and prevent their absorption in the gastrointestinal tract. In this study, four clays, three smectites (C-1, C-2, and C-3), and one zeolite (C-4), were compared as adsorbents of AFB1 and trace inorganic nutrients using an in vitro gastrointestinal model for poultry. Characterization of the clays using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed characteristic bands of smectites in C-1, C-2, and C-3 (stretching vibrations of Si-O, Al-O-Si, and Si-O-Si). The C-4 presented bands related to the bending vibration of structural units (Si-O-Si and Al-O-Si). X-ray diffraction analysis showed that C-1 is a montmorillonite, C-2 is a beidellite, C-3 is a beidellite-Ca-montmorillonite, and C-4 is a clinoptilolite. The elemental compositions of the clays showed alumina, silica, iron, calcium, and sodium contents. The cation exchange capacity was higher in C-3 clay (60.2 cmol(+)/kg) in contrast with the other clays. The AFB1 adsorption of C-1 was the highest (98%; p ˂ 0.001), followed by C-2 (94%). However, all the clays also sequestered trace inorganic nutrients (Fe, Mn, Zn, and Se). Both smectites, montmorillonite and beidellite, were the most suitable for use as adsorbents of AFB1.

Distribution of M1 and M2 macrophages in cerebral granulomas caused by Encephalitozoon cuniculi.

Encephalitozoon cuniculi spores cause severe granulomatous inflammation in the brain where mononuclear cells and macrophages infiltrate. Here, we orally infected New Zealand white rabbits with 1 × 106E. cuniculi viable spores to study the recruitment and localization of macrophages in brain granulomas. At day 30 post-infection, the positive phenotype markers iNOS (M1) and Arg-1 (M2) were located in the periphery and center of granulomas, respectively. Live intracytoplasmic spores were found only in positive Arg-1 cells. This is the first work to describe the recruitment and distribution of M1 and M2 macrophages in the brain granulomas of rabbits infected with E. cuniculi.

Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activity of Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) and Garlic (Allium sativum) Essential Oils and Chipotle Pepper Oleoresin (Capsicum annum) on Beef Hamburgers.

The inclusion of natural ingredients to preserve meat and meat products has increased in recent years. This study evaluated rosemary (REO) and garlic essential oils (GEO) as well as chipotle pepper oleoresin (CPO), alone or in combination, as preservatives on beef hamburgers (BH). Six treatments were evaluated: T1 (control, without additives), T2 (GEO 1%), T3 (REO 1%), T4 (CPO 0.5%), T5 (GEO 1% + CPO 0.5%) and T6 (REO 1% + CPO 0.5%). The microbiological quality, physicochemical characteristics, sensory evaluation, and lipid oxidation of hamburgers were evaluated. REO, GEO and CPO limited the growth of aerobic microorganisms, S. aureus, Salmonella spp., B. thermosphacta, moulds and yeasts, lactic acid bacteria and coliforms (p < 0.05); however, this effect depended on time. Furthermore, lipid oxidation decreased significantly (p < 0.5) in all treatments, except for T5 (GEO 1% + CPO 0.5%). Regarding sensory acceptance, consumers preferred BH with GEO in terms of colour, odour, flavour and overall appearance (p < 0.05). It is concluded that REO, GEO and CPO, alone or in combination, improve microbiological quality and inhibit the lipid oxidation of BH.

Transgender health in medical education.

Transforming our world the 2030 agenda for sustainable development is working towards a world that reflects equity, with universal respect for human dignity, pledging to leave no one behind. However, transgender and gender-diverse individuals experience significant health inequities, including negative health outcomes and multiple barriers to accessing care. In this article, we first highlight the health inequities that transgender and gender-diverse people face globally. We describe important aspects of transgender and gender-diverse health care, including the design and provision of health services, epidemiological considerations, transition-related care, changes in transition-related goals, cultural considerations, and political and legal issues. We then review the existing global literature on incorporating transgender health into medical curricula. We make a case for prioritizing improved education in medical schools on the specific health needs of transgender and gender-diverse people as part of addressing global health inequities in care. Our recommendations for comprehensive education on transgender health include cultural humility and anti-oppression training; involvement of transgender and gender-diverse community members; integration of transgender and gender-diverse health into curricula; practice-focused and in situ training; staff development in medical schools; and improving access to careers in medicine for transgender and gender-diverse people.

Transformer notre monde: le Programme de développement durable à l'horizon 2030 aspire à un monde où règne l'équité, le respect universel de la dignité humaine, et s'engage à ce que personne ne soit oublié. Pourtant, les individus transgenres et de genre variant subissent de profondes inégalités sur le plan sanitaire, qui affectent leur état de santé et compliquent grandement l'accès aux soins. Dans cet article, nous commençons par souligner les inégalités sanitaires auxquelles sont confrontés les individus transgenres et de genre variant à travers le monde. Nous évoquons d'importants aspects à prendre en compte pour les soins de santé aux personnes transgenres et de genre variant, parmi lesquels la conception et la fourniture de services de santé, les considérations d'ordre épidémiologique, les soins liés à la transition, l'évolution des objectifs liés à la transition, les facteurs culturels, ainsi que les enjeux politiques et juridiques. Nous examinons ensuite la littérature internationale consacrée à l'intégration de la santé transgenre dans les programmes d'enseignement médical. Nous soutenons que, dans le cadre de la lutte contre les inégalités sanitaires au niveau mondial, il faut privilégier une amélioration de l'enseignement dans les écoles de médecine afin de sensibiliser aux besoins spécifiques des individus transgenres et de genre variant en matière de santé. Nous avons formulé plusieurs recommandations en vue d'instaurer un enseignement qui tient compte de la santé des personnes transgenres: apprentissage anti-oppressif intégrant la notion d'humilité culturelle; implication de membres de la communauté transgenre et de genre variant; ajout de la santé transgenre et de genre variant dans les programmes de cours; formation centrée sur la pratique, dispensée sur le terrain; développement du personnel des écoles de médecine; et enfin, amélioration de l'accès aux carrières médicales pour les individus transgenres et de genre variant.

Transforming our world: the 2030 agenda for sustainable development (Transformar de nuestro mundo: la Agenda 2030 para el desarrollo sostenible) trabaja por un mundo que refleje la igualdad, con respeto universal por la dignidad humana, comprometiéndose a no dejar a nadie atrás. Sin embargo, las personas transgénero y con género diverso experimentan importantes desigualdades en materia de salud, incluidos resultados sanitarios negativos y múltiples obstáculos para acceder a la atención sanitaria. En este artículo, destacamos, en primer lugar, las desigualdades sanitarias a las que se enfrentan las personas transgénero y de género diverso en todo el mundo. Describimos aspectos importantes de la atención sanitaria a las personas transgénero y con género diverso, como el diseño y la prestación de servicios sanitarios, las consideraciones epidemiológicas, la atención relacionada con la transición, los cambios en los objetivos relacionados con la transición, las consideraciones culturales y las cuestiones políticas y jurídicas. A continuación, revisamos la documentación global existente sobre la incorporación de la salud transgénero en los planes de estudio de medicina. Defendemos la necesidad de dar prioridad a la mejora de la formación en las facultades de medicina sobre las necesidades sanitarias específicas de las personas transgénero y con género diverso como parte del tratamiento de las desigualdades sanitarias globales en la atención sanitaria. Nuestras recomendaciones para una educación integral sobre la salud de las personas transgénero incluyen la formación en humildad cultural y lucha contra la opresión; la participación de los miembros de la comunidad transgénero y con género diverso; la integración de la salud de las personas transgénero y con género diverso en los planes de estudio; la formación centrada en la práctica e in situ; el desarrollo del personal en las facultades de medicina; y la mejora del acceso a las carreras de medicina para las personas transgénero y con género diverso.

Superovulatory response and embryo quality in Boer does following dietary supplementation with different sources of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids during the breeding season.

The purpose of this study was to determine effects of various sources of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids on ovarian response and embryo quality in Boer does when there was a superovulation treatment regimen imposed. Pluriparous does were randomly assigned to be treated with 300 g of one of four experimental supplements containing linseed oil (LO), soybean oil (SO), palm oil (PO), or a control supplement without fatty acids (CO), for 15 days. Does were fitted with a controlled internal drug release (CIDR) device containing 0.3 g progesterone for 7 days. At 48 h before CIDR withdrawal, does were treated with 80 mg follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) administered at 12 h intervals. Embryos were collected 7 days after the last natural mating. Estrous response and interval between CIDR withdrawals to estrous onset were similar between treatments (P > 0.05). Number of ovulations was similar for does in the different groups (10.0, 9.2, 7.0, and 7.0, in LO, SO, PO, and CO, respectively; P > 0.05). There was premature luteal regression in does of the SO, PO, and CO groups, except in LO group. The LO-treated does had a larger (P < 0.05) mean number of ova/embryos recovered than does of SO, PO, and CO groups (7.2, 2.0, 0.2, 0.2, respectively) and transferable embryos (5.1, 1.4, 0.2, 0.2, respectively). These results indicate that including LO in supplements may be a feasible strategy for preventing premature luteal regression and improving embryo quality in goats treated to induce follicular super-stimulation for induction of superovulation.

Effect of moringa leaf powder and agave inulin on performance, intestinal morphology, and meat yield of broiler chickens.

The addition prebiotics in broiler diets can benefit digestion and nutrient abortion. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of moringa leaf powder and agave inulin on growth performance, intestinal morphology, and slaughter traits of broiler chickens over 40 d of grow-out. A total of 280 broilers (Ross 308) aged 1 d were randomly allocated to 4 treatments, with 7 replicates each and 10 chicks per replicate: T1 = control diet, T2 = control diet with 15 g/kg of moringa leaf powder, T3 = control diet with 15 g/kg of agave inulin, and T4 = control diet with 15 g/kg of moringa leaf powder and 15 g/kg of agave inulin. The results showed that analysis of treatments at time were not different (P > 0.05) for broiler weights, feed and water intake, and weight gain. Treatment was significant (P < 0.05) for feed efficiency at 22 to 40 d; the T4 group presented higher (P < 0.05) values, and the T1 group presented lower (P < 0.05) values. However, the villus lengths of intestinal sections were different (P < 0.05) among treatments. In the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum, villus lengths were highest (P < 0.05) in the T2 group and lowest (P < 0.05) in the T3 and T4 groups. Villus widths in the duodenum and ileum were highest (P < 0.05) in the T2 group, but the T1 group showed highest (P < 0.05) values in the jejunum sections. The T3 and T4 groups showed lowest (P < 0.05) values in villus width in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. Thigh yield was highest (P < 0.05) in the T2 group and lowest (P < 0.05) in the T4 group. The T1 group exhibited the highest (P < 0.05) piece yields for leg, wing, and hip-back. The T4 group showed lowest (P < 0.05) leg and wing yields. Moringa leaf powder and agave inulin at a concentration of 15 g/kg in diets did not affect broiler performance, whereas moringa leaf powder improved intestinal morphology and thigh yield, and agave inulin improved leg yield. The results demonstrated benefits of these 2 feed additives to improve intestine health and meat yield in broilers over a 40-day grow-out.

Mexican oregano essential oils as alternatives to butylated hydroxytoluene to improve the shelf life of ground beef.

Oregano essential oils from Lippia berlandieri Schauer (Lb) and Poliomintha longiflora Gray (Pl) were tested against the antioxidant butylated hydroxytoluene (Bht) to evaluate effects on the shelf life of ground beef (GB) over 7 days of storage at 4°C. The treatments were GB1 = GB control, GB2 = GB +100 mg/kg of Bht, GB3 = GB +100 mg/kg of Lb, and GB4 = GB +100 mg/kg of Pl. Lightness, redness, hardness, and springiness showed differences (p < .05) between treatments and days interaction, which serve as indicators of ground beef preserved quality and consumer acceptance. Mesophilic, psychrophilic, and lactic acid bacteria numbers and antioxidant activity showed differences (p < .05) for treatments and days. Sensory attributes showed no differences between treatments. The oregano oils may provide extended shelf life for packaged meat products treated with these natural additives and hence may be used for ground beef preservation.

Decolorization and Detoxification of Synthetic Dyes by Mexican Strains of Trametes sp.

Laccases have attracted a great deal of interest because of their remarkable ability for the degradation of synthetic dyes present in wastewaters. New laccase producing sources with robust operational and functional properties are being continuously explored. In this work, the potential for the decolorization and detoxification of synthetic dyes was evaluated in two Mexican strains of the genus Trametes. The decolorization capacity of Trametesmaxima LE130 and Trametes sp. LA1 was tested in solid and liquid media. The phytotoxicity of the degradation products was determined using Raphanussativus and Pisum sativum seeds. In solid media, both strains showed a higher decolorization capacity (p ≤ 0.05) than Phanerochaetechrysosporium ATCC 24725, which is known to be very efficient in lignin and dye-degradation. They produced laccase as the main ligninolytic enzyme; T. maxima LE130 secreted a single isoform of 43.9 kDa, while Trametes sp. LA1 produced three isoforms of 67.3, 58.6 and 52.7 kDa, respectively. Trametes sp. LA1 culture fluids were capable of decolorizing and detoxifying chemically diverse dyes (anthraquinonic dye Remazol Brilliant Blue R, azoic Reactive Black 5 and triphenylmethane Crystal Violet) without the addition of redox mediators. Therefore, this could be considered as a new laccase source which could be potentially competitive in the bioremediation of dye-containing wastewaters.

Feruloylated Arabinoxylans from Nixtamalized Maize Bran Byproduct: A Functional Ingredient in Frankfurter Sausages.

Feruloylated arabinoxylans obtained from nixtamalized maize bran were evaluated in terms of physicochemical characteristics and antioxidant capacity when incorporated in frankfurter sausages. Concentrations of 0.15% and 0.30% of feruloylated arabinoxylans were incorporated in frankfurter sausages formulations and a control without feruloylated arabinoxylans was also prepared. Shear force, hardness, color measurement, proximate analysis, pH, titratable acidity, water-holding capacity, total phenols, and antioxidant capacity were evaluated. Phenolic content and antioxidant capacity were significantly higher (P < 0.0001) in all treatments, sausages containing feruloylated arabinoxylans compared to the control. The results showed that there was a significant difference (P < 0.0001) in total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity with all feruloylated arabinoxylans sausages treatments higher than control. Additionally, significant differences (P < 0.0001) were obtained in the physicochemical parameters.

Mexican oregano essential oils given in drinking water on performance, carcass traits, and meat quality of broilers.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of 2 Mexican oregano essential oils (MOO), from Poliomintha longiflora Gray (PLG) and Lippia berlandieri Schauer (LBS), in drinking water (DWt) on the performance, slaughter variables, and meat quality of broilers over a 40 D period of growth. A total of 180 non-sexed Ross-308 broilers (1-day-old) were randomly assigned to 3 treatments with 6 replications each (10 birds per replicate): CON = DWt control (without MOO); PLG = DWt + 400 mg/L of PLG; and LBS = DWt + 400 mg/L of LBS. The CON, PLG, and LBS broilers body weights were similar (P > 0.05) at all times. Feed intake (FI) was different by treatment (P < 0.05) at 7 and 28 D, and water intake (WI) was different (P < 0.05) at day 28. The CON treatment was highest (P < 0.05) at 28 D for FI and WI, whereas LBS was lowest (P < 0.05). Weight gain (WG) for CON, PLG, and LBS broilers was similar (P > 0.05), although WG for CON was slightly higher. In CON broilers, slaughter weight was highest (P < 0.05), but thigh yield was lowest (P < 0.05). The CON and PLG treatments were lower (P < 0.05) in thigh and leg cooking losses. The PLG treatment presented the highest values (P < 0.05) for breast-meat redness, saturation index, shear force, odor, taste, and overall sensory acceptability. The LBS was higher (P < 0.05) for breast-meat shear force, cohesiveness and resilience, but lower (P < 0.05) for sensory attributes. Mexican oregano essential oils at 400 mg/L can serve as natural alternative additives in DWt to improve broiler production and meat quality.

Oregano powder substitution and shelf life in pork chorizo using Mexican oregano essential oil.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of oregano essential oil (MOO) from Mexican oregano, Lippia berlandieri Schauer, as substitute for Mexican oregano powder (MOP) on pork chorizo physicochemical characteristics, texture, antioxidant capacity, aerobic bacteria colony counts, and sensory evaluation under storage conditions over 7 d. The treatments were T1 = chorizo + 0.1% MOP and T2 = chorizo + 0.1% MOO. The pH, redness (a*), yellowness (b*), Chroma, and browning index (BI) were affected by treatments and storage time. T2 presented lower pH (5.27) at d 1 than at d 7 (5.34), as well as a* (23.13 vs. 25.27), b* (14.85 vs. 17.45), Chroma (28.60 vs. 30.79), and BI (103.42 vs. 109.82) were higher at d 7. At d 1, hardness (1392.75 vs. 872.29 g), springiness (0.3675 vs. 0.3351 mm), gumminess (491.45 vs. 284.38 g), and chewiness (180.25 vs. 95.43 g mm) were higher in T1 than T2. Aerobic bacteria counts (T1-4.19 vs. 4.73 log CFU/g and T2-4.37 vs. 4.50 log CFU/g, respectively) increased within each treatment at d 7. Antioxidant capacity was not affected (26.48 and 27.42%). Oregano odor was different at 7 d with T2 having a stronger odor (5.70) than T1 with oregano powder (4.63). Mexican oregano essential oil in the pork chorizo formulation improved pH, color parameters, textural profile, and sensory characteristics.

Tools and approaches to operationalize the commitment to equity, gender and human rights: towards leaving no one behind in the Sustainable Development Goals.

The objective of this article is to present specific resources developed by the World Health Organization on equity, gender and human rights in order to support Member States in operationalizing their commitment to leave no one behind in the health Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and other health-related goals and targets. The resources cover: (i) health inequality monitoring; (ii) barrier analysis using mixed methods; (iii) human rights monitoring; (iv) leaving no one behind in national and subnational health sector planning; and (v) equity, gender and human rights in national health programme reviews. Examples of the application of the tools in a range of country contexts are provided for each resource.

Correction: Ethical issues in the development and implementation of nutrition-related public health policies and interventions: A scoping review.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0186897.].

Ethical issues in the development and implementation of nutrition-related public health policies and interventions: A scoping review.

BACKGROUND: The limited integration of ethics in nutrition-related public health policies and interventions is one major concern for those who have the task of implementing them. Ethical challenges that are overlooked during the development of such interventions could raise serious ethical issues during their implementation and even after. As a result, these decision makers need technical support and ethical guidance for adaptation of interventions to local (cultural, social, economic, etc.) contexts. AIM: The goal of this scoping review is to delineate and "map" the range of ethical issues in nutrition-related public health interventions, as well as the range of the various fields in which they may arise. METHODS: A scoping review of empirical research and conceptual literature was conducted following the framework of Arksey and O'Malley. Searches using PubMed with Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) categories and Advanced Search Builder as well as in the Global Health Library were performed. The final sample consists of 169 publications. RESULTS: The ethics of public health prevention or treatment of obesity and non-communicable diseases is the most explicitly and frequently discussed subject. In comparison, ethical issues raised by public health interventions in the fields of undernutrition, breastfeeding, vitamin/mineral supplementation and food fortification, food security, food sustainability and food safety are addressed in a lower proportion of the sample. The results illustrate the various natures, types, and scopes of existing public health nutrition-related interventions, and the various ethical issues that may be raised by these interventions, in addition to the numerous and different contexts in which they may be implemented. DISCUSSION: The ethical issues faced in the development and implementation of nutrition-related public health interventions are varied and cannot be equated with, nor generalized about, when dealing with specific activities in this field. More importantly, these ethical issues cannot be managed without a careful consideration for the complexity of contexts in which nutrition-related interventions are expected to be implemented. These interventions engage a variety of actors with diverse perspectives and interests. We discuss these challenges and also comment on the importance of considering ethical impacts in the monitoring and evaluation of such interventions. CONCLUSION: General ethical frameworks or recommendations-although useful-cannot be expected to provide policy makers, implementators and other public health personnel with sufficient practical ethical guidance as they cannot consider and anticipate the particularities of all specific nutrition-related public health interventions and the complexity of the contexts in which they are implemented. Further research is needed in order to develop more targeted ethical frameworks.

Composición nutricional, compuestos fenólicos y capacidad antioxidante de cascarilla de garbanzo (Cicer arietinum) / Nutritional composition, phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity of chickpea (Cicer arietinum) husk

La composición química, minerales, azúcares neutros, compuestos fenólicos y capacidad antioxidante fueron analizados en la cascarilla de garbanzo. La cascarilla de garbanzo presentó 72% de fibra dietaria, del cual el 24.4% fue celulosa. Los compuestos fenólicos y actividad antioxidante de de la cascarilla de garbanzo fueron evidentes, predominando los taninos condensados totales con 13.28 mgEC/g, donde la fracción soluble fue mayor respecto a la fracción ligada. El contenido de proteína y grasa fue de 4.5 y 0.4%. En conclusión, la cascarilla de garbanzo tiene propiedades nutricionales y funcionales que pueden ser consideradas en el diseño de nuevos productos alimenticios para mejorar la salud de los consumidores(AU)

The chemical composition, minerals, neutral sugars, phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity were analyzed in the chickpea husk. Chickpea husk presented 72% of dietary fiber of which 24.4% was cellulose. The content of phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity of chickpea husk was evident, predominating condensed tannins with a total content of 13.28 mgECat/g, of which soluble fraction was the higher than bound fraction. The content of protein and fat was 4.5 and 0.4 %, respectively. In conclusion, chickpea husk has nutritional and functional properties that can be considered in the design of new food products to improve the health of consumers(AU)

Interventions promoting healthy eating as a tool for reducing social inequalities in diet in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Diet is a major risk factor for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and is also strongly patterned by socioeconomic factors. Whether interventions promoting healthy eating reduce social inequalities in diet in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) remains uncertain. This paper aims to summarize current evidence on interventions promoting healthy eating in LMICs, and to establish whether they reduce social inequalities in diet. METHODS: Systematic review of cross-sectional or quasi-experimental studies (pre- and post-assessment of interventions) in Pubmed, Scielo and Google Scholar databases, including adults in LMICs, assessing at least one outcome of healthy eating and showing results stratified by socioeconomic status. RESULTS: Seven intervention studies including healthy eating promotion, conducted in seven LMICs (Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Iran, Panama, Trinidad and Tobago, and Tunisia), met our inclusion criteria. To promote healthy eating, all interventions used nutrition education and three of them combined nutrition education with improved acces to foods or social support. Interventions targeted mostly women and varied widely regarding communication tools and duration of the nutrition education sessions. Most interventions used printed material, media use or face-to-face training and lasted from 6 weeks to 5 years. Four interventions targeted disadvantaged populations, and three targeted the entire population. In three out of four interventions targeting disadvantaged populations, healthy eating outcomes were improved suggesting they were likely to reduce social inequalities in diet. All interventions directed to the entire population showed improved healthy eating outcomes in all social strata, and were considered as having no impact on social inequalities in diet. CONCLUSION: In LMICs, agentic interventions promoting healthy eating reduced social inequalities in diet when specifically targeting disadvantaged populations. Further research should assess the impact on social inequalities in diet of a combination of agentic and structural approaches in interventions promoting healthy eating.

Large-scale fortification of condiments and seasonings as a public health strategy: equity considerations for implementation.

Fortification of staple foods with vitamins and minerals is an effective approach to increase micronutrient intake and improve nutritional status. The specific use of condiments and seasonings as vehicles in large-scale fortification programs is a relatively new public health strategy. This paper underscores equity considerations for the implementation of large-scale fortification of condiments and seasonings as a public health strategy by examining nonexhaustive examples of programmatic experiences and pilot projects in various settings. An overview of conceptual elements in implementation research and equity is presented, followed by an examination of equity considerations for five implementation strategies: (1) enhancing the capabilities of the public sector, (2) improving the performance of implementing agencies, (3) strengthening the capabilities and performance of frontline workers, (3) empowering communities and individuals, and (4) supporting multiple stakeholders engaged in improving health. Finally, specific considerations related to intersectoral action are considered. Large-scale fortification of condiments and seasonings cannot be a standalone strategy and needs to be implemented with concurrent and coordinated public health strategies, which should be informed by a health equity lens.