Higher consumption of ultra-processed foods is associated with obesity and abdominal obesity in socially vulnerable Brazilian women.

This study aimed to assess the consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPF) and identify their association with obesity and abdominal obesity in adult women of reproductive age living in situations of social vulnerability in Maceió, Northeastern Brazil. This was a cross-sectional study carried out between October 2020 and May 2021. An anthropometric evaluation was carried out to assess obesity and abdominal obesity. A dietary assessment was also conducted using a 24-h food recall to determine the calorie intake from UPF. To estimate intra-individual variability in food consumption, the probabilistic Multiple Source Method was used. These data in the form of tertiles were used to analyse the association between the consumption of UPF and obesity and abdominal obesity. Logistic regressions were used to analyse the association. A directed acyclic graph (DAG) was created for this analysis. This study included 1702 women of which 53.7% were 31 years old or older, and 74.2% lived in poverty. It identified that 36.5% and 38.1% of the women had obesity and abdominal obesity, respectively, and that an average of 33.8% of calories consumed came from UPF. In the analysis of association guided by the DAG, it was observed that women with a high-calorie intake from UPF had a 1.3 times higher probability of being obese. It was also observed that women with a moderate and high-calorie intake from UPF were 1.4 and 1.3 times more likely, respectively, to have abdominal obesity. Thus, it can be concluded that socially vulnerable women in Brazil have a relatively high consumption of UPF and that this condition increases the probability of obesity in this population group.

Sociodemographic and behavioural differences between frequent and non-frequent users of convenience food in Germany.

Introduction: Convenience foods are a double-edged sword in that they provide quick and easy nutrition but may promote non-communicable diseases related to excess intakes of sugar, fat, and salt. To inform the German national reduction and innovation strategy for less sugar, fat, and salt in processed foods, the present study sought to analyse the consumption frequency of selected convenience foods and to determine sociodemographic and behavioural factors that characterise frequent users. Methods: In a representative computer-assisted telephone interview survey in the adult German population (N = 3,997) conducted in 2018, consumption frequency of 21 convenience foods was assessed. To characterise frequent in contrast to non-frequent users, data on sociodemographics and behavioural aspects were compared. Statistical analyses comprised chi-square tests with Bonferroni correction as well as Spearman's rank correlation. Cramer's V was used to determine the strength of an association. Results: Overall and among frequent users (7.7% of the sample) sweet convenience foods and savoury cooking aids were consumed most frequently. Around 75% of the participants indicated little-to-no consumption of 19 of the 21 convenience foods. Male gender (p < 0.001), younger age (p < 0.001), and not having a high level of education (p = 0.017) were identified as key characteristics of frequent users. Furthermore, frequent users were more likely than non-frequent users to live in a family household (p = 0.003) or without a partner (p < 0.001), and to work in shifts (p = 0.002). Additionally, they showed significantly lower cooking skills (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Public health interventions to limit excess intakes of sugar, fat, and salt from convenience food in Germany should target people of male gender, younger age, and having a lower level of education. On the behavioural side, developing the skills to cook from scratch emerged as major point of focus. Simultaneously, reformulation of the food offer should continue in order to help transition to a more health-promoting food environment.

Neophobia, sensory experience and child's schemata contribute to food choices.

PURPOSE: The aim of the present review is to analyze dynamic interactions between nutrigenomics, environmental cues, and parental influence, which can all lead to children's neophobic reactions and its persistence in time. METHODS: We reviewed studies available on electronic databases, conducted on children aged from birth to 18 years. We also considered official websites of Italian Institutions, providing advice on healthy eating during infancy. RESULTS: Modern day societies are faced with an eating paradox, which has severe and ever-growing implications for health. In face of a wider availability of healthy foods, individuals instead often choose processed foods high in fat, salt and sugar content. Economic reasons surely influence consumers' access to foods. However, there is mounting evidence that food choices depend on the interplay between social learning and genetic predispositions (e.g., individual eating traits and food schemata). Neophobia, the behavioral avoidance of new foods, represents an interesting trait, which can significantly influence children's food refusal. Early sensory experiences and negative cognitive schemata, in the context of primary caregiver-child interactions, importantly contribute to the priming of children's food rejection. CONCLUSIONS: As neophobia strongly affects consumption of healthy foods, it will be relevant to rule definitively out its role in the genesis of maladaptive food choices and weight status in longitudinal studies tracking to adulthood and, in meanwhile, implement early in life effective social learning strategies, to reduce long-term effects of neophobia on dietary patterns and weight status. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II, controlled trials without randomization.

Consumo de alimentos ultraprocesados en niños entre 6 y 23 meses según la Segunda Encuesta Nacional de Nutrición y Salud de Argentina / Consumption of ultra-processed foods among children aged 6 to 23 months as per the Second National Survey on Nutrition and Health of Argentina

Introducción. Contar con los datos del consumo de alimentos ultraprocesados en los niños resulta importante para planificar políticas públicas. Objetivos. Describir la prevalencia de consumo de alimentos ultraprocesados en menores de 2 años e identificar factores asociados. Describir la proporción que los alimentos ultraprocesados representan del número total de los alimentos consumidos en el día. Métodos. Análisis secundario de los datos de niños entre 6 y 23 meses de edad con al menos un recordatorio de 24 horas de consumo de alimentos de la Segunda Encuesta Nacional de Nutrición y Salud de Argentina del año 2018. Se estudiaron como variables principales: "consumo de alimentos ultraprocesados" (según el sistema NOVA) categorizada en sí/no y la "proporción de ultraprocesados del total de alimentos consumidos". Los factores asociados explorados fueron lactancia materna, sexo, edad y el número de alimentos no ultraprocesados consumidos. Se realizó un modelo de regresión logística multivariable y se aplicó un factor de expansión para ponderar los datos. Resultados. Se incluyeron 4224 niños (ponderado 908 104). La prevalencia de consumo de ultraprocesados fue del 90,8 % (IC95%: 89,5-92) y fue asociado con mayor edad (OR 3,21; IC95% 2,28-4,52) y con el número de alimentos no ultraprocesados consumidos (OR 1,17; IC95% 1,13-1,23). Los ultraprocesados representaron una mediana del 20 % (RIC: 12,5-28,6 %) del total de alimentos consumidos en el día. Conclusiones. Este estudio señala la alta penetración de los alimentos ultraprocesados en la alimentación complementaria.

Introduction. The availability of data on the consumption of ultra-processed foods among children is important for planning public policies. Objectives. To describe the prevalence of consumption of ultra-processed foods in children under 2 years of age and identify associated factors. To describe the proportion that ultra-processed foods represent out of the total number of foods consumed in a day. Methods. Secondary analysis of data from children aged 6­23 months with at least a 24-hour recall of food consumption based on the Second National Survey on Nutrition and Health of Argentina (2018). The following primary variables were studied: "consumption of ultra-processed foods" (according to the NOVA system) categorized into yes/no and "proportion of ultra-processed out of total foods consumed." The following associated factors were studied: breastfeeding, sex, age, and number of non-ultra-processed foods consumed. A multivariate logistic regression model was developed and an expansion factor was applied to weight the data. Results. A total of 4224 children were included (weighed: 908 104). The prevalence of ultra-processed food consumption was 90.8% (95% CI: 89.5­92) and was associated with an older age (OR: 3.21, 95% CI: 2.28­4.52) and the number of non-ultra-processed foods consumed (OR: 1.17, 95% CI: 1.13­1.23). Ultra-processed foods accounted for a median 20% (IQR: 12.5­28.6%) of all foods consumed in a day. Conclusions. This study highlights the high penetration of ultra-processed foods in complementary feeding.

How Do Anger and Impulsivity Impact Fast-Food Consumption in Transitional Age Youth?

Introduction: Consumption of fast food has been linked to psychiatric distress, violent behaviors, and impulsivity in adolescents. The relationship between eating fast food, anger, and impulsivity has not been widely investigated. The National Consortium on Alcohol and Neurodevelopment in Adolescence community-based cohort consists of 831 youth, half at elevated risk factors for substance use disorders during adolescence, followed annually. Methods: Impulsivity using Urgency, Premeditation, Perseverance, and Sensation Seeking Impulsive Behavior scale from annual assessments was examined in relation to self-reported fast-food consumption frequency and mobile application questions of anger. This study tested the hypotheses that youth anger may be predicted by fast-food consumption frequency and impulsivity using multiple regression, in addition to whether adolescent fast-food consumption frequency may be predicted by anger and impulsivity. Results: Among youth, higher anger levels and impulsivity predicted greater frequency of fast-food consumption, and greater fast-food consumption frequency and impulsivity predicted higher anger levels. Conclusions: This study's longitudinal findings are consistent with those of other studies that have found fast-food consumption and anger associated with impulsivity and also reveal a bidirectional link between anger and fast-food consumption. These results may point attention to food selection considerations for those at risk of anger and poorer psychiatric outcomes.

An industrialized diet as a determinant of methylation in the 1F region of the NR3C1 gene promoter.

Background: Dietary composition can modify gene expression, favoring the development of chronic diseases via epigenetic mechanisms. Objective: Our study aimed to investigate the relationship between dietary patterns and NR3C1 gene methylation in users of the Brazilian Public Unified Health System (SUS). Methods: We recruited 250 adult volunteers and evaluated their socioeconomic status, psychosocial characteristics, lifestyle, and anthropometrics. Peripheral blood was collected and evaluated for cortisol levels, glycemia, lipid profile, and insulin resistance; methylation of CpGs 40-47 of the 1F region of the NR3C1 gene was also measured. Factors associated with degree of methylation were evaluated using generalized linear models (p < 0.05). Lifestyle variables and health variables were included as confounding factors. Results: The findings of our cross-sectional study indicated an association between NR3C1 DNA methylation and intake of processed foods. We also observed relevant associations of average NR3C1 DNA across the segment analyzed, methylation in component 1 (40-43), and methylation in component 2 (44-47) with a pattern of consumption of industrialized products in relation to BMI, serum cortisol levels, and lipid profile. These results may indicate a relationship between methylation and metabolic changes related to the stress response. Conclusion: These findings suggest an association of methylation and metabolic alterations with stress response. In addition, the present study highlights the significant role of diet quality as a stress-inducing factor that influences NR3C1 methylation. This relationship is further linked to changes in psychosocial factors, lifestyle choices, and cardiometabolic variables, including glucose levels, insulin resistance, and hyperlipidemia.

Consumption of ultra-processed foods and mental health of pregnant women from the South of Brazil.

The objective of this study is to evaluate the association between the consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPF) and the mental health of pregnant women from the South of Brazil. This is a cross-sectional study carried out in Criciúma, Brazil, through face-to-face interviews, from April to December 2022. Pregnant women aged 18 or older who underwent prenatal care in the 48 Basic Health Units of the municipality and who were in their third trimester of pregnancy were included. High consumption of UPF was considered as 6 or more items or subgroups of UPF consumed on the day before the interview, using the Nova-UPF screener. The mental health variables were depressive symptoms, stress, sadness, and anxiety. Crude and adjusted analyses were conducted using the Fisher's exact test and the Poisson regression with robust variance. In total, 428 pregnant women were studied; most of them were aged between 20 and 25 years and were white. Pregnant women who presented high consumption of UPF were 1.42-fold (95%CI 1.06;1.92) more likely to experience anxiety and presented a prevalence 56% (95%CI 1.18;2.07) higher of stress when compared to those who did not present high consumption of UPF. The prevalence of depressive symptoms and feelings of sadness was 1.31-fold (95%CI 1.08;1.60) and 3.41-fold (95%CI 1.77;6.58) higher among those with high consumption of UPF, respectively. The results suggest that diet quality is associated with the mental health of pregnant women. Promoting joint actions focused on food and nutritional education for pregnant women, as well as mental health, is necessary.

Effectiveness of nutritional counseling with overweight pregnant women on child growth at 6 months: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: Studies that have investigated the effect of nutritional counseling during the prenatal period on the follow-up outcomes of children at 6 mo have produced inconclusive results. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of nutritional counseling, based on the NOVA food classification, encouraging the consumption of fresh and minimally processed foods, with overweight adult pregnant women on infant growth at 6 mo of age. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial with 195 pairs of pregnant overweight women and their infants at 6 mo of age was conducted in a Brazilian municipality. The pregnant women were allocated to the control group (CG) or intervention group (IG) at the beginning of the pregnancy. The IG received three sessions of nutrition counseling throughout the pregnancy. Linear regression models were used to investigate the effect of the nutritional counseling on infant growth. RESULTS: One hundred ninety-five mother-infant pairs with complete data were included (96 CG, and 99 IG). The mean ± SD infant weight (g) at 6 mo was 7856.1 ± 1.1, and length (cm) was 67.0 ± 2.9. There were no differences in maternal and newborn characteristics between the groups. In the linear regression models, the counseling had no effect on anthropometric parameters of the infants at 6 mo of age: weight-for-length Z-score (ß 0.089 [95% CI -0.250; 0.427], P = 0.61); length-for-age Z-score (ß 0.032 [95% CI -0.299; 0.363], P = 0.85); weight-for-age Z-score (ß 0.070 [95% CI -0.260; 0.400], P = 0.68); BMI-age Z-score (ß 0.072 [95% CI -0.270; 0.414], P = 0.68). CONCLUSIONS: There was no effect on infant growth at 6 mo of age after the nutritional counseling during pregnancy. Future studies are needed to confirm this hypothesis.

Adherence to the Mediterranean Food Pattern and Carbon Footprint of Food Intake by Employees of a University Setting in Portugal.

BACKGROUND: The Mediterranean diet is characterized by the predominance of the consumption of fruit, vegetables, cereals, nuts, and pulses; consumption of olive oil as the main source of fat; regular but moderate consumption of win; moderate consumption of fish, dairy products, eggs, and white meats; and low consumption of red meat as well as sugar and sugary products. In addition to the reported health benefits, the Mediterranean diet has also been widely recognized as a sustainable food pattern. The objective of this study was to understand the relationship between the degree of adherence to the Mediterranean diet of employees of the University of Porto and the relationship with the carbon footprint of their food consumption. METHODS: An observational, analytical study was carried out, through the analysis of food consumption data collected in the form of a survey in the previous 24 h inserted in the eAT24 software, as well as the analysis of sociodemographic, lifestyle, and health data collected in the questionnaire. The carbon footprint was calculated from the previous 24 h surveys using data available on a website, obtained in carbon dioxide equivalent per kilogram of food. Sociodemographic, eating habit, and lifestyle questions were selected to understand the relationship between these and adherence to the Mediterranean diet and the carbon footprint of food consumption. RESULTS: In total, 13.2% of the participants had a Mediterranean diet score equal to or greater than six, and the sample had an average food intake carbon footprint of 8146 ± 3081 CO2eq/Kg of food. A weak, statistically significant positive correlation (r = 0.142, p = 0.006) was observed between Mediterranean diet adherence and the carbon footprint of food intake. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the participants had a low adherence to the Mediterranean diet, as well as a high carbon footprint of food intake when compared to other countries. People with higher scores for Mediterranean diet adherence have, on average, a higher carbon footprint from food consumption intake.

Chinese consumers' psychology and behavior of the foods with nutrition claims based on AISAS model.

Objective: We analyzed the impact of nutrition claims on Chinese consumer psychology and behavior process based on the theoretical framework of AISAS (Attention-Interest-Search-Action-Share) model. Design: To adopt questionnaires to collect gender, age, income and other basic information of adult residents and a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree) to collect data on residents' attention to nutrition claims, interest in nutrition claims, search on nutrition claim information, purchasing behavior on food with nutrition claims, sharing information on food with nutrition claims. Then to study the relationship between the basic situation of residents and their attention, interest, search, food purchase behavior and sharing of nutrition claims by using exploratory factor analysis, reliability and validity test, structural equation modeling estimation and hypothesis testing. Participants: Chinese adults. Setting: Multi-stage stratified random sampling method was used to collect the valid online questionnaire of 630 Chinese adults from Central, North, East, South, Northwest, Southwest, and Northeast China. Results: Younger adults and those with higher household incomes exhibited heightened attention to nutrition claims. Furthermore, consumers' attention to nutrition claims could be transformed into food information sharing through interest, information search, and food purchase. Consumers' interest in food with nutrition claims could be transformed directly into food purchase. Consumers' search for related information could be directly transformed into food information sharing. Conclusion: Chinese consumers' age and household income could be included in the AISAS model for the foods with nutrition claims, and the consumers' action and share could transform from their interest and search.

Association of food consumption patterns and nutritional status of children under 5 years from rural households in Northern regions, Namibia.

BACKGROUND: Many developing countries, Namibia included, have a high prevalence of malnutrition among children, especially in rural subsistence farming areas where inadequate food supply is common. Poor diets in children under 5 years may result in negative health impacts. This study determined the association of food consumption patterns and nutritional status of children under 5 years from rural households in Oshana and Oshikoto regions in Namibia. METHOD: Employing a cross-sectional descriptive design, 377 children under 5 years participated in this study using purposive sampling. Validated dietary diversity and food frequency questionnaires were used to obtain information on demographic characteristics, commonly consumed food per week, and meal frequencies for the recruited children. Anthropometric measurements were obtained to assess nutritional status of children using Emergency Nutrition Assessment (ENA) software. Descriptive and inferential statistics were computed using the IBM® SPSS® Statistics (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) version 27. RESULTS: Staple foods, mostly grains, roots and tubers, along with flesh foods, legumes and nuts were commonly consumed. Vitamin A-rich fruits and vegetables were solely consumed in Oshana region (10.7%) and not in Oshikoto. Oshana exhibited a lower dietary diversity score (4±1 SD) compared to Oshikoto (5±1 SD). The prevalence of adequate feeding practices varied, with Oshana having 38.8% meeting minimum milk feeding frequency (MMFF), 55.6% minimum dietary diversity (MDD), 69.8% minimum meal frequency (MMF), and 27% minimum acceptable diet (MAD). In Oshikoto, these figures were lower at 2%, 7%, 32%, and 0.5%, respectively. Stunting, underweight, wasting, and overweight were also documented, with slight differences between the two regions. The study did not find association between nutritional status and MMFF, MDD and MAD. However, significant associations were found between specific food types, amount of food, breastfeeding length, MMF and malnutrition indicators in both regions (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Most study participants consumed locally available staple foods. Stunting, underweight, and wasting were prevalent among children in the two regions which were significantly associated to the amount of food consumed, MMF and/ some food types. Improving food environments and eliminating access barriers to diversified diets can mitigate high prevalence of malnutrition among rural children.

Reducing the carbon footprint of diets across socio-demographic groups in Finland: a mathematical optimisation study.

OBJECTIVES: To characterise nutritionally adequate, climate-friendly diets that are culturally acceptable across socio-demographic groups. To identify potential equity issues linked to more climate-friendly and nutritionally adequate dietary changes. DESIGN: An optimisation model minimises distance from observed diets subject to nutritional, greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE) and food-habit constraints. It is calibrated to socio-demographic groups differentiated by sex, education and income levels using dietary intake data. The environmental coefficients are derived from life cycle analysis and an environmentally extended input-output model. SETTING: Finland. PARTICIPANTS: Adult population. RESULTS: Across all population groups, we find large synergies between improvements in nutritional adequacy and reductions in GHGE, set at one-third or half of the current level. Those reductions result mainly from the substitution of meat with cereals, potatoes and roots and the intra-category substitution of foods, such as beef with poultry in the meat category. The simulated more climate-friendly diets are thus flexitarian. Moving towards reduced-impact diets would not create major inadequacies related to protein and fatty acid intakes, but Fe could be an issue for pre-menopausal females. The initial socio-economic gradient in the GHGE of diets is small, and the patterns of adjustments to more climate-friendly diets are similar across socio-demographic groups. CONCLUSIONS: A one-third reduction in GHGE of diets is achievable through moderate behavioural adjustments, but achieving larger reductions may be difficult. The required changes are similar across socio-demographic groups and do not raise equity issues. A population-wide policy to promote behavioural change for diet sustainability would be appropriate.

Prevalence of Food Insecurity and Associations with Academic Performance, Food Consumption and Social Support among University Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic: FINESCOP Project in Iceland.

(1) Background: Food insecurity (FI) among university students has received less attention in Europe than in other regions before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. (2) Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between January and March 2022 using an online questionnaire (n = 924). The questionnaire addressed food security status; demographic, socioeconomic, and educational variables; academic performance; food consumption; and social support networks. The validated Food Insecurity Experience Scale was used to measure food security. Binary logistic regressions adjusted by age and gender were applied to identify FI-related factors. (3) Results: Just over 17% of the students were living with some level of FI, nearly one in three students reported having consumed few kinds of food, and 3.9% spent an entire day without eating due to a lack of resources. Food insecurity was associated with a higher likelihood of negative academic performance, decreased food consumption, and a lower likelihood of having a large support network, when compared to food-secure respondents. (4) Conclusions: The findings suggest that FI negatively impacts students' academic performance and food consumption. Future public health programs should be prioritized to prevent students from experiencing hunger due to financial or resource constraints.

Food Insecurity Classification in Rural Areas of Mozambique: An Integrated Analysis of Survey-Based Indicators.

National food insecurity early warning systems and food policy interventions need reliable information concerning the classification of food insecurity. The aim of this paper was to produce an acute food insecurity classification in Mozambique, by: i) analyzing food insecurity indicators individually; ii) comparing it with a new integrated analysis of survey-based indicators called the "Matrix Analysis." The Matrix results show more severe classifications than the single indicators for the analyzed districts. The matrix novelty consists on a cross-tabulation of all indicators, allowing a less subjective analysis. Further research is needed on how the Matrix approach could complement national classification systems.

Desarrollo y validación de la puntuación de calidad alimentaria en el ELSA-brasil / Development and validation of the food quality score in ELSA-Brasil

Introducción: la epidemiología nutricional busca comprender la relación entre el consumo de alimentos y la ocurrencia de enfermedades.Durante la pandemia de COVID-19, el Estudio Longitudinal de Salud del Adulto (ELSA-Brasil) utilizó un Cuestionario de Frecuencia de Alimentos(CFA) reducido para comparar la calidad de la dieta en diferentes etapas de la cohorte.Objetivo: desarrollar y validar un índice creado a partir de un score (o puntuación) de calidad alimentaria (SCA) utilizando el CFA del ELSA-Brasil.Métodos: estudio transversal realizado entre agosto de 2020 y marzo de 2021 con 4262 participantes. Para cada categoría de frecuencia deconsumo de alimentos indicadores de alimentación saludable y no saludable, se otorgó una puntuación. La validez y la fiabilidad se estimaronmediante el coeficiente de correlación de Pearson, el análisis de componentes principales (ACP) y la alfa de Cronbach. Se realizaron pruebaspara verificar las diferencias entre las características individuales y la SCA.Resultados: el ACP indicó una variabilidad total del 42,5 %. Las mujeres y los individuos con mayor edad, actividad física e ingreso per cápitaobtuvieron un valor de SCA más alto, mientras que aquellos que reportaron un mayor consumo de alcohol y tabaquismo obtuvieron una puntuaciónmás baja. La alfa de Cronbach fue de 0,47.Conclusión: la SCA mostró una validez y confiabilidad satisfactorias y se asoció con datos socioeconómicos y de estilo de vida. Por lo tanto, esuna herramienta útil para comparar la información dietética, contribuyendo a los futuros análisis en epidemiología nutricional.(AU)

Introduction: nutritional epidemiology seeks to understand the relationship between food consumption and the occurrence of diseases. Duringthe COVID-19 pandemic, the Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil) used a reduced Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) to comparediet quality between cohort stages.Objective: to develop and validate an index created using a food quality score (FQS) using the FFQ of ELSA-Brasil.Methods: a cross-sectional study carried out between August 2020 and March 2021 with 4262 participants. For each frequency of consumptionof healthy and unhealthy food markers, a score was given. Validity and reliability were tested using Pearson’s correlation, principal componentanalysis (PCA) and Cronbach’s alpha. Tests were performed to verify differences between individual characteristics and FQS.Results: the PCA indicated a total variability of 42.5 %. Women and individuals with higher age, physical activity and per capita income had ahigher FQS, while those who reported higher consumption of alcohol and being smokers had a lower score. Cronbach’s alpha was 0.47.Conclusion: the FQS showed a satisfactory validity and reliability and was associated with socioeconomic and lifestyle data. Therefore, it is auseful tool for comparing dietary information, thus contributing to nutritional epidemiology.(AU)

Food and nutritional insecurity in the rural community Laguinha near the wind energy complex in Caetés in Pernambuco / Insegurança alimentar e nutricional na comunidade rural Laguinha nas proximidades do complexo eólico do município de Caetés em Pernambuco

Food and Nutrition Security (SAN) is the realization of everyone's right to access food in sufficient quantities, quality and regularly, without compromising access to other needs. In view of the increase in food and nutrition insecurity, observed in recent years in Brazil and in the world, concomitant with the disruption of programs and public policies combined with the incentive to promote the right to Food and Nutritional Security (SAN) in Brazil (2019-2022) , and the pandemic context that aggravated this problem, we are currently experiencing alarming levels of Food and Nutrition Insecurity (INSAN), including the serious one that is characterized by hunger, which preferentially affects a certain social class and region in Brazil, North and Northeast. The present study analyzed the food and nutritional security profile of families residing in the rural community of Sítio Laguinha, around a wind farm in the municipality of Caetés, in Pernambuco. This study can be characterized as a mixed descriptive study with a quantitative and qualitative approach, in order to identify the prevalence of food (in)security and the associated factors. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to obtain information on socioeconomic conditions and food consumption in the rural community of Laguinha, as well as the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale (EBIA) to assess the situation of Food and Nutritional Security. Among the factors associated with the community, the vulnerabilities to which this community is exposed stand out, such as the location in a rural area that is difficult to move around, around a wind farm that brings with it impacts and the pandemic context. The results obtained showed a high prevalence of food and nutritional insecurity (88.4%) at all levels, mild, moderate and severe. Among the factors that may be associated with and aggravate the INSAN situation, we can mention the impact of the wind farm and the pandemic, with all associated socioeconomic impacts. The results obtained in this work bring relevant data about the situation of an invisible community that needs assistance to achieve food and nutritional security, a right established in our constitution. In addition, these data can serve as a basis for the implementation of public policies aimed at the community

A Segurança Alimentar e Nutricional (SAN) é a realização do direito de todos ao acesso a alimentos em quantidade suficiente, qualidade e regularmente, sem comprometer o acesso a outras necessidades. Diante do aumento da insegurança alimentar e nutricional, observada nos últimos anos no Brasil e no mundo, concomitante com a desestruturação de programas e políticas públicas aliadas ao incentivo à promoção do direito à Segurança Alimentar e Nutricional (SAN) no Brasil (2019-2022), e o contexto pandêmico que agravou esse problema, atualmente vivenciamos índices alarmantes de Insegurança Alimentar e Nutricional (INSAN), incluindo a insegurança grave que se caracteriza pela fome, que afeta preferencialmente uma determinada classe social e região no Brasil, Norte e Nordeste. O presente estudo analisou o perfil da segurança alimentar e nutricional de famílias residentes na comunidade rural do Sítio Laguinha, em torno de um parque eólico no município de Caetés, em Pernambuco. Esse estudo pode ser caracterizado como descritivo misto com abordagem quantitativa e qualitativa, a fim de identificar a prevalência da (in)segurança alimentar e os fatores que a ela se associam. Foram utilizados um questionário semiestruturado para obtenção de informações sobre condições socioeconômicas e de consumo alimentar da comunidade rural de Laguinha bem como a Escala Brasileira de Insegurança Alimentar (EBIA) para avaliar a situação de Segurança Alimentar e Nutricional. Dentre os fatores associados à comunidade destaca-se as vulnerabilidades às quais essa comunidade está exposta, como a localização em uma área rural de difícil deslocamento, em torno de um parque eólico que traz consigo impactos e o contexto pandêmico. Os resultados obtidos mostraram alta prevalência de insegurança alimentar e nutricional (88,4%) em todos os níveis, leve, moderada e grave. Dentre os fatores que podem estar associados e agravar a situação de INSAN podemos citar o impacto do parque eólico e a pandemia, com todos impactos socioeconômicos associados. Os resultados obtidos neste trabalho trazem dados relevantes sobre a situação de uma comunidade invisibilizada e que necessita de assistência para alcançar a segurança alimentar e nutricional, um direito estabelecido na nossa constituição. Além disso, esses dados podem servir de base para implementação de políticas públicas voltadas à comunidade.

Concentration- and Time-Dependent Dietary Exposure to Graphene Oxide and Silver Nanoparticles: Effects on Food Consumption and Assimilation, Digestive Enzyme Activities, and Body Mass in Acheta domesticus.

The advancement of nanotechnology poses a real risk of insect exposure to nanoparticles (NPs) that can enter the digestive system through contaminated food or nanopesticides. This study examines whether the exposure of model insect species-Acheta domesticus-to increasing graphene oxide (GO) and silver nanoparticle (AgNP) concentrations (2, 20, and 200 ppm and 4, 40, and 400 ppm, respectively) could change its digestive functions: enzymes' activities, food consumption, and assimilation. We noticed more pronounced alterations following exposure to AgNPs than to GO. They included increased activity of α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and lipase but inhibited protease activity. Prolonged exposure to higher concentrations of AgNPs resulted in a significantly decreased food consumption and changed assimilation compared with the control in adult crickets. A increase in body weight was observed in the insects from the Ag4 group and a decrease in body weight or no effects were observed in crickets from the Ag40 and Ag400 groups (i.e., 4, 40, or 400 ppm of AgNPs, respectively), suggesting that even a moderate disturbance in nutrient and energy availability may affect the body weight of an organism and its overall condition. This study underscores the intricate interplay between NPs and digestive enzymes, emphasizing the need for further investigation to comprehend the underlying mechanisms and consequences of these interactions.

Current perspectives and challenges in the estimation of fruit juice consumption across the lifecycle in Europe.

Fruit juice (FJ) is typically low in energy, contains natural sugars, important amounts of micronutrients and is not permitted to have added sugars/sweeteners. However, its role in a healthy diet is under scrutiny partly due to the wider adoption of the definition for free sugars in nutrition policy. This review aimed to identify data on FJ consumption from national food consumption surveys across Europe, to examine current intakes, percent consumers and its contribution to intakes of energy, total sugars, free sugars, vitamin C, folate and potassium. Data were extracted on the population mean intake of FJ and its contribution to nutrient intakes across the lifecycle and crude estimates of population mean intakes across countries were reported for the total population and for consumers only. This review highlighted significant gaps/challenges regarding the availability of country-specific national food consumption surveys across Europe and specifically data on FJ consumption (including complexities surrounding categorisations). Nonetheless, using a comparable/homogenous definition, the mean intake of FJ among consumers was approximately 1 × 150 ml glass/day for adults/older adults, with lower intakes among infants (86 g/d), children (108 g/d) and teenagers (112 g/d). FJ made important contributions to intakes of vitamin C while making little contribution to energy intakes but also contributed 2-14 % of free sugars intake (which may be considered modest compared to other sources). The complexity of collating and interpreting data on FJ intake as elucidated in this review raises questions surrounding the categorisation of FJ in research and presents significant challenges for policymakers with respect to dietary guidance for FJ.

Sensing the Snacking Experience: Bodily Sensations Linked to the Consumption of Healthy and Unhealthy Snack Foods-A Comparison between Body Mass Index Levels.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has highlighted the need for immediate action regarding the escalating global prevalence of overweight and obesity. Based on the need for long-term strategies supporting dietary behaviour changes, the concept of 'interoception' (i.e., sensing the body's internal state) has been proposed as promising for understanding and controlling food intake behaviours. As eating behaviours are motivated by the need for securing energy demands as well as the desire for pleasure, investigating the bodily sensations perceived in relation to food consumption can support our understanding of human food and eating behaviours. Here, a consumer study was conducted on 286 Danish consumers to explore the interoceptive experience of snack food consumption. This study included an investigation of the consumers' interoceptive capabilities and ability to feel pleasure, intuitive eating behaviours, snack food consumption frequency, the drivers of snack food consumption, food-related pleasure, and post-ingestive sensations linked to snack food consumption. The study was conducted on consumers with different Body Mass Index (BMI) levels to study potential differences between these groups. The study showed normal interoceptive capabilities and abilities to feel pleasure, with no differences between BMI groups. Regarding intuitive eating, the study found intuitive eating to be more prevalent among the group holding normal BMI. No significant differences between BMI groups were found in terms of snack intake frequency. However, differences between BMI groups were found in terms of: the drivers of snack consumption, the aspects bringing food-related pleasure from snack consumption, and the post-ingestive sensations felt after eating snack foods.

The effectiveness of Go/No-Go and Stop-Signal training in reducing food consumption and choice: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The Go/No-Go and Stop-Signal tasks have been used to reduce excess food intake via repeated pairing of food cues with response inhibition. A meta analysis of 32 studies was conducted to determine whether, and under which conditions, the Go/No-Go and Stop-Signal training tasks are effective in reducing food consumption or choice. Moderators included task parameters (e.g., number of sessions, stop signal), sample differences (e.g., age, weight), and the measure of food consumption or choice. Overall, there was a small effect for Go/No-Go and Stop-Signal training in reducing food consumption or choice, g = -0.21, CI95 = [-0.31, -0.11], p < .001, with this holding individually only for a single session of the Go/No-Go Task, g = -0.31, CI95 = [-0.45, -0.18], p < .001. Comprehensive investigation of the impact of varying moderators indicated that the effect for Go/No-Go training was robust. Nevertheless, there was significant variation in the specific parameters of the task. Overall, the present meta-analysis extends previous findings by providing comprehensive evidence that the Go/No-Go Task is effective in reducing food consumption and choice, as well as providing optimal parameter recommendations for the task.