Shift work is associated with an increased risk of metabolic disorders, including type 2 diabetes, largely due to circadian misalignment, irregular meal patterns, and suboptimal diet quality. Chrononutrition, which focuses on aligning nutrient intake with circadian rhythms, has emerged as a promising strategy to improve metabolic health. Protein intake plays a key role in glucose homeostasis, and high-protein hypocaloric diets have shown benefits in people with type 2 diabetes. However, the effects of higher evening protein intake in shift workers remain unclear. This trial aims to analyze the effect of three hypocaloric diets differing in macronutrient composition and distribution throughout the day on glycemic control, body composition, and other secondary outcomes in shift workers with overweight or obesity and prediabetes or type 2 diabetes. This is a 12-week, three-arm, parallel-group, single-blind randomized controlled trial including 126 shift workers. Participants are randomized equally to: (A) a high-protein diet with protein-enriched dinner (50–60% of daily protein); (B) a high-protein diet with protein-restricted dinner (10–20% of daily protein); or (C) a normoproteic control diet with usual protein distribution. Primary outcomes include changes in glycemic control and DXA-derived body composition. Secondary outcomes are lipid profile, sleep quality, and quality of life. Other clinical and lifestyle parameters are evaluated to monitor changes throughout the intervention. Assessments are performed at baseline, week 6, and week 12. All analyses will follow the intention-to-treat principle. This study will provide new evidence on how evening protein intake may influence metabolic health in populations exposed to circadian disruption.

The role of omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), especially linoleic acid (LA) in adiposity, remains contested. While clinical interventions suggest improved body composition with higher LA intake, observational evidence using dietary data is inconsistent, and few studies consider circulating fatty acids or longitudinal changes in adiposity. Using multivariable linear models, we evaluated cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between omega-6 PUFAs and waist circumference (WC), weight, and whole-body fat mass (FM) in the UK Biobank Cohort. Cross-sectionally (N=272,587, 54% female, mean age 57 years), higher circulating LA was inversely associated with WC, weight, and FM. Participants in the highest versus lowest quintile of LA had significantly smaller WC [–11.04 (–11.17, –10.91) cm], lower weight [–11.77 (–11.92, –11.62) kg], and lower FM [–7.87 (–7.97, –7.77) kg]. Associations for total omega-6 were generally consistent with those for LA. Conversely, non-LA omega-6 was positively associated with WC [1.46 (1.32, 1.61) cm], weight [2.41 (2.25, 2.58) kg], and FM [1.81 (1.69, 1.92) kg]. Longitudinal analyses (N=58,335, 51% female, mean age 55 years) largely corroborate these patterns, with annual changes in WC, weight, and FM inversely associated with LA and positively associated with non-LA omega-6. Higher circulating LA, but not non-LA omega-6, was associated with lower WC, weight, and FM both cross-sectionally and longitudinally. Our findings potentially support dietary recommendations to promote LA-rich oils. Divergent associations between LA and non-LA omega-6 caution against treating omega-6 PUFAs as a homogenous group. Examining distinct health effects of individual non-LA omega-6 are warranted.

Malnutrition remains a major public health challenge in low- and middle-income countries and disproportionately affecting children under five. Eggs, given their high nutrient density and relative physical or economic accessibility, have been tested for their effect on improving nutritional outcomes in children under five. However, findings from scientific exercises to test the impact of egg-based trials on child growth have not been systhematically pooled and synthesised. Therefore, this meta-analysis aimed to synthesise evidence on the impact of egg-based interventions on the nutritional status of children underfive as determined by weight-for-height Z-score (WHZ), weight-for-age z-score (WAZ), and height-for-age z-score (HAZ). Research articles of randomised controlled trials published between 2013 and 2023 were identified through a comprehensive search of PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, CINAHL, Embase, Science Direct, Google Scholar, and African Index Medicus data bases. Articles evaluated the effect of egg-based interventions against alternative diets, behaviour-change education, or no alternative intervention were included. Primary outcomes are WHZ, WAZ, and HAZ. Random-effects models were used to pool effect sizes (mean difference), and subgroup analyses and meta-regression explored sources of heterogeneity. Publication bias was assessed using funnel plots and Egger’s test. Seven studies involving 3673 children met the inclusion criteria. Egg-based intervention significantly improved WAZ (MD: 0.33; 95% CI: 0.11–0.55) and WHZ (MD: 0.30; 95% CI: 0.12–0.48). However, no significant effect was observed on HAZ (MD: 0.05; 95% CI: –0.05–0.14). It is figuredout that egg-based interventions can improve weight-related nutritional outcomes (WHZ and HAZ) among children underfive in sub-Saharan Africa, but not linear growth (HAZ).

This longitudinal, prospective, multicenter observational cohort study investigates the associations between maternal nutritional status—assessed using the first trimester SIMPLE score and pregestational BMI—and fetal growth trajectories and velocity, as proxies for intrauterine development. Healthy women with singleton pregnancies undergoing first trimester screening were enrolled. Adherence to a healthy lifestyle was evaluated using the SIMPLE score, categorizing participants into low (<6) and high (≥6) adherence groups. Fetal growth parameters - including biparietal diameter (BPD), head circumference (HC), abdominal circumference (AC), femur length (FL), estimated fetal weight (EFW)- were assessed during second and third trimester ultrasounds, and birth outcomes were recorded. Multi-adjusted linear mixed models examined associations between SIMPLE score groups, individual score items, pregestational BMI, and fetal growth, with analyses stratified by fetal sex. Out of 938 enrolled women, 109 (11.6%) were classified as the low adherence group. Multi-adjusted linear mixed models showed that low adherence was associated with decreased EFW acceleration from the second to the third trimester. Stratification by fetal sex confirmed the association only among male fetuses. Analysis of pregestational BMI and individual SIMPLE score items revealed significant positive associations between pregestational BMI, AC, and EFW growth velocity, and a negative association between first trimester hemoglobin [>110 g/l] and EFW growth velocity. Overall, these findings confirm the clinical utility of the SIMPLE score, demonstrating significant associations with intrauterine growth trajectories and velocity, independent of other markers of nutritional status (e.g., pregestational BMI).

Elevated LDL-cholesterol concentration is a major risk factor for CVD. Regular consumption of marine fish and seafood is associated with a reduced risk of CVD, although the n-3 PUFAs EPA and DHA have no cholesterol-lowering effect when given in physiologically relevant doses. Recent studies have demonstrated a lower LDL-cholesterol concentration in rodents after intake of cetoleic acid (CA, C22:1n-11), found in pelagic fish species such as herring. The primary aim was to investigate the effect of consuming capsules containing CA on LDL-cholesterol concentration in adults with overweight or obesity. The study was designed as a randomised clinical trial with two arms. Eighty participants were enrolled, and data from 75 participants were included in the statistical analyses. Participants consumed capsules containing either a CA concentrate (CECO group; 1480 mg CA and 232 mg EPA per day) or soyabean oil mixed with a n-3 PUFA concentrate without CA as comparator arm (SOYO3 group; 258 mg EPA/day) for eight weeks. The within-group changes in LDL-cholesterol were compared using ANCOVA with changes in body fat percentage as covariate. The LDL-cholesterol concentration was decreased from baseline to 8 weeks in the CECO group (n 37, median -0.1 (quartiles -0.1, 0.0) mmol/L) in comparison to the SOYO3 group (n 38, median 0.2 (quartiles 0.1, 0.2) mmol/L), with F=19.35, P=0.033 and ηp2 = 0.212, corresponding to approximately 7% reduction in the CECO group relative to the SOYO3 group. To conclude, 8 weeks of dietary supplementation with CECO decreased the LDL-cholesterol concentration in adults with overweight or obesity.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with an increased risk of cardiometabolic disorders, often exacerbated by chronic inflammation. This study aims to investigate the effects of the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII), a measure of the inflammatory potential of diet, on cardiometabolic risk factors in women with PCOS. We hypothesized positive associations between DII and adverse cardiometabolic profile in PCOS. In this case-control study, thirty-eight women with PCOS (mean age 21.6 years, BMI 26.3 kg/m2) and 39 age- and BMI-matched healthy controls (mean age 21.2 years, BMI 25.9 kg/m2) were included. Clinical, hormonal and biochemical assessments were conducted. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire to calculate DII. Women with PCOS exhibited significantly higher fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, and a more adverse lipid profile compared to healthy controls, indicating increased cardiometabolic risk. These differences remained significant after adjusting for the DII, suggesting they are primarily attributable to PCOS, as shown by ANCOVA analysis. In contrast, higher TyG, CMI, and VAI values observed in the PCOS group were largely explained by DII. Furthermore, DII was positively associated with anthropometric and biochemical markers, including waist-to-hip ratio, fasting glucose, triglycerides, and cardiovascular risk indices, indicating that higher dietary inflammation is linked to poorer cardiometabolic health in women with PCOS. A pro-inflammatory dietary pattern, reflected by a higher DII score, is associated with unfavorable cardiometabolic risk factors in women with PCOS. These findings underscore the importance of dietary inflammation in the pathophysiology of PCOS and support anti-inflammatory dietary strategies to mitigate associated risks.

The aim is to examine the relationship between factors thought to potentially influence weight gain, such as sustainable nutrition (SN) behavior and plate clearing tendency (PCT) during pregnancy, and gestational weight gain (GWG). This cross-sectional correlational study was conducted on 340 women in the last trimester of pregnancy. Study data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a questionnaire form between October-December 2024. PCT is lower among younger women, those with low income and those with insufficient GWG (p<0.05). SN behaviors are higher in those who are older, have higher education levels, lower income and moderate physical activity (p<0.05). A negative correlation was found between food preference, a component of SN behaviors, and GWG (p<0.05). In the binary logistic regression model, higher pre-pregnancy BMI significantly increased the likelihood of excessive GWG (OR=1.49, 95% CI:1.332–1.665, p<0.001), whereas high physical activity was found to be protective against excessive GWG (OR=0.214, 95% CI:0.061–0.747, p=0.016). It was determined that pre-pregnancy BMI was higher and physical activity was lower in those with excessive GWG, in addition, food preference, one of the factors of SN behavior, affected weight gain. Food preference can be considered as a factor that may affect GWG.

Disordered eating (DE) is common among patients attending primary health care settings. However, the prevalence of DE among patients who receive care in nutrition practice settings has yet to be estimated. We aimed to determine the prevalence of DE and its correlates among outpatients in a nutrition service. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a convenience sample of outpatients (N = 502) who received care from 2022 to 2024 at the Nutrition Care Offices, which is a university nutrition service in Mexico City. A screening questionnaire was created to identify DE. Items were derived from existing DE screening tools and patients’ experiences. Linear regression models were estimated, with the outcomes being the three indicators of DE (negative body image, binge eating-compensation, and exercise as a negative experience). The most common DE behaviours and cognitions were feeling uncomfortable or insecure about their body fat (74.7%), feeling ashamed of their weight (57.6%), feeling uncomfortable or insecure about their muscles (57.2%), feeling bad when their weight is measured (54.0%), and feeling they have lost control of what they eat (51.0%). Binge eating-compensation and negative body image scores were higher among women, younger individuals, those with higher body weight, and those with very light or light leisure-time physical activity (PA). The practice of leisure-time PA was positively associated with exercise as a negative experience but negatively related to negative body image. Our findings suggest that DE is a problem that arises recurrently in weight-related nutrition consultations. Higher risk groups deserved special attention.

Flavanones represent a significant subgroup of flavonoids and offer various advantages for the human body, such as aiding in metabolic regulation and providing antioxidant properties. The objective of this research was to investigate the relationship between dietary flavanones and the prevalence of kidney stones among adults in the United States. Flavanones, including eriodictyol, hesperetin, and naringenin, were sourced from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) conducted between 2007–2010 and 2017–2018, utilizing two 24-hour dietary recall interviews. The definition of kidney stones was established through a self-administered questionnaire. To evaluate the relationships between dietary flavanones and kidney stones, a variety of statistical methods were utilized, such as multivariable regression analysis, restricted cubic splines (RCS), and subgroup analysis. Data from 9,790 participants were included in this analysis, with 9.67% of them indicating that they had experienced kidney stones. After adjusting for potential confounding factors, it was found that kidney stones exhibited a negative correlation with total flavanones and naringenin, with odds ratios (OR) of 0.96 (95% CI: 0.93, 1.00) and 0.89 (95% CI: 0.80, 0.99) for the highest intake group compared to the lowest intake group. The RCS plot revealed a notable negative linear association between the consumption levels of total dietary flavanones and the risk of kidney stones, including naringenin. The results of the subgroup analysis indicated that no significant interactions were observed in each subgroup. Our research indicated that a higher intake of flavanones correlates with a lowered prevalence of kidney stones in adults.

This Research Communication addresses the hypothesis that calf faeces can be used as a microbial inoculum in the in vitro gas production (GP) technique to model rumen digestibility in calves. In vitro GP is a valuable method of screening dietary interventions in ruminants. However, the technique requires a microbial inoculum, typically obtained from the rumens of fistulated animals. Using faecal inocula that can be collected non-invasively would be ethically and economically preferable, if it provided equivalent results. The aim of this pilot study was to compare in vitro GP from faecal and ruminal inocula obtained from dairy calves that were killed either pre-weaning or post-weaning. Ruminal content and faeces were collected from calves aged 4, 7 and 13 weeks old, and incubated with calf starter concentrates in the ANKOMRF system. A weak relationship between inocula was seen for all modelled GP kinetic parameters (R2 < 0.53), although modelling indicated that incubations using faecal and rumen inocula from pre-weaned calves had similar lag times and rates of degradation. In weaned calves, aged 13 weeks, faecal incubations produced less gas, lag times were longer, and the rate of degradation of the slowly degradable fraction of calf starter was slower, compared to rumen incubations. Weak relationships, and kinetic differences, between rumen and faecal inocula would likely hinder the use of faeces to model calf rumen fermentation.

Streptococcus uberis is currently the most notable emerging mastitis pathogen in South Africa. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) was used to investigate the sequence types (STs) of S. uberis isolated from bovine milk and their epidemiological patterns of occurrence. This retrospective, longitudinal study was conducted on a pasture-based herd of 1005 lactating cows, on which slurry-spreading had been recently introduced. Composite cow milk samples were collected quarterly during routine whole herd sampling and from clinical mastitis cases (monthly) during 2021. Streptococcus uberis isolates obtained from two routine samplings and clinical mastitis cases were stored at −80°C. In 2024, seven S. uberis isolates were added; these were from the same cows in consecutive samplings. The prevalence of S. uberis intramammary infection (IMI) was 7.44%, while 21.26% of clinical mastitis cases were caused by S. uberis. Based on conventional microbiology, 31.4% of S. uberis IMIs were recurring in consecutive samplings. A total of 42 S. uberis STs were identified from 70 isolates; 41 were novel and only 1 (ST 1613) had been previously reported in the PubMLST/GenBank database. Of the S. uberis isolates examined, 35.7% had known clonal complexes (CCs); of these, 60% were CC ST-5. Owing to the high heterogeneity, no predominant STs were observed; ST 1613 was isolated six times but did not cause clinical cases. When S. uberis was isolated from a cow more than once, only 50% of the isolates had similar STs. Where cows had multiple infections in an udder, quarters infected had different STs. In summary, this herd showed significant heterogeneity in S. uberis, with all but one ST being novel variants. Results indicate that S. uberis IMI in this herd was transient, possibly of environmental origin rather than persistent udder infections, making a point-source of infection less likely.

The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the evidence to date and several key considerations regarding addressing undernutrition in older adults with plant-based products. Undernutrition, resulting from inadequate protein and energy intake is common among older adults, and is associated with poor health and quality of life. Ensuring adequate protein and energy intake is a key component of strategies aiming to prevent and/or treat undernutrition. Increasing diversity of protein intake to include more sustainable plant-based sources is encouraged in the general population. However, to support healthy ageing, it is important to consider factors such as the impact of greater consumption of plant-based products on appetite and nutritional status, muscle protein synthesis and skeletal muscle mass. Although the literature in older adults is limited, the current evidence suggests no significant differences when comparing effects of plant to animal-based products/diets on a range of outcomes including appetite, nutritional status, longer-term muscle protein synthesis and muscle mass. Furthermore, there is evidence of improvements in nutritional status and muscle protein synthesis following plant protein supplementation compared to before supplementation or lower protein intakes. Therefore, greater intake of certain plant-based products could assist in enhancing sustainability of food systems and meeting nutritional requirements to prevent undernutrition. Among other factors, the plant protein source, the food matrix and presence of other nutrients need consideration. Further studies are needed in several areas, including investigating the effects of greater intake of plant-based products on the gut microbiome, and in the treatment of undernutrition.

Depression is a common mental disorder and a leading cause of global disease burden. Emerging evidence supports diet as an adjunct treatment for depression. Previous studies are limited, meaning it is unclear whether improvements are directly due to dietary change. The OPTIMISM trial aims to address this gap through a sham-controlled randomised feeding trial design.

The OPTIMISM trial is a 4-week double-blind, sham-controlled, randomised feeding trial. A total of 44 participants with MDD in a current major depressive episode of moderate to severe severity will be recruited and randomised to a Mediterranean or a sham control diet, designed to reflect typical dietary intake of the general population. All food will be provided for four weeks. Participants will complete assessments and have blood and stool collected at baseline and four weeks. The primary outcome is the differential change in clinician-rated depressive severity at four weeks. Exploratory outcomes include patient-rated depressive and anxiety symptoms, and quality of life. Potential mechanisms will be evaluated through analysis of biological samples. An additional group of 22 healthy individuals without depression will also be recruited and will receive a Mediterranean diet for four weeks; their data will determine whether clinical and biological responses to the intervention are unique to depression and whether the diet treatment modulates depression-related pathology.

If the intervention diet leads to a greater reduction in depressive symptoms compared with a sham control diet, this trial will provide preliminary evidence supporting the use of a Mediterranean diet in the treatment of depression.

Different definitions have been proposed for longevity, making it challenging to compare methods for estimating the economic significance of survival traits. Simple profit functions often fail to capture biological complexity, whereas bioeconomic models, though comprehensive, can be difficult to apply. This study aimed to develop a versatile framework for estimating the economic value (EV) of longevity traits and designing optimal selection indices. The approach can accommodate various definitions of longevity (e.g., herd life, productive life, number of lactations, stayability or survival across lactations) and be applied across production systems. The economic model is founded on a stable herd age structure at equilibrium, where changes in survival rates influence profitability and age distribution. Average survival rates between parities determine the distribution of cows across parities and the number of replacements needed to maintain a steady-state herd structure. Iranian production and economic data were used for parameterization, and EVs were estimated accordingly. Seven selection indices were developed, incorporating production, reproduction, somatic cell score (SCS), longevity and type traits. The estimated economic weights were $0.12/kg for milk yield, $5.56/kg for fat yield, $5.50/kg for protein yield, $2.73/month for productive life, $22.6/year for herd life, $0.18/percentage point for survival, $37.59/lactation for number of lactations, $-3.84/day for days open and $-122.87/unit for SCC. Excluding longevity from the breeding goal led to the lowest observed genetic gain, demonstrating that including longevity traits positively influences overall genetic improvement. The greatest genetic progress was achieved by indices enhancing productive life through indirect selection on fore udder conformation. This study demonstrates that (1) the flexible approach enables estimation of EVs under multiple longevity definitions and (2) selection for productive life, particularly via indirect selection on fore udder traits, improves longevity, enhances production and reduces SCC.

Poor nutrition and the rise in inequalities in diet and obesity during childhood and adolescence are of concern in Ireland and globally. Food insecurity among families is also on the rise and impacts children and youth beyond the effects of poverty alone. The social, structural and commercial determinants of health help to explain why dietary and health inequalities exist yet the solutions to such inequity have been slow, delayed and difficult to implement. This review takes a health promotion approach to the diet of children and adolescents, drawing on evidence in the Republic of Ireland and beyond to emphasize a need for supportive environments and health promoting public policy. Schools are a key setting to improve dietary habits and diet-related diseases. The impact of food environments on dietary habits both within and external to schools is clear with evidence supporting the implementation of universal school meal provision and the use of planning regulations to enable healthier environments. Evidence of how best to support children and adolescent’s diet out-of-term time is needed, especially within the Irish context. There is a clear need for upstream measures to support healthy dietary habits such as legislation to enforce restrictions of food marketing to children and extension of taxation of foods. Children and adolescents have the right and capacity to be involved in changes needed to our food system so that the marketing, availability and affordability of healthy foods becomes the norm for children and adolescents.

This research paper addresses the hypothesis that the incorporation of yellow-fleshed sweet potato powder (SPP) into yoghurt can enhance its physicochemical, microbial and textural properties while improving storage stability. This study aimed to develop a yoghurt product incorporating yellow-fleshed SPP and to evaluate its effects on physicochemical, microbial and textural properties during fermentation and a 28-day storage period. SPP was added at concentrations of 0%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% (w/v) to milk prior to fermentation. Parameters including pH, titratable acidity (TA), syneresis, viscosity, hardness, adhesiveness, colour attributes and microbial viability were measured. The addition of SPP positively influenced the fermentation process, significantly increasing total plate count, TA, viscosity and adhesiveness, while reducing pH, syneresis and hardness. Colour analysis showed that supplementation decreased L* values and whiteness index while increasing a*, b*, yellowness index and ΔE*, depending on the amount added. During storage, yoghurts with 5–10% SPP maintained superior textural stability, lower syneresis, minimal colour changes and preserved microbial viability compared to the control and higher concentration treatments. Otherwise, 15–20% additions resulted in reduced bacterial counts and destabilised gel structure. These results suggest that yellow-fleshed SPP acts as a natural stabiliser and prebiotic, enhancing yoghurt quality and storage stability. An optimal addition of 5–10% is recommended to maximise functional and sensory benefits without compromising product integrity, offering promising potential for the development of value-added, health-oriented dairy products targeting modern consumers.

Despite the significant contribution of the dairy sector to global food systems, data on food loss during dairy farming and processing are scarce. This research aimed to quantify and understand the drivers, and strategies that prevent food loss and waste. Using a mixed-method approach combining quantitative (processor quantities and farmer estimates) and qualitative (interview) data, two New Zealand case studies (dairy farmers and staff who worked for a dairy processor) were assessed to estimate the quantity of milk solids lost, identify dairy disposal practices and examine drivers that incentivised waste disposal or prevention/recycling approaches. From this study, dairy food loss is not a sizable issue given the percentage of losses occurring (1.8% per farm, and 5.5% at the processor). However, when extrapolated to national milk production: a 1.8% loss of New Zealand dairy production is the equivalent annual production of 350,000 cows. Qualitative analysis associated four key drivers with the level of food loss: perceptions of food loss inevitability, economic pressures, strong inter-stakeholder relationships and risk mitigation strategies. Prevention and recycling decisions were enabled by the industry’s cooperative structure and the high value of milk solids, for example, surplus milk was traded to other processors rather than put onto farmers to dispose of/use. However, this study found that participants were very limited in their recycling and disposal destination options. This exposed farmers and the processor to serious reputational (e.g. odour, wasteful perceptions) and biohazardous (e.g. animal disease, antibiotic resistance) risks. These findings highlight how supporting more equitable market power between farmers and processors prevents dairy food loss, and that farmers and processors require support to diversify end-of-pipe recycling options, and ultimately improve the sustainability of dairy supply chains.