To provide a scientific basis for establishing a portion size database for dietary assessment and nutritional education, we determined the portion sizes of commonly consumed food groups among Japanese children and adolescents aged 3–17 years. This study analysed 8-day weighed dietary record data from a nationwide survey conducted between November 2016 and August 2020. Participants were grouped into preschoolers (3–6 years, n=572), elementary school children (7–12 years, n=406) and middle/high school students (13–17 years, n=379). Age- and sex-specific portion sizes of 73 food groups were calculated as weighted averages of median portion sizes of the food items within each group, using the number of consumers for each item as weights. Overall, older participants had larger portion sizes than younger participants, but the magnitude of this difference varied between sexes and food groups. For most food groups, middle/high school students consumed 1.2–1.5 times (29 and 45 food groups for boys and girls, respectively) or 1.6–1.9 times (32 and 18 food groups for boys and girls, respectively) larger portion sizes than preschoolers. Portion sizes among middle/high school students were at least twice as large as those among preschoolers for ten food groups in boys, including staple foods, pork/beef, some vegetables, some beverages and salty snacks, but only for three food groups in girls. In conclusion, these differences in portion sizes according to age, sex and food group should be taken into account when assessing dietary intake and designing nutritional education for portion size control.

Nutrient-stimulated hormone therapies (NuSH) therapies, a key class within obesity management medications, have reshaped obesity and type 2 diabetes care, producing substantial weight loss, improved glycaemic control, and significant cardiometabolic benefits in adults and adolescents. Yet outcomes vary widely, and NuSH therapy-induced changes in appetite, eating behaviour, and gastrointestinal function can compromise nutrient intake, lean mass preservation, and long-term adherence. This review synthesises evidence across nutrition, behavioural science, microbiota research, and metabolic–bariatric surgery (MBS) to outline supportive strategies that optimise clinical outcomes with NuSHs.

Preclinical studies consistently show that NuSH therapies shift gut microbiota toward “lean-associated” profiles, while emerging human findings suggest that baseline microbial signatures may contribute to variability in response and tolerability. However, evidence in humans remains limited, heterogeneous, and underpowered. Across age groups, structured nutritional and behavioural support remains essential to ensure nutrient adequacy, manage side effects, strengthen adherence, and guide sustainable lifestyle change.

Key research priorities include defining behavioural and microbial contributors of treatment response and adherence, evaluating microbiota-targeted adjuncts, and developing scalable, multidisciplinary care models for both adult and paediatric populations. NuSH therapies are powerful tools, but their long-term success depends on integrated, personalised nutrition and behavioural care, with growing opportunity for microbiome-informed approaches.

The UK food-based dietary guidelines (FBDG) are a key public health tool that provides evidence-based recommendations for a healthy diet. However, adherence is low, with less than 0.1% of the UK population meeting all nine recommendations set out in the Eatwell Guide. A population-level shift towards a diet aligned with the FBDG would lower rates of obesity and non-communicable diseases (1). Health professionals, who play a central role in translating dietary guidance into practice, have highlighted limitations in both the FBDG and its communication. This review highlights the views of health professionals in calling for a substantial “shake up” of the Eatwell Guide. It sets out considerations of updating the UK dietary recommendations to include the integration of sustainability alongside nutrition modelling, and a review of supporting tools, resources and communication strategies. Investment from the UK government together with engagement from health professionals and other unbiased stakeholders is needed to develop a government-created and funded central hub of practical and adaptable resources which pulls together efforts from individual health professionals and other organisations to provide practical advice that can be tailored and personalised for individuals and diverse communities. This review summarises the current views of health professionals on the Eatwell Guide, advocating for a comprehensive “shake-up” of the UK FBDG and its communication to improve population’s adherence to dietary patterns that support both human and environmental health.

We investigated the dual relationship between information and communication technology (ICT) use at work and employee well-being through the framework of the job demands-resources theory. Data were collected from the seventh European Working Conditions Survey (Eurofound), which involved 37 countries and a representative sample of 7,900 workers. The findings revealed that ICT plays a dual role. On one hand, ICT enhances job autonomy, which positively influences work engagement and, subsequently, improves well-being. On the other hand, ICT use increases workload, leading to greater job exhaustion and reduced well-being. Additionally, autonomy was found to be negatively related to exhaustion, offering a secondary positive pathway to well-being. The study also examined the moderator role of employee age. Results showed that age amplifies the negative relationships between ICT use, workload, and well-being. Overall, the study highlights the complex interplay between ICT use at work and employee well-being.

Mobility limitations due to chronic musculoskeletal pain are a major contributor to disability in older adults, yet current pharmacological treatments often have limited efficacy and increase the risk of polypharmacy. Omega (ω)-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), particularly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), have demonstrated anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, but are under-consumed among older U.S. adults. Krill oil, a marine-derived source of EPA and DHA with enhanced bioavailability compared to typical fish oils and additional bioactive compounds such as astaxanthin and choline, may offer a promising nutritional intervention. This pilot study will assess the feasibility and acceptability of a 3-month randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of krill oil supplementation (4 g/day: 1,288 mg EPA+DHA, 0.45 mg astaxanthin, 320 mg choline) versus placebo (mixed vegetable oils) in 40 community-dwelling adults aged ≥60 years with chronic musculoskeletal pain. Primary outcomes include feasibility (recruitment, retention, adherence) and acceptability (participant satisfaction). Secondary outcomes include changes in the omega-3 index, ω-6/ω-3 ratio, and inflammation (hs-CRP), as well as exploratory changes in pain intensity and functional interference, and physical function (Short Physical Performance Battery, 6-Minute Walk Test). Findings will inform the design of future fully powered trials that may ultimately contribute to the evidence for omega-3 supplementation as a non-pharmacological strategy to support healthy aging and functional independence in older adults.

Self-concept in adolescence plays a key role in psychological adjustment, yet its development in twins remains underexplored — especially in Central Europe. While previous studies suggest minor differences between monozygotic (MZ) and dizygotic (DZ) twins, cultural and contextual influences may affect how twins perceive themselves. This mixed-method study examined 336 Czech adolescent twins (168 twin pairs; 32 MZ, 136 DZ) aged 11–15 years. Participants completed three standardized instruments: the Behavioral and Psychological Adjustment Questionnaire (BPQA), the School Performance and Adjustment Scale (SPAS), and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES). Quantitative analyses included t tests, Analyses of Variance (ANOVAs), and Pearson correlations. To triangulate findings, focus group interviews were conducted with three twin pairs and analyzed thematically. No statistically significant differences were found between MZ and DZ twins across BPQA, SPAS, and RSES measures. However, small, nonsignificant trends suggested slightly higher emotional self-concept scores in MZ twins. A modest gender difference emerged: girls reported more internalizing symptoms. Correlational analysis showed that lower behavioral difficulties were associated with higher school adjustment and self-esteem. Thematic analysis from focus groups confirmed key patterns such as the emotional safety of twinship and the struggle for individuality. Zygosity does not appear to be a major predictor of self-concept in early adolescence. Instead, self-perception in twins is shaped by a complex interplay of mental health, family dynamics, and peer context. Future research should compare twin self-concept development across cultures to further examine sociocultural influences.

Myopia is an increasing global health concern and a leading cause of visual impairment. Genetic factors play a major role, and polygenic risk scores (PRSs) may help identify children at high risk of developing myopia. However, most PRSs are based on European populations, and accurately predicting risk across ancestries remains a challenge. We developed and evaluated PRSs for spherical equivalent refractive error (SER) and myopia using multitrait and multi‑ancestry genomewide association study data. A multitrait analysis of SER‑correlated traits identified 709 genomewide significant loci. PRSs were generated with SBayesRC for each ancestry group and for a combined multi‑ancestry model, and validated in the Australian Twins Eye Study and non‑European participants from the UK Biobank. The European PRSs explained approximately 20% of SER variance in Europeans and 18% in admixed Europeans and showed good transferability to South Asian (14%), East Asian (13%), and African (8%) groups. A multi‑ancestry PRS further improved prediction in Africans, explaining 9% of the variance. Predictive accuracy for high myopia was strong in the admixed group (AUC = 0.82, 95% CI [0.78, 0.87]), with all ancestry groups achieving AUCs of at least 0.70; European ancestry data were not available. PRS also predicted axial length in children, particularly those aged 5–8 years, where individuals in the lowest 10% of the PRS distribution had significantly longer axial lengths (β = 0.81 mm, p = 5.71 × 10−3). These findings enhance genetic prediction of SER and myopia, showing the potential of multitrait, multi-ancestry PRS for early, equitable risk stratification.

This review aimed to summarise the nutrition education programs and interventions that have sought to improve maternal health outcomes. Pregnancy is often considered a “teachable moment” when mothers may be motivated to adopt positive behavioural changes, including improving their nutrition habits. Pregnancy nutrition education is the provision of information and guidance on optimal nutritional practices that aim to support a healthy pregnancy. This scoping review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Eight electronic databases were searched (Medline, Embase, CINAHL, Global Health, Scopus, PsycARTICLES, SocINDEX, Academic Search Complete) for studies reporting on nutrition education programs and interventions with pregnant women. Studies were included based on PICOS criteria, with no limitations on time and study design. Data were extracted and thematically analysed to identify the scope of diet, nutrition knowledge, and maternal outcomes included. This review includes 169 studies, which included various maternal outcomes, gestational weight gain; gestational diabetes mellitus, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, and anaemia; dietary outcomes; nutritional status; and nutritional knowledge, attitudes, and/or behaviours. Significant positive results were observed for many health and dietary outcomes, with the exception of prevention of gestational diabetes and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. A range of strategies have been used to deliver nutrition education. This inconsistency makes it challenging to summarize the key components of effective nutrition education and highlights the need for targeted approaches tailored to specific maternal outcomes.