The Nutrition Science Competencies for use in undergraduate degrees in Australia were last developed and released in 2019(1). Since then, new priorities affecting nutrition science have emerged, such as an increased emphasis on planetary health, Australia’s food supply chain, changing population demographics, priority groups and digital transformation(2). Simultaneously, the higher education sector is navigating the ethical use of Generative AI and has an increased focus on cultural awareness and career readiness(3,4). Nutrition Science Competencies inform the review and development of undergraduate nutrition programs and nutrition majors in Australian universities. Competencies guide university curriculum to train graduates to fill roles in the contemporary Australian labour market that are currently in demand, and to potentially foresee emerging nutrition roles, in health care, science, food, education or otherwise. The 2019 National Nutrition Science Competencies are due to be updated and the planned 2025/2026 update is being conducted by Nutrition Society of Australia’s Special Interest Group Nutrition Education and Tertiary Teaching (SIGNETT). This presentation will share plans and a timeline for the update. The multiple-methods project will comprise of two stages. Stage 1 will involve a scoping review of published and grey literature to identify advances relevant to nutrition competency updates. Stage 2 will derive the updated structure and set of nutrition science competencies through a Delphi process. The Delphi Panel will comprise approximately 100 nutrition experts from academia, industry and the community. A reference group comprising highly regarded nutrition experts will oversee and provide advice to the working group. We will further invite interested Nutrition Society members to contribute to this update. This work proposes the process for developing a contemporary set of competencies to support the alignment of curriculum and training with evolving professional standards in nutrition. Given that these competencies will be developed through consultation with industry stakeholders, academic experts, and community representatives, they will provide a robust foundation for curriculum design. The inclusive development process will ensure their credibility and give confidence for endorsement as a formal SIGNETT position statement. By embedding these competencies into university programs, institutions can reinforce the evidence-based nature of nutrition education, strengthen graduates’ professional identity, and contribute to the National Trusted Voice in Nutrition.

Violinists rely on violin crafters, or luthiers, to adjust their instruments’ acoustics. To do so, luthiers not only alter violins’ material forms but also talk with violinists about perceived and desired timbres—qualities of sound that lack standards of measure and are notoriously difficult to describe. This paper undertakes a linguistic anthropological analysis of a violin adjustment session in the Northeastern United States, showing that despite such difficulties, luthiers communicate successfully with violinists about timbre through situated practice. While luthiers sometimes use standard, enregistered cross-modal or synesthetic metaphors for timbre that can be analyzed in terms of lexical semantics, I emphasize that they also improvise on a wider repertoire of emergent and embodied semiotic strategies. By listening beyond the lexical and the enregistered, this paper synthesizes an interdisciplinary approach for research on communication about timbre, sound, and the senses.

Higher habitual dietary flavonoid intakes have been consistently associated with lower mortality and chronic disease risk(1). However, the role of flavonoid diversity has never been investigated. We aimed to investigate the independent roles of flavonoid intake quantity and diversity on the risk of all-cause mortality and major chronic disease incidence. In this cohort study, 124,805 UK Biobank participants [mean (SD) age: 60.2 (7.8) years; ~55% female] were followed for up to 11.8 years. Flavonoid intakes were estimated from repeated 24-hour dietary assessments and diversity calculated using our novel method which factors for both the variety and distribution of consumption. Associations with all-cause mortality and incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD), type 2 diabetes (T2DM), total cancer, respiratory disease, and neurodegenerative disease were assessed using Cox models. Following mutual adjustment and after accounting for socio-demographic, lifestyle and dietary factors, both a higher quantity and a wider diversity of dietary flavonoid intake associated with a significantly lower risk of all-cause mortality and several chronic diseases: comparing higher (Quintile 5) to lower intakes (Quintile 1), the Hazard ratios (95% CIs) for quantity and diversity respectively were 0.84 (0.76–0.92) and 0.86 (0.78–0.95) for all-cause mortality, 0.88 (0.81–0.96) and 0.90 (0.82–0.98) for CVD, 0.75 (0.66–0.84) and 0.80 (0.70–0.91) for T2DM, 0.92 (0.85–0.99) and 0.92 (0.85–0.99) for cancer, and 0.91 (0.86–0.97) and 0.92 (0.86–0.98) for respiratory disease; only intake quantity associated with neurodegenerative disease risk [Q5 vs. Q1: 0.80 (0.68–0.94)]. We then tested for interactions between quantity and diversity of flavonoid intake (across all outcomes), and although none were observed (all p > 0.05) the independent associations still suggest there is a benefit to consuming a higher diversity beyond that of simply consuming a high quantity (and vice versa). In conclusion, consuming both a higher quantity and wider diversity of dietary flavonoids appears better for longer-term health than higher intakes of either component alone.

Biodesign is an emerging field that brings together a wide range of practices, connecting fundamental research, applied sciences and creative approaches. Within this spectrum, a tension exists between instrumental uses of biological processes and a growing sensibility that acknowledges the agency of living materials and organisms. This study proposes reconciliation as a guiding concept for biodesign, understood not as a metaphorical gesture but as a concrete and plural perspective that promotes species coexistence and conservation. We contextualise reconciliation through restoration, reciprocity and relationality as distinctive yet interconnected design and ecological principles that extend beyond normative human exchange, promoting multispecies coexistence. Through a mix of reflexive thematic synthesis and the analysis of selected case studies derived from the authors’ own projects, employed as a practice-based methodological inquiry and primary source of empirical and reflective insight, we explore how reconciliation is enacted and experienced in practice. Finally, we propose a conceptual framework to address reconciliation in biodesign, offering guiding concepts and key questions to discuss and support ecological flourishing in multispecies collaborations.

Unhealthy food consumption is rising in rural South Asia, yet food environments in the region remain understudied. To address this gap, we characterised rural food environments and assessed how food affordability, accessibility, availability, and desirability are associated with dietary patterns and quality in Bangladesh, India, and Nepal. We used household (N=9711) and markets (N=1646) data from the Transforming Agrifood Systems in South Asia (TAFSSA) survey conducted in five rural districts in 2023: Nalanda (India), Surkhet and Banke (Nepal), and Rangpur and Rajshahi (Bangladesh). Participants included adult women, men, and adolescents. Primary outcomes included weekly consumption of 25 food items and Global Diet Quality Scores (GDQS): GDQS-plus (0–32) and GDQS-minus (0–17). Predictors included proximity to markets, food prices, vendor density, food availability, and exposure to advertising or nutrition messaging. Multivariate regressions were used to assess associations and were adjusted for sociodemographic and household characteristics. Diets in these settings were characterised by low healthy food intake (GDQS-plus scores ranged from 6.6 to 7.7), and high unhealthy food intake (GDQS-minus scores from 9.3 to 11.7). Ultra-processed food vendors were present in >80% of villages. Snacking was the strongest predictor of both higher healthy (+1.11 GDQS-plus) and unhealthy (−0.67 GDQS-minus) food intake (P<0.001), indicating that snacking increases overall dietary intake. Key predictors of suboptimal diets include low affordability of nutritious foods, alongside the widespread availability and desirability of inexpensive ultra-processed products. These findings highlight structural and behavioural drivers of rural dietary transitions and provide evidence to guide food system interventions aimed at improving nutrition in underserved populations.

Adolescents’ food behaviours at school are complex because of multifactorial influences within the school(1). Australian research focusing on the food behaviours of adolescents during school time; including what they eat at school, how parents and teachers are involved and handle the responsibility of school food behaviours and adolescents’ suggestions to improve those behaviours is scarce. As such, this study aims to (i) explore adolescents’ perceptions and experiences regarding their school food behaviours and the roles played by teachers and family in shaping their school food behaviours, and (ii) to explore adolescents’ suggestions to improve their school food behaviours. Australian secondary school students currently studying in years 8–11 are being interviewed virtually via the video calling platform Zoom. For data collection, a semi-structured interview guide is being employed, consisting of seven open ended questions on four food-related aspects: (i) adolescents’ eating patterns at school, (ii) food-related communications between adolescents and family and teachers (iii) decision-making responsibility regarding the food adolescents eat at school, and (iv) ways of improving adolescents’ school food behaviours. Interviews commenced in May 2025, and to date, a total of seven interviews out of the estimated sample size (n = 25) have been completed. Those interviews lasted between 12–20 minutes. The interviewed sample consisted of both male (n = 4) and female (n = 3) students. These students represented years 8, 9 and 10, all school types (i.e., government, non-government, catholic and other) and were from Victoria and Queensland. Remaining interviews will be completed by December 2025. The completed interviews were transcribed verbatim and the interviews were inductively coded using NVivo 15 software. Adopting a constructivist paradigm, the data are being analysed following the reflexive thematic analysis approach(2). Preliminary analysis resulted in three themes. Theme 1: School food decision responsibility as a parent-child negotiated space, which highlights that adolescents value their parents’ guidance in food decisions while valuing their ability and autonomy to contribute; Theme 2: Disconnection between nutrition learning and school practices; nutrition lessons taught at school are not reflected in practice due to poor canteen offerings and the passive role of teachers and Theme 3: Calls to improve the school canteen and support home-packed foods; students suggested improvements to the canteens such as increasing healthy and affordable food options, reducing junk food etc. Additionally, they elaborated prioritising bringing home-packed foods to school over purchasing canteen foods and offering healthy cooking programs for parents would facilitate their healthy eating at school. These preliminary themes identified are likely to be further refined or changed as data collection continues. Findings highlight that to sustain healthy school food behaviours of adolescents, there remains significant room to improve secondary school canteens, active involvement of teachers and continued parental support.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released by feed ingredients used in poultry diets can influence sensory cues reaching the developing embryos before hatch. These VOCs may stimulate olfactory/sensory perception, thus potentially affecting post-hatch feeding behaviour. This study investigated the maternal transfer of VOCs from feed to egg compartments, including the amniotic fluid, which is ingested by chicks prior to hatch. Forty-eight Ross 308 breeder hens (n = 48) were fed a diet based on wheat, barley, sorghum and soybean meal with a supplement of carvacrol as a reference marker. Volatile profiles of feed (44 VOCs detected), hen plasma (27 VOCs), yolk (25 VOCs), albumen (23 VOCs), and amniotic fluid (21 VOCs) were determined using solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (SPME–GC–MS) at embryonic days E0, E7, E14, and E21 (just before hatch). Volatile abundance was measured as GC–MS peak area (arbitrary units, integrated area under the curve) as a semi-quantitative measure of compound concentration. The one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s post-hoc test was used for statistical analysis to compare volatile abundance. The maternal feed was dominated by lipid-derived aldehydes (hexanal, nonanal, heptanal), alcohols (1-pentanol, octanol), phenol and caproic acid, along with pyrazines and esters. Several compounds present in the feed, including hexanal, 1-pentanol, 1-octen-3-one, caproic acid, heptanal, trans-2-octenal, and octanol, were detected in hen blood. These VOCs were also identified in egg components, with hexanal, 1-pentanol, nonanal, heptanal, and octanol predominant in yolk; hexanal, 1-pentanol, trans-2-heptenal, nonanal, and octanol in albumen. By day 14, amniotic fluid contained sensory-active volatiles including hexanal, 1-pentanol, nonanal, heptanal, and octanol. The presence of these volatiles coincided with the functional maturation of embryonic gustatory and olfactory systems(1,2), a period when chicks ingest amniotic fluid. The presence of shared volatiles across these matrices confirms a sequential transfer route from feed to embryo environment. This sensory continuity may familiarise chicks with maternal diet flavours, potentially reducing neophobia and stimulating early feed intake post-hatch. This maternal–offspring chemical pathway offers an opportunity to design breeder diets that condition sensory environments for the embryo, potentially enhancing early post-hatch feed acceptance.

Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are the third most abundant carbohydrates in human milk after lactose and lipids(1). While HMOs are known for various health benefits, their effects on cognitive function and brain development remain debated. This study investigates whether individual or combined supplementation of HMOs improves cognitive behaviours and stress responses in piglets, an ideal animal model for human infants. Sixty-four domestic male piglets, 3 days old, were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 groups and received pig milk replacer supplemented with different HMOs from postnatal day (PND) 3 to 38. Treatment groups included: Group 1: 2′-Fucosyllactose (2′-FL, 1.8 g/L; n = 14); Group 2: 3′/6′-Sialyllactose (3′/6′-SL in a 1:2.5 ratio, 1.8 g/L, n = 16); Group 3: combined HMOs (cHMOs, 70% 2′-FL and 30% 3’/6’-SL in a 1:2.5 ratio, at 1.8 g/L, n = 16), and Control (methyl cellulose, 1.8 g/L; n = 14). Cognitive performances were assessed using our published 8-arm radial maze(2), incorporating easy task (PND 23–27) and difficult task (PND 29–33) visual cues. Stress responses were assessed by measuring serum cortisol concentrations via ELISA. All data were analysed using SPSS (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL) with significance set at *p < 0.05. The research protocol was approved by the ACECs of Charles Sturt University (A23566). Results showed that on the third day of behaviour testing, piglets in the cHMO group made significantly fewer total mistakes than the controls in the easy task (p < 0.05), whereas the 2′-FL group exhibited significantly fewer total mistakes in the difficult task (p < 0.05). Serum cortisol levels were not significantly different between the groups (p > 0.05). The findings suggest that HMOs supplementation may enhance cognitive function under both challenging and non-challenging conditions without affecting physiological stress markers, highlighting their potential role in supporting brain development during early life.

Food insecurity is a significant issue for many Aboriginal communities in Australia, driven by historical and ongoing impacts of colonisation, displacement from traditional lands and limited access to affordable, nutritious food. Nutrition sensitive strategies that support Aboriginal self-determination and incorporate traditional knowledge focused on local food systems, align with health and equity initiatives like Closing the Gap. Alongside traditional food procurement, small-scale community or home-based gardening, may increase the resilience of local food systems. It is not known whether the nutrition and wellbeing benefits of home gardening are experienced by Aboriginal Australians. This collaborative project with partners Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council, Health and Wellbeing Qld and the University of the Sunshine Coast, aimed to explore the non-monetary value, impact and practicality of home gardening in an Australian Aboriginal community. Community members participated in home gardening, using Foodcubes—a wicking bed garden with netting to prevent disturbance by animals and provide some weather protection. Narratives and observations were developed through survey, photo voice, yarning and research team fieldnotes. The interpretation of research data was supported by Indigenous Peoples lenses to incorporate cultural perspectives associated with the deeper meaning of non-monetary value and impact. Key approaches from Thought ritual(1) guided the analysis process. Key value and impact themes related to food, gardening and wellbeing: (i) extra food to share, (ii) diversity of foods, (iii) easy access to fresh food, (iv) trying new foods, (v) experimenting in the garden, (vi) eating what you grow, (vii) intergenerational connection, and (viii) feeling good. The practical implementation of home gardening was influenced by both context-specific factors—such as the community’s historical experiences and geographical setting—and more general considerations, including the level of gardening-related knowledge and skills among participants. While home gardening provides potential positive impacts, many practical factors influence how the gardening journey unfolds. Home gardening may provide part of the solution to the issue of food security, but this study highlights the need for additional benefits of sharing ideas, challenges, produce and stories that can be supported through space for community connection and support. Opportunities to integrate traditional, historical and contemporary knowledges exist to further support community interest and innovation for livelihoods and wellbeing while integrating whole of food system change.

The authors dismiss two major developmental theories for lacking universal claims, but misrepresentations of attachment theory, joint attention, and sensitivity undermine this critique. Identifying behavioral universals often devolves into debates about exceptional cases and generalizability, and misses the more interesting questions of how behavioral diversity advances species’ adaptive functions. Diversity exists, but it alone is not a developmental theory.

This case study aimed to benchmark the healthiness, equity, and environmental sustainability of a large, urban Australian university food environment using two cross-sectional audits conducted in 2022 and 2025. The audits were undertaken across two campuses using the Uni-Food tool, a validated framework comprising 68 best-practice indicators spanning three components: policy, campus facilities, and food retail outlets(1). Four assessors independently completed the audits, achieving excellent inter-rater reliability (Cohen’s Kappa = 0.89)(2). Each indicator was scored and weighted to generate final component and overall scores out of 100. Descriptive and inferential statistics, including non-parametric tests, were used to compare outcomes across the two time points(3). The university’s overall score improved modestly from 48% in 2022 to 52% in 2025. The policy component remained low (48%), with strengths in ‘Leadership and Planning’ (85%) but continued gaps in ‘Policies for Food Retail Environments’ (36%) and ‘Monitoring and Reporting’ (40%). The campus facilities component scored 63%, performing well in ‘Personal and Community Development’ (82%) and ‘Environmental Impact’ (76%), but poorly in ‘Advertising and Sponsorship’ (45%). Food retail scored lowest overall at 36%, with ‘Nutrition Information’ being the weakest domain (19%). The findings highlight incremental progress in food environment improvements, alongside persistent shortfalls in policy coverage and food retail practices. Continued investment in policy development, campus-wide strategies, and retail innovations is essential to foster healthier, more equitable, and environmentally sustainable food environments in tertiary education settings.

Early childhood education and care (ECEC) settings are critical environments for influencing children’s lifelong food behaviours(1), given the high attendance rates(2) and the substantial proportion of daily nutrition consumed during attendance hours(2). ECEC food environments are complex and influenced by multiple factors including the ‘what’ (food provision), the ‘how’ (feeding practices and support) and the ‘why’ (policy, funding and including environmental levers)(3). To inform effective strategies for evaluating and improving ECEC food environments, this study aimed to develop a conceptual framework that identifies and integrates key components necessary to foster positive food environments in ECEC settings. In February 2024, a multidisciplinary workshop was held in Brisbane, Australia, involving 11 ECEC food environment experts with backgrounds in research (n = 5), practice (n = 4), and policy (n = 2). Participants collaboratively identified key elements of positive food environments and translated these into a visual framework, conceptualised in the form of an artichoke. The resulting framework was shared with the National Nutrition Network – ECEC, a community of practice comprising 36 members from government, non-government and research sectors(4). Iterative feedback informed multiple refinements, culminating in the final framework. The conceptualisation, termed the ‘Artichoke Model’, positions the child at the centre. The model comprises twelve components grouped into three domains: (i) What: Menu and meal quality; food safety and allergy management; food education and curriculum; environmental sustainability, (ii) How (Feeding Practices and Support): Mealtime environment policy and practices; staff knowledge and training; staff and parent engagement and (iii) Environmental Levers: Social-emotional wellbeing and cultural practices; food security; organisational readiness and capacity; continuous quality improvement. The Artichoke Model offers a systems-based, equity-driven framework for understanding and improving ECEC food environments. It moves beyond a focus on compliance to support settings in being inclusive, developmentally supportive, and environmentally sustainable. This model provides a foundation for future research, policy development, and practice aimed at improving nutrition and wellbeing outcomes for young children in ECEC settings.

Dietary guidelines shape public health by translating nutritional evidence into recommendations that support healthier eating and reduce chronic disease risk. The current revision of the Australian Dietary Guidelines (ADG) presents an opportunity to integrate emerging scientific evidence and address contemporary dietary challenges, including rising burdens of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and poor diet quality. However, translating evidence from nutritional epidemiology into policy remains methodologically complex. Much of the available evidence is derived from observational studies, often synthesised in systematic reviews and meta-analyses that may obscure contextual variation, residual confounding, and heterogeneity in dietary assessment methods. Australia’s cultural diversity, unique food systems, and the distinct dietary practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples underscore the need for high-quality, context-specific research to inform recommendations. Challenges also arise from treating diet as a dynamic, multidimensional exposure, the variability of global evidence, and inconsistencies in definitions such as dietary patterns and ultra-processed foods. While the ADG revision incorporates methodological improvements and prioritises key areas such as dietary patterns and UPFs, the strength and relevance of guidance ultimately depend on the quality of underlying data. Strengthening investment in robust, culturally inclusive Australian nutrition research is essential to ensure credible and contextually relevant recommendations.

Dietary fibre (DF) refers to carbohydrate polymers that resist digestion by endogenous intestinal enzymes but are fermented by microbes in the colon(1,2). It includes non-starch polysaccharides, resistant starch, resistant oligosaccharides, and lignin(3). They are divided into soluble and insoluble DF based on their solubility. Epidemiological studies have consistently demonstrated an inverse association between dietary fibre intake and the risk of non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), type 2 diabetes, obesity, certain cancers, and gastrointestinal tract (GIT) disorders, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and diverticular disease(4,5). These health benefits are largely attributed to DF’s role in modulating the diversity and function of the gut microbiota. Vegetables are rich sources of fibre in addition to high levels of vitamins, minerals, and other bioactive compounds. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a minimum daily intake of 400–500 g of fruits and vegetables, which aligns with the Australian Dietary Guidelines of two servings of fruit (150 g per serving) and five servings of vegetables (75 g per serving) for adults, including non-fried potatoes(6). However, a survey of Australian young adults revealed a suboptimal intake of fruits and vegetables among those aged 18–34 years(7). This study aimed to evaluate the effect of fermentation on the total, insoluble and soluble DF and uronic acid contents of selected vegetables. Twelve selected vegetables were naturally fermented for seven days based on the initial optimisation of fermentation using kale and corn and their DF, non-starch polysaccharide, and uronic acid contents were measured. Over the seven-day fermentation, total, insoluble, and soluble DF and NSP contents increased. Notably, soluble fibre increased by 15% in kale and 60% in corn. In the other vegetables, total DF increased by 18–38%, and uronic acid increased by 23–143%. The increase in the DF components was due to the exopolysaccharides from the microorganisms during fermentations. Uronic acid was identified as the biomarker for exopolysaccharides produced by lactic acid bacteria. These findings suggest that fermentation can be used to enrich the DF content of vegetables through the presence of lactic acid bacteria. This may encourage populations to also consume fermented vegetables to enhance their dietary fibre intake, potentially helping the population achieve recommended DF intake levels despite low vegetable and fruit consumption.

The developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD) framework highlights the link between adverse early-life environments and later risk for non-communicable disease (NCDs). DOHaD research has primarily focused on maternal health and, more recently, paternal health. However, it is increasingly clear that investment in the adolescent window may afford the best opportunity to break the transgenerational cycle of NCDs. Data on DOHaD understanding in adolescents remains limited, and in the context of this article, there remains a paucity of research undertaken with adolescents in Oceania, particularly Pacific adolescents, who experience a disproportionately high NCD burden. NCDs represent a complex health issue and therefore multisectoral approaches and collaborative partnerships across different disciplines, health and social professions and communities is required. Due to the significance of DOHaD research and the importance of investing in our children and adolescents for the future, we developed a framework called Taumafa Kava to guide DOHaD-related research in Pacific communities across Oceania. This framework is based on a Tongan Taumafa Kava ceremony and it is an introduction to the cultural significance of the methysticum plant root (kava) and its relevance in highlighting a shared responsibility to serve Pacific Peoples well in DOHaD research. Furthermore, it is a call to action highlighting the importance of understanding the need to deliver DOHaD research that is inclusive of Pacific knowledges, cultures, languages, identities and contexts. This framework has been applied in a research project to showcase the potential for this approach to be utilised in DOHaD-related research in Pacific communities.

As Bard, Keller, and Leavens show, attachment theory does not account for the diversity of child-rearing practices around the world. However, the entrenched commitment to Bowlby’s idea that the attachment system is a biological adaptation prevents attachment researchers from fully understanding the import of such diversity. I argue that this idea relies on a static and flawed view of evolution.

Bard et al.’s WILD framework calls for cultural inclusivity in developmental science. We argue for extending this framework to neurodiversity, emphasizing equifinality and individual differences. Including neurodivergent populations enriches developmental theory and avoids harm caused by neurotypical benchmarks. A truly inclusive science must recognize developmental pathways that vary by culture and neurotype as valid and meaningful.

Food and water insecurity in the Asia-Pacific region are intensifying due to climate change, rapid urbanisation, population growth, and economic instability. These interconnected pressures disproportionately affect marginalised communities—in particular, women, children, and indigenous populations—undermining health, livelihoods, and progress toward Sustainable Development Goals 2 (Zero Hunger) and 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation). While objective measures such as food supply statistics and water quality tests are essential for national planning, they often fail to capture the lived experiences of individuals and households. Experiential tools—such as the Water Insecurity Experiences (WISE) scales and Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS)—offer critical insights into psychosocial stress, coping strategies, and cultural dimensions of insecurity. Measuring food and water insecurity in tandem using these tools can uncover hidden vulnerabilities and identify at-risk populations that may otherwise be overlooked. Food and water insecurity are deeply intertwined, with each exacerbating the other. This paper critically examines the evolution and current uses of experiential tools, including in supporting community-led approaches to food and water insecurity, in the Asia Pacific region. By exploring how these tools can be used in tandem, scaled and adapted across diverse regional contexts, it identifies opportunities to strengthen resilience, enhance local agency, and improve program effectiveness in an era of escalating environmental and social stress. Multi-country studies which include Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, India, and China consistently demonstrate that water insecurity—across domains of quantity, quality, and reliability—is independently associated with worsening food insecurity, reduced dietary diversity, and increased hunger(1). Research also shows that food and water insecurity are linked to broader health impacts, including depression and chronic illness, particularly when both are present. Studies in Indonesia and Vietnam highlight the compounded physical and mental health effects of concurrent food and water insecurity, reinforcing the need for integrated assessments and responses. Experiential tools are not only diagnostic but catalytic. In a remote community in Australia, combined use of HFIAS and WISE revealed that 30% of Aboriginal residents experienced both food and water insecurity, driven by high food costs, poor water quality, and supply interruptions(2). These findings informed local program development and advocacy by indigenous organisations. In Timor-Leste, a project led by Permatil is using WISE and Food Insecurity Experiences Scale (FIES) to support nature-based water management and build local capacity for monitoring and planning, contributing to sustainable food and water systems. This paper argues that integrating water security into food security programs and embedding experiential tools into policy and program design can uncover hidden vulnerabilities, empower communities, and enable locally driven solutions. Policymakers are urged to adopt integrated, community-informed approaches that reflect lived experiences and prioritise investment in sustainable, culturally relevant responses to food and water insecurity.

The relationship between the economy and ontological security studies (OSS) has remained underexplored. This paper seeks to rectify that by demonstrating how consumption and mass consumerism affect several dynamics related to the creation of ontological (in)security. It does so by arguing that citizens’ economic expectations are generated by a state’s position in international recognition hierarchies of mass consumerism and living standard; if fulfilled, citizens gain system trust and a sense that their social environment is stable and enduring, while the ongoing misrecognition of those economic expectations generates grievances and discontent and erodes state legitimacy. The paper therefore highlights the importance of trust, and its structural embeddedness, for processes of creating ontological security. These arguments are illustrated with two interrelated case studies – the early Cold War competition between the Federal Republic of Germany and the German Democratic Republic – to provide a higher standard of living to their respective citizens. This paper therefore reinforces the need to further explore how transnational and global economic processes shape citizens’ everyday relationship to and perception of the state.

Vegans exclude animal-based foods, including oily fish, a key source of omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LCPUFA). Consequently, vegans are at risk of low n-3 LCPUFA status(1), which may adversely affect brain function, mental health, eye health, and pregnancy outcomes(2). The omega-3 index (O3I; % of total fatty acids in red blood cells as eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA] + docosahexaenoic acid [DHA]) is a biomarker, with targets > 8% associated with improved health(2). Personalised (individual-level) and precision (group-level) strategies to reach this target require understanding the factors influencing O3I. While vegans are advised to consume plant-based omega-3 supplements and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) food sources(3), ALA conversion to EPA and DHA is limited and further reduced by high linoleic acid (LA) intakes, common in plant-based diets, due to substrate competition. Conversion is more efficient in females(1). This study investigated n-3 LCPUFA status and predictors of O3I among vegans. Data (n = 199; 53 males, 146 females) were derived from the Vegan Health Study, a cross-sectional study in Auckland, NZ. Inclusion criteria were healthy adults (≥ 18 years), vegan ≥ 2 years, not pregnant/breastfeeding, and Auckland-based. Demographic, anthropometric, body composition, and supplement data were collected. O3I, blood LA and ALA (dietary intake markers) were assessed from finger-prick dried blood spots. Multiple regression analysis identified predictors of log-transformed O3I. Variables included were log LA:ALA ratio, age, sex, smoking, BMI, and algae-supplement use. Values are median (25th, 75th percentile). O3I ranged from 1.95% to 6.64%, with > 92% having an O3I ≤ 4%, and none achieving > 8%. Median O3I was 3.1% (2.7, 3.5)%. Only 16% used algae supplements. Median blood LA:ALA ratio was 36.5 (28.8, 47.5). O3I was positively associated with algae-supplement use (p < 0.001) and female sex (p = 0.04), and negatively with blood LA:ALA ratio (p = 0.01) (Adjusted model R² = 0.14; p < 0.001). In conclusion, O3I levels in this vegan population is very low(3), with minimal supplement use. Female sex and algae-supplementation were positive predictors, while LA:ALA ratio was negatively associated with O3I. Dietary recommendations for vegans should emphasise increasing ALA-rich food intake (e.g., flax, chia, hemp seeds and oils), reducing LA-rich sources (e.g., soybean, sunflower oil), and increasing algae-supplement use to support optimal O3I. Dietary modelling studies may help identify practical ways to adjust LA:ALA ratios, particularly for foods rich in both LA and ALA, and common in vegan diets (e.g., tofu, walnuts), while maintaining overall nutrient adequacy.