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.

Neuromuscular disorders (NMDs) are a heterogeneous group of conditions characterized by progressive muscle weakness, motor impairment and risk of malnutrition, affecting the quality of life (QoL) of patients. While pharmacological treatments are essential for the management of symptoms, the role of diet, nutrition and other lifestyle factors remains underexplored. This narrative systematic review, performed on PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus following PRISMA guidelines, aimed to investigate the relationship between lifestyle, the progression of NMDs and the QoL. A total of 30 studies (n=5055 patients) met inclusion criteria. According to our search strategy, the most representative lifestyle factors were diet (70%), physical activity (53.3%) and emotional perception and care (36.7%); 7 papers (23.3%) evaluated three or more lifestyle aspects. Overall, both quantitative and qualitative deficiencies emerged: calories, proteins, lipids and fibres, as well as vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, selenium and calcium were lower than recommended. A reduced consumption of fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts and seeds, replaced by ultra-processed foods, was detected. Diets optimised for calorie and nutrients intake, rich in anti-inflammatory foods, have shown benefits both in mitigating oxidative stress and muscle degeneration. Regarding other aspects of lifestyle, although physical activity was associated with improved motor performance and QoL, adherence was low, particularly among females. Negative emotional status emerged as a critical factor influencing patients’ overall well-being. Even in the most complex neuromuscular disease settings, addressing nutrition and dietary habits, in the context of lifestyle, could support patients and their families throughout the disease course and improve their QoL.

Military veterans (ex-serving members of the Armed Services) experience unique physical and mental health challenges, with diet playing a critical role in chronic disease management and well-being. This review aimed to evaluate veterans’ dietary intake against nutrient reference values (NRV) relevant to age and sex. A systematic search of CINAHL, MedLine, Scopus, PubMed and AMED (January 2024, updated March 2025) identified 1268 records; thirty-three studies (n 654 323) met inclusion criteria. Eligible designs included cross-sectional, cohort, quasi-experimental and randomised controlled trials. Data were extracted using the Joanna Briggs critical appraisal checklist, indicating low risk of bias. Across studies, veterans’ intake of fibre, folate, vitamin D, Ca, potassium, fruits, vegetables, wholegrains and legumes was consistently inadequate, with overall diet quality rated poor to average. BMI ranged widely, and veterans reported high rates of mood disorders and low quality-of-life scores. These findings highlight key nutrients and dietary patterns that might be considered and targeted in dietary and lifestyle interventions for promoting the physical and mental health of veterans.

Understanding how prehistoric human groups sustained themselves upon encountering novel island environments is crucial for modelling population movements in key world regions like Southeast Asia. Here, the authors present new radiocarbon dates and isotopic data for human and animal remains recovered from the Neolithic site of Xiying on Haitan Island, on the south-east China coast. The human remains are the earliest yet discovered on the island, their stable isotope ratios revealing a lifelong heavy reliance on marine foods despite the availability of a diversity of terrestrial resources, offering new insights into human adaptive flexibility in maritime environments.

The Upland Goose Chloephaga picta is a migratory species, with breeding grounds in the grassy wetlands of Patagonia and most of whose wintering grounds are located in cultivated areas of the Argentine Pampas region. Knowing geese food preferences is key, not only for ecological implications but also for their conservation, since the use of cultivated resources has been the cause of the conflict that led to their population decline in the last century. The aim of this study was to describe and compare the botanical composition of the diet of the Upland Geese between breeding and non-breeding seasons, and to evaluate plant group dietary preferences based on environmental availability. Microhistological analysis of faeces was carried out and the contribution of three plant groups to the diet (i.e. grasses, eudicots, and graminoids) was quantified. Eighteen plant species were identified. The diet was dominated by native grasses (Distichlis spp., Hordeum spp., and Bromus setifolius) and graminoids (Eleocharis spp.), with minor contributions of eudicots such as Nitrophila australis and Trifolium repens. A high degree of overlap was found between the breeding and non-breeding seasons (98%), indicating similar diets. Regarding the selection of plant groups, a significant selection of graminoids was observed in both seasons, followed by grasses, indifference to eudicots, and rejection for shrubs. The high proportion of native species used compared with cultivated species (60% vs 10%) underscores the importance of natural habitats with native vegetation. This area appears to be beneficial, as it provides valuable and strategic year-round trophic resources, potentially helping to avoid long migrations. It also underscores the need for further studies on population fluctuations, habitat use, and the detection of potential threats.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is increasing in prevalence and is the leading cause of hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis in the industrialised world. Despite growing evidence for lifestyle interventions, adherence to nutritional and physical activity recommendations and psychological behaviours among patients with MASLD has not been previously characterised in Canada. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from patients with MASLD. Lifestyle adherence, including dietary patterns, physical activity and psychological measures, was assessed at a single time point to describe prevalence and patterns among participants. Adults with MASLD and advanced fibrosis were older (median age 58·4 v. 45·3 years; P < 0·001), had a greater BMI (median 36·3 v. 31·2; P < 0·001) and have higher presence of metabolic risk factors including type 2 diabetes mellitus (P < 0·001), hypertension (P = 0·001), thyroid disease (P = 0·02) and were of White ethnicity (P = 0·002). The prevalence of mood disorder was 31 % for anxiety and 16 % for depressive symptoms based on HADS-A and HADS-D ≥ 8 indicating borderline/abnormal anxiety and depression, respectively. Twenty per cent of patients had a Binge Eating Score ≥ 18 indicating moderate/severe binge eating behaviour. Most had poor adherence to a Mediterranean diet with the energy-restricted Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (er-MEDAS) ≤ 7 (56 % with poor adherence, 34 % with moderate adherence), 42 % reported weekly alcohol consumption and one-third had low self-reported activity levels on the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF). Here, we identified barriers to risk reduction in patients with MASLD, including increased prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms, high frequency of binge eating behaviours, poor adherence to Mediterranean diet quality and sedentary self-reported activity levels.

Diet plays a critical role in development and progression of Crohn’s disease (CD). Dietary indices are important tools to evaluate diet quality and inflammatory potential, and we investigated their associations with pediatric CD in comparison to healthy children. A cross-sectional study including 144 children with CD (122 with clinically active and 22 with quiescent disease) and 57 healthy controls 6-18 years of age was conducted. Dietary intake was estimated using three 24-h dietary recalls. Diet quality was assessed using the Healthy Eating Index (HEI)-2015, alternate Mediterranean diet (aMed) score and dietary inflammatory potential using the modified Children-Dietary Inflammatory Index (mC-DII). Children with active CD had lower total HEI-2015 and aMed scores than healthy controls. A similar pro-inflammatory mC-DII score was found across the three groups. A higher mC-DII score in patients with CD was associated with higher intake of refined sugars, saturated fats and proteins, and lower intake of whole grains and dairy, highlighting dietary components contributing to pro-inflammatory potential. Similarly, healthy children in the highest mC-DII tertile consumed more added sugars and sodium and fewer whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and plant proteins. Fiber intake was significantly lower in children with active CD (median fiber %DRI: 37.0 IQR [22.6-48.3] vs 41.2 IQR [34.1-49.1] vs 45.8 IQR [35.7-62.0], P <0.001). Using three dietary indices to evaluate diet quality and dietary inflammatory potential, both children with CD and healthy children in this cohort consume a poor-quality, pro-inflammatory diet low in fiber, but the quality and fiber content are significantly lower in children with active CD. Future randomized controlled trials are required to evaluate the effect of dietary modification on the risk and progression of pediatric CD.

Iodine is a component of thyroid hormones and essential for neurological development. To evaluate the iodine nutritional status of pregnant women residing in Veneto and the possible role of thyroglobulin (Tg) as a proxy. 528 pregnant women in the third trimester of pregnancy were consecutively enrolled in this cross-sectional study and were asked to provide an early-morning spot urine sample (for UI/Creat) and a blood sample (for thyroid function and Tg). They also completed a questionnaire. Infant anthropometric data at birth were obtained. Median UI/Creat was 112·8 μg/g. 34·1 % of women had a UI/Creat ≥ 150 μg/g. Iodised salt (IS) was used by 76·9 % of women, iodine-containing supplements (ICS) by 74·2 % and cow’s milk was regularly consumed by 46·0 %. At multivariable analysis, consumption of regular cow’s milk and ICS were significant predictors of UI/Creat ≥ 150 μg/g (OR 1·57, 95 % CI: 1·06, 2·32 and OR: 2·83, 95 % CI: 1·66, 4·82, respectively). The median Tg value was lower among the iodine-sufficient than among the iodine-deficient women (P = 0·005). At multiple linear regression analysis, Tg was among the factors associated with weight (β = –81·83, P < 0·001) and length (β = –0·3, P < 0·01) at birth, although weakly. Tg was a factor associated with pre-term delivery (OR: 1·52, 95 % CI: 1·20, 1·92). Regular use of cow’s milk and ICS is a factor associated with UI/Creat ≥ 150 μg/g. Tg was associated with iodine status and pregnancy outcomes, although it had only a modest discriminative ability for sufficiency.

Optimising nutrition during lactation is critical for the mother and infant. The relationship between fermented food consumption and the mother’s gut microbiota and nutritional and inflammation status is unknown. Mageu is a fermented grain commonly consumed in Southern Africa. We randomised South African mothers to consume a live-culture mageu, pasteurised store-bought mageu or no mageu from 4 to 10 weeks postpartum. Clinical and dietary data, stool microbiota and nutritional and inflammatory biomarkers were assessed until week 15. Plant protein intake was higher among mageu users than non-users. Live-culture mageu increased gut α-diversity from weeks 4 to 10. Circulating ferritin was lower among live-culture mageu users at week 10 compared with non-users. In systems analyses, mageu intake was associated with distinct bacterial, inflammatory and nutritional signatures, primarily driven by interleukin (IL)-6, ferritin, soluble transferrin receptor and Eubacterium hallii. These results suggest that mageu has benefits for lactating mothers’ gut health and, therefore, possibly their infants.

The influence of the maternal antenatal environment on infant growth and development beyond the neonatal period is not well understood. This study investigated associations between maternal cardiometabolic health and lifestyle on infant growth during the first year of life. This sub-study of the longitudinal Microbiome Understanding in Maternity Study included 87 mother-infant dyads. Maternal anthropometrics were collected at each trimester. Lifestyle was assessed through the Australian Eating Survey (Trimester T1 and T3) and International Physical Activity Questionnaire (T1, T2 and T3). Infant anthropometrics were measured at birth, 6 weeks, 6 months and 12 months. Changes in weight, weight-for-age z-score, length-for-age z-score, rapid weight gain and conditional weight gain (CWG) were determined. Multiple linear regression was used to assess associations between maternal parameters and infant growth, adjusting for common confounders. Maternal T1 weight (CWG: p = 0.03), T3 weight (CWG: p = 0.03) and GWG (weight z-score change: p = 0.031) were positively associated with increased infant growth from 0 to 6 months. Greater maternal fat mass was associated with increased CWG (p = 0.042) from 6 weeks to 6 months. Higher quality maternal T1 diet was associated with increased infant growth (weight z-score change: p = 0.022, CWG: p = 0.013) from 0 to 12 months. Increased maternal physical activity was associated with increased CWG (p = 0.022) and length z-score change (p = 0.024) from 0 to 12 months in T1, and increased CWG from 6 to 12 months in T2 (p = 0.014) and T3 (p = 0.047). Markers of maternal cardiometabolic health risk and healthier lifestyle were associated with increased infant growth. Further investigation is required to confirm findings and investigate links with future health sequelae.

This review paper provides an overview of the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition’s (SACN’s) report ‘Feeding young children aged 1 to 5 years’. The purpose of the report was to (1) review the scientific basis of current recommendations for feeding children aged 1 to 5 years, (2) consider evidence on developmental stages and other factors that influence eating behaviour and diversification of the diet in the early years and (3) make recommendations for policy, practice and research. This report was based on a comprehensive assessment of the systematic review (SR) literature and also evidence provided by the Diet and Nutrition Survey of Infants and Young Children and the National Diet Nutrition Survey. Dietary survey data indicated that the diets of children aged 1 to 5 years in the UK did not meet current dietary recommendations for several nutrients. Intakes of energy, free sugars and protein exceeded recommendations, while dietary fibre intakes were below the recommended level for this age group. Children from lower socio-economic status households or from certain ethnic groups may be at risk of inadequate intakes of Fe, Zn, vitamin A and vitamin D. SR evidence indicated that in children aged 1 to 5 years, higher free sugars intake is associated with increased dental caries, higher consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages is associated with increased risk of overweight/obesity and higher child BMI is associated with higher risk of adult overweight/obesity. Based on the evidence, SACN has made recommendations to improve the diets of young children in the UK.

Greater consumption of red meat has been linked to a higher risk of mortality and chronic diseases, including diabetes. We aim to examine the associations between total, processed and unprocessed red meat intake and diabetes and to evaluate the substitution effects of other protein sources for red meat on diabetes. This population-based cross-sectional study utilised data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003–2016. Diabetes was defined as a self-reported diagnosis by a physician or other health professional, having a fasting plasma glucose of 126 mg/dl or higher, an HbA1c level of 6·5 % or higher, or the use of antidiabetic drugs. Multivariable logistic regression models were conducted. The study included 34 737 adult participants (mean (sd) age of 45·8 (17·5) years) from NHANES 2003–2016. After adjusting for major confounders, compared with the first quintile, higher intakes of total, processed and unprocessed red meat were positively associated with higher odds of diabetes, with adjusted OR of 1·49 (95 % CI 1·22, 1·81), 1·47 (95 % CI 1·17, 1·84) and 1·24 (95 % CI 1·06, 1·44), respectively. The corresponding P-trend values were (< 0.001, 0.001, and 0.006). In this nationally representative sample of US adults, participants in the highest quintiles of total, processed and unprocessed red meat intake had higher odds of diabetes than those in the lowest quintile. Substituting 1 serving/d of dietary protein from foods of plant origin (including nuts, seeds, legumes and soya) for total, processed or unprocessed red meat was associated with 9 % to 14 % lower odds of diabetes.

The Mediterranean diet and a low-carbohydrate diet are two popular dietary approaches recommended for cardiovascular and metabolic health, respectively. This trial will compare the combined effect of these diets to either approach alone for the treatment of metabolic syndrome (MetS). Males and females (n 222), 30–75 years, with at least three MetS risk factors, will be randomised to one of three diets: (i) traditional Mediterranean (∼55 % of energy carbohydrate:15 % protein:30 % fat), (ii) lower carbohydrate (∼35 % carbohydrate:20 % protein:45 % fat) or (iii) lower carbohydrate Mediterranean (∼35 % carbohydrate:20 % protein:45 % fat) diet for 12 weeks. The primary outcome measure is the MetS severity Z score, a composite score of risk factors, sex and ethnicity. MetS severity Z score will be calculated pre- and post-intervention using fasted blood samples for plasma TAG, HDL-cholesterol and glucose, systolic blood pressure, body weight and waist circumference measures. The findings from this trial will offer new insights into the most effective dietary strategy for managing diabetes and reducing cardiovascular risk in individuals with MetS.

Dietary magnesium (Mg) is a potentially modifiable factor in preventing dementia, but current evidence supporting this remains insufficient and inconclusive. This study aimed to determine whether dietary Mg is associated with the risk of dementia among middle-aged and older people. Participants of this 8-year cohort study were 13,032 community-dwelling individuals aged 40–74 years. Dietary data were collected using a validated food frequency questionnaire in 2011–2013. Mg intake was adjusted for energy intake using the residual method. The outcome was newly diagnosed dementia determined using Japan’s long-term care insurance database. Covariates included demographic characteristics, body size, lifestyles, and disease histories. Cox proportional hazard models were used to determine adjusted hazard ratios (HRs). The mean age of participants was 59.0 years. Dementia occurred in 148 males and 138 females. Lower quartiles of energy-adjusted Mg intake were associated with a higher risk of dementia (P for trend = 0.0410) in males, with the lowest quartile (Q1) having an elevated risk of dementia (HR = 1.73, 95% CI:1.07–2.83) compared to the highest quartile (Q4, reference); however, this association was not found in females. In a subgroup analysis by disease history in males, the HR of Q1 was attenuated in both subgroups; HR was 1.52 (95% CI:0.74–3.11) in those with a disease history and 1.40 (95% CI:0.73–2.69) in those without. In conclusion, low dietary Mg intake is associated with increased dementia risk in middle-aged and older Japanese males. However, this association may be partly attributable to underlying disease history.