The present study investigated the relationships between maternal characteristics and subjective well-being (life satisfaction and optimism) among overweight Brazilian adult pregnant women. A cross-sectional study utilizing baseline data from a randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted. A total of 330 women were investigated. Maternal characteristics (sociodemographic, obstetric, and lifestyle) were obtained through a structured questionnaire. Data on dietary intake were collected through two 24-hour dietary recalls, and the usual diet was estimated using the Multiple Source Method. Life satisfaction and optimism were assessed using validated instruments. Both unadjusted and adjusted linear regression models were employed to investigate the relationship between maternal characteristics and subjective well-being. Sleep quality was found to be positively associated with life satisfaction. Miscarriage and smoking during pregnancy were negatively associated with this sentiment. Additionally, a positive association was observed between optimism and maternal characteristics such as sleep quality, desired pregnancy, and alcohol consumption in the previous 30 days. Furthermore, it was found that the consumption of sugary drinks, dietary fiber, and calcium were positively associated with this same feeling. The present study showed that some maternal and food consumption characteristics were associated with subjective well-being among overweight pregnant women. It is, therefore, essential to recognize predictors of maternal mental health given their relevance to the field of public health.

Interventions aiming to reduce social inequalities of weight status in adolescents usually focus on lifestyle behaviours, but their effectiveness is limited. This study analysed the effect of achieving levels of dietary intake (DI) and/or physical activity (PA) guidelines on reducing social inequalities in weight status among adolescents. We included adolescents from the PRomotion de l’ALIMentation et de l’Activité Physique – INÉgalité de Santé (PRALIMAP-INÈS) trial with weight status data available at baseline and 1-year follow-up (n 1130). PA and DI were measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and a validated FFQ, respectively. We estimated the likelihood of a 1-year reduction in BMI z-score (BMIz) and population risk difference (PRD) under hypothetical DI and PA levels and socio-economic status using the parametric G-formula. When advantaged and less advantaged adolescents maintained their baseline DI and PA, we found social inequalities in weight status, with a PRD of a 1-year reduction in BMIz of −1·6 % (–3·0 %, −0·5 %). These inequalities were not observed when less advantaged adolescents increased their proportion of achieving DI guidelines by 30 % (PRD = 2·2 % (–0·5 %, 5·0 %)) unlike the same increase in PA (PRD = −3·9 % (–6·8 %, −1·3 %)). Finally, social inequalities of weight status were not observed when levels of achievement of both PA and DI guidelines increased by 30 % (PRD = 2·2 % (–0·5 %, 4·0 %)). Enhancing DI rather than PA could be effective in reducing social inequalities in weight status among adolescents. Future interventions aiming to reduce these inequalities should mostly target DI to be effective.

This cross-sectional study aims to describe and compare energy, nutrient intake and food consumption according to eating location and by age groups using data from the National Food, Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey (IAN-AF 2015/2016). Dietary intake was estimated by two non-consecutive days of food diaries (children)/24-h recalls (other age groups), and four eating location categories were defined according to the proportion of meals consumed at out-of-home locations: Home (at least 80 % of meals at home), Other Homes, School or Work and Restaurants and Other Places. The majority of meals (69·1 %) were consumed at home. Meals were also often taken at school by children and adolescents and in restaurants and similar outlets by adults and elderly. Children and adolescents in the School or Work category ate more fruit, vegetables and pulses and cereals and starchy tubers, whereas adults in this category ate more red and processed meats, sugar-sweetened beverages and sweets. Compared with Home category, Restaurants and Other Places was associated with worse diet adequacies among children (β = –1·0; 95 % CI = –2·0, −0·04), adolescents: (β = –2·4; 95 % CI = –3·2, −1·5) and adults (β = –1·3; 95 % CI = –1·6, −1·0) reflecting higher intakes of energy, fat, trans-fatty acids and SFA, and Na. The elderly consumed more free sugars and fat when eating out of home in general. Overall, findings reflect important variation in nutrient profiles by eating location, with meals taken at school or work contributing to higher consumption of nutrient-dense foods and those taken in restaurants and other similar settings implying higher consumption of energy-dense foods.

Food insecurity, the inadequate or insecure access to food due to financial constraints, is a growing concern in high-income countries like Australia(1). Food insecure adults may have reduced diet quality due to constraints on food purchasing and consumption(2) but further research is needed to understand how the severity of food insecurity impacts diet quality in an Australian setting. This study aimed to examine the relationship between diet quality and increasing severity of household food insecurity using validated measurement tools. A cross-sectional, online survey of Australian adults (aged 18 years+) used the USDA Household Food Security Six-item Short Form to classify respondents as food secure or marginally, moderately, or severely food insecure. The Australian Recommended Food Score (ARFS; score between 0–73) determined diet quality (ARFS total) and sub-scale scores for eight food groups(3), with higher scores indicating higher diet quality. Diet quality score results are further categorised as “needs work” (<33), “getting there” (33-38), “excellent” (39-46) or “outstanding” (47+). Survey-weighted linear regression (adjusted for age, sex, income, education, location, household composition) analyses indicate that 45% of participants were living in households that experienced food insecurity, comprising 7% marginally, 18% moderately and 20% severely food insecure households. The ARFS total survey-weighted mean score for the whole sample (n = 804) was 32.4 (SD = 9.8). As the severity of household food insecurity increased, ARFS scores decreased. Marginally food insecure respondents reported a mean ARFS score three points lower than food-secure adults (B=-2.7; 95%CI [−5.11, −0.34]; p = 0.03), and scores reduced by six points for moderately (B=-5.6; 95%CI [−7.26, −3.90]; p<0.001) and twelve points for severely food insecure respondents (B=-11.5; 95%CI [−13.21, −9.78]; p<0.001). Marginally food insecure respondents had significantly lower vegetable sub-scale scores, moderately food insecure respondents had significantly lower sub-scale scores for all food groups except dairy, severely food insecure respondents had significantly lower scores for all sub-scale scores. Poorer diet quality is evident in adults living with any food insecurity but gets progressively worse as the severity of food insecurity increases. Interventions to reduce food insecurity and increase diet quality are required to prevent adverse nutrition-related health outcomes in food-insecure populations in Australia and beyond.

Osteoporosis is a degenerative disease of the bone. The rate of bone loss is accelerated during the first postmenopausal years in women which results in their disproportionate prevalence of osteoporosis(2). Some of the factors contributing to the development and maintenance of bone mineral density (BMD) relate to diet, particularly the intake of protein, calcium and other micronutrients that play a crucial role in bone composition(3). The most common method of measuring BMD is dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) which generates a two-dimensional image of the scan site (typically spine, hip and/or forearm) to determine areal BMD (aBMD). However, new methods have recently emerged, including High Resolution peripheral Quantitative Computed Tomography (HRpQCT), that offer more accurate three-dimensional measurements of volumetric BMD (vBMD) and microstructure of distal tibia and radius(4). The aim of this study was to examine the differences in the dietary intake of nutrients that represent organic or inorganic components of the bone, in early postmenopausal women with different spine aBMD and tibia and radius vBMD levels. One hundred and fourteen healthy early postmenopausal women with a lumbar spine or total hip BMD T score > −2.5 (measured by DXA) were recruited as part of a larger interventional study. Dietary intake was recorded using a 297-point self-reported validated food frequency questionnaire(5) for assessing the intake of energy, macro and micronutrients. Physical activity was self-reported using the validated Active Australia Questionnaire. Years since menopause were self-reported. DXA and HRpQCT scans measured L1-L4 spine, proximal femur aBMD, and distal tibia and radius vBMD respectively. Non-parametric statistical tests examined differences in dietary intake and physical activity levels between women at different levels of aBMD and vBMD. Data reported as median and interquartile ranges. There were no significant differences observed in the total sample between tertiles of aBMD and vBMD, regarding nutrient intake. However, for women with less than 3 years since menopause (i.e., the time-period of accelerated bone loss), lower dietary intakes of energy [8,658(3,324) vs 10,068(3,688) kJ/day; p = 0.047], protein [94(29) vs 103(32) g/day; (p = 0.044)], sodium [1,927(992) vs 2,625(2,185) mg/d; (p = 0.044)], potassium [4,064(1,373) vs 5,121(2,377) mg/d; (p = 0.041)], calcium [969(325) vs 1,214(652) mg/d; (p = 0.028)] and zinc [10(3) vs 12(4) mg/d; (p = 0.005)] were observed for women with osteopenia (−1< L1-L4 aBMD T-score <2.5) compared to those with normal L1-L4 aBMD (i.e., T-score > −1). No significant differences were observed for women with more than 3 years since menopause, with the only exception of alcohol intake (p = 0.033), which was found to be lower in women with osteopenia compared to those with normal aBMD. These findings highlight the importance of targeting osteopenic women within the first 3 years following menopause as candidates for tailored dietary intervention programs for preventing osteoporosis.

Carotenoids, a group of phytochemicals found in plant-based foods with yellow, red, or orange pigments, have been shown to be stored in the skin upon consumption of carotenoid-rich foods(1). Skin carotenoid levels can be measured using skin reflectance spectroscopy, which assesses skin lightness (L*), redness (a*), and yellowness (b*)(2). Previous research has demonstrated significant increases in skin yellowness (b*) after a 4-week high-carotenoid diet(2). The aim was to examine shorter-term changes (two weeks) in skin yellowness following the consumption of a Healthy Australian Diet rich in carotenoids compared to a Typical Australian Diet with low carotenoid content. The study analysed data from an eight-week randomised, cross-over feeding trial involving 34 adults (53% female, aged 38.44 ± 18.05 years). Participants were randomly assigned to each diet for two weeks, separated by a two-week washout period. The Healthy Australian Diet adhered to the Australian Dietary Guidelines(3), emphasising the consumption of carotenoid-rich fruits and vegetables such as carrots, pumpkin, tomatoes, red capsicum, and sweet potatoes. In contrast, the Typical Australian Diet was formulated based on apparent consumption patterns in Australia(4) and emphasised the intake of fruits and vegetables low in beta-carotene, such as white potatoes, onions, cauliflower, and pears. Skin carotenoids were measured using skin reflectance spectroscopy at three sites (palm, inner and outer arm), and each measurement was taken thrice. Overall skin yellowness (b*) was calculated as the average of all three measurements at all three sites. Measurements were conducted at four key visits: week 0 (end of run-in; baseline 1), week 2 (post-feeding phase 1), week 4 (end of washout; baseline 2), and week 8 (post-feeding phase 2). Differential changes in skin carotenoid levels between intervention groups were assessed using linear mixed-effect models, adjusting for diet sequence, feeding phase, body fat percentage, total fat intake, and subject ID as a random variable to account for potential autocorrelation. Post-hoc pairwise comparisons were conducted to evaluate the relative effects of each diet. Although there was a trend towards higher skin yellowness (0.215 ± 0.517; p = 0.41) following consumption of the Healthy Australian diet relative to baseline, and an inverse trend following the Typical Australian Diet (−0.118 ± 0.539, p = 0.56), the difference in change between the two diets was not statistically significant (p = 0.32). Notably, baseline values within this participant cohort were higher than previously reported at b* = 16.7(1) (baseline 1 b*: 17.57 ± 2.23, baseline 2 b*: 17.71 ± 2.26), which may influence the magnitude of observable change. The findings suggest that the two-week intervention duration may be insufficient to achieve statistically significant changes in skin carotenoid levels. Future investigations into whether plasma carotenoids increase first, with skin changes occurring later, could offer valuable insights into the potential utility of this as a biomarker validation of change in fruit and vegetable intake.

Distinct pathophysiology has been identified with disorders of gut-brain interactions (DGBI), including functional constipation (FC)(1,2), yet the causes remain unclear. Identifying how modifiable factors (i.e., diet) differ depending on gastrointestinal health status is important to understand relationships between dietary intake, pathophysiology, and disease burden of FC. Given that dietary choices are culturally influenced, understanding ethnicity-specific diets of individuals with FC is key to informing appropriate symptom management and prevention strategies. Despite distinct genetic and cultural features of Chinese populations with increasing FC incidence(3), DGBI characteristics are primarily described in Caucasian populations(2). We therefore aimed to identify how dietary intake of Chinese individuals with FC differs to non-Chinese individuals with FC, relative to healthy controls. The Gastrointestinal Understanding of Functional Constipation In an Urban Chinese and Urban non-Chinese New Zealander Cohort (GUTFIT) study was a longitudinal case-control study using systems biology to investigate the multi-factorial aetiology of FC. Here we conducted a cross-sectional dietary intake assessment, comparing Chinese individuals with FC (Ch-FC) against three control groups: a) non-Chinese with FC (NCh-FC) b) Chinese without FC (Ch-CON) and c) non-Chinese without FC (NCh-CON). Recruitment from Auckland, New Zealand (NZ) identified Chinese individuals based on self-identification alongside both parents self-identifying as Chinese, and FC using the ROME IV criteria. Dietary intake was captured using 3-day food diaries recorded on consecutive days, including one weekend day. Nutrient analysis was performed by Foodworks 10 and statistical analysis with SPSS using a generalised linear model (ethnicity and FC status as fixed factors). Of 78 enrolled participants, 66 completed the study and 64 (39.4 ± 9.2 years) completed a 3-day food diary at the baseline assessment. More participants were female (84%) than male (16%). FC and ethnicity status allocated participants into 1 of 4 groups: Ch-FC (n = 11), Ch-CON (n = 18), NCh-FC (n = 16), NCh-CON (n = 19). Within NCh, ethnicities included NZ European (30%), non-Chinese Asian (11%), Other European (11%), and Latin American (2%). Fibre intake did not differ between Ch-FC and NCh-FC (ethnicity × FC status interaction p>0.05) but was independently lower overall for FC than CON individuals (21.8 ± 8.7 versus 27.0 ± 9.7 g, p<0.05) and overall for Ch than NCh (22.1 ± 8.0 versus 27.0 ± 10.4 g, p<0.05). Carbohydrate, protein, and fat intakes were not different across groups (p>0.05 each, respectively). In the context of fibre and macronutrient intake, there is no difference between Ch-FC and NCh-FC. Therefore, fibre and macronutrients are unlikely to contribute to potential pathophysiological differences in FC between ethnic groups. A more detailed assessment of dietary intake concerning micronutrients, types of fibre, or food choices may be indicated to ascertain whether other dietary differences exist.

This study aimed to compare the differences in the intake of food groups and nutrients between Japanese adults who consumed the recommended daily vegetable intake (350 g/day) and those who did not. Dietary information was obtained from one-day dietary records collected from the 2016 National Health and Nutrition Survey, which was conducted in 46 prefectures in Japan. The participants aged ≥20 years (n = 21,606; 53.8% women) were classified into the < and ≥350 g/day groups. Inter-group differences for 17 food groups and 27 nutrients were assessed as percentages of consumers (food groups only) and energy-adjusted intake (units/MJ/d or % of total energy intake). Overall, 29% of participants consumed ≥350 g/day of vegetables. The ≥350 g/day group had a higher percentage of consumers and energy-adjusted intakes for all vegetable subgroups than the <350 g/day group. For other food groups, the ≥350 g/day group had higher percentages of consumers for all food groups, except for cereals, eggs, and condiments and seasonings, which showed no significant differences. However, the ≥350 g/day group had a significantly higher energy-adjusted intake for potatoes and other tubers, mushrooms, meats, and condiments and seasonings but a significantly lower value for cereals, eggs, savoury snacks and confectionaries, and beverages. The ≥350 g/day group had a significantly higher intake of almost all (25/27) nutrients, including sodium, than the <350 g/day group. Participants with vegetable intake ≥350 g/day might have a more favourable intake of food groups and nutrients; however, watching for salt intake is necessary when promoting vegetable intake.

This scoping review aimed to identify questionnaire-based dietary assessment methods for use in the National Health and Nutrition Survey (NHNS) in Japan. The search was conducted in three databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and Ichushi) to identify questionnaire such as food frequency questionnaire and dietary history questionnaire validated against dietary recalls or food records for the intakes of both food groups and nutrients among Japanese adults. Study quality was assessed based on previously developed criteria. We extracted the questionnaire characteristics and the design and results of the validation studies. We identified 11 questionnaires, with the number of food items ranging from 40 to 196, from 32 articles of good quality. In the validation studies, participants were aged 30–76 years and 90% of the articles used ≥3 d dietary records as reference. The number of nutrients and food groups with a group-level intake difference within 20% against the reference method ranged from 1 to 30 and 1 to 11, respectively. The range of mean correlation coefficients between questionnaire and reference methods were 0.35–0.57 for nutrients and 0.28–0.52 for food groups. When selecting a survey instrument in the NHNS from the 11 existing questionnaires identified in this study, it is important to select one with high group-level comparison and correlation coefficient values on the intended assessment items after scrutinizing the design and results of the validation study. This review may serve as a reference for future studies that explore dietary assessment tools used for assessing dietary intake in specific representative populations.

Dietary antioxidant indices (DAI) may be potentially associated with relative telomere length (RTL) of leucocytes. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between DAI and RTL. A cross-sectional study involving 1656 participants was conducted. A generalised linear regression model and a restricted cubic spline model were used to assess the correlation of DAI and its components with RTL. Generalised linear regression analysis revealed that DAI (β = 0·005, P = 0·002) and the intake of its constituents vitamin C (β = 0·043, P = 0·027), vitamin E (β = 0·088, P < 0·001), Se (β = 0·075, P = 0·003), and Zn (β = 0·075, P = 0·023) were significantly and positively correlated with RTL. Sex-stratified analysis showed that DAI (β = 0·006, P = 0·005) and its constituents vitamin E (β = 0·083, P = 0·012), Se (β = 0·093, P = 0·006), and Zn (β = 0·092, P = 0·034) were significantly and positively correlated with RTL among females. Meanwhile, among males, only vitamin E intake (β = 0·089, P = 0·013) was significantly and positively associated with RTL. Restricted cubic spline analysis revealed linear positive associations between DAI and its constituents’ (vitamin E, Se and Zn) intake and RTL in the total population. Sex-stratified analysis revealed a linear positive correlation between DAI and its constituents’ (vitamin E, Se and Zn) intake and RTL in females. Our study found a significant positive correlation between DAI and RTL, with sex differences.

Globally, diet quality is poor, with populations failing to achieve national dietary guidelines. Such failure has been consistently linked with malnutrition and poorer health outcomes. In addition to the impact of diet on health outcomes, it is now accepted that what we eat, and the resulting food system, has significant environmental or planetary health impacts. Changes are required to our food systems to reduce these impacts and mitigate the impact of climate change on our food supply. Given the complexity of the interactions between climate change, food and health, and the different actors and drivers that influence these, a systems-thinking approach to capture such complexity is essential. Such an approach will help address the challenges set by the UN 2030 Agenda for sustainable development in the form of the sustainable development goals (SDG). Progress against SDG has been challenging, with an ultimate target of 2030. While the scientific uncertainties regarding diet and public and planetary health need to be addressed, equal attention needs to be paid to the structures and systems, as there is a need for multi-level, coherent and sustained structural interventions and policies across the full food system/supply chain to effect behaviour change. Such systems-level change must always keep nutritional status, including impact on micronutrient status, in mind. However, benefits to both population and environmental health could be expected from achieving dietary behaviour change towards more sustainable diets.