Food Acquisition Research Articles

Perception, Trust, and Motivation in Consumer Behavior for Organic Food Acquisition: An Exploratory Study.

(1) Background: A sustainable healthy diet assures human well-being in all life stages, protects environmental resources, and preserves biodiversity. This work investigates the sociodemographic factors, knowledge, trust, and motivations involved in organic food acquisition behavior. (2) Methods: An online survey via Google Forms platform, with 316 respondents, was conducted from 1 March to 31 May 2024. (3) Results: Our findings show that suitably informed people with high educational levels (academic and post-college) report significant satisfaction with organic food consumption (p < 0.05). There is also a considerable correlation between ages 25-65, moderate to high satisfaction, and "yes" for eco-food recommendations (p < 0.05). The same satisfaction levels are associated with medium confidence in eco-food labels and a moderate to high monthly income (p < 0.05). Our results show that monthly income and residence are not essential factors in higher price perception. Insignificant price variation perception correlated with high confidence and weekly acquisition (p < 0.05). Similar price perception correlates with the highest confidence level and daily acquisition (p < 0.05). Obese respondents exhibited minimal satisfaction and opted for "abstention" from eco-food recommendations (p < 0.05). (4) Conclusions: The present study extensively analyzed Romanian people's knowledge, perception, and trust regarding organic foods. It demonstrates that sociodemographic factors differentiate consumers and influence attitudes and motivation for organic food acquisition.

Remotely-Sensed Game Trails Are a Behavioral Footprint That Explains Patterns of Herbivore Habitat Use.

Trade-offs between food acquisition and predator avoidance shape the landscape-scale movements of herbivores. These movements create landscape features, such as game trails, which are paths that animals use repeatedly to traverse the landscape. As such, these trails integrate behavioral trade-offs over space and time. Here, we used remotely sensed imagery to analyze the density of game trails with spatial environmental variables to understand landscape-scale patterns of herbivore habitat use in an African savanna. Woody plant cover was the best predictor of game trail density, with the highest densities correlating with intermediate woody plant cover. We also explored how patterns of game trail density compared to two known measures of herbivore habitat use (i.e., dung counts and maximum entropy modeling) and found strong quantitative fits. To understand the patterns revealed by the density of game trails, we explored the trade-off between food acquisition and perceived predation risk across a woody plant cover gradient. Using behavioral observations, we found that the relationship between woody plant cover and the distribution of game trails was likely driven by the risk and reward trade-off, with less vigilance and more feeding occurring in areas with a high density of game trails and intermediate woody cover. Ultimately, we show that game trails are a novel data source that can be used to identify broadly-occurring patterns of herbivore habitat use over large spatial scales.

Carrion in Bomas: Multiple Observations of Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) Scavenging Events and Potential Causes in Managed Populations.

Facultative scavenging can be observed across a large range of carnivorous mammals but is an uncommon behavioural trait in cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus). Very few incidents of cheetahs scavenging have been reported, with no explanation given as to why it may occur. In this paper, we provide three more observations of cheetahs scavenging between 2019 and 2023 in three different protected areas in South Africa and Malawi. We suggest a common factor between these observations, namely that all adult individuals involved were temporarily housed in holding enclosures (bomas) during relocation processes and were provisioned with carrion as supplemental feed. The observed scavenging events could also have been influenced by the easy access to food in a situation where food acquisition was potentially difficult (i.e. old age, loss of hunting partner, mother with cubs). We hypothesise that these contributing factors, combined with the prior exposure of the adult individuals to eating carrion, could be a potential explanation for our observations of cheetahs scavenging. These observations provide a basis for further research into cheetah scavenging behaviour and the potential impacts of translocations that require prolonged holding periods on wildlife behaviour post-release. Understanding these behavioural shifts is crucial for cheetah conservation, as successful reintroduction efforts depend on the ability of cheetahs to adapt to new environments and food acquisition strategies.

Food Acquisition Coping Strategies Vary Based on Food Security Among University Students.

Food insecurity on college campuses is a pressing issue, yet the ways in which students manage challenges and disruptions to their food security status (FSS) are poorly understood. The objective of this study was to examine knowledge of food insecurity as a concept, evaluate FSS, identify food acquisition-related behaviors, and determine whether these behaviors differ among FSS. University students at increased risk of experiencing food insecurity (n = 43) were recruited for this mixed-methods study. Participants were surveyed about their FSS, coping strategies, and use of food access resources. Subsequent interviews occurred to evaluate their understanding of food insecurity as a concept and related food acquisition behaviors. The total number of coping strategies and food access resources used were quantified, and composite variables were created. Differences based on FSS classification were examined through regression analyses. Quantitative and qualitative data were integrated using concurrent triangulation. Despite targeted recruitment efforts, 76% of participants were classified as food secure by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Adult Food Security Survey Module (AFSSM). Participants were able to define food insecurity and identify circumstances that could contribute to an individual becoming food insecure. However, many participants described experiences that suggested the USDA AFSSM may not accurately capture students' true FSS. Most individuals faced significant challenges in maintaining food security. Participants used a series of coping strategies and food access resources to maintain or improve their food security, regardless of FSS, which included couponing, strategizing when food was low, and sharing food with housemates. Additionally, participants expressed concerns that their use of food access resources may deprive others with greater need. Results from this study shed insight on the complexities of food insecurity in the university setting, providing useful data to inform the development of better programs, outreach, and evaluation tools that encapsulate the many unique factors that make up FSS for students.

SPATIO-TEMPORAL VARIATION OF PROCHRISTIANELLA SP. (CESTODA: TRYPANORHYNCHA) IN THE HOST OCTOPUS MAYA (CEPHALOPODA: OCTOPODA) AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH THE REPRODUCTION.

Although harvest of Octopus maya (Mexican four-eyed octopus) is one of the most important fisheries in the Yucatan Peninsula, little is known about the parasites of these cephalopods and how they affect host physiological processes. We analyzed the spatio-temporal variation of infection of O. maya by the cestode larva Prochristianella sp. (found in the anterior salivary glands) and its relationship with the gonad development stages (GDSs) of the host. From August 2009 to May 2010, 439 specimens of O. maya were caught in 2 localities on the northern coast of the Yucatán Peninsula: Dzilam de Bravo (n = 239) and Ria Lagartos (n = 200). The mantle length, eviscerated body weight, reproductive complex weight, and gonad weight were recorded in each specimen. Portions of each gonad were used to identify the GDS based on histology for each individual to determine the periodicity of the reproductive cycle and the monthly variation in the reproductive complex weight. Temporal variation in the monthly mean abundance of cestodes but not in prevalence was evident. A permutational multivariate analysis of variance indicated that variation in the mean abundance of Prochristianella sp. was affected by host GDS, month of sampling, host sex, and sampling locality; however, the first-order interactions indicated that the most were important variables were GDS, month, and host sex. General linear model analyses also indicated that the size, reproductive status, and sex of the hosts were significantly related to the abundance of cestodes. Temporal variation was evident in the monthly mean abundance of Prochristianella sp. but not in its prevalence; the number of parasites increased in octopuses from September to December. Regarding the GDS, the mean abundance of the parasite increased as gonads developed, and gonad development was related to water temperature and time, which are linked to season and the upwelling that occurs in spring and summer. In the oral cavity of octopuses, variations in cestode abundance related to host sex, size, and reproductive status can have major implications for the production of saliva, an essential secretion for food acquisition and defense in this host, and could affect octopus reproduction and recruitment of this food resource so important for the Yucatán Peninsula.

Distinct contributions of BDNF/MEK/ERK1/2 signaling pathway components to whisker-dependent tactile learning and memory.

Whisker-mediated tactile perception is essential for rodent navigation, food acquisition, and social interactions. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying tactile information processing, learning, and memory have not been studied to the same extent as for other modalities. Using immunohistochemical staining, we investigated changes in regional c-Fos expression as an index of neuronal activity and phosphorylated (p)ERK1/2 as an index of ERK1/2 activity in mice trained on a tactile-cued 8-arm radial maze task. Over 12 trials, mice learned to selectively explore four baited arms covered with wire as the tactile cue while avoiding un-baited uncovered arms. The density of c-Fos+ cells was significantly higher in somatosensory cortex but not frontal cortex or amygdala of mice exposed to tactile cue-bait pairing compared to mice exposed to the same maze with all arms baited with or without tactile cues (unpaired conditions). The density of pERK1/2+ cells was also increased after paired trials 7 and 12 but not after paired trials 1 and 3 in frontal cortex, amygdala, and somatosensory cortex compared to mice exposed to the unpaired condition. The MEK1/2 inhibitor SL327 reduced c-Fos expression in frontal cortex and amygdala when applied during early trials, but impaired working memory when applied before later trials without affecting c-Fos expression. Heterozygous BDNF knockout mice exhibited impaired task learning and reduced pERK1/2 expression in frontal cortex and amygdala but not somatosensory cortex. These findings suggest that the BDNF/MEK/ERK1/2 pathway selectively promotes memory trace formation in frontal cortex and amygdala but not encoding in somatosensory cortex.

The Effect of Prey Size and Prey Density on Paralarval Feeding Success of the Common Sydney Octopus, Octopus tetricus

ABSTRACTGlobal demand for octopus seafood has been increasing over the past 30 years. This demand is projected to increase further as coastal communities and seafood consumers seek alternative sources of protein as finfish stocks decline. The establishment of a sustainable octopus aquaculture would have the potential to alleviate fishing pressures from wild populations. Commercial‐scale octopus aquaculture, however, has not been achieved due to the difficulty of successfully rearing octopus paralarvae on an efficacious diet. This study investigated the prey size and density preferences of Octopus tetricus paralarvae to understand the characteristics that improve food acquisition during rearing. Groups of octopus paralarvae from multiple broods were observed for a range of feeding behaviour including positioning, attack, capture loss, successful capture and handling time when given different treatments of Artemia prey. Prey size experiments used treatments of Artemia with total lengths of &lt; 0.5, 0.9–1.0 and 1.4–1.6 mm, while prey density experiments used 0.2, 0.6, 1.0, 1.4, 1.8 and 2.2 Artemia mL−1. Increased numbers of successful feeding behaviours (e.g., positionings, attacks and successful captures) were directly observed with increasing prey size. Octopus paralarvae performed 52% more positionings, 100% more attacks and 175% more successful captures when given large Artemia (1.4–1.6 mm) than when given small Artemia (&lt; 0.5 mm). Likewise, the number of observed successful feeding behaviours tended to increase with increasing Artemia density but sharply decreased at the highest density treatment (2.2 Artemia mL−1). Paralarvae performed up to 109% more positionings, 307% more attacks and 300% more successful captures when given prey densities of 1.0–1.8 Artemia mL−1 than when given lower prey density treatments and 2.2 Artemia mL−1. The results from this study indicate that prey size and density are crucial for the successful feeding of octopus paralarvae. Based on the greatest numbers of successful feeding behaviours, O. tetricus paralarvae prefer prey between 1.4 and 1.6 mm in length and at densities between 1.0 and 1.8 prey mL−1. The use of these optimal prey characteristics can be used to promote efficient paralarval octopus prey capture and feeding to greatly increase food intake in octopus paralarvae when reared in aquaculture.

Extensive locomotor versatility across a global sample of hunter-gatherer societies.

Studies of hunter-gatherer locomotion inform a wide range of academic fields, from human behavioural ecology and hominin evolution to sports science and evolutionary health. Despite celebrated ethnographic examples of hunter-gatherer locomotor proficiency in running, climbing, swimming and diving, there has been limited systematic analysis of cross-cultural variation in hunter-gatherer locomotor versatility. We conducted a systematic cross-cultural analysis of hunter-gatherer locomotion, coding locomotor behaviour from over 900 ethnographic documents. Our results indicated that high levels of locomotor versatility are common among hunter-gatherers, and that proficiency of running, climbing, swimming and diving is found in societies across the geographical and ecological breadth of the sample. Each locomotor modality was found to be relevant not only to food acquisition but also in leisure, ritual and violent conflict. Our results also indicated the prevalence of both male and female engagement within each locomotor modality, with climbing being the only modality to possess a notable bias towards male engagement in a substantial proportion of societies. The widespread habituality and functional significance of diverse locomotor proficiency in hunter-gatherers suggests that locomotor versatility represents a dimension of human adaptive lability, playing a major role in the ability of hunter-gatherers to thrive in almost every global ecology.

Food Acquisition Locations and Food Groups Acquired According to Levels of Food Insecurity in Brazil.

Food insecurity (FI) is a persistent issue in Brazil, with significant disparities existing across the country's macroregions. This study investigated the food acquisition locations and types of foods purchased at different levels of FI, utilizing data from 57,920 households in the 2017-2018 Brazilian Household Budget Survey. Food acquisition locations were grouped into supermarkets, small markets, street fairs/fruit and vegetable stores/public markets, and others. Foods were categorized into 12 groups: rice, beans, vegetables, fruits, red meats, fish, poultry, eggs, milk and dairy products, bread, cookies, and sugary drinks. Supermarkets are the primary source of food in Brazil. However, in the North and Northeast regions, small markets are more frequently used across all levels of FI. Nationally, most food groups are predominantly purchased at supermarkets. Nevertheless, households experiencing moderate or severe FI rely more on small markets for essential items such as rice, beans, and proteins, as well as ultraprocessed foods. These findings highlight the need for public policies that improve food access for vulnerable populations and address regional inequalities. Enhancing access and ensuring food security across different regions is essential to promoting equitable and healthy diets throughout the country.

Relationship between tooth macrowear and jaw morphofunctional traits in representative hypercarnivores.

The mammalian adult dentition is a non-renewable resource. Tooth attrition and disease must be accommodated by individuals using behavioral, physiological, and/or musculoskeletal shifts to minimize impact on masticatory performance. From a biomechanical perspective, the musculoskeletal system becomes less efficient at producing bite force for a given amount of muscle input force over an individual's life, because tooth-food contact area increases as cusps wear. In this study we ask the question: does mandibular biomechanical performance show evidence of compensation with increasing tooth wear? We use representative taxa of three carnivoran ecomorphologies (meat specialist, scavenger, bone cracker) as a study system to compare morphofunctional data on tooth macrowear, jaw depth, bite mechanical efficiency, and jaw stress during biting. No significant shifts in adult mandibular corpus dimensions occurs in the sampled taxa as canine and carnassial teeth wear. In bone cracking spotted hyenas carnassial biting mechanical efficiency increases significantly with increasing tooth wear, with no significant change in mandibular stress. Analyses of the fossil carnivore Hyaenodon suggests an increase in canine biting efficiency with increased tooth wear, but this may reflect interspecific variation or phylogenetic contingency rather than a life history shift. Overall, these findings indicate that scavenging hyaenids and felid meat specialists do not exhibit morphofunctional compensation for the decreased mechanical capability of worn and dull teeth. Behavioral modifications, rather than musculoskeletal adjustments, may instead play a major role in maintaining food acquisition and processing capabilities for individuals surviving into advanced ontogenetic age and tooth wear. These observations highlight the mammalian masticatory system as having a dynamic performance profile through its useful lifespan, and encourage a more nuanced understanding of past and present carnivore guilds by considering wear-dependent performance changes as a possible source of selection.

Can digitalization improve the equality and equity of food environment? Evidence from greengrocers in central Shanghai.

Online food shopping has a profound impact on people's food acquisition behavior, the current study aims to understand how online food shopping may affect the accessibility of the local food environment and further influence the health equity among different populations. Taking 8512 traditional and online greengrocers in central Shanghai as an example, this paper uses Gini coefficient, location quotient and spatial clustering method to compare the equality and equity of food environment between physical and digital food outlets. It finds that spatial equality is more significantly improved as a result of online food stores than are population equality and social equity of the food environment; older populations are not disadvantaged in terms of healthy food access but lower-income people are; the impact of online stores varies for different regions and different types of stores; depot-based stores have the most positive impact on health equity. Policy implications are discussed to promote the environmental justice of healthy food accessibility.

Effect of Pomacea canaliculata on Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri: Behavior, Oxidative Stress, and Microbiota Alterations.

Pomacea canaliculata is an invasive species which has significantly impacted native ecosystems globally. The benthic worm Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri is essential for the stability of the native aquatic ecosystem, facilitating the nutrient cycle dynamics through bioturbation. Nevertheless, limited information exists regarding the impact of P. canaliculata on those key native benthic species. Present study evaluated the impacts of P. canaliculata on L. hoffmeisteri by exposing L. hoffmeisteri to P. canaliculata (PC group) and the native snail Bellamya aeruginosa (BA group), with a control group consisting of no snails (NS group). The survival rate of L. hoffmeisteri in the PC group persisted diminished over 14 days, with notable declines in the rates of successful food acquisition and aggregation, an increase in migration, and a decrease in swing frequency. Elevated oxidative stress levels were linked to these alterations in L. hoffmeisteri behavior. Additionally, the presence of P. canaliculata increased the abundance of intestinal pathogenic bacteria in L. hoffmeisteri, with Aeromonas being one of the most lethal. Experimental models of Aeromonas-free P. canaliculata (AFPC), re-infected AFPC (IPC), and Aeromonas (As) were established to illustrate the role of Aeromonas in the decline of L. hoffmeisteri. Similar patterns in L. hoffmeisteri survival, behavior, and oxidative stress were observed in As, IPC, and PC group; however, these effects were mitigated by the elimination of Aeromonas in the AFPC group. Furthermore, L. hoffmeisteri was fatally affected by the four Aeromonas strains that were obtained from P. canaliculata intestine. These findings indicate that P. canaliculata exerts a deleterious impact on L. hoffmeisteri, and Aeromonas colonizing in intestine plays an important role. This study reveals a novel invasion mechanism of P. canaliculata.

The importance of financial controls for maximizing results for small rural entrepreneurs

Brazil's agricultural sector is crucial for the economy and global food security, encompassing about 41% of the country's total land area and housing over 5 million agricultural establishments. According to the Brazilian Confederation of Agriculture and Livestock (CNA), agribusiness contributed 23.8% to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2023, highlighting its diverse production of agricultural commodities. While technological advancements have boosted productivity, a significant gap exists between large and small producers. Large producers often benefit from technological progress, whereas small producers—a significant portion of family farming—face substantial challenges. Family farming accounts for 67% of agricultural activity and 80% of global food production, yet it struggles with financial management, lack of knowledge, and limited access to credit and technology. Efficient rural management is essential for optimizing resources, reducing costs, and enhancing productivity on small farms. Implementing financial management practices, such as budgeting, cost analysis, and cash flow control, can help small producers make better use of their resources and lower expenses. Public policies like the National Program for the Strengthening of Family Farming (PRONAF) and the Food Acquisition Program (PAA) aim to support these producers by providing financing and securing markets for their products. Family farming holds significant potential for sustainable practices. With the right support, it can continue to play a vital role in the Brazilian economy and global food security, fostering a sustainable and prosperous future for the agricultural sector.

Food acquisition and consumption by NOVA food classification and lived poverty index among rural and urban households in South Africa and Ghana.

This study aimed to determine differences in food consumption by the NOVA food categories in South Africa and Ghana and how they relate to poverty and food supply systems. This study used a cross-sectional design to assess household food acquisition and lived poverty index. The study was conducted in Khayelitsha and Mount Frere, urban and rural communities in South Africa, respectively, and Ahodwo and Ejuratia, urban and rural communities in Ghana, respectively. An adult in charge of or knowledgeable about household food acquisition and consumption was selected to participate in the study. A total of 1299 households participated in the study. Supermarkets were a prominent source of ultra-processed foods for households in South Africa, while informal outlets were an important source of ultra-processed foods in Ghana. Consumption of unprocessed foods was higher among South African households (58·2 %) than Ghanaian households (41·8 %). In South Africa, deprivation was associated with increased odds of infrequent consumption of both unprocessed foods (OR 3·431 P < 0·001) and ultra-processed foods (OR 2·656 P < 0·001) compared with non-deprivation. In Ghana, no significant differences were observed between deprived households and non-deprived households in relation to the consumption of the NOVA food classes. Different food supply systems and poverty are associated with household acquisition of the different NOVA food classes. Policies should be geared towards formal shops in South Africa and informal shops in Ghana to reduce the consumption of key obesogenic foods.

Reduced red and processed meat consumption is associated with lower diet costs in US households: a national analysis of protein substitutions.

To examine the association between red and processed meat consumption and total food expenditures in US households and explore whether households could reduce food costs by substituting these meats with other protein sources such as poultry, seafood, eggs and plant proteins. Cross-sectional study using data from the National Household Food Acquisition and Purchase Survey (FoodAPS). Using adult male equivalents (AME) for standardisation, we categorised red and processed meat purchases into quintiles. We used generalised linear models to explore the association between red or processed meat consumption and food expenditures and the cost effect of substituting meat with other proteins. United States. Data from 4739 households with valid acquisition information from FoodAPS, a stratified multistage probability sample of US households. Higher red and processed meat consumption were both significantly associated with higher total weekly food expenditures, particularly among households with low income. Substituting red or processed meat with poultry, eggs or plant proteins did not significantly affect overall food expenditures, whereas replacing meat with seafood, especially varieties high in n-3 fatty acids, led to increased costs. Reducing red and processed meat consumption could offer savings for households, particularly those with low income. Although substitutions with seafood high in n-3 could increase expenses, alternative protein sources like poultry and plant proteins may serve as cost-neutral replacements. Public health strategies should emphasise dietary shifts' economic, health and environmental benefits and aim to make nutritious yet affordable protein sources more accessible.

Social and seasonal variation in dwarf mongoose home-range size, daily movements, and burrow use.

When making decisions about resource use, social species must integrate not only environmental factors but also the influence of opportunities and costs associated with group living. Bigger groups are expected to move further and to need access to larger areas for adequate food acquisition, but the relationships with group size can vary seasonally and with reproductive stage. Shelters are often more consistent in availability than food, but their use relates to factors such as predator defense and parasite transmission that are themselves influenced by group size and seasonality. Here, we used long-term data to investigate resource use and associated movement in a wild population of dwarf mongooses (Helogale parvula). We found that bigger groups occupied larger home ranges, moved larger daily distances and covered more daily area than smaller ones, while environmental greenness (measured by normalized difference vegetation index [NDVI]) influenced daily movements in the breeding season but not the non-breeding season. Both assessed axes of seasonality also had pronounced effects on shelter use: mongoose groups used more unique sleeping burrows, and switched between burrows more often, in the breeding season, but also switched more when environmental greenness was higher. By investigating specific periods within the breeding season, we revealed the constraints that vulnerable, poorly mobile offspring impose on both group movements and burrow use, highlighting a potentially overlooked cost of reproduction. Our results show how both social and environmental factors can affect key resource-use decisions, demonstrating potential costs and benefits to group living within distinctly seasonal geographic areas.

A Method for Assessing the Prevalence of Food Insecurity in Older Adults Based on Resource Constraints and Food-Related Physical Functioning Limitations

BackgroundOlder adults with food-related physical functioning limitations often face food insecurity because of challenges that go beyond resource constraints. Difficulties with food acquisition at retailers, and food preparation and consumption are not captured by the United States Department of Agriculture’s food security measure. ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to develop a method to assess the overall prevalence of food insecurity regardless of underlying cause using validated measures that capture both food-related physical functioning limitations and resource-constraint food hardships. It also aims to examine the validity of this method in relation to sociodemographic characteristics, health, appetite, and dietary outcomes. MethodsUsing information from National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (2007–2018), 10,237 adults aged 60 y and older with complete food security and food-related physical functioning limitations data were included in the study. Comparisons of the cross-classification method and the standard food security methods are made and their relationships with depression, self-reported health, and healthy eating index 2015 are examined using multiple linear regression models. ResultsUsing the cross-classification method, prevalence of low and very low food security because of resource constraints and food-related physical functioning limitations was found to be higher (13.6% and 7.3%, respectively) compared with food insecurity based solely on resource constraints (4.7% and 3.3%, respectively) or food-related physical functioning limitations (11.4% and 4.4%). Low and very low food security levels using the cross-classification method were associated with higher odds of depression and poor self-reported health, compared with the standard United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) resource-constrained food security measure. ConclusionsThe cross-classification method enables the identification of potentially food insecure older adults who might be classified otherwise if only each measure is used alone. This method serves as guidance for using both measures jointly to estimate food insecurity, regardless of its cause.

Individual- and environmental-level determinants of fruit and vegetable intakes in rural Georgia.

To investigate the ways in which food insecurity, food acquisition behaviors, and perceived and objective food access influence fruit and vegetable intakes among rural Georgians. A population-based survey was merged with USDA's Food Access Research Atlas, and multilevel modeling was used to determine individual-level (eg, food insecurity, food acquisition behaviors, perceived access) and environmental-level (eg, census tract food access) predictors of fruit and vegetable intakes. Twenty-four rural census tracts in 6 counties in Georgia, USA. One thousand four hundred and seventy-four adults. Residing in a low food access census tract was not associated with fruit or vegetable intake. Food insecurity had negative effects on both fruit and vegetable intakes. Perceived access to fresh fruits and vegetables was positively associated with fruit intake, and obtaining fresh fruits and vegetables from community or home gardens was positively associated with both fruit and vegetable intakes. Findings are unique from previous research on census tract-level fruit and vegetable determinants, underscoring the need for a better understanding of influences on fruit and vegetable intakes among rural populations. Interventions to increase fruit and vegetable consumption in rural areas should prioritize food security.

Development of an older adult Nutrition Equity Index (NEI) and association with the Healthy Eating Index (HEI) in older Black and White U.S. adults

ObjectivesWe developed a novel measure for older U.S. adults called the Nutrition Equity Index (NEI), which includes functional ability. We compared both the NEI and food insufficiency with Healthy Eating Index (HEI) scores. DesignThe Health, Aging, and Body Composition Study is a prospective, longitudinal cohort of Medicare-eligible, community-dwelling Black and White men and women. SettingPittsburgh, PA and Memphis, TN. ParticipantsParticipants (N = 2468, aged 74.7 ± 2.9 years) had baseline (1997−98) and 1-year follow-up NEI data; and 1 year follow-up for food insufficiency, key covariates, and the HEI (diet quality measure) from a 108-item interviewer-administered food frequency questionnaire. MeasurementsFood insufficiency was defined from a modified validated question on ample food amount/variety from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. NEI was constructed from 8 questions in three subdomains: food insecurity (food insufficiency, hunger, anxiety about limited food, limited money for food), food access (groceries), and food acquisition (difficulty shopping, preparing meals, carrying groceries). Final NEI categories were low nutrition equity (0), moderate nutrition equity (1), and high nutrition equity (2). Multivariable linear regression compared both NEI and food insufficiency with HEI, adjusted for sociodemographic, lifestyle and comorbidity factors. ResultsOf participants, 13.5% had food insufficiency, 12.1% had low NEI, and 32.5% had moderate NEI. Participants with food insufficiency (vs. food sufficiency) or low NEI (vs. high NEI) were more likely to be Black and have < high school education (both p < 0.0001). In minimally adjusted models, food insufficiency was associated with 2.2 point lower HEI score (p = 0.001), low NEI with 2.6 point lower HEI score (p = 0.001), and moderate NEI with 1.0 point lower HEI score (p < 0.05). Adjusting for race attenuated NEI associations with HEI to non-significance. After multivariable adjustment, food insufficiency was associated with 1.5 point lower HEI score (p = 0.03). ConclusionFood insufficiency was associated with lower dietary quality in this sample of older Black and White U.S. adults. NEI performed similarly to food insufficiency for HEI associations prior to multivariable adjustment and identified more older adults with nutrition inequity, who may be at risk for poor health outcomes.

Blunted reward-related activation to food scenes distinguishes individuals with alcohol use disorder in a pilot case-control fMRI pilot study.

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is thought to bias the neurocircuitry underlying reward processing and motivation to preferentially attend to conditioned alcohol cues over natural rewards. The present case-control pilot study evaluated this hypothesis using novel natural reward paradigms. Twenty-eight participants (AUD, n = 14, light drinkers, n = 14) were recruited-AUD participants reported 44.0% heavy drinking days (%HDD) and 4.67 drinks/day over the preceding 90 days. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data were acquired during the administration of three separate picture-viewing paradigms of alcohol cues, food scenes, and social reward, respectively. Independent samples t-tests were performed to compare groups' fMRI data and exploratory correlation analyses were performed to examine associations with clinical characteristics of AUD. Food scenes elicited abnormally low reward-related activation, within the superior frontal gyrus and caudate bilaterally, among AUD participants. Lower activation to food scenes within the superior frontal gyrus was, in turn, associated with higher levels of past-month %HDD among AUD participants, specifically, along with craving and alcohol dependence severity when examined across the full sample. Contrasting reward types (e.g., alcohol cues vs. food scenes) did not reveal "preferential" activation to differentiate groups. Heavy drinking appears associated with reduced responsivity to natural rewards, specifically food rather than social cues. Neural mechanisms underlying the high prevalence of malnutrition among individuals with AUD may involve some combination of blunted approach-related affect and reduced craving-related motivation to eat when food is present, resulting in limited engagement of cortico-striato-thalamic motor circuitry supporting food acquisition. However, given the preliminary nature of this pilot study, such formulations remain tentative until larger follow-up studies can be conducted. From a potential translational standpoint, the ability of promising therapeutics to demonstrate increased responsivity to natural rewards, specifically nutritive reward may serve as a valuable complementary efficacy indicator for future clinical neuroimaging trials in AUD.