Nutrition Awareness Research Articles

Sugars and Organic Acids in 25 Strawberry Cultivars: Qualitative and Quantitative Evaluation.

(1) The nutritional quality of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch) fruits, among others, is largely maintained by the presence of soluble sugars and organic acids. As the primary products of photosynthesis, they are energy depots in plants, necessary for the construction of cell constituents, but also serve as precursors of aromatic compounds and signaling molecules. (2) In this study, fruits of 25 strawberry cultivars were qualitatively and quantitatively characterized concerning individual sugars and organic acids by HPLC, FT-ICR-MS, and MS imaging analysis. In addition, the total quality index (TQI), as a novel mathematical model, was used to compare all individual parameters evaluated to obtain a quantitative single score, as an indicator of overall fruit quality. (3) Regardless of a large number of cultivars and monitored parameters that were studded, several cultivars stood out in terms of selected primary metabolites, such as 'Rumba', 'Jeny', and 'Sandra', while the latter had the best TQI score. (4) Intercultivar variations in sugars and organic acids profiles, along with other bioactive compounds, should be considered for selection of promising cultivars with improved naturally occurring nutraceutical traits. Besides the search for a pleasant taste, increased awareness of healthy nutrition resulted in heightening consumer demand for high-quality fruit.

Validitas Kuesioner Kesadaran Gizi Keluarga Pada Ibu Dengan Anak Stunting di Kabupaten Jember

Introduction: Low family nutrition awareness will have an impact on nutritional problems in family members. Mothers as the main caregivers in the family are very decisive in the problem of stunting in children under five. This study was to describe the validity of Nutritional Awareness of Family Questionnare (NAF-Q) that measures level of awareness of family to prevent stunting children. Methods: A cross-sectional study of Panti (Indonesian) was conducted among parents with stunting under five children (n = 167). Multifactors NAF-Q were examined using content validity (Content Validity Index [CVI]). Internal consistency was explored using Cronbach’s α coefficient. Results: The CVI indicated adequate content validity (0.80–1.00) and acceptable internal consistency (0.896). Conclusions: NAF-Q contains valid, reliable, and robust measures although some subscales performed high reliability, establishing the purpose for further research.

Is Health Education among the Decisive Factors for the Diet Quality of Pregnant Women in Poland?

Health education (HE), an educational process that leads to increased nutritional awareness and improved health, is one of the factors influencing diet quality (DQ) during pregnancy. The aim was to evaluate the DQ of pregnant women and its determinants considering their HE. The study included 122 pregnant women aged 20-40 years. DQ was assessed using the Kom-PAN® questionnaire and the Pro-Healthy Diet Index (pHDI). Data collected included dietary habits, socio-demographic data, education level, place of residence, and maternal lifestyle-related characteristics, namely, pre-pregnancy weight, trimester of pregnancy, and pre-pregnancy and pregnancy physical activity (PA). Weekly energy expenditure was determined using the Polish version of the PPAQ questionnaire. HE at school more than tripled the odds of a higher DQ. Women in their second trimester were 54% more likely to have a higher DQ than women in their third trimester of pregnancy. Undertaking pre-pregnancy PA increased the odds of a higher DQ 2.5 times. Comparative analyses performed in a group of women with HE (HEG, n = 33) and without HE (nHEG, n = 89) showed better DQ in the former, but this was still unsatisfactory in health-promoting properties. The results obtained showed that the HE and trimester of pregnancy and pre-pregnancy Pa influenced DQ in pregnant women.

A Helping Hand to the Elderly: Securing Their Freedom through the HAIE Framework

The life expectancy of the elderly has substantially increased compared to earlier times. The primary factors are greater awareness of nutrition, the environment, and personal hygiene. Advances in science and technology have also extended the lifespans of the aging population. Traditional care methods are inadequate to address this situation. To maintain the socioeconomic structure, there is a need for the integration of advanced frameworks. In this context, we propose a smart framework called human activity Internet of Things-enabled environment (HAIE) to provide a non-human assistive environment that helps the elderly live independently. Research into aging in place and assistive environments has focused on modernized environments, largely neglecting the impact of technology on the lives of elderly individuals who stay at home. This work addresses the gap by integrating advanced technologies, such as cloud computing and the Internet of Things (IoT). The inclusion of IoT facilitates a smart and automated environment for the elderly. Cloud integration enables the storage of large volumes of data for further analysis and the identification of patterns for future advancements. It also introduces the concept of accessing data from anywhere, on any device, at any time. To validate this work, two primary parameters were considered: accuracy and latency. Through simulation, the proposed HAIE model has demonstrated an accuracy of 93% out of 100 attempts and a latency of 84.35 ms for the deployed case studies under the HAIE framework.

Organic food as estimated by young consumers

The article analyzes the data obtained during a sociological study conducted in September-November 2022 on the analysis of the food market of agricultural organic products (on the example of the Sverdlovsk region).” The hypothesis of the connection of consumer preferences with the current ecological position and understanding of the importance of socially responsible behavior was confirmed. The key needs of young consumers that determine the choice of organic food products and their connection with the attitude to maintaining and strengthening health for a bright and interesting life are identified. The authors recorded the reasons for the respondents’ refusal to purchase organic products and the sensitivity of consumers to the increased cost of organic food products. The conclusion is made about the different patterns of consumer behavior of respondents in the segments of the organic food market and their connection with the dominant values and established eating habits. Three styles of consumer behavior are described: ecological, stereotypical, unstable. The ecological style is characterized by attitudes towards the use of healthy and environmentally friendly foods as factors in maintaining an active lifestyle and health. The stereotypical style of eating is characterized by: a strong influence of the environment on the choice of food and diet, low reflection on their own food practices, lack of sufficient knowledge and opportunities for the formation of a culture of nutrition and environmental awareness. Unstable eating style is associated with contradictory attitudes and ambivalent food practices.

Barriers to Healthy Family Dinners and Preventing Child Obesity: Focus Group Discussions with Parents of 5-to-8-Year-Old Children

Background: Although numerous physical and mental health benefits for children have been linked to family dinners, many families still do not have regular family meals together. This study sought to identify the barriers that keep families from having dinners together. Methods: We interviewed 42 parents of 5-to-8-year-old children in small focus groups to identify barriers and challenges that keep families from having healthy and consistent dinners together. Results: Parents reported the main barriers were time (e.g., time strain and overscheduling, mismatched schedules, long work hours, etc.), lack of meal planning or failure to follow plans, lack of skills (e.g., cooking skills or nutritional awareness), external factors (e.g., daycare, schools, or extended family, and competing with advertising), and food-related challenges (e.g., picky eating, food allergies). Parents also suggested potential solutions to overcome these barriers. Conclusions: Overall, parents had a desire to have family dinners with their children, but they felt that there are many barriers keeping them from establishing or maintaining consistent family mealtimes. Future research, as well as child obesity prevention and intervention efforts, should consider these barriers and suggested solutions in efforts to promote healthy and consistent family meals as a means of lowering the prevalence of childhood obesity.

Influence of Nutrition Knowledge on the Association between Maternal Nutrition and Birth Outcomes

Maternal undernutrition is a complex condition that arises from various factors, including social, cultural, psycho-social, biological, and ecological factors. The intergenerational consequences of chronic malnutrition, starting with mothers and their children, account for a significant proportion of infant deaths, cognitive disability, and reduced productivity in adulthood. Therefore, having nutritional knowledge throughout pregnancy is crucial for better risk assessment of undernutrition and healthy pregnancy outcomes. The study examined whether trimester-specific nutrition education and awareness could significantly impact the relationship between maternal nutrition and birth outcomes and found that this association was stronger in women with higher levels of nutrition knowledge. As a result, a food-based approach that is both low-cost and high-nutrition can help meet the specific nutritional requirements of pregnancy, alter certain nutrients that target fetal metabolic vulnerabilities, or enhance fetal growth and development in the migrant population. The review explores recent research and discusses how nutrition literacy and knowledge influence pregnancy and birth outcomes, providing an overview of the current understanding of maternal nutritional trimester-specific needs and highlighting areas that still require further study. The findings emphasize the importance of considering diet diversity and peer support during pregnancy, considering the impact that nutrition knowledge has on pregnancy outcomes.

Nutrition and Healthy Aging: A Review.

The review attempts to highlight various dietary approaches for healthy aging; it examines the current evidence regarding the impact of various dietary components on physiological, cognitive, and functional outcomes in older adults. The aim is to promote nutritional awareness to add to what is currently reported in this field that helps for the needful revisions in the policy and in the current national nutrition strategy to incorporate effective public health communication on nutrition and aging. The relationship between diet and healthy aging is becoming increasingly clear with recent studies. Consuming a balanced diet that includes nutrient-rich foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats, has been linked to a lower risk of chronic diseases and better overall health in older adults. Specific dietary factors that have been found to be beneficial for healthy aging include adherence to a Mediterranean-style diet, Okinawa diet, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, and caloric restriction as well as the healthy eating index. Therefore, making dietary changes that promote healthy aging can be an important strategy for maintaining physical and cognitive function and preventing age-related diseases. Adopting a healthy diet in older age can be an effective strategy for maintaining optimal health and function with adequate intake of protein, fiber, vitamin D, and omega-3 fatty acids for better physical function, bone health, muscle strength, cognitive function, and lower risk of chronic diseases and disability.

Evaluation of the frequency and awareness of obesity among healthcare workers.

The aim of this study is to determine the frequency of obesity in healthcare workers and to evaluate the awareness of obesity by using Obesity Awareness Scale. This descriptive frequency study was conducted between January 1 and March 31, 2021, in 17 Family Health Centers in the Health Training and Research Area. 119 health personnel working in Family Health Centers were included in the study. The Body Mass Index (BMI) classification accepted by the World Health Organization for adults was used to determine obesity. Obesity Awareness Scale adapted to the Turkish language was used to evaluate obesity awareness. The frequency of obesity among healthcare workers was 11.8% and overweight was 37.8%. 51.9% of physicians were overweight, 14.8% were obese; 38.5% of midwives were overweight, 15.4% were obese; 24.4% of the nurses were overweight and 9.8% were obese. The mean BMI of the participants was 18.00±0.52 for underweight, 22.65±1.35 for normal, 27.32±1.43 for overweight, and 31.53±1.68 for obese. The obesity awareness total score average of the participants was 63.97±7.47 (high level). According to the obesity awareness scale sub-dimension mean scores, obesity awareness was 28.7±3.9 (high), nutrition awareness was 20.0±3.1 (high), and physical activity was 15.3±1.8 (good). The frequency of obesity was found to be low, and the awareness of obesity was found to be high among HCWs in Family Health Centers. In addition, obesity was mostly detected in physicians, midwives, and nurses. Urgent act policies are needed to encourage both patients and HCWs to the awareness and prevention of obesity and to have a healthy lifestyle.

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Weight Change Among Adults in the UAE.

The COVID-19 pandemic which started in November 2019 and since then has led to multiple lockdowns aimed towards controlling the pandemic, these lockdowns contributed to major changes in individuals' lifestyles including eating patterns and restriction of physical activity due to continues house confinement. Such changes have significantly contributed to weight change, with increasing rates of obesity in the UAE, COVID-19have posed a major concern to the country's obesity levels. To measure the prevalence and investigate the views related to weight change among adults in the UAE during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional study was conducted through a self-administered online questionnaire distributed using social media platforms between February 15th and March 14th, 2021. The sample size was 439 adults in the UAE (18-59 years), collected by volunteer sampling. Analysis was done using SPSS with a significance of 5.0%. Exclusion criteria included pregnancy and bariatric surgeries history. 51.1% of participants gained weight, 36.2% lost weight and 12.7% maintained their weight. Meal consumption frequency and weight gain were correlated. Consuming fast food resulted in 65.7% of participants gaining weight. 66.2% of people who lost weight during the COVID-19 pandemic did exercise. Stress management and sleeping patterns were not contributing factors to the weight change. 64.4% of the participants who were not satisfied with their weight and believed that they need to make changes in their lifestyle received no guidance from professional personnel to reach their desired weight. In this study, the majority of participants have witnessed an increase in weight. UAE health authorities must provide guidance and support to the population via structured nutritional programs and lifestyle awareness campaigns.

English

This study was conducted to study the correlating factors between personal nutritional awareness and consumption behavior of the elderly in Samutprakarn Province, Thailand.  Members of the elderly society of Samutprakarn Province were interviewed with a rating scale questionnaire to know about their personal data, nutritional awareness and the factors that influence their food consumption behaviors. 400 elderlies participated in the study. Their ages range is between 60 and 84 years old (±0.79); with average age of 67.20 years. There were 156 males (38.90%) and 244 females (61.1%). Factors that influence nutritional awareness showed reliability statistic between 0.25 and 0.46 and food consumption behavior was 0.34. Moreover, result shows emotional awareness (r=0.43, p-value < 0.05), accurate self-assessment (r=0.13, p-value < 0.05), and self-confidence (r=0.16, p-value < 0.05) were positively and significantly correlated with food consumption behaviors. It can be concluded that the 3 personal awareness factors were positively correlated with food consumption behaviors. With a high rating, personal awareness can impact proper food consumption behaviors. Key word: Elderly, food consumption behavior, nutritional awareness, personal factor. &nbsp

Pregnant Women Kesti: Assistance Program "Pregnant Women Know Stunting" as an Effort to Prevent Stunting and Accidents in Bandengan, Pekalongan City

The prevalence of stunted growth among toddlers in Indonesia is a significant factor contributing to its fifth-place ranking globally, with 38% of the total number of toddlers affected by this condition. The prevalence of stunting in Pekalongan City remains considerably high, as evidenced by the recorded figure of 1,421 under-five children who were found to be stunted during the year 2021. The 1000 HPK program is an initiative aimed at preventing stunts. This 1000-day window presents an opportunity to prioritize the nutritional status, health, and psychosocial stimulation of the child during the prenatal, breastfeeding, and complementary feeding stages. The mother's involvement is crucial, as is the role of the husband or other close family members. The Bandengan sub-district region is pertinent in the context of stunting prevention, a chronic nutritional issue that arises from prolonged insufficient nutrient intake, leading to growth impairments in children, specifically a below-average height or dwarfism relative to their age standard. Support is provided through educational interventions aimed at identifying growth and development, nutritional education for expectant mothers, physical exercises, and educational strategies for expectant mothers who are breastfeeding. The outcomes of the mentoring program entail the execution of counseling sessions aimed at enhancing awareness and comprehension of maternal health and balanced nutrition during pregnancy. The objective is to emphasize the significance of fulfilling a healthy and balanced diet to prevent early childhood stunting among pregnant women

Nutritional Awareness in Intensive Care Nurses

Amaç: Bu araştırmada yoğun bakım hemşirelerinin nütrisyonel farkındalıklarının belirlenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Yöntem: Tanımlayıcı nitelikteki araştırma, Türkiye’nin batı bölgesinde bir ilde bulunan hastanelerin erişkin yoğun bakımlarında çalışan yoğun bakım hemşireleri ile gerçekleştirildi (n=143). Araştırmanın verileri, yoğun bakım hemşirelerinin sosyo-demografik ve mesleki özelliklerini belirlemeye yönelik sorulardan oluşan anket formu, Hemşirelerde Nütrisyonel Değerlendirmenin Önemi, Nütrisyonel Bakıma İlişkin Bilgi Düzeyi ve Algılanan Nütrisyonel Bakım Kalitesini Değerlendirme Ölçeği kullanılarak toplandı. Bulgular: Araştırmaya katılan hemşirelerin yaş ortalaması 29,68±6,50 yıl, %76,9’u kadın ve %68,5’i lisans mezunu, %67,1’i 1-5 yıldır yoğun bakım hemşiresi olarak görev yapmakta, %23,8’i dahili yoğun bakımda çalışmaktadır. Hemşirelerin %58,7’si hizmetiçi eğitimlerde nütrisyon konusuna yer verildiğini %51,7’si çalıştığı kurumda nütrisyon destek ekibinin bulunduğunu, %42,7’si çalıştıkları yoğun bakımda hastaların nütrisyonel değerlendirmesinin hekim tarafından yapıldığını, %61,5’i Nütrisyonel Risk Tarama Formu 2002 nütrisyonel değerlendirme formunu kullandıklarını, %37,1’i yoğun bakımda nütrisyon destek uygulamasına en çok engel olan durumun iş yükü fazlalığı olduğunu bildirmiştir. Hemşirelerin Nütrisyonel Değerlendirmenin Önemine ilişkin puan ortalaması 24,06±3,08; Nütrisyonel Bakıma İlişkin Bilgi Düzeyi puan ortalaması 29,72±3,62 ve Algılanan Nütrisyonel Bakım Kalitesine ilişkin toplam puan ortalaması 30,60±4,25 olarak bulunmuştur. Sonuç: Yoğun bakım hemşirelerinin nütrisyonel değerlendirmeye yönelik olumlu tutumları bulunmakla birlikte nütrisyonel bakıma ilişkin bilgi düzeyleri ve algıladıkları nütrisyonel bakım kaliteleri yeterli değildir. Nütrisyon destek ekibi, nütrisyon hemşiresi ve nütrisyonel değerlendirme ölçüm aracı kullanımı yoğun bakım hemşirelerinin algıladıkları nütrisyonel değerlendirme bakım kalitesini olumlu etkilemektedir.

FOOD CONSUMPTION BEHAVIOUR: A CASE STUDY AMONG FARMERS IN RURAL AREA KEDAH, MALAYSIA

Food consumption is one of the most important components in ensuring household food security. However, there are practices and beliefs that some foods are detrimental to health among low-income people, which affects food consumption in the household. The goal of this research is to look into the eating habits of farmers in the countryside of Kedah State, Malaysian. Agricultural Kedah State, including the districts of Kubang Pasu, Baling, Delay or prevent, Alor Setar, and Kuala Muda, is the focus of this research. Utilizing stratified random sampling, 225 rice growers from the rural areas of the chosen districts were chosen. Utilizing SPSS 25 and the findings of the food intake analysis, the information was analyzed. The results of the study revealed that food consumption among farmers was low with a value of less than 29.9. Almost the total food intake for each food category is low except for beverages that have a high value of above 80. The study also found that this group believes that some foods have an impact on health. The study suggests that the government should sensitize the rural population in particular to eat balanced foods. At the same time, the restructuring of the primary school curriculum and syllabus needs to be holistic so that awareness of nutrition and health can be raised in early childhood education.

Hubungan Kesadaran dan Pengetahuan Gizi serta Kesadaran Kesehatan terhadap Status Gizi Remaja Jakarta

Adolescents are prone to nutritional problems due to various factors including: diet, body perception, physical activity, medical conditions, and lifestyle. Adolescent awareness about health and nutrition, as well as knowledge of nutrition could influence that various factors due to nutritional problems in adolescents. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between nutritional awareness, nutritional knowledge, and health awareness on the nutritional status of adolescents. The design of this study was cross-sectional with 98 respondents aged 15-18 years selected by random sampling in SMA Negeri 4 Jakarta. Health awareness data was collected using the Health Conciousness Scale, nutrition awareness using a nutrition awareness questionnaire, and nutrition knowledge using a nutrition knowledge questionnaire. Data were analyzed using the Spearman rank test. The results showed that the majority (> 50%) of the respondents had normal nutritional status with sufficient nutritional knowledge and moderate nutrition and health awareness categories. There is no significant relationship between awareness and knowledge of nutrition and health awareness on the nutritional status of respondents (p>0.05). Nutritional awareness, nutritional knowledge, and health awareness are not direct causative factors that can affect nutritional status, so it is supposed that there are other factors that directly influence nutritional status, such as nutritional intake or health status. Future studies are expected to be completed with data on nutritional intake and health status as the direct causative factors of nutritional status.

The role of nutrition knowledge in dietary adjustments during COVID-19 pandemic

Knowledge/awareness significantly influences people's dietary choices, lifestyle, and inadvertently their health outcomes; hence it is imperative that people have correct information with regards to food and health. This study was undertaken to establish the role of nutrition knowledge on dietary choices and habits of people in Calabar, especially after the hard COVID-19 lockdown, and to ascertain if there was any positive or negative effect on the lifestyle of the people. It consisted of a cross-sectional survey in Calabar, Cross River State – Nigeria. An online questionnaire was prepared after sample size determination and its content validated. The questionnaire was designed to obtain data on the socio-economic status, participants' lifestyle, and changes in dietary intake/health before and during the COVID-19 lockdown, while the questionnaire link was in circulation for 6 weeks (April/May 2021). Descriptive statistics was used to define the proportion of responses for each question and Pearson's correlation was used to check for association between variables. Most participants were undergraduates depending on parents/sponsors. Financial decline appeared to have contributed to a post lockdown decrease in food consumption. Many (82.6%) respondents recorded high nutrition knowledge scores (NKS) and 83.1% of the respondents had high health scores. The results show that NKS influenced the kind of foods the respondents consumed frequently and there was a positive correlation between NKS consumption of fruits/vegetables. NKS had effect on their access to healthy foods and it varied significantly with respondent's total health score. No association existed between NKS and the reason for skipping meal - ‘lack of time to prepare meals’. Nutrition knowledge and proper awareness, contributed significantly in dietary choices (regardless of limited resources), thus ensuring adequate nutrition and reduced health problems (most respondents recorded high health scores) during a pandemic. This study affirms the effectiveness of adequate nutrition education and awareness in ensuring healthy dietary choices, promoting optimal health, and reducing risks of diseases.

Nutritional Status and Related Factors among Primary School Children, at Mangalore

Malnutrition is major public health problem in developing countries causing higher morbidity and mortality among children. The present study described nutritional status and related factors among primary school children in Mangalore so as to plan and provide basis to health care providers and policy makers to develop strategy and prevent malnutrition. This study included a total of 110 school children from class 5, 6 and 7 from the primary school situated in Mangalore City. The students were assessed for knowledge, attitude, enabling factors and reinforcing factors towards the nutrition through a questionnaire. Nutritional status of the children was determined by anthropometric Measurements and classified according to the degree of malnutrition based on Gomez standard of classification (weight- for- age) and Water low’s classification (height- for- age). Majority of the children were malnourished (82.73%) and most of the children were moderately malnourished (43.64%). Only 20% of the children had adequate nutritional knowledge and good attitude was observed only in 13.64% of the children. Boys constituted 51.82% of the study population and boy to girl ratio was 1.07:1. Most of the children were aged 11 years (34.55%) and the mean age was 11 ± 1 years. First birth order was noted among 34.55% of the children. The money spent for snacking was between one to five rupees in 54.55% and 38.18% of the children had two times snacking a day. Majority of the children lived with their parents (93.64%). With regard to parents educations and occupation, 57.27% of the parents (both father and mother) were educated upto elementary school and were labours (Father 78.18% and mother 75.45%). The average monthly income was between Rs. 1,000 to 5,000 in 47.27% of the children Majority of the children (69.09%) had > 5 family members and 39.09% of the children had no siblings Almost all the children (99.09%) were aware about health awareness programme and 97.27% were aware about food supplementary support programme in schools. Positive association was found between nutritional status and attitude towards the nutrition (p=0.004), age (p<0.001), mothers education (p=0.002) and father’s education (p=0.016). There is high prevalence of malnutrition among the school children of study area aged between 9 to 13 years. Initiatives towards the increasing awareness of nutrition in children may help to reduce the burden of malnutrition among these children.

Design, Methods, and Select Baseline Results from a School Nutrition Project for Adolescents in Bangladesh

BackgroundThe School Nutrition for Adolescents Project (SNAP) provided weekly iron and folic acid (WIFA) supplementation and menstrual hygiene management (MHM) support for girls; actions to improve water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) practices; and behavior change interventions to adolescents aged 10–19 y in 65 intervention schools in 2 districts of Bangladesh. ObjectivesWe aimed to describe the project design and select baseline results of students and school project implementers. MethodsGirls (n = 2244) and boys (n = 773) in 74 schools (clusters) and project implementers [headteachers (n = 74), teachers (n = 96), and student leaders (n = 91)] participated in a survey assessing nutrition, MHM, and WASH knowledge and experience. Hemoglobin, inflammation-adjusted ferritin, retinol-binding protein, and serum and RBC folate (RBCF) levels in girls were measured. School WASH infrastructure was observed and drinking water was tested for E. coli. ResultsIFA and deworming tablet intake in the last 1 and 6 mo were 4% and 81% for girls and 1% and 86%, respectively. Applying the Minimum Dietary Diversity for Women (MDD-W) tool, most (63%–68%) girls and boys achieved minimum dietary diversity. Fewer adolescents (14%–52%) had ever heard of anemia, IFA tablets, or worm infestation than project implementers (47%–100%). Girls (35%) missed school during menstruation; 39% reported of ever leaving school due to unexpected menstruation. The micronutrient status and deficiency severity varied: anemia (25%), RBCF insufficiency (76%), risk of serum folate deficiency (10%), deficiencies of iron (9%), and vitamin A (3%). WASH in school sustainable development goal (SDG) indicators achievement varied: basic drinking water service (70%), basic sanitation service (42%), and basic hygiene service (3%); 59% of sampled drinking water access points complied with WHO E. coli standards. ConclusionsThere is room for improvement of nutrition and health awareness, practices, micronutrient status, SDG basic WASH in-school services, and E coli contamination in school drinking water.This trial was registered in clinicaltrials.gov as NCT05455073.

Effects of Weight Gain During Pregnancy in Normal-Weight Women on Changes in the Gut Microbiota of Pregnant Women in the Third Trimester.

With the improvement of living standards and the lack of nutrition awareness during pregnancy, the phenomenon of excessive weight gain (EWG) of pregnancy is increasing. EWG during pregnancy has profound effects on the health of mother and offspring. The role of intestinal flora in regulating metabolic diseases has gradually attracted attention in recent years. The study explored the effect of EWG during pregnancy on gut microbiota, and analyzed the diversity and composition of gut microbiota in pregnant women in third trimester. Fecal samples were collected and divided into: insufficient weight gain (IWG)during pregnancy (group A1, N = 4), and appropriate weight gain (AWG) during pregnancy (group A2, N = 9), and EWG during pregnancy (N = 9 in A3 group). MiSeq high-throughput sequencing technology and bioinformatics analysis were introduced to investigate relationship of gestational weight gain and maternal gut microbiota. General data analysis showed that gestational weight gain and delivery mode have significant differences among the three groups. The overall level and diversity of intestinal microbiota in A1 and A3 group were increased. Composition of gut microbiota has no difference among three groups at the phylum level, but species of gut microbiota were different. Alpha diversity index analysis showed that the richness of A3 group was increased versus A2 group. EWG during pregnancy affects the abundance and proportion of gut microbiota in the third trimester. Therefore, maintaining moderate weight gain during pregnancy helps to maintain intestinal homeostasis.

Food taboos during pregnancy and lactation among tribal population of south India

Background: Good nutrition paves the way for a fair chance in life. Food taboos exist in all the communities and do vary from one community to another. Objectives of current study were to study the socio-demographic profile of the tribal pregnant women, to explore food taboos during pregnancy and lactation among the tribal pregnant women and to assess association between sociodemographic characteristics and food taboo among pregnant women. Methods: This cross‑sectional study was conducted from July 2022 to August 2022 in tribal area among tribal pregnant women from selected area. They were interviewed for which pre-tested structured format was used. Sample size calculated was 303.SPSS version 26.0 was used to calculate statistics. Results: 265 (87.4%) study respondents reported that they include certain special food items during pregnancy. 263 (86.7%) respondents reported that they include certain special food items during lactation. 219 (72.3%) pregnant mothers reported that they avoid certain foods during pregnancy while 149 (49.2%) mothers reported that they avoid certain foods during lactation. Educational level, socio-economic status, occupation, type of housing of the study respondents was significantly associated with the avoidance of food items during pregnancy and lactation (food taboo practices). Conclusions: Study respondent’s cultural belief in food practices are major reason for their avoidance of certain food items during pregnancy and lactation. Nutrition education and awareness will bring behavioural change among these tribal mothers.