Fruit Consumption Research Articles

The relationship between food components and constipation: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundThe worldwide incidence of constipation is exhibiting an increasing trend. The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between dietary components and the occurrence of constipation.MethodsSociodemographic characteristics data of participants experiencing constipation and those without were sourced from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES; 2000–2010; n = 1903; ≥20 years). Sociodemographic characteristics of participants experiencing constipation and those without were sourced from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Data from two 24-hour dietary recalls (n = 1696; participants aged 20 years and older) were utilized to compare the dietary intake of various food components between constipated and non-constipated individuals, as well as to investigate the relationship between food component consumption and constipation. Odds ratios (OR) were calculated using an adjusted model. The distribution of the data was illustrated through a histogram. Based on this distribution, vegetable intake was categorized into five groups (0-0.733, 0.733–1.47, 1.47–2.2, 2.2–2.93, 2.93-8) for the purpose of subgroup analysis.ResultsThe median age of individuals experiencing constipation is 41.5 years, with women accounting for 65.3% and men accounting for 34.7%. The consumption of fruits (constipated people = 0.79 cups/d; non-constipated people = 0.93 cups/d), vegetables (1.21 cups/d; 1.59 cups/d), dairy (1.68 cups/d; 1.55 cups/d), and oils (15.31 g/d; 19.61 g/d) is below the recommended dietary intake for both groups. After multivariable adjustment, vegetable consumption (OR: 0.74, 95% CI: 0.59–0.92, p = 0.008) and female (OR: 2.12, 95% CI: 1.38–3.24, p < 0.001) were identified as significant predictors of constipation. The subgroup analysis concerning vegetable consumption indicated a statistically significant result within Group (2.93,8 ] [OR: 0.2, 95% CI: 0.069–0.57].ConclusionsThe findings of the research suggest that it is advisable for individuals to consume a minimum of 2.93 cups of vegetables daily. Furthermore, females exhibit a significantly elevated risk of experiencing constipation. However, no association has been identified between constipation and either age or educational level.

Preconception health in adolescence and adulthood across generations in the UK: Findings from three British birth cohort studies.

Optimising preconception health in women and men holds significant potential for improving pregnancy and offspring health outcomes. To create a picture of the state of preconception health in the UK, this study aimed to describe the prevalence of and changes in preconception health indicators reported in three British birth cohort studies: the 1970 British Birth Cohort Study (BCS70; born in 1970; N = 17,198), Next Steps (1989-1990; N = 15,770), and Millennium Cohort Study (MCS; 2000-2002; N = 19,517). The analysis focused on data obtained during participants' adolescence (16-17 years) and subsequent follow-ups at 25-26 years for BCS70 and Next Steps. Self-reported preconception indicators were defined in line with a previously published review and reported as proportions. Across cohorts, data were available for 14 preconception indicators across four domains: health behaviours and weight, reproductive health and family planning, physical health conditions, and wider determinants of health. However, data for these indicators were not consistently available for all cohort members. Findings suggested persistent suboptimal health behaviours in both genders and across generations, including low intakes of fruit. While alcohol, tobacco, and soft drink intake decreased across generations, obesity prevalence surged. This study underscores the need for public health interventions targeting the root causes of adverse health behaviours towards improvement of fruit consumption, further reduction in alcohol, tobacco, and soft drink consumption, and addressing the escalating obesity rates among individuals of reproductive age. Ongoing monitoring is needed to continue tracking these existing indicators over time, while improved data quality and availability of a wider range of preconception indicators are crucial to comprehensively understanding the complexities of preconception health, enabling the development of more targeted and effective interventions.

The selective consumption of European ivy (Hedera helix) berries by the Common Blackbird (Turdus merula)

Seed dispersal of plants affects the spatial structure and population dynamics, contributing to ecosystem functioning. Birds are among the most important seed dispersers. Preferences of birds in fruit and berry consumption are potentially significant selective pressures on the evolution of fruit traits that affect plant fitness. European ivy (Hedera helix) is a widespread deciduous species in Europe and the Common Blackbird (Turdus merula) is important seed disperser. This study investigates blackbird feeding preferences for specific sizes of ivy seeds. Field data was collected in a small settlement east of Simferopol city in Crimea and included a collection of reference seeds gathered from plants and seeds found in bird excretions. The length of the major axis, minor axis, and aspect ratio were measured, and statistical analysis was performed. The length of the major and minor axes of seeds consumed by blackbirds was higher compared with the reference collection, the aspect ratio was the opposite. Evidence of size differences could suggest weak effect of selective consumption of blackbirds on seed shape. This research extends our knowledge of the ecological relationship between frugivorous birds and plants and the role of birds in directional selection in a particular locality.

Everyday Social Support for Health Behaviours in Older Adults during Times of Challenge: Evidence from Daily Life Assessments.

The COVID-19 pandemic challenged older adults' health behaviours, making it even more difficult to engage in healthy diets and physical activity than it had been prepandemic. A resource to promote these could be social support. This study uses data from 136 older adults (Mage = 71.39 years, SD = 5.15, range: 63-87) who reported their daily fruit and vegetable consumption, steps, and health-behaviour-specific support from a close other every evening for up to 10 consecutive days. Findings show that on days when participants reported more emotional support than usual, fruit and vegetable consumption and step counts were higher. Daily instrumental support was positively associated with step counts, only. Participants receiving more overall emotional support across the study period consumed more fruit and vegetables; no parallel person-level association was found for overall steps. There were no significant interactions between dyad type and support links for our outcomes.

Seasonal variation in aggression and physiological stress in wild female and male redfronted lemurs (Eulemur rufifrons)

Intraspecific competition with fellow group members represents an unavoidable cost of group living. However, the causes of competition can vary among group members, and ecological and reproductive challenges faced by individuals throughout the year can trigger physical conflicts and or physiological responses. To date, few studies in mammals have described both physiological and behavioral responses to competition simultaneously across the year in both males and females. However, such an approach may shed light on ultimate drivers of sex-specific competitive strategies. In this six-year study on multiple groups of wild redfronted lemurs (Eulemur rufifrons), a primate species from Madagascar, we intended to identify the relative importance of feeding vs. reproductive competition for both sexes. We combined data on fecal glucocorticoid metabolite (FGCM) levels, a proxy for the physiological stress response, with behavioral observations on agonistic interactions during ecologically and socially challenging phases across the year. We found that while FGCM levels increased in both sexes with decreasing fruit consumption, this increase was not accompanied by concomitant changes in agonistic behavior. Female aggression and FGCM levels instead peaked during the birth season, while for males, aggression remained fairly constant across the year. Our results suggest that redfronted lemurs have mechanisms to avoid direct competition through aggression at times when individuals may need to conserve energy.

Calcium alginate-encapsulated propolis microcapsules: Optimization, characterization, and preservation effects on postharvest sweet cherry

The increasing consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables has led to the development of eco-friendly and active preservation materials which have slow-release effect of antioxidant/antifungal agents. The propolis microcapsules (PM), utilizing calcium alginate as the wall material, incorporating ethanolic extract of propolis (EEP) as the core material, were prepared by ionic gelation method and conducted a investigation of its characteristics After optimization by single factor experiment and theoretical response models, PM which was prepared by dropping 9.3 g L−1 100 mL sodium alginate solution containing 9.8 mL EEP into 0.22 mol L−1 calcium chloride solution showed an encapsulation efficiency of 69.29±1.12 %. Prepared microcapsules were spherical with a dense surface which protected propolis well from the environment, retained a large number of bio-active compounds and improve thermal stability of propolis. Moreover, the microcapsules exhibited good slow-release effect and good inhibitory influence on the development of Alternaria Alternata growth which the colony diameter of the control was 41.38 % higher than the treatment at day six. With 5.0 g PM placed in the small non-woven bag in the application on sweet cherries with non-direct contact method, the decay rate and weight loss of fruits were reduced by 47.5 % and 17.6 %, concurrently the PM also effectively maintain the good appearance, hardness, antioxidant capacity by slowing the reduction in the content of total phenols, flavonoids and enzymatic activities. Therefore, the PM with superior antioxidant and antifungal capacity have the great potential to design as a practical active materials for fruits preservation.

“Prevalence And Risk Factors Of Cardiovascular Diseases Among Adults Of Selected Rural Community At Siliguri, West Bengal.”

Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a group of disorders of the heart and blood vessels and include coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, rheumatic heart disease, and other conditions. More than four out of five CVD deaths are due to heart attacks and strokes, and one-third of these deaths occur prematurely. Since there are not many studies on these rural communities to identify the prevalence rate and associated risk factors, so the investigators have selected this study for proper risk identification, assessing the prevalence rate and educating and motivating adults on appropriate screening, prevention, and treatment. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted in a rural community in West Bengal, India. Total 100 numbers of adults were selected for the study. The prevalence rate and risk factors of cardiovascular diseases were assessed using the structured interview schedule and physical measurements. Results: The result reveals that regarding behavioural risk factors of Cardiovascular diseases, among the 100 participants, 60(60%) consume Tobacco products and 81 (81%) consume Alcohol, Adequate consumption of Fruits and vegetables is only 10(10%) i.e. more than 5 times in a week, 19(19%) perform sufficient physical activity/exercise i.e more than 150 minutes/week. Regarding physical assessments, the overweight was 19(19%) and obesity was 9(9%), the abdominal obesity in males was 31(31%), and in females was 35 (35%). The prevalence rate of Hypertension was 23(23%), Stroke was 2(2%), Coronary Heart Disease was 7(7%), High blood cholesterol was 2(2%), and Diabetes Mellitus was 11(11%). Conclusion: The study demonstrated the high burden of fatal CVDs and identified the impact of CVDs risk factors such as hypertension, self-reported diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, alcohol, and abdominal obesity. The significant incidence of CVDs risk factors in the rural communities, particularly among those who are overweight or obese, necessitates early clinical identification, referral and appropriate management of clients in primary health care settings

Healthy Diets and Lifestyles in the World: Mediterranean and Blue Zone People Live Longer. Special Focus on Gut Microbiota and Some Food Components.

Longevity has been associated with healthy lifestyles, including some dietary regimens, such as the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) and the Blue Zone (BZ) diets. MedDiet relies on a large consumption of fruit, vegetables, cereals, and extra-virgin olive oil, with less red meat and fat intake. Four major BZ have been recognized in the world, namely, Ogliastra in Sardinia (Italy), Ikaria (Greece), the Peninsula of Nicoya (Costa Rica), and Okinawa (Japan). Extreme longevity in these areas has been associated with correct lifestyles and dietary regimens. Fibers, polyphenols, beta-glucans, and unsaturated fatty acids represent the major constituents of both MedDiet and BZ diets, given their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. Particularly, inhibition of the NF-kB pathway, with a reduced release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and induction of T regulatory cells, with the production of the anti-inflammatory cytokine, interleukin- 10, are the main mechanisms that prevent or attenuate the "inflammaging." Notably, consistent physical activity, intense social interactions, and an optimistic attitude contribute to longevity in BZD areas. Commonalities and differences between MedDIet and BZ diets will be outlined, with special reference to microbiota and food components, which may contribute to longevity.

Abuse and neglect as indicators of unhealthy behaviours among 15-year-old schoolchildren in Albania

ObjectiveWe assessed the independent associations of lifetime child abuse and neglect indices with behavioural characteristics of children. Study designA cross-sectional study was conducted in Albania in 2022. MethodsParticipants consisted of a nationwide representative sample of 1877 schoolchildren aged 15 years (55 % girls; response: 96 %). Data on lifetime child abuse and neglect were collected, along with behavioural factors and sociodemographic characteristics. Binary logistic regression was used to assess the independent associations of child abuse and neglect with behavioural factors of schoolchildren. ResultsIrrespective of sociodemographic characteristics, lifetime physical abuse was positively related to lifetime smoking (OR = 1.8, 95%CI = 1.4–2.3), lifetime alcohol consumption (OR = 2.4, 95%CI = 1.9–2.9), and breakfast skipping (OR = 1.3, 95%CI = 1.0–1.6). Furthermore, positive independent factors associated with emotional abuse included lifetime alcohol intake (OR = 1.7, 95%CI = 1.3–2.1) and breakfast skipping (OR = 1.4, 95%CI = 1.0–1.8). Additionally, positive factors associated with lifetime emotional neglect consisted of lifetime smoking (OR = 2.2, 95%CI = 1.6–3.0) and alcohol intake (OR = 2.0, 95%CI = 1.5–2.6), and a lower fruit consumption (OR = 1.7, 95%CI = 1.3–2.3). Positive factors associated with lifetime sexual abuse included lifetime alcohol consumption (OR = 2.4, 95%CI = 1.4–4.1) and especially smoking (OR = 4.3, 95%CI = 2.6–7.3). Also, lifetime witnessing of family violence was positively related to lifetime smoking (OR = 2.7, 95%CI = 1.8–4.1) and alcohol intake (OR = 1.7, 95%CI = 1.2–2.6). ConclusionsWe evidenced strong and consistent links between child maltreatment indices and unhealthy behavioural practices among 15-year-old children in Albania. These findings underscore the potential impact of early trauma on developmental trajectories. The association between child abuse and the adoption of detrimental behaviours highlights the urgent need for comprehensive support and intervention strategies to break the cycle of harm.

Through the eyes of the Andean bear: Camera collar insights into the life of a threatened South American Ursid.

Due to Andean bears' propensity for inhabiting challenging environments and terrain, their wild ecology remains poorly understood, especially when compared to other members of the Ursidae family. In one of the steepest, wettest regions of the Andes, the Kosñipata Valley of southeastern Peru, we attached and retrieved camera-borne collars on three wild free-ranging Andean bears. From just one longer term camera collar deployed on a single individual over a period of 4 months, we observed a variety of rare or previously undocumented natural history observations. These include courtship and mating behaviors, social interactions with conspecifics, novel dietary items of previously unrecorded fruit consumption, cannibalism, potential infanticide, the sole documented case of primate consumption, and evidence of geophagy. The wealth of novel natural history insights gained from just 4 months of camera collar data of this poorly studied species has elucidated numerous avenues warranting further investigation.

Strategic marketing and consumer perception of dried fruit brands: The role of entrepreneurs in promoting dried fruit consumption in Bangladesh

This research focuses on developing a comprehensive marketing strategy for a new dry fruit brand in Bangladesh. Dry fruits are gaining popularity globally due to their nutritional benefits and ease of storage, but the culture around their consumption remains limited in Bangladesh. This paper investigates consumer perceptions and preferences regarding dried fruits, identifying key market opportunities and challenges. Through a blend of primary data collected from consumers and secondary data from various publications, the research analyzes market trends and proposes strategic approaches to building brand awareness, fostering consumer loyalty, and increasing market share. The study also explores how new business can address consumer confusion related to sugar-infused dried fruits and position itself as a leader in the health-conscious snack segment.

Prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors according to Life's Essential 8 in children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review and meta-analysis including 1 526 173 participants from 42 countries.

Cardiovascular health is a crucial aspect of overall health. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors among children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic based on the Life's Essential 8 domains. PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science were systematically searched until 24 February 2023. Studies had to meet the following criteria: (1) observational studies, (2) studies reporting proportion of selected risk factors, (3) studies involving children or adolescents, (4) studies that collected data during the COVID-19 pandemic and (5) studies with representative samples. The outcomes included were diet, physical activity, nicotine exposure, sleep health, obesity, dyslipidaemia, diabetes and elevated blood pressure. Sixty-two studies with 1 526 173 participants from 42 countries were included. Of these, 41 studies were used in the meta-analyses. The overall pooled prevalence of risk factors in the behavioural domain was as follows: poor quality diet 26.69% (95% CI 0.00%-85.64%), inadequate physical activity 70.81% (95% CI 64.41%-76.83%), nicotine exposure 9.24% (95% CI 5.53%-13.77%) and sleep disorders 33.49% (95% CI 25.24%-42.28%). The overall pooled prevalence of risk factors in the health domain was as follows: obesity 16.21% (95% CI 12.71%-20.04%), dyslipidaemia 1.87% (95% CI 1.73%-2.01%), diabetes 1.17% (95% CI 0.83%-1.58%) and elevated blood pressure 11.87% (95% CI 0.26%-36.50%). These results highlight the need for prevention strategies to maintain better cardiovascular health from an early age, particularly by increasing physical activity levels, sleep time and promoting the consumption of more fruits and vegetables.

Daily Intake of Two or More Servings of Vegetables Is Associated with a Lower Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome in Older People.

We sought to examine the correlation between the recommended consumption of at least two servings (400 g) of vegetables per day and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in an elderly population. This observational, cross-sectional, and descriptive study was conducted with 264 non-institutionalized people aged 65 to 79 years old. We adhered to the recommended guidelines for vegetable intake from the MEDAS-14 questionnaire, which has been validated for elderly populations at high cardiovascular risk. Diagnoses of MetS were made based on the criteria set forth by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). Among 264 individuals, who had a mean age of 71.9 (SD: 4.2) and comprised 39% men, the prevalence of MetS was 40.2%. A total of 17% of the participants adhered to the recommended vegetable consumption. Consuming the recommended amount of vegetables was correlated with a 19% reduction in the prevalence of MetS, to 24.4% from 43.4% among those with low vegetable consumption (p < 0.05). A main finding was that inadequate vegetable consumption was significantly associated with a higher prevalence of MetS (OR: 2.21; 95% CI: 1.06-4.63; p = 0.035), considering potential influences by nutritional (consumption of fruit and nuts) and socio-demographic (sex, age, and level of education) covariates. A beneficial inverse correlation was identified between the recommended vegetable intake and the prevalence of MetS. In contrast, inadequate vegetable consumption was revealed as an independent variable associated with the prevalence of MetS. Considering the very low adherence to the recommended vegetable intake we observed, encouraging increased vegetable consumption among older individuals, who have a high prevalence of MetS, is advisable.

The Association Between Periconceptual Maternal Dietary Patterns and Miscarriage Risk in Women With Recurrent Miscarriages: A Multicentre Cohort Study.

To examine the association between periconceptual maternal diet and miscarriage risk among women with recurrent miscarriages. Prospective multicentre cohort study (Tommy's Net). Three university hospital research centres in the United Kingdom. 1035 women with a baseline history of two or more miscarriages. We analysed baseline dietary data from a 10-item Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). For individual food category analyses, we used multivariable Poisson regression following adjustment for maternal confounders and paternal dietary patterns. For whole diet analyses, ordinal principal component analysis (PCA) was used to identify common dietary patterns. Results were presented as relative risks (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) and accompanying p-values. Miscarriage rate, defined as the rate of spontaneous pregnancy loss (< 24 weeks of gestation) relative to the total number of pregnancies (miscarriages and live births). High consumption of fruit and nuts (almonds and walnuts) was associated with lower miscarriage risk (fruit 226/662 (34.1%) vs. 38/77 (49.4%), RR 0.66, 95% CI 0.51 to 0.85, p = 0.001; nuts 47/152 (30.9%) vs. 220/613 (35.9%), RR 0.73, 95% CI 0.54 to 0.98, p = 0.039). High red meat intake was associated with a possible increase in miscarriage risk (6/12 (50.0%) vs. 165/469 (35.2%), RR 1.86, 95% CI 1.10 to 3.16, p = 0.022). The association with miscarriage risk was unclear for other food groups, including fresh vegetables, white meat, fish, dairy, eggs, soya and chocolate, due to imprecise point estimates. Through PCA, we identified three data-derived dietary patterns. Yet, no distinct relationship emerged between these dietary patterns and miscarriage risk. A maternal diet rich in fresh fruits and nuts is associated with a lower miscarriage risk among women with a history of recurrent miscarriage. Tommy's Net (ISRCTN17732518) https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN17732518. Analysis plan (OSF zp7cs) https://osf.io/zp7cs.

Behavioral and Sociodemographic Risk Factors of High Blood Pressure Among Community in Medan City

&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a worldwide health issue. The prevalence of hypertension is still high today. However, there are no established risk factors for hypertension. The purpose of this study was to identify risk factors for hypertension. This study used a cross-sectional design and was observational. The sample included 200 recruits that were purposively selected from 4 subdistricts in Medan city. Data were collected through interviews and made measurements. Data were analyzed using simple and multiple logistic regression. Prevalence of high blood pressure was 59.0%, consisting of pre hypertension at 24.5% and hypertension at as much as 34.5%. The majority of respondents were aged 45 years or younger (66.0%), 185 were female (92.5%), 124 were low income (62.0%), 143 had no family history (71.5%), 95 were overweight (47.5%), 137 were normal blood glucose, 183 had no smoking habit (91.5%), and 134 were physically inactive (67,0%). The Multiple Logistic regression showed that age, Basal metabolic index, daily vegetables, and fruit consumption are significant factors that contribute to high blood pressure in the community in Medan City. Age, BMI and daily vegetables and fruit consumption are significant factors with high blood pressure among community. Intervention programs should be primarily focused on risk factors such as losing weight and maintaining an ideal body weight and implementing healthy lifestyle.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Keyword: High blood pressure, Prevalence, Determinant &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;

A Comparative Study on the Antioxidant Potentials of Hybrid and Generic Papayas Available in Jaffna, Sri Lanka

Generic papaya is a tropical plant abundant in Sri Lanka. Traditionally, it has been used therapeutically as it is a good source of polyphenols, carotenoids and an excellent source of vitamins that are powerful antioxidants. Specially, unripe fruit and leaf of papaya are recognized as a remedy for cancer and heart diseases due to their high antioxidant content. Recently, consumption of hybrid papaya fruits has increased as they are readily available in the local markets. However, the phytochemical constituents and quantity of these hybrid papaya varieties may differ from those available in the generic plant and hence their antioxidant potentials may also vary. Meanwhile there is concern within the community whether hybrid papaya has the same nutritional values as generic papaya. However, there have been no investigation done on the antioxidant activity of hybrid papaya available in Jaffna. Therefore, this study focused on investigating the in-vitro antioxidant potential of leaf and unripe fruit of generic and selected hybrid papaya varieties using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. The unripe fruits and leaves of generic and selected hybrid (Red lady, Maradona, Tanin and Vega F1) varieties were collected from the Agricultural Research and Training Centre in Jaffna, Sri Lanka. The unripe fruit was sliced after removing the skin and seeds. The sliced unripe fruit and leaves were shade dried and powdered. The powdered plant materials were macerated with methanol and ethyl acetate separately for 48 hours at room temperature. The DPPH assay was carried out on the methanol and ethyl acetate extracts of the individual plant materials by employing ascorbic acid as the standard. The obtained data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA at 5% significance level and a significant difference between the antioxidant activities of the standard (IC50 value = 12.394 μg/mL) and the selected papaya extracts (IC50 values vary from 430.641 – 6,652.267 μg/mL) was found. Further, the selected hybrid papayas exhibited better antioxidant properties than the generic one; but, did not show a common trend within them. The leaf extracts were found to possess more antioxidant potential than the unripe fruit extracts of the same papaya variety. With respect to the solvents employed in extraction, methanolic extracts of the selected papayas showed better antioxidant activity than the corresponding ethyl acetate extracts. Preliminary phytochemical screening of the leaf and unripe fruit extracts of hybrid papayas revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, polyphenols and glycosides, which could be responsible for their antioxidant activity. The finding of the study revealed that hybrid papaya could be used as a raw material for functional food as generic papaya. However, there is a need to evaluate the other nutritional values to confirm it further.

Study of Relationship Between Food Habits and the Occurrence of Constipation Among Students in Ivory Coast

The work of Amoikon &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;et al.&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; (2016) showed a high prevalence of constipation and dietary deviations in a student population in Ivory coast. In order to seek a probable relationship between dietary factors and this health problem, a study was carried out at the Felix Houphouët-Boigny University of Ivory Coast. It took place from October 15, 2016 to February 17, 2017 in a population of 1228 students, with an average age of 22.5 years, dominated by males. This is a prospective cross-sectional study, with a descriptive and analytical aim, with the main objective of studying the relationship between eating habits and the appearance of constipation among students. After analysing the relationship between their eating habits and the occurrence of constipation, it was blamed, on the one hand, the high consumption of certain foods such as red meat, carbonated drinks, sugary foods, foods containing eggs or milk and on the other hand a low consumption of water, fruits and vegetables. In view of these results we can conclude that certain inadequate dietary behaviors are responsible for constipation in students’ population and could have repercussions on their success rate in our universities. To this end, it would be important to organize nutritional awareness campaigns throughout the country and to educate students with a view to improve their eating habits and their health conditions.

The association between fruit and vegetable intake and gastrointestinal cancers risk from Mendelian randomization analysis

Recent research has demonstrated a relationship between fruit and vegetable intake and gastrointestinal cancers, but the causality of these associations remains uncertain. This investigation sought to elucidate whether there is a potential causal relationship between the intake of fruits and vegetables and the risk of gastrointestinal cancers. Employing two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR), this research explored the causative influence of consuming fruits (fresh and dried) and vegetables (salads/raw and cooked) on the susceptibility to gastrointestinal cancers. The UK Medical Research Council-Integrative Epidemiology Unit (MRC-IEU) provided the summary statistics for these exposure variables, while the summary statistics for outcome data came from four other data sources. Univariable and multivariable MR were performed using inverse variance-weighted (IVW), MR-Egger, weighted media (WM), and Lasso model methods. Besides, multiple methods were employed for sensitivity analyses to guarantee the robustness of the findings, including MR-Egger intercept, Cochran’s Q test, and MR-PRESSO. Furthermore, the Phenoscanner V2 database was employed to identify possible confounders. The main analysis of univariable MR found that dried fruit consumption provided protection against pancreatic and oral cavity/pharyngeal cancers. However, this correlation becomes non-significant when potential confounders such as smoking, drinking, and body mass index (BMI) are accounted for. Furthermore, neither univariate nor multivariate MR analyses revealed enough data to prove a causal relationship between the intake of fresh fruit, vegetables (including salad/raw and cooked), and gastrointestinal cancers. There is insufficient evidence for a causal association between the consumption of fruits and vegetables and the occurrence of gastrointestinal cancers. Further empirical research is needed to corroborate these dietary factors’ role in the etiology of gastrointestinal cancers.

Mercury in saliva, milk, and hair of nursing mothers in southeastern Iranian mothers: levels, distribution and risk assessment.

This research is on lactating mothers in the city of Chah Bahar in Iran. This descriptive-analytical and questionnaire study selected a random sample of 80 mothers to examine mercury levels in their hair, milk, and saliva. The average concentration of mercury in milk, hair and saliva of mothers was 1.23 ± 0.48µg/l, 1.81 ± 0.55µg/g and 1.10 ± 0.63µg/l, respectively. There was a significant correlation between mercury levels in mothers saliva and hair. Still, only a weak correlation was found between mercury levels in milk and hair, and milk and saliva, possibly associated with the high lipid content in milk. The number of children and length of the mother's pregnancy were related to the amount of mercury in the mother's milk. The number of teeth filled with amalgam, consumption of fish and marine products, consumption of fruit, and infant's weight at birth were also associated with the amount of mercury in breast milk. Chewing gum, fish consumption, infant's birth weight, weight, and length of pregnancy were among the factors associated with the amount of mercury in mothers' saliva. The mercury concentration in milk exceeded the WHO (1.4-1.7µg/g) normal level in 8.5%mothers, and hair mercury was found in 12.5% mothers. It should be kept in mind that any amount of mercury can be harmful.

Understanding developmental progress in young children: Exploring demographic and dietary influences through a cross-sectional study

BackgroundDevelopmental surveillance is a crucial task aimed at monitoring and ensuring children's age-appropriate progression. However, demographics and dietary factors can significantly influence the developmental progress of young children. MethodsWe employed a cross-sectional study design, enrolling children aged 2–5 years from early childhood education settings. Their age-appropriate development was assessed using the Ages and Stages Questionnaires. ResultsOur study revealed that children demonstrated adequate development across all assessed domains. Notably, communication skills exhibited the highest mean score (Mean: 53.09, SD: 7.34) compared to other domains. Sex-based analysis revealed substantial disparities between young boys and girls, particularly in regard to fine motor and social-emotional skills, with differences exceeding 20 %. Additionally, fathers' education and socio-economic status were found to influence developmental outcomes. Fruit and vegetable consumption positively correlated with development, while dairy intake demonstrated a negative association. ConclusionThis research underscores the significance of addressing developmental disparities related to sex and emphasises the necessity of investigating the role of the modern diet in child development, with specific attention to milk and dairy consumption.