Dietary Intake Recommendations Research Articles

Effect of Fatty Acids on Glucose Metabolism and Type 2 Diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes is an inflammatory, non-infectious disease characterized by dysfunctional pancreatic β-cells and insulin resistance. Although lifestyle, genetic, and environmental factors are associated with a high risk of type 2 diabetes, nutrition remains one of the most significant factors. Specific types and increased amounts of dietary fatty acids are associated with type 2 diabetes and its complications. Dietary recommendations for the prevention of type 2 diabetes advocate for a diet that is characterized by reduced saturated fatty acids and trans fatty acids alongside an increased consumption of monounsaturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and omega-3 fatty acids. Although following the recommendations for dietary fatty acid intake is important for reducing type 2 diabetes and its related complications, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This review will provide an update on the mechanisms of action of fatty acids on glucose metabolism and type 2 diabetes, as well as dietary recommendations for the prevention of type 2 diabetes.

Nutritional status of Saudi obese patients undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, one-year follow-up study.

Bariatric surgery has significantly increased globally as an effective treatment for severe obesity. Nutritional deficits are common among candidates for bariatric surgery, and follow-up of nutritional status is critically needed for post-surgery healthcare management. This observational prospective study was conducted at King Khalid University Hospital in Riyadh. Samples were collected pre- and post-laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG), with the visit intervals divided into four visits: pre-surgery (0M), 3 months (3M), 6 months (6M) and 12 months (12M). Food intake and eating patterns significantly changed during the first year (P < 0·001). The mean energy intake at 3M post-surgery was 738·3 kcal, significantly lower than the pre-surgery energy intake of 2059 kcal. Then, it increased gradually at 6M and 12M to reach 1069 kcal (P < 0·00). The intake of Fe, vitamin B12 and vitamin D was below the dietary reference intake recommendations, as indicated by the 24-hour dietary recall. The prevalence of 25 (OH) vitamin D deficiency improved significantly from pre- to post-surgery (P < 0·001). Vitamin B12 deficiency was less reported pre-LSG and improved steadily towards a sufficient post-surgery status. However, 35·7 % of participants were deficient in Fe status, with 28·6% being female at higher levels than males. While protein supplementation decreased significantly over the 12M follow-up, the use of vitamin supplements dramatically increased at 3 and 6M before declining at 12M. Fe and vitamin B12 were the most popular supplements after vitamin D. This study confirms the necessity for individualised dietary plans and close monitoring of candidates' nutritional status before and after bariatric surgery.

An Investigation on Adherence to the Daily Dietary Intake Recommendations among Pregnant Women in Jigawa North-West Zone, Nigeria

Introduction: Past investigations revealed that there were no specific recorded data available on the adherence to the daily recommended dietary intakes among pregnant women in Jigawa North-West zone in Nigeria. Purpose: This study investigates the adherence of a cohort of pregnant women to the daily dietary intake recommendations in Jigawa north west zone, Nigeria. Methodology: The study cohort was population based of enrolled pregnant women who routinely attended the antenatal care of the General Hospital Kazaure (GHK), Jigawa state, Nigeria. A total of 207 pregnant women were enrolled for the study, where a descriptive study was conducted using Semi-Quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire (SQFFQ) administered in a face to face interviewed-administrated procedure. Data Analysis: Data obtained were presented using descriptive statistics, relative frequencies and charts. The analysis was done using the SPSS statistical software package and the level of significance was set at p&lt;0.05. The data analyzed were presented as frequency tables. Pearson chi‑square (X^2) and t‑tests were used to test for associations between categorical and continuous variables, respectively. Results and Conclusion: The results revealed that most of the pregnant women in the zone do not adhere to nutritional guidelines in their pregnancy, none of the enrolled women met the recommendations for all the FiveFood Groups (FFG). Adherence on some of FFG varies more with their socioeconomic characteristics than their locations

Rethinking the classification of non-digestible carbohydrates: Perspectives from the gut microbiome.

Clarification is required when the term "carbohydrate" is used interchangeably with "saccharide" and "glycan." Carbohydrate classification based on human digestive enzyme activities brings clarity to the energy supply function of digestible sugars and starch. However, categorizing structurally diverse non-digestible carbohydrates (NDCs) to make dietary intake recommendations for health promotion remains elusive. In this review, we present a summary of the strengths and weaknesses of the traditional dichotomic classifications of carbohydrates, which were introduced by food chemists, nutritionists, and microbiologists. In parallel, we discuss the current consensus on commonly used terms for NDCs such as "dietary fiber," "prebiotics," and "fermentable glycans" and highlight their inherent differences from the perspectives of gut microbiome. Moreover, we provide a historical perspective on the development of novel concepts such as microbiota-accessible carbohydrates, microbiota-directed fiber, targeted prebiotics, and glycobiome. Crucially, these novel concepts proposed by multidisciplinary scholars help to distinguish the interactions between diverse NDCs and the gut microbiome. In summary, the term NDCs created based on the inability of human digestive enzymes fails to denote their interactions with gut microbiome. Considering that the gut microbiome possesses sophisticated enzyme systems to harvest diverse NDCs, the subclassification of NDCs should be realigned to their metabolism by various gut microbes, particularly health-promoting microbes. Such rigorous categorizations facilitate the development of microbiome-targeted therapeutic strategies by incorporating specific types of NDCs.

Prevalence of iron deficiency anemia in exclusively breastfed infants after a 5-month iron supplementation

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is prevalent in exclusively breastfed (EBF) Thai infants. However, in Thailand, iron supplementation guidelines for EBF infants are not available. This prospective open-label study aimed to estimate the prevalence of IDA in 9-month-old EBF infants after receiving iron supplementation from 4 months of age until they consumed adequate iron-rich food. Forty-seven healthy, 4-month-old EBF infants were prescribed 1 mg/kg/day ferrous sulfate. Their complementary food records from 6 to 9 months were calculated for daily iron intake. Complete blood count and iron study were performed at 9 months of age. The results showed that the prevalence of IDA at 9 months was 6.4%. An employed caregiver and the male sex of the baby were significantly associated with iron deficiency. The food record revealed that the median daily iron intake was less than the Thai dietary reference intake recommendation. In summary, the prevalence of IDA in infants with 9 months of exclusive breastfeeding who received iron supplementation was lower than the background rate (25.7%) when iron was not prescribed. Most infants did not have adequate iron in complementary foods. Iron supplementation should be prescribed routinely during 4–9 months of age in healthy Thai EBF infants.

Macronutrient Intake during Complementary Feeding in Very Low Birth Weight Infants Comparing Early and Late Introduction of Solid Foods: A Secondary Outcome Analysis.

Background/Objectives: Very low birth weight (VLBW) infants may require enhanced nutrition, even during complementary feeding. However, there are limited data on macronutrient intake during this period, particularly concerning the individual timing of the introduction of solid foods in a representative VLBW infant population. Methods: This prospective observational study analyzed macronutrient intake in VLBW infants with a gestational age < 32 weeks based on whether solid foods were introduced early (<17 weeks corrected age (CA)) or late (≥17 weeks corrected age) Nutritional intake was analyzed using a 24 h recall at 6 weeks CA and 3-day dietary records at 12 weeks, 6, 9, and 12 months CA. Results: In total, 115 infants were assigned to the early and 82 to the late group. The timing of solid food introduction did not affect macronutrient intake, except for a lower fat and higher carbohydrate intake (% of energy) in the early group at 12 weeks and 6 months CA: early vs. late, fat-12 weeks: 47.0% vs. 49.0%, 6 months: 39.2% vs. 43.3%; carbohydrates-12 weeks: 44.9% vs. 43.2%, 6 months: 51.3% vs. 48.0%. Apart from docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (AA), dietary intake recommendations were met in both groups. While nutrient intakes varied significantly between breastfed and formula-fed infants, those with comorbidities exhibited similar nutrient intake levels compared to those without. Conclusions: Our findings suggest adequate macronutrient intakes in VLBW infants irrespective of the timing of solid introduction. However, there is a notable need to enhance dietary intakes of DHA and AA. Future research is crucial to assess whether current nutrient intakes are sufficient for VLBW infants with comorbidities.

Sustainable Lifestyle Among Office Workers (the SOFIA Study): Protocol for a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial.

Society is facing multiple challenges, including lifestyle- and age-related diseases of major public health relevance, and this is of particular importance when the general population, as well as the workforce, is getting older. In addition, we are facing global climate change due to extensive emissions of greenhouse gases and negative environmental effects. A lifestyle that promotes healthy life choices as well as climate and environmentally friendly decisions is considered a sustainable lifestyle. This study aims to evaluate if providing information about a sustainable lifestyle encourages individuals to adopt more nutritious dietary habits and increase physical activity, as compared to receiving information solely centered around health-related recommendations for dietary intake and physical activity by the Nordic Nutrition Recommendations and the World Health Organization. Novel features of this study include the use of the workplace as an arena for health promotion, particularly among office workers-a group known to be often sedentary at work and making up 60% of all employees in Sweden. The SustainableOfficeIntervention (SOFIA) study is a 2-arm, participant-blinded, cluster randomized controlled trial that includes a multilevel sustainable lifestyle arm (intervention arm, n=19) and a healthy lifestyle arm (control arm, n=14). The eligibility criteria were being aged 18-65 years and doing office work ≥20 hours per week. Both intervention arms are embedded in the theoretically based behavioral change wheel method. The intervention study runs for approximately 8 weeks and contains 6 workshops. The study focuses on individual behavior change as well as environmental and policy features at an organizational level to facilitate or hinder a sustainable lifestyle at work. Through implementing a citizen science methodology within the trial, the participants (citizen scientists) collect data using the Stanford Our Voice Discovery Tool app and are involved in analyzing the data, formulating a list of potential actions to bring about feasible changes in the workplace. Participant recruitment and data collection began in August 2022. As of June 2024, a total of 37 participants have been recruited. The results of the pilot phase are expected to be published in 2024 or 2025. Given the ongoing climate change, negative environmental effects, and the global epidemic of metabolic diseases, a sustainable lifestyle among office workers holds important potential to help in counteracting this trend. Thus, there is an urgent unmet need to test the impact of a sustainable lifestyle on food intake, physical activity, and environmental and climate impacts in a worksite-based randomized controlled trial. This study protocol responds to a societal need by addressing multilevel aspects, including individual behavior changes as well as environmental and organizational changes of importance for the successful implementation of sustainable lifestyle habits in an office setting. DERR1-10.2196/57777.

Iodine and selenium: Dietary sources and nutritional status of the population of the Kurdistan Region in Northern Iraq

AimThe primary aim of this study was to determine the selenium (Se) and iodine (I) food concentrations and dietary intake of the population living in the Kurdish controlled region of northern Iraq. We also assessed the extent to which iodised salt contributes to dietary iodine intake. MethodologyFoods and samples of salt and drinking water were analysed, including 300 crops samples from 40 local farms. The results, supplemented by food composition data, were used to assess dietary Se and I intake for 410 volunteers using a semi-quantitative food questionnaire. To directly investigate the nutritional status of individuals, urine samples were also collected from participants. ResultsSelenium intake was mainly supplied by protein and cereal sources. Calculated median dietary intake of Se was 62.7 µg d−1 (mean = 66.3 µg d−1) with c. 72 % of participants meeting or exceeding dietary reference intake recommendations for age. Median dietary intake of I, excluding salt consumption, was 94.6 µg d−1 (mean 100.2 µg d−1), increasing to 607.2 µg d−1 when salt (of which >90 % was iodized) was included. Salt intake was estimated to be c.13.5 g d−1 (5400 mg Na d−1) which greatly exceeds WHO recommended intake (< 2000 mg d−1 of Na). Urine iodine concentrations indicated that 98 % of school aged children had excessive iodine intake (≥300 µg L−1) and 80–90 % of all study participants had above average or excessive iodine intake (≥200 µg L−1). ConclusionsPoultry and rice are the main sources of dietary Se to this population but around a third of children receive an inadequate Se intake. Fresh fruit and vegetables are the main sources of dietary I, but consumption of local foods cannot supply adequate I without iodised salt supplementation. Consumption of iodized salt well above recommended amounts is supplying this population with substantial iodine intake. Interventions to reduce salt intake would help to limit excessive iodine intake whilst also reducing cardio-vascular risks from Na consumption.

Micronutrient Patterns and Low Intake of Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Folate, Magnesium, and Potassium Among Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes Patients.

Background Assessing micronutrient intake is important in identifying deficiencies that may contribute to insulin resistance, poor glycemic control, and increased risk of diabetes-related complications. The study's objectives were to evaluate micronutrient intake in prediabetes (PD) and type 2 diabetes (T2DM) patients compared to recommended dietary intakes (RDI) and to determine the associations between the micronutrient patterns and both anthropometric measurements and biomarkers of diabetes. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted on 349 patients with T2DM and 252 patients with PD. Micronutrient intake was evaluated using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Micronutrient patterns were extracted from factor analysis using principal component analysis with varimax rotation. Participants in the highest tertile were considered to have the highest adherence to the corresponding micronutrient pattern. Results T2DM patients had a significantly lower intake of vitamin E (9.4 ± 0.2 vs. 10.1 ± 0.3 mg; p = 0.048), vitamin D (44.3 ± 1.1 vs. 48.9 ± 1.7 IU; p = 0.020), and thiamin (1.3 ± 0.1 vs. 1.4 ± 0.1 mg; p = 0.013) compared to PD patients. All patients had a significantly lower intake of vitamin A, vitamin D, folate, magnesium, and potassium and a significantly higher intake of vitamin B12 and copper compared to RDI. Three distinct micronutrient patterns were identified within each group. In the PD group, the Fe-Mn-Se pattern correlated significantly with waist circumference (WC) and fasting plasma glucose (FPG). The Vit.C-K-Folate pattern showed significant associations with body fat (BF). The Vit.B2-P-Vit.B12 pattern was significantly linked to WC, body mass index (BMI), BF, FPG, and serum insulin (SI). For the T2DM patients, the K-Folate-Mg pattern displayed an inverse and significant association with weight and WC. The Iron-Se-Vit.B3 pattern showed a significant association with low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, triglycerides, and total cholesterol. The Vit.B2-P-Ca pattern was significantly associated with fasting plasma glucose (FPG). Conclusion This study demonstrated that T2DM patients had significantly lower vitamin E, vitamin D, and thiaminintake than PD patients. Both T2DM and PD patients had a significantly lower intake of vitamin A, vitamin D, folate, magnesium, and potassium compared to the RDI. Among the identified micronutrient patterns, only the K-Folate-Mg pattern exhibited a significant association withreduced body weight and WC.

Global guidelines recommendations for dietary sodium and potassium intake.

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) cause a significant global health challenge, with unhealthy diets identified as a major risk factor. Sodium and potassium, which are essential minerals for human health, play important roles in various bodily functions, and an imbalance in their intake can have significant health implications, particularly concerning hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. This review compiles dietary sodium and potassium intake recommendations from prominent global health organizations and compares global guidelines to Japan's Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) guidelines. Sodium and potassium intake guidelines from organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), American College of Cardiology (ACC) and American Heart Association (AHA), Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA), European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), and DRI for Japanese exhibit variations. Compared to other Asian countries, Japan's historically higher sodium goal aligns with Southeast Asia where traditional preserved foods contribute to high sodium intake. Contrarily, Japan's lower potassium goal contrasts with other countries in Asia promoting a diet rich in fruits and vegetables. The ongoing effort by Japan to align with global recommendations reflects a gradation approach considering social habits. While harmonizing international efforts is essential, appreciating regional diversities is paramount through tailoring guidelines to cultural and dietary habit practices. Implementing context-specific guidelines informed by scientific research can contribute to global efforts in promoting healthy diets and reducing the burden of NCDs. Global guidelines that recommended the daily dietary intake goal for sodium and potassium exhibit variations. These disparities are influenced by diverse factors, including cultural dietary habits, socioeconomic status, health priorities, and available scientific research. Each population should follow the recommendations of their region.

More dietary advice may be needed to support healthy body composition for children with cerebral palsy in Aotearoa New Zealand

The available literature on the nutritional status of children with cerebral palsy (CP) worldwide has identified high rates of malnutrition, specifically undernutrition(1). However, there is a current lack of clear CP-specific dietary guidelines for children with CP across all functional levels. Standard reference tools such as estimated energy requirement (EER) and recommended dietary intake (RDI) may overestimate requirements in children with CP, especially those with reduced mobility and activity levels. Furthermore, for children with severe CP, body composition data indicates higher risks of obesity and obesity-related conditions(2). There can be a wide range of functional abilities, classifiable with tools such as the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) and the Eating and Drinking Ability Classification System (EDACS). The majority of nutrition-related CP literature focuses on children requiring assistance for feeding (EDACS IV-V) with little information available for children with higher levels of functional independence. The aim of this study was to determine whether children with CP had received any prior dietary guidance for healthy body composition and to summarise the type of advice received. Children aged 5-12 years and their whānau were invited to participate in a study where a purpose-developed questionnaire captured their history of receiving tailored dietary recommendations for CP. Body composition was assessed via whole-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan. Nine participants (6 males, median age: 10y, n = 2 Māori), across GMFCS levels I-IV and EDACS levels I-III took part in the study. Out of 9 children, 5 (55%) indicated that their child had never received dietary advice, 3 of whom were classified as obese or overweight based on growth chart percentiles using their measures of body fat percentage, 1 was classified as underweight and 1 was within the healthy ranges. Of the 4 who had previously received advice, its nature was reported as in support of weight gain (n = 3), and weight loss (n = 1). All 4 received dietary advice from a dietitian and 1 reported some additional advice from a pediatrician and/or orthopedic doctor. Two of the children who had received dietary advice fell within a healthy body fat percentage based on the growth chart percentiles at the time of the study, while the other two were classified as overweight or obese. The results indicate the importance of developing clear dietary guidance for children with CP which may differ from that for typically developing children, particularly depending upon CP subtype diagnosis and functional level, in order to support healthy body composition.

In Vitro bioaccessibility evaluation of minerals in Camu-Camu and Spirulina dietary supplements

This study aimed to determine the total concentration of minerals (Mg, Ca, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu) in Spirulina and camu-camu dietary supplements, to evaluate the bioaccessibility of minerals using in vitro digestion method, and to assess the correlation with protein, ash, lipids, dietary fibers and with the bioaccessible fraction (BF) of minerals. The vitamin C content of camu-camu was also determined, and its correlation with the mineral bioaccessible fraction was evaluated. Spirulina presented higher bioaccessible fractions in the gastrointestinal phase (%) for Mg (82−91), Zn (82−90), and Mn (64−81), followed by Cu (59−100), Ca (50−76), and Fe (37−45). Camu-camu supplements presented higher bioaccessible fractions (%) for Cu (100), Fe (32−104) and Ca (64−89), followed by Mn (7−93), Mg (4−99) and Zn (31−51), in the gastrointestinal phase. Mineral bioaccessibility showed negative correlations with the matrix, mainly with dietary fiber. It was evident that vitamin C was found to have favored the bioaccessibility of Fe and Ca in camu-camu. For 1 g intake of Spirulina, BF Fe contributes 6.6% of the Recommended Dietary Intake (RDI) of Fe and 3.6% of the RDI of Mg for camu-camu. Based on this study, an insight into the nutritional value of Spirulina and camu-camu in terms of minerals and the correlation with proximate composition was demonstrated.

Harnessing the power of resistant starch: a narrative review of its health impact and processing challenges.

Starch is a primary energy storage for plants, making it an essential component of many plant-based foods consumed today. Resistant starch (RS) refers to those starch fractions that escape digestion in the small intestine and reach the colon where they are fermented by the microflora. RS has been repeatedly reported as having benefits on health, but ensuring that its content remains in food processing may be challenging. The present work focuses on the impact RS on health and explores the different processes that may influence its presence in foods, thus potentially interfering with these effects. Clinical evidence published from 2010 to 2023 and studying the effect of RS on health parameters in adult populations, were identified, using PUBMED/Medline and Cochrane databases. The search focused as well on observational studies related to the effect of food processes on RS content. While processes such as milling, fermentation, cooking and heating seem to have a deleterious influence on RS content, other processes, such as cooling, cooking time, storage time, or water content, may positively impact its presence. Regarding the influence on health parameters, there is a body of evidence suggesting an overall significant beneficial effect of RS, especially type 1 and 2, on several health parameters such as glycemic response, insulin resistance index, bowel function or inflammatory markers. Effects are more substantiated in individuals suffering from metabolic diseases. The effects of RS may however be exerted differently depending on the type. A better understanding of the influence of food processes on RS can guide the development of dietary intake recommendations and contribute to the development of food products rich in RS.

Women in Canada are consuming above the upper intake level of folic acid but few are meeting dietary choline recommendations in the second trimester of pregnancy: data from the CHILD cohort study.

There is concern that during a low-risk pregnancy, women are consuming more than recommended (400 µg/day) supplemental folic acid and may not meet recommendations for other nutrients. The objective of this study was to determine folic acid supplement use and dietary folate intakes in the second trimester (week 18) of pregnancy in women (n=2996) in the Canadian CHILD cohort study. Vitamin B12 and choline intakes were also assessed because they are metabolically related to folate. The majority of participants (71.6%) were consuming a daily prenatal supplement. Twenty-eight percent of women (n=847) reported consuming a folic acid supplement and of these women, 45.3% had daily supplemental folic acid intakes above the upper intake level (UL; 1000 µg/day). Daily dietary folate intakes were (mean (SD)) 575 (235) DFE µg/day. In contrast, only 24.8% of women met the dietary choline adequate intake (AI) recommendation (AI ≥ 450mg/day) with a mean (SD) intake of 375 (151) mg/day. Further understanding of the impact of supplemental folic acid intake above the UL and low choline intake during pregnancy requires further investigation.

Three approaches to assessing dietary quality in Mexican adolescents from 2006 to 2018 with data from national health and nutrition surveys.

To assess trends in the dietary quality of Mexican adolescents from 2006 to 2018, both overall and by sociodemographic indicators, using adaptations of the EAT-Lancet Planetary Health (PH) recommendations, optimal intake estimated by the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) and 2015 Mexican Dietary Guidelines (MDG) in nationally representative samples. Using dietary data from a semi-quantitative FFQ, dietary quality indexes were constructed as adaptations of three dietary intake recommendations. Trends in adherence to recommendations were evaluated with multivariate quantile regression models with survey year as the main independent variable and adjusted for age, sex, energy intake, dwelling area, geographical region, household assets condition, and student/non-student status. P values and CI were Bonferroni-corrected. Mexico. Non-pregnant or lactating adolescents aged 12-19 years (n 16 520). Adherence to the PH index was about 40 %, GBD was nearly 35 % and MDG was about 37 %. The lowest adherences were for added sugars, sugar-sweetened beverages, nuts and seeds, red meats, processed meats, and legumes (<28 %). No 2006-2018 trends in total adherence were found in any index. Nevertheless, negative adherence trends were identified for poultry (β = -2·4), and saturated fats (β = -0·93), and positive for unsaturated oils (β = 1·23), in the PH. In MDG, relevant trends were found for plain water (β = 1·63) and foods rich in fats (β = -1·24). Mexican adolescents have demonstrated poor dietary quality by these three approaches. Therefore, this population has a high-risk profile for diet-associated chronic diseases. Further research and appropriate public policies are needed.

Promising Practices to Promote Physical Activity and Healthy Eating Among Head Start Caregivers and Their Children

Many children in Head Start programs do not meet physical activity (PA) and dietary intake recommendations and have increased risk for obesity. The purpose of this pilot study was to formatively assess a multi-level intervention, exploring strategies to encourage PA and healthy eating among north Texas Head Start families. In year 1, 5 Head Start sites with 217 children began the Head Start to Healthy Lifestyles (HSHL) project. Direct and indirect education strategies began in the last 2 months of the school year. Surveys were used to evaluate child and caregiver PA, healthy eating behaviors, and interagency collaboration. Strategies and barriers to adopting healthy lifestyles were assessed via grant partner discussions. Of 217 children enrolled, 109 caregivers consented to participate in research, of which 35 completed baseline surveys and 10 also submitted post surveys. The number of fruits eaten by Head Start caregivers improved ( P &lt; .05). Perceived level of collaboration among grant partners was high. Strategies appreciated by Head Start site partners included PA support in the classrooms, take-home gardens, and reading food group books. Additional needed support included tasting and on-site cooking classes. Barriers to participation included few face-to-face meetings with parents, staffing shortages post-COVID, and difficulty engaging families.

Proximate and Mineral Composition of Noodles Incorporated with Moringa and Sardine Powders

This study aims to investigate the effect of incorporating Moringa oleifera leaf powder and sardine powder into wheat-based noodle formulations on their nutritional composition. Different formulations were prepared with varying ratios, expressed in percentage (%): WM1 (99.6 wheat: 0.4 moringa ), WM2 (99.2 wheat: 0.8 moringa) andWM3 (99 wheat :1 moringa ); WS1 (95 wheat: 5 sardine ), WS2 (90 wheat: 10 sardine ), WS3 (85 wheat: 15 sardine) and the control sample (WC) containing 100% wheat was also included for comparison. The nutritional parameters assessed included crude protein, crude fiber, crude fat, ash, carbohydrate and energy content. Mineral compositions were also determined, including calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn). The results demonstrated significant variations in the nutritional composition of the different formulations compared to the control sample. Results of proximate composition based on dry matter showed that the crude protein values ranged from 11.76-21.40g/100g, crude fibre values ranged from 0.00-0.02g/100g, crude fat values ranged from 1.89-2.94g/100g, ash content values ranged from 1.38-2.26g/100g, carbohydrate content values ranged from 62.31-74.29g/100g and energy values ranged from 358.50-364.53 kcal/100g. Furthermore, the minerals results showed iron values ranged from 32.55-65.50mg/100g, calcium values ranged from 7.39-66.61g/100g, magnesium values ranged from 28.86-87.35mg/100g and zinc values ranged from 2.21-39.25mg/100g. These results indicate that the fortification of noodles with moringa and sardine powders can be a viable approach for enhancing the nutritional value of the final product. Keywords: Proximate composition, Micronutrients, Moringa leaf, Sardine, Recommended Dietary Intake.

Assessment of Anthropogenic Impact on Ecosystem Service Safety of Agboyi River in Lagos, Southwestern, Nigeria

The Agboyi River in Lagos, Nigeria provides important ecosystem services; however, anthropogenic activities are polluting the river, necessitating periodic monitoring. This study assessed the heavy metal content (lead, cadmium, chromium, copper, and arsenic) in water samples from the river. Additionally, we evaluated various physicochemical parameters, including pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), conductivity, hardness, magnesium, calcium, chloride, sulfate, and nitrate. The values of each heavy metal were used to calculate human average daily ingestion (ADI), average daily dermal exposure (ADDE), hazard quotient (HQ), and carcinogenic risk (CR). The physicochemical analysis revealed non-permissible levels of TDS, electrical conductivity, alkalinity, hardness, magnesium, calcium, sulfate, nitrate, chloride, and phosphate. The heavy metal analysis showed intolerable levels of lead, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, and copper. The ADIs for the heavy metals were within the recommended dietary intake (RDI), but their ADDEs exceeded the RDI, except for chromium. The HQ and CR for all heavy metals exceeded recommended limits. Seasonal variations were observed in the physicochemical parameters, with TDS, turbidity, acidity, nitrate, and phosphate being higher in the wet season, while other parameters were higher in the dry season. The water poses health hazards to users, indicating the need for river remediation.

A mixed-methods approach to understanding barriers and facilitators to healthy eating and exercise from five European countries: highlighting the roles of enjoyment, emotion and social engagement

Healthy adults are consistently falling below national and international recommendations for physical activity and dietary intake across Europe. This study took a co-creative approach with adult samples from five European countries to qualitatively and quantitatively establish motivators, barriers and sustaining factors for positive health behaviour change. Stage 1 delivered a newly-designed online programme, creating a community who identified challenges, motivators and solutions to sustaining positive healthy eating and physical activity behaviours. Stage 2 administered an online survey (developed from Stage 1 findings) to a larger sample to quantify the relative importance of these motivators and barriers. Results from both stages indicated enjoyment, positive emotions, and reward as key motivators for both behaviours across all five countries. Barriers included habit-breaking difficulties, temptation and negative affective states. Those with a high BMI placed more importance on social pressure than those with healthy BMI. Participants’ reports of motivators and barriers reflected relevant approaches from consumer science, behavioural economics, and psychology. Interventions supporting adults who are not chronically ill but would benefit from improved diet and/or physical activity should not focus exclusively on health as a motivating factor. Emphasis on enjoyable behaviours, social engagement and reward will likely improve engagement and sustained behaviour change.

Dietary protein recommendations to support healthy muscle ageing in the 21st Century and beyond: considerations and future directions.

This review explores the evolution of dietary protein intake requirements and recommendations, with a focus on skeletal muscle remodelling to support healthy ageing based on presentations at the 2023 Nutrition Society summer conference. In this review, we describe the role of dietary protein for metabolic health and ageing muscle, explain the origins of protein and amino acid (AA) requirements and discuss current recommendations for dietary protein intake, which currently sits at about 0⋅8 g/kg/d. We also critique existing (e.g. nitrogen balance) and contemporary (e.g. indicator AA oxidation) methods to determine protein/AA intake requirements and suggest that existing methods may underestimate requirements, with more contemporary assessments indicating protein recommendations may need to be increased to &gt;1⋅0 g/kg/d. One example of evolution in dietary protein guidance is the transition from protein requirements to recommendations. Hence, we discuss the refinement of protein/AA requirements for skeletal muscle maintenance with advanced age beyond simply the dose (e.g. source, type, quality, timing, pattern, nutrient co-ingestion) and explore the efficacy and sustainability of alternative protein sources beyond animal-based proteins to facilitate skeletal muscle remodelling in older age. We conclude that, whilst a growing body of research has demonstrated that animal-free protein sources can effectively stimulate and support muscle remodelling in a manner that is comparable to animal-based proteins, food systems need to sustainably provide a diversity of both plant and animal source foods, not least for their protein content but other vital nutrients. Finally, we propose some priority research directions for the field of protein nutrition and healthy ageing.