Feeding Research Articles

Food, memory, and changing framings of sustainable consumption in Johannesburg

This paper addresses how food, tradition, and memories intersect with how sustainable food consumption is conceived, practiced, and mobilised. Using ethnographic research, the paper examines articulations and practices of ‘good food’ among food system actors and middle-class consumers in Johannesburg, South Africa. It argues that a nuanced and contextualised understanding of foodways and food consumption is required to capture the relationships between food cultures and consumption practices in African contexts, as well as to speculate on emerging pathways to sustainability during contemporary crises through conceptualising eating as an ethical act. After contextualising the research within South Africa’s contemporary food system and the historical legacies that continue to shape it, the paper argues that memory and tradition are central in consumer perceptions of good food. They also enable consumers to viscerally sense both pasts and futures in which they can gain control of their diets, health, and extract some independence from an industrial urban food system that they do not entirely trust. The paper explores the possibilities of combining consumer interest in traditional foods with increasing concern for the biodiversity of underutilised species, and the role of food activists and influencers to promote sustainable food consumption. The paper concludes that a growing interest in traditional foods is emerging at the confluence of fashionable, ‘ethical’ food trends which, if harnessed sensitively, has potential to promote more sustainable foodways.

Knowledge of and perception towards eclampsia among women and men in Unguja Island, Zanzibar: A qualitative study

Background Eclampsia is among the primary causes of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality in Zanzibar. Many women and men are not aware of the signs, symptoms and causes of eclampsia and may have different explanatory models. Therefore, this study aimed to describe the community understanding of pre-eclampsia, as a key stage to improve maternal and perinatal health in Unguja Island, Zanzibar. Methods A qualitative study design of six focus group discussions (FDGs) was performed using a focus group interview guide; 51 male and female respondents at three selected wards of Unguja Island, Zanzibar participated. Thematic analysis was applied using Qualitative data analysis (QDA Miner Lite software version 2.0.9). Results Overall participants demonstrated a lack of understanding regarding eclampsia. The majority of participants perceived that there are certain things related to eclampsia: Mjusi or Mdudu (devil/satanic), superstitious issues, tension/stress from partners, food consumption, eating slaughtered meat like chicken, cow and goat during pregnancy, nice smelling lotion, soap and perfumes have been stated to be the causes of eclampsia. Spiritual and traditional remedies were mentioned as a treatment for eclampsia, including herbs, makombe (written verses of the Qur’an) and steaming (smoked dry leaves). Local names of eclampsia used by the communities, in urban and rural areas are mjusi (lizard) or mdudu (bug), which means the devil enters a woman’s body, especially during pregnancy or within 42 days post-delivery. Conclusion Most participants had a lack of understanding of eclampsia and perceived that there are traditional and spiritual issues related to its causes, attributed risks and clinical presentation, which makes them rely more on traditional and spiritual treatments. Therefore, health educational programs in the community setting and at the antenatal clinics, aiming at improving knowledge and dismissing myths and misperceptions regarding eclampsia, are recommended in rural and urban areas of Unguja Zanzibar.

The nutritional status and problems among older adults in a selected rural community of kerala

Older adults are vulnerable to nutritional risk states due to low food intake and presence of chronic medical conditions. Thus, they require an extended nutrition assessment.: This study aimed to assess the nutritional status and identify the common nutritional problems present among older adults in the community. A quantitative approach was used with a convenience sampling method. The participants were 50 adults, both males and females, aged above 50 years and residing in a selected catchment area of the community in Kottayam district. Data collection was extracted from a larger survey carried out in this area which used a structured questionnaire. A majority of the participants were aged between 50- 55 years (n =28, 56%), males (n = 26, 52%), belonged to nuclear families (n= 33, 66%), had high school education (n= 17, 34%), were unemployed (n =18, 36%), and married (n=48, 96%). Regarding the nutritional status, nearly 24% of the participants were overweight (n 12) and 6% were obese (n = 3). Regarding the nutritional risk factors, a majority of them were following unhealthy diets (n=39, 78%), had irregular food habits (n=32, 64%), and had the habit of skipping meals (n=31, 62%). Consumption of sugar-rich foods (n = 11, 22%), with a low intake of milk and milk products (n =36, 72%), and an intake of fried foods (n =32, 64%) were reported by the participants. Moreover, 18% of them (n =9) had regular consumption of alcohol. Nutritional risk states were present in nearly 50% of them.The study results demonstrated the presence of various lifestyle-related nutritional risk factors and gave insight into the existing nutritional patterns among older adults and the problems associated with nutritional intake.The study results highlight the need for adopting a healthy lifestyle and the dietary and behavioral modifications required as an urgent measure to tackle the problems associated with chronic disease escalating at the fastest pace in Kerala. Further studies are required to assess the specific nutritional problems in a large sample of the population and long-term monitoring of the nutritional factors.

Association of whole grain food consumption with lung cancer risk: a prospective cohort study

BackgroundWhether the intake of whole grain foods can protect against lung cancer is a long-standing question of considerable public health import, but the epidemiologic evidence has been limited. Therefore we aim to investigate the relationship between whole grain food consumption and lung cancer in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial (PLCO) cohort.MethodsDiet was assessed with a self-administered Diet History Questionnaire (DHQ) at baseline. All incident lung cancer cases were pathologically verified. Hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals for lung cancer risk associated with whole grain food consumption were estimated by Cox proportional hazards regression.ResultsDuring a median follow-up of 12.2 years, a total of 1,706 incident lung cancer events occurred, including 1,473 (86.3%) cases of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and 233 (13.7%) of small cell lung cancer (SCLC). After multivariate adjustment, comparing the highest quarter of consumption of whole grain foods to the lowest quarter, a 16% lower rate (HR 0.84, 95% CI 0.73–0.98) of lung cancer risks and a 17% lower rate (HR 0.83, 95% CI 0.69–0.98) for NSCLC were found, but no significant difference was shown for SCLC (HR 0.95, 95% CI 0.63–1.44). These results were consistently observed after a large range of subgroup and sensitivity analyses. A linear dose-response pattern was shown for lung cancer, NSCLC, and SCLC (P for non-linearity > 0.05).ConclusionsIn this large prospective cohort study, whole grain food consumption was associated with reduced lung cancer and NSCLC. Our findings suggest a potential protective role of whole grain foods against lung cancer.

LCN2 blockade mitigating metabolic dysregulation and redefining appetite control in type 2 diabetes

LCN2 has an osteokine important for appetite regulation; in type 2 diabetes (T2D) it is not known whether appetite regulation mediated by LCN2 in the brain is altered. In this work, we focus on exploring the role of blocking LCN2 in metabolic health and appetite regulation within the central nervous system of mice with T2D. Material and methods: 4-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were used, divided into four experimental groups: intact, T2D, TD2/anti-LCN2, and T2D/IgG as isotype control. T2D was induced by low doses of streptozotocin and a high-carbohydrate diet. LCN2 blockade was performed by intraperitoneal administration of a polyclonal anti-LCN2 antibody. We analyzed metabolic parameters, food intake, feeding patterns, and serum LCN2 and leptin concentrations. In another group of intact or T2D mice, we analyzed the effect of blocking LCN2 and recombinant LCN2 on food consumption in a fasting-refeeding test and, the expression of cFOS and LCN2 in brain sections, specifically in the hypothalamus, piriform cortex, visceral area, arcuate nucleus and caudate-putamen. Results: T2D caused an increase in serum LCN2, without alterations in Ad libitum feeding, but with changes in the feeding pattern associated with alterations in LCN2-cFOS signalling in hypothalamic and non-hypothalamic brain regions. Blocking LCN2 improved metabolic parameters, increased Ad libitum feeding, and restored the feeding pattern after fasting, which is associated with enhanced LCN2 signalling in the brain. Conclusions: Blocking LCN2 restores metabolic health and normalizes the pattern of food consumption by normalizing LCN2 signalling in different brain regions.Graphical

Ventral pallidal GABAergic neurons drive consumption in male, but not female rats.

Food intake is controlled by multiple converging signals: hormonal signals that provide information about energy homeostasis, but also hedonic and motivational aspects of food and food cues that can drive non-homeostatic or "hedonic" feeding. The ventral pallidum (VP) is a brain region implicated in the hedonic and motivational impact of food and foods cues, as well as consumption of rewards. Disinhibition of VP neurons has been shown to generate intense hyperphagia, or overconsumption. While VP gamma-Aminobutyric acidergic (GABA) neurons have been implicated in cue-elicited reward seeking and motivation, the role of these neurons in the hyperphagia resulting from VP activation remains unclear. Here, we used Designer Receptors Exclusively Activated by Designer Drugs (DREADDs) to activate VP GABA neurons in non-restricted male and female rats during chow and sucrose consumption. We found that activation of VP GABA neurons increases consumption of chow and sucrose in male rats, but not female rats. Together, these findings suggest that activation of VP GABA neurons can stimulate consumption of routine or highly palatable rewards selectively in male rats.Significance statement The ventral pallidum has been implicated bidirectionally in consumption of both standard food and highly palatable rewards, but the specific neural subpopulations involved have not been identified. Here we chemogenetically excited GABAergic ventral pallidal neurons and tested consumption of standard chow and a sweet sucrose solution. We found that chemogenetic excitation of these neurons stimulated consumption of both rewards but did so specifically in male rats. These results suggest that GABAergic ventral pallidal neurons can drive overconsumption of foods in male rats, but not female rats, raising important questions about the role of ventral pallidum in consumption in females, who have been understudied in this domain.

Values, attitude, and desire in organic food purchase intention in Mexico

IntroductionThis investigation analyses the purchase intention for organic foods through the influence of the consumer’s values, attitude, and desire, how this attitude mediates the relationship between consumer values and purchase intention, and how consumer desire mediates the relationship between attitude and purchase intention.MethodsThe quantitative approach was used with a transversal type of research. Data was collected through a survey of 204 consumers of organic foods in Mexico. The analysis of these results was carried out through partial least squares structural equation modeling.ResultsOnly appearance consciousness and environmental awareness are the motivators of the goals to influence the behavior of consumers when attitude mediates the relationships. However, when attitude mediated the relationship, health consciousness and social awareness were not significant motivators of behavioral intention.DiscussionThis analysis serves as a basis for deepening the study of gastronomic tourism in rural areas such as Mexico since this type of food is sold in tourist places. The model proposed can be used as a theoretical framework for future studies. Marketers can also use the results in marketing strategies as community marketing in economies like Latin American countries.

Factors influencing secondary school students' nutrition, mindfulness, and academic performance in Nan Province, Thailand.

Academic performance is crucial for future educational endeavors of students. However, there has been a concerning decline over time. This study aimed to investigate the association between nutritional status, environmental factors, mindfulness, and academic performance among students at Bo Kluea School in Nan province, Thailand. A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 350 students in grades 8-11 using questionnaires, measurements, and academic records. Results showed that female students performed significantly better academically compared to males(71.9% vs 56.4% achieving good grades; compared to p < 0.001, OR = 3.583, 95%CI = 1.663-7.719). Age, junk food consumption, BMI, and mindfulness were identified as factors influencing academic performance. Students aged 16-18 years were 2.224 times more likely to achieve good academic performance compared to younger students (p = 0.015, OR = 2.224, 95%CI = 1.164-4.247). Significant associations were found between gender, age, waist circumference, mindfulness, and nutritional status. Female students and those with normal waist circumference or good mindfulness were more likely to have a normal BMI (p = 0.019, OR = 1.794, 95%CI = 1.101-2.922). Positive attitudes towards nutrition were associated with better academic performance (60.1% achieving good grades;p = 0.044, AOR = 1.543, 95%CI = 1.010-2.356). This study highlights the interconnectedness of these factors and their importance in in improving academic results. Further research is need to confirm these findings and overcome study limitations.

Message from the Executive Editor Genetically modified organisms in processed foods and adverse effects on kidney functions

The advent of Genetic Engineering has paved a way to alter the genetic machinery of living organisms like plants, animals and microorganisms. This process involves recombinant DNA technology or Genetic editing where new genes from one species is introduced or incorporated into a completely unrelated species for obtaining specific or desired traits. Such organisms are known as genetically modified, genetically engineered or transgenic organisms (Bawa and Anilakumar, 2013). In comparison to animals, agriculture plants have been extensively subjected to genetic engineering to obtain new plants with improved and desired traits. Today, a wide array of genetically modified crops with varied traits like high crop yield, pests and disease resistant, abiotic and biotic stress tolerant, improved nutritional value, etc., are commercially cultivated all over the world. These crops have been approved by regulatory agencies like Food and Drug Administration for marketing and are available to us as fruits, vegetable, oils. The list includes vitamin enriched Golden rice, delayed ripening/ senescence tomatoes, Glyphosate herbicide tolerant sugarbeet, wheat and soybean, Canola and soybean with modified oil/fatty acid composition; fruits like apples, melon, papaya, plum, squash with antibiotic resistant traits and many more (Phillips, 2008; Zhang et al., 2016). Most crops have been genetically modified with multiple traits. GM crops are also used as animal feed. Another term associated with GMO is 'GM foods' which refers to the foods produced from GMO-plants or animals. Several food products and packaged foods contain ingredients derived from genetically modified crops. For instance, Canola oil is a key ingredient in many foods and is sold as margarine or cooking oil. This oil is also used to make lipsticks. Similarly, Corn oil is also used as cooking oil and as an ingredient in prepared foods like mayonnaise, sauces and soups and also a frying agent for potato chips and French fries. GM cottonseed oil is also used as cooking oil and in salad dressing. GM maize is used in the production of ethanol, corn starch and high fructose corn syrup. Corn syrup is used as a sweetener in many foods and drinks. Highly refined sugar is produced from GM sugarbeets (Bawa and Anilakumar, 2013). Although to certain extent, GM crops have overcome the challenges in areas related to population growth, food insecurity, malnutrition, however, production and consumption of GM crops still remains a contentious issue due to the health and ecological risks associated with them. Despite the undeniable advantages of GM crops, there's a growing public concern on the use of GM crops/food. It raises a question, “Can tempering or manipulation of a genome in an organism lead to hazardous effects on human? Do these genetically improved organisms cause diseases or disorders in human?” Long-term health effects of GM crops and foods on humans remain unknown due to limited studies, however, three major health risks viz. toxicity, allergenicity and genetic hazards have been associated with GM foods (Zhang et al., 2016).Toxicity studies on animals have reported the adverse effects of GM crops on the hepatic, pancreatic, renal and reproductive organs, and also alternation in the hematological, biochemical and immunological parameters (Dona and Arvanitoyannis, 2008). Hepato-renal toxicity and histopathological changes like congestion of renal blood vessels and cystic dilation of renal tubules in kidney have been reported in the rats fed on GM corn, maize varieties (de Vendomois et al., 2009; El-Shamei et al., 2012; Tehri et al., 2024). The prevalence of GMO ingredients in processed food makes it crucial to evaluate their safety, particularly for sensitive organs like the kidneys. Glyphosate, a herbicide commonly used with GM crops has also been implicated with kidney toxicity due to its residual presence infoods (Mesnage et al., 2015). Moreover, GMO-related allergens of anti-nutritional factors may exacerbate inflammation, indirectly affecting renal health. The GMO crop rich foods have very high content of fructose per gram of the crop as compared to normal crop. The excessive intake of such foods can elevate blood fructose levels which at one hand enhance uric acid production by liver and the other hand reduce renal excretion of uric acid. The latter happens because high blood fructose enhance lactate production by liver and this lactate competes with uric acid for tubular excretion. This unintentional and persistent high uric acid levels may adversely affect renal functions. While human data remain limited, these findings emphasize the need for long-term studies and stricter regulations on selective GMO foods. Minimizing processed food consumption can help mitigate potential risks.

Associations between Thai children’s exposure to unhealthy food marketing and their diet-related outcomes: findings from a national cross-sectional survey

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to examine associations between children’s exposure to food marketing and their liking, purchase and consumption of unhealthy foods in Thailand. A face-to-face cross-sectional survey was conducted with a nationally representative sample of 4,117 Thai children aged 6–18 years. Ordinal logistic regression models were applied to determine the association between marketing exposures and liking, purchase and consumption of unhealthy foods. Of all children, 78.8% reported seeing cartoons on food packaging in the past week, while 72.5% had seen a celebrity or online influencer endorses a product. Most children (84%) reported being exposed to marketing for unhealthy foods through social media in the past week. Exposure to unhealthy food marketing was positively associated with children’s preferences for, and purchases and intakes of, unhealthy foods. Comprehensive regulations are required in Thailand to limit children’s exposure to, and the persuasive power of, unhealthy food marketing.

Meat consumption and racial/ethnic disparities in population-based study in the city Campinas, Brazil

The aim of the present study was to investigate meat consumption among adults residing in a city in the countryside of São Paulo, Campinas, according to ethnicity/skin color in two periods: 2008/2009 and 2014/2015, given the scarce literature on the subject. Thus, we sought to evaluate the association between race/color and consumption of meat, a food of great cultural value, based on the hypothesis that this demographic marker is relevant to explain food choices. A cross-sectional population-based study evaluating participants from the Health Survey of the City of Campinas (ISACAMP) was conducted in 2008/2009 and 2014/2015, with 2,354 and 1,606 individuals respectively, aged 20y or older. Food consumption data were collected using the 24-hour food recall method and meats were classified according to animal origin and type of processing. Linear regression models were run to assess the association between meat consumption and sociodemographic variables with a significance level of 5%. Lower total consumption of meat, red meat, beef and fish was found among individuals with self-declared black skin color compared to those with self-declared white skin color. Red meat consumption varied from 109.4g to 157.9g in 2008/2009 and from 102.1g to 125.1g in 2014/2015 between the groups, remaining above the recommendation in both periods. The World Cancer Research Fund recommends consuming between 50 and 71.4 g/day of red meat; thus, these findings reinforce the importance of studies that investigate the impact of ethnicity on food consumption, since racial disparities may be in the origin of the insufficient or excessive consumption of certain types of meat, and understanding the factors associated with the consumption of types of meat is relevant for the adoption of health actions aimed at adequate food intake.

Muscle Cell Palmitate-Induced Insulin Resistance, JNK, IKK/NF-κB and STAT3 Activation are Attenuated by Carnosic and Rosmarinic Acid.

The worldwide epidemic of obesity has drastically worsened with the increase in more sedentary lifestyles and increased consumption of fatty foods. Increased blood free fatty acids (FFAs), often observed in obesity, leads to impaired insulin action, and promotes the development of insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). JNK, IKK-NF-κB, and STAT3 are known to be involved in skeletal muscle insulin resistance. We reported previously that carnosic acid (CA) and rosmarinic acid (RA), attenuated the palmitate-induced skeletal muscle insulin resistance, an effect that was associated with increased AMPK activation and reduced mTOR-p70S6K signaling. In the present study, we examined the effects of CA and RA on JNK, IKK-NF-κB, and STAT3. Exposure of cells to palmitate increased the phosphorylation/activation of JNK, IKKα/β, IκBα, NF-κBp65, and STAT3. Importantly, CA and RA attenuated the deleterious effects of palmitate. Our data indicate that CA and RA have the potential to counteract the palmitate-induced skeletal muscle cell insulin resistance by modulating JNK, IKK-NF-κB, and STAT3 signaling.

Trauma exposure and posttraumatic stress symptoms: Associations with self-reported dietary and exercise changes.

Exposure to trauma and subsequent posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) increase the risk of poor physical health outcomes. Yet, the nuances of the paths from trauma to poor health are largely theoretical, and research regarding how trauma types relate to specific trauma-related changes to diet and exercise is needed. The present study examined the associations between noninterpersonal and interpersonal trauma and PTSS with several novel dietary and exercise changes (i.e., perceived trauma-related diet changes in intake of calories, comfort food, refined carbohydrates, and sugar as well as changes in exercise amount and intensity). Participants were 430 Midwestern University trauma-exposed students (Mage = 23.87, SD = 6.90, range = 18-63; 81.1% female; 56.9% White). Higher PTSS corresponded to increased perceived trauma-related changes in consumption of calories, comfort foods, carbohydrates, and sugar (Bs = 0.1-.02). Interpersonal trauma was not tied to dietary changes, and noninterpersonal traumas were linked to decreased sugar intake. For trauma-related exercise changes, higher PTSS was associated with both increased likelihood of lower intensity exercise (B = .02) and higher intensity exercise (B = .03), yet neither trauma types were related. Further, neither trauma exposure nor PTSS was associated with perceptions in trauma-related increases in exercise amount. PTSS, as opposed to types of trauma exposure, may be the primary driver of perceived trauma-related diet and exercise changes. The identification of trauma-related health modifications may help improve health outcomes of trauma survivors, and ongoing work should examine whether trauma-focused treatment reduces maladaptive changes to diet and exercise. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).

Introduction and Applications of Ultra High Pressure in Food Technology

In recent years, ultra high pressure (UHP) technology has gained high prominence in the food processing industry, which can meet the growing requirement of consumers of high-quality food. This article reviews the history of the ultra high pressure (UHP) process and introduces the principles connected with UHP processing and the methods we used in UHP processing. Also, this paper talks about applications like extracting bioactive peptides and inactivating bacteria through recent examples. Finally, this study combines specific research results to demonstrate the advantages of UHP, it is an advanced processing technique responding to market requirements, and is quite promising for the area of storing perishable food products. UHP treatment can also be widely applied in products rapid freezing to get high-quality food with longer shelf life in order to meet consumers requirements. In the future, some more advanced concepts and cutting-edge technologies, such as computer modeling can be applied to the field of UHP processing.

Examining the Carbon Footprint of Conferences with an Emphasis on Energy Consumption and Catering

This research study presents a comparison of an in-person and an online conference in terms of environmental impact and energy efficiency. The main goal of our research was to prepare a complete life cycle assessment of a two-day (15-h), 200-participant in-person and online conference based on different impact assessment methods. Life cycle assessments focus on the numerical determination of the decarbonization of conference consumption (lunch, dinner, food and beverage consumption during breaks), conference organization (discussions, correspondence, abstract booklet, registration package), travel, and infrastructure. The meals were examined by connecting the stages of preparation, cooking, consumption and end-of-life cycle as a cradle-to-grave analysis. We paid particular attention to the calculation of energy consumption. After carbon footprint comparisons, the areas with the highest impacts with pie diagrams were identified. Lastly, a SWOT chart and an SAP-LAP analysis diagram summarize the achievable objectives and challenges. In conclusion, there is no outstanding difference between the impact assessment methods for the carbon footprint investigation. Travel contributes 57% of the overall carbon footprint at in-person conferences, while the environmental impact of meals holds the second largest share, at 8.41 kg CO2 equivalent/person/hour. Excluding meals and travel, the calculated carbon footprint is 0.362 kg CO2 equivalent/person/hour (only considering the effect of preparation, organization, administration and registration package). Our initial hypothesis was that an online conference reduces decarbonization, which the results confirm.

Assessment of the Nutritional Composition and Environmental Impact of Menus Served in a University Cafeteria During an Academic Year

Diets will likely play a crucial role in the Anthropocene to support the population’s health and safeguard environmental sustainability for future generations. Based on a cross-sectional–observational–descriptive design for evaluating an entire menu proposal, data on the type and composition of the menus offered by a university catering service during an academic year were collected. Each day during the meal service, 10 plates of the same option offered were weighed, and 10 photographs were taken. With these data, the nutritional value and carbon footprint were evaluated for all possible combinations of first and second courses, while including the average values of other components of the menu (garnishes, bread, desserts, and beverages). The annual menu proposal resulted in 6478 combinations of first and second courses plus the other components. The average caloric intake was 1194 kcal/menu with high consumption of proteins and lipids, and the average carbon footprint was 1.86 kg carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2eq)/menu, with the second course being the major contributor. Creating menus that consider these two essential parameters is the task of specialists. Achieving food consumption that balances nutrition and environmental sustainability is another issue of education and communication.

Unexpected effects of pandemic-related changes on mental health: Evidence from a nationwide survey in South Korea.

Substantial evidence indicates that the COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected population mental health globally. However, most studies assumed a linear relationship where only negative pandemic-induced changes led to worse mental health outcomes, overlooking the complex relationship between COVID-19-related changes and mental health. This study examined how various types and magnitudes of pandemic-related changes relate to depression and suicidal thoughts in a large, nationwide adult population sample. We analyzed data from the 2021 Korean Community Health Survey, a cross-sectional survey of 229,213 adults. The study examined the association between mental health outcomes and three types of pandemic-related changes: daily life impact (scored 0-100), economic activities (employment and income changes), and health behaviors (physical activity, instant food consumption, alcohol consumption, and smoking). Complex sample multiple logistic regression analysis was used to assess these associations, adjusting for sociodemographic factors. The relationship between pandemic-related changes and mental health showed non-linear patterns. Compared to those reporting moderate changes, individuals reporting either no change (depression: aOR 1.253, 95% CI 1.135-1.384; suicidal thoughts: aOR 1.355, 95% CI 1.236-1.486) or complete disruption (depression: aOR 1.895, 95% CI 1.667-2.155; suicidal thoughts: aOR 1.788, 95% CI 1.558-2.052) in daily life showed higher risks of poor mental health. Unexpectedly, positive changes such as improved working conditions (suicidal thoughts: aOR 1.419, 95% CI 1.200-1.677) and increased income (depression: aOR 1.304, 95% CI 1.139-1.493; suicidal thoughts: aOR 1.244, 95% CI 1.079-1.435) were also associated with adverse mental health outcomes. This study reveals that both minimal and substantial changes in daily life, as well as both positive and negative changes in economic conditions and health behaviors, were associated with poor mental health outcomes during the pandemic. These findings suggest the need for comprehensive mental health interventions that consider various types and magnitudes of life changes during crisis situations.

Food neophobia in the elderly: evaluation of constipation, malnutrition and nutrition

Aims: This study aimed to evaluate food neophobia, constipation, malnutrition, and nutritional status in elderly individuals. Methods: The study was conducted on individuals aged ≥65 years selected by random sampling method and 406 individuals were reached. A questionnaire was used to collect demographic parameters (age, gender) of the participants. Anthropometric measurements were taken by researchers and then body-mass index (BMI) and waist-to-height ratio (WHR) were determined by standard methods, and a validated Food Neophobia Scale (FNS) was used to determine the food neophobia levels of individuals. One-day food consumption of individuals was determined by the 24-hour retrospective reminder method. Constipation was defined according to the modified Rome IV criteria. Results: There was a statistically significant relationship between food neophobia levels and BMI classifications of women, men, and all elderly individuals (p&amp;lt;0.001). There was a statistically significant relationship between the level of food neophobia and waist/height ratio in women, men, and all elderly individuals (p&amp;lt;0.001). There was a statistically significant relationship between food neophobia levels and the constipation status of women and all elderly individuals (p&amp;lt;0.05). There was a statistically significant relationship between food neophobia levels and mini nutritional assessment (MNA) classifications of women, men, and all elderly individuals (p&amp;lt;0.001). While there was no statistically significant difference between malnutrition groups according to energy, carbohydrate, fat, protein, and pulp levels (median) (p&amp;gt;0.05), there was a statistically significant difference between malnutrition groups of neutral and non-constipated elderly individuals only according to water consumption levels (median) (p&amp;lt;0.05). The water consumption level (median) of the elderly in the malnourished group was significantly lower than the water consumption level of the elderly in the risk of malnutrition and normal nutritional status groups. Conclusion: Treatments for age-related conditions such as constipation, malnutrition, and undernutrition that focus on novel foods need to be carefully designed. The elderly should be a market segment that promotes healthy products, where new products can be introduced and purchased without concern.

Carbon Footprint of Food Consumption by Cats and Dogs in Brazil

Greenhouse gas emissions increase every year and their effects on a global scale are increasingly greater and more noticeable. Consequently, there is also a growing concern related to environmental issues. Among the many factors involved in raising dogs and cats, their diet is one of the most important. It requires a large amount of food inputs, which despite increasing every year and being responsible for a portion of current greenhouse gas emissions, still receive little attention from the scientific community and the media. To verify the potential impacts of raising companion animals in Brazil, this work estimated the carbon footprint generated by feeding dogs and cats in the country through a mathematical model. In this model, an average Brazilian dogs and cats is considered, as well as a standard dog and cat food, and the annual consumption of each ingredient present in the food. The results showed an estimated carbon footprint per capita of 334.06 kg CO2-eq/year for dogs and 147.73 kg CO2-eq/year for cats, totaling an estimate of 18.67 x 109 kg CO2-eq/year for the Brazilian population of dogs and 3.78 x 109 kg CO2-eq/year for the Brazilian population of cats.

Validity of the MED4CHILD tool for assessing adherence to the Mediterranean diet in preschool children

Most of the available tools to assess adherence to Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) were constructed for adults, having limited applicability to children and adolescents. The aim of this study is to validate a specific questionnaire to assess adherence to MedDiet in children aged 3 to 6 years (MED4CHILD questionnaire). The validation was performed in a baseline examination of a cohort of children who were recruited in schools in seven cities. Of the total sample of 1509 children, we included 858 children aged 3 to 6 years with complete information on adherence to the MedDiet, food consumption, anthropometry and cardiometabolic characteristics. Adherence to the MedDiet was assessed using an 18-item questionnaire, adapted from validated questionnaire for adults using the Delphi method. Food and beverage consumption was assessed using a validated COME-Kids Food and Beverage Frequency Questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements and cardiometabolic risk factors were assessed using standard methods. Statistical analyses included kappa agreement, ANOVA and linear regression models. Higher MED4CHILD scores were associated with higher intakes of food characteristic of the MedDiet. The MED4CHILD questionnaire showed moderate validity, especially for key items of the Mediterranean diet (kappa ranging from 0.333 to 0.665). Direct significant associations were found between MED4CHILD scores and cardiometabolic profile, including waist circumference (p), triglycerides and HOMA-IR (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The 18-item MED4CHILD questionnaire showed moderate validity for assessing adherence to the MedDiet in children aged 3 to 6 years, in terms of agreement with food and beverage consumption and favourable cardiometabolic profile.What is known:• The Mediterranean diet has been linked to a number of health benefits and the assessment of children's adherence to this diet is important for public health and research.• The tools available to assess MedDiet compliance are mainly for adults.What is new:• The MED4CHILD questionnaire is a simple, inexpensive and rapid tool for assessing MedDiet compliance in children.• This tool showed moderate relative validity and a high score was associated with a favourable cardiometabolic profile.