Healthy Diet Research Articles

<황제내경 소문 상고천진론>의 양생법과 공동체 기반 건강 노화 요인의 비교고찰

We reexamined the meaning of <Hwangjenaegyeong Somun Sanggocheonjinron> by drawing on findings from studies on Blue Zones and healthy communities. The first chapter of Sanggocheonjinron highlighted the concept of living in harmony with the principles and essence of the universe. It emphasized the importance of a balanced diet, coupled with a regular lifestyle, as fundamental factors for achieving health and longevity. Chapter 2 highlighted the significance of harmonious community living as a key element for overall well-being. Chapter 4 further emphasized the importance of living one’s life in accordance with the principles of nature and community living. Numerous investigations into longevity and well-being have been conducted. Notably, an examination of the lifestyle of elderly people living in Blue Zones—regions densely populated with people living beyond 100 years without significant health issues—demonstrated that these people thrive by embracing a sense of purpose, leading simple lives, engaging in natural daily activities, and effectively managing stress. According to the findings, eating a vegetarian diet, avoiding excessive eating and drinking, and cultivating connections within a healthy community and family all helped to maintain health. While genetic factors were acknowledged to contribute to human longevity, constituting approximately 25%, the remaining portion was recognized as being influenced by lifestyle choices. Consequently, the pursuit of a healthy and long life, as advocated in the Hwangjenaegyeong and Blue Zones, emphasized the importance of belonging to a healthy community and cultivating healthy lifestyle habits.

Preparation of Bajra Healthy Wafers

Abstract: Bajra, also known as pearl millet, is a versatile grain rich in essential nutrients and dietary fiber. The incorporation of bajra into snack production, particularly in the form of wafers, presents a promising avenue for creating healthier snack alternatives. Bajra-based wafers offer a blend of taste, crunchiness, and nutritional benefits, catering to the growing demand for wholesome snacks in today's health-conscious society. This abstract explores the development and nutritional aspects of bajrabased wafers, highlighting their potential as a nutritious snack option. The process involves carefully selecting high-quality bajra grains, milling them into flour, and blending them with complementary ingredients to create a crispy, flavorful snack. These wafers not only provide a delightful eating experience but also offer numerous health benefits due to bajra's inherent nutritional profile. The nutritional analysis reveals that bajra wafers are an excellent source of complex carbohydrates, dietary fiber, protein, and essential minerals such as iron and magnesium. Additionally, they are gluten-free, making them suitable for individuals with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease. The inclusion of bajra in snack form contributes to a balanced diet, aiding in weight management and promoting digestive health. Sensory and microbial analyses were conducted to evaluate the product's attributes and safety. The proximate analysis revealed key nutritional parameters such as moisture content (68.8%), total fats (15.55g/200g), protein (9g/200g), carbohydrates (20.2g/200g), crude fiber (6g/200g), ash content (15.34), calcium (234.5mg/200g), and iron (9.425mg/200g). The microbial load was found to be within acceptable limits. Organoleptic assessment, encompassing attributes like color, flavor, texture, taste, and odor, indicated favorable reception by panelists, garnering a high rating score of 8. A packaging solution was chosen based on considerations of product properties and shelf-life requirements, with the product exhibiting a shelf life of 2 to 3 months from the manufacturing date. In conclusion, the developed product offers a nutrient-rich, fiber- and protein-packed snack alternative, catering to health-conscious consumers.

Non-pharmacological interventions to prevent return of gastric ulcers: A systematic review

Recurrence of gastric ulcers is a significant concern, and non-pharmacological interventions play an important role in their prevention. This systematic review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of nonpharmacological interventions in preventing gastric ulcer recurrence. The aim of this research is Non-Pharmacological Interventions to Prevent Recurrence of Gastric Ulcers: A Systematic Review". The research method in this study was the literature method. The literature method was carried out by means of a comprehensive search carried out in several databases, including PubMed, Medline, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library, using predefined search terms. Studies published from (start date) to (end date) were included. Two independent reviewers screened articles, extracted data, and assessed the quality of included studies using standard tools. The results show that non-pharmacological interventions are quite promising in preventing recurrence of gastric ulcers. Dietary modifications, such as avoiding spicy and acidic foods, and adopting a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables, are associated with a reduced risk of relapse. Lifestyle changes, particularly smoking cessation and reducing alcohol consumption, have shown a positive impact on healing ulcers and preventing recurrence. Stress management techniques, such as relaxation exercises and cognitive behavioral therapy, show potential benefits in reducing ulcer recurrence rates. Complementary therapies, such as acupuncture and herbal remedies, have shown mixed results, with some studies showing positive effects in preventing recurrence. Non-pharmacological interventions offer a valuable approach to preventing gastric ulcer recurrence. Dietary modifications, lifestyle changes, stress management techniques, and complementary therapies show promising results in reducing relapse rates. These findings highlight the importance of integrating non-pharmacological interventions into gastric ulcer management and prevention strategies. Further research is needed to validate these findings and explore optimal implementation methods.

Dietary Knowledge and Preference Among Middle-Aged and Older Chinese Couples.

This study investigates the interdependence of dietary knowledge and preference and potential rural-urban differences among middle-aged and older Chinese couples. Couple-level data from the 2015 China Health and Nutrition Survey were included (N = 2933). Structural Equation Model examined the actor and partner effects of dietary knowledge on dietary preferences. Findings indicated that greater dietary knowledge was associated with one's healthier diet preferences among both rural and urban residents (P < .01). In rural areas, ones' dietary knowledge was associated with their partners' dietary preferences (P < .01). However, in urban areas, husbands' dietary knowledge was not associated with their wives' dietary preferences (P = .58), whereas wives' dietary knowledge was associated with their husbands' dietary preferences (P < .05). The rural-urban difference indicates the greater decision-making power of men in rural households. A couple-based approach is suggested for dietary interventions and guidelines promoting healthy eating in China, particularly in rural regions.

HEALTHY LIFESTYLE INDICATORS AMING MEDICAL STUDENTS AT POLTAVA STATE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY

The aim of the research is to study the indicators of a healthy lifestyle among Master students at Poltava State Medical University, and factors influencing this choice. The article analyzes the results of a survey among 228 students of the 1st-3rd years of study at Poltava State Medical University. We used the Google Forms service (https://docs.google.com/forms) to conduct the survey. The questionnaire was distributed through student groups in Viber and Telegram social networks. Results. In this study, 94.7% of students agreed to participate. Male students made up 29.6% of participants, female participants constituted 70.4%. The average value of BMI was 22.34 (CI [20.16-24.35]) in men and 21.07 (CI [19.23-22.29]) (p=0.019) in women. A statistically significant difference was observed between the BMI values of students who lived in a dormitory, the average BMI was 20.82 (CI [19.26-21.76]), compared to those who lived with their families in their own housing, where BMI was 21.54 (CI [19.46-22.82]), and those in rented housing, where BMI was 21.87 (CI [19.22-23.74]) (p&lt;0.0001). The mean score for tendency to crash diet for weight loss in the male group was 0.15 (CI [0-1.0]), compared to the female group, where it was 0.41 (CI [0-1.0]) (p=0.0104). The mean score for the frequency of walking in the group aged 16-18 was 2.25 (CI [1.0-3.0]), 19-21 - 2.33 (CI [1.0-3.0]), 22-24 - 1.33 (CI [1.0-2.0]), &gt;24 - 2.0 (CI [1.0-2.0]) (p=0.00805). The mean score for the frequency of walking in the group of students living in rented housing was 2.18 (CI [1.0-3.0]), in the group living in a dormitory - 2.47 (CI [1.0-3.0]), in the group living with family - 2.07 (CI [1.0-2.0]) (p=0.0014). Conclusion. A healthy diet, sleep, and exercise must be balanced to improve mental and physical health, and thus to improve the performance of medical students. In general, students should be instructed to maintain proper sleep hygiene, recommended reducing the time spent using the devices, especially in the evening, avoiding alcoholic beverages, as well as setting various reminders and alarms.

Machine Learning for the Diagnosis and Prognosis of Chronic Illnesses

An essential part of healthcare is disease prediction, which seeks to identify people who are at risk of getting certain diseases. Because of their superior capacity to sift through massive datasets in search of intricate patterns, machine learning algorithms have recently become useful instruments in the fight against illness prediction. The goal of this project is to make it easier for people to diagnose their own health problems using just their symptoms and precise vital signs. Due to excessive medical expenditures, many people put off taking care of their health, which can result in worsening symptoms or even death. Medical expenses can be overwhelming for people without health insurance. Using machine learning methods like ExtRa Trees, the suggested system provides a general illness forecast based on patients' symptoms. The algorithm provides a possible diagnosis based on the user's age, gender, and symptoms, suggesting that the user may be experiencing a certain illness. The system also suggests healthy eating and exercise routines to help lessen the impact of the condition, depending on how bad it is. Lastly, this article has shown a comparison examination of the suggested system using several algorithms including logistic regression, decision tree, and Naïve Bayes. The efficiency and accuracy of illness prediction are both enhanced by the suggested model.

Personalize Diet Finder

In Today’s busy life healthy body is dream for everyone to have a proper balanced diet. A balanced diet is important because your organs and tissues need proper nutrition to work effectively. Without good nutrition, your body is more prone to disease, infection, fatigue, and poor performance. Children with a poor diet run the risk of growth and developmental problems and poor academic performance, and bad eating habits can persist for the rest of their lives. At the core of a balanced diet are foods that are low in unnecessary fats and sugars and high in vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. The following food groups are essential parts of a balanced diet. Calories play a vital role in our growth and energy. A good diet can help you manipulate calorie intake based on your requirements. The proposed application will provide the user with a user-friendly User-Interface where they can create an account, manage their account and get the diet by the click of just one button. If the user is allergic to some kind of food, it also has the feature to contact an actual dietitian to consult. And there’s also a page where the user can just read some interesting facts on health and human body. This application will save a lot of user’s time by not actually visiting a dietitian and getting everything done on their phone

Characterisation of wholegrain composite for pretzels: a comprehensive nutritional and functional analysis

SummaryWholegrain composite flours are used for bakery products to enhance their nutritional value and to decrease the reliance on wheat importation as well as to ensure food security in most developing countries. This work aimed to optimise oat, maize, barley and wheat flour levels in the development of nutritionally enriched wholegrain pretzels. Composite flour blends were prepared by mechanical mixing of oat flour (OF), barley flour (BF), maize flour (MF) and wheat flour (WF) in the following proportion: WF (100%) (T0 – control), W:B (90:10) (T1), W:M (90:10) (T2), W:O (90:10) (T3), W:B:M:O (85:5:5:5) (T4), W:B:M:O (76:8:8:8) (T5) and W:B:M:O (70:10:10:10) (T6). Wholegrain composite flour mixes were analysed for their proximate composition and antioxidant properties. The fat, protein, ash and moisture content significantly changed (P &lt; 0.05) in all treatments, while the fibre content increased. DPPH radical scavenging activity and total phenolic and flavonoid content showed significant changes compared to the control. A rapid visco analyser determined multigrain flour's rheological and pasting properties, and the values showed significant (P &lt; 0.05) differences for peak viscosity, final viscosity and pasting temperature. The final product was analysed for proximate analysis, texture, colour and sensory evaluation. The increase in moisture, protein, fibre and ash content of the product was observed. Moisture, fat and fibre content of pretzels exhibited significant correlations (P &lt; 0.05) with the sensory parameters. A grouping of the samples in function of the chemical and sensory characteristics was depicted from the principal component analysis. Texture and colour analysis showed significant differences (P &lt; 0.05). Sensory evaluation results showed that the overall score for acceptability found for composite flour mix which contains 10% barley, 10% oat and 10% maize with wheat in a 30:70 ratio was accepted by the consumer. Consumption of wholegrain pretzels as snack food can contribute to a nutritious and balanced diet.

Valorizing Fruit and Vegetable Waste: The Untapped Potential for Entrepreneurship in Sub-Saharan Africa—A Systematic Review

Valorizing food waste (FW) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) can enhance the efficiency of limited resources, make healthy diets more affordable, and foster the creation of innovative enterprises. The vast quantities of FW from the agri-food chain significantly threaten food security. To address this issue and maximize potential environmental and socio-economic benefits, valorizing waste, a value-adding process for waste materials, has emerged as a sustainable and efficient strategy. Valorizing FW reduces greenhouse gas emissions, mitigates climate change, enhances resource efficiency, and improves planetary health. As a pivotal player in the transition toward the circular economy, this study investigates the potential of converting FW into value-added products, offering entrepreneurial opportunities for SSA’s unemployed youth. A systematic literature review is conducted to identify and filter relevant articles over five years by applying inclusion and exclusion criteria. A total of 33 articles were included for in-depth analysis to address the study’s aim. The findings highlight a range of value-added products derived from FW, including renewable energy sources, nutraceuticals, and heavy metal adsorbents. These products present promising entrepreneurial prospects within SSA. Nonetheless, overcoming barriers to FW valorization adoption is crucial for fully realizing its potential as a profitable business avenue.

Current Developments in the Prevention and Improvement of Intestinal Disorders: A Mini-Review.

Recently, the number of patients who manifest intestinal disorders has increased. Particularly, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) patients and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) patients, which include Ulcerative Colitis (UC) and Crohn's Disease (CD), are on the rise, especially in the young generation. Behcet's disease (an autoimmune disease) and bowel obstruction are also common intestinal disorders. Furthermore, colorectal cancer, including colon and rectum cancer and small intestinal cancer, are the typical disorders in the intestine. Other disorders in the digestive tract are infectious diseases like Helicobacter pylori infection. Even though symptomatic treatments have been increasing for the treatment of intestinal disorders, the ways of improving and preventing these diseases are still controversial. The progress of medicine and treatment is rapid. However, recent approaches to the prevention and improvement of these intestinal disorders are suppressing dysbiosis and preventing chronic inflammation. This mini-review discusses the hypothesis of whether the improvement of the diet is a preferable choice for the prevention of these intestinal disorders. Dietary interventions are beneficial for the prevention and improvement of intestinal disorders since the first approach to intestinal disorders is dietary intervention. The Mediterranean diet, the diet from the 5-a-day campaign, and the Japanese diet are well-known healthy dietary strategies. A healthy diet regimen is not only beneficial for the prevention of intestinal disorders but also a useful strategy to reduce stress and ameliorate mental illness. In addition, the intake of phytochemicals is good for keeping healthy gut microbiota and preventing intestinal disorders. Furthermore, vitamin D3 intake with these phytochemicals works as an adjuvant to improve gut microbiota and upregulate immune responses. As a result, the decreasing production of TNF-α ameliorates chronic inflammation and intestinal disorders at an early stage. In recent years, prevention of the non-disease condition "ME-BYO" has been a popular approach for healthy and long living in Japan. This idea prevents the manifestation of diseases before the onset and is also applicable to intestinal disorders. This mini-review discusses ways of preventing and ameliorating intestinal disorders.

Indices of diet quality among Polish and Spanish physical education students

Introduction: A healthy diet is an important factor in implementing health, and the way of eating depends on individual and environmental factors. Objective: The aim of the study was to assess diet quality indices among Polish and Spanish physical education students depending on country of residence and gender. Materials and methods: Research was carried out among 219 students from Poland and 280 from Spain. A questionnaire was used to evaluate views on eating and nutritional habits (Kom-PAN). Based on the daily frequency of consuming specific groups of products, 2 indices were calculated: the pro-healthy diet index (pHDI-10) and non-healthy diet index (nHDI-14). Two-way ANOVA was used for statistical analysis. The level of significance was set at p=0.05. Results: The values of the pro-healthy (pHDI-10) and non-healthy diet (nHDI-14) indices in the group of students were 4.65 and 4.05 (times/day), respectively, which means a low level of both favourable and unfavourable food choices. Students from Poland, regardless of gender, showed a higher level of eating a healthy diet (pHDI-10) than students from Spain. However, the level of the non-healthy diet index (nHDI-14) between students from Poland and Spain differed by gender (p&lt;0.001). In the Polish group, men obtained a higher nHDI-14 index than women (p&lt;0.001), while in Spain, these values were at the same level. Furthermore, it was found that differences between countries occurred only in men, with students from Poland obtaining higher values of the nonhealthy diet index (nHDI-14) than those from Spain (p&lt;0.001), while students from both countries demonstrated similar values. Conclusions: Low levels of healthy and unhealthy diet indices were demonstrated in Polish and Spanish physical education students, with the quality of diet differentiated by country and gender.

Impact of rearing systems in the Eastern Amazon on cholesterol, β-carotene and vitamin E homologues in steer

IntroductionThe quality of meat, with a focus on compounds important for human health, is directly related to the rearing systems in which the animals are produced. The search for a balanced diet, with an emphasis on low cholesterol and adequate levels of vitamins, aligns with society’s emphasis on healthy eating, directly correlated with the importance of the offer made by producers for the cattle’s diet.Objective and methodologyThe objective was to verify the impact of different rearing systems, in the Eastern Amazon, during the rainy season, on the concentrations of vitamins (A, E) and cholesterol in the muscle (Longissimus lumborum) of crossbred Nelore cattle, castrated, aged between 24 and 36 months, and weighing between 410 and 628 kg. Twelve animals, from each of the three pasture rearing systems: native pasture in flooded areas of Monte Alegre; native pasture in a flooded area of Santa Cruz do Arari; and pasture cultivated on dry land in São Miguel do Guamá, all located in Pará, Brazil—were sampled in commercial slaughterhouses.ResultsA notable influence was observed in the concentrations of β-carotene (p &amp;lt; 0.01), α-Tocopherol (p = 0.02), β-Tocopherol (p &amp;lt; 0.01) and the combined sum of β-Tocotrienol and γ-Tocopherol (p &amp;lt; 0.01), as well as δ-Tocopherol (p &amp;lt; 0.01) when contrasting extensive with intensive systems (confinement). However, there was a difference in the content of vitamins and cholesterol between the isolated extensive systems, or between the four rearing systems (p &amp;gt; 0.05). Extensive systems, mainly in Monte Alegre, demonstrated greater amounts of α-Tocopherol and δ-Tocopherol.ConclusionOn the other hand, the intensive system exhibited higher levels of other investigated compounds, clarifying the nutritional variations generated by different livestock rearing practices in the region. Therefore, the results obtained are innovative in the Eastern Amazon, Brazil, in addition to inspiring the development of new research to meet other demands in this field, and achieve additional results, such as determining which meat, coming from cattle in production systems in the country, presents the better compositional quality of vitamins and lipids.

Chronic administration of hydrolysed pine nut oil to mice improves insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance and increases energy expenditure via a free fatty acid receptor 4-dependent mechanism.

A healthy diet is at the forefront of measures to prevent type 2 diabetes. Certain vegetable and fish oils, such as pine nut oil (PNO), have been demonstrated to ameliorate the adverse metabolic effects of a high-fat diet. The present study study investigates the involvement of the free fatty acid receptors 1 (FFAR1) and 4 (FFAR4) in the chronic activity of hydrolysed PNO (hPNO) on high-fat diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance. Male C57BL/6J wild-type, FFAR1 knockout (-/-) and FFAR4-/- mice were placed on 60% high-fat diet for 3 months. Mice were then dosed hPNO for 24 days, during which time body composition, energy intake and expenditure, glucose tolerance and fasting plasma insulin, leptin and adiponectin were measured. hPNO improved glucose tolerance and decreased plasma insulin in the wild-type and FFAR1-/- mice, but not the FFAR4-/- mice. hPNO also decreased high-fat diet-induced bodyweight gain and fat mass, whilst increasing energy expenditure and plasma adiponectin. None of these effects on energy balance were statistically significant in FFAR4-/- mice but it was not shown that they were significantly less than in wild-type mice. In conclusion, chronic hPNO supplementation reduces the metabolically detrimental effects of high-fat diet on obesity and insulin resistance in a manner that is dependent on the presence of FFAR4.

Dietary (Poly)phenols and the Gut–Brain Axis in Ageing

As the population ages, the incidence of age-related neurodegenerative diseases is rapidly increasing, and novel approaches to mitigate this soaring prevalence are sorely needed. Recent studies have highlighted the importance of gut microbial homeostasis and its impact on brain functions, commonly referred to as the gut–brain axis, in maintaining overall health and wellbeing. Nonetheless, the mechanisms by which this system acts remains poorly defined. In this review, we will explore how (poly)phenols, a class of natural compounds found in many plant-based foods and beverages, can modulate the gut–brain axis, and thereby promote neural health. While evidence indicates a beneficial role of (poly)phenol consumption as part of a balanced diet, human studies are scarce and mechanistic insight is still lacking. In this regard, we make the case that dietary (poly)phenols should be further explored to establish their therapeutic efficacy on brain health through modulation of the gut–brain axis, with much greater emphasis on carefully designed human interventions.

Survey of Nutrition Knowledge, Attitudes, and Preferred Informational Sources among Students at a Southwestern University in the United States: A Brief Report

The purpose of this study was to investigate nutrition perspectives, basic nutrition knowledge, and preferred sources of nutrition information among students at a southwestern university in the US. An original online survey was used to evaluate common sources of nutrition information, factors viewed as comprising a healthy dietary pattern, and attitudes toward nutrition information and recommendations. A total of 316 participants completed the survey. Prioritizing fruits and vegetables was the most common response (97%) for characterizing healthy eating. When asked which factors characterize a non-healthy pattern of eating, eating sweets was the top response (83%). The most common sources of nutrition information reported were word of mouth/friends and family (56%), followed by social media (45%). The majority felt that nutrition recommendations are constantly changing (78%) and that nutrition information is confusing (55%). Our data indicate that most students rely primarily on informal sources of nutrition information. However, our preliminary data also suggest that many students have a fair understanding of basic principles of healthy eating. More research in a broader and more diverse sample is needed to validate these findings.

Health-Related Lifestyles among University Students: Focusing on Eating Habits and Physical Activity

The transition to higher education at University is a critical moment for young adults to acquire unhealthy habits regarding physical activity (PA) and adherence to a healthy diet. Negative behaviors might be maintained in the years to come with a major risk of suffering from a Non-Communicable Disease. This study aims to determine the relationship between diet and PA in the student community of University of Milano-Bicocca. Students between 18 and 30 years old completed an online survey (6949 students). Two analyses of covariance (ANCOVA), chi-square tests of independence, and a binomial logistic regression were performed to examine the relationship between adequacy of food consumption and PA, in association also with sociodemographic characteristics. Data show a strong correlation between behaviors analyzed, with a proportional positive association between PA and healthy diet. Nevertheless, a third of the sample students incur in incorrect habits for both diet and PA. Further, students performing intensive PA have the healthiest food consumption in general but the worst red meat and pork intake. Accordingly, men practice more PA but have a less adequate diet, exactly contrary to women. In conclusion, policies promoting consciousness of well-being would transform Universities into healthy hubs for virtuous habits.

Lifestyle-based subtypes of childhood obesity and their association with cardiometabolic factors: A cluster analysis.

Lifestyle factors play an important role in the development and management of childhood obesity and its related cardiometabolic complications. We aimed to explore childhood obesity subtypes based on lifestyle factors and examine their association with cardiometabolic health. We included 1550 children with obesity from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Cluster analysis identified obesity subtypes based on four lifestyle factors (physical activity, diet quality, sedentary time and smoking). Multiple linear regression assessed their association with cardiometabolic factors. Five subtypes of childhood obesity were identified: unhealthy subtype (n = 571; 36.8%), physically active subtype (n = 185; 21.1%), healthy diet subtype (n = 404; 26.1%), smoking subtype (n = 125; 8.1%) and non-sedentary subtype (n = 265; 17.1%). Compared with the unhealthy subtype, the physically active subtype had lower insulin and HOMA-IR levels, and smoking subtype was associated with lower HDL levels. When compared with children with normal weight, all obesity subtypes had worse cardiometabolic profile, except the physically active subtype who had similar DBP, HbA1c and TC levels; smoking subtype who had similar TC levels; and healthy diet and non-sedentary subtypes who had similar DBP levels. Children of different lifestyle-based obesity subtypes might have different cardiometabolic risks. Our new classification system might help personalize assessment of childhood obesity.

Exploring Children's Knowledge of Healthy Eating, Digital Media Use, and Caregivers' Perspectives to Inform Design and Contextual Considerations for Game-Based Interventions in Schools for Low-Income Families in Lima, Peru: Survey Study.

The prevalence of overweight and obesity in schoolchildren is increasing in Peru. Given the increased use of digital media, there is potential to develop effective digital health interventions to promote healthy eating practices at schools. This study investigates the needs of schoolchildren in relation to healthy eating and the potential role of digital media to inform the design of game-based nutritional interventions. This study aims to explore schoolchildren's knowledge about healthy eating and use of and preferences for digital media to inform the future development of a serious game to promote healthy eating. A survey was conducted in 17 schools in metropolitan Lima, Peru. The information was collected virtually with specific questions for the schoolchild and their caregiver during October 2021 and November 2021 and following the COVID-19 public health restrictions. Questions on nutritional knowledge and preferences for and use of digital media were included. In the descriptive analysis, the percentages of the variables of interest were calculated. We received 3937 validated responses from caregivers and schoolchildren. The schoolchildren were aged between 8 years and 15 years (2030/3937, 55.8% girls). Of the caregivers, 83% (3267/3937) were mothers, and 56.5% (2223/3937) had a secondary education. Only 5.2% (203/3937) of schoolchildren's homes did not have internet access; such access was through WiFi (2151/3937, 54.6%) and mobile internet (1314/3937, 33.4%). In addition, 95.3% (3753/3937) of schoolchildren's homes had a mobile phone; 31.3% (1233/3937) had computers. In relation to children's knowledge on healthy eating, 42.2% (1663/3937) of schoolchildren did not know the recommendation to consume at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily, 46.7% (1837/3937) of schoolchildren did not identify front-of-package warning labels (FOPWLs), and 63.9% (2514/3937) did not relate the presence of an FOPWL with dietary risk. Most schoolchildren (3100/3937, 78.7%) preferred to use a mobile phone. Only 38.3% (1509/3937) indicated they preferred a computer. In addition, 47.9% (1885/3937) of caregivers considered that the internet helps in the education of schoolchildren, 82.7% (3254/3937) of caregivers gave permission for schoolchildren to play games with digital devices, and 38% (1495/3937) of caregivers considered that traditional digital games for children are inadequate. The results suggest that knowledge about nutrition in Peruvian schoolchildren has limitations. Most schoolchildren have access to the internet, with mobile phones being the device type with the greatest availability and preference for use. Caregivers' perspectives on games and schoolchildren, including a greater interest in using digital games, provide opportunities for the design and development of serious games to improve schoolchildren's nutritional knowledge in Peru. Future research is needed to explore the potential of serious games that are tailored to the needs and preferences of both schoolchildren and their caregivers in Peru in order to promote healthy eating.

Oral health and multimorbidity: Is diet the chicken or the egg?

Oral health is a critical component of overall health and well-being, not just the absence of disease. The objective of this review paper is to describe relationships among diet, nutrition, oral, and systemic diseases that contribute to multi-morbidity. Diet and nutrient-related risk factors for oral diseases include high intakes of free sugars, low intakes of fruits and vegetables, and nutrient poor diets which are similar to diet and nutrient-related risk factors for systemic diseases. Oral diseases are chronic diseases. Once the disease process is initiated, it persists throughout the lifespan. Pain and tissue loss from oral disease leads to oral dysfunction which contributes to impaired biting, chewing, oral motility, and swallowing. Oral dysfunction makes it difficult to eat nutrient dense whole grains, fruits, and vegetables associated with a healthy diet. Early childhood caries (ECC) associated with frequent intake of free sugars is one of the first manifestations of oral disease. The presence of ECC is our 'canary in the coal mine' for diet-related chronic diseases. The dietary sugars causing ECC are not complementary to an Eatwell Guide compliant diet, but rather consistent with a diet high in energy dense, nutrient poor foods - typically ultra-processed in nature. This diet generally deteriorates throughout childhood, adolescence, and adulthood increasing the risk of diet-related chronic diseases. Recognition of ECC is an opportunity to intervene and disrupt the pathway to multi-morbidities. Disruption of this pathway will reduce risk of multi-morbidities and enable individuals to fully engage in society throughout the lifespan.

Food contamination and cardiovascular disease: a narrative review.

Cardiovascular disease is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among non-communicable diseases worldwide. Evidence shows that a healthy dietary pattern positively influences many risk factors of cardiometabolic health, stroke, and heart disease, supported by the effectiveness of healthy diet and lifestyles for the prevention of CVD. High quality and safety of foods are prerequisites to ensuring food security and beneficial effects. Contaminants can be present in foods mainly because of contamination from environmental sources (water, air, or soil pollution), or artificially introduced by the human. Moreover, the cross-contamination or formation during food processing, food packaging, presence or contamination by natural toxins, or use of unapproved food additives and adulterants. Numerous studies reported the association between food contaminants and cardiovascular risk by demonstrating that (1) the cross-contamination or artificial sweeteners, additives, and adulterants in food processing can be the cause of the risk for major adverse cardiovascular events and (2) environmental factors, such as heavy metals and chemical products can be also significant contributors to food contamination with a negative impact on cardiovascular systems. Furthermore, oxidative stress can be a common mechanism that mediates food contamination-associated CVDs as substantiated by studies showing impaired oxidative stress biomarkers after exposure to food contaminants.This narrative review summarizes the data suggesting how food contaminants may elicit artery injury and proposing oxidative stress as a mediator of cardiovascular damage.