Associations between healthy dietary patterns and life expectancy remain unclear. Here, we reported the prospective associations of five dietary patterns with mortality and life expectancy in 103,649 UK Biobank participants. Over a median follow-up period of 10.6 years, 4314 total deaths were documented. Alternate Healthy Eating Index-2010, Alternate Mediterranean Diet (AMED), healthful Plant-based Diet Index (hPDI), Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, and Diabetes Risk Reduction Diet (DRRD) were associated with lower all-cause mortality and longer life expectancy, with DRRD showing slightly stronger associations than hPDI. Compared with the bottom quintile, achieving the top quintile of dietary scores was associated with 1.9 to 3.0 years of life gained at 45 years in men and 1.5 to 2.3 years in women. The life gained was longest in DRRD for males and AMED for females. The significant associations remained when accounting for genetic susceptibility. Our findings underscore the advantages of healthy dietary patterns in prolonging life expectancy, regardless of longevity genes.

Background. Noncommunicable diseases are rising in Pakistan, driven by poor diet, physical inactivity, and smoking. This study aimed to evaluate undergraduate students’ lifestyle behaviors, their attitudes toward lifestyle medicine, and the associations between these behaviors and psychological well-being. Methods. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted between June 2023 and March 2024 among 725 undergraduate students (18–25 years) from healthcare and non-healthcare programs in Pakistan. Data on dietary habits and psychological well-being were collected using the traditional balanced Pakistani diet (TBPD) adherence scale and the Urdu-adapted Hedonic and Eudaimonic Motives for Activities-Revised (HEMA-R) scale, while physical activity, smoking, and alcohol consumption were assessed using self-reported items. Associations between lifestyle behaviors and psychological well-being were examined using univariable and multivariable logistic regression, adjusting for age, gender, academic discipline, and paternal education. Results. Among participants, 49.9% reported high TBPD adherence, 38.6% met recommended physical activity levels, and 87.7% were non-smokers. High TBPD adherence was associated with higher eudaimonic (adjOR 3.12, 95% CI: 1.82–5.36) and overall well-being (adjOR 2.41, 95% CI: 1.45–4.01). Physically active students were also more likely to report higher eudaimonic (adjOR 1.92, 95% CI: 1.11–3.32) and overall well-being (adjOR 1.76, 95% CI: 1.10–2.81). Current smoking was associated with lower combined well-being (adjOR 0.49, 95% CI: 0.27–0.91). Sociodemographic factors, including gender and academic discipline, were not independently associated with well-being. Most students recognized healthcare professionals as role models and counselors, indicating potential avenues for lifestyle medicine education. Conclusion. Adherence to a healthy diet and engagement in physical activity are positively associated with psychological well-being among undergraduate students. These findings highlight the relevance of lifestyle medicine principles in educational curricula, without implying causality.

Lifestyle factors such as smoking, alcohol intake, physical activity, diet, and waist circumference are linked to kidney stone (KS) risk, but their combined effect is unclear. To examine the association between a composite lifestyle score and KS risk. We analyzed 2007–2016 NHANES data from 15,774 adults aged 20–80 years. A healthy lifestyle score (0–5) was derived from five factors: nonsmoking, moderate alcohol, adequate activity, healthy diet, and optimal waist circumference. KS was self-reported by questionnaire. Weighted multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine the association between the combined healthy lifestyle scores and KS risk. Restricted cubic spline models were employed to assess the dose-response relationship. The highest lifestyle score quartile had 51% lower KS risk (OR = 0.49; 95% CI: 0.41–0.63) versus the lowest quartile. Each 1-point increase reduced risk by 16% (OR = 0.84; 95% CI: 0.79–0.89). A linear dose-response relationship was observed (P-overall < 0.001; P-nonlinearity = 0.910). Sensitivity analyses supported robustness. Higher combined healthy lifestyle scores are associated with lower KS risk, highlighting the value of integrated lifestyle modification for prevention.

Background. The student age is characterized by high academic workload, stress, sleep disturbances, unbalanced diet, low physical activity, and the formation of harmful habits, all of which increase the risk of developing arterial hypertension (AH). The objective of the research. To study the prevalence of risk factors for AH among the third-year students of Grodno State Medical University (GrSMU) in the 2024/2025 academic year, as well as their influence and association with blood pressure and pulse levels. Materials and methods. The study involved 511 third-year students of GrSMU (2024/2025 academic year). An anonymous survey of students regarding the presence of risk factors for AH was conducted. Body weight, height, waist and hip circumference, blood pressure, and pulse were measured. Results. The most common risk factors were identified: among male students, elevated body mass index (BMI) was observed in 25.2%; among female students, unbalanced diet (58.9%), excessive consumption of sweets (63.2%), and short sleep duration (&lt;7 h, 67.5%) were common. A significant proportion of students had low physical activity, with about half exercising less than twice a week. Frequent negative stress was reported by 42.4% of males and 70.2% of females. In females, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and pulse positively correlated with body weight, waist and hip circumference, BMI, and frequency of weight training. Males who engaged in weight training 2–3 times per week had higher DBP levels; females whose mothers suffered from AH also had elevated DBP; students with episodes of tachycardia at rest were characterized by higher SBP, DBP and pulse values. Conclusions. The prevalence of many risk factors for AH among the third-year students of GrSMU is high. Early identification and prevention of risk factors, including body weight control, balanced diet, sleep normalization, regular physical activity, and blood pressure monitoring, are necessary to reduce the likelihood of developing hypertension at a young age.

Persimmon (&lt;em&gt;Diospyros kaki&lt;/em&gt; L.) is increasingly recognized as a nutrient-dense fruit rich in health-promoting compounds. This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the nutritional composition, phenolic profile, antioxidant potential, and elemental content of &lt;em&gt;D. kaki&lt;/em&gt; fruit and its contribution to dietary mineral intake. Proximate analysis revealed a high moisture content, low fat, and appreciable fiber and carbohydrate levels, supporting its classification as a low-calorie, fiber-rich food. Methanolic extracts exhibited superior yields of pigments, total polyphenols (1236.20 ± 19.24 µg GAE/g), and flavonoids (413.43 ± 34.37 µg QE/g) compared to ethanolic extracts. HPLC analysis identified gallic acid as the predominant phenolic compound, followed by ellagic and &lt;em&gt;p&lt;/em&gt;-coumaric acids. Antioxidant evaluation demonstrated strong radical-scavenging and reducing capacities across the DPPH (2310.38 µg AAE/g), FRAP (2246.45 µg AAE/g), and CUPRAC (8274.36 µg AAE/g) assays, confirming a broad antioxidant spectrum. Mineral analysis indicated potassium (1652.84 mg/kg), phosphorus (1091.78 mg/kg), and magnesium (73.47 mg/kg) as dominant macroelements, while iron (4.94 mg/kg), manganese (0.66 mg/kg), zinc (0.26 mg/kg), and copper (0.11 mg/kg) were the primary microelements. Toxic metals (As, Cd, Pb) were below quantification limits, verifying the fruit’s safety. Estimated dietary intakes suggested notable contributions to daily requirements, particularly for phosphorus (15.6%), potassium (6.4%), and selenium (60%). Overall, &lt;em&gt;D. kaki&lt;/em&gt; demonstrates considerable nutritional and functional potential, providing essential nutrients, antioxidant phytochemicals, and dietary minerals beneficial for metabolic health. These findings suggest that persimmon may contribute to balanced diets and indicate its potential as a candidate ingredient for functional food formulations, warranting further investigation.

This study evaluates the service quality of smart campus dining services as a core element of sustainable school meal governance and health-promoting campus environments. A structured questionnaire grounded in the five SERVQUAL dimensions—tangibles, reliability, responsiveness, assurance, and empathy—was administered to 375 users of a smart campus catering platform, including students, faculty and staff, and education administrators from 20 counties and cities in Taiwan. The data were analyzed using gap analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, multiple regression, and Importance–Performance Analysis (IPA) to identify major service quality gaps and sustainability-oriented improvement priorities. The results show that tangibles, reliability, responsiveness, and assurance significantly predict overall service quality, with assurance exerting the strongest effect, while empathy is highly correlated with the other dimensions. IPA further indicates that outdated or insufficient smart facilities fall into the high-importance/low-performance area and thus represent a critical weakness. These findings provide empirical evidence for data-driven and user-centered management of school meal services, supporting more efficient resource allocation, AI-assisted menu planning, and IoT-based food safety monitoring. By linking service quality assessment with sustainable campus governance, the study contributes to efforts to promote healthy eating, reduce food waste, and strengthen localized food supply collaboration, in line with Sustainable Development Goals related to health, education, and responsible consumption.

Improving healthy food access is one of the most effective strategies to promote healthy eating. However, few studies examined the spatiotemporal characteristics of both healthy and unhealthy food outlets with both absolute and relative metrics and their socioeconomic disparities at a granular scale over time. We aimed to (1) examine the spatiotemporal characteristics of the healthy and unhealthy food environment (characterized by three complementary absolute and relative metrics) in Wuhan, China, during 2012-2022 and (2) investigate the socioeconomic disparities in multidimensional food environments over time. We found that healthy food outlets and unhealthy food outlets were spatially clustered in the same areas rather than being spatially separated. They were co-evolving with an increasing trend over time. In contrast, some areas with only healthy food outlets have transitioned to areas with mixed food availability. Further, healthy and unhealthy food outlets tend to be spatially concentrated in areas with higher socioeconomic status (SES), especially in highly populated areas. This study contributed to the literature by capturing a more holistic and dynamic picture of the urban foodscape over a 10-year period in Wuhan, China; and improving nuanced understanding of the socioeconomic disparities in the multidimensional food environment at a granular scale over time. Our complementary absolute and relative food accessibility metrics could help advance the characterization of healthy-related multiple environment exposures. Our findings could inform equity-based interventions to improve healthy food access in disadvantaged areas with lower socioeconomic status.

Effectiveness of a mobile application in improving the physical and mental health of primary care health professionals

A Clinician's Guide for Trending Cardiovascular Nutritional Controversies in 2026.

Academic performance is often highly prioritized among college students, sometimes at the expense of their health. Despite growing interest in this relationship, limited research with college students has explored how diet quality (DQ) varies by gender, first-generation status, and grade-point average (GPA). The purpose of this paper was to: (1) examine the relationship between DQ and academic performance in college students and (2) identify potential differences based on gender, first-generation status, and varying GPAs. In this cross-sectional study, undergraduate students (n = 301), mean age 21.2 (SD ± 2.49), completed the validated Short Healthy Eating Index (sHEI) based on the USDA's Healthy Eating Index (HEI) per 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, to examine DQ. Academic performance was assessed using self-reported GPA. Students were predominantly non-Hispanic White (63%), Female (61%), and 75% had at least one parent graduate college. Descriptive statistics, correlation, and one-way ANOVAs were used to analyze the data using SPSS V.29. GPA was categorized into 3 groups: high, mid, and low GPA groups. Results were significant when p < 0.05. DQ scores ranged from 21% to 68%, with a mean of 44% (SD: ±2.494). There were no significant associations between GPA and total DQ. However, significant associations were found between gender and specific dietary components. Further, total protein scores were greater among students with a high GPA compared to low and mid-GPA groups (F = 5.214, p = 0.006). Plant-based protein was greater among students who had at least one parent graduate college compared to first-generation students (F = 3.435, p = 0.034). Students living independently had lower total protein scores compared to those living with family (F = 4.841, p = 0.029). Additionally, students without a current job had higher dairy scores than those employed (F = 4.280, p = 0.039). Overall, college students reported poor DQ; however, personal (e.g., gender) and environmental factors (e.g., living arrangements) were associated with one's DQ. Further investigation is needed to facilitate the development of effective interventions that encourage healthier dietary habits among college students to improve their overall health and wellness.

Endometrial cancer (EC) is a gynecologic malignancy with rising incidence globally, particularly in countries experiencing nutritional transitions. Diet quality may influence EC risk, yet evidence from non-Western populations remains limited. We conducted a hospital-based case-control study involving 136 histologically confirmed EC cases and 272 age- and BMI-matched controls in Tehran, Iran. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated 168-item food frequency questionnaire. Healthy Eating Index-2020 (HEI-2020) were computed to evaluate diet quality. Logistic regression was employed to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), controlling for reproductive factors, educational status, comorbidity, physical activity, and energy intake. Women in the highest tertile of HEI-2020 had 83% lower odds of EC compared to the lowest tertile (OR = 0.17; 95% CI: 0.09-0.30; P for trend < 0.001). The inverse association remained consistent across BMI categories and menopausal status. Greater intakes of vegetables, legumes, and plant-based proteins, along with reduced consumption of saturated fats, added sugars, and refined grains, were key dietary contributors. Greater adherence to the HEI-2020 was independently associated with reduced risk of EC among Iranian women. These findings emphasize the potential role of high-quality dietary patterns in cancer prevention and warrant confirmation in prospective studies across diverse populations.

The university student period is of great importance as it is easier to exhibit risky behaviors such as unhealthy eating. The aim of this study is to assess the food literacy and eating disorders of university students to contribute to the planning of remedial interventions. This study was conducted with 813 students from Kütahya Health Sciences University, in 2022. Data were collected through a survey form. Factors associated with food literacy and eating disorders were demonstrated using chi-square tests and binary logistic regression analysis. Food literacy was found to be more inadequate/limited in men, younger individuals, those who perceive themselves as weak, those who do not prioritize healthy eating, those who consume less than five servings of fruits, vegetables, legumes, and grains (excluding potatoes and corn), and those who consume more than 50 grams of sugar daily. Eating disorders were more common among those who perceive themselves as overweight or normal weight, those who do not eat regularly, those who restrict their eating to stay thin or maintain an ideal weight, those with fast food habits, those whose food intake varies with emotions, and those with lower BMI and associate degree education. In order for university students, who are the future of the country, to acquire healthy eating habits, we think that planning remedial interventions such as the inclusion of healthy nutrition in educational curricula and various activities, regulations in the nutrition facilities of universities and dormitories, and in the amount of loans/scholarships given will have a positive effect.

The synergistic integration of regular physical activity and a healthy diet is considered crucial for optimizing both metabolic and psychosomatic health, offering a critical non-pharmacological strategy for promoting healthy aging. This mini-review aims to synthesize the present literature to assess the physiological, molecular, and psychological effects of these combined lifestyle interventions on aging processes. This article reviews meta-analyses and randomized controlled trials to demonstrate that exercise triggers key physiological adaptations, including increased insulin sensitivity and positive adipose tissue remodeling, while also exhibiting significant antidepressant and anxiolytic effects through various neurobiological pathways. It underscores that nutrition emerges not merely as a complementary factor but as a key modulator that strongly enhances the metabolic benefits of exercise and directly contributes to improved mental health outcomes. The central theme of this review is to highlight the profound synergy between these methods. The combination of these interventions alleviates chronic inflammation, optimizes metabolic parameters, and enhances psychological well-being more effectively than a single intervention. Consequently, integrated lifestyle programs offer highly positive health contributions, providing a robust, accessible, and practical approach to extending healthy lifespan, improving quality of life, and reducing the global burden of age-related diseases.

This study assessed the seasonal availability and nutrient profiles of pig feedstuffs present on small-scale farms in the Cape Metropole, South Africa. Eighty-two feedstuffs (54 in winter and 28 in summer) were collected from 50 small-scale urban pig farms in five low-income, high-density suburbs in the Cape Metropole. There was an association between season and feed category, with fruit wastes and bakery wastes (contributing 36% and 19% of total feed samples, respectively) being the most abundant feedstuffs in summer and winter, respectively. Fruit and vegetable wastes had the lowest dry matter (&lt;25%) and highest crude fibre (&gt;10%) concentrations, regardless of the season. Soybean and milk mix, spinach, and Russian sausage waste had the highest crude protein (31%–48%) and amino acid concentrations in summer. In winter, soybean and fish meal mix, dry commercial feed, and ice cream and cheese mix were the predominant sources of crude protein (31%–35%) and amino acids. Irrespective of season, kitchen wastes containing meat and dairy by-products and bakery wastes containing legume seeds had the highest ether extract (16%–34%) and gross energy (20–24 MJ/kg) values. Spinach and wheat by-products were the richest sources of minerals in summer and winter, respectively. Small-scale farmers in the surveyed areas could use legume grains and vegetable, meat, and dairy wastes as sources of protein, amino acids, and minerals, while kitchen wastes containing meat or dairy by-products and bakery wastes containing legume seeds could be used as energy feedstuffs to formulate customised, cost-optimised, and balanced homemade diets for pigs. (Submitted 11 September 2025; Accepted 07 December 2025; Published 05 February 2026)

The present study analyses the perceptions and behavioural practices related to food habits of students studying in secondary schools of Lakhimpur-Kheri district of Uttar Pradesh. Eating habits developed during adolescence affect physical, mental and social health. In this research, questionnaires have been used to collect data from secondary school students of private and government schools. This research evaluated students' food preferences, junk food consumption, nutritional knowledge, and their attitudes toward healthy eating. Research results showed that many children understand the importance of food well, but in reality, unbalanced diet and junk food consumption was found to be very high among children. Gender, socio-economic status and family environment were found to have a significant influence on eating habits. This study suggests that school-based nutrition education and awareness programs can develop healthy eating habits among students. We are making a small attempt to conduct such a study in Lakhimpur Kheri district. Our study included 60 students, of whom 30 were boys (50.0%) and 30 were girls (50.0%). Data was collected using a questionnaire. The aim of this study is to determine the level of awareness among secondary school students regarding food habits and junk food.

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid levels in childhood prospectively associate with academic performance beyond a healthy diet: findings from the multi-ethnic Asian GUSTO cohort study.

Background: Menopause is a physiological change in the life of women. Menopausal women require more information about their physical and psychosocial needs. Most interventions for menopause women have focused on educational intervention, physical activity/exercise, healthy diet, stress management. The objectives of the study were to determine the commonly reported menopausal symptoms among middle age women and to correlate identified menopausal problems with coping strategies found in participants. Materials and methods: The cross-sectional observational study was conducted in Chattogram for One year (January 2021 to December 2021). Study population was women of 40 to 60 years who had given consent to participate in this study. They were residing in Chattogram metropolitan city. Using purposive sampling technique, a total number of 109 subjects were included. This study is conducted by using modified MRS questionnaire, to document of 12 symptoms (Divided into somatic, psychological and urogenital domain) commonly associated with menopause. The respondents were divided into two groups, case 59 and control 50. Results: The findings of the study are 84.7% (50) of the respondents are 45-50 years range and15.3% in the age range of 51-60 years in case. The study found that most of the women around 89% are suffering from depression, anxiety, 75% of the study population has joint paint and weakness and lack of confidence about self-wellbeing. 9% presented with hot flashes, 47% with sleep disturbances and 72 % presented with comorbidities. 80% of the respondent expressed their satisfaction in communication with friends and relatives, having rest and taking light exercise like walking, etc. Change in life style, diet and social adjustment in post intervention testing. It indicated that menopausal syndrome of participants was significantly improved in the intervention group compared to the control group (p &lt; 0.001). Conclusion: Proper knowledge and empowerment of menopausal women will guarantee their health. It will also help them to overcome the barriers in health promotion and empowerment. JCMCTA 2025 ; 36 (2) : 161-164

This narrative historical review assesses the relationship between personality traits and the preference for spicy foods. While genetic, cultural, and personality factors have all been shown to influence taste preferences, the evidence that has been published to date suggests that personality plays a greater role in the liking and consumption of spicy food than for those basic tastes linked to the essential elements of a healthy diet. Archaeological and historical data illustrate the global dissemination and cultural integration of Capsicum into the human diet. Meanwhile, physiological and psychophysical research highlight that the pungent quality of capsaicin, together with the gustatory and olfactory cues associated with the flavour of chilli, affects hedonic evaluation, with repeated exposure often increasing acceptance through a process of desensitisation. Developmental factors, such as prenatal taste/flavour transmission and benign risk learning during childhood, underpin adult preferences. Cross-cultural studies reveal that the tolerance for pungency varies by country/culture and is also markedly shaped by personality traits. Recent social media trends have also increased some people’s exposure to very spicy foods, linked to their sensation-seeking tendencies. As such, those theories that focus solely on biological sensitivity and cultural exposure likely fail to capture personality-driven factors like sensation seeking and reward sensitivity that drive the liking for spicy foods.

No existing dietary metric simultaneously captures key dimensions of sustainable healthy diets: dietary variety; intake of animal products; and extent of food processing. This methods and construct development study aimed to identify indicators of a sustainable healthy diet that can be used to inform a multidimensional diet quality score. A modified Delphi was used to gain expert consensus regarding development of a sustainable healthy diet score. Three iterative surveys were conducted between November 2022 and May 2023. Surveys asked participants' opinion regarding measurement of the three dimensions of sustainable healthy diets (Dimension 1: variety of unprocessed and minimally processed foods; Dimension 2: intake of animal products and; Dimension 3: intake of ultra-processed foods (UPF)) and weighting and aggregation of a score that assesses these three dimensions. Thirteen international experts completed all three surveys. Consensus from experts led to the identification of food-based indicators of sustainable healthy diets. Experts agreed that Dimension 1 should be comprised of 12 food groups, with food groups and scoring ranges informed by the Global Diet Quality Score; Dimension 2 comprised of five food groups with scoring ranges informed by the EAT-Lancet planetary health diet; and Dimension 3 as one food group measured as a cut-off value of ≤10% energy from UPF. There was consensus that each dimension should be equally weighted. Outcomes from this work have been used to inform the development and validation of a multidimensional diet quality score to assess the healthfulness and environmental sustainability of diets among healthy adult populations.

Oxidative stress plays a key role in colitis, a type of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, particularly when associated with a high-fat diet (HFD). Probiotics are known to alleviate inflammation through multiple mechanisms. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a potential probiotic mixture with high antioxidant activity in attenuating colitis in mice fed either a normal diet (ND) or an HFD, with a focus on oxidative stress-related pathways. Eighty-eight Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains isolated from healthy human faeces and milk were screened for antioxidant capacity. The six most active strains were selected to formulate a probiotic cocktail. Male C57BL/6 mice were divided into ND and HFD groups, each receiving dextran sulphate sodium (DSS) alone or combined with the probiotic cocktail. Disease indices, histopathology, and the expression of genes related to NF-kB and Nrf2 signalling, as well as oxidative and inflammatory markers, were assessed. Mice treated with the probiotic cocktail showed significant attenuation of DSS-induced colitis, evidenced by lower Disease Activity Index and pathological scores, and improved intestinal morphology ( P < 0.05). Both dietary groups exhibited elevated antioxidant enzyme activity and anti-inflammatory cytokine levels ( P < 0.05). The modulation of Nrf2 and NF-kB-related gene expression was more pronounced in ND-fed mice. The findings suggest that this novel probiotic cocktail can effectively alleviate colitis symptoms, likely by regulating oxidative stress and inflammatory pathways. Its incorporation as an adjunct therapy, particularly alongside a balanced diet, may offer a promising strategy for colitis management.