Healthy Food Research Articles (Page 1)

A nutritious diet is essential for preventing diet-related diseases. In the UK, obesity and related diseases are leading causes of death, with more than half of London’s residents classified as overweight or obese. ‘Food deserts’ refer to areas where residents are unable to access a nutritious diet, where barriers to obtaining healthy foods are thought to underpin dietary behaviour. Previous attempts to identify ‘food deserts’ have relied on assumptions about the relationships between store locations, sociodemographic factors, and access to healthy food. These methods typically classify areas as ‘food deserts’ without any direct, quantitative link to food purchase data or dietary patterns. By utilising food purchase records from Tesco transactions, we explore the relationship between food purchasing patterns and sociodemographic factors in London, with a focus on identifying food deserts and their drivers. Food purchasing patterns vary spatially, with significant spatial clustering of nutritionally deficient food purchases across London’s boroughs. These clusters are statistically explained by sociodemographic factors using a geographically weighted regression model, which enables the exploration of how the influence of sociodemographics, walk time, and car ownership varies across different areas of London. Our findings demonstrate the potential of analysing food purchase data to identify food deserts and their drivers, and suggest that area-specific, context-sensitive interventions are necessary for the implementation of local public health strategies.

As we navigate through old age, it is essential to reflect on our health and routines. How do you feel each morning? Does your routine differ from when you were younger? Promoting healthy practices from childhood is crucial. Encouraging good nutrition, regular physical activity, and addressing mental health early on can significantly reduce the risk of chronic diseases in adulthood. I have witnessed this firsthand with my children, who are now parents themselves. From a young age, we emphasized the importance of dental visits and instilled healthy habits that support lifelong well-being. Starting early works. Research shows that early prevention is more effective than treatment once conditions manifest. Healthy childhood habits can significantly lower the risk of diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and obesity later in life. Public health initiatives are vital in this regard, as they play a key role in disease prevention. Regular health assessments, such as well-baby clinics, are essential to be sure that children are meeting the necessary milestones. Government approved pediatric vaccinations help prevent severe childhood diseases, while exercise, good nutrition, and timely treatment of infections are crucial for overall health. We must also be aware of conditions like obesity that can start early in life, leading to non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular issues and diabetes. Monitoring growth progression in terms of weight and height against age is important. It is vital to avoid underfeeding or overfeeding children and to ensure they engage in adequate physical activity. To foster good dietary practices, such as consuming vegetables and limiting sugar, salt, and fat intake, we must start early. By focusing on these aspects, we can help our children develop healthy habits that last a lifetime.

The rising prevalence of obesity reflects the influence of obesogenic environments settings that promote excessive calorie intake and discourage physical activity across both urban and rural contexts. Urban areas, where over half the global population resides, shape opportunities for physical activity, dietary habits, and social interaction through urban design, green spaces, traffic patterns, and food accessibility. In contrast, rural regions face challenges such as limited access to recreational facilities and healthy food options, compounded by socioeconomic disparities and cultural factors that shape eating behaviors. Current research highlights inconsistencies due to methodological variations, inadequate differentiation between perceived and objective environmental measures, and insufficient focus on diverse global contexts. Future research must integrate behavioral and environmental determinants at multiple levels to clarify causal pathways and inform community-based interventions. The implications for public health are profound, requiring multi-level strategies that mitigate obesogenic conditions, reduce individual vulnerability, and foster health-promoting environments. Emerging approaches such as community engagement through participatory interventions, technological innovations, smart-city initiatives, and mobile health applications present promising opportunities to reshape both urban and rural settings toward healthier living. Collectively, these insights underscore the urgent need for interdisciplinary action, data-driven urban design, and technological integration to counteract obesity and enhance global health outcomes. Keywords: Obesogenic Environments, Urban Design and Health, Community Engagement, Smart City Initiatives and Mobile Health Applications (MHAs).

Background: Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) remains the leading cause of death in the United States. While healthy dietary habits are known to reduce morbidity and mortality, the impact of neighborhood-level healthy food mobility behaviors on mortality in patients with established ASCVD is not well understood. Objective: To evaluate the association between census tract-level healthy food mobility patterns and all-cause mortality among U.S. Veterans with established ASCVD. Design: Retrospective observational cohort study of 770,990 U.S. Veterans (2016–2021) with stable ASCVD—including coronary artery disease (CAD), cerebrovascular disease (CeVD), or peripheral artery disease (PAD)—with a median follow-up of 4.33 years (maximum: 6.33 years). ASCVD was identified using ICD-10 codes. Neighborhood mobility data, obtained from SafeGraph, were linked to Veterans' residential census tracts. The Retail Food Activity Index (RFAI), defined as the proportion of visits to healthy food venues relative to total food-related visits, was used to measure nutrition-related mobility behavior. RFAI was calculated using 2019 origin-destination mobility data from Dewey’s Advanced Research Monthly Patterns datasets, derived from approximately 10% of U.S. GPS-enabled mobile devices. Main Outcomes and Measures: Primary outcomes were all-cause mortality and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Associations between RFAI and all-cause mortality were assessed using Cox proportional hazards models. Competing risk Fine-Gray models were used to evaluate associations with MACE with non-CV mortality as the competitive risk event. Results: Among 770,990 Veterans (mean age 71.7 years; 98% male), higher RFAI was significantly associated with reduced all-cause mortality (HR = 0.5567, p < 0.001) after adjusting for clinical and social covariates, as well as neighborhood-level mobility indicators (average time in greenspaces and recreation facilities). Higher RFAI was also associated with reduced MACE risk (subHR = 0.6287, p < 0.001). Conclusions and Relevance: In this nationwide cohort of U.S. Veterans with stable ASCVD, healthier neighborhood-level food mobility behaviors were associated with significantly lower all-cause mortality and MACE. These findings highlight the potential of improving local access to healthy food as a population-level strategy to enhance cardiovascular outcomes and longevity in vulnerable populations.

Background: Food insecurity is associated with chronic disease and remains a key focus for population health interventions. Most research has focused on food insecurity at an individual level, without recognizing the role the food environment in an individual’s neighborhood plays in development of chronic disease. This study examined the pathway between food access measured at a census tract level and stroke prevalence to identify targets for interventions and inform policy efforts at the population level. Methods: Census tract level data were combined to create a final analytic dataset of 11,457 census tracts. Structural racism was defined as historic residential redlining using Home Owners’ Loan Corporation (HOLC) residential security maps from the Mapping Inequality project (score between 1=best to 4=redlined). Food access was defined using the modified retail food environment index (mRFEI) calculated as the number of healthy food retailers divided by the number of healthy and less healthy food retailers per census tract. Prevalence of stroke in each census tract was based on CDC PLACES data. Direct and indirect relationships between redlining and stroke via food access was investigated using structural equation modeling run in Stata v17, controlling for population of each census tract. Results: Mean prevalence of stroke was 31.8%. Redlining (0.19, 95%CI 0.17, 0.21, p<0.001) and lower food access (-0.10, 95%CI -0.12, -0.09, p<0.001) were directly associated with higher prevalence of stroke. Redlining was also indirectly associated with stroke via lower food access within a census tract (-0.10, 95%CI -0.12, -0.08, p<0.001). See Figure 1. Conclusions: Structural racism measured using historical redlining was directly and indirectly associated with the prevalence of stroke via food access in a census tract. Based on these results, interventions to improve access to healthy food options at the community level may help address the impact of structural racism on the health of individuals, particularly those at risk for stroke living in historically redlined neighborhoods.

Introduction The public health effects of industrial food processing are being widely researched, in response to observational evidence linking ultra processed food (UPF) consumption with a range of poor health outcomes. While there has been global debate regarding whether UPF should be incorporated into dietary guidelines for the public (in addition to existing nutrient recommendations) there is a limited understanding of the degree to which consumers prioritize food processing attributes, relative to nutrient attributes (e.g., sugar, sodium, saturated fat) when making decisions about food and health. This study investigates how perceptions of UPFs relate to the criteria that consumers prioritize when evaluating food healthfulness, including both nutrient-based and non-nutrient-based attributes. Methods An online survey was conducted in 2022 with a sample of 671 adults residing in a northeastern U.S. state. The survey assessed perceptions of UPFs, including efforts to reduce UPF consumption, and the importance assigned to various nutrient (sugar, fat, sodium, and food groups) and non-nutrient (kitchen ingredients, minimal processing, and production practices) criteria in determining food healthfulness. Demographic variables included age, gender, income, education, race/ethnicity, and presence of children in the household. Multivariate logistic regression analyzed associations between UPF perceptions and healthfulness criteria, reported as adjusted odds ratios (AORs). Results A slight majority (52%) of respondents were familiar with the term “ultra-processed foods,” with awareness significantly higher among females ( p < 0.05). Twenty-one percent of respondents selected all nutrient criteria as indicators of healthfulness, while 79.1% selected at least one non-nutrient criterion. Respondents actively trying to reduce UPF consumption (33.5%) were less likely ( p < 0.05) to prioritize nutrient-based criteria and more likely to prioritize non-nutrient factors, including kitchen ingredients (AOR: 1.6, 95% CI: 1.1–2.4), processing (AOR: 3.0, 95% CI: 2.0–4.5), and production practices (AOR: 1.8, 95% CI: 1.2–2.6). Discussion Findings suggest that perceptions of UPFs shape how consumers define healthy food, with many favoring non-nutrient criteria related to processing and production over conventional nutrient profiles. This shift in consumer perspective highlights the importance of incorporating processing-related information into public health communication and food labeling strategies.

Background/Objectives: Canada’s Food Guide 2019 includes advice such as “Cook more often” and “Eat meals with others”, which are considered healthy eating practices. However, mothers with a history of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) may face specific barriers to adopting healthy eating practices. This study aimed to compare eating practices between mothers with (GDM+) and without (GDM−) a history of GDM, and to explore the associations between eating practices, diet quality, and the anthropometric and cardiometabolic profile of these mothers. Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted in Quebec (Canada) between 2012 and 2017. Eating practices were assessed using a self-administered questionnaire. Diet quality was evaluated by the Healthy Eating Food Index 2019 through a validated food frequency questionnaire. Weight, height, and waist circumference were measured, and body composition was obtained by absorptiometry. Results: Data from 105 GDM+ and 38 GDM− mothers were analyzed (mean age 37.5 years ± 4.9). GDM+ mothers were more likely to prepare a greater proportion of dinners (≥1 per week) using pre-prepared or processed foods than GDM− mothers (49.0% vs. 34.2%; p = 0.016). Among GDM+ mothers, those who prepared ≥1 dinners per week using pre-prepared or processed foods showed lower adherence to the “Whole-grain foods” (1.1 ± 0.8 vs. 1.9 ± 1.2; p = 0.002) and “Sodium” (4.9 ± 2.0 vs. 5.8 ± 2.0, p = 0.013) recommendations, had a higher percentage of total body fat (37.5% ± 7.6 vs. 34.0% ± 7.7; p = 0.041), a higher waist circumference (91.6 cm ± 13.9 vs. 87.1 cm ± 16.3; p = 0.030), and a higher glycated hemoglobin (5.6% ± 0.5 vs. 5.5% ± 0.3; p = 0.025) than those who used less pre-prepared or processed foods. Conclusions: GDM+ mothers were more likely than GDM− mothers to prepare dinners using pre-prepared or processed foods, an eating practice associated with less favorable components of diet quality and some altered anthropometric and cardiometabolic variables. Further investigation into the factors influencing cooking from scratch within this population is warranted.

The impact of colonial food paradigms on Indonesia’s nutrition policies and explore strategies for decolonizing perceptions of healthy food in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) and Papua. Employing a comparative qualitative case study design, the research examines Indonesia alongside Vietnam and Peru, which have successfully integrated local foods into nutrition programs. Data collection involved secondary sources such as government reports, scientific articles, and policy documents, verified through data triangulation. The analysis utilized NVivo 12 Plus for thematic coding, focusing on actual conditions, challenges, and government responses related to food and nutrition governance. Results reveal that Indonesia’s persistent reliance on imported and industrialized foods, coupled with a diminished appreciation for indigenous foods like tubers, forest products, and local fish, hampers efforts to address malnutrition. Colonial legacies continue to influence public perception, overshadowing traditional foods' nutritional value. Conversely, Vietnam and Peru have demonstrated that embracing local food systems can significantly reduce stunting prevalence. The study concludes that adopting a decolonized, culturally sensitive approach to nutrition policies, which reintegrates local foods, is essential for improving nutritional outcomes and fostering food sovereignty in Indonesia. Such strategies can help reshape perceptions and enhance the resilience of local food systems against malnutrition.

Introduction/Background: Adults with overweight/obesity who face barriers to healthy food access are at increased risk of CVD. Produce prescription programs (PPP) may improve nutrition security and diet quality, but evidence on how PPP modality impacts short-term outcomes is limited. Objectives: We evaluated the feasibility of engaging adults with overweight/obesity and nutrition insecurity in an 8-week PPP and assessed 4-week changes in nutrition security, dietary quality, and self-efficacy within each PPP modality (home delivery and market voucher). Methods/Approach: We conducted an 8-week, 2-arm pilot intervention at a community market in Baltimore, MD (NCT06751563). Participants (randomized 1:1, stratified by transportation access) received weekly produce and behavioral support via text, either via home-delivered boxes or $20 market vouchers. We assessed nutrition security with the 4-item Nutrition Security Scale (range 0-4), diet quality with the Mini-EAT (range 0-100, >69=healthy, 61-69=intermediate, <61=unhealthy), and self-efficacy with the Healthy Eating and Weight Self-Efficacy Scale (range 5-55) at baseline and 4 weeks. Within-arm 4-week changes were explored using Wilcoxon Signed-rank test due to deviation from normality. Effect sizes were evaluated by Rank-Biserial Correlation. Results/Data: Of 48 adults enrolled (23 assigned to delivery and 25 to vouchers), mean age (SD) was 50(16) years, most identified as women (65%), Black or African American (83%), and not Hispanic or Latino (92%) (Table 1). Median (Q1, Q3) dietary quality at baseline was 58(54, 60), nutrition security was 2.0(1.7, 2.5), and self-efficacy was 33(29.5, 37.5). Median intake levels were 3-4 servings/week for fruits (35%) and vegetables (42%). Four-week survey completion was 92%. Both arms had significant improvements, with large effect sizes, in diet (voucher: 4.8, r=0.58; delivery: +3.8 r=0.57), representing a shift from unhealthy to intermediate diet quality. Both arms also had improvements in fruit intake (voucher: +2, r=0.67; delivery: +1, r=0.76) and nutrition security (voucher: +0.25, r=0.71; delivery: +0.5, r=0.53). The voucher arm had improvements in self-efficacy (+5, r=0.69). Vegetable intake improved overall, but not by arm (Table 2). Conclusion(s): In a community PPP pilot, both home delivery and market vouchers were feasible and improved nutrition insecurity and dietary quality in adults with overweight/obesity. Larger trials are needed to compare PPP modalities.

Background: Food deserts - areas with limited access to affordable, nutritious foods - are increasingly recognized as contributors to adverse cardiovascular outcomes. Prior individual studies suggest that residing in a food desert is associated with elevated cardiovascular risk, but results have been inconsistent. Objective: To quantify the association between residing in a food desert and cardiovascular mortality among U.S. adults by conducting a random-effects meta-analysis. Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar for observational studies published between January 2018 and December 2022 that reported hazard ratios (HRs) for cardiovascular mortality or major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) among individuals residing in food deserts or experiencing food insecurity compared to those in non–food desert or food-secure settings. Five peer-reviewed studies met inclusion criteria, encompassing diverse populations including adults with existing cardiovascular disease, peripheral artery disease, and community-based cohorts of young and middle-aged adults. Log-transformed HRs and corresponding standard errors were calculated from reported 95% confidence intervals (CIs). A DerSimonian-Laird random-effects model was used to pool logHRs, accounting for between-study heterogeneity. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I 2 statistic. Results: The five studies included were Zenk et al. (2019), Leung et al. (2018), Walker et al. (2021), El-Zein et al. (2022), and Brandt et al. (2022). Individual study HRs for adverse cardiovascular outcomes ranged from 1.11 to 1.21. The pooled hazard ratio for cardiovascular mortality or MACE among food desert residents was 1.16 (95% CI: 1.12–1.20; p < 0.001), indicating a 16% higher risk than non-food desert residents. Moderate heterogeneity was observed (I 2 = 42%). Conclusions: Residence in a food desert is associated with a statistically significant increase in cardiovascular mortality risk. Public health interventions should prioritize improving access to healthy foods in high-risk communities. Future research should explore mechanisms linking food accessibility to cardiovascular outcomes and evaluate interventions to mitigate risk.

Background: Children and adolescents with heart disease (HD) represent a vulnerable population with an increased risk for dental caries and periodontal issues resulting in poor oral health. If left untreated, it can lead to severe complications such as infective endocarditis and impact overall health. Research Questions: To compare oral health indicators between children and adolescents with and without HD, and to examine risk factors for poor oral health in children with HD. Methods: Data was analyzed from the 2022-2023 National Survey of Children’s Health, an annual cross-sectional survey of parents and caregivers. Chi-square tests were used to compare physical and dental health of children ages 1 to 17 years with (n = 2771) and without (n = 102,421) HD. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify predictors of poor oral health in the HD group. Results: Children and adolescents with HD were more likely to have public insurance (34.6% vs 29.5%), be in the 12 to 17 year old age group (44.4% vs 37.4%), have difficulty meeting basic needs sometimes or very often (17.3% vs 14.1%), have an intellectual (7.6% vs 1.1%) or developmental (19.0% vs 5.5%) disability (DD), have special health care needs (50.2% vs 20.9%), and have worse overall health (6.3% fair or poor vs 1.3%) compared to non-HD group. There were no significant differences between groups in receipt of preventative dental care in the previous year, including dental check-up, cleaning, oral care instruction, fluoride treatment, or sealant application, although children with HD were more likely to miss dental visits. Despite this, the HD group had significantly worse oral health, including teeth in fair or poor condition (p <0.001), toothache (p <0.001), bleeding gums (p <0.001), and dental decay (p = 0.002) compared to the non-HD group. Predictors of teeth in fair or poor condition in the HD group included poverty (p = 0.033), lack of nutritious food (p=0.015), and DD (p<0.001). Conclusion: Children with HD experience worse dental health than children without HD, despite similar preventative dental care. This may reflect the intrinsic impact of HD on tooth formation related to known enamel defects. DDs can affect the child’s ability to perform daily dental hygiene and limited access to healthy food and beverages can impact oral health. Clinicians should screen children with HD for risk factors and encourage caregivers of children with DD to assist with oral hygiene to optimize oral health.

Introduction: Food insecurity is associated with an increased hypertension risk, and women are disproportionately affected by food insecurity compared to men. However, limited research has examined how the relationship between food insecurity and hypertension varies across women’s life stages, despite age-related differences in social and economic circumstances. Objective: To examine age-related differences in the association between food insecurity and hypertension among U.S. women. Methods: We analyzed cross-sectional data from women aged 18 years and older in the 2010-2023 National Health Interview Surveys. We used survey-weighted, multinomial logistic regression models to examine the relationship between food insecurity and self-reported hypertension among younger (aged 18-44 years) and older (45 years and older) women. Effect modification was examined by age. Results: Among 354,032 women (55% aged ≥45 years), 10.3% experienced food insecurity (5.9% reported low food security; 4.4% reported very low food security). Younger women were more likely to be food insecure and less likely to be married or employed than older women (p <0.001). After adjusting for marital status, educational attainment, race/ethnicity, employment status, and income, food insecurity was associated with significantly higher odds of hypertension (OR: 1.31; 95% CI: 1.26-1.36). A significant interaction was also observed between age and food insecurity, with the odds of hypertension significantly higher among younger, food-insecure women in comparison to older, food-insecure women (interaction OR: 1.34, 95% CI: 1.25-1.45). Conclusion: There was a significant difference in hypertension risk among food-insecure women by age, with younger, food-insecure women experiencing a higher risk compared to their older counterparts. These findings underscore the American Heart Association’s Call to Action to improve women’s cardiovascular health, which includes advocacy for healthy food access and food security as a critical intervention across the life course.

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) has remained the leading cause of death in the United States (US) for over a century. Despite progress in identifying risk factors and treatments, health disparities driven by social determinants of health (SDOH) remain underexplored. One key SDOH is the neighborhood and built environment, which influences cardiovascular (CV) health through behaviors and access to healthy food. This study examines how housing cost burden (HCB), a component of neighborhood and built environment, influences CV risk behaviors and outcomes in urban US zip codes. Methods: Health data for urban zip codes of the US was extracted from the CDC PLACES database, which utilizes data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). HCB prevalence for each zip code was obtained from the American Community Survey (ACS) and divided into the following quartile ranges to ensure even distribution: low (0–19.5%), moderate (19.6–25.2%), high (25.3–32.6%), and severe (>32.6%). Descriptive statistics in R summarized the prevalence of health risk behaviors (binge drinking, smoking, short sleep duration, no leisure physical activity [PA]) and outcomes (diabetes [DM], hypertension [HTN], obesity, coronary heart disease [CHD], and stroke [CVA]) within each group. Kruskal-Wallis tests with Dunn’s post-hoc and univariate analysis assessed associations between HCB and CV outcomes. Results: Increased HCB was associated with higher rates cigarette smoking, shorter sleep duration, and lack of PA in urban zip codes of the US, shown in Figure 1 (p < 0.001, Kruskal-Wallis test). Higher HCB was also linked to increased prevalence of DM, HTN, obesity, CHD, and CVA, and lower rates of binge drinking (p < 0.001, Kruskal-Wallis test). A univariate regression analysis showed a similar positive association between HCB and cigarette smoking, physical inactivity, short sleep duration, DM, HTN, obesity, and CVA (p<0.001). However, no significant association was found between HCB and CHD (p = 0.213, univariate analysis). Interestingly, limiting the analysis to zip codes with populations over 5,000 resulted in a significant positive association between HCB and CHD (p = 0.041, univariate analysis). Conclusion: HCB strongly correlates with CV risk behaviors and outcomes in urban US zip codes. These findings highlight the necessity of coupling social and medical care through approaches such as SDOH screening and public health interventions to advance equitable CV care.

This research aims to develop healthy food product innovations in the form of organic yellow pumpkin brownies with the addition of herbal infused ginger and cinnamon. This innovation comes as a response to the increasing trend of healthy food consumption and the need for functional snacks made from local. The method used is Research and Development (R&D) with six stages, including problem collection, data collection, product design, validation, trial, and product revision. The main ingredients in this product include yellow squash, ginger, and cinnamon which are known to have health benefits, such as boosting immunity and metabolism. The validation results by informants (nutrition students, biology, MSME actors, and potential consumers) showed a positive response to the taste, texture, and health benefits of the product. Some suggestions for improvement are given regarding the use of healthier substitutes, such as stevia and gluten-free flour. Product trials show that consumers love the distinctive taste of brownies with a spicy aroma and eco-friendly packaging. This product has the potential to be an innovative healthy snack, as well as a promising business opportunity in the local ingredient-based healthy food industry. By carrying the concept of sustainability, this product is expected to be an alternative solution to functional food that supports a healthy lifestyle.

Improving the nutritional quality of early childhood plays a very important role in supporting optimal growth and development, especially in the Bogor City area which still faces stunting problems. This activity aims to increase the understanding of kindergarten teachers and parents about the importance of balanced nutrition and the use of local food ingredients as well as serving healthy and attractive food. Seminars and workshops have been carried out, covering balanced nutrition materials, cooking techniques and serving healthy food menus, and the use of local food ingredients. In addition, the application of technology is carried out through mass media, YouTube, the Healthy Child Menu (MAS) booklet and the e-Mas application to disseminate information about the importance of balanced nutrition. Evaluation of this community service activity was carried out through pretests and posttests which showed a significant increase in participant knowledge, with a T = -3.500 and p value = 0.000, meaning there is an influence of knowledge about processing healthy food menus to fulfil the nutritional needs of pre-school children. This community service activity is expected to reduce the number of malnutrition in early childhood and encourage parents to use local food ingredients as an effort to maintain children’s health in kindergarten.

Mayonnaise products are in great demand among the Russian population, and the mayonnaise market has been showing steady growth over the past decade. In accordance with current trends in healthy eating, consumers are asking for low-calorie products enriched with healthy nutrients. Since mayonnaise and mayonnaise sauces contain a large amount of oil, the main direction of developing healthy food products is to change the fatty acid composition of sauces and ensure a balance of fatty acids by increasing the omega-3 content. For these purposes, fish oil can be used, introduced as a substitute for traditional vegetable oils. The aim of the work was to develop a cardioprotective emulsion sauce with a balanced fatty acid composition, stabilized with plant components. Using the mathematical modeling method, the recipe for the sauce has been optimized, optimal dosages of vegetable components (carrot puree and blackcurrant puree) have been established in its composition. Carrot puree in the amount of 10.4 % by weight of the finished product and blackcurrant puree 16.7% ensure the stability of the emulsion based on sunflower oil and fish oil and the favorable flavor and aromatic properties of the sauce. The organoleptic and physico-chemical quality parameters of the sauce have been described, which is a homogeneous sour cream-like product of purple color, with a distinct fish and berry-vegetable flavor and odor. The developed product contains 43.72% fat, which corresponds to the fat content of products in the category of mayonnaise sauces. During 30 days, there has been no increase in the amount of yeast, molds, and E. coli bacteria in the product, and QMAFAnM has not exceeded 15 CFU/g. The sauce is characterized by a lower calorie content in comparison with classic mayonnaise, it is a source of cardioprotective components: omega-3 fatty acids, lecithin.

According to the principles of the European Pillar of Social Rights, everyone should be entitled to an adequate minimum income sufficient for a healthy diet. Studies show that food insecurity remains a concern in Europe, highlighting the need to determine budgets for adequate nutrition, known as Food Reference Budgets. Previous approaches, based on expert-designed Food Baskets or focus group discussions, are often limited by their normative nature and/or low representativeness. To address these problems, this study explores Linear Programming as a novel method to calculate Food Reference Budgets for 26 EU member states. To analyse if Linear Programming could be an adequate tool to calculate future Food Reference Budgets, this method was used to design country-specific food baskets that align with consumption habits and healthy diet requirements. The food baskets were then priced at different levels to determine the cost for healthy diets in 26 European Countries. Germany. /. The results show a positive correlation between optimised healthy and current observed diets for most food groups, indicating that country-specific preferences are reflected in the optimised healthy food baskets. Nevertheless, to meet healthy diet requirements, consumption of vegetables, fruit, fish, and dairy must increase compared to the current observed diets.At a lower price level, the Food Reference Budgets ranged from 2.38 to 5.71 €/day, depending on the country. With a low-price level (20th percentile), costs for healthy diet accounted for between 5.74 % of income in Luxembourg and 29.00 % in Romania, showing the large differences in affordability between countries. Overall, it was concluded that Linear Programming could be a promising approach for determining uniform and comparable European Food Reference Budgets and should be discussed in the context of the EU Commission's efforts to modernise the European minimum income schemes.

Childhood obesity has emerged as a critical global health challenge with growing prevalence across Latin America, particularly in Mexico, Colombia, and Ecuador. This review synthesizes current international evidence on the biological, behavioral, and policy determinants of obesity and evaluates preventive strategies within clinical, educational, and governmental frameworks. Data reveal that fewer than one in five children meet physical activity guidelines, while sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption and inadequate sleep remain pervasive contributors to metabolic risk. Family-based behavioral programs with at least 26 contact hours and multicomponent school interventions—including daily physical activity, canteen reform, and sleep literacy—produce the most consistent reductions in BMI z-scores and metabolic markers. Fiscal and regulatory measures, such as SSB taxation and front-of-package labeling, complement these interventions by reshaping food environments and reducing health inequities when properly enforced. The integrated Clinic–School–Home–Policy framework proposed in this study offers a sustainable model that aligns individual behavior with supportive environments and governance mechanisms. Long-term success depends on cross-sector collaboration, continuous evaluation, and social participation to ensure equitable access to healthy food, safe physical activity, and sleep-promoting routines. By transforming policy and practice into a unified prevention ecosystem, Latin American nations can reverse current trends and safeguard the health and well-being of the next generation.

Purpose This study explores the academic discourse on food cooperatives, which have emerged as alternative models to conventional food systems in response to sustainability, food insecurity and social equity challenges, and are embedded within broader operations management issues. Despite growing attention, the field remains fragmented and lacks a structured overview of its evolution. Design/methodology/approach A bibliometric analysis was conducted on 98 peer-reviewed articles retrieved from the Web of Science. Using BibExcel, Gephi and Biblioshiny, this study analyzed publication trends, co-citation networks, and thematic clusters to map the intellectual structure of the field and identify research gaps. Findings The analysis reveals seven thematic clusters: alternative food networks and access to healthy food; governance and organizational performance; financial viability and market orientation; reputation, governance and sustainability; ethics and urban food justice; innovation and sustainable practices; and organizational resilience and problem-solving. Mapping these clusters by thematic maturity highlights both consolidated and emerging areas of research. Building on these results, a diagnostic and maturity framework is proposed to assess cooperative governance, sustainability and innovation practices. Research limitations/implications The thematic mapping and diagnostic framework support targeted research agendas and offer actionable insights for assessing cooperative maturity and performance. However, the study only used one database and English-language publications, which may limit result applicability. Originality/value This study offers a dual contribution by linking co-citation clusters with thematic maturity through strategic diagram analysis and by translating these insights into a practical diagnostic framework.

This paper investigates gender-based differences in food availability and perceptions of the food environment among university students. The study draws a cross-sectional survey conducted among 397 students at UiTM Dungun, Terengganu, Malaysia, and explores how male and female students differ in their access to healthy outlets, availability of nutritious snacks, exposure to unhealthy advertising, and perceptions of institutional nutrition information. Chi-square analysis revealed significant gender differences: female students reported easier access to healthy food outlets (²=18.739, =.003) and greater availability of healthy snacks (²=18.739, <.001), while male students experienced more exposure to unhealthy food advertisements (²=11.819, =.019), Females also perceived stringer institutional nutrition information (²=7.012, =.008). The findings underline the necessity of gender-sensitive food policies that consider the unique challenges faced by both groups. The paper contributes to the literature by contextualizing gendered food environments in Malaysia and offering policy recommendations to foster healthier eating practices in university settings.