National Diet Research Articles

Nutrients or processing? An analysis of food and drink items from the UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey based on nutrient content, the NOVA classification and front of package traffic light labelling.

UK front of package labelling (FOPL) informs consumers on the nutrient content of food. However, FOPL does not consider food processing, and with the UK government being urged to act on ultra-processed food (UPF), whether UPF should be added to FOPL is unclear. This study compared food and drink in the UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) Intake24 database based on FOPL, nutrient content and NOVA classification, to understand whether UPF are covered by dietary recommendations for foods high in fat, salt and sugar. NDNS items were coded into minimally processed food (MPF), processed culinary ingredients, processed food and UPF according to the NOVA classification and FOPL traffic lights. UPF contained greater energy, fat, saturated fat (SF), total sugar (TS) and salt than MPF. UPF had a greater odds of containing red FOPL and an unhealthier overall FOPL score (OR:4·59 (95 % CI: 3·79, 5·57); OR:7·0 (95 % CI: 6·1, 8·2), respectively) and lower odds of containing green FOPL (OR:0·05 (95 % CI: 0·03, 0·10)), compared with MPFs. For items with no red FOPL, UPF still contained greater energy, fat, SF, TS and salt than MPF. However, several UPF have healthier FOPL scores. UPF had an unhealthier nutritional profile and FOPL score than MPF. For items with no red FOPL, UPF still had an unhealthier profile than MPF, with a higher energy density. Importantly, not all UPF were unhealthy according to FOPL. These results indicate partial overlap between FOPL, nutrient content and NOVA classification of UK food and drink products, with implications for UK food and drink labelling.

The impact of replacing milk with plant-based alternatives on iodine intake: a dietary modelling study.

Cow's milk is the primary source of iodine in the UK, but consumption of plant-based milk alternatives (PBMA) is increasing and these products are often not fortified with iodine. We evaluated the impact that replacing current milk consumption with PBMA would have on iodine intake. We used data from the National Diet and Nutrition Survey (2016-2019) for children (1.5-10years), girls 11-18years, and women of reproductive age (WRA). We used a dietary modelling approach with scenarios using brand-leveliodine-fortification data (0, 13, 22.5, 27.4 and 45µg/100mL). Relative to usual diet, we calculated change in iodine intake, and the proportion with intake below the Lower Reference Nutrient Intake (LRNI) or above the upper limit. For all groups, replacement with PBMA, either unfortified or fortified at the lowest concentration, resulted in a meaningful decrease in iodine intake, and increased the proportion with intake < LRNI; compared to usual diet, iodine intake reduced by 58% in children 1.5-3years (127 vs. 53µg/day) and the proportion with intake < LRNI increased in girls (11-18years;20% to 48%) and WRA (13% to 33%) if anunfortified PBMA was used. Replacement of milk with PBMA fortified at 27.4µg/100mL had the lowest impact. Replacing milk with commercially available PBMAs has potential to reduce population iodine intake, depending on the fortification level. PBMAs fortified with ≥ 22.5 and < 45µg iodine/100mL would be required to minimize the impact on iodine intake. Research is needed on the impact of total dairy replacement.

Assessing International Tourism's Global Environmental Impact of Food and Beverages

Tourism harms the environment in many ways and agriculture is of particular importance because of a wide range of negative impacts, the specific spatial conditionality of tourists' consumption, and the change in their eating habits during travel. Despite the urgency of previous research, the environmental requirements of tourist consumption have not yet been quantified. The main aim of the paper is thus quantify in the long term the total amount of food consumed in international tourism and assess its environmental impacts: land use, water requirements, and emitted emissions. Furthermore, we deal with the projection of these impacts associated with meat consumption up to 2050. The investigation uses long-term secondary data on the number of tourists, national diets, and environmental requirements of foodstuffs. According to our research, 15.6 million tonnes of food was consumed globally in 2010 and this amount increased to 24.5 in 2019. Due to COVID-19, the amount decreased by 72%. Although vegetal foodstuffs account for a larger share of the total, the environmental requirements are primarily associated with animal foodstuffs. Compared to daily at-home eating, tourists’ consumption patterns, e.g., higher preference for meat or whole grains, increase the environmental requirements by more than 10%. This research serves destination management bodies and concludes that the food environmental impacts should be the subject of adequate measures that would mitigate them and would make tourism more sustainable.

Use of table sugar and non-caloric sweeteners in Brazil: associated factors and changes across a decade.

This study evaluated changes in the use of sweeteners over one decade and the relationship between socio-demographics, diet and weight status with the type of sweetener. Data came from the Brazilian National Dietary Surveys of 2008-2009 and 2017-2018, including ≥ 10-year-old individuals (n 32749; n 44744, respectively, after excluding pregnant and lactating women). The use of table sugar, non-caloric sweeteners (NCS), both or none was reported through a specific question. Food consumption was assessed using two non-consecutive food records (2008-2009) and 24-h recalls (2017-2018). For the last survey, means of energy, macro and micronutrient intake, food groups' contribution (%) to daily energy intake and age- and energy-adjusted nutrient intake were estimated according to the type of sweetener used. Differences in means and proportions across the categories of sweeteners used were evaluated based on the 95 % CI. All analyses were stratified by sex and considered sample design and weights. Over 10 years, the use of table sugar decreased by 8 %, while the habit of not using any sweetener increased almost three times, and the use of NCS remained stable. Larger reductions in the use of table sugar were observed in the highest income level and among men. Regardless of sex, compared with NCS users, table sugar users had greater mean intake of energy, carbohydrates and added sugar and lower micronutrient intake means. Although table sugar is still the most used sweetener, the increased choice of 'no sweetener' is noteworthy in Brazil.

British Dietary Habits and Declining Nutrient Intakes

Vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids are vital to health. In the UK, the National Diet and Nutrition survey rolling programme estimates the intake of a range of these essential nutrients and foods that contain them. Since this programme began in 2008/2009 nutrient intakes have not improved. The aim of this paper is to evaluate vitamin and mineral intakes in the latest iteration of the National Diet and Nutrition Survey and compare these intakes with those in 2008/2009 and where possible with similar data from UK surveys going back to 1997. This paper also analysed findings from a survey of reviewing people’s knowledge, habits and opinions on nutrition, vitamin and mineral intakes and supplementation to contribute to the interpretation of findings from the NDNS. Consumption of the majority of the micronutrients measured in the NDNS fell from 2008/2009 to 2018/2019. These decreases were greater in women than men and particularly worrying in younger women especially for vitamin A, riboflavin, folate, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, iodine and selenium. Reductions of the same micronutrients in young men were also evident and only zinc intakes have improved in older men. Poor dietary intakes are due to confusion and lack of knowledge as to what constitutes a healthy diet, lack of time and the cost of healthy eating which has increased during recent years. Nutrients can be provided from a healthy diet, but this is not being achieved. Hence a multivitamin and multi mineral food supplement is the best policy to bridge these dietary gaps.

The ‘Everyday’ in the Context of Japanese Cultural Anti-Modernism: A Case Study of Isao Takahata’s Anime My Neighbors the Yamadas

The post-World War II years in the history of Modern Japan were vital in deciding the fate of the Japanese archipelago in terms of its ambitions of regaining what Emperor Hirohito of Japan in the ‘Jewel Voice Broadcast’ on 15 August 1945 called “the innateglory of the imperial state.” While there is a note of surrender in Hirohito’s speech, urging his subjects to march forward to a globalised and modern Japan by “enduring the unendurable and suffering what is insufferable,” attempts at modernising Japan, at an incredibly rapid pace, had already begun during the Meiji period in the nineteenth century. What Hirohito’s speech critically points to is the final, official reassertion of, as well as yielding to, the temperament and paraphernalia of modernity, an issue that was vastly in contention in the first half of the twentieth century. The issue of incorporating Western modernisation within Japanese society, as the Japanese sought to construct an identity for themselves after their devastating defeat in the war, had divided the country. Japan had already gone through a period of almost two hundred years of self-isolation from the world to its West, albeit with limited trade relations with the Dutch. The Meiji government, which came to power in 1868, attempted to incorporate Western modernisation within the folds of the state of Japan and thereby fill in the gap that had been created between a ‘traditional’ Japan and an industrialised, modernised West as a result of such isolation. In the nineteenth century, the government took it upon itself to invite various scholarly and military experts from the West to boost the Japanese project of modernisation. As Dani Cavallaro writes: “grand edifices in the West’s neoclassical style were erected, its vogues were superimposed onto traditional vestimentary codes, its cuisine was incorporated into the national diet, and its artistic techniques were taught in many schools, sometimes to the disadvantage of time-honoured indigenous methods” (7-8). Such an account of how the Meiji government attempted to modernise Japan by reorienting how the average Japanese built their homes, what clothes they wore or the food they ate, and how their children were being educated in schools alert us unambiguously to the condition of the ‘everyday’ that served as a platform for such transformations. Such transformations not only established themselves by altering the ‘everyday’, but also inscribed their legitimacy and normalcy upon it. As Henri Lefebvre states in his essay “The Everyday and Everydayness:” “A condition stipulated for the legibility of forms, ordained by means of functions, inscribed within structures, the everyday constitutes the platform upon which the bureaucratic society of controlled consumerism is erected” (9).

Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Steps for Choosing Suitable Packaging Material (Case Study: Food Safety)

Vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids are vital to health. In the UK, the National Diet and Nutrition survey rolling programme estimates the intake of a range of these essential nutrients and foods that contain them. Since this programme began in 2008/2009 nutrient intakes have not improved. The aim of this paper is to evaluate vitamin and mineral intakes in the latest iteration of the National Diet and Nutrition Survey and compare these intakes with those in 2008/2009 and where possible with similar data from UK surveys going back to 1997. This paper also analysed findings from a survey of reviewing people’s knowledge, habits and opinions on nutrition, vitamin and mineral intakes and supplementation to contribute to the interpretation of findings from the NDNS. Consumption of the majority of the micronutrients measured in the NDNS fell from 2008/2009 to 2018/2019. These decreases were greater in women than men and particularly worrying in younger women especially for vitamin A, riboflavin, folate, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, iodine and selenium. Reductions of the same micronutrients in young men were also evident and only zinc intakes have improved in older men. Poor dietary intakes are due to confusion and lack of knowledge as to what constitutes a healthy diet, lack of time and the cost of healthy eating which has increased during recent years. Nutrients can be provided from a healthy diet, but this is not being achieved. Hence a multivitamin and multi mineral food supplement is the best policy to bridge these dietary gaps.

Development of dietary assessment instruments which can take cultural diversity and dietary acculturation into account: eating in Sweden (‘Mat i Sverige’)

Abstract Since lack of culture-specific foods in dietary assessment methods may bias reported dietary intake, we identified foods and dishes consumed by residents not born in Sweden and describe consequences for reported foods and nutrient intake using a culturally adapted dietary assessment method. Design consisted of cross-sectional data collection using (semi-)qualitative methods of dietary assessment (and national diet survey instrument RiksmatenFlex) with subsequent longitudinal data collection using quantitative methods for method comparison (December 2020–January 2023). Three community-based research groups were recruited that consisted of mothers born in Sweden, Syria/Iraq, and Somalia, with a median age of 34, 37, and 36 years, respectively. Women born in Syria/Iraq and Somalia who had lived in Sweden for approximately 10 years, reported 78 foods to be added to RiksmatenFlex. In a subsequent study phase, 69% of these foods were reported by around 90% of the ethnic minority groups and contributed to 17% of their reported energy intake. However, differences between the three study groups in median self-reported energy intake remained (Sweden 7.19 MJ, Syria/Iraq 5.54 MJ, and Somalia 5.69 MJ). The groups also showed differences in relative energy contribution from fats and carbohydrates, as well as differences in energy intake from food groups such as bread and sweet snacks. We conclude that a dietary assessment instrument containing culture-specific foods could not resolve group differences in reported energy intake, although these foods provided content validity and contributed 17% of energy intake. The dietary habits collected in this study serve to develop new dietary assessment instruments.

How many meals and snacks do Brazilians eat a day? Findings from the 2017-2018 Brazilian National Dietary Survey.

The habit of eating specific meals has been addressed in several studies, but the evaluation of meal patterns has received less attention. This study aimed to describe the meal patterns of the Brazilian population. A complex sampling design was used to select the 46,164 ≥ 10-year-old individuals examined in the Brazilian National Dietary Survey. Food consumption was assessed by two non-consecutive 24-hour recalls applied throughout a one-week period. The exploratory data analysis approach was used to determine the meal patterns, i.e., how individuals combined the main meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) and snacks (morning, afternoon, evening/night) throughout the day. The most common meal patterns were three main meals + one snack, reported by 25.1% of the individuals, and three main meals + two snacks (24.6%). Other meal patterns identified were: three main meals + three snacks (18.5%); three main meals and no snacks (10.9%); one or two main meals + two snacks (7.4%); one or two main meals + one snack (6.9%); one or two main meals + three snacks (4.2%); and one or two main meals and no snacks (2.3%). Meal patterns varied according to gender and age group, and on typical versus atypical food consumption days. We found that eight patterns characterized the daily meal consumption in Brazil. Furthermore, around 80% of the population had three main meals every day and about 13% did not report having any snacks. The characterization of meal habits is important for tailoring and targeting health promotion actions.

Select dietary changes towards sustainability: Impacts on dietary profiles, environmental footprint, and cost

Healthy sustainable diets have the power to improve dietary intakes and environmental resource use. However, recommendations for improving food choices need to consider the effects of any changes across multiple dimensions of health, environmental sustainability, and dietary cost to promote long-lasting behaviour change. The aim of this study was to identify differences between original diets, and the diets that can be achieved through the implementation of select small dietary changes towards sustainability. Twelve hypothetical sustainable actions were investigated for the potential effects of these actions on dietary markers (protein, saturated fat, sugars, salt, iron, and calcium), environmental footprints (greenhouse gas emissions, freshwater withdrawals, and land use), and dietary cost. Dietary data from 1235 individuals, aged 19–94 years, participating in the UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey (2017/19) provided the original diet. Dietary changes were implemented as required by each sustainable action, and differences between the original diet and each new diet were investigated. Results revealed benefits to dietary markers and environmental characteristics from eleven sustainable actions (range: F(1,728) = 5.80, p < .001 to F(1,506) = 435.04, p < .001), but effects were stronger for some actions than for others. Greatest benefits for all three outcomes were found for actions which reduced meat consumption and/or replaced meat with pulses or eggs. The remaining sustainable actions tended to be beneficial for improving outcomes individually or to some degree. Our results demonstrate the possible impacts of a number of small sustainable dietary actions for dietary, environmental, and cost outcomes, and provide a hierarchy of actions based on benefit. Findings may facilitate dietary behaviours towards improved health, whilst also offering fruitful contributions towards environmental footprint targets in the UK.

The impacts of pharmacological drugs on vitamin B6, B9 and B12 intakes and levels among uk adults: National diet and nutrition survey rolling programme (NDNS) (2008–2017).

The impacts of pharmacological drugs on vitamin B6, B9 and B12 intakes and levels among uk adults: National diet and nutrition survey rolling programme (NDNS) (2008–2017).

Does cutting down on your food consumption lead to a net improvement in nutritional intake? A panel data approach using data from the UK Biobank

BackgroundFood diets are complex and a policy targeting one item of a person’s diet does not affect their nutritional intake in a solely additive or subtractive manner. Policies tackling unhealthy diets are more likely to be adopted by governments if there is robust evidence to support them. To evaluate dietary policies, it is important to understand the correlations and interdependencies between food groups, as these can lead to unintended negative consequences. We aimed to see whether reductions in consumption of a particular group is related to a net improvement in nutritional intake, after taking into account patterns of consumption and substitution across food groups.MethodsDetailed dietary data was collected using a 24-h online dietary assessment from the UK Biobank and Oxford Web Q (n = 185,611). We used panel data fixed effects methods to estimate changes in energy, saturated fat, total sugar, and fibre following a 100gram reduction across 44 food groups. We compare these estimates against the average nutritional value of that food group from the UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey.ResultsWe find evidence of variation in whether a food is compensated between the main confectionery products. Crisps, savoury snacks, and sugar confectionery are less likely to be compensated, whereas chocolate confectionery, biscuits, and buns/cakes/pastries and pies are compensated. The result is particularly striking for chocolate confectionery which shows that while chocolate confectionery often has a high energy content, eating less chocolate confectionery is not associated with an equal reduction in energy. Instead, we find individuals switch or compensate for their reduction in chocolate confectionery consumption with other high energy food items.ConclusionsWe find that sugar confectionery and crisps and savoury snacks are less likely to result in substitution than chocolate confectionery. This would suggest that food policies aiming to reduce the consumption of these food groups are more likely to result in overall lower consumption of unhealthy foods.

Increasing Space for Collections Storing: National Libraries Practice

Library collection development is directly related to the issues of placement, storage and delivery of documents. The eternal storage of the totality of documents that make up the national heritage is one of the functions of national libraries (NL), which solve the problem of placing materials with consideration to their financial and other capabilities.An overview of the successful national libraries’ practice in solving the lack of storage space problem is presented (Library of Congress, British Library, German National Library, National Diet Library of Japan, National Library of France, Royal Library of Sweden, Austrian National Library, National Library of the Czech Republic, Royal Library of the Netherlands). The experience of the Russian State Library in solving this problem is also analyzed.Finding place for growing collections with a tight of storing conditions is a challenge that requires not only constant attention, but also a flexible approach. Various options for solving this problem are being considered: construction of new (including remote) storage facilities; efficient use of existing premises (for example, an implementation of high density storage systems or co-opting of premises built for other purposes — idle exhibition centers functional conversion, etc.); lease of rentable areas.The research is based on the analysis of information from official websites of the national libraries.The appendix presents the results of the NL survey on the following issues: withdrawing of certain categories of materials, dispatching them to depositories; construction of new storage buildings; statistics concerning active use and actual availability of collections.

National Dietary Survey on Children in Montenegro from 1 to 9 years old – External Scientific Report

National Dietary Survey on Children in Montenegro from 1 to 9 years old – External Scientific Report

Consumption of foods with the highest nutritional quality, and the lowest greenhouse gas emissions and price, differs between socio-economic groups in the UK population.

To establish a baseline understanding of whether consuming food with the highest nutritional quality, lowest greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE) and cost differs between different UK demographic and socio-economic population groups. Multiple linear regression models were fitted to evaluate the relationship between predictor socio-demographic variables in this study (i.e. sex, ethnic group, age, BMI and level of deprivation) and the response variables (i.e. consumption of items considered most nutritious, with a low GHGE and price, as a proportion of total items consumed). The UK. 1374 adult (18-65 years) participants from the National Diet and Nutrition Survey latest waves 9-11 (2016-2017 and 2018-2019). Based on the total energy consumption in a day, the average diet-based GHGE was significantly higher for participants with a higher BMI. Non-white and most deprived participants spent significantly (P < 0·001) less money per total energy consumption. Participants with a BMI between 18·6 and 39·9 kg/m2 and those living in the least deprived areas consumed a significantly (P < 0·001) higher amount of those items considered the most nutritious, with the lowest GHGE and cost per 100 kcal. Consumption of food with the highest nutritional quality, lowest GHGE and cost in the UK varies among those with different socio-demographic characteristics, especially the deprivation level of participants. Our analysis endorses the consideration of environmental sustainability and affordability, in addition to the consideration of nutritional quality from a health perspective, to make current dietary guidelines more encompassing and equitable.

Changes in dietary carbohydrate and lipid quality indices between 2008 and 2018: Analysis of the Brazilian dietary surveys.

The aim of the study was to evaluate characteristics and changes over a decade in dietary carbohydrate and lipid quality according to socio-demographic variables. Data was obtained from two Brazilian National Dietary Surveys 2008-2009 (n = 34 003) and 2017-2018 (n = 46 164) examining a nationwide representative sample of individuals ≥10 years old. Food intake was assessed by means of two non-consecutive diet records (2008-2009) and 24 h diet recalls (2017-2018). Carbohydrate Quality Index is a score ranging from 4 to 20 calculated from fibre intake, global dietary glycaemic index, solid/total carbohydrate (CHO) and whole grains/total grains CHO. Lipid Quality Index was estimated by dividing the sum of the dietary content of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids by the sum of saturated and trans fatty acids. Indices were categorised into five categories (1 for lowest and 5 for highest quality). Socio-demographic variables were sex, age, income, urban/rural area and place of food consumption. The estimates (95% CI) were generated separately for each survey and then compared to identify changes in time. Our main findings refer to changes in diet quality according to income. At the lowest income level, the proportions of individuals in the best carbohydrate and lipid quality categories reduced from 26.9% to 20.6% and from 30.0% to 24.9%, respectively. Alternatively, at the highest income level, these proportions increased from 22.9% to 26.6% and from 11.9% to 15.7%, respectively. Furthermore, the quality of lipids improved in women and among individuals reporting some away-from-home food consumption, while the quality of carbohydrates was reduced among adolescents and in rural areas.

Contribution of meat-free days, meat-free meals, and portion sizes to UK meat consumption declines

Abstract Background In the UK, reduced meat consumption is needed to protect planetary health and reduce noncommunicable disease. An analysis of the UK's National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) found from 2008-2019, daily meat consumption per capita decreased from 103.7g to 86.3g (∼1.7% per annum). This trend is not fast enough to meet reduction targets, such as the National Food Strategy's goal of a 30% reduction by 2030. Objectives This study aimed to examine behaviours driving the reduction in meat consumption. Specifically, we investigated two key strategies: reduced consumption frequency and smaller portion sizes. Design: Using NDNS rolling programme (2008/09-2018/19) data, we evaluated changes in: 1) the number of meat-eating days, 2) the number of meat-containing meal occasions, and 3) the portion size of meat per meat-containing meal occasion using Poisson and linear regression models. Meat consumption was based on disaggregated data from 4-day food diaries. Using decomposition analysis, we estimated the proportion of responsibility for each consumption behaviour relative to the overall decrease in consumption. Results The mean number of meat-eating days decreased from 3.3 to 3.0 days (P &amp;lt; 0.001), the mean number of daily meat-containing meal occasions decreased from 1.2 to 1.1 occasions (P = 0.01), and the mean portion size of meat decreased from 85.8g to 76.1g (P &amp;lt; 0.001). Portion size contributed most to the reductions in meat consumption (57%), followed by meat-eating days (37%), and meat-containing meal occasions (6%). Conclusions Our findings suggest the decrease in UK meat consumption can be largely attributed to smaller portion sizes of meat. Understanding the nuances of meat consumption behaviours (i.e., “meat-free days” vs. “meat-free meals” vs. “low-meat meals”) could help tailor behaviour change interventions by showing the need for a focus on promoting low-meat meals to accelerate reductions in meat consumption toward population and environmental health goals. Key messages • The decrease in UK meat consumption is largely being driven by reductions in portion size of meat at meal occasions. • Understanding nuances of meat consumption behaviours can help tailor behaviour change interventions by showing the need for a focus on promoting low-meat meals to accelerate reduced meat consumption.

National Diet and Nutrition Survey data reveal a decline in folate status in the United Kingdom population between 2008 and 2019

BackgroundFolate is essential for healthy growth and development. Fortification of foods with folic acid can improve folate status and reduce risk of neural tube defects (NTD). Following concern around folate status in the United Kingdom, the United Kingdom government announced in 2021 the intention to introduce mandatory folic acid fortification. ObjectiveThis study aimed to describe folate status in the United Kingdom population prior to the implementation of mandatory folic acid fortification of non-whole wheat (non-wholemeal) flour and to assess trends in folate status, including in females of reproductive age (FRA). MethodsData were from the United Kingdom National Diet and Nutrition Survey Rolling Program (2008–2019), a cross-sectional, nationally representative survey of children and adults aged 1.5+ (n = 5792 with folate result). Serum folate concentration was measured by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and red blood cell (RBC) folate concentration by microbiological assay. Concentration data were compared against method-specific cut-offs and thresholds, and relationships were explored against demographic and lifestyle characteristics. ResultsRBC and serum folate concentration significantly decreased by ∼3 percentage points per year between 2008 and 2019 in all age/sex groups. Prevalence of deficiency (RBC folate < 305 nmol/L) was highest in children aged 11 to 18 y (17% in 2016–2019). The proportion of FRA below the cut-off for increased risk of NTD (RBC folate < 748 nmol/L) increased from 69% to 89% between 2008 and 2019. Ethnicity, smoking status, and income were significant determinants of RBC and serum folate concentrations. ConclusionsThese data reveal a decline in population folate status in the United Kingdom between 2008 and 2019 and a high prevalence of folate deficiency. A high proportion of FRA had RBC folate concentrations below the cut-off for increased risk of NTD. These data provide information on folate status in a population not currently exposed to mandatory folic acid fortification and are essential to model and assess its impact.

Bioactive compounds intake in the Brazilian population: Trends and determinants of socioeconomic inequalities between 2008 and 2018.

The present study aims at evaluating trends and determinants of socioeconomic inequalities in consumption of bioactive compounds in representative sample of the Brazilian population the period from 2008-2009 to 2017-2018. Data from two cross-sectional population-based surveys were analyzed in the study, using descriptive analysis and estimation of inequalities in consumption. Trends in polyphenol and carotenoid intake were estimated using food consumption data from National Dietary Survey (NDS) 2008-2009 (n = 34,003) and 2017-2018 (n = 46,164). Evolution and determinants of inequalities in bioactive compounds intake were identified using analysis of inequality based on concentration index. Consumption of total polyphenols, phenolic acids, flavonoids and carotenoid classes (except for zeaxanthin) was significantly associated with per capita income after adjustment for potential confounders, being higher income associated with higher intake of bioactive compounds. Disaggregation of inequalities showed that education was the main factor associated with consumption of flavonoids, other polyphenols and β-cryptoxanthin in 2008-2009; whilst income was the main barrier to intake of polyphenols and carotenoids in 2017-2018. Income level and educational attainment have been important determinants to inequalities in bioactive compounds intake in the Brazilian population throughout the period of analysis, being higher intake of bioactive compounds-rich foods and beverages associated with higher income.

Developing food-based dietary recommendations in the UK.

The present paper provides an overview of the approach to developing food-based dietary recommendations in the UK. UK dietary recommendations are based on independent advice from the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN). SACN's remit includes specific reference to the nutrient content of individual foods and advice on diet as a whole, including the definition of a balanced diet. SACN's approach is set out in its Framework for Evaluating Evidence and its assessments are supported by the data provided by the National Diet and Nutrition Survey. SACN's risk assessments have primarily focused on energy requirements, macro and micronutrients and/or the needs of specific population groups. However, dietary patterns or individual foods and health outcomes have been considered where sufficient evidence is available. An example of this is SACN's risk assessment on carbohydrates and health, which included consideration of evidence on sugar-sweetened beverages and the resulting dietary recommendations on free sugars and sugar-sweetened beverages led to a range of policies to reduce sugar intake in the UK, including the soft drinks industry levy. SACN has also recently published a position statement on processed foods and health. Government dietary advice is encapsulated in the UK's national food model, the Eatwell Guide. The Eatwell Guide shows the proportions in which different food groups should be consumed to have a well-balanced, healthier, more sustainable diet, to help meet nutrient requirements and reduce the risk of chronic disease. Any substantive change to government dietary advice is likely to lead to a review of the national food model.