Nutrient-dense Foods Research Articles

Nutritional Requirements in Pregnancy and Lactation

Optimal nutrition during pregnancy and lactation is vital for the health of the mother and fetus. Nutritional needs should begin in the preconception period, as the fetus depends on the placenta for essential nutrients required for growth and development. A balanced diet rich in nutrient-dense foods—such as whole grains, vegetables, fruits, dairy, legumes, fish, and lean meats—is essential to meet caloric needs during pregnancy. Assessment of maternal health, including dietary history and micronutrient status, is critical to identify potential risks and ensure adequate nutrition. The increased need for micronutrients must be met to prevent complications and fetal growth.Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for the first six months, and continued breastfeeding is recommended throughout the first year and beyond. During pregnancy and lactation, calorie intake should be increased by focusing on protein and healthy fats. The composition of breast milk is adapted during the breastfeeding period, so that it can provide the necessary nutrients for the growth of the infant. Personalized nutrition plans, developed in consultation with health care professionals, are critical to optimizing maternal and infant health outcomes. This manuscript supports the importance of comprehensive nutritional strategies during pregnancy and lactation to reduce risks and support healthy growth and development of mother and child.

Correlations between Sociodemographic Status, Attitude, Cultural Belief, and Family Support towards Complementary Feeding Practices

Introduction: Proper nutrition is crucial during the first two years of life, as this period is a "critical window" for promoting optimal growth, health, and behavioral development. Complementary feeding refers to the introduction of additional foods and liquids when breast milk alone no longer meets an infant's nutritional needs. Providing adequate and appropriate complementary foods, along with proper feeding practices, can help prevent stunting and promote healthy eating habits. Objective: This study aimed to identify the factors correlated with complementary feeding practices (i.e., MDD, MMF, MAD, and SSSFs) among children aged 6–23 months in Surakarta City. Method: This cross-sectional study involved 110 mothers with children aged 6-23 months. Data were collected through questionnaires interviewed directly to the respondents. The variables in this study included the child’s age, the mother’s age, parity, maternal education level, maternal employment status, attitude, cultural beliefs, and family support. Complementary feeding practices were assessed using the composite indicators such as MDD, MMF, MAD, SSSFs as recommended by the WHO. Result: This study identified that child's age (0.012 (OR: 3.71, CI: 1.28-10.75)), mother's age (0.001 (OR: 9.35, CI: 2.06-42.37)), parity (0.003 (OR: 4.16, CI: 1.54-11.21)), mother's education (0.018 (OR: 3.06, CI: 1.18-7.90)), attitude (0.028 (OR: 4.93, CI: 1.05-23.0)), cultural belief (0.000 (OR: 9.00, CI: 2.52-32.0)), and family support (0.000 (OR: 5.39, CI: 2.17-13.35)) were determinant factors of complementary feeding practice. There was no statistically significant correlation between the mother’s employment status and complementary feeding practices. Conclusion: It is essential to educate mothers on the correct timing and process of transitioning to complementary feeding. Nutrition education should aim to enhance and correct knowledge and beliefs about these practices. Mothers should receive practical guidance on making informed decisions, considering factors such as affordability, availability, access, and the preparation of nutrient-dense foods

Coping strategies for household water insecurity in rural Gambia, mediating factors in the relationship between weather, water and health.

Rural communities in low- and middle-income countries, such as The Gambia, often experience water insecurity periodically due to climate drivers such as heavy rainfall and reduced rainfall, as well as non-climate drivers such as infrastructural issues and seasonal workloads. When facing these challenges households use a variety of coping mechanisms that could pose a risk to health. We aimed to understand the drivers of water insecurity (climate and non-climate), the behavioural responses to water insecurity and the risks these responses pose to the health of communities in rural Gambia and map these findings onto a conceptual framework. We interviewed 46 participants using multiple qualitative methods. This included in-depth interviews and transect walks. A subset of 27 participants took part in three participatory pile-sorting activities. In these activities participants were asked to rank water-related activities, intrahousehold prioritisation of water, and the coping strategies utilised when facing water insecurity. Multiple strategies were identified that people used to cope with water shortages, including: reductions in hygiene, changes to food consumption, and storing water for long periods. Many of these could inadvertently introduce risks for health. For example, limiting handwashing increases the risk of water-washed diseases. Deprioritising cooking foods such as millet, which is a nutrient-dense staple food, due to the high water requirements during preparation, could impact nutritional status. Additionally, storing water for long periods could erode water quality. Social factors appeared to play an important role in the prioritisation of domestic water-use when faced with water shortages. For example, face-washing was often maintained for social reasons. Health and religion were also key influencing factors. People often tried to protect children from the effects of water insecurity, particularly school-aged children, but given the communal nature of many activities this was not always possible. Many people associated water insecurity with poor health. To reduce the risks to health, interventions need to address the drivers of water insecurity to reduce the need for these risky coping behaviours. In the short term, the promotion of behavioural adaptations that can help buffer health risks, such as water treatment, may be beneficial.

Exploring Associations Between Urban Youth’s Race and Ethnicity, Social–Emotional Well-Being, and Health-Promoting Behaviors

Multiple aspects of social–emotional well-being have been identified as influential factors in adults’ and children’s physical activity and nutrition. However, the associations between social–emotional well-being, race and ethnicity, and health-promoting behaviors among urban youth remain understudied. This cross-sectional pilot study examines the relationships between social–emotional well-being and health-promoting behaviors. The study also explores how race and ethnicity affect physical activity and consumption of nutrient-dense foods among urban youth ages 11–19 ( N = 100) in a small Northeastern city in the United States. The results do not indicate any associations between social–emotional well-being measures and health-promoting behaviors measured as fulfilling physical activity and fruit and vegetable intake guidelines. However, we found significant racial and ethnic differences in health-promoting behaviors. These findings indicate that prevention programs and policies aimed at enhancing urban youth’s engagement in physical activity and consumption of nutrient-rich foods need to be tailored based on racial, ethnic, and cultural contexts.

Empowering Rural Women through Nutrition Education: Enhancing Dietary Quality with Mushroom-enriched Foods and Participation in Local Mushroom Production Systems

Ensuring quality nutrition for rural women remains a critical public health challenge, particularly in regions where dietary diversity is limited, and micronutrient deficiencies are prevalent. One potential solution is the incorporation of mushroom-enriched food into the daily diets of these women, combined with effective nutrition education and active participation in the mushroom production system. Mushrooms are a nutrient-dense food source, rich in essential vitamins such as vitamin D, and B vitamins, and minerals like zinc, selenium, and iron, which are often deficient in rural diets. Additionally, mushrooms provide a valuable source of protein and fiber, making them an ideal complement to traditional staples. Nutrition education programs focusing on the health benefits of mushrooms can help shift dietary patterns and empower rural women to make healthier food choices for themselves and their families. The integration of mushroom cultivation into local agricultural practices not only enhances food security but also provides an additional income source for women, supporting their economic empowerment. Moreover, the cultivation process is relatively low-cost and can be sustainably managed within small-scale farming systems, making it an accessible and feasible solution for rural communities. Training women to grow, harvest, and prepare mushroom-enriched foods can address both the supply and demand side of the nutrition equation, ensuring that nutrient-rich foods are both available and consumed regularly. The dual focus on nutrition education and production system participation also fosters a sense of ownership and self-reliance among rural women, leading to more sustainable long-term improvements in dietary quality. This approach has the potential to reduce gender disparities in agricultural participation by providing women with a specific and profitable area of expertise within their communities.

Context-Tailored Food-Based Nutrition Education and Counselling for Pregnant Women to improve Birth Outcomes: A Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial in Rural Malawi

BackgroundInadequate maternal dietary intakes remain a public health challenge in low-income countries like Malawi and can cause adverse birth outcomes. ObjectiveTo improve maternal dietary intakes and thus reduce the prevalence of adverse birth outcomes in rural Malawi. MethodsWe performed a two-armed (1:1) cluster-randomized controlled trial in Southern Malawi enrolling pregnant women at gestational age 12-18 weeks. Twenty villages (clusters) were randomized to an intervention or a control group. A nutrition education and counselling (NEC) intervention consisted of education sessions followed by cooking demonstrations and counselling sessions. The women were encouraged to use locally available nutrient-dense foods to enhance dietary adequacy and -diversity. We applied linear programming to identify food combinations which could increase micronutrient-intakes. The control group received standard antenatal health education. ResultsAmong the 311 women recruited, 187 (60%) completed the trial. We found no significant difference in mean birth weights recorded within 1 or 24 hours of birth between the intervention and control groups. Intervention infants had greater birth length (P = 0.043) and abdominal circumference (P = 0.007) compared to controls whereas other birth outcomes did not differ significantly. Notably, a quantile analysis revealed that the NEC intervention favored birth weight among mothers with height below the mean height of the participant sample (156 cm) (P interaction=0.043). ConclusionsTailoring NEC in food insecure communities did not result in significant difference in birth weight among infants of the participating mothers, but mean birth length and abdominal circumference were greater in the intervention group compared to controls. We noted that the NEC intervention favored birth weight among mothers with a lower height than the mean sample height. Our results warrant further investigation into offering tailored NEC early in pregnancy and on a larger scale. The study was registered with Clinical trials.gov ID: NCT03136393.

Rethinking Food and Nutrition Security: Why Income Alone Isn’t Enough in Coffee-Producing Areas of Ethiopia.

Background Coffee-growing communities in Yayu, Southwestern Ethiopia, are perceived to be food secure due to income from coffee production. However, while income ensures caloric sufficiency, it does not necessarily translate into complete food security, especially in terms of nutrient intake. Our study assessed the food and nutrition security of smallholder farm households in Yayu, with a particular focus on dietary diversity and hidden hunger. We found significant gaps in nutritional intake, especially for vulnerable groups such as women and children under five. Policy and Implications Ethiopia’s Productive Safety Net Program (PSNP) targets food-insecure areas based on economic status, assuming that income ensures food security. However, our findings suggest that this approach may be flawed, as households in coffee-growing regions are often labeled food secure despite significant deficiencies in essential nutrients such as heme iron. This calls for a re-evaluation of food security policies in cash-crop-dominated areas to address not only income but also access to diverse and nutrient-rich foods. Recommendations 1. Enhance Nutritional Education: Implement targeted educational programs focusing on the importance of dietary diversity, particularly in coffee-producing areas. 2. Diversify Agriculture: Encourage smallholder farmers to diversify crops, integrating nutrient-dense foods alongside coffee cultivation. 3. Improve Market Access: Strengthen local markets to ensure that nutrient-rich foods are available and affordable during both surplus and shortage seasons. 4. Revise PSNP Criteria: Use localized food and nutrition data rather than income alone to identify food insecurity in cash-crop regions. Conclusion Income from coffee production in Yayu improves caloric sufficiency but does not guarantee nutritional adequacy. To combat hidden hunger, policies must move beyond income-based indicators of food security and prioritize access to diverse, nutrient-rich foods. This will ensure a more comprehensive approach to food and nutrition security in Ethiopia’s coffee-growing regions.

The Impact of Macronutrient and Dietary Patterns on Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Pregnancy is a physiological condition that increases insulin resistance (IR) due to hormonal changes, including elevated levels of estrogen, progesterone, and human placental lactogen (HPL). Such IR, especially in the later stages of pregnancy, can cause gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), characterized by glucose intolerance first detected during pregnancy. GDM poses significant health risks for both the mother and the fetus, including the potential for pre-eclampsia, emergency C-sections, and type 2 diabetes (T2D) for the mother, as well as preterm birth, hypoglycemia, and being large for gestational age (LGA) for the baby. Proper dietary modifications can help regulate blood sugar levels, improve insulin sensitivity, and ensure healthy gestational weight gain (GWG), thereby reducing the possibility of undesirable outcomes. This paper discusses the role of energy, carbohydrate, fat, and protein, and compares the effects of the Mediterranean diet (MD) and Western diet (WD) on the risk of GDM. The main objective of this paper is to identify the most effective dietary strategies for preventing and managing GDM. The finding indicates that a MD rich in nutrient-dense foods, complex carbohydrates/lower GI, unsaturated fatty acids (FAs), and balanced protein has beneficial effects on GDM. In contrast, the WD with empty calories, simple carbohydrates/higher glycemic index (GI), saturated FAs (SFA), and animal-based protein increases the risk of GDM. Future studies should continue to explore the long-term effects of dietary interventions, integrate other lifestyle factors, and consider genetic differences to provide comprehensive management strategies for GDM.

Enhanced Labeling to Promote Consumption of Nutrient Dense Foods and Healthier Diets.

Background/Objectives: Efforts are underway worldwide to design and deploy food labeling systems that provide consumers with the information needed to shift dietary patterns toward nutrient dense, healthier foods. Despite a compelling need for progress, worrisome public health trends persist that are rooted in the popularity of unhealthy, heavily processed foods. Methods: The nutrition and health-related content on the packaging of nine common foods sold in the US and Europe is analyzed and compared. The current scope of nutrient-specific messaging is characterized, including messages highlighting health-related benefits stemming from the mix and levels of mostly macronutrients in food products. Results: An average of 6.9 unique nutrition-related messages appear on the packaging of nine US food products, while EU food products contain an average of 5.0. Messaging around the ingredients in food products accounts for the largest share, e.g., "100% whole grain", "Vegan", and "No artificial preservatives". The macronutrients of fat, fiber, cholesterol, salt, sugar, and protein are the focus of most messaging around health benefits. The degree of food processing and essential vitamin, mineral, and phytochemical micronutrients receive little or no attention, despite their importance in positive health outcomes. Conclusions: Current nutrition-related labeling fails to inform consumers of the enormous differences in the contribution of food products in meeting nutritional needs. Existing metrics and rating systems do not effectively account for the critical relationship between nutrient density and caloric content. Existing metrics and systems do not reflect the impacts of processing on food nutritional quality in ways that provide consumers meaningful information. New concepts, metrics, and label elements are described that could promote healthier dietary patterns. Clear and mandatory nutrition labeling could begin shifting market share toward healthier options, and this could trigger and guide changes in manufactured food recipes that make brand-name products healthier, benefiting all consumers.

Key neuroprotective mechanisms of the MIND diet - a review paper

Introduction and purpose: Impaired cognitive function is a growing public health problem, where dementia is affecting about 47 million people worldwide, and that number is expected to triple by 2050. The MIND (Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay) diet is intended to overcome this problem. This article aims to raise awareness of the MIND diet, highlighting how dietary choices can promote cognitive health and delay disease progression. Brief description of the state of knowledge: The MIND diet focuses on foods that support cognitive health and may mitigate these degenerative processes. It emphasizes green leafy vegetables, berries, nuts, olive oil, whole grains, fish, and poultry while limiting red meat, dairy, sweets, and fried foods. These products contain several components with multidirectional neuroprotective effects. Material and method: This work was based on material found on Google Scholar. Articles were selected based on citation counts, publication dates, and relevance, ensuring a comprehensive review of recent findings on the MIND diet's impact on cognitive health. Summary: The MIND diet enhances brain health by incorporating nutrient-dense foods that reduce inflammation, combat oxidative stress, and support neuronal function. Green leafy vegetables, berries, nuts, whole grains, and healthy fats work together to improve cognitive function, support synaptic plasticity, and protect brain structure, leading to slower cognitive decline and a lower risk of neurodegenerative diseases.

The development of a dietary nutrient density educational tool and the investigation of its acceptance by Chinese residents from Henan province

ObjectivesHelping residents select nutrient-dense foods is a strategy to improve their diet quality. However, communication based on the nutrient-dense foods as a positive attribute has not been widely used in nutritional education. This study aimed to develop an educational tool based on the picture and guidance of “Chinese food guide pagoda (2022) “, extend it with the concept of nutrient density, and investigate its acceptance by Chinese residents from Henan province.MethodsThree examples (one-day diet with high, medium, and low nutrient-rich food (NRF) 9.2 score, an indicator for evaluating dietary nutrient density) were designed for developing a dietary nutrient density educational tool. A self-designed questionnaire was conducted to investigate the acceptance of the “dietary nutrient density educational tool” among college students from Henan province on the basis of the theory of planned behavior.ResultsAmong the three one-day diets used in the tool, with the decrease in the NRF9.2 score, the energy intake increased from 1686 kcal to 2363 kcal, the dietary fat-to-energy ratio increased from 28 to 42%, and the mean adequacy ratio (MAR) decreased from 0.97 to 0.87. A total of 851 college students completed the acceptance questionnaire. The average score of the acceptance was 4.07, with a total score of 5. This study showed that resident’s intention to use the tool was correlated with family residence, perceptual behavior control, and subjective norms. These three factors accounted for 83.5% of the variation in behavior intention.ConclusionTo encourage residents choosing healthier foods, a dietary nutrient density educational tool was developed to expanding the current instructional tool—the Chinese food guide pagoda (2022). The acceptance questionnaire survey revealed that residents had good acceptance of the tool, and family residence, perceptual behavior control, subjective norms may strongly contribute to their acceptance and the intention to use of the tool.

Extraction and Concentration of Spirulina Water-Soluble Metabolites by Ultrafiltration.

Spirulina (Arthospira platensis) is known for its rich content of natural compounds like phycocyanin, chlorophylls, carotenoids, and high protein levels, making it a nutrient-dense food. Over the past decade, research has aimed to optimize the extraction, separation, and purification of these valuable metabolites, focusing on technologies such as high-pressure processing, ultrasound-assisted extraction, and microwave-assisted extraction as well as enzymatic treatments, chromatographic precipitation, and membrane separation. In this study, various extraction methods (conventional vs. ultrasound-assisted), solvents (water vs. phosphate buffer), solvent-to-biomass ratios (1:5 vs. 1:10), and ultrafiltration (PES membrane of MWCO 3 kDa, 2 bar) were evaluated. The quantities of total protein, phycocyanin (PC), chlorophyll a (Cla), and total carotenoids (TCC) were measured. The results showed that ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) with phosphate buffer at a 1:10 ratio yielded a metabolite-rich retentate (MRR) with 37.0 ± 1.9 mg/g of PC, 617 ± 15 mg/g of protein, 0.4 ± 0.2 mg/g of Cla, and 0.15 ± 0.14 mg/g of TCC. Water extraction in the concentration process achieved the highest concentrations in MRR, with approximately 76% PC, 92% total protein, 62% Cla, and 41% TCC. These findings highlight the effective extraction and concentration processes to obtain a metabolite-rich retentate from Spirulina biomass, reducing the volume tenfold and showing potential as a functional ingredient for the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries.

Dietary Adherence to Recommendations among a Cohort of Adults and Teens with Celiac Disease Maintaining a Gluten-Free Diet Compared to a Nationally Representative Sample: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Celiac disease (CeD) is a common autoimmune condition, with a prevalence of ~1%. Currently, a gluten-free diet (GFD) is the only treatment option. Due to fortification rules excluding gluten-free products in the United States of America (U.S.A.), understanding the nutritional adequacy of a GFD is important for promoting optimal health among those with CeD. Cross-sectional examination of multiple 24 h dietary recalls from a study sample of 50 adults and 30 teens with CeD was used to determine nutritional adequacy and excesses according to U.S.A. recommendations. The results were compared with those of 15,777 adults and 2296 teens from a nationally representative sample not reporting CeD, the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2009-2014. Compared with NHANES, our study population was more at risk of low folate and carbohydrate (adults) consumption, and of excessive niacin and vitamin A (teens), as well as saturated and total fat consumption (adults). Overall, though, compared with NHANES, our study participants had similar nutrient concerns but fewer nutritional imbalances, with some notable exceptions. In addition to maintaining a GFD, individuals with CeD should be counseled to maintain a balanced diet and to pay attention to nutrient-dense foods. Special attention should be given to teens in providing dietary counseling to potentially mitigate the risk of future morbidity.

A Study on Mutation Breeding for Crop Improvement

Despite the tremendous changes happening in the world of agriculture, food insecurity is still an issue. To meet the 70% increase in food consumption by 2050 predicted by the global population, it is essential to improve crop varieties in order to make them more resistant to climate change, efficient with inputs, provide more nutrient-dense food, and operate better in different agro-ecosystems without negatively impacting the environment. A total of 3,362 mutant plant kinds have been published from more than 75 different nations as a result of the very popular breeding method known as mutation breeding, sometimes known as induced mutation. Genetic diversity in crops has been enhanced by the application of physical, chemical, and hybrid mutagens. Of these, 82 are indigenous to Africa and 959 are native to Asia, the Pacific, Australia, Europe, Latin America, and North America. Other notable crop types that have resulted from mutation breeding and forced mutation include 1602 cereals, 501 legumes, and 86 oil seed mutant. Raising agricultural productivity and ending global hunger, this method improves quantitative and qualitative characteristics across a wide range of crops. Developments in biotechnology, genetics, and plant breeding have enabled this improvement.

Exploring the relationship between food environment indicators and dietary intake of children 6–23 months old; findings from 20 low and lower-middle income countries

Understanding food environments and how they shape dietary and nutrition outcomes is key to ensuring that food systems can support healthy and sustainable diets for the most vulnerable. Using subnational data from 20 low and lower-middle income countries, we explored how assortment, relative and absolute food prices relate to the dietary intake of children aged 6–23 months. We found that greater assortment of nutrient-dense foods in the market showed a positive association with dietary intake (foods rich in iron or vitamin A) of children 6–23 months of age at the subnational level. Higher relative price of nutrient-dense foods compared to starchy staples was negatively associated with intake of foods rich in iron or vitamin A and minimum dietary diversity. We also found negative association between minimum price of nutrient-dense foods and the same dietary intake indicators. This provides evidence on the degree to which assortment and the relative price of foods influence household food choices. The variability in assortment and price within countries highlights the importance of collecting information on food environments at the subnational level, as they determine which foods households can access, and by extension, how diverse and nutritious the diets of children aged 6–23 months in the household, can be.

Exploring Multidimensional and Within-Food Group Diversity for Diet Quality and Long-Term Health in High-Income Countries

Dietary diversity is a crucial component of healthy eating patterns because it ensures nutritional adequacy. Yet, concerns have been raised about the potential risks of its increase, which may reflect excessive consumption of unhealthy foods and higher obesity or cardiometabolic risk, particularly in high-income countries. However, the links between dietary diversity and different health outcomes remain inconclusive because of methodological differences in assessing dietary diversity. Numerous studies, mostly cross-sectional, have assessed dietary diversity using different indicators usually based only on the number of foods or food groups consumed. In this perspective, we emphasize that dietary diversity is a multidimensional concept encompassing the number of foods in the diet (food coverage) but also their relative proportions (food evenness) and the nutritional dissimilarity of foods consumed over time (food complementarity). Consequently, a comprehensive assessment of dietary diversity reflecting all its dimensions, both between and within-food groups, is needed to determine the optimal level of complementarity between and within-food groups required to improve health and diet quality. Moreover, given the prevailing context of abundant highly processed and energy-dense foods in high-income countries, promoting dietary diversity should prioritize nutrient-dense food groups. Until recently, within-food group diversity has received limited attention in research and public health recommendations. Still, it may play a role in improving diet quality and long-term health. This perspective aims to clarify the concept of dietary diversity and suggest research avenues that should be explored to better understand its associations with nutritional adequacy and health among adults in high-income countries.

The influence of exercise and BMI on food choices during pregnancy

BackgroundExercise is linked to health-conscious behaviors, such as healthy eating, through psychophysiological pathways that include improvements in executive functioning. The influence of exercise while pregnant on healthy eating is currently unknown. PurposeTo determine if there are differences in food choices of women who exercised (EX) or not (CON) during pregnancy, and if this differed by pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI; normal weight, NW; overweight/obese, OWOB). MethodsThis study was a secondary analysis to examine the food frequency questionnaires (FFQs) of pregnant women randomized to 150 min/wk of EX (n = 72) or CON (n = 16). Maternal descriptors and pre-pregnancy BMI were collected at enrollment (≤16 weeks gestation). At enrollment and at 36 weeks gestation, women reported the frequency of specific food consumption across a range of food groups based on a Likert-scale ranging from 1-rarely or never eat the food to 5- eat the food more than once/day. ResultsOWOB EX increased consumption of nutrient-dense foods from enrollment to 36 weeks pregnancy and these results were not seen in OWOB CON and NW CON groups. Since FFQ is self-reported and captures a broad scope of habitual diet, it is important for future research in this area. ConclusionOverall, data in our study suggests that OWOB women who start exercising during pregnancy also improve their diet. Thus, future research should investigate how exercise may influence changes in nutrient intake during pregnancy.

Replicability, adaptability and long-term impact of the 'Healthy Youngsters, Healthy Dads' program in Newcastle, Australia.

'Healthy Youngsters, Healthy Dads' (HYHD) targets fathers to improve the health of their preschool-aged children. In a previous randomized trial, fathers and children experienced meaningful improvements in physical activity and eating behaviours. The next phase is to test the replicability and adaptability of HYHD when delivered in the community by trained facilitators. Fathers/father-figures and children aged 3-5 years were recruited from Newcastle, Australia into a 9-week, non-randomized trial with assessments at baseline, 10 weeks, and 12 months. The primary outcome was achievement of pre-registered targets for recruitment (≥ 96 dyads), attendance (≥ 70%), compliance (completing ≥ 70% of home-based tasks), fidelity (≥ 80% of content delivered as intended) and program satisfaction (≥ 4/5). Secondary outcomes included physical activity, nutrition, screen time and parenting measures. Process targets were surpassed for recruitment (140 fathers, 141 children), attendance (79% for fathers-only workshops, 81% for father-child sessions), compliance (80% of home-tasks completed), fidelity (99% for education, ≥ 97% for practical) and program satisfaction (4.8/5). Mixed effects regression models revealed significant effects in fathers for moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, co-physical activity, dietary intake and parenting practises, which were maintained at 12 months. Significant effects were also established for screen time at 10 weeks only. For children, significant effects were observed for screen time and dietary intake at 10 weeks, while effects on energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods and healthy, nutrient-dense core food intake were maintained at 12 months. Findings demonstrate the replicability and adaptability of HYHD when delivered in the community by local trained facilitators. Further investigation into how to optimally scale-up HYHD is warranted.

An Overview of Livestock Role in Ensuring Food and Nutrition Security: The Case of Ethiopia

This review aimed to deliver and document summarized information on the contribution of livestock to food and nutrition security, both generally and specifically in the case of Ethiopia. Livestock have made both positive and negative contributions to food and nutrition security. Positively, they provide high biological value, palatable, and nutrient-dense food sources such as milk, meat, and eggs for human consumption. They also offer quick income, employment, source of fuel, social functions, raw materials for industry (hide and skin…. etc.), input for soil fertility (manure) and draft power, indirectly contributing to stable food cultivation. However, livestock also pose negative impacts on food and nutrition supply by competing with humans for grains, utilizing fodder crop lands, emitting greenhouse gases, and transmitting zoonotic diseases to humans. In Ethiopia, trends in livestock populations and food production levels reveal disparities between actual consumption and productivity compared to available resources. Energy, protein, and fat supply from the livestock sector has increased from 2010 to 2021. Yet, the country's per capita consumption of dairy, meat, and eggs remains below global averages, exacerbating undernutrition, particularly in rural areas. Livestock products are rich in high-quality protein and essential micronutrients crucial for growth and development, especially in children and infants. Enhancing nutritional outcomes in Ethiopia necessitates addressing barriers to livestock output and promoting the consumption of livestock-derived foods. Tackling underlying issues impeding livestock productivity is equally vital as efforts to enhance productivity and ensure access to livestock-based foods.

Associations Between Iron Intake and Behavior Problems in Early Adolescence

Due to a decline in diet quality during adolescence, youth are less likely to consume adequate nutrient dense foods to meet recommended requirements. Iron intake in particular is crucial for healthy physical and brain development in adolescence, but few studies have examined the role of iron intake in adolescents’ behavior problems. The current study examined the associations between iron intake and two types of behavior problems in early adolescents – aggression and rule breaking. The sample included 272 middle school students (Mage =12.08; 53% female; 47% Black, 37% White, 9% Hispanic, 6% other racial/ethnic group). Multivariate regression analyses adjusting for sociodemographic covariates revealed that higher iron intake was linked to lower aggressive behaviors (β = - .16, p < .05), but was not associated with rule breaking. These findings support the role of iron intake in healthy behavioral development in adolescence.