Nutrition-related Chronic Diseases Research Articles

Epidemiological Insights into Diabetes, Hypertension, and Cardiovascular Diseases: Implications for Public Health Nutrition

This review examines the epidemiological understanding of diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases as interconnected nutritional disorders. These conditions, sharing common dietary and lifestyle risk factors, collectively represent significant global public health challenges that require integrated investigation and intervention approaches. Epidemiological approaches, including descriptive, analytical, and interventional designs, emphasizing their strengths and limitations in investigating disease prevalence, risk factors, and potential interventions. It scrutinizes the utilisation of routine population data and surveillance systems in estimating disease burden and assessing intervention effectiveness, focusing on large-scale population-based studies and national surveys. Advanced statistical analyses enhance data interpretation while accounting for demographic variables, ensuring precise comparative analyses across populations. The application of standardization techniques and robust statistical methods strengthens epidemiological findings and minimizes potential biases. A coordinated, multidisciplinary approach is essential for translating epidemiological evidence into effective public health interventions, emphasizing collaboration between epidemiologists, healthcare practitioners, and policymakers. This analysis provides insights for researchers, public health professionals, and policymakers engaged in addressing nutrition-related chronic diseases through epidemiological approaches, highlighting the field's potential to mitigate the escalating burden of these conditions while acknowledging its limitations.

Health Belief Model Predicts Likelihood of Eating Nutrient-Rich Foods among U.S. Adults.

Despite decades of messaging, most Americans still consume excess fats and sugars, but inadequate fiber, potassium, and calcium. Nutrient-rich foods (NRFs) have a high density of favorable nutrients related to calories. Choosing NRFs could lower risk of nutrition-related chronic diseases and aid in their control. We hypothesized that having greater knowledge of NRFs, the presence of a nutrition-related chronic disease or risk factor, and positive Health Belief Model (HBM) views would be predictive of the likelihood of eating NRFs. Through a national online survey panel, 976 adults aged 18-80 completed demographic, health, NRF knowledge, attitudes, and HBM construct questions. Participants were 77% White, 52% women, and 55% had a nutrition-related disease or risk factor. Multivariable HBM scales were generated by theory, principal components, and reliability analysis. NRF knowledge was significantly higher for women, Whites, households without children, and persons without a nutrition-related disease (all p ≤ 0.015). 'Likelihood of eating NRFs' was significantly higher for persons with a nutrition-related disease, Whites, married participants, main food shoppers, and households with children (all p ≤ 0.022). Regressing demographic and HBM constructs on the 'likelihood of eating NRFs' resulted in R2 of 0.435. Nutrition-related disease and HBM constructs of self-efficacy, perceived benefits, and cues to action were predictive of the likelihood of eating NRFs, but higher NRF knowledge was negatively associated.

Association between household food insecurity and stunting in children aged 0-59 months: Systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies.

Household food insecurity (HFI) during childhood is associated with poor dietary diversity and malnutrition, placing children's growth at risk. Children with growth disorders, such as stunting, are more likely to have poor cognition and educational performance, lower economic status, and an increased risk of nutrition-related chronic diseases in adulthood. Our study aimed to systematically review and conduct a meta-analysis of cohort studies investigating the association between HFI and stunting in children aged 0-59 months. Peer-reviewed and grey literature were systematically searched in electronic databases with no language or date restrictions. Two reviewers independently assessed the studies for pre-established eligibility criteria. Data were extracted using a standard protocol. Random-effects meta-analysis models were used, and I2 > 40% indicated high heterogeneity across studies. We used the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation system to assess the quality of the evidence. Nine cohort studies comprising 46,300 children were included. Approximately 80% (n = 7) of the studies found a positive association between HFI and stunting. Pooled odds ratio was 1.00 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.87-1.14; I2: 76.14%). The pooled hazard ratio between moderate and severe HFI and stunting was 1.02 (95% CI: 0.84-1.22; I2: 85.96%). Due to high heterogeneity, the quality of evidence was very low. Individual studies showed an association between HFI and stunting in children aged 0-59 months; however, this association was not sustained in the pooled analysis, possibly because of high heterogeneity across studies.

Egg white-derived peptides reduced blood glucose in high-fat-diet and low-dose streptozotocin-induced type 2 diabetic mice via regulating the hepatic gluconeogenic signaling and metabolic profile.

Food proteins are considered an ideal source for the identification of bioactive peptides with the potential to intervene in nutrition-related chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, obesity, and diabetes. Egg white-derived peptides (EWPs) have been shown to improve glucose tolerance in insulin-resistant rats. However, underlying mechanisms are to be elucidated. Therefore, we hypothesized that EWP exerts a hypoglycemic effect by regulating hepatic glucose homeostasis. Our results showed that 7 weeks of EWP treatment reduced the fasting blood glucose in T2DM mice and the inhibition of the liver gluconeogenic pathway was involved in the mechanisms of actions. Using the untargeted metabolomics technique, we found that EWP treatment also altered the hepatic metabolic profile in T2DM mice, in which, the role of fatty acid esters of hydroxy fatty acids in mediating the hypoglycemic effect of EWPs might be pivotal.

Access to Nutrition Information, Dietary Diversity and Shortfall Food Groups among Nigerian In-School Adolescents

Background: Healthy dietary behaviour is essential for adolescents to promote psychosocial development and cognitive performance and prevent nutrition-related chronic diseases. Yet, the prevalence of micronutrient malnutrition remains high among Nigerian adolescents. Objective: To assess access to nutrition information, dietary diversity, and shortfall food groups among in-school adolescents in Mokola, Ibadan, Oyo, Nigeria. Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional study involved 360 in-school adolescents selected using a multistage sampling technique. The data, which included sociodemographic characteristics, access to nutrition information and dietary intake, were obtained using a semi-structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire. Dietary intake was assessed using a 24-hour recall approach to determining dietary diversity using Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)’s Minimum Dietary Diversity for Women procedure. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 15.5±2.3 years, and 58.1% were females. Only 5.4% had access to information on healthy eating. The minimum dietary diversity score during the previous 24 hours was 5.41±1.3, and only 46.5% of the respondents met the minimum dietary diversity for women. Shortfall food groups included nuts and seeds (4.1%), dairy foods (6.1%), pulses (7.2%), fruits (10.3%), other vegetables (10.3%), and eggs (15.3%). Conclusion: Poor access to nutrition information and low dietary diversity were observed among in-school adolescents in Mokola, Ibadan, Nigeria. Policymakers should strengthen the educational system to promote active learning of healthy eating and improve access to the varieties of foods and snacks made from the shortfall food groups.

Pea protein hydrolysate reduces blood glucose in high-fat diet and streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice.

Food proteins have been recognized as an ideal source to release bioactive peptides with the potential to intervene nutrition related chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, obesity and diabetes. Our previous studies showed that pea protein hydrolysate (PPH) could suppress hepatic glucose production in hepatic cells via inhibiting the gluconeogenic signaling. Thus, we hypothesized that PPH could play the hypoglycemic role in vivo. In the present study, the mice model with type 2 diabetic mellitus (T2DM) was developed by high-fat diet and low dose of streptozotocin injections. PPH was administered orally with a dosage of 1000 mg/kg body weight for 9 weeks, followed by the downstream biomedical analyses. The results showed that the 9-week treatment of PPH could reduce fasting blood glucose by 29.6% and improve glucose tolerance in the T2DM mice. The associated mechanisms included suppression of the gluconeogenic pathway, activation of the insulin signaling and modulation of the renin angiotensin system in the liver of the diabetic mice. In addition, the levels of pro-inflammatory markers in both liver and serum were reduced by the PPH treatment. The hypoglycemic effect of PPH in T2DM mice was demonstrated in the present study. Findings from this study could provide rationale to incorporate PPH into functional foods or nutraceuticals for glycemic control.

Development and Functionality of a Parsimonious Digital Food Frequency Questionnaire for a Clinical Intervention among an Indigenous Population

Nutrition-related chronic diseases are a major problem among Indigenous populations. Appropriate dietary intake assessment tools are needed for nutritional surveillance and intervention; however, tools designed to measure the habitual dietary intake of Indigenous persons are largely lacking. We developed a digital food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) to measure habitual consumption among Australian Aboriginal adults and support personalized nutrition counseling. The primary contributors to energy, select nutrients, and inter-person variation (83 food groups) were identified from nationally representative 24 h recall (24HR) data, and they accounted for >80% of the total intake and inter-person variation of the nutrients of interest. Based on community input, a meal-based FFQ format was adopted, with a main food/beverage list of 81 items and the capacity to report on >300 additional items via the digital platform. The nutrient database was based on the Australian Food and Nutrient Database. Data for the first 60 study participants (70% female; median age: 48 years) were used to assess the FFQ’s utility. The participants’ median [IQR] reported energy intake (10,042 [6968–12,175] kJ/day) was similar to their median [IQR] estimated energy expenditure (10,197 [8636–11,551] kJ/day). Foods/beverages on the main FFQ list accounted for between 66% and 90% of the participants’ reported energy and nutrient intakes; the remainder came from participant-selected extra items. The digital FFQ platform provides a potentially valuable resource for monitoring habitual dietary intake among Aboriginal adults and supporting chronic disease prevention and management interventions.

Cooking with the Seasons for Health (CwS4H): An Innovative Intervention That Links Nutrition Education, Cooking Skills, and Locally Grown Produce to Increase Vegetable Intake among Limited-Resource Parent-Child Dyads in Rural Washington.

Although children from limited-resource families in rural areas are at great risk for nutrition-related chronic diseases, few hands-on programs have been implemented that simultaneously engage both parents and children and include local produce in a single program. This study reports on the development, implementation, and evaluation of Cooking with the Seasons for Health (CwS4H). Parent-child pairs participated in six sessions (two weekly sessions during each of three growing seasons), which included food tasting, a spotlight vegetable, interactive mini nutrition lesson, a child-focused cooking lesson, hands-on meal preparation, distribution of materials as family guides, and a take-home bag of fresh produce. Pre- and postprogram survey data were collected from 23 parents and 22 children. Children reported improvements in nutrition knowledge, vegetable preference, and self-efficacy in food preparation and cooking. Parents reported gains in nutrition knowledge, nutritional behaviors, vegetable preference, attitude toward food preparation/cooking, involvement of the child in food preparation/cooking, confidence in preparing vegetables, and the child's vegetable intake. Parents commented on the value children placed on food preparation and produce selection and how the program enhanced the parent-child relationship. By focusing CwS4H on a variety of fresh vegetables, this intervention helped to impact children's vegetable intake behaviors by engaging children in preparing and choosing the food they eat.

Mapping stunted children in Ethiopia using two decades of data between 2000 and 2019. A geospatial analysis through the Bayesian approach

BackgroundChildhood stunting is a major public health problem globally, resulting in poor cognition and educational performance, low adult wages, low productivity, and an increased risk of nutrition-related chronic diseases in adulthood life. Accurate and reliable data on the prevalence of stunting over time with a sub-national estimate are scarce in Ethiopia.ObjectiveOur objective was to investigate the spatiotemporal distributions and ecological level drivers of stunting among under-five children over time in Ethiopia.MethodsA geospatial analysis using the Bayesian framework was employed to map the spatial variations of stunting among children aged less than five years. The data for the primary outcome were obtained from the Ethiopian Demographic and Health Surveys (2000–2019) and covariates data were accessed from different publicly available credible sources. The spatial binomial regression model was fitted to identify drivers of child stunting using the Bayesian approach.ResultThe national prevalence of stunting was 47.9 in 2000, 43.3 in 2005, 37.3 in 2011, 36.6 in 2016, and 35.9 in 2019, with a total reduction rate of 25%. Substantial spatial clustering of stunting was observed in the Northern (Tigray), Northcentral (Amhara), and Northwestern (Amhara) parts of Ethiopia. Temperature (mean regression coefficient (β): −0.19; 95% credible interval (95% CrI): −0.25, −0.12) and population density (β: −0.012; 95% CrI: −0.016, −0.009) were negatively associated with stunting, whereas travel time to the nearest cities (β: 0.12; 95% CrI: 0.064, 0.17) was positively associated with child stunting in Ethiopia.ConclusionThe prevalence of stunting varied substantially at subnational and local levels over time. Clustering of stunted children were observed in the Northern parts of Ethiopia. Temperature, population density and travel time to the nearest cities were identified as the drivers of stunting in children. Improving community awareness of child nutrition through community health extension programs should be strengthened.

Effect of an action-research nutrition intervention on the Global Diet Quality Score of Colombian adolescents.

Strategies to address the nutritional needs of adolescent girls and young women often focus on supplementation. In this study, an action-research approach involving a nutrition education and entrepreneurship intervention was carried out among adolescent girls and young women in poor neighborhoods of Medellín, Colombia. The intervention group significantly increased its intake of several nutrients, including energy, protein, total fat, saturated fat, monounsaturated fat, polyunsaturated fat, cholesterol, dietary fiber, calcium, zinc, and vitamins A, B2, B3, B9, and C. A significant increase was observed in the intake of the Global Diet Quality Score (GDQS) healthy food groups (other fruits, other vegetables, legumes, high-fat dairy products), accompanied by a decrease in the consumption of some unhealthy food groups (sweets and ice creams). A multivariate regression controlling for age, socioeconomic status, occupation, Household Hunger Scale, mean probability of adequacy, physical activity, and body self-perception showed that the nutrition intervention improved the total GDQS by 33% in the intervention group-a substantial improvement notwithstanding the study group's precarious social and economic conditions. We conclude that nutrition education and entrepreneurship models based on this approach may improve the dietary profile of this population and reduce future pressures from nutrition-related chronic diseases.

AYURVEDIC RECIPES AS NUTRITIOUS PATHYA FOR CHILDREN: A REVIEW

Any individual's nutrient requirements are based on age, gender, and activity. With developing age, the child shows many changes. Their association with food assumes a varied spectrum to the extent of acceptance, rejection, or selection of food. But good nutrition remains fundamental to the child's physical and mental growth and development. The media exposure to tempting eatables sold in packets like wafers, etc., is the primary factor for the wrong selection of food habits. In children, the matter of concern is the quality of food. So, it is essential for some adequate supervision for the selection of food and healthy eating for preventing and postponing nutrition-related chronic diseases. There is a vast description of healthy and nutritious food in Ayurveda, with easy methods of preparation making it more acceptable in children. Pathya and apathya are used to denote the acceptability and adaptability of a particular food. Accepting that children are picky in taking food, a slight modification can make it more acceptable. The pathya kalpana is like krushara (kichidi), misraodana (boiled rice), and krutta mudga yusha (soup prepared with pulses.) yavagu (gruel) etc., are not only nutritious but also act as agni deepaka (appetizer) ruchya, (improves taste perception) balya, (promotes strength) tarpaka, (nourishing), vatanulomaka (carminative). These ahara kalpana helps restore agni's normal functioning to digest food properly and give essential nutrition to the body. So, this is an attempt to put light on Ayurvedic recipes such as nutritious food for the growth and development of children.

High nutrition literacy linked with low frequency of take-out food consumption in chinese college students

BackgroundThe excessive consumption of take-out food has increased the risk of nutrition-related chronic diseases. Nutrition literacy (NL) is an important influencing factor of food choice. This study aimed to explore the relationship between nutrition literacy and take-out food consumption.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted on 2130 college students in Bengbu, China. A self-reported questionnaire that included demographic information, lifestyle behavior, take-out food consumption, and nutrition literacy scale was used. Ordinal logistic regression models were used to analyze the association between nutrition literacy and take-out food consumption.ResultsOf the students surveyed, 61.5% consumed take-out food at least once a week. NL was significantly associated with the frequency of take-out food consumption ≥ 4 times/week (OR = 0.995, 95% CI = 0.990-1.000); the difference specifically was discovered for applying skills, interactive skills, and critical skills. Moreover, students with high level NL ate less (Spicy) hot pot (OR = 0.996, 95% CI = 0.992-1.000), but more vegetable and fruit salad (OR = 1.009, 95% CI = 1.002–1.015).ConclusionsNL, especially in applying skills, interactive skills, and critical skills, is not only associated with consumption frequency of take-out food among college students, but also links with types of take-out food consumption. Our findings emphasize that targeted interventions on nutritional skills literacy should be needed to improve dietary behaviors for student’s good health.

Nutrition Literacy Level in Bank Employees: The Case of a Large Brazilian Company.

Nutrition Literacy (NL) positively impacts diet quality and has the potential to promote health and prevent nutrition-related chronic diseases. Brazil is one of the countries with the highest rates of nutrition-related chronic diseases. Nevertheless, in Brazil, few studies have explored the NL levels of its population. To provide remote access to the Nutrition Literacy Assessment Instrument for Brazilians (NLit-Br) and assess Brazilian bank employees, we conducted a study to estimate the validity of the NLit-Br online and to investigate whether bank employees have an adequate NL level. In the first step, we randomly assigned 21 employees from three financial institution branches to two groups to complete NLit-Br paper and online versions. After an interval period, both groups completed the NLit-Br with an opposite delivery method (paper vs. online). We compared the validity of the digital and paper versions of the NLit-Br by the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC), and the reliability by Kuder-Richardson formula 20. Second, we evaluated 1174 bank employees using the NLit-Br online version. We found an excellent absolute agreement (ICC ≥ 0.75) between the paper and online versions. The questionnaire had good internal consistency (KR-20 = 0.64). The sample was characterized as mostly male (61.0%), married/cohabitant (73.8%), and white (69.8%), with high household income (85.2%), and graduated or postgraduate (97.4%). The mean age of the population was 42.1 (SD = 7.6) years. Subjects predominantly had possibly inadequate NL (62.3%). The online NLit-Br total score was significantly associated with gender, age, and household income (p < 0.05). Women and individuals with higher incomes had a higher degree of NL. Subjects over 50 years old had a lower degree of NL. There was no significant association between the NLit-Br score and the participants' education. The NLit-Br online is a valid instrument to assess NL remotely. The population studied showed a high prevalence of inadequacy of the NL. Therefore, there is a need for targeted actions to improve the NL of bank employees.

TFOS Lifestyle: Impact of nutrition on the ocular surface

Nutrients, required by human bodies to perform life-sustaining functions, are obtained from the diet. They are broadly classified into macronutrients (carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins), micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) and water. All nutrients serve as a source of energy, provide structural support to the body and/or regulate the chemical processes of the body. Food and drinks also consist of non-nutrients that may be beneficial (e.g., antioxidants) or harmful (e.g., dyes or preservatives added to processed foods) to the body and the ocular surface. There is also a complex interplay between systemic disorders and an individual's nutritional status. Changes in the gut microbiome may lead to alterations at the ocular surface. Poor nutrition may exacerbate select systemic conditions. Similarly, certain systemic conditions may affect the uptake, processing and distribution of nutrients by the body. These disorders may lead to deficiencies in micro- and macro-nutrients that are important in maintaining ocular surface health. Medications used to treat these conditions may also cause ocular surface changes. The prevalence of nutrition-related chronic diseases is climbing worldwide. This report sought to review the evidence supporting the impact of nutrition on the ocular surface, either directly or as a consequence of the chronic diseases that result. To address a key question, a systematic review investigated the effects of intentional food restriction on ocular surface health; of the 25 included studies, most investigated Ramadan fasting (56%), followed by bariatric surgery (16%), anorexia nervosa (16%), but none were judged to be of high quality, with no randomized-controlled trials.

Nutrition Situation Analysis in the UAE: A Review Study.

This review study aimed to assess the nutrition situation in the UAE using published data from 2010 to 2022. It highlights the gaps and challenges that prevail in addressing the nutrition-related problems in the UAE and the opportunities that have been overlooked. The available literature indicates that the UAE is burdened with more than one form of nutrition-related problems, including being underweight, being overweight, obesity, micronutrient deficiencies, and nutrition-related chronic diseases. It is clear that data on micronutrient deficiencies, protein-energy malnutrition, obesity, diabetes, and other nutrition-related diseases among the UAE population are extremely scarce. The UAE has a high prevalence of obesity and diabetes; however, limited studies have been conducted to document this nutritional phenomenon. Few examples of published data are available assessing the burden of stunting, wasting, and being underweight among children under five years of age. Despite the importance of protein-energy malnutrition, no recent publications analyze its prevalence within the UAE population. Therefore, future studies must be conducted, focusing on malnutrition. Based on the literature, and bearing in mind the magnitude of the health issues due to the UAE population's nutrition negligence, there is an urgent need to assess the population's nutrient behaviors, to aid policy decision-makers in developing and implementing effective health policies and strategies.

Food Insecurity and Diabetes: An Investigation of Underserved Asian Americans in Michigan.

Asian Americans are at increased risk for nutrition-related chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes among Asian Americans in the United States is 16.7% compared to 11.3% among the general U.S. population. Genetic factors such as higher body fat and lower muscle mass result in a predisposition for the development of diabetes at a lower body mass index (BMI). Social determinants including food insecurity and physical environment may also impact risk and need further examination. This study investigated type 2 diabetes-related indicators and food insecurity and satisfaction with types and quality of foods provided through food box distributions with a focus on Asian American populations in Michigan. Data were collected via a survey implemented in partnership with community organizations that administer food box distributions. Nearly half of respondents were not aware that Asian Americans are at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The mean BMI for overall study participants was 25.6, and 61.8% of participants had a BMI of ≥23. Food insecurity was also negatively associated with BMI with study participants who were overweight reporting less food insecurity. Overall, participants reported being satisfied with both the types and quality of foods provided in the food boxes. Findings support the need for increased diabetes education and testing among Asian Americans and assessment of the types of culturally relevant foods offered by food distribution organizations.

Motivations and strategies underlying the adoption of the front-of-pack labelling scheme Nutri-Score

Abstract Front-of-pack nutrition labellings (FoPL) have gained traction in the European Union as tools to tackle the burden of nutrition-related chronic diseases. Multiple FoPL have been implemented by both governments and private actors. Under the European food labelling regulation, any FoPL is optional to display, although the legal framework is being revised for a harmonized FoPL to emerge. Since the implementation of the Nutri-Score in France in 2017, little data is available to understand the motivations and strategies underlying the adoption of the FoPL from a food business’ perspective. A cross-sectional study was conducted in March 2021 on food businesses having adopted the Nutri-Score in France through an online questionnaire. In total, 121 businesses completed the questionnaire, representing 32% of companies adopting the scheme and covering a variety of company types. Engaged businesses had a rather healthier portfolio of products according to the Nutri-Score (on average, 69% of engaged products were A or B and 12% were D or E), with disparities between retailers and national brands. Businesses mostly reported their engagement was motivated by a will to be transparent (76%) and to simplify nutritional information (67%) but still 19% reported that they engaged following external pressures. External pressures were more likely to play a role in the engagement if the company engaged in 2020 compared to those engaged before 2018 (P = 0.032), if the company was larger (P = 0.044) and if the scope of engagement included D or E products (poorer nutritional quality) (P = 0.033). Our study showed that the Nutri-Score, as an optional measure, is mainly used by businesses, especially national brands, as a tool to promote rather healthier products, while companies with products of lower nutritional quality are more likely to engage following external pressure. This highlights the relevance of enforcing a mandatory FoPL system, in line with the Farm to Fork strategy. Key messages

Pooled prevalence of stunting and associated factors among children aged 6-59 months in Sub-Saharan Africa countries: A Bayesian multilevel approach.

Over 155 million children under five suffer from stunting, and it is responsible for over one million deaths and 54.9 million Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYS) of under-five children worldwide. These predominantly occurred in low-and middle-income countries like sub-Saharan Africa. Stunted children begin their lives at a marked disadvantage. Some of these are; poor cognition and educational performance, low adult wages, lost productivity and, when accompanied by excessive weight gain later in childhood, an increased risk of nutrition-related chronic diseases in adult life and the devastating effects of stunting can last a lifetime and even affect the next generation. Despite this, its magnitude rises in the past 25 years in sub-Saharan Africa. Studies that capture the pooled prevalence and associated factors of stunting among children aged 6-59 months in sub-Saharan Africa are limited. Therefore, this study was carried out on the basis of the Bayesian approach to determine the pooled prevalence and predictors of stunting among children aged 6-59 months in Sub-Saharan Africa. To assess the pooled prevalence of stunting and associated factors among children aged 6-59 months in Sub-Saharan Africa. For this study a total of 173,483 weighted samples from the demography and health survey data set of 35 sub-Saharan African countries from 2008 to 2020 were used. After checking Variation between cluster by computing Intraclass Correlation Coefficient, binary logistic regression model was conducted based on hierarchical Bayesian statistical approach to account the hierarchical nature of demography and health survey data and to get reliable estimates by using additional information from the prior distribution. Adjusted odds ratio with 95% credible interval of the best fitted model was used to ascertain the predictors. The pooled prevalence of stunting in Sub-Saharan Africa was about 35% (95%CI: 34.87, 35.31). Of the sub-regions, the highest prevalence of stunting was in East Africa, 37% (95%, CI: 36.96, 37.63) followed by Central Africa, 35% (95%CI: (34.93, 35.94). Being male (AOR = 1.27, 95% CrI 1.25, 1.30), small birth size (AOR = 1.29, CrI 1.25, 1.32), home delivery (AOR = 1.17, CrI 1.14, 1.20), and no education of mothers (AOR = 3.07, CrI 2.79, 3.39) were some of the significant predictors of stunting of children. The prevalence of stunting of children in sub-Saharan Africa is among the highest in the world. Predictors such as being male, being small at birth, a child delivered at home, and, low level of maternal education were some of the predictors of childhood stunting. Stakeholders and non-governmental organizations should consider those contributing factors of stunting when they plan and design nutritional improvement programs.

Rate of Nutrition-Related Chronic Diseases Among a Multi-Ethnic Group of Uninsured Adults.

The prevalence of nutrition-related chronic diseases, such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes, among adults in the U.S. is of increasing importance. These conditions adversely affect the overall public health, health care systems, and economy. Marginalized minority groups have been disproportionally affected by these conditions. Lack of or inadequate health insurance limits access to health care, which contributes to poor health outcomes among individuals with these conditions. South Florida is home to diverse racial/ethnic minority groups, many of whom are uninsured and do not have access to expert-delivered nutrition education services. It is imperative to thoroughly study the health needs of these underserved patient populations and examine the rate of nutrition-related conditions among them in order to develop medically and culturally tailored nutrition education programs for them. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of nutrition-related diseases among multi-racial/ethnic uninsured individuals living in South Florida. A four-week electronic health record of adult patients (N=272) from a free clinic in South Florida was analyzed. Spearman`s correlation and binary regression models were used to assess the relationship between the variables. The sample included females (65%) and males (35%). The mean age was 49.08±14.56 years. Overall, 87% had at least one nutrition-related condition, with overweight/obesity being the most observed (75.2%), followed by hypertension (39%), dyslipidemia (27.2%), and diabetes (23.9%). BMI was a significant predictor of the prevalence of hypertension among Whites (p=0.008) and Blacks (p=0.002) but not Asians (p=0.536). Overall, a high rate of nutrition-related chronic diseases was found among uninsured adults in this study. This supports the need for increased medically, culturally, and economically tailored nutrition education programs in free clinic settings.

Nutrition literacy and its related demographic factors among workers of Taraz Steel company, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, Iran.

BackgroundNutrition is critical to prevent some chronic diseases. Nutrition literacy refers to ability to gain, understand and evaluate nutrition facts to choose appropriate foods. Nutrition literacy has recently drawn the attention of professionals with respect to health promotion. The purpose of this study was to investigate nutrition literacy and potentially related demographic factors among workers of a steel company in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, southwest Iran.MethodsIn this descriptive-analytical study in 141 workers of Taraz Steel company in 2021, participants were selected by convenience sampling and a self-report nutrition literacy scale nativized to Iranians was used to collect data. Data were analyzed by SPSS 22 using Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis test and Spearman's correlation coefficient.ResultsAbout 75% of workers had adequate nutrition literacy and around 24% inadequate nutrition literacy. The highest percentage of mean score was obtained for determination of food groups (85.4%) and the lowest for calculation of food units (47%). The mean score of nutrition literacy was significantly higher in people with higher education (P = 0.020). Also, people with adequate monthly salary attained a higher mean score on determination of food groups (P = 0.021) and higher overall nutrition literacy (P = 0.003) compared to other people. No relationship was observed between nutrition literacy and body mass index as well.ConclusionMost workers have adequate nutrition literacy but their scores on calculation of food units are relatively low. It is essential for policymakers to collect information on the level of nutrition literacy in different populations, especially Iranian workers, to reduce the prevalence of nutrition-related chronic diseases.