Dual-injection single-run LC-MS/MS analysis for the simultaneous determination of (lipo)phenolic compounds in industrial olive oil by-products.

Characterization and in vitro digestive properties of potato starch gels enhanced with soy protein fiber aggregates

Child malnutrition is a complex disorder with long-term effects that can be traced to health outcomes, academic performance, and economic productivity. Although the problem is recognized globally, the burden of child malnutrition remains disproportionately high in Ghana. This study examined the magnitude, determinants, and socioeconomic complexities of child malnutrition in the North East Region of Ghana. Using a cross-sectional design with a quantitative approach, the study employed structured questionnaires to collect data from 1,347 mothers. The prevalence of malnutrition among under-five children in the North East Region was 14.3%. Among these, 65.6%, 13.0%, and 21.4% were underweight, stunted, and wasted, respectively. The respondents’ age (χ² = 58.227, p < 0.001), marital status (χ² = 29.600, p < 0.001), number of children (χ² = 34.620, p < 0.001), educational level (χ² = 53.165, p < 0.001), and occupation (χ² = 40.953, p < 0.001) were socio-demographic characteristics that showed significant associations with the prevalence of malnutrition. Monthly income (Fisher’s exact test = 13.203, p < 0.001), frequency of financial difficulties (Fisher’s exact test = 127.503, p < 0.001), and type of financial support received (Fisher’s exact test = 13.119, p = 0.002) were economic factors significantly associated with the prevalence of malnutrition. The study also found significant associations between the prevalence of malnutrition and respondents’ ability to provide nutritious foods (Fisher’s exact test = 122.514, p < 0.001), frequency of purchasing or receiving protein-rich foods (Fisher’s exact test = 47.276, p < 0.001), percentage of household income spent on food (χ² = 22.828, p < 0.001), age at which children were introduced to solid foods (χ² = 108.727, p < 0.001), respondents’ knowledge of nutrition (χ² = 5.718, p = 0.020), family traditions related to nutrition (χ² = 100.978, p < 0.001), availability of food (χ² = 34.810, p < 0.001), and adherence to health professionals’ advice on child feeding and nutrition (χ² = 76.023, p < 0.001). These results highlight that both structural socioeconomic constraints and behavioural practices contribute substantially to the burden of malnutrition in the region. A comprehensive, multisectoral approach should be implemented that integrates nutrition education, economic empowerment, and improved access to diverse and nutritious foods, while strengthening health system support for optimal child feeding practices, particularly among socioeconomically vulnerable households.

Helicobacter pylori is a primary driver of peptic ulcer disease and gastric adenocarcinoma, yet epidemiological data regarding its prevalence among indigenous communities in Sarawak are scarce. This study aimed to determine the H. pylori seroprevalence and identify associated socio-demographic and lifestyle factors within the Dayak population. It was a cross-sectional study carried out in rural areas of Kuching Division. Data was collected using blood sampling, interview-guided questionnaires, and anthropometric measurements. The questionnaire included socio-demographic profiles, history of illness, smoking habit, alcohol consumption, physical activity, and dietary intake. Factor analysis was used to identify dietary patterns. Health profile including helicobacter pylori infection status, blood pressure and body mass index were collected. A total of 199 respondents aged 18 to 91 years from six villages participated in this study, yielding a response rate of 96.6%. About 60% of the respondents were found to be overweight or obese, and 48.7% had hypertension. Blood test analysis detected H. pylori antibodies in 46.2% of the respondents. In the multivariate analysis, several factors were found to be significantly associated with the presence of H. pylori antibodies: increasing age (OR: 1.042, 95% CI: 1.011-1.074), lower systolic blood pressure (OR: 0.967, 95% CI: 0.941-0.994), high physical activity level (OR: 0.278, 95% CI: 0.121-0.640), and medium intake of nutritious food and dairy (OR: 3.364, 95% CI: 1.394-8.117). Implementing community-level screening programs is essential for early detection and targeted intervention, which could ultimately reduce the burden of infection and its associated complications.

ABSTRACT This study explores barriers students face at private, urban, liberal arts universities when accessing food and other basic necessities. Students at three private universities were recruited (n = 1,034). Students received the 2022 Food Access Survey (FAS) distributed via e-mail link. Fifteen open-ended questions were analyzed using qualitative analysis. Four themes emerged: (a) Accessibility and Acceptability: ample and nutritious food; (b) Availability: time constraints influence food needs; (c) Affordability: financial resources for food and other basic necessities; and (d) Accommodation/Additional support: students identify opportunities for universities to address food access. Students shared numerous barriers that negatively affect their academics, health, and wellbeing. This study will help inform university administrators and policymakers about the acute food insecurity experienced by students at private colleges.

In the context of urban slum settings in Africa, there is limited knowledge about how food preparers make decisions as to the types of meals they serve in their households. Understanding what goes into food preparers' daily choices and the complexity of providing nutritious food in resource-scarce environments are crucial to addressing the challenges of food insecurity and malnutrition. This study explored perspectives on what food is prepared in households, the factors influencing meal choices and how decisions are made about what to serve and when. This qualitative study was conducted among persons living in two urban slums in Ibadan, Nigeria, who were most responsible for food preparation in their households. Trained research assistants conducted 30 in-depth semi-structured interviews in the local languages. Data collected were transcribed verbatim, then translated into English. The data were coded with NVivo software (Version 12) and analysed using thematic analysis. Of the 30 food preparers interviewed, 28 were women. Data analysis identified three major themes: what is eaten and how it is prepared; gendered decision-making and normative beliefs; and adapting food preparation to an environment of food scarcity. The food preferences described by all participants were similar, with most expressing a desire to make calorie-dense meals. Traditional "swallows", carbohydrate-rich dough-like dishes made from starchy roots, tubers or grains, were regarded as central to most meals, although it was highlighted that children often wanted processed foods, such as white rice and noodles. Decision-making over what to prepare was gendered, with men's preferences being favoured in addition to those of children. Food preparation was time-consuming and complicated by a lack of refrigeration and limited storage. This study offers valuable insights into the resourcefulness and resilience of slum-dwelling women in planning and preparing diverse meals in the context of living in resource-limited environments and balancing traditional family hierarchies. The findings will contribute to the development of contextually relevant interventions to improve access to nutritious foods, enhance food security, and ultimately contribute to the nutritional well-being of urban slum dwellers.

Households with lower socioeconomic status often have access to diets of poorer quality. However, even within the same socioeconomic group, intrahousehold dynamics influence food acquisition and influence children's diet quality. This study investigated how these dynamics influenced food access and dietary quality among low- to middle-income Chilean children during the COVID-19 lockdown. Using an explanatory sequential mixed methods design, we conducted a survey (n = 999 households) and a qualitative photo-elicitation study in a subsample (n = 14 households). We report the results of the integration phase of the mixed methods study, which consisted of a side-by-side joint display table that juxtaposed the quantitative and qualitative results for each study dimension and a comparison and assessment of the "fit" between these results to generate meta-inferences that convey the insights derived from the integration. Food access was influenced by food-related practices particularly food purchasing and meal preparation. Three meta-inferences emerged: 1. Gender inequality in food responsibilities correlated with worse children's diet, directly and through time scarcity. 2. Time constraints limited the ability to buy and cook healthy foods, also restricting children's culinary education. 3. Households with a sole food gatekeeper often lacked resilience to navigate additional intrahousehold challenges, compromising children's diet quality. Short-term measures could improve access to nutritious food for time-limited caregivers. Long-term policies could promote cultural shifts toward shared food responsibilities. Additionally, leveraging coping strategies from resilient households may help strengthen community capacity and provide material support.

Access to culturally relevant foods is essential to aging well, particularly for Canadians from ethno-cultural minority groups, including African, Caribbean, and Black communities. Food insecurity is defined as inadequate or unreliable access to affordable, safe, and nutritious food that meets one's needs and preferences. While food insecurity is often framed primarily in economic terms, with limited attention to culturally appropriate food access, it is also closely linked to systemic inequities shaped by policy-making and institutional barriers that ultimately affect dietary intake, mealtime experiences, and overall health among ethnocultural minority groups. In the Canadian long-term care sector, food insecurity is exacerbated among African, Caribbean, and Black residents due to limited access to culturally congruent food options within care environments designed to accommodate the ethnic majority. This project will develop roadmaps to promote healthy aging among African, Caribbean, and Black residents in long-term care homes through culturally relevant food provision as part of resident-centered care. We will use a community-based research approach guided by an intersectionality framework and a Community Advisory Council. The study includes a policy analysis of legislation, policies, and regulations shaping food provision in long-term care homes, supplemented by interviews with policy and decision-makers. Focus groups with key informants in food, aging, or long-term care will identify opportunities for change at organizational and governance levels. Ethnographic site visits to community-based food programs in three Canadian provinces-Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec-will explore how social and cultural factors influence food sourcing, preparation, and provision. Interviews with long-term care stakeholders will examine how promising community practices may be adapted to institutional settings. Finally, we will co-create and share roadmaps to support culturally safe food services and programming for African, Caribbean, and Black residents in long-term care. This equity-focused project aims to increase access to culturally relevant foods in long-term care as part of resident-centered care for African, Caribbean, and Black communities, and contributes to broader efforts to decolonize long-term care through culturally safer and more responsive care for people living in institutional settings.

Largehead hairtail (Trichiurus japonicus), kwangtung skate (Dipturus kwangtungensis), and mottled skate (Raja pulchra) are the most popular aquatic products in Korea. In the present study, total and free amino acid analyses were performed to confirm the usability of byproducts from largehead hairtail (head and fins) and skates (skin and liver). Amino acid contents were determined using specific methods and high-performance liquid chromatography. Notably, 18 types of total amino acids and 19 free amino acids were identified in the byproducts of largehead hairtail, kwangtung skate, and mottled skate. Among the amino acids, the total amino acids glycine and glutamate/glutamine and the free amino acids leucine, alanine, and glycine exhibited the highest contents in the byproducts of the three species, indicating that the byproducts contained high-quality proteins. Conclusively, these results suggest that the byproducts are potential materials for producing nutritious foods, protein supplements, cosmetics, functional materials, and nutraceuticals. Overall, these data indicate that fishery byproducts can be used as recyclable resources.

Stunting remains one of the major chronic nutritional problems in Indonesia. The national prevalence of stunting has decreased from 37.2% in 2013 to 19.8% in 2024; however, this figure is still above the World Health Organization threshold (<20%) and has not yet reached the national target of 14%. The interaction of nutritional, environmental, and genetic factors influences stunting. Genetic variations within the Growth Hormone–Insulin-like Growth Factor One pathway play a significant role in regulating linear growth in children; disruptions in this pathway can increase vulnerability to stunting. In addition, the majority of Indonesia's population adheres to Islam, making religious values a strategic potential for strengthening health interventions. This review article examines the integration of scientific approaches, focusing on genetics and Islamic values, in stunting prevention by highlighting polymorphisms in the IGF1, IGF1R, and GHR genes and their relevance to the principles of maqāsid al-sharī‘ah, particularly hifz al-nasl (protection of lineage). The analysis is conducted using a descriptive-analytical approach based on recent scientific literature and Islamic references, including the Qur’an, prophetic traditions, and scholarly exegesis. The findings indicate a strong alignment between scientific approaches and Islamic teachings, including the importance of adequate nutrition during pregnancy, exclusive breastfeeding, consumption of lawful, nutritious food, genetic screening efforts consistent with the values of divine decree, and vitamin D supplementation to support Insulin-like Growth Factor One levels. This integration has the potential to enhance community acceptance of stunting-prevention programs, strengthen moral and spiritual motivation, and support the achievement of national stunting-reduction targets. Thus, an approach that combines precise genomics and Islamic values may serve as a contextual and sustainable strategy in shaping a generation that is healthy, intelligent, and spiritually resilient.

Precision food processing (PFP) is an emerging integrated approach designed to address critical challenges in modern food production, including rising demands for nutrition, safety, sustainability, and quality. By harmonizing precision agriculture, processing, and analysis, PFP optimizes every stage of the food chain, from farm to fork. The current review explores recent advancements in PFP, placing emphasis on its industrial, biotechnological, and nutritional aspects to underscore its transformative potential. Precision agriculture optimizes resource use and crop production through advanced technologies, establishing the foundation for PFP by enhancing raw material quality, yield, and efficiency. In the food industry, PFP subsequently introduces effective optimization techniques, novel processing methods, and robotics to enhance process efficiency and product consistency. To ensure effectiveness across all PFP stages, precision analysis is applied to monitor ingredients, processes, and final products in real-time, guaranteeing safety, consistency, and compliance with nutritional targets. Biotechnological advancements, such as genetic engineering, genome-editing, and precision fermentation, have enhanced the efficiency of ingredient production and improved the capabilities of microbial strains. Nutritionally, PFP preserves nutrients through advanced processing methods and enables targeted biofortification. By integrating these perspectives, PFP offers a holistic solution to the production of safe, sustainable, and nutritious foods, addressing global food system challenges. This review highlights these advancements, identifies interconnections across stages, and underlines the potential of PFP in shaping the future of food production.

This study assessed diet quality and physical activity levels in children and caregivers at the PAVILA shelter in northern Mexico. Researchers examined eating habits and exercise to determine whether they met healthy diet recommendations. The study included 27 children and 10 caregivers, analyzing their food intake, physical activity, and body measurements. Results showed that, on average, their diet quality was moderate (57.76 out of 100). Only 2.70% had a good-quality diet, 75.68% had an intermediate-quality diet, and 21.62% had a poor-quality diet. Participants ate few vegetables, dairy products, and fish, while their consumption of sugars and saturated fats was high. Children had worse diet quality compared to caregivers. Their eating habits did not meet national or international nutrition guidelines. These findings are important because a poor diet and lack of physical activity can increase the risk of diseases such as diabetes, obesity, and heart problems. The study highlights the need for better nutrition at the shelter, encouraging more nutritious foods and reducing sugars and fats.

Background: The main causes of anaemia among children under five include parasitic infections such as intestinal worms, schistosomiasis, and malaria, along with inadequate dietary intake and chronic illnesses. The study aims to determine the economic factors associated with anaemia among children under the age of five attending services at Kitgum General Hospital, Kitgum District. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study design utilising quantitative data collection methods was applied. A simple random sampling technique was used to select a sample of 52 participants, and data were gathered using an approved semi-structured interview guide. Results: More than half (57.7%) of respondents were married, and 22(42.3%) were unmarried. The majority, 44(84.6%) of respondents reported unaffordability of high-cost iron-rich food (meat, fish, egg) while 8(15.4%) reported being able to afford high-cost iron-rich food. More than half 30, 57.7%) of respondents reported having ever had financial difficulties, while 22(42.3%) reported having never had financial difficulties. Half of 26(50%) experienced food shortage, while only 8(15.4%) always have enough food. Nearly half 24, 46.2%) of respondents reported their households were not able to afford enough nutritious food for their children, while only 8(15.4%) who always afford nutritious food for their children. The majority, 35(67.3%) of respondents buy their food from the market, followed by 20(38.4%) grew theirs at home, 17(32.7%) get from exchanged labour, while 7(13.5%) get as charity food from community members or some organisation. Conclusion: Economic factors associated with anaemia among children under five include inadequate food distribution, financial difficulties, and the high cost of food items. Recommendation: The Ministry of Health to improve iron supplementation among children under five.

The role of food-related strategies and social support: A qualitative study on the lived experiences with food among income-eligible food assistance beneficiaries.

Mixed cropping green manure can simultaneously improve the nutrient yield and quality of spring wheat grain under reduced chemical nitrogen supply

Rural areas in the southern United States experience a disproportionate burden of diet-related disorders, driven by limited access to nutritious and affordable foods. Dollar stores have rapidly grown in these regions, including South Carolina's Lowcountry, where they often replace traditional grocery stores and shape residents' nutritional behaviors. However, their food environment and readiness to serve as vendors for the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) nutrition program remain under-examined. This study addressed this gap using a newly developed Nutrition Environment Measures Survey for Dollar Stores (NEMS-DS), which captures dimensions overlooked by previous assessment tools, particularly given dollar stores' reliance on shelf-stable and ultra-processed foods. A quantitative, cross-sectional study was conducted in 13 dollar stores across six rural counties in the Lowcountry. All Lowcountry stores were located in rural areas, and the majority (46%) were in high-deprivation areas identified through the Area Deprivation Index. Food environments of sampled stores were assessed across three domains: (1) healthy food availability; (2) WIC readiness; and (3) marketing of healthy versus unhealthy items (e.g., shelf-space allocation). Descriptive statistics, F-tests, and chi-square tests were employed to compare Lowcountry stores with 202 dollar stores from a parallel multiple state assessment. Lowcountry stores demonstrated limited healthy food availability scores (mean 23 out of a possible 62) and low WIC readiness (mean 51 out of a possible 190). Stores allocated only 12% of the total shelf space to healthy items. None marketed healthy foods at checkout, whereas 100% promoted sugar-sweetened beverages and ultra-processed snacks, patterns consistent with stores in comparison research sites. Although fresh produce availability was slightly higher in the Lowcountry than in the comparison sample, frozen and shelf-stable produce availability was significantly lower. Dollar stores in the Lowcountry mirrored national patterns characterized by heavy reliance on ultra-processed foods in rural high-poverty settings. Findings inform policy discussions regarding WIC vendor eligibility, retail product placement practices, and marketing regulation to improve nutritional behaviors, promote equitable access to nutritious foods, and prevent diet-related chronic disease in rural communities.

Certain dietary foods have an anti-inflammatory effect against colitis in an animal model. Beef is a highly nutritious food source and contains high amounts of protein and minerals. In addition, an antioxidant octapeptide derived from beef has been reported to exert anti-proliferative activity against colorectal cancer cells. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of beef powder supplementation on colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in mice.Male C57BL/6J mice aged five weeks were fed a diet containing 10% or 20% Hanwoo round (HR) beef powder for 42 days. For the last 7 days of the experiment, 3% DSS was dissolved in the drinking water to induce colitis. Inflammatory parameters from serum and colitis were evaluated.The results revealed that supplementation with 20% HR protected colon shortening against DSS-induced colitis. Histological colitis score was significantly reduced by 20% HR supplementation. Moreover, serum triglyceride and total cholesterol levels were significantly reduced by dietary 20% HR supplementation compared to that in the DSS group, with increasing excretion of total cholesterol and triglyceride in the faeces of mice. Supplementation with 20% HR decreased the MDA contents and increased the GSH level in the colonic tissue, significantly. Moreover, the Th1/Th2 cytokine ratio and expression of COX-2 protein were markedly decreased compared with those in DSS-treated mice.These results indicated that supplementation with dietary round beef powder for 42 days protects against DSS-induced colitis in mice by alleviating oxidative stress, inflammatory cytokines production and protein expression in the colonic tissue.

Factors Associated with Produce Prescription Program Enrollment and Benefit Use among Patients with Diabetes and at Risk for Food Insecurity.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a prevalent neurodegenerative disorder that imposes a substantial burden on patients and healthcare systems worldwide. Food insecurity, defined as limited or uncertain access to adequate and nutritious food, has been associated with multiple chronic health conditions; however, its relationship with PD has not been well explored. This study aimed to investigate the association between food insecurity and PD using nationally representative data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007 to 2018. A total of 25,714 participants were included after excluding individuals with incomplete information. Household food insecurity was assessed using the U.S. Food Security Survey Module and categorized into four levels: full, marginal, low, and very low food security. Weighted logistic regression models were applied to evaluate the association between food insecurity and PD while adjusting for demographic, socioeconomic, lifestyle, and health-related covariates. The results showed that food insecurity was significantly associated with higher odds of PD (adjusted OR 1.85; 95% CI 1.26-2.74; P = .0002). In the four-category analysis, compared with full food security, low food security (OR 2.01; 95% CI 1.24-3.25; P = .005) and very low food security (OR 2.13; 95% CI 1.23-3.68; P = .01) were associated with increased odds of PD, whereas marginal food security was not statistically significant. These findings suggest that severe food insecurity may represent a modifiable risk factor for Parkinson's disease, highlighting the importance of public health interventions aimed at improving food access and reducing the burden of PD.

Obesity is one of the nutritional problems commonly experienced by Indonesian adolescents. The negative impact of obesity is closely related to various serious diseases such as diabetes mellitus. Currently, adolescents can also suffer from diabetes mellitus just like adults. This study aims to determine the correlation between body mass index and random blood sugar levels in adolescents at SMP (Junior High School) Muhammadiyah 2 Gamping. This study method employed an observational analytic with a cross-sectional design. The population were 97 eighth grade students. The sampling technique employed proportionate stratified random sampling and number of samples was 49 students. Data collection performed using weight scales, stadiometers, digital glucometers, and observation sheets. The results of the univariate analysis showed that of the 49 respondents; the most body mass index was in the normal category (20 respondents (40.8%), and the most random blood sugar levels were in the prediabetes category (39 respondents (79.6%). The results of the correlation analysis with Spearman Rank obtained a p-value of 0.794 (>0.05) so it can be concluded that there is no relationship between body mass index and random blood sugar levels. However, students of SMP Muhammadiyah 2 Gamping are expected to continue to pay attention to their body health by consuming nutritious foods, living a healthy lifestyle, and doing regular physical activities.