Savoury Snacks Research Articles

Service quality performance measurement provided by a vegan savoury snacks company: application of the Servqual tool on orders through a food delivery App

Distant relationships with the client have gained predominance and become necessary during the period of social distancing. Faced with this new scenario, it has become essential to measure the quality of services provided in relation to consumer expectations and requirements. The aim of this study is to assess the quality of services of a vegan company which provides fried and baked savories through a delivery app. To collect data on the quality of service provided by the micro business, interviews and direct observation were used as well as the completion of the SERVQUAL questionnaire by the consumers. Analysis of this data showed a positive result in the large majority of the evaluated aspects and client expectations of this kind of service were identified. Most criteria were positively influenced by the delivery app. We can therefore conclude that the service offered contributes in a positive way to the client’s perception of quality of service. It should also be mentioned that most of the criteria are influenced by the delivery app, thus highlighting it as a relevant tool for organizational dynamics.

Changes in Life Situations during the SARS-CoV-2 Virus Pandemic and Their Impact on Eating Behaviors for Residents of Europe, Australia as Well as North and South America.

Many people’s life situations are changing as a result of restrictions being imposed by national governments to limit the spread of the virus. These may be associated with additional factors (emotional or financial, for example) that influence eating behavior and physical activity levels. Therefore, the aim of this study was to show whether there is a relationship between a changing life situation during the pandemic and eating behavior as well as physical activity. An online survey was conducted between 28 April and 16 July 2020 with 921 participants from European countries and countries outside Europe (South and North America, Australia). An analysis of the obtained results showed an unfavorable relationship between a change in life situation during the pandemic and eating behavior as well as physical activity. This was observed mainly among students who returned to their family homes and respondents whose working hours increased. Students were more likely to snack between meals (51.13%, p < 0.001) and to consume more sweets (45.11%, p < 0.001) and savory snacks (30.83%, p < 0.001). Those whose working hours had increased, consumed morefast foods (13.57%, p < 0.05) during that time. On the other hand, the study results indicated that a change in life situation during the pandemic can also have a positive impact on eating behavior and physical activity. This was exhibited by individuals who transitioned to remote working. An improvement in the regularity of eating (38.86%, p < 0.001) was recorded for this group. The relationship between a change in life situation and eating behavior was further emphasized by the fact that people whose life situation had not changed were more likely to declare no change in the regularity of eating (62.86%, p < 0.001) and snacking (61.71%, p < 0.001). At the same time, they were less likely to exhibit a higher intake of sweets (22.29%, p < 0.01) and salty snacks (13.14%, p < 0.01). The study results indicated that a change in the nutritional situation during the pandemic may have had both negative and positive effects on eating behavior and physical activity. Finding these relationships may help identify groups that are particularly vulnerable to reduced diet quality and reduced levels of physical activity. Considering the immunomodulating effects of diets and the fact that physical activity is essential for maintaining good health, further research in this area is needed.

Dietary Intake, Eating Behavior, Physical Activity, and Quality of Life in Infertile Women with PCOS and Obesity Compared with Non-PCOS Obese Controls.

To personalize lifestyle advice for women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and obesity, detailed information regarding dietary intake, eating behavior, physical activity levels, and quality of life (QoL) may be useful. We aimed to investigate in a post-hoc cross-sectional analysis within a large multicenter randomized controlled trial in women with infertility whether there are significant differences in dietary intake (vegetables, fruits, sugary drinks, alcoholic beverages, savory snacks, and sweet snacks); eating behavior (emotional eating, external eating, and restricted eating); physical activity; and QoL between women with PCOS and obesity and non-PCOS obese controls. Participants were asked to complete the food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ), the Short QUestionnaire to ASsess Health-enhancing physical activity (SQUASH), and the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) at study entry (PCOS: n = 170; non-PCOS: n = 321, mean BMI: 36). Linear and binary (multinomial) logistic regressions were used, and the analyses were adjusted for age, waist–hip circumference ratio, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). No statistically significant differences in dietary intake or physical activity were observed between the two groups. The overall score of emotional eating was 34.6 ± 11.2 in the PCOS group and 34.1 ± 11.3 in the non-PCOS group (p = 0.11). QoL scores (physical and mental) did not differ between PCOS and non-PCOS women. These findings suggest that infertile women with PCOS and obesity and infertile non-PCOS obese controls do not have different dietary habits and have similar mental and physical QoL.

Food Compass is a nutrient profiling system using expanded characteristics for assessing healthfulness of foods.

Nutrient profiling systems (NPS) aim to discriminate the healthfulness of foods for front-of-package labelling, warning labels, taxation, company ratings and more. Existing NPS often assess relatively few nutrients and ingredients, use inconsistent criteria across food categories and have not incorporated the newest science. Here, we developed and validated an NPS, the Food Compass, to incorporate a broader range of food characteristics, attributes and uniform scoring principles. We scored 54 attributes across 9 health-relevant domains: nutrient ratios, vitamins, minerals, food ingredients, additives, processing, specific lipids, fibre and protein, and phytochemicals. The domain scores were summed into a final Food Compass Score (FCS) ranging from 1 (least healthy) to 100 (most healthy) for all foods and beverages. Content validity was confirmed by assessing nutrients, food ingredients and other characteristics of public health concern; face validity was confirmed by assessing the FCS for 8,032 foods and beverages reported in NHANES/FNDDS 2015-16; and convergent and discriminant validity was confirmed from comparisons with the NOVA food processing classification, the Health Star Rating and the Nutri-Score. The FCS differentiated food categories and food items well, with mean ± s.d. ranging from 17.1 ± 17.2 for savoury snacks and sweet desserts to 81.6 ± 16.0 for legumes, nuts and seeds. In many food categories, the FCS provided important discrimination of specific foods and beverages as compared with NOVA, the Health Star Rating or the Nutri-Score. On the basis of demonstrated content, convergent and discriminant validity, the Food Compass provides an NPS scoring a broader range of attributes and domains than previous systems with uniform and transparent principles. This publicly available tool will help guide consumer choice, research, food policy, industry reformulations and mission-focused investment decisions.

"Just not knowing" can make life sweeter (and saltier): Reward uncertainty alters the sensory experience and consumption of palatable food and drinks.

Reward uncertainty can prompt exploration and learning, strengthening approach and consummatory behaviors. For humans, these phenomena are exploited in marketing promotions and gambling products, sometimes spurring hedonic consumption. Here, in four experiments, we sought to identify whether reward uncertainty-as a state of "not knowing" that exists between an action and a positively valanced outcome-enhances the in-the-moment consumption and experience of other palatable food and drink rewards. In Experiment 1, we demonstrate that reward uncertainty can increase consumption of commercial alcoholic drinks and energy-dense savory snacks. In Experiment 2, we show that reward uncertainty is unlikely to promote consumption through gross increases in impulsivity (expressed as higher discounting rates) or risk tolerance (expressed as lower probability discounting rates). In Experiment 3, we find that reward uncertainty intensifies the taste of, and hedonic responses to, sucrose solutions in a concentration-dependent manner among individuals with heightened preferences for sweet tastes. Finally, in Experiment 4, we replicate and extend these findings by showing that reward uncertainty intensifies the taste of palatable foods and drinks in ways that are independent of individuals' discounting rates, motor control, reflection impulsivity, and momentary happiness but are strongly moderated by recent depressive symptoms. These data suggest a working hypothesis that (incidental) reward uncertainty, as a state of not knowing, operates as a mood-dependent "taste intensifier" of palatable food and drink rewards, possibly sustaining reward seeking and consumption. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Are Physical Activity and Sedentary Screen Time Levels Associated With Food Consumption in European Adolescents? The HELENA Study

Objective One of the current main public health problems is the prevalence of obesity in children. Unhealthy lifestyle behaviors such as poor dietary habits, high sedentary screen time (SST), and low levels of physical activity (PA) have a strong tendency to track from childhood into adulthood. The aim of this manuscript is to assess the association between meeting or not meeting the PA and SST recommendations and the consumption of different food groups. Method Data were obtained from a sample of European adolescents from the multicenter cross-sectional HELENA study. In all, 1448 adolescents from 8 cities were included. PA was objectively measured by accelerometry and dietary intake by 24-hour dietary records. Adolescents were grouped according to PA and SST recommendations. Results In both sexes, intake of savory snacks was higher in those groups who did not meet any of the recommendations (p < 0.05). For males, those who met both recommendations were more likely to drink/eat milk, yogurt, and water (p < 0.05). Those not meeting recommendations were more likely to drink sugar-sweetened beverages (p < 0.05). For females, those not meeting recommendations were less likely to eat fruits and vegetables and more likely to have a higher intake of fats and oils (p < 0.05). Conclusions Those adolescents meeting PA and SST recommendations had a higher intake of healthy foods, like fruit and vegetables and dairy products. However, the negative relationship unhealthier food and SST is stronger in males independently of PA. More studies assessing the combined effect of both PA and SST regarding dietary habits in children and adolescents are needed.

Development of a Food-Based Diet Quality Scale for Brazilian Schoolchildren Using Item Response Theory.

Item response theory (IRT) is a psychometric method that provides probabilistic model-based measurements. Its use is relatively recent in the assessment of food consumption, especially through dietary assessment tools. This study aims (1) to develop a food-based diet quality scale for Brazilian schoolchildren using IRT, and (2) to apply the scale to a representative sample of schoolchildren from a Southern Brazilian city. The scale was developed with daily consumption frequency of foods from 835 students who completed the Food Intake and Physical Activity of Schoolchildren questionnaire. Questionnaire foods were grouped into 10 items according to their nutritional similarities and were evaluated by full-information factor analysis that indicated a dominant factor explaining 28% of the variance. Psychometric item analysis was performed using Samejima’s model. The scale covered all levels of diet quality, from “very poor” (scores < 95) to “very good” (scores ≥ 130). Children who had higher diet quality scores consumed beans, meat, fish, eggs, fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and water more frequently, while reducing the consumption of ultraprocessed sugary foods, ultraprocessed savoury snacks and sausages, and sugary drinks. Of 6323 children, an average of less than 10% consumed the highest diet quality scores (good or very good diet quality) and about 60% of children consumed low diet quality scores. The scale can be applied to other schoolchildren with the same measure precision.

Changes in lifestyle, diet, and body weight during the first COVID 19 ‘lockdown’ in a student sample

Changes in lifestyle and body weight were examined retrospectively in students at a German university during the first COVID-19 lockdown period (March 12- May 3, 2020) using an online survey. Data from a total of 827 participants was used. Almost half of the students reported perceived body weight changes with about 27% gaining weight and around 22% losing weight. Regression analyses showed that consumption changes in the following food categories: fruits, sweets and cakes, bread and bakery products, pasta, savoury snacks, and meats and sausages were predictive of weight changes. Additionally, changes in the frequency of cooking with fresh ingredients, physical activity, exercise, smoking, and alcohol consumption as well as pre-lockdown BMI were all predictive of weight changes. Given the continuous global pandemic, increased and innovative public health efforts to support this population group are needed.

Cross‐national differences in consumer responses to savoury crackers containing blackcurrant pomace

AbstractJuice‐pressing residues, among them blackcurrant pomace, are valuable materials for being upgraded in food products. Their excellent nutritional profiles in line with their functional properties allow a wide range of applications. The current study was performed to evaluate the overall liking of a pomace‐enriched thin crispy‐baked bread product in five European countries, and to obtain suggestions for improvements. Moreover, data on the frequency of snack consumption, openness to new foods and an opinion on residues in food applications were acquired. Four hundred and sixty‐six consumers from United Kingdom, Spain, Sweden, Italy and Germany were involved. On a 9‐point hedonic scale, the pomace cracker was rated towards the direction of liking with 5.94 ± 1.90 on average. Contingency tables showed that the overall‐liking correlated highly significant (p &lt; 0.01) with the country of origin and sex of the respondents and their openness to new products. Significantly higher liking scores were provided by British and Spanish consumers and, among these respondents, savoury snacks were stated to be consumed most frequently. Therefore, the snack consumption frequency also appeared to be a driver for cross‐national differences in hedonic responses. The consent for using pomace in food products was remarkably high (&gt;90%) in all countries and stresses consumer awareness in terms of healthy longevity and sustainability.

Towards an In-Depth Understanding of Physical Activity and Eating Behaviours during COVID-19 Social Confinement: A Combined Approach from a Portuguese National Survey.

Rapid worldwide decreases in physical activity (PA), an increase in sedentary behaviour (SB) and poorer dietary patterns have been reported during COVID-19 confinement periods. However, as national variability has been observed, this study sought to describe PA, SB and eating patterns, and to explore their gender as well as other socio-demographic correlates and how they interrelate in a representative sample of Portuguese adults during the COVID-19 first mandatory social confinement. The survey was applied online and by telephone to 5856 adults (mean age = 45.8 years; 42.6% women). The majority reported high (46.0%) or moderate (20.5%) PA levels. Men, younger participants, those with higher education levels and a favourable perception of their financial situation reported higher PA levels, with the opposite pattern for SB. Physical fitness activities and household chores were more reported by women, with more strength training and running activities reported by men. Regarding eating behaviours, 45.1% reported changes, positive (58%) and negative (42%), with 18.2% reporting increases in consumption of fruit, vegetables, and fish and other seafood consumption, while 10.8% (most with lower educational level and less comfortable with their income) reported an increase in consumption of ready-to-eat meals, soft drinks, savoury snacks, and take-away and delivered meals. Two clusters—a health-enhancing vs. risky pattern—emerged through multiple correspondence analysis characterized by co-occurrence of high vs. low PA levels, positive vs. negative eating changes, awareness or not of the COVID-19 PA and dietary recommendations, perceived financial situation, higher vs. lower educational level and time in social confinement. In conclusion, while in social confinement, both positive and negative PA and eating behaviours and trends were displayed, highlighting the role of key sociodemographic correlates contributing to healthy vs. risky patterns. Results may inform future health interventions and policies to be more targeted to those at risk, and also advocate the promotion of PA and healthy eating in an integrated fashion.

Is the Prospective Link between Parental Stress and Adolescent Snack Intake or Weight Outcome Mediated by Food Parenting Practices?

Parental stress may influence adolescents’ food intake and weight development over time, however, it is largely unknown why this is the case. This study examines whether the link between parental stress and adolescents’ snack intake and weight outcome is mediated by food parenting practices (FPPs). Participants included 400 parents and their adolescent children (aged 12–16) who completed questionnaires. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) was used to assess parental general stress levels and the Adolescent Food Parenting Questionnaire (AFPQ) to assess FPPs. Multiple mediation analyses with parallel mediators were performed, with parental general stress as an independent variable and adolescent snack intake and zBMI as dependent variables. FPPs (autonomy support, coercive control, modeling, healthy structure, snack structure) were entered as mediators in the model, adjusted for covariates. Autonomy support mediated the link between parental general stress and adolescent savory snack and sweet snack intake at follow-up. Parents who reported higher stress levels provided less autonomy support, which resulted in more adolescent snacking. None of the other FPPs mediated any link between parental stress and intake or weight outcome, and no significant indirect effects were observed with zBMI as an outcome variable. Further research should replicate this finding and may further examine underlying mechanisms.

Children\u2019s measured exposure to food and beverage advertising on television in Toronto (Canada), May 2011\u2013May 2019

ObjectiveExposure to unhealthy food advertising is a known determinant of children’s poor dietary behaviours. The purpose of this study was to quantify and characterize Canadian children’s exposure to food advertising on broadcast television and examine trends over time.MethodsObjectively measured advertising exposure data for 19 food categories airing on 30 stations broadcast in Toronto were licenced for May 2011 and May 2019. Using ad ratings data, the average number of food advertisements viewed by children aged 2–11 years, overall, by food category and by type of television station (child-appealing, adolescent-appealing and generalist stations), was estimated per time period.ResultsIn May 2019, children viewed an average of 136 food advertisements on television, 20% fewer than in May 2011. More than half of advertisements viewed in May 2019 promoted unhealthy food categories such as fast food (43% of exposure), candy (6%), chocolate (6%) and regular soft drinks (5%) and only 17% of their total exposure occurred on child-appealing stations. Between May 2011 and May 2019, children’s exposure increased the most, in absolute terms, for savory snack foods (+7.2 ad exposures/child), fast food (+5.4) and regular soft drinks (+5.3) with most of these increases occurring on generalist stations.ConclusionCanadian children are still exposed to advertisements promoting unhealthy food categories on television despite voluntary restrictions adopted by some food companies. Statutory restrictions should be adopted and designed such that children are effectively protected from unhealthy food advertising on both stations intended for general audiences and those appealing to younger audiences.

Associations of Ultra-Processed Food and Its Underlying Consumption Patterns With Incident Type 2 Diabetes: The Lifelines Cohort Study

Abstract Objectives Although consumption of ultra-processed food (UPF) has previously been associated with adverse health outcomes, it is unclear how the consumption of UPF and its underlying habitual consumption patterns are associated with incident type 2 diabetes. Methods In 70 421 participants (35–70 years, 58.6% women) from the Lifelines cohort study, dietary intake was assessed with a food frequency questionnaire. Principal component analysis (PCA) was performed to derive UPF consumption patterns. UPF was related to incident diabetes with adjustments for confounders, including overall diet quality. Results During a median follow-up of 41 months, the intake of UPF was associated with higher risk of type 2 diabetes (1128 cases, OR for a 10% increment in UPF intake 1.33 [95% CI 1.26, 1.41]), and remained significant after adjustment for confounders (OR 1.25 [95% CI 1.16, 1.34]). PCA revealed four habitual UPF consumption patterns. A pattern high in cold savory snacks (OR 1.16 [95% CI 1.09, 1.22]) and a pattern high in warm savory snacks (OR 1.15 [95% CI 1.08, 1.21]) were associated with an increased diabetes risk; a pattern high in traditional Dutch cuisine was not associated with diabetes risk (OR 1.05 [95% CI 0.97, 1.14]); while a pattern high in sweet snacks and pastries was inversely associated with diabetes risk (OR 0.82 [95% CI 0.76, 0.89]). There was a clear inverse association between diabetes risk at baseline and the sweet snacks and pastries pattern (β = −0.104 [95% CI − 0.113, −0.094]). Conclusions A higher consumption of UPF was associated with higher risk of type 2 diabetes. For consumption patterns, this association was most pronounced for the patterns that were high in savory snacks. Our findings emphasize that in addition to promoting the consumption of healthy food products, discouraging the consumption of UPF, specifically savory snacks, should be considered as part of future diabetes prevention strategies. Funding Sources This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No 754425.

Trends in Whole-Grain Food Intake Among Adult Americans, Based on Different Definitions of Whole-Grain Foods, NHANES 2003–2018

ObjectivesWhole-grain (WG) foods have been defined in various ways, contributing to the challenge in guiding consumers and formulating nutrition policies to improve whole grain consumption. We aimed to compare the mean WG food consumption estimated using different definitions proposed by USDA, FDA, American Heart Association (AHA), American Association of Cereal Chemists International (AACCI), and Whole Grain Council (WGC). MethodsBased on different WG food definitions, we estimated the survey-weighted, energy-adjusted mean intake of WG foods (ounces equivalent/day, oz. eq./d) and associated trends using 24-hour dietary recalls from a nationally representative sample of 39,726 U.S. adults aged 20 + years from 2003–2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). ResultsThe mean WG food consumption among US adults in 2017–2018 varied by the WG food definition, with the highest amount (oz. eq./day) estimated using the AHA (mean [SE]:1.05 [0.07]) and WGC (0.95 [0.07]) definitions, followed by USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) (0.81 [0.06]) and AACCI (0.73 [0.05]) definitions, whereas the FDA (0.53 [0.04]) and USDA School Meals (0.29 [0.02]) definitions gave the lowest estimates. US adults increased WG food consumption from 2003–2004 to 2017–2018 with all definitions except for WGC, with the largest increase (61.5%) estimated by the AHA definition (from 0.65 to 1.05 oz. eq./day), followed by USDA DGA (from 0.50 to 0.81) and AACCI (from 0.52 to 0.73) definitions. Using USDA DGA definition, the most frequently consumed WG foods (oz. eq./day) in 2017–2018 were breads, rolls, and tortillas (mean [SE]: 0.31 [0.04]), followed by ready-to-eat cereals (0.14 [0.01]), and savory snacks and crackers (0.12 [0.02]). Based on the same definition, the largest increase in WG foods (oz. eq./day) consumed by US adults were breads, rolls, and tortillas (mean change [95% CI]: 0.26 [0.18 to 0.34]). ConclusionsThe definitions used to define WG foods affect the estimated mean and trends of WG foods consumed by US adults. This finding calls for a standard definition of WG foods across the nation to guide consumers and inform policy formulation to promote whole grain intake among Americans. Funding SourcesNIH/NIMHD R01 MD011501.

FC 081ULTRA-PROCESSED FOOD CONSUMPTION AND RISK OF INCIDENT CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE: THE LIFELINES COHORT

Abstract Background and Aims Ultra-processed foods (UPF), that are widespread in Western-style diet, are risk factors for the development of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and all-cause mortality. The role of UPF in kidney function decline, however, is still unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations of UPF consumption with incident CKD and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decline. Additionally, we considered the heterogeneity of UPF by identifying different patterns of UPF consumption. Method The study was performed in a prospective general population-based cohort in the Northern Netherlands. A total of 78 346 participants who were free of CKD at baseline were included in this study. The dietary information was assessed at baseline using a 110-item food frequency questionnaire. The proportion (in weight) of UPF in the total diet was calculated and UPF consumption patterns were identified by principle component analysis (PCA). Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to evaluated the associations of the proportion of UPF consumption and UPF patterns, respectively, with risk of incident CKD and a ≥20% eGFR decline. Results Average UPF consumption was 37.7% of total food intake in grams. After a mean (SD) follow-up of 7.9±1.1 years, 2 072 participants developed CKD and 7 611 had a ≥20% eGFR decline. The consumption of UPF was independently associated with a higher risk of incident CKD (OR for an absolute increment of 10 % of UPF in the diet 1.07 [95% CI 1.01-1.13], P=0.026) and with a higher risk of ≥20% eGFR decline (OR10% increment 1.07 [95% CI 1.05-1.10], P&amp;lt;0.001). PCA revealed four habitual UPF consumption patterns. The “warm savory snack” pattern was associated with both incident CKD (OR 1.13 [1.04-1.23], P=0.003) and a ≥20% eGFR decline (OR 1.08 [1.05-1.11], P&amp;lt;0.001). The “sweet snack” pattern was associated with eGFR decline (OR 1.06 [1.03-1.09], P&amp;lt;0.001) only, whereas the “Dutch traditional” and the “cold snack” were not associated with CKD or eGFR decline. Conclusion A higher UPF consumption was associated with higher risks of incident CKD and eGFR decline in the general population. Different UPF consumption patterns were identified, with different impact on renal risk. The “warm savory snack” pattern and the “sweet snack” pattern were associated with kidney function decline. Our findings suggest that UPF need to be considered in designing future dietary strategies for CKD prevention.

Low craving control predicts increased high energy density food intake during the COVID-19 lockdown: Result replicated in an Australian sample

This research aimed to replicate a previous UK-based finding that low craving control predicts increased intake of high energy density foods (HED) during the COVID-19 lockdown, and extend this finding to adults living in Victoria, Australia. The study also assessed whether acceptance coping moderates the relationship between craving control and increased HED food intake, and examined the associations between trait disinhibition, perceived stress and changes to HED food intake. An online survey completed by 124 adults living in Victoria, Australia (total eligible n = 147; 38.5 ± 12.9 years) during the COVID-19 lockdown showed that 49% of participants reported increased overall food intake, and 21–29% reported increased intake of HED sweet and savoury foods during the COVID-19 lockdown. Of the eating behaviour traits assessed, low craving control was the only significant predictor of increased HED sweet and savoury food intake (cognitive restraint, disinhibition and emotional eating were non-significant predictors). Perceived stress was associated with reported increases in overall savoury and sweet snack intake, but was not significantly associated with changes to specific HED food groups (sweet and savoury). In this sample, acceptance coping did not significantly moderate the relationship between craving control and increased HED food intake. Based on these replicated findings, further trials should now consider interventions targeting craving control to promote controlled food intake in individuals at-risk of weight gain during the current COVID-19 and future potential lockdowns.

Social Environment and Food and Beverage Intake in European Adolescents: The Helena Study

Background The family environment influences food consumption and behaviours, which impact adolescent’s eating habits, diet and health. Young individuals who frequently eat family meals are less likely to develop risk- and behaviour-related outcomes as obesity. Aim To assess the relationship between the family meal environment and food and macronutrient consumption in European adolescents. Methods 1,703 adolescents aged 12.5-17.5 years (46.5% male) from the European HELENA cross-sectional study were selected. Sociodemographic variables and dietary intake using two non-consecutive self-reported 24-hour dietary recalls were collected from all the included participants. The relationship between family meals’ environment and food and macronutrient consumption was analized using analysis of covariance. Results Adolescents who used to take their main meals with their family were associated with high consumption of healthy foods and beverages (i.e. vegetables, fruit, milk, water) and low consumption of energy dense food and beverages as chocolate, savoury snacks, sugar or juices compared with those who used to eat alone, with friends or other people (p < 0.05). Conclusion The company/people with whom adolescents consume their meal have an important influence on the adolescent’s consumption of different types of food (especially at lunch). Family’s environment during meals has been associated with a high consumption of healthy foods.

Children's measured exposure to food and beverage advertising on television in a regulated environment, May 2011-2019.

To quantify food/beverage advertising on television in Montreal (Quebec), to estimate and characterise children's exposure and to examine trends over time. Television food advertising data were licensed for nineteen food categories and eighteen stations for May 2011, 2016 and 2019. The frequency of advertisements and the average number viewed per child aged 2-11 years overall, by food category and by station type (i.e. youth-appealing (n 3) and generalist (n 15) stations) were determined. The percent change in advertising frequency and exposure between May 2011 and 2019 was calculated. Montreal, Quebec, Canada. This study used media data and did not directly involve human participants. The total number of television advertisements increased by 11 % between May 2011 (n 41084) and May 2019 (n 45406); however, exposure to food/beverage advertisements decreased by 53 %, going from 226 ads/child in May 2011 to 107 ads/child in May 2019. Overall, the most advertised food categories in both May 2011 and 2019 were fast food (29·8 % and 39·2 %, respectively) followed by chocolate (14·2 %) in 2011 and savory snacks (9·7 %) in 2019. In May 2019, children were predominantly exposed to unhealthy food categories such as fast food (41·3 % of exposure), savory snacks (7·5 %), chocolate (5·0 %) and regular soft drinks (4·5 %), and most (89·3 %) of their total exposure occurred on generalist television stations. Despite Quebec's restrictions on commercial advertising directed to children under 13 years, Quebecois children are still frequently exposed to unhealthy food advertising on television. Government should tighten restrictions to protect children from this exposure.

The influence of COVID-19-related stress on food motivation

The COVID-19 pandemic and public health measures to reduce its transmission have increased stress. Stress is associated with alterations in eating behavior which may be partly driven by effects on food-related motivation. To investigate effects of COVID-related stress on food motivation, we recruited adults (N = 429; 272 F, 157 M) to complete an online survey via Amazon MTurk in May 2020. Current COVID-related stress, retrospective pre-COVID stress, and motivation in relation to individualized preferred foods from five categories (sweet snacks, fruit, savory snacks, vegetables, and fast food) were assessed. Food motivation measures included willingness to wait, willingness to expend low effort [finger taps], willingness to expend high effort [jumping jacks], and willingness to pay for hypothetical delivery of the food item. Food motivation for each food type was assessed using a novel instrument designed for brief assessment of multiple aspects of food motivation across multiple food types. Participants were willing to pay the most for fast food followed by sweet snacks, and willing to wait longer for sweet snacks relative to other food types. While fast food and sweets also generated the most willingness to expend high and low effort, willingness to expend low effort for fruit was similar to that for fast food and sweets, and willingness to expend high effort for fruit was comparable to that for fast food. Participants were least willing to pay or expend low effort for vegetables. Higher COVID-related stress levels were associated with willingness to expend more effort and pay more for food items. These data collected during the pandemic demonstrate that highly processed and sweet foods have high motivating value across multiple measures of motivation, and COVID-related stress increases food motivation across food categories. Interventions to mitigate stress and target the link between stress and overeating may help to limit the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on obesity.

A Comprehensive Review on The Effects of Olestra

Olestra is known as a fat substitute or chemically derived as sucrose polyester. It’s also known by its brand name Olean. It does not add on calories or cholesterol to the product. It’s also used in food preparation such as potato chips. Originally it's been approved by The Food and Drug Admiration [FDA] for the replacement of fats and oil. It is majorly used to condition dough, as one of many ingredients and as flavouring agent in baking and frying or even generally used as dressing for salad. Olestra has zero calories opted for fat replacement in the various preparations of savory snacks. Nowadays, coronary heart diseases [CHD] are commonly known worldwide and research has proven that the type of our diet contributes to the elevation of blood cholesterol depending on the amount and type of fats consumed. Besides CHD, consumption of fats also accords the growth of cancer like breast, colon and prostate. However, Olestra has a few major drawbacks in playing its role in the human system as it is not absorbed into the human digestive system and henceforth not supplying any nutrition nor energy. Besides that, when consumed with other lipophilic dietary supplements, the absorption of Olestra is affected. This review article highlights in detail about olestra.