Dietetics

Nutrition has been recognized as a major contributor to health and well-being. However, the association between nutritional status and cardiometabolic health across different stages of adulthood is not yet well understood. This cross-sectional study examined the association between health and micronutrient status among young and older Austrian adults. Specifically, the study investigated how blood micronutrients, blood lipid measures, and body composition are interrelated. A total of 488 adults who fulfilled the study criteria were categorized into young adults (n = 380; aged 20–49 years; 48% female) and older adults (n = 108; aged 50–64 years; 45% female). Blood analyses were performed to assess blood micronutrient levels and serum concentrations of a wide range of cardiometabolic health biomarkers, including blood lipids. Micronutrient deficiencies and excesses were determined using sex-based reference ranges. Significant differences were found between younger and older adults for 16 out of the 28 blood biomarkers of cardiometabolic health using group comparison tests (p < 0.05). There were significant age-based differences in the levels of magnesium, copper, zinc, molybdenum and vitamin D, but only copper and molybdenum deficiency/excess differed significantly between age groups (p < 0.05). Multivariate regression analysis showed that several micronutrients and demographic factors were associated with body weight, body mass index, and blood lipids (p < 0.05), with variation in associations observed between younger and older adults. These findings highlight that age-related differences in specific micronutrients, as well as their associations with blood lipids and body composition, should be considered when developing targeted nutritional and cardiometabolic health interventions for adults. Full article

The Olea europaea L., commonly known as the European olive, has been recognized for centuries as one of the most valuable species among useful plants. In contemporary applications, the olive tree provides a wide array of raw materials utilized in the food, pharmaceutical, and nutraceutical industries. Extracts derived from the leaves, bark, and fruits of O. europaea have also gained significant relevance in dermatological and cosmetic formulations. The aim of this paper was to review scientific studies published between 2019 and 2025 concerning the application of olive oil and other derivatives of the European olive in the care of skin, hair, and nails. The analysis underscores the role of olive-derived bioactives in wound healing, stretch mark management, and skin regeneration, highlighting compounds such as oleocanthal and oleuropein in hydration, elasticity, wrinkle reduction, and photoprotection relevant to skin aging. The evidence for olive oil in hair and nail care mainly highlights their moisturizing and strengthening effects, though studies remain limited. O. europaea derivatives show a favorable safety profile with low allergenic potential, and their availability and minimal sensitization risk support use in home cosmetics. The importance of the European olive and its products is expected to grow in the coming years. However, the availability of technologies for processing waste materials obtained from this plant, as well as the associated technological costs, remain significant limitations. Full article

This study examined the efficacy of pediatric Produce Prescription Programs (PPP) on food security status, dietary intake, and health outcomes among children, and aimed to determine the optimal prescription dosage and exposure duration required to promote beneficial outcomes. A systematic review of studies published within the past 10 years, reporting on discrete food security status, dietary quality, and health outcomes among children was conducted. Studies not reporting child-specific data or not published in the English language were excluded. Three databases were searched (PubMed, CINAHL Complete, and EBSCO), data was narratively compiled, and the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment was employed to assess risk of bias. Prescription monetary amounts (dosages) were standardized, facilitating comparison between programs and outcomes. Nine studies (n = 3808 at-risk children) conducted at 52 sites were retrieved. Program protocols varied. Participation improved food security and fruit/vegetable intake; some beneficial changes were similar regardless of produce dosage and exposure. Data suggest conjecturally that a minimum dosage of $70/month adjusted for locality, cost-of-living and implementation year and exposure of ≥6 months might promote achievement of FV recommended guidelines. The value of educational components emerged in the studies. The findings of this study are limited by the high risk of bias embedded in the included interventions, as well as high heterogeneity amongst the programs. More research on program designs, the impact of PPPs on health outcomes, and cost-benefit analyses are warranted. Rigorous study designs are needed to assess the health impacts and long-term efficacy of pediatric PPPs. Full article

The market for gluten-free (GF) snack products has expanded, even among children without gluten-related disorders, but few studies have assessed their nutritional quality relative to gluten-containing (GC) counterparts. This study compared the macronutrient composition and fibre additive content of such snack bars marketed to children in Ontario. A total of 110 snack bars were identified using a standardized set of marketing-based criteria. Nutritional data, including macronutrient content and the presence of fibre additives such as inulin and fructooligosaccharides (FOSs), were collected. Data was standardized per 100 kcals and bar size, then analyzed using an independent sample t-test and chi-square. Results indicated that GF bars contained significantly higher levels of protein (1.7 ± 0.77 g vs. 1.3 ± 0.44 g; p = 0.002) and fibre (1.9 ± 0.95 g vs. 1.4 ± 0.98 g; p = 0.015). No significant differences were observed for sugar, carbohydrates, total fat, saturated fat, or trans fat content. Fibre additives were more common in GF bars (24.4% vs. 10.1%), though this association was not statistically significant (p = 0.079). Findings suggest that while GF bars show slight nutritional advantages, their similar overall profiles and greater use of fibre additives indicate room for improvement across both categories. Full article

Population aging has significantly increased the number of older adults in situations of dependency, where they are more vulnerable to mental health problems and a decline in quality of life. Several studies have suggested that nutritional support could play a key role in improving these aspects. This study aimed to analyze the current scientific findings regarding how nutritional interventions influence mental well-being and life quality in elderly individuals with dependency. Following PRISMA methodology, literature was retrieved from internationally recognized bibliographic databases, including Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and ProQuest. Experimental and quasi-experimental studies that analyzed nutritional interventions aimed at dependent older adults with results related to mental health and/or quality of life were included. A total of 23 studies satisfying all inclusion standards were selected for the analysis. Most reported positive effects of nutritional interventions on mood, depressive symptoms, and/or perceived quality of life, although there was heterogeneity in the designs and measures used. Nutritional support may represent an effective strategy for improving mental health and quality of life in dependent older adults. However, further research with robust designs and standardized measures is needed to strengthen the available evidence. Full article

Vegetarianism has historically been associated with cardiometabolic benefits and reduced diabetes risk. Despite having the highest prevalence of vegetarians globally, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in South Asians is amongst the highest globally. This review explores the relationship between vegetarianism and cardiometabolic measures in South Asian populations to clarify this paradoxical relationship. Five databases were searched to identify observational studies published between January 2000 and May 2025 that compared vegetarian diets with non-vegetarian diets and reported cardiometabolic measures. A total of 973 articles were identified, 590 articles were assessed, and 7 studies (n = 184,345) were ultimately included. Overall, each study utilized different dietary intake assessments and reported variable cardiometabolic measures. The three highest-quality studies found that vegetarian adherence was associated with a lower BMI, waist circumference, diastolic blood pressure, lipid levels, and fasting blood glucose compared with non-vegetarian diets. Conclusive findings were limited by the small number of studies, variability in dietary assessment methods, and heterogeneity in the reporting of cardiometabolic measures. These results underscore the importance of conducting more methodologically robust studies to assess cardiometabolic measures and demonstrate the need for culturally consistent dietary assessment tools to reduce inter-study variability and improve dietary reporting in South Asians. Full article

(1) Background: Preterm infants are deprived of crucial growth and development that occurs during the last trimester of pregnancy. Optimal nutrition after birth, including sufficient intakes of protein and energy, have been emphasized to improve postnatal growth and development of preterm infants. This study investigated the impact of routine nutritional strategies as used in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in South Africa and in the Netherlands, respectively, on the preterm infant’s postnatal growth; (2) Methods: This retrospective observational study included 100 preterm infants from a South African cohort and 86 preterm infants from a Dutch cohort. Over the first four postnatal weeks, total intravenous (IV) fluid volume (i.e., IV. glucose and/or parenteral nutrition (PN) and enteral nutrition (EN) were recorded, and total energy and protein intakes were calculated. Anthropometric measurements were taken and expressed as Z-scores per week; (3) Results: At birth, the South African cohort had a higher gestational age compared to the Dutch cohort; however, weight, length and head circumference Z-scores were lower. During the first four postnatal weeks, the Dutch cohort had a significant higher total energy and protein intakes by the combination of PN and EN than the South African cohort, that mostly received EN only. In addition, the South African cohort showed a more pronounced decline in Z-scores compared to the Dutch cohort; (4) Discussion: Over the 4-week study period, the South African cohort showed more pronounced growth faltering compared to the Dutch cohort preceded by lower total energy and protein intakes; (5) Conclusions: The use of PN, while EN is incremented daily, should be considered in the South African cohort to diminish postnatal growth faltering in preterm infants. Full article

Background/Objectives: Qatar and other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are experiencing a growing incidence of diet-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The lack of a culturally relevant food exchange list (FEL) for commonly consumed foods in Qatar and the GCC limits the application of cultural preferences in medical nutrition therapy (MNT) for managing diet-related NCDs, thereby reducing patient adherence and metabolic outcomes. Therefore, the primary objective of this study was to develop a culturally tailored FEL for 50 main course dishes widely consumed in the region. Methods: A four-phase approach was followed in this developmental study. First, common Qatari and GCC dishes were identified based on cultural practices and market availability. Second, nutrient composition was compiled from regional food composition tables and validated using dietary analysis software. Pearson correlation was conducted to compare macronutrient values, with significance set at p < 0.05. Third, standard serving sizes were determined using Wheeler et al.’s methodology and converted into household measures using a kitchen scale. Finally, we developed a macronutrient exchange list for the dishes based on the established Wheeler rounding-off criteria. Results: A culturally tailored FEL for 50 frequently consumed Qatari and GCC dishes was successfully developed. Significant correlations were observed between laboratory-derived and software-derived values for carbohydrates (r = 0.7) and protein (r = 0.9), with a weaker correlation for fat (r = 0.5). Macronutrient exchange analysis revealed substantial variation across dishes, with several carbohydrate-based dishes also contributing meaningful protein and fat exchanges. Findings indicated that visual assumptions about nutrient composition may not accurately reflect exchange values, highlighting the need for systematic analysis in diet planning. Conclusions: This study developed a novel culturally relevant FEL for commonly consumed composite dishes in Qatar and the GCC. The exchange list provides a practical tool for dietitians and healthcare professionals to support culturally tailored MNT and public health interventions in the region. It also serves as a valuable resource for researchers in nutritional epidemiology, enabling the analysis of dietary data by converting raw food intake information. Full article

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects over 850 million individuals globally and has no cure. The treatment of CKD centers on lifestyle interventions, including dietary changes, that slow disease progression. As emerging evidence suggests that fruit and vegetable-derived (poly)phenols may slow CKD, the goal of this narrative review is to synthesize current knowledge on the role of dietary (poly)phenols in CKD. To identify relevant articles, we searched databases including PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science to identify relevant articles, using keywords including (poly)phenols, CKD, gut microbiome, and cardiovascular disease, among others. The relevant articles were synthesized into a summary of the evidence for (poly)phenols as a therapeutic strategy in CKD, though the paucity and heterogeneity of available research in this area precludes the identification of specific doses or types of (poly)phenols needed to slow CKD progression. The review is supplemented through our discussion of the gut microbiota and microbially derived metabolites as key targets in mediating the progression of CKD itself as well as subsequent cardiovascular outcomes. Finally, we discuss the integration of (poly)phenol-rich dietary patterns into CKD nutrition guidelines, highlighting future research directions to elucidate the potential therapeutic role of (poly)phenols in CKD. Full article

With the growing use of AI, it is important to know target audiences’ perceptions of its use. A convenience sample of students were invited to take an online survey in which they were randomly assigned to Group 1 (evaluated a student-generated blog; n = 456) or Group 2 (evaluated an AI-generated blog; n = 492). The results of independent t-tests and chi-squared tests indicated no group differences in ratings of ease of recipe preparation, time to prepare the recipe, utilization of common ingredients, and frequency of intended use of the blog. The student-generated blog was rated higher on budget friendliness (p = 0.025). A total of 42% indicated they would be less willing to use a blog if they knew it was AI-generated, while 43% indicated that it would make no difference and 4.4% indicated being more likely to view the AI-generated blog. Two researchers used a thematic analysis approach to evaluate participants’ free responses regarding the likelihood of using a recipe blog that was AI-generated. Participant perceptions of an AI-generated blog ranged from very positive to very negative. Some themes highlighted the potential benefits of AI or a more neutral stance indicating that “a recipe is a recipe”. The majority of themes highlighted the benefits of content that was created, verified, or tested by humans, or espoused a human touch. Students should be trained to cater to consumer preferences, and to add value in a world that includes AI-generated content. Full article

Bariatric surgery is a highly effective therapeutic strategy in the treatment of severe obesity, but it carries significant risks, both in the short and long terms. However, many of these complications can be avoided by appropriate patient selection, comprehensive assessment of clinical conditions, and structured follow-up including clinical, nutritional, and psychological monitoring. Achieving these objectives requires a meticulous program involving the entire multidisciplinary team and lays the foundations for proper patient compliance. Furthermore, recent studies have begun to explore the systemic effects of bariatric–metabolic surgery, with benefits extending far beyond simple weight loss and effects on both morbidity and mortality. Research has documented improvements in cardiovascular risk factors, insulin sensitivity, and hormonal balance, with substantial effects on the three main comorbidities of obesity: cardiovascular risk and hypertension, T2DM, and OSAS. In conclusion, bariatric surgery, while highly effective in treating severe obesity and its comorbidities, involves significant anatomical and physiological changes that alter nutrient absorption and digestion. These changes can lead to a number of short-, medium-, and long-term nutritional complications that require close monitoring and targeted dietary interventions. Full article

(1) Background: This research aims to determine the main factors that influence: (i) purchase decisions for flour and bakery products, (ii) consumer preferences, attitudes, and consumption frequency of those products, and (iii) the degree of knowledge and confidence in innovative functional food products. (2) Methods: Questionnaires were randomly distributed to 639 Greek citizens aged 18–75 years. The statistical analysis included Chi-Square, Kruskal–Walis H, and Mann–Whitney U tests, and Spearman correlations. (3) Results: Flour purchasing decisions were influenced by age, income, marital status, and education, while bakery products were widely regarded as nutritious. Women and older individuals were more knowledgeable regarding alternative flours. Trust in functional products increased with age, marital status, household minor and adult size, and income. (4) Conclusions: Several demographic characteristics may affect the purchasing decisions and attitude towards flour, bakery, and functional food products. Full article

Background: Meat alternative products have gained attention in recent years. This study examined the factors associated with meat alternative purchase in Japan. Methods: This longitudinal study used data from nationwide surveys conducted in 2022 and 2023 with persons aged 15–79 years in Japan. In total, 11,476 participants were included in the analysis. The outcome indicators were changes in meat alternative purchase in 2022 and 2023, categorized into four groups: “no in both years,” “purchased only in 2022,” “purchased only in 2023,” and “purchased in both years.” A multinomial logistic regression model was used, with “no in both years” as the reference group. Potential factors included sex, age, household income, education, health check-up status, and population density in residential areas. Results: Factors that were significantly associated with meat alternative purchase in any year were being woman, being aged <65 years, not having a lower annual income (5–16 million yen), having a higher educational attainment, and having undergone/intended to undergo health check-up (p < 0.05). In particular, sex was significantly associated with “Purchased only in 2022,” “Purchased only in 2023,” and “Purchased in both years”; the multivariate-adjusted OR (95% CI) of “Purchased in both years” for women was 3.07 (2.16–4.34). Conclusion: This study suggests that sociodemographic characteristics may influence the consumption of meat alternatives, impacting the development of the meat alternative industry. Full article

Objectives: Few studies have examined maternal dietary intakes in relation to children’s malnutrition status. We examined variations in children stunting status and their association with maternal and child dietary intakes. Methods: This one-year prospective study (conducted from November 2021 to December 2022) consisted of up to four surveys carried out in rural Kenya. It included 135 pairs of children aged 12–59 months and their non-pregnant mothers, all of whom had received nutrition guidance during the study. Dietary intakes were assessed in four non-consecutive 24 h dietary recalls during the first two surveys. Anthropometric measurements were taken at most four times, and variations in children stunting status (not-stunted, recovered-from-stunting, or persistent/worsened stunting) were assessed. Maternal and child dietary intakes, based on variations in stunting status, were compared using one-way analysis of covariance adjusted for socio-demographic variables. Results: Of the 135 children studied, 40 (29.6%) were stunted at baseline, whereas 85, 20, and 30 had no stunting, recovered from stunting, or had persistent/worsened stunting. Children with persistent/worsened stunting had a significantly lower energy intake than other children; however, maternal energy intake did not differ by children’s stunting status. Milk intake was significantly lower among children with persistent/worsening stunting than other children. A similar difference based on variations in stunting was also observed for maternal milk intake. Conclusions for Practice: The mothers of rural Kenyan children who had recovered from stunting consumed the most milk, while the mothers of children with persistent/worsening consumed the least milk. Further research is needed to confirm the factors behind the observed intake differences. Full article

Sex differences are known to influence both micronutrient metabolism and cardiometabolic health outcomes. However, the extent to which these sex-specific factors interact, particularly in the relationship between micronutrient status and cardiometabolic risk, remains insufficiently understood. The present study aimed to investigate sex differences in health and micronutrient status, and their association with blood lipids, body mass index, and body weight. The final sample size included 488 Austrian adults (median age: 38 years; comprising 256 males and 232 females) who successfully met the inclusion criteria. Blood analyses were conducted to measure whole-blood micronutrients and serum levels of various cardiometabolic health biomarkers, including blood lipids. Micronutrient status (including deficiencies and excesses) was calculated using sex-specific reference ranges. There were significant differences between males and females for most (19 out of 28) blood biomarkers of cardiometabolic health (p < 0.05), with females generally showing a healthier cardiometabolic profile. Significant sex differences were also observed in the adjusted values of three micronutrients: copper was higher in females, while iron and vitamin B₁₂ were higher in males (p < 0.05). Sex differences in micronutrient status indicated a higher prevalence of iron deficiency and copper excess among females (p < 0.05). Different patterns were observed between males and females in the association of blood lipids and body composition with micronutrients and demographic factors. These findings highlight the importance of individualized approaches in preventive and therapeutic health interventions based on differences between males and females. Full article

Background: Bone health in youth is influenced by both modifiable factors, such as nutrition and physical activity, and non-modifiable factors, such as biological maturation and heredity. Understanding how these elements interact to predict body composition may enhance the effectiveness of early interventions. Importantly, the integration of both supervised and unsupervised machine learning models enables a data-driven exploration of complex relationships, allowing for accurate prediction and subgroup discovery. Methods: This cross-sectional study examined 94 male athletes during the developmental period. Anthropometric, performance, and nutritional data were collected, and bone parameters were assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Three supervised machine learning models (Random Forest, Gradient Boosting, and Support Vector Regression) were trained to predict Total Body-Less Head (TBLH) values. Nested cross-validation assessed model performance. Unsupervised clustering (K-Means) was also applied to identify dietary intake profiles (calcium, protein, vitamin D). SHAP analysis was used for model interpretability. Results: The Random Forest model yielded the best predictive performance (R² = 0.71, RMSE = 0.057). Weight, height, and handgrip strength were the most influential predictors. Clustering analysis revealed two distinct nutritional profiles; however, t-tests showed no significant differences in TBLH or regional BMD between the clusters. Conclusions: Machine learning, both supervised for accurate prediction and unsupervised for nutritional subgroup discovery, provides a robust, interpretable framework for assessing adolescent bone health. While dietary intake clusters did not align with significant differences in bone parameters, this finding underscores the multifactorial nature of skeletal development and highlights areas for further exploration. Full article

Previous studies have shown that dietary fatty acid intake is associated with the risk of developing dementia. However, its association with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) remains controversial. Therefore, we aimed to examine the association between dietary fatty acid intake and MCI in an older Japanese population. We included 1144 participants aged 60 or older who participated in the Toon Health Study in 2014–2018 in the analysis. Dietary fatty acid intake was estimated using food frequency questionnaires (FFQs). MCI was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment in Japanese (MoCA-J) and defined as an MoCA-J score below 26. The multivariable-adjusted odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using logistic regression. We determined that 430 of the participants had MCI. Intake levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), n-3 and n-6, fatty acids, and saturated fatty acid/PUFA ratio (SFA/PUFA) were not significantly associated with MCI. The multivariable-adjusted ORs (95%CI) for MCI in the highest quartile of PUFA, n-3 and n-6 fatty acid, and SFA/PUFA intake were 0.79 (0.55, 1.14, p for trend = 0.29), 0.96 (0.59, 1.54, p for trend = 0.85), 0.81 (0.56, 1.16, p for trend = 0.34), and 0.85 (0.59 1.22, p for trend = 0.24) compared with the lowest quartiles, respectively. SFA was significantly associated with lower odds of developing MCI. The multivariable-adjusted OR (95%CI) for MCI in the highest quartile of SFA intake compared with the lowest quartile was 0.63 (0.43, 0.93, p for trend = 0.03). Conclusions: SFA intake was inversely associated with MCI, while intake of PUFAs, including n-3 and n-6 fatty acids, was not associated with MCI. Further investigation is required to clarify these associations. Full article

Food and water security are essential components for Panama’s advancement toward the Sustainable Development Goals. This study aimed to quantify the prevalence of household food insecurity and water insecurity, and to explore the association between them using standardized measurement tools. A cross-sectional survey was conducted between January and June 2024 using an online questionnaire administered via Google Forms. The survey collected sociodemographic data and applied the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES) and the Household Water Insecurity Experiences (HWISE) scale to assess water and food insecurity, respectively. A total of 222 adult household heads were included (66.2% female), with a median age of 31.4 years. The prevalence of moderate and severe food insecurity was 29.7% (95% CI: 24.8–34.6%) and 6.1% severe food insecurity (95% CI: 3.7–8.4%), while water insecurity affected 27% of households (10.4% high; 16.7% moderate). Multiple linear regression showed that moderate to severe food insecurity was significantly associated with water insecurity (β = 0.19; 95% CI: 0.08–0.31) and lower income levels. Specifically, food insecurity was associated with households reporting no income (β = 0.25; 95% CI: 0.05–0.44) and those with monthly income between 501 and 1000 USD (β = 0.11; 95% CI: 0.01–0.22), compared to households with income above 1000 USD. The results suggest that food insecurity is significantly associated with water insecurity, supporting the need for integrated approaches in public policy to address basic resource access in vulnerable populations. Full article

Strict adherence to a gluten-free diet (GFD) is the cornerstone of treatment in coeliac disease, yet gluten cross-contamination in household settings poses a persistent challenge. Guidance from dieticians and patient organizations is often not evidence-based. This study quantified gluten contamination risks associated with common kitchen appliances and evaluated the effectiveness of various cleaning methods in typical Dutch households. We performed a two-phase analysis of 417 samples of 275 chopping boards, 34 toasters/sandwich makers, and 108 deep-fat fryers/air fryers. Gluten levels were assessed on appliances and food items under different cleaning protocols, with Bayesian modeling used to estimate contamination probabilities. Plastic chopping boards showed the highest risks, with probabilities up to 0.868 when rinsed with cold water, compared with 0.147 after dishwasher cleaning. Glass and wooden boards cleaned in dishwashers had the lowest probabilities (0.0102 and 0.0194). Toasters and sandwich makers tested positive in 1 of 34 samples; at the 20 ppm threshold, contamination probability was 0.00001. In fryers, probabilities were 0.125 for deep-fat fryers and 0.070 for air fryers at the 5 ppm threshold, decreasing to 0.0405 and 0.0326 at 20 ppm. Across all appliances, gluten levels seldom exceeded the clinically relevant threshold of 20 ppm. This study highlights the importance of dedicated cleaning protocols and appliance-specific recommendations to mitigate gluten exposure. While complete elimination of gluten is challenging, adopting rigorous practices can substantially mitigate exposure for coeliac patients, enhancing safety and quality of life. Full article