Impact of Health Status and Environmental Factors on Food Intake

Dear Colleagues,

Food intake can be influenced by different determinants, including individual characteristics, such as health conditions, and environmental factors. Due to different health conditions, individuals may modify their food intake. Some of these changes can be positive, as for controlling some diseases and health problems, it is necessary to reduce the consumption of risk nutrients and increase the consumption of protective nutrients. However, in some cases, especially those that demand restrictive diets, practicing a healthy and nutritive diet can be complex. In addition, environmental factors, such as food prices, food advertising, food outlet access in the individuals’ surroundings and food availability in institutional places, such as schools, universities, worksites, are also relevant in the determination of food practices. Therefore, understanding the impact of different health conditions and environmental factors on food intake will help design specific interventions and recommendations aimed at improving the health and well-being of people.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews (narrative systematic reviews or systematic reviews with meta-analyses) are welcome. In cases of original research articles, cross-sectional investigations will be accepted, although longitudinal (cohorts and case–control studies) designs are preferrable. Interventional studies can also be submitted, given that they present interventions to reduce the impact of health conditions and environmental factors on food intake. Acute or chronic diseases or other health problems, such as sleep disturbances, mental disorders, substance abuse, etc., that are diet-related can be defined as exposure in observational studies, and strategies to control them as interventions in clinical trials. Food environment characteristics can also be used as exposure variables in these studies. Dietary data, used as outcomes in these investigations, can be collected by qualitative or quantitative methods, although the tools and instruments used to assess food consumption should be assessed for their validity, consistency and reliability. Investigations can be carried out with different age groups and nationalities.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof Dr. Paula Horta
Prof Dr. Camila Duarte
Guest Editors

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