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Association between Nutrition, Diet Quality, Dietary Patterns, and Human Health and Diseases

A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Nutrition and Public Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 July 2024) | Viewed by 31604

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Guest Editor
Department of Athletic Training and Clinical Nutrition, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536-0200, USA
Interests: nutrient analysis; vitamin D; cholecalciferol; vitamin D receptor; protein; skeletal muscle; blood glucose; resistance exercise; vitamin B12; cobalamin; aging; multiomics
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

It is increasingly recognized that overall dietary patterns and diet quality influence human health. Some dietary patterns, for example the Mediterranean diet, have been associated with favorable outcomes for many chronic diseases. Dietary patterns also encompass behavioral approaches to eating. For example, chronobiology-related patterns, such as meal timing and time-restricted feeding, have emerged as potentially relevant considerations for metabolic health. Social interactions and environmental factors are also important components of diet and eating patterns.

Studies of diet quality assess how routine eating practices provide diversity, essential nutrients, and other beneficial food components, while also limiting components that are known to be detrimental to health (e.g., trans fat and added sugars) or may negatively impact health (e.g., erythritol). Recent research has also considered aspects of diet quality including the level of food processing, overall adequacy of the complete nutrient profile, inclusion/exclusion and distribution of food groups, sustainability, and precision nutrition.

Given the timeliness and importance of this topic, we hope that you will consider submitting your manuscript to this Special Issue. We look forward to your contribution.

Dr. Jean L. Fry
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • dietary patterns
  • diet quality
  • dietary quality indices
  • healthy eating index
  • time-restricted feeding
  • chronic disease
  • sustainability
  • successful aging
  • food security
  • ultra-processed foods
  • principal component analysis
  • plant-based diet

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Published Papers (13 papers)

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Editorial

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4 pages, 158 KiB  
Editorial
Association Between Nutrition, Diet Quality, Dietary Patterns, and Human Health and Diseases
by Jean L. Fry and Kayla R. Anderson
Nutrients 2025, 17(1), 3; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17010003 - 24 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1418
Abstract
Establishing relationships between diet and human health is an active and critical area of research, and this Special Issue, “Association Between Nutrition, Diet Quality, Dietary Patterns, and Human Health and Diseases”, is a collection of research highlighting classic and emerging themes in this [...] Read more.
Establishing relationships between diet and human health is an active and critical area of research, and this Special Issue, “Association Between Nutrition, Diet Quality, Dietary Patterns, and Human Health and Diseases”, is a collection of research highlighting classic and emerging themes in this area [...] Full article

Research

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11 pages, 477 KiB  
Article
Beneficial Effect of Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension Diet Combined with Regular Physical Activity on Fat Mass and Anthropometric and Metabolic Parameters in People with Overweight and Obesity
by Małgorzata Soroń-Lisik, Paweł Więch and Mariusz Dąbrowski
Nutrients 2024, 16(18), 3187; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16183187 - 20 Sep 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1735
Abstract
Background/objective: Obesity and overweight have become growing health-related issues worldwide, which also applies to Poland. Excess fat mass is associated with an increased risk of metabolic and non-metabolic complications. The aim of our pre–post-designed study was to assess the effect of behavioral intervention [...] Read more.
Background/objective: Obesity and overweight have become growing health-related issues worldwide, which also applies to Poland. Excess fat mass is associated with an increased risk of metabolic and non-metabolic complications. The aim of our pre–post-designed study was to assess the effect of behavioral intervention on body weight, fat mass and anthropometric and metabolic parameters in obese and overweight individuals. Methods: The study included one hundred people (85 women) with excess fat mass who voluntarily declared their willingness to participate in the weight-loss program consisted of 12 weeks of the DASH diet combined with regular, supervised physical activity. Anthropometric measurements and laboratory tests were performed in all study participants, and anthropometric and metabolic indices were calculated at baseline and after three months of treatment. Results: Body weight decreased significantly by 5.63 ± 4.03 kg, BMI by 2.06 ± 1.44 kg/m2, waist circumference by 5.6 ± 3.7 cm, fat mass from 40.04 ± 6.90 to 36.56 ± 7.07% and uric acid level by 16.0 ± 41.6 μmol/L (p < 0.001 in all cases). We also found an improvement in lipid profile and anthropometric and metabolic indices, except for HDL cholesterol and plasma glucose levels. Conclusions: The effect of the DASH diet and supervised physical activity was beneficial regardless of age, sex and the presence of hypertension or dysglycemia at baseline. The implementation of a healthy lifestyle was associated with a significant improvement in anthropometric and metabolic parameters, which, if continued, may reduce the risk of unfavorable health-related outcomes in the future. Full article
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11 pages, 1075 KiB  
Article
Analysis of Compliance with Proper Nutrition Principles in Patients with a History of Myocardial Infarction
by Patrycja Krężel, Ewa Kurek, Anna Jurczak, Izabela Napieracz-Trzosek, Dorota Iłgowska, Katarzyna Młyńska and Sylwia Wieder-Huszla
Nutrients 2024, 16(18), 3091; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16183091 - 13 Sep 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1857
Abstract
Adherence to dietary recommendations and the implementation of appropriate dietary habits after myocardial infarction (MI) can significantly improve health and reduce mortality from cardiac causes. The aim of this study was to analyse the adherence of patients with a history of MI to [...] Read more.
Adherence to dietary recommendations and the implementation of appropriate dietary habits after myocardial infarction (MI) can significantly improve health and reduce mortality from cardiac causes. The aim of this study was to analyse the adherence of patients with a history of MI to a healthy diet, which is one of the primary methods of cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention. Following a proper diet involves limiting the consumption of saturated fats, salt, alcohol, and simple sugars. It is recommended to follow the Mediterranean diet, which is based on whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and fish. This study involved 120 patients hospitalised in the Invasive Cardiology and Cardiac Intensive Care Unit at the Independent Public Voivodship Hospital in Szczecin from August to December 2019. A self-designed questionnaire and the Questionnaire of Eating Behaviour (QEB) were used. The majority of respondents were hospitalised for a first-time MI (88.33%), and 65% of them reported adherence to the recommendations. The vast majority (78.33%) considered their diet good, with 50.83% of the respondents eating four meals a day and never eating fast food (49.17%). The analysis showed that although the respondents’ diets did not contain many unhealthy foods, they did not consume enough vegetables, fruits, fish, nuts, or fibre, which have a protective effect, lowering the risk of cardiovascular diseases and death. Furthermore, patients with a better education had a higher level of knowledge. Respondents’ knowledge of proper post-MI nutrition was sufficient, and their index of unhealthy diets was low, but they still made dietary mistakes and did not consume enough health-protective foods. These results indicate a need for further education. Full article
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21 pages, 2149 KiB  
Article
Sex-Moderated Divergence between Adult Child and Parental Dietary Behavior Patterns in Relation to Body Mass Condition—Evaluating the Mediating Role of Physical Activity: A Cross-Sectional Study
by Jarosław Domaradzki and Małgorzata Renata Słowińska-Lisowska
Nutrients 2024, 16(14), 2256; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16142256 - 13 Jul 2024
Viewed by 1777
Abstract
The main objective of this study was to explore the dietary behaviors of parents and their adult children, focusing on patterns, potential intrinsic and extrinsic predictors of body mass, and determinants of becoming overweight. Non-probability, cross-sectional sampling was used to select participants from [...] Read more.
The main objective of this study was to explore the dietary behaviors of parents and their adult children, focusing on patterns, potential intrinsic and extrinsic predictors of body mass, and determinants of becoming overweight. Non-probability, cross-sectional sampling was used to select participants from a university student population. Young adults (19–21 years of age, n = 144) and their parents were examined. The data of those family pairs with complete sets of results were used. Dietary patterns and physical activity were assessed with questionnaires (QEB and IPAQ), and body height, weight measurements, and body mass indexes were calculated. A cophylogenetic approach with tanglegrams and heatmaps was used to study patterns, while predictors of body mass index were identified using multiple linear regression, stepwise logistic regression, and mediation analysis procedures. Cophenetic statistics confirmed significant incongruence between fathers and sons, confirmed by Baker’s Gamma correlation (rBG = 0.23, p = 0.021), and mothers and daughters (rBG = 0.26, p = 0.030). The relationships between the dietary patterns of the fathers and daughters, as well as mothers and sons, were of medium strength (rBG = 0.33, p = 0.032, rBG = 0.43, p = 0.031; respectively). Most of the patterns were mixed. Fast food, fried meals, alcoholic drinks, energy drinks, and sweetened beverages were associated significantly with being overweight. Significant intrinsic predictors of excessive weight in young adults were sex (b = 2.31, p < 0.001), PA (b = −0.02, p < 0.001), and eating fermented milk and curd cheese (b = −0.55, p = 0.024), while extrinsic (parental) predictors included eating fast food and fried meals (b = −0.44, p = 0.049). Both physical activity and dietary behaviors independently determined the sons’ overweight status (b = −1.25, p = 0.008; b = −0.04, p < 0.001; respectively); while only PA did in daughters (b = −0.04, p < 0.001). No mediating effects of physical activity were observed. Adult children and parental dietary patterns were divergent, reflecting the influence of multiple factors on a child’s dietary habits. However, this divergence is moderated by sex. Reciprocal interactions between dietary intake—particularly positive dyads such as fruits and vegetables, fermented milk, and curd cheese—and physical activity significantly impacted children’s body mass index (BMI). The study of dietary patterns in conjunction with physical activity (both as independent determinants), particularly in relation to the link between overweight/obese children and overweight/obese parents, presents a separate challenge. Full article
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16 pages, 301 KiB  
Article
Clinically Relevant Topics and New Tendencies in Childhood Nutrition during the First 2 Years of Life: A Survey among Primary Care Spanish Paediatricians
by Ana Martín-Adrados, Amalio Fernández-Leal, Jorge Martínez-Pérez, Jesús Delgado-Ojeda and Alicia Santamaría-Orleans
Nutrients 2024, 16(13), 2146; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16132146 - 5 Jul 2024
Viewed by 1709
Abstract
A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted among 245 experienced Spanish paediatricians, who completed an online survey based on clinically relevant topics in nutrition during the first two years of life and their recommendations to parents in daily clinical practice. Most participants advise about [...] Read more.
A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted among 245 experienced Spanish paediatricians, who completed an online survey based on clinically relevant topics in nutrition during the first two years of life and their recommendations to parents in daily clinical practice. Most participants advise about the choking risk associated with baby-led weaning (BLW) and more than 60% consider that infants can receive an insufficient variety and quantity of nutrients with this practice. The general opinion is that there is a lack of evidence for delaying the introduction of gluten and other allergenic foods in the complementary feeding of healthy infants. Most participants agree/strongly agree that two servings of dairy products are the adequate daily amount in a diversified diet and 93.4% disagree/strongly disagree with the use of vegetal beverages under 1 year of life. There is a general agreement to avoid added salt and sugar before 12 months of life, the consideration that organic foods do not have a better nutritional profile than non-organic ones, and the limitations of vegetarian diets especially for adequate provision of micronutrients. Overall, there is an adequate knowledge of the new trends by paediatricians and younger ones seemed more in favor of them and interested in receiving more information on most topics. Full article
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15 pages, 1261 KiB  
Article
Periodic Fasting and Acute Cardiac Events in Patients Evaluated for COVID-19: An Observational Prospective Cohort Study
by Benjamin D. Horne, Jeffrey L. Anderson, Francois Haddad, Heidi T. May, Viet T. Le, Stacey Knight, Tami L. Bair and Kirk U. Knowlton
Nutrients 2024, 16(13), 2075; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16132075 - 28 Jun 2024
Viewed by 1983
Abstract
Background: Periodic fasting was previously associated with greater longevity and a lower incidence of heart failure (HF) in a pre-pandemic population. In patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), periodic fasting was associated with a lower risk of death or hospitalization. This study evaluated [...] Read more.
Background: Periodic fasting was previously associated with greater longevity and a lower incidence of heart failure (HF) in a pre-pandemic population. In patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), periodic fasting was associated with a lower risk of death or hospitalization. This study evaluated the association between periodic fasting and HF hospitalization and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs). Methods: Patients enrolled in the INSPIRE registry from February 2013 to March 2020 provided periodic fasting information and were followed into the pandemic (n = 5227). Between March 2020 and February 2023, N = 2373 patients were studied, with n = 601 COVID-positive patients being the primary study population (2836 had no COVID-19 test; 18 were excluded due to fasting <5 years). A Cox regression was used to evaluate HF admissions, MACEs, and other endpoints through March 2023, adjusting for covariables, including time-varying COVID-19 vaccination. Results: In patients positive for COVID-19, periodic fasting was reported by 180 (30.0% of 601), who periodically fasted over 43.1 ± 19.2 years (min: 7, max: 83). HF hospitalization (n = 117, 19.5%) occurred in 13.3% of fasters and 22.1% of non-fasters [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) = 0.63, CI = 0.40, 0.99; p = 0.044]. Most HF admissions were exacerbations, with a prior HF diagnosis in 111 (94.9%) patients hospitalized for HF. Fasting was also associated with a lower MACE risk (aHR = 0.64, CI = 0.43, 0.96; p = 0.030). In n = 1772 COVID-negative patients (29.7% fasters), fasting was not associated with HF hospitalization (aHR = 0.82, CI = 0.64, 1.05; p = 0.12). In COVID-positive and negative patients combined, periodic fasting was associated with lower mortality (aHR = 0.60, CI = 0.39, 0.93; p = 0.021). Conclusions: Routine periodic fasting was associated with less HF hospitalization in patients positive for COVID-19. Full article
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9 pages, 246 KiB  
Article
Diet Quality and Risk of Bladder Cancer in the Multiethnic Cohort Study
by Minji Kang, Lynne R. Wilkens, Michael D. Wirth, Nitin Shivappa, James R. Hébert, Christopher A. Haiman, Loïc Le Marchand and Song-Yi Park
Nutrients 2024, 16(12), 1965; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16121965 - 20 Jun 2024
Viewed by 1629
Abstract
This study analyzed the overall quality of the diet using predefined indices, including the Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI-2015), the Alternative Healthy Eating Index-2010 (AHEI-2010), the alternate Mediterranean Diet (aMED) score, the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) score, and the Dietary Inflammatory Index [...] Read more.
This study analyzed the overall quality of the diet using predefined indices, including the Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI-2015), the Alternative Healthy Eating Index-2010 (AHEI-2010), the alternate Mediterranean Diet (aMED) score, the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) score, and the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII®), to explore their association with the risk of bladder cancer in the Multiethnic Cohort Study. Data were taken from 186,979 African American, Japanese American, Latino, Native Hawaiian, and non-Hispanic White participants aged 45–75 years, with 1152 incident cases of invasive bladder cancer during a mean follow-up period of 19.2 ± 6.6 years. Cox models were used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) with comprehensive adjustment for smoking. Comparing the highest vs. lowest diet quality score quintile, HRs (95% CIs) in men was 1.08 (0.86–1.36) for HEI-2015, 1.05 (0.84–1.30) for AHEI-2010, 1.01 (0.80–1.27) for aMED, 1.13 (0.90–1.41) for DASH, and 0.96 (0.76–1.21) for DII®, whereas the corresponding HRs for women were 0.75 (0.53–1.07), 0.64 (0.45–0.92), 0.60 (0.40–0.88), 0.66 (0.46–0.95), and 0.63 (0.43–0.90) with all p values for trend <0.05. The inverse association found in women did not vary by smoking status or race and ethnicity. Our findings suggest that adopting high-quality diets may reduce the risk of invasive bladder cancer among women in a multiethnic population. Full article
26 pages, 4046 KiB  
Article
Feasibility and Cardiometabolic Effects of Time-Restricted Eating in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome
by Iwona Świątkiewicz, Jarosław Nuszkiewicz, Joanna Wróblewska, Małgorzata Nartowicz, Kamil Sokołowski, Paweł Sutkowy, Paweł Rajewski, Krzysztof Buczkowski, Małgorzata Chudzińska, Emily N. C. Manoogian, Pam R. Taub and Alina Woźniak
Nutrients 2024, 16(12), 1802; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16121802 - 7 Jun 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2913
Abstract
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) and a prolonged daily eating window (EW) are associated with circadian rhythm disruption and increased cardiometabolic risk. Misalignment between circadian timing system and daily rhythms of food intake adversely impacts metabolic regulatory mechanisms and cardiovascular function. Restricting the daily EW [...] Read more.
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) and a prolonged daily eating window (EW) are associated with circadian rhythm disruption and increased cardiometabolic risk. Misalignment between circadian timing system and daily rhythms of food intake adversely impacts metabolic regulatory mechanisms and cardiovascular function. Restricting the daily EW by imposing an eating–fasting cycle through time-restricted eating (TRE) can restore robust circadian rhythms, support cellular metabolism, and improve cardiometabolic health. The aim of this study was to assess a feasibility of 12-week TRE intervention with self-selected 10 h EW and effects of TRE on EW duration, cardiometabolic outcomes, daily rhythms of behavior, and wellbeing in Polish patients with MetS and EW ≥ 14 h/day. Dietary intake was monitored with a validated myCircadianClock application (mCC app). Adherence to TRE defined as the proportion of days recorded with mCC app in which participants satisfied 10-h TRE was the primary outcome. A total of 26 patients (aged 45 ± 13 years, 62% women, 3.3 ± 0.5 MetS criteria, EW 14 ± 1.5 h/day) were enrolled. Coexistence of increased waist circumference (WC) (96% of patients), elevated fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (77%), and elevated blood pressure (BP) (69%) was the most common MetS pattern (50%). TRE intervention (mean duration of 81.6 ± 12.6 days) led to reducing daily EW by 28% (p < 0.0001). Adherence to TRE was 87 ± 13%. Adherence to logging food intake on mCC app during TRE was 70 ± 27%. Post TRE, a decrease in body weight (2%, 1.7 ± 3.6 kg, p = 0.026), body mass index (BMI) (1%, 0.5 ± 1.2 kg/m2, p = 0.027), WC (2%, 2.5 ± 3.9 cm, p = 0.003), systolic BP (4%, 4.8 ± 9.0 mmHg, p = 0.012), FPG (4%, 3.8 ± 6.9 mg/dL, p = 0.037), glycated hemoglobin (4%, 0.2 ± 0.4%, p = 0.011), mean fasting glucose level from continuous glucose monitor (CGM) (4%, 4.0 ± 6.1 mg/dL, p = 0.002), and sleepiness score (25%, 1.9 ± 3.2 points, p = 0043) were observed. A significant decrease in body weight (2%), BMI (2%), WC (3%), mean CGM fasting glucose (6%), sleepiness score (27%), and depression score (60%) was found in patients with mean post-TRE EW ≤ 10 h/day (58% of total), and not in patients with EW > 10 h/day. Adherence to TRE was higher in patients with post-TRE EW ≤ 10 h/day vs. patients with EW > 10 h/day (94 ± 6% vs. 77 ± 14%, p = 0.003). Our findings indicate that 10-h TRE was feasible in the European MetS population. TRE resulted in reducing daily EW and improved cardiometabolic outcomes and wellbeing in patients with MetS and prolonged EW. Use of the mCC app can aid in implementing TRE. This pilot clinical trial provides exploratory data that are a basis for a large-scale randomized controlled trial to determine the efficacy and sustainability of TRE for reducing cardiometabolic risks in MetS populations. Further research is needed to investigate the mechanisms of TRE effects, including its impact on circadian rhythm disruption. Full article
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11 pages, 1117 KiB  
Article
Analysis of the Association between Protein Intake and Disability-Adjusted Life Year Rates for Alzheimer’s Disease in Japanese Aged over 60
by Kazuki Fujiwara, Takayuki Tanaka, Hisamine Kobayashi, Kenji Nagao and Kazuko Ishikawa-Takata
Nutrients 2024, 16(8), 1221; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16081221 - 19 Apr 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2496
Abstract
With advancements in medical technology, the structure of disease is shifting from acute illnesses to chronic conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Consequently, there is an escalating need for evaluations that discourse on the potential effects on healthy life years, as well as [...] Read more.
With advancements in medical technology, the structure of disease is shifting from acute illnesses to chronic conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Consequently, there is an escalating need for evaluations that discourse on the potential effects on healthy life years, as well as disease onset. We aimed to evaluate the associations with AD disability-adjusted life year (AD-DALY) rates and protein intake by sex and age group. For the analysis, we used representative values for males and females in their 60s and aged over 70, extracted from the public dataset of the Global Burden of Disease Study and the National Health and Nutrition Survey in Japan, covering the years 1990 to 2019. In order to evaluate the association between AD-DALY rates and protein intake, we analyzed correlations and stratified multiple regression models. Additionally, we simulated alterations in AD-DALY rates associated with changes in protein intake by utilizing stratified multiple regression models. AD-DALY rates and protein intake indicated significant negative correlations across all sex and age groups. In stratified multiple regression models, significant associations were found between higher protein intake and lower AD-DALY rates in females. In the simulation, when protein intake was increased to 1.5 g/kg/day, AD-DALY rates decreased by 5–9 percent compared with 2019. However, the association between intake of animal and plant protein and AD-DALY rates were found to vary based on sex and age group. The present study suggests the possibility to improve AD-DALY rates by increasing population average protein intake levels in a recommended range. Full article
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14 pages, 268 KiB  
Article
A Cross-Sectional Study of Grocery Shopping Factors of Importance among Food-Insecure African Americans
by Cedric Harville II, Delores C. S. James, Amaria Patterson, Sheila Harper and Lindy Petchulat-McMillan
Nutrients 2024, 16(8), 1188; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16081188 - 17 Apr 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1873
Abstract
The objective of this study was to (1) assess via cross-sectional survey the prevalence of food insecurity among African Americans [AAs] after their most recent grocery shopping trip, and (2) examine the grocery shopping factors of importance and characteristics of food-insecure AA grocery [...] Read more.
The objective of this study was to (1) assess via cross-sectional survey the prevalence of food insecurity among African Americans [AAs] after their most recent grocery shopping trip, and (2) examine the grocery shopping factors of importance and characteristics of food-insecure AA grocery shoppers. Most (70.4%) were food-insecure. Food-insecure grocery shoppers were significantly more likely to be younger, less educated, who often skipped meals and/or practiced fasting, accessed a food pantry, were SNAP recipients, were considered to not be in ”good” health, and who had higher BMI compared to food-secure shoppers (p ≤ 0.03 * for all). Our data showed that AAs shopped for groceries a mean 2.20 ± 1.29 times per week, for low prices (72.1%), without a weekly budget (58.9%), with a grocery list (44.6%) or using an app (27.6%), for high-quality vegetables (27.5%), for good customer service (22.9%), for store brands (20.8%) and name brands (17.9%).Food-insecure shoppers were significantly more likely to grocery shop more times per week, have a weekly budget, and use an app, but were significantly less likely to report store brands, name brands, good customer service, and high-quality vegetables as grocery factors of importance (p ≤ 0.03 * for all). Grocery strategies such as shopping with a grocery app and/or grocery list could help food-insecure AAs reduce grocery trips, promote meal planning to save money, and avoid skipping meals/fasting, while eating healthier. Full article
14 pages, 973 KiB  
Article
Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Individuals Following Plant-Based Dietary Patterns Compared to Regular Meat-Eaters
by Grace Austin, Jessica J. A. Ferguson, Shaun Eslick, Christopher Oldmeadow, Lisa G. Wood and Manohar L. Garg
Nutrients 2024, 16(7), 1063; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16071063 - 5 Apr 2024
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4245
Abstract
Plant-based diets (PBDs) have been associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The aim was to investigate the predicted 5-year and 10-year risk of developing CVD in individuals following PBDs compared to regular meat-eating diets. This cross-sectional study included n = [...] Read more.
Plant-based diets (PBDs) have been associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The aim was to investigate the predicted 5-year and 10-year risk of developing CVD in individuals following PBDs compared to regular meat-eating diets. This cross-sectional study included n = 240 middle-aged adults habitually consuming dietary patterns for ≥6 months: vegan, lacto-ovo vegetarian (LOV), pesco-vegetarian (PV), semi-vegetarian (SV) or regular meat-eater (RME) (n = 48 per group). Predicted 5-year and 10-year CVD risks were quantified using the Framingham Risk Equation and the Australian Absolute CVD risk calculator, respectively. Multivariable regression analysis was used to adjust for age, sex, smoking status, physical activity, alcohol use and BMI. Over three-quarters of the participants were women, mean age of 53.8 yrs. After adjustments for potential confounders, there was no difference in the predicted risk of CVD between regular-meat diets and PBDs, although crude analyses revealed that vegans had a lower 5-year and 10-year predicted risk of CVD compared to RMEs. SVs, PVs and LOVs had lower CVD risk scores, however, not significantly. Vegans had a favourable cardiometabolic risk profile including significantly lower serum lipid levels, fasting blood glucose and dietary fats and higher dietary fibre intake compared to RMEs. This was the first study to purposefully sample Australians habitually following PBDs. We found that PBDs do not independently influence the predicted risk of CVD, although PBDs tended to have lower risk and vegans had significantly lower cardiometabolic risk factors for CVD. Full article
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14 pages, 586 KiB  
Article
Adherence to a Traditional Mexican Diet Is Associated with Lower Hepatic Steatosis in US-Born Hispanics of Mexican Descent with Overweight or Obesity
by Melissa Lopez-Pentecost, Martha Tamez, Josiemer Mattei, Elizabeth T. Jacobs, Cynthia A. Thomson and David O. Garcia
Nutrients 2023, 15(23), 4997; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15234997 - 2 Dec 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2820
Abstract
Hispanics of Mexican descent have disproportionate rates of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The purpose of this work is to investigate the association between the traditional Mexican diet score (tMexS) and hepatic steatosis and fibrosis, two NAFLD-related clinical endpoints, in Hispanic adults of [...] Read more.
Hispanics of Mexican descent have disproportionate rates of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The purpose of this work is to investigate the association between the traditional Mexican diet score (tMexS) and hepatic steatosis and fibrosis, two NAFLD-related clinical endpoints, in Hispanic adults of Mexican descent. Data from 280 Hispanic adults of Mexican descent (n = 102 men, 178 women) with overweight or obesity enrolled in a cross-sectional observational study were analyzed. The tMexS was calculated from 24 h dietary recalls. Hepatic steatosis and fibrosis measurements were assessed using transient elastography (Fibroscan®). Linear regression models testing the association between tMexS and hepatic steatosis and fibrosis were run individually and through the stratification of significant modifiers. Mean tMexS were 5.9 ± 2.1, hepatic steatosis scores were 288.9 ± 48.9 dB/m, and fibrosis scores were 5.6 ± 2.2 kPa. Among the US-born group, with every point increase in the tMexS, there was a statistically significant 5.7 lower hepatic steatosis point (95% CI: −10.9, −0.6, p-value = 0.07). Higher adherence to a traditional Mexican diet was associated with lower hepatic steatosis in US-born Hispanics of Mexican descent. Findings from the current work may serve to inform future culturally relevant interventions for NAFLD prevention and management in individuals of Mexican descent. Full article
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Review

Jump to: Editorial, Research

19 pages, 320 KiB  
Review
Sex-Specific Variation in Metabolic Responses to Diet
by Reya R. Andrews, Kayla R. Anderson and Jean L. Fry
Nutrients 2024, 16(17), 2921; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16172921 - 1 Sep 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3729
Abstract
Suboptimal nutrition is a leading cause of cardiometabolic disease and mortality. Biological sex is a variable that influences individual responses to dietary components and may modulate the impact of diet on metabolic health and disease risk. This review describes findings of studies reporting [...] Read more.
Suboptimal nutrition is a leading cause of cardiometabolic disease and mortality. Biological sex is a variable that influences individual responses to dietary components and may modulate the impact of diet on metabolic health and disease risk. This review describes findings of studies reporting how biological sex may associate with or affect metabolic outcomes or disease risk in response to varying dietary macronutrient content, Mediterranean diet, Western diet, and medical very low-calorie diet. Although few dietary interventions have been specifically designed to identify sex–diet interactions, future studies improving understanding how sex influences dietary responses could inform precision nutrition interventions for disease prevention and management. Full article
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