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Nutrients
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Nutrition in Vulnerable Population Groups
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Nutrition in Vulnerable Population Groups

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 5 October 2025 | Viewed by 4876

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Olga Malisova

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Food Science & Nutrition, University of Patra, 30131 Agrinio, Greece
Interests: hydration; dietary behavior; general population; vulnerable population groups; food insecurity; food and nutrition policies
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Konstantina Argyri

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Nutritional Science and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences, University of the Peloponnese, Antikalamos, 24100 Kalamata, Greece
Interests: bioactivity of food components; functional foods; nutrition in various population groups
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The Special Issue "Nutrition in Vulnerable Population Groups" explores the specific dietary needs of various groups that differ from the general population. This encompasses individuals facing socioeconomic challenges, such as those from low-income backgrounds, or challenges such as those faced by immigrants and refugees. It also delves into the nutritional requirements of people with chronic health conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory issues. Additionally, it covers groups with heightened nutritional demands, including elderly people and pregnant and breastfeeding women. Finally, the issue examines the special nutritional requirements of working populations exposed to extreme environments, like heat stress as a result of climate change. By addressing the unique dietary needs of these diverse populations, this issue aims to provide nutritional support and promote optimal health and well-being.

Dr. Olga Malisova
Dr. Konstantina Argyri
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Nutrients is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • special populations
  • distinct populations
  • special nutrition needs
  • age-specific nutrition needs
  • food insecurity
  • nutritional deficiencies
  • dietary requirements
  • socioeconomic disparity
  • chronic conditions needs
  • climate exposure needs

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

18 pages, 281 KiB  
Article
Modeling the Substitution of One Egg Increased the Nutrient Quality of Choline and Vitamin D in Exemplary Menus
by Analí Morales-Juárez, Alexandra E. Cowan-Pyle, Regan L. Bailey and Heather A. Eicher-Miller
Nutrients 2025, 17(7), 1129; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17071129 - 24 Mar 2025
Viewed by 756
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Eggs, a nutritious and affordable food, are not widely consumed by adolescents, who show many nutrient inadequacies. Modeling dietary substitutions with eggs and their costs can provide dietary insights while considering economic constraints. This study theoretically modeled the impact of substituting [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Eggs, a nutritious and affordable food, are not widely consumed by adolescents, who show many nutrient inadequacies. Modeling dietary substitutions with eggs and their costs can provide dietary insights while considering economic constraints. This study theoretically modeled the impact of substituting an egg for another protein source, considering nutrient quality and cost, using exemplary menus with application to adolescents. Methods: The substitution was modeled in four different seven-day exemplary menus: (1) the Healthy U.S.-Style Dietary Pattern (HUSS), (2) Harvard Medical School’s Heathy Eating Guide, (3) the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute’s Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet and (4) the Healthy U.S.-Style Vegetarian Dietary Pattern (HVEG). One egg replaced the gram amount and nutrient profile of a protein source food in each menu. Micronutrient quality was assessed using the Food Nutrient Index (FNI), scored 0–100. The Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion Food Price Database informed the food prices. Pairwise t-tests compared the effects of egg substitution on micronutrient scores and daily costs. Results: The daily egg substitution increased FNI scores for choline and vitamin D in the HUSS (83 to 95 and 69 to 75, respectively), DASH (80 to 91 and 55 to 59, respectively), and HVEG (91 to 100 and 44 to 51, respectively), and choline alone (89 to 98) in the Harvard menu. Daily menu prices were not significantly different after the egg substitution (p > 0.01). Conclusions: Substituting one egg for another protein source food increased the micronutrient quality of choline and vitamin D in exemplary menus without increasing the cost; however, factors such as food preferences and the economic accessibility of eggs in different contexts should also be considered. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition in Vulnerable Population Groups)
14 pages, 1145 KiB  
Article
Nutritional Factors and Food and Nutrition Insecurity in Patients with Tuberculosis
by Yasmim Costa Mendes, Ana Larysse Lacerda Dourado, Patricia Vieira de Oliveira, Aline de Oliveira Rezende, Amanda Caroline de Souza Sales, Gabriel Pereira de Sousa, Elaíne de Araújo Pereira, Elane Luiza Costa Sousa, Maria Cecília Cruz Morais Lindoso, Roberdilson de Melo Rodrigues Júnior, Letícia Rocha Fernandes, Luciana Cabral Santana, Millena Ferreira Goiano, Luís Cláudio Nascimento da Silva, Rafiza Félix Marão Martins, Eduardo Martins de Sousa and Adrielle Zagmignan
Nutrients 2025, 17(5), 878; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17050878 - 28 Feb 2025
Viewed by 768
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Brazil has a high incidence of new tuberculosis cases influenced by socioeconomic factors. Inadequate housing, limited access to health services, and insufficient food increase vulnerability to the disease. This study aimed to identify sociodemographic, nutritional, and anthropometric factors associated with active [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Brazil has a high incidence of new tuberculosis cases influenced by socioeconomic factors. Inadequate housing, limited access to health services, and insufficient food increase vulnerability to the disease. This study aimed to identify sociodemographic, nutritional, and anthropometric factors associated with active pulmonary tuberculosis. Methods: This case–control study was conducted at the tuberculosis (TB) Referral Hospital in São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil, from 2022 to 2024. It included 65 patients with active pulmonary TB and 73 comparison individuals. Sociodemographic and nutritional data were collected using an adapted semi-quantitative questionnaire with 77 items, based on the validated ELSA-BRASIL questionnaire for adults, to assess the consumption of calcium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, vitamin B3, vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin E, and vitamin D. The Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale (EBIA) was used to analyze food and nutrition security or insecurity. Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated based on weight and height measurements. Results: The TB patients were predominantly men (73.8%), of mixed ancestry (69.4%), with low education levels (73.4%), and had a mean age of 39 years. Furthermore, 26.2% of the patients were underweight, and 64% experienced some degree of food and nutrition insecurity. The variables education level, vitamin D, and BMI were associated with the outcome in the final model. Conclusions: The study identified a high prevalence of food insecurity and vitamin E deficiency in individuals with active tuberculosis, in addition to associating low educational levels, inadequate vitamin D intake, and overweight with a higher risk of TB. Although it has limitations, such as the cross-sectional design and sample size, the results highlight the importance of these determinants and point to the need for longitudinal research to confirm and expand the evidence. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition in Vulnerable Population Groups)
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15 pages, 237 KiB  
Article
Hydration Habits and Water Balance in a Working Population in Greece
by Aikaterini-Melpomeni Papadopoulou, Kyriaki Apergi, Margarita-Vasiliki Panagopoulou, Konstantina Argyri and Olga Malisova
Nutrients 2025, 17(3), 371; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17030371 - 21 Jan 2025
Viewed by 1152
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Adequate hydration is fundamental for maintaining physical and mental health, yet dehydration remains a common issue, with significant health consequences such as fatigue, impaired cognitive function, and increased risk of chronic diseases. This study aimed to assess the water balance status of [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Adequate hydration is fundamental for maintaining physical and mental health, yet dehydration remains a common issue, with significant health consequences such as fatigue, impaired cognitive function, and increased risk of chronic diseases. This study aimed to assess the water balance status of healthy employees in Greece and explore the influence of sociodemographic, anthropometric, occupational, and other lifestyle factors. Methods: After completing a validated questionnaire, demographic, dietary, and occupational factors were first analyzed by gender and then examined for their association with water balance, defined as the net difference between water intake and losses, using univariate and multivariable analyses. Results: Daily water consumption had a median value of 3063.77 mL (Q1: 2181.62, Q3: 4070.04), with men consuming significantly more than women. Multivariable analysis identified several factors associated with water balance, including years of education (β: −21.88, SE: 8.55), hours of work per week (β: 30.17, SE: 15.38), use of glasses during the day (Yes vs. No: β: 423.13, SE: 216.41), use of a bottle during the day (Yes vs. No: β: 873.50, SE: 278.82), and consuming water for pleasure (Yes vs. No: β: 478.63, SE: 200.16). Additionally, exposure to weather conditions at work (Yes vs. No) was suggested to have a positive influence on water balance. Conclusions: This study underscores the complex interplay between sociodemographic and occupational factors and hydration practices, providing evidence for targeted hydration strategies, as wellness programs and public health initiatives aimed at improving hydration among working populations in Greece. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition in Vulnerable Population Groups)
14 pages, 819 KiB  
Article
The Happy Child Program’s Intersectionality: Prenatal Home Visit Frequency, Food Insecurity Risk, Symptoms of Depression, and Parental Practices in Brazilian Women Assisted during Pregnancy
by Camila Biete, Vivian S. S. Gonçalves, Ariene S. Carmo and Nathalia Pizato
Nutrients 2024, 16(17), 2990; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16172990 - 4 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1531
Abstract
Food insecurity (FI) is a critical issue in developing countries, particularly in low-resource settings, where it can worsen women’s mental health. Psychosocial factors such as low household income, limited education, multiparity, and vulnerability are linked to depressive symptoms during pregnancy. Additionally, the family [...] Read more.
Food insecurity (FI) is a critical issue in developing countries, particularly in low-resource settings, where it can worsen women’s mental health. Psychosocial factors such as low household income, limited education, multiparity, and vulnerability are linked to depressive symptoms during pregnancy. Additionally, the family environment influences parental practices, which may impact mental health. This study evaluates the association of socioeconomic factors, parental practices, FI risk, and home visit frequency with depressive symptoms in pregnant women enrolled in the Happy Child Program (Programa Criança Feliz—PCF) in the Federal District, Brazil. In this cross-sectional study, 132 pregnant women monitored by PCF from May to July 2023 were assessed using a self-administered questionnaire for socioeconomic data, the two-item Triage for Food Insecurity (TRIA) instrument for FI risk, the Scale of Parental Beliefs and Early Childhood Care Practices, and the Beck Depression Inventory-II for depressive symptoms. Most participants were multiparous (87.9%), had low income (under 200 USD/month; 80.8%), presented depressive symptoms (67.4%) and were at risk of FI (81.8%). About half demonstrated adequate parental practices (50.8%) and received four home visits per month during pregnancy (54.5%). Women who received four PCF home visits had a lower prevalence of depressive symptoms compared to those with fewer visits (PR 0.76, 95% CI 0.59–0.98). No significant association was found between FI or parental practices and depressive symptoms. These findings suggest that the PCF home-visiting program may strengthen vulnerable families, support social networks, and improve mental health during pregnancy. Additionally, the results of this study highlight the need for targeted interventions aimed at reducing food insecurity and promoting mental health during pregnancy, particularly among socially vulnerable populations. Furthermore, they reinforce the importance of expanding access to home-visiting programs as an effective strategy to improve maternal mental health and well-being, while fostering healthier prenatal environments for both mothers and their children. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition in Vulnerable Population Groups)
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