Submit to Special Issue Submit Abstract to Special Issue Review for Nutrients Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Association between Nutrition, Diet Quality, Dietary Patterns, and Human Health and Diseases—2nd Edition

Print Special Issue Flyer
Special Issue Editors
Special Issue Information
Keywords
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
Published Papers

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 September 2025 | Viewed by 8001

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Jean L. Fry

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Center for Muscle Biology, College of Health Sciences, 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
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

It is being 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, the overall adequacy of the complete nutrient profile, the inclusion/exclusion and distribution of food groups, sustainability, and precision nutrition.

Considering the success of the previous Special Issue, entitled "Association between Nutrition, Diet Quality, Dietary Patterns, and Human Health and Diseases", we are pleased to announce that we are launching a second Special Issue on this topic. And, 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

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

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

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (5 papers)

Download All Papers

Order results

Result details

Show export options Show export options

Select all

Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

18 pages, 478 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Is There an Association Between Hydration Status, Beverage Consumption Frequency, Blood Pressure, Anthropometric Characteristics, and Urinary Biomarkers in Adults?

by Joanna Frąckiewicz and Kacper Szewczyk

Nutrients 2025, 17(6), 952; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17060952 - 9 Mar 2025

Viewed by 908

Abstract

Objectives: Hydration is essential for overall health; therefore, this study aimed to identify associations between hydration status and beverage consumption, anthropometric measures, and urine biochemical analyses in Polish adults. Poland was chosen due to potential regional dietary habits and hydration patterns that may influence hydration status. Methods: A total of 337 participants completed a beverage frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Blood pressure (BP), anthropometric parameters, and body composition were measured. Urine samples were analyzed for specific gravity (USG), osmolality (Uosm), and potential hydrogen value (pH). Hydration status was assessed using the WUT model (weight, urine color, thirst level), classifying participants into two groups: dehydrated (2-3 WUT components) and properly hydrated (0-1 WUT component). Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Results: Approximately 50% of participants (n = 165) exhibited dehydration symptoms, including higher thirst levels, darker urine, and elevated USG and Uosm (p ≤ 0.05). Dehydrated individuals more frequently reported fatigue (p = 0.009), headaches (p = 0.024), and heavy legs (p = 0.002). Higher BMI (OR: 1.49), waist circumference (OR: 1.79), USG (OR: 2.29), and Uosm (OR: 1.75) increased dehydration risk. Conversely, greater consumption of tea (OR: 0.52) and non-carbonated mineral water (OR: 0.45), higher total body water (OR: 0.49), and handgrip strength (OR: 0.81) were linked to lower dehydration risk. Four dietary patterns were identified: Reasonable, Unhealthy, Minimalist, and Loving Sweet Beverages. Conclusions: Multifactorial hydration assessment, combined with preventive strategies such as regular fluid intake and weight management, may improve hydration. The WUT model and Venn diagram provide a practical tool for hydration assessment in clinical and public health. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Association between Nutrition, Diet Quality, Dietary Patterns, and Human Health and Diseases—2nd Edition)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 315 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Importance of Self-Identities and Habitual Behavior for Eating More Plant Foods

by Marzena Jeżewska-Zychowicz, Marta Sajdakowska, Jerzy Gębski, Małgorzata Kosicka-Gębska and Krystyna Gutkowska

Nutrients 2024, 16(23), 4063; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16234063 - 26 Nov 2024

Viewed by 1295

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to identify the predictors of eating more plant-based foods and legumes in terms of previous changes in consumption, habitual frequency of consumption, intention to reduce the amount of meat consumed, and health and environmental identities. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted between June and September 2023 in 881 Polish adults. Based on two self-descriptors, four groups of respondents were identified: no health identity and no environmental identity (nHI-nEI), health identity but no environmental identity (HI-nEI), no health identity but environmental identity (nHI-EI), and both health identity and environmental identity (HI-EI). A logistic regression analysis was used to verify associations between habitual eating of red meat, white meat, and legumes, changes in their intake over the past two years, familiarity with plant-based substitutes for animal products, health, and environmental identity, declared intentions to eat less meat, and the intentions to eat more plant-based food and eat more legumes next year. Results: Individuals were more likely to increase their consumption of plant foods (OR: 1.99, p = 0.001), including legumes (OR: 1.79, p = 0.045), when they represented the HI-EI group, had increased their consumption of legumes in the past two years (OR: 2.91, p = 0.009, and OR: 2.15, p = 0.017, respectively), declared an intention to reduce meat (OR: 8.02, p < 0.001, and OR: 12.08, p < 0.001, respectively), but also occasionally consumed plant-based meat substitutes (OR: 1.76, p = 0.002, and OR: 2.61, p < 0.001, respectively). However, individuals were more likely to increase their consumption of plant foods, but not legumes, if they currently consumed legumes frequently (OR: 1.36, p = 0.009, and OR: 1.22, p = 0.111, respectively) and had previously limited their consumption of red meat (OR: 2.40, p < 0.001, and OR: 1.09, p = 0.717, respectively). Conclusions: The habitual frequency of eating red and white meat did not predict the increased consumption of plant foods in the future. It is equally important to increase people’s awareness of the impact of the food they consume on health and the environment to support their health and pro-environmental motivation for food choices. Public health and sustainability campaigns should develop new methods to reach populations less willing to change. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Association between Nutrition, Diet Quality, Dietary Patterns, and Human Health and Diseases—2nd Edition)

10 pages, 631 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Associations Between Dietary Patterns and Quality of Life in a Longitudinal Cohort of Colorectal Cancer Survivors

by Kristen S. Smith, Lisa M. Gudenkauf, Aasha I. Hoogland, Xiaoyin Li, Rachel Hoobler, Mary C. Playdon, Biljana Gigic, Brent J. Small, Brian D. Gonzalez, Laura B. Oswald, Doratha A. Byrd, K. Leigh Greathouse, Cornelia M. Ulrich, Christopher I. Li, David Shibata, Adetunji T. Toriola, Anita R. Peoples, Erin M. Siegel, Jane C. Figueiredo, Heather S. L. Jim and Sylvia L. Crowder Show full author list Hide full author list

Nutrients 2024, 16(22), 3860; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16223860 - 12 Nov 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1696

Abstract

Purpose: To characterize dietary patterns and examine associations with cross-sectional and longitudinal changes in quality of life (QOL) over approximately one year after colorectal cancer (CRC) diagnosis. Methods: The ColoCare Study is an international, multi-center, prospective cohort study of newly diagnosed CRC survivors of any stage. A subset of participants with CRC in the United States completed patient-reported outcome measures at 6- and 12-months post-enrollment, including the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) and European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30). Dietary patterns at 6 months (around the time of treatment completion) were identified using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) with varimax rotation. Adherence scores were calculated for participants within each dietary pattern, with higher scores indicating higher adherence. Mixed models were used to examine the effect of each dietary pattern on changes in QOL at 6- and 12-month follow-ups, controlling for cancer stage, biological sex, body mass index (BMI), smoking status, and age. Results: Participants (N = 174) were, on average, 56 ± 14 years old and were mostly female (51.5%), stage III or IV (51.7%), never smokers (60.2%), non-Hispanic (97.1%), and White (83.3%) with a BMI of 27.9 ± 6.1 kg/m². PCA revealed two emerging dietary patterns: “Western diet”, characterized by processed meats, refined grains, and sugars, and “Prudent diet” characterized by lean proteins, fruits, and vegetables. Higher adherence to a Western diet was associated with worse social functioning at 6-month follow-up (FE = −12.6, p = 0.010). Loss of appetite from 6 to 12 months was associated with higher adherence to both the Western and Prudent dietary patterns (FE = 1.5, p = 0.044; FE = 1.3, p = 0.046, respectively). Neither dietary pattern was associated with global QOL score at 6- or 12-month follow-up (p’s > 0.05). Conclusions: Among CRC survivors in the United States, the Western diet was concurrently associated with worse social functioning. Loss of appetite was reported by CRC survivors following both dietary patterns, suggesting that loss of appetite may be a global experience for CRC survivors during this timeframe. Further research is needed to understand specific social challenges experienced by CRC survivors and develop supportive care interventions to address appetite and nutritional concerns. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Association between Nutrition, Diet Quality, Dietary Patterns, and Human Health and Diseases—2nd Edition)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 1102 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Diet Quality and Eating Frequency Were Associated with Insulin-Taking Status among Adults

by Luotao Lin, Yue Qin, Emily Hutchins, Alexandra E. Cowan-Pyle, Jiangpeng He, Fengqing Zhu, Edward J. Delp and Heather A. Eicher-Miller

Nutrients 2024, 16(20), 3441; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16203441 - 11 Oct 2024

Viewed by 1568

Abstract

Objective: This pilot cross-sectional study explored differences in dietary intake and eating behaviors between healthy adults and a group of adults taking insulin to manage diabetes. Methods: A characteristic questionnaire and up to four Automated Self-Administered 24-Hour dietary recalls were collected from 152 adults aged 18–65 years (96 healthy and 56 adults taking insulin) from Indiana and across the U.S. from 2022 to 2023. The macronutrient intake, diet quality via the Healthy Eating Index (HEI)-2015, eating frequency, and consistency of timing of eating were calculated and compared between the two groups using adjusted linear or logistic regression models. Results: The total mean HEI scores were very low, at 56 out of 100 and 49 out of 100 for the healthy and insulin-taking groups, respectively. Insulin-taking adults had significantly lower HEI total (p = 0.003) and component scores compared to the healthy group for greens and beans (2.0 vs. 3.0, p = 0.02), whole fruit (2.1 vs. 2.9, p = 0.05), seafood and plant proteins (2.1 vs. 3.3, p = 0.004), and saturated fats (3.7 vs. 5.4, p = 0.05). Eating frequency was significantly lower in the insulin-taking group than in the healthy group (3.0 vs. 3.4 eating occasions/day, p = 0.05). Conclusion: Evidence of the low diet quality and eating frequency of insulin takers may help inform and justify nutrition education to control and manage diabetes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Association between Nutrition, Diet Quality, Dietary Patterns, and Human Health and Diseases—2nd Edition)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 1277 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fluctuations in Mediterranean Diet Adherence Pre- and Post-Pandemic: A Study of Portuguese Cohorts 2019–2024

by Vanda Lopes de Andrade and Paula Pinto

Nutrients 2024, 16(19), 3372; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16193372 - 3 Oct 2024

Viewed by 1640

Abstract

Background/Objectives: The Mediterranean Diet (MD) is a lifestyle offering numerous health benefits. Nevertheless, the adherence to the MD is moderate even in Mediterranean countries. While sociodemographic factors influence MD adherence, additional impacts occurred due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This cross-sectional longitudinal study with three cohorts of Portuguese adults analyzes MD adherence before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic, and explores the effect of sociodemographic variables. Methods: Sociodemographic factors, lifestyle habits, and MD adherence were assessed in the years 2019, 2021, and 2024 with an online self-filled questionnaire. MD adherence was measured with the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS). Results: MEDAS score increased significantly (p < 0.05) from 2019 to 2021 (6.2 ± 0.7 to 7.7 ± 0.1), followed by a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in 2024 (7.2 ± 0.1) relative to 2019, which was more pronounced in participants with higher income. Accordingly, a trend in healthier food choices was observed followed by a decline in 2024. Of note is the significant increase in red meat consumption (p < 0.05) in 2024 relative to 2021. Respondents who consumed more red meat were mostly men, employed, or in a stable relationship. Most respondents practiced sport “Never or occasionally” in 2019 and 2021 (59.4 and 55.2%, respectively); in 2024, this category was significantly (p < 0.05) reduced (40.9%); men or higher-income participants were more likely to meet the recommended activity levels. Conclusions: This study reveals that the improvements in MD lifestyle during the pandemic were not sustained in 2024, as healthier habits formed during confinement were not fully integrated into long-term behavior. These findings strengthen the need for targeted public health interventions to promote the MD. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Association between Nutrition, Diet Quality, Dietary Patterns, and Human Health and Diseases—2nd Edition)

► Show Figures

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Association between Nutrition, Diet Quality, Dietary Patterns, and Human Health and Diseases—2nd Edition

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editor

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

Published Papers (5 papers)

Research

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI