Search Results (71)

Background/Objectives: Diet and physical activity are key lifestyle behaviours associated with sleep quality, yet their combined and sex-specific associations remain insufficiently understood. This study examined the associations between dietary behaviours and sleep quality among university students and assessed whether physical activity formed part of an indirect statistical association between these variables, with sex considered as a moderator. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 418 students (199 males, 219 females) from the Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences. Body height and body mass were measured using standard anthropometric procedures. Sleep quality (SQ) was registered with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), dietary habits were assessed with the Questionnaire of Eating Behaviours (QEB) and physical activity (PA) was assessed with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Data-driven feature-selection methods were applied to identify dietary behaviours associated with sleep quality, which were combined into a Synthetic Dietary Behaviour Index (SDBI). A moderated mediation model, adjusted for body mass index (BMI), was then used to examine the statistical associations between dietary behaviours, physical activity, sleep quality, and sex. Sleep quality was modelled as a continuous PSQI score in mediation analyses, while the dichotomised PSQI category was used only for feature selection. Results: Machine-learning feature selection identified nine dietary behaviours statistically associated with sleep quality. Unfavourable behaviours—fast food, fried meals, sweetened beverages, energy drinks and alcohol—were linked to poorer sleep, whereas vegetables, curd cheese and wholegrain bread were associated with better sleep. Poor sleep was more prevalent among females (45.2% vs. 14.6%, χ² (1) = 65.4, p < 0.001). The mediation model indicated that physical activity formed part of a statistically significant but modest indirect association between dietary behaviour and sleep quality, with sex moderating the IPAQ → PSQI path (β = −0.45, p = 0.006). Indirect associations were significant for both sexes but stronger among females (males: β = 0.032, p = 0.021; females: β = 0.102, p = 0.004). Conclusions: Unfavourable dietary patterns and lower physical activity were statistically associated with poorer sleep quality, with a stronger indirect statistical effect observed among females. These findings support the relevance of integrated, sex-sensitive lifestyle approaches addressing both dietary behaviours and physical activity, while acknowledging the cross-sectional nature of the data. Full article

Background/Objectives: Childhood obesity and nutritional inequalities remain major public health challenges, particularly in socioeconomically disadvantaged settings. In Spain, these disparities are reflected in unequal access to healthy food and differing health outcomes among the young population. This study aimed to explore how social vulnerability influences dietary patterns, body composition, and food insecurity among children and adolescents, with a particular focus on sex differences. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with 280 participants aged 6 to 15 years old, recruited from urban areas across Spain. Two groups were evaluated, a socioeconomically vulnerable group (VG) (n = 175) and a non-vulnerable group (NVG) (n = 105), classified according to socioeconomic and social established criteria. Validated tools were used to assess diet quality, adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (MD), consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPF), and household food insecurity. Anthropometric measurements were also collected, and body mass index (BMI) was calculated using both national and international reference standards. Results: Vulnerable children and adolescents showed higher prevalence of food insecurity, less favorable body composition indicators, and lower global dietary quality, characterized by lower adherence to the MD and higher consumption of UPF. Multivariate analysis confirmed that socioeconomic vulnerability was significantly associated with female sex, higher BMI, lower adherence to the MD, and greater consumption of UPF. Conclusions: Our findings highlight a concerning pattern of health and nutritional inequality among children and adolescents based on socioeconomic status. There is a clear and urgent need for effective public health strategies with an equity focus that promote healthy and affordable eating habits from early life, especially in the most disadvantaged environments and targeted by gender. Full article

Background/Objectives: Adherence to national dietary guidelines is essential for promoting healthy eating and preventing chronic diseases. In Chile, the 2022 update introduced new evidence-based recommendations, but no validated tool is currently available to assess adherence. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a tool to assess adherence to the updated Chilean dietary guidelines. Methods: For this purpose, five expert judges evaluated the content validity using Aiken’s V (V ≥ 0.80). Reliability was assessed through a 21-day test–retest in 30 participants (≥18 years, mean age 38.9 years; 63.3% women) using the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC(3,1)), a two-way mixed-effects model to assess the absolute agreement of individual measurements, Standard Error of Measurement (SEM), and Minimal Detectable Change (MDC95) at the 95% confidence level. Internal consistency was assessed in 152 participants (≥18 years) examined via McDonald’s ω, and construct validity through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) using the WLSMV estimator. Results: The GABAS-Index 17 showed high content validity (Aiken’s V = 0.93–1.00), good internal consistency (ω = 0.64–0.71), and accurate reliability (ICC = 0.905; SEM < 1; MDC95 = 2.1). Confirmatory factor analysis supported the proposed four-dimensional structure (CFI = 1.00; TLI = 1.02; RMSEA = 0.00), confirming strong factorial validity and internal coherence. Conclusions: These findings support the GABAS-Index 17 as an adequate and reliable tool for assessing adherence to the updated Chilean dietary guidelines. Although some psychometric aspects, such as the factorial structure, could be improved, the instrument performs well for its intended purpose of providing an overall adherence score. Its use can facilitate monitoring dietary patterns, support nutrition research, and inform public health strategies to improve diet quality in the Chilean population. Full article

Background: Obesity and insomnia are prevalent public health issues with shared behavioral and physiological pathways. However, their interplay remains understudied in occupational cohorts. Obesity and insomnia are prevalent public health issues with shared behavioral and physiological pathways. However, their interplay remains understudied in occupational cohorts. This study aimed to evaluate the associations of sociodemographic factors, lifestyle habits, and insomnia severity with multiple obesity indices in a large population of Spanish workers. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 84,898 workers (2021–2024). Data were obtained from annual occupational health assessments conducted across multiple Spanish regions between 2020 and 2024. Insomnia severity was assessed using the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), dietary quality using the 14-item Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS-14), and physical activity using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire—Short Form (IPAQ-SF). Adiposity was measured using Body Mass Index (BMI), waist-to-height ratio (WtHR), the Clínica Universidad de Navarra–Body Adiposity Estimator (CUN-BAE), and the Metabolic Score for Visceral Fat (METS-VF). Multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine associations adjusted for age, sex, education, and occupational social class. Results: Higher ISI scores were significantly and independently associated with elevated adiposity across all indices, with the strongest association observed for METS-VF (odds ratio = 1.19, 95% CI 1.14–1.25, p < 0.001). Women showed higher mean CUN-BAE and METS-VF values than men (CUN-BAE: 37.4 ± 6.2 vs. 25.6 ± 6.4; p < 0.001; METS-VF: 5.7 ± 0.7 vs. 6.4 ± 0.6; p < 0.001), despite lower BMI (25.3 ± 4.8 vs. 26.8 ± 4.3; p < 0.001). Lower physical activity (OR = 5.70; 95% CI 4.91–6.50), poor adherence to the Mediterranean diet (OR = 3.29; 95% CI 2.88–3.70), smoking (OR = 1.29; 95% CI 1.22–1.36), and lower occupational class (Class III: OR = 1.77; 95% CI 1.56–1.97) were also significantly associated with higher obesity markers. Associations were more pronounced among women and participants with severe insomnia symptoms. Conclusions: Insomnia severity, sociodemographic disadvantage, and unhealthy behaviors (low physical activity, poor diet, smoking) were all independent correlates of general and visceral adiposity. The findings underscore the need for comprehensive workplace health programs that integrate sleep quality assessment, dietary improvement, and physical activity promotion to prevent obesity and its metabolic consequences. Full article

Background: Oxidative stress represents a key pathogenic factor in spondyloarthritis (SpA), yet its comprehensive assessment remains underutilized in routine clinical practice. Objectives: We evaluated oxidative stress biomarker profiles in SpA patients to determine associations with disease activity, systemic inflammation, structural damage, lifestyle factors, and therapeutic responses for practical clinical implementation. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 101 patients meeting the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society (ASAS) 2009 criteria. Oxidative stress assessment utilized a validated biomarker panel: copper, zinc, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), ceruloplasmin (Cp), transferrin (TF), haptoglobin (Hp), bilirubin (BR), and uric acid (UA). Clinical, radiological, lifestyle, and therapeutic data underwent systematic analysis. Results: Glutathione peroxidase activity was elevated in 82.1% of patients, establishing it as the most sensitive oxidative stress marker. Copper levels increased in 30.7% and zinc deficiency occurred in 36.4% of cases. Oxidative stress markers correlated significantly with inflammatory parameters (erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR], C-reactive protein [CRP], neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio [NLR], platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio [PLR], neutrophil-to-monocyte ratio [NMR], systemic immune-inflammation index [SII]) and disease activity scores (Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index [BASDAI], Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score based on CRP [ASDAS-CRP], Disease Activity Score 44 [DAS44-CRP]). Higher oxidative stress was associated with a poorer quality of life, as indicated by elevated Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life (ASQoL) scores. Physical activity and adherence to a Mediterranean diet were independently associated with better antioxidant capacity. Smoking and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use correlated with increased oxidative burden. Anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha (anti-TNFα) therapy was associated with reduced levels of oxidative stress. Structural damage, particularly cervical spine involvement, correlated with heightened oxidative stress. Conclusions: This comprehensive evaluation reveals significant clinical correlations between oxidative stress and multiple disease domains in SpA. Modifiable lifestyle factors and therapeutic interventions have a significant impact on the redox balance. These findings establish practical targets for personalized management. The integration of oxidative stress assessment into routine practice could enhance disease monitoring and inform the development of antioxidant-based therapeutic strategies. Full article

Twenty Dorper × Katahdin lambs (10 males and 10 females) were distributed in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement under a randomized complete block design to evaluate the effects of thiamine diphosphate (TD) supplementation (0 vs. 250 mg/kg feed) and gender (males vs. females) on physiological responses, feedlot performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality in a hot desert environment. The average temperature and temperature–humidity index recorded during the study were 33.60 °C and 35.89 units, respectively, indicating an extremely severe heat stress environment for lambs. Study variables were not affected (p ≥ 0.12) by the TD × gender interaction, except for dry matter intake (DMI; p = 0.02) and some head temperatures (p ≤ 0.05) and carcass zoometric measurements (p ≤ 0.05). In females, but not in males, TD decreased DMI and increased thorax depth, as well as eye, ear, and forehead temperatures. Overall, TD increased (p ≤ 0.05) surface temperatures of neck, shoulder, loin, rump, forelimb, testicles, vulva, anus, and perineum without affecting (p ≥ 0.58) rectal temperature and respiratory rate. Supplemental TD did not affect (p ≥ 0.16) growth rate, feed efficiency, carcass weight and yield, Longissimus thoracic muscle area, backfat thickness, internal fat deposition, wholesale cut yields, and meat quality traits. In conclusion, in hair ewe lambs but not in male lambs, TD supplementation at a dose of 250 mg/kg of feed in the fattening diet is an HS mitigation strategy that improves dietary energy efficiency for growth and carcass mass deposition. Furthermore, thiamine increases heat losses through the body surface, regardless of gender. Full article

This study focused on the effects of including a mixture of Hermetia illucens (HI) and Tenebrio molitor (TM) meals on feed colour, growth performance, carcass yield, somatic indexes, nutrient digestibility, intestinal microbiota, histomorphometry, and fillet quality of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Seven diets were formulated: one control diet (CTRL) containing 15% fishmeal, two diets where the fishmeal was replaced with 100% HI (HI100) or TM (TM100) meal, and four diets containing increasing levels of a mix (1:1) of HI and TM meals, replacing 25% (MIX25), 50% (MIX50), 75% (MIX75) and 100% (MIX100) of the fishmeal. A total of 378 fish (average weight: 126 ± 1.71 g (g)) were randomly distributed in 21 experimental tanks (3 replicates/treatment and 18 fish/replicate) and fed for 84 days. A digestibility trial was also conducted to assess the apparent nutrient digestibility coefficients of the diets. Diet significantly affected pellet colour (L*, a*, b*; p < 0.001), with CTRL and MIX25 being the lightest and HI100 and MIX75 the darkest. Fillet colour, pH_24h, and drip loss were significantly affected by diet (p < 0.001). The pH_24h parameter, reflecting stress and freshness, was lowest in MIX25 and highest in MIX75, suggesting a synergistic effect and potential impact on shelf life. No significant differences were found in growth performance, carcass yield, somatic indexes, fillet chemical composition, intestinal microbiota, and the histopathology of internal organs among the experimental diets (p > 0.05), nor in nutrient digestibility. This study confirms that HI and TM meals, alone or combined, are viable alternatives in low-fishmeal diets for rainbow trout. Full article

Background: Lifestyle behaviours, such as dietary patterns, sleep quality, perceived stress, and physical activity, are closely interconnected and play a critical role in maintaining health and well-being. Among school teachers, a profession marked by high psychosocial demands, the interplay between these factors warrants further exploration. Objective: This pilot study aimed to explore the associations between adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (MD), sleep quality, perceived stress, and physical activity levels among Portuguese primary and secondary school teachers. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between April and December 2023. Participants completed validated self-reported instruments, including the MD Adherence Screener (MEDAS), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), and the short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-SF). Correlational analyses and multivariable linear regression models were applied to explore the relationships among the variables. Results: Among the 50 teachers, 32% demonstrated high adherence to the MD, 60% reported good sleep quality, 62% experienced moderate stress, and 44% engaged in high physical activity. Women were more likely to adhere strongly to the MD (p = 0.012). Higher MD adherence was positively associated with physical activity (ρ = 0.343; p = 0.015). A positive correlation was observed between perceived stress and poorer sleep quality (ρ = 0.346, p = 0.014), and a negative correlation between perceived stress and physical activity levels (ρ = −0.297, p = 0.036). Despite reporting good sleep quality, these participants had higher perceived stress scores (p = 0.015). In adjusted models, sleep quality was the only significant predictor of perceived stress (B = 0.708; p = 0.003), and vice versa (B = 0.267; p = 0.003), suggesting a bidirectional relationship. Conclusions: The findings highlight the interrelation between dietary pattern, sleep stress, and physical activity in a professional group vulnerable to lifestyle-related health challenges. Although the sample size limits generalisability, this study provides preliminary evidence supporting the need for integrated health promotion strategies targeting stress reduction and lifestyle optimisation among educators. Full article

Introduction: The sodium-to-potassium (Na:K) ratio in the diet is a critical biomarker for cardiovascular and metabolic health, yet global adherence to recommended levels remains poor. Objectives: The objective of this study was to identify dietary determinants of the dietary Na:K ratio and its associations with micronutrient intake and diet quality. Methods: An observational cross-sectional survey was conducted in a representative sample of manufacturing workers through a combined stratified proportional and two-stage probability sampling plan, with strata defined by company size and industrial sector from the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. Dietary intake was assessed using 24 h recalls via the Multiple Pass Method, with Na:K ratios calculated from quantified food composition data. Diet quality was assessed with the Diet Quality Index-International (DQI-I). Multiple linear regression was used to analyze associations of Na:K ratio with the study variables. Results: The survey was conducted in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, in 921 randomly selected manufacturing workers. The sample mean age was 38.2 ± 10.7 years, 55.9% males, mean BMI 27.2 ± 4.80 kg/m². The mean Na:K ratio was 1.97 ± 0.86, with only 0.54% of participants meeting the WHO recommended target (<0.57). Fast food (+3.29 mg/mg per serving, p < 0.001), rice, bread, and red meat significantly increased the ratio, while fruits (−0.16 mg/mg), dairy, white meat, and coffee were protective. Higher Na:K ratios were associated with lower intake of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and vitamins C, D, and E, as well as poorer diet quality (DQI-I score: −0.026 per 1 mg/mg increase, p < 0.001). Conclusions: These findings highlight the critical role of processed foods in elevating Na:K ratios and the potential for dietary modifications to improve both electrolyte balance and micronutrient adequacy in industrial workers. The study underscores the need for workplace interventions that simultaneously address sodium reduction, potassium enhancement, and overall diet quality improvement tailored to socioeconomic and cultural contexts, a triple approach not previously tested in intervention studies. Future studies should further investigate nutritional consequences of imbalanced Na:K intake. Full article

Background/Objectives: Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) constitute a large proportion of the daily energy intake of Europeans, particularly among children and adolescents. High UPFs consumption is associated with poor dietary quality and adverse health outcomes. This study aimed to examine whether high UPFs consumption is associated with metabolic health in children, adolescents, and adults, using data from the I.Family study. Methods: This cross-sectional analysis (2013/2014) included 2285 participants: 147 children (6–9 years), 645 adolescents (10–19 years), and 1493 adults (≥20 years). For the children and adolescents, a metabolic syndrome (MetS) z-score was calculated, consisting of age- and sex-standardized z-scores of WC, HOMA index, HDL-C, TRG, systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). For the adults, MetS was defined according to the criteria of the International Diabetes Federation Task Force and other societies. The participants completed at least one 24 h recall, from which their UPFs consumption was estimated using the NOVA classification. The consumption levels were divided into age- and sex-specific quintiles based on the relative energy contribution of these foods. Multivariable regression analyses were conducted to evaluate the associations between UPFs consumption and MetS or its components. Results: No statistically significant associations were found between UPFs consumption and MetS or its components in any age group. The effect sizes were negligible across the quintiles (η² = 0.0065 in children, 0.015 in adolescents, and 0.0009 in adults). While the mean MetS score showed little variation, the prevalence of MetS scores above the 90th percentile increased in the highest UPFs quintile among the children. The diet quality decreased with increasing UPFs consumption. Conclusions: UPFs consumption was not associated with MetS or its components across the age groups. However, a decline in diet quality was observed with increasing UPFs intake, highlighting the importance of public health strategies to reduce UPFs consumption and improve dietary patterns, particularly among younger populations. Full article

Background/Objectives: The adherence to a healthy lifestyle is important for supporting healthy cognitive function as aging progresses. This study aimed to assess the association between a healthy lifestyle, specifically diet quality, physical activity, and smoking, and cognitive function in middle-aged and older adults. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among participants aged 45 and older with normal cognition. Participants’ cognitive performance was assessed by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Dietary intake was assessed using a 24 h dietary recall, and diet quality was assessed using the Diet Quality Index-International (DQI-I). Physical activity was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Participants were categorized as unhealthy (score ≤ 1), average (score 2), and healthy (score 3). Results: In this study, a total of 176 participants were recruited, 46% of them were classified as unhealthy, 40% was average, and 14% as healthy. Participants in the unhealthy group had lower performance in the naming cognitive domain compared to the other groups (p = 0.01). Participants in the average group scored significantly lower than the other groups in the orientation domain (p = 0.02). Performing moderate and high physical activity levels were significantly associated with higher scores of MoCA (p = 0.04) and in the naming domain (p = 0.02). Conclusions: Adopting a healthy lifestyle is associated with maintaining cognitive health among middle-aged and older adults, supporting the relevance of multidomain lifestyle interventions. Further longitudinal research is warranted to evaluate the long-term feasibility and effectiveness of lifestyle interventions in this population. Full article

Objectives: Type 1 diabetes is characterized by hyperglycemic episodes influenced by diet, sleep quality, chronotype, and physical activity, among others. While aerobic exercise is known to improve glycemic control, its effect on blood glucose regulation remains underexplored. Thus, this case study aimed to evaluate the effects of a prolonged and differentiated indoor and outdoor exercise intervention on glycemic control in an individual with type 1 diabetes. Methods: The participant (age: 23 years; weight: 95 kg; height: 1.90 m; Body Mass Index: 26.3 kg/m²; waist to hip ratio: 0.98; basal metabolic rate: 2015 kcal; Heart Rate Maximum (HRmax): 197 beats·min⁻¹) completed two outdoor (~3800 m) and two indoor sessions with self-selected speed, in the initial 2 min stage, at a 0% grade slope. The grade increased by 2% at each stage during the uphill phase until reaching volitional fatigue, followed by a 2% decrease at each stage during the downhill phase until returning to a 0% grade. Blood pressure was assessed before and after each session. Daily nutrition intake, insulin intake, and blood glucose were continuously monitored. Dietary adherence (PREvención con DIeta MEDiterránea), sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), chronotype (Morningness–Eveningness Questionnaire), and physical activity levels (International Physical Activity Questionnaire) were assessed before each session. The Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale was used to measure enjoyment after each session. Results: The sessions were completed in ~44 and ~39 min with the participant achieving 84% (outdoor) and 96% (indoor) of their theoretical HRmax. The intervention resulted in glycemic improvements, with time spent in hyperglycemia (>250 mg/dL) decreasing from 56.46% to 0%, while time in the normal range (70–180 mg/dL) increased to 63.96%. A 47% reduction in insulin units showed that insulin sensitivity also improved. Conclusions: Despite differences in intensity, indoor and outdoor activities yielded comparable benefits, with outdoor activities being perceived as more enjoyable (outdoor: 28.5 ± 0.7; indoor: 24.0 ± 5.6) and positively impacting glycemic control, thus supporting the need for tailored strategies in diabetes management. Full article

Background/Objectives: With the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) in nutrition and healthcare, AI-driven chatbots are increasingly recognised as potential tools for generating personalised diet plans. This study aimed to evaluate the capabilities of three popular chatbots—Gemini, Microsoft Copilot, and ChatGPT 4.0—in designing weight-loss diet plans across varying caloric levels and genders. Methods: This comparative study assessed the diet quality of meal plans generated by the chatbots across a calorie range of 1400–1800 kcal, using identical prompts tailored to male and female profiles. The Diet Quality Index-International (DQI-I) was used to evaluate the plans across dimensions of variety, adequacy, moderation, and balance. Caloric accuracy was analysed by calculating percentage deviations from requested targets and categorising discrepancies into defined ranges. Results: All chatbots achieved high total DQI-I scores (DQI-I > 70), demonstrating satisfactory overall diet quality. However, balance sub-scores related to macronutrient and fatty acid distributions were consistently the lowest, showing a critical limitation in AI algorithms. ChatGPT 4.0 exhibited the highest precision in caloric adherence, while Gemini showed greater variability, with over 50% of its diet plans deviating from the target by more than 20%. Conclusions: AI-driven chatbots show significant promise in generating nutritionally adequate and diverse weight-loss diet plans. Nevertheless, gaps in achieving optimal macronutrient and fatty acid distributions emphasise the need for algorithmic refinement. While these tools have the potential to revolutionise personalised nutrition by offering precise and inclusive dietary solutions, they should enhance rather than replace the expertise of dietetic professionals. Full article

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

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has become a global epidemic. To effectively control T2DM, individuals must adhere to a high-quality diet that encompasses not only healthy dietary patterns but also promotes positive eating behaviors. We conducted a cross-sectional study on 314 patients with T2DM, and we evaluated the diet quality and also examined the associations between eating behavior, diet quality, and anthropometric and clinical factors in T2DM patients. We used the Diet Quality Index-International and Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire to assess dietary characteristics. We found that women had a significantly higher diet quality than men (61.40 vs. 58.68, p = 0.002) but were also more prone to emotional eating (2.00 vs. 1.53, p < 0.001) and restrained eating (2.39 vs. 2.05, p = 0.002). Restrained eating correlated with duration of diabetes (r = −0.169, p = 0.003), body mass index (r = 0.182, p = 0.001), and external eating with glycated hemoglobin (r = 0.114, p = 0.044). Patients with emotional eating had a higher vitamin C adequacy score (β = 0.117, p = 0.045). External eating was positively associated with grain adequacy (β = 0.208, p < 0.001) and negatively associated with empty-calorie food moderation score (β = −0.125, p = 0.032). For restrained eating, we found associations with vitamin C adequacy (β = −0.138, p = 0.017) and fruit adequacy (β = 0.125, p = 0.033). In conclusion, the results of this study provide valuable insight into dietary behavior and emphasize the importance of promoting healthy eating habits for T2DM patients. Full article