Sign in to use this feature.

Years

Between: -

Subjects

remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline

Journals

remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline

Article Types

Countries / Regions

remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline

Search Results (1,000)

Search Parameters:
Keywords = diet-related health risk

Order results
Result details
Results per page
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
16 pages, 3559 KB  
Article
How Does Food Accessibility Shape the City Food Landscape? Socio-Economic Inequalities in the Metropolitan Region of Rome
by Davide Marino, Daniela Bernaschi and Francesca Benedetta Felici
Land 2026, 15(2), 214; https://doi.org/10.3390/land15020214 (registering DOI) - 26 Jan 2026
Abstract
Food insecurity is not merely an outcome of individual deprivation but a place-based expression of how urban food systems operate within unequal socio-spatial contexts. Using the Drivers–Pressures–State–Impacts–Responses (DPSIR) framework as a policy-relevant analytical lens, this study examines the Metropolitan Region of Rome to [...] Read more.
Food insecurity is not merely an outcome of individual deprivation but a place-based expression of how urban food systems operate within unequal socio-spatial contexts. Using the Drivers–Pressures–State–Impacts–Responses (DPSIR) framework as a policy-relevant analytical lens, this study examines the Metropolitan Region of Rome to show how structural inequalities and uneven food infrastructures shape exposure to food-related risks. The results show that vulnerability is amplified by food price inflation, the rising cost of a healthy diet, and spatial gaps in retail provision—captured through the combined presence of food deserts and food blackouts—disproportionately affecting peripheral municipalities. State indicators, including the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES), the Food Affordability Index (FAI), and the spatial distribution of FEAD beneficiaries, reveal a markedly uneven geography of food poverty, mirroring a higher prevalence of overweight, obesity, and diabetes. These spatial configurations point to obesogenic environments in which constrained affordability and limited accessibility restrict the capacity to maintain healthy diets, generating hidden social and health costs that disproportionately burden peripheral areas. Overall, food insecurity in Rome follows a pronounced centre–periphery gradient rooted in structural and institutional arrangements rather than incidental variation. Addressing this condition requires place-based, justice-oriented interventions that strengthen food infrastructures, improve coordination across governance scales, and place food security at the core of an integrated metropolitan Food Policy. Full article
24 pages, 839 KB  
Article
The Association of Physical Activity with Health Indices and Healthcare Utilization
by Anastasia Keremi, Antonia Kaltsatou, Anna Tsiakiri, Dimitrios Tsiptsios, Sotirios Botaitis, Foteini Christidi, Vasilis-Spyridon Tseriotis, Maria Voulgari, Pinelopi Vlotinou, Aspasia Serdari, Kostas Anagnostopoulos and Gregory Tripsianis
Sci 2026, 8(1), 23; https://doi.org/10.3390/sci8010023 - 21 Jan 2026
Viewed by 75
Abstract
This study aimed to examine the association between physical activity and individuals’ health status, healthcare utilization, socio-demographic characteristics, and health behaviors in a large representative sample from Northern Greece. A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 1227 participants (47.4% males, mean age 49.94 ± [...] Read more.
This study aimed to examine the association between physical activity and individuals’ health status, healthcare utilization, socio-demographic characteristics, and health behaviors in a large representative sample from Northern Greece. A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 1227 participants (47.4% males, mean age 49.94 ± 14.87 years) from Thrace, Greece, selected through a two-stage stratified sampling method. According to the Greek version of IPAQ, participants were classified as inactive/insufficiently active, sufficiently and highly active. Data on socio-demographic, lifestyle, and health-related variables were collected through structured interviews. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the independent effect of physical activity on subjects’ characteristics using SPSS ver. 19. Half of the participants (49.8%) were inactive/insufficiently active, 418 participants (34.1%) were sufficiently active, and 198 participants (16.1%) were highly active. In univariate analysis, smoking (p < 0.001), higher coffee consumption (p = 0.002), higher adherence to Mediterranean diet (p < 0.001), napping during the day (p = 0.017) and short sleep duration (p < 0.001) were associated with lower prevalence of high activity. In adjusted analyses, sufficiently active participants had a lower risk for bad self-rated health (aOR = 0.63), hypertension (aOR = 0.41), dyslipidemia (aOR = 0.42), diabetes (aOR = 0.53), obesity (aOR = 0.61), cardiovascular diseases (aOR = 0.43), anxiety (aOR = 0.65), depression (aOR = 0.56), daily sleepiness (aOR = 0.62), poor sleep quality (aOR = 0.71), as well as for primary (aOR = 0.54) and secondary (aOR = 0.40) healthcare utilization compared to inactive participants. Higher-intensity physical activity did not enhance these beneficial effects of sufficient activity on subjects’ characteristics. Physical inactivity significantly compromises health across multiple domains. Promoting even moderate-intensity physical activity may reduce chronic disease burden and healthcare utilization. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 561 KB  
Review
Carnivore Diet: A Scoping Review of the Current Evidence, Potential Benefits and Risks
by Almiera Lietz, Janina Dapprich and Tobias Fischer
Nutrients 2026, 18(2), 348; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18020348 - 21 Jan 2026
Viewed by 170
Abstract
Background: The Carnivore Diet (CD) is an almost exclusively animal-based dietary pattern that has gained increasing popularity on social media. Despite numerous health-related claims, a standardized definition is lacking, and scientific evidence regarding the long-term effects of this diet remains unclear. Methods [...] Read more.
Background: The Carnivore Diet (CD) is an almost exclusively animal-based dietary pattern that has gained increasing popularity on social media. Despite numerous health-related claims, a standardized definition is lacking, and scientific evidence regarding the long-term effects of this diet remains unclear. Methods: The literature search for this scoping review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines (PRISMA-ScR) using the databases PubMed, LIVIVO, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library. Results: Nine human studies were included. Individual publications reported positive effects of the CD, such as weight reduction, increased satiety, and potential improvements in inflammatory or metabolic markers. At the same time, potential risks of nutrient deficiencies, particularly in vitamins C and D, calcium, magnesium, iodine, and dietary fiber, as well as elevated low-density-lipoprotein (LDL-) and total cholesterol (TC) levels, were identified, along with one case describing a deterioration in health status. Overall, the quality of evidence is very limited due to small sample sizes, short study durations, and the absence of control groups. Conclusions: The CD may offer short-term health benefits but carries substantial risks of nutrient deficiencies, reduced intake of health-promoting phytochemicals, and the development of cardiovascular disease. At this time, long-term adherence to a CD cannot be recommended. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Nutrition and Metabolism)
Show Figures

Figure 1

31 pages, 4193 KB  
Review
Challenges and Practices in Perishable Food Supply Chain Management in Remote Indigenous Communities: A Scoping Review and Conceptual Framework for Enhancing Food Access
by Behnaz Gharakhani Dehsorkhi, Karima Afif and Maurice Doyon
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2026, 23(1), 118; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph23010118 - 17 Jan 2026
Viewed by 336
Abstract
Remote Indigenous communities experience persistent inequities in access to fresh and nutritious foods due to the fragility of perishable food supply chains (PFSCs). Disruptions across procurement, transportation, storage, retail, and limited local production restrict access to perishable foods, contributing to food insecurity and [...] Read more.
Remote Indigenous communities experience persistent inequities in access to fresh and nutritious foods due to the fragility of perishable food supply chains (PFSCs). Disruptions across procurement, transportation, storage, retail, and limited local production restrict access to perishable foods, contributing to food insecurity and diet-related health risks. This scoping literature review synthesizes evidence from 84 peer-reviewed, grey, and unpublished sources across fourteen countries to map PFSC management (PFSCM) challenges affecting food access in remote Indigenous communities worldwide and to synthesize reported practices implemented to address these challenges. PFSCM challenges were identified across all supply chain levels, and five categories of reported practices emerged: PFSC redesign strategies, forecasting and decision-support models, technological innovations, collaboration and coordination mechanisms, and targeted investments. These findings informed the development of a multi-scalar conceptual framework comprising seven interconnected PFSCM clusters that organize how reported practices are associated with multiple food access dimensions, including quantity, affordability, quality, safety, variety, and cultural acceptability. This review contributes an integrative, system-oriented synthesis of PFSCM research and provides a conceptual basis to support future scholarly inquiry, comparative inquiry, and policy-relevant discussion of food access and health equity in remote Indigenous communities. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

26 pages, 885 KB  
Review
Personalized Nutrition Through the Gut Microbiome in Metabolic Syndrome and Related Comorbidities
by Julio Plaza-Diaz, Lourdes Herrera-Quintana, Jorge Olivares-Arancibia and Héctor Vázquez-Lorente
Nutrients 2026, 18(2), 290; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18020290 - 16 Jan 2026
Viewed by 266
Abstract
Background: Metabolic syndrome, a clinical condition defined by central obesity, impaired glucose regulation, elevated blood pressure, hypertriglyceridemia, and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol across the lifespan, is now a major public health issue typically managed with lifestyle, behavioral, and dietary recommendations. However, “one-size-fits-all” [...] Read more.
Background: Metabolic syndrome, a clinical condition defined by central obesity, impaired glucose regulation, elevated blood pressure, hypertriglyceridemia, and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol across the lifespan, is now a major public health issue typically managed with lifestyle, behavioral, and dietary recommendations. However, “one-size-fits-all” recommendations often yield modest, heterogeneous responses and poor long-term adherence, creating a clinical need for more targeted and implementable preventive and therapeutic strategies. Objective: To synthesize evidence on how the gut microbiome can inform precision nutrition and exercise approaches for metabolic syndrome prevention and management, and to evaluate readiness for clinical translation. Key findings: The gut microbiome may influence cardiometabolic risk through microbe-derived metabolites and pathways involving short-chain fatty acids, bile acid signaling, gut barrier integrity, and low-grade systemic inflammation. Diet quality (e.g., Mediterranean-style patterns, higher fermentable fiber, or lower ultra-processed food intake) consistently relates to more favorable microbial functions, and intervention studies show that high-fiber/prebiotic strategies can improve glycemic control alongside microbiome shifts. Physical exercise can also modulate microbial diversity and metabolic outputs, although effects are typically subtle and may depend on baseline adiposity and sustained adherence. Emerging “microbiome-informed” personalization, especially algorithms predicting postprandial glycemic responses, has improved short-term glycemic outcomes compared with standard advice in controlled trials. Targeted microbiome-directed approaches (e.g., Akkermansia muciniphila-based supplementation and fecal microbiota transplantation) provide proof-of-concept signals, but durability and scalability remain key limitations. Conclusions: Microbiome-informed personalization is a promising next step beyond generic guidelines, with potential to improve adherence and durable metabolic outcomes. Clinical implementation will require standardized measurement, rigorous external validation on clinically meaningful endpoints, interpretable decision support, and equity-focused evaluation across diverse populations. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 4450 KB  
Article
Modulating One-Carbon Metabolism with B-Vitamins to Protect the Retinal Barrier and Prevent Retinal Degeneration
by Hossameldin Abouhish, Lamiaa Shalaby, Omar Elzayat, Neelesh Peddireddy and Amany Tawfik
Nutrients 2026, 18(2), 236; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18020236 - 12 Jan 2026
Viewed by 200
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Vitamin B12 deficiency is increasingly recognized as a contributor in both vascular and neurodegenerative aging-related disorders. Its deficiency disrupts one-carbon metabolism, leading to impaired homocysteine (Hcy) cycling. Elevated Hcy is a well-established risk factor for vascular dysfunction. Previously, we established that [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Vitamin B12 deficiency is increasingly recognized as a contributor in both vascular and neurodegenerative aging-related disorders. Its deficiency disrupts one-carbon metabolism, leading to impaired homocysteine (Hcy) cycling. Elevated Hcy is a well-established risk factor for vascular dysfunction. Previously, we established that elevated Hcy contributes to aging retinal diseases and plays a central role in blood retinal barrier (BRB) dysfunction. Building on this foundation, the present study examines how B-vitamin deficiency disrupts one-carbon metabolism and whether restoring these vitamins can serve as a preventive or therapeutic strategy. Since B-vitamins (B6, B9, and B12) are crucial cofactors in the metabolism of Hcy, we investigated how dietary changes in these vitamins affect serum Hcy levels and retinal vascular integrity in mice. Methods: C57BL/6- Wild-type (WT) and cbs+/− mice (Cystathionine Beta-Synthase heterozygotes, common mouse model for elevated Hcy) were fed specially formulated diets, which contained different levels of B-vitamins (normal, deficient (B-Vit (−)) or enriched (B-Vit (+)). Initially, two groups of mice were placed on either a normal or a deficient diet. After 12–16 weeks, the success of the diet regimes was confirmed by observing serum B12 deficiency in the B-Vit (−) group, along with elevated Hcy levels. Subsequently, a subgroup of the B-Vit (−) mice was switched to an enriched diet. The BRB integrity was evaluated in living mice using fluorescein angiography (FA), optical coherence tomography (OCT), and in the perfused mice retinas with Western blot analysis of leaked retinal albumin and tight junction proteins (occludin and ZO-1) levels. Results: The B-vitamin deficiency caused significant drop in serum vitamin B12 and an increase in plasma Hcy, leading to vascular leakage, altered retinal thickness, choroidal neovascular changes, increased retinal albumin leak, and decreased tight junction protein expression, indicating BRB disruption, which was restored with B-vitamin supplementation. Conclusions: a long-term deficiency of vitamins B6, B9, and B12 can lead to disruptions in the BRB. However, supplementation with these B-vitamins has the potential to reverse these effects and help maintain the integrity of BRB. This under-score the significance of one-carbon metabolism for retinal health and suggests that ensuring adequate levels of B-vitamins may aid in preventing aging retinal diseases with BRB disruption such as diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration. Full article
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

24 pages, 1951 KB  
Article
Lifestyle and Chronic Comorbidity in Relation to Healthy Ageing in Community-Dwelling People Aged 80 and over: Preliminary Study from a Primary Health Care Service in Southern Spain
by Alberto Jesús García-Zayas, María del Carmen Márquez-Tejero, Juan Luis González-Caballero and Carmen Gómez-Gómez
Healthcare 2026, 14(2), 189; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14020189 - 12 Jan 2026
Viewed by 223
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Healthy ageing, focused on maintaining daily autonomy and cognitive function despite chronic comorbidities, poses a challenge for public health systems, especially for those aged ≥80, given the expected increase in this population. Promoting a healthy lifestyle in this group is essential [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Healthy ageing, focused on maintaining daily autonomy and cognitive function despite chronic comorbidities, poses a challenge for public health systems, especially for those aged ≥80, given the expected increase in this population. Promoting a healthy lifestyle in this group is essential to achieving this goal, with primary care services playing a key role in this effort. Therefore, our objective was to profile the participants based on these characteristics. Methods: The study included 222 non-institutionalized, dementia-free individuals (mean age 84.58 ± 3.72 years, 56.3% women) recruited from a primary healthcare service. Data were collected from medical records and interviews, including the cognitive Pfeiffer test, the functional Barthel index (BI), and ad hoc questionnaires (for lifestyle variables). Latent profiling analysis (LPA) was used to classify the participants. Results: The participants reported social support (97.7%), low-risk alcohol consumption (94.6%), adherence to the Mediterranean diet (85.1%), physical activity (74.8%), and never smoking (72.5%). Hypertension (86.5%), cataracts (74.3%), and osteoarticular diseases (68.5%) were the most frequent chronic conditions. Women showed a significantly different distribution of certain variables and a higher number of comorbidities (6.34 ± 2.38) than men (5.58 ± 2.44) (p = 0.019). After LPA, we found that 38.29% of individuals met characteristics compatible with healthy ageing, predominantly male (60%); the association of a high probability of cognitive impairment with a high degree (severe or total), exhibited by the profiles likely >85% women (18.5% of individuals); physical activity, smoking, osteoporosis, anxiety, COPD, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and creatinine blood levels exhibited statistical differences between profiles; and the probability of dependence severity was associated with an increase in age, although cognitive status conservation was associated being male. Conclusions: The studied +80 group seems to follow a healthy lifestyle, as self-reported. Women fare worse than men in resilient ageing. While common factors related to dysfunctionality did not differentiate between profiles, CKD, an increasingly common age-related condition, did. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

37 pages, 1355 KB  
Review
Risk Assessment of Chemical Mixtures in Foods: A Comprehensive Methodological and Regulatory Review
by Rosana González Combarros, Mariano González-García, Gerardo David Blanco-Díaz, Kharla Segovia Bravo, José Luis Reino Moya and José Ignacio López-Sánchez
Foods 2026, 15(2), 244; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods15020244 - 9 Jan 2026
Viewed by 239
Abstract
Over the last 15 years, mixture risk assessment for food xenobiotics has evolved from conceptual discussions and simple screening tools, such as the Hazard Index (HI), towards operational, component-based and probabilistic frameworks embedded in major food-safety institutions. This review synthesizes methodological and regulatory [...] Read more.
Over the last 15 years, mixture risk assessment for food xenobiotics has evolved from conceptual discussions and simple screening tools, such as the Hazard Index (HI), towards operational, component-based and probabilistic frameworks embedded in major food-safety institutions. This review synthesizes methodological and regulatory advances in cumulative risk assessment for dietary “cocktails” of pesticides, contaminants and other xenobiotics, with a specific focus on food-relevant exposure scenarios. At the toxicological level, the field is now anchored in concentration/dose addition as the default model for similarly acting chemicals, supported by extensive experimental evidence that most environmental mixtures behave approximately dose-additively at low effect levels. Building on this paradigm, a portfolio of quantitative metrics has been developed to operationalize component-based mixture assessment: HI as a conservative screening anchor; Relative Potency Factors (RPF) and Toxic Equivalents (TEQ) to express doses within cumulative assessment groups; the Maximum Cumulative Ratio (MCR) to diagnose whether risk is dominated by one or several components; and the combined Margin of Exposure (MOET) as a point-of-departure-based integrator that avoids compounding uncertainty factors. Regulatory frameworks developed by EFSA, the U.S. EPA and FAO/WHO converge on tiered assessment schemes, biologically informed grouping of chemicals and dose addition as the default model for similarly acting substances, while differing in scope, data infrastructure and legal embedding. Implementation in food safety critically depends on robust exposure data streams. Total Diet Studies provide population-level, “as eaten” exposure estimates through harmonized food-list construction, home-style preparation and composite sampling, and are increasingly combined with conventional monitoring. In parallel, human biomonitoring quantifies internal exposure to diet-related xenobiotics such as PFAS, phthalates, bisphenols and mycotoxins, embedding mixture assessment within a dietary-exposome perspective. Across these developments, structured uncertainty analysis and decision-oriented communication have become indispensable. By integrating advances in toxicology, exposure science and regulatory practice, this review outlines a coherent, tiered and uncertainty-aware framework for assessing real-world dietary mixtures of xenobiotics, and identifies priorities for future work, including mechanistically and data-driven grouping strategies, expanded use of physiologically based pharmacokinetic modelling and refined mixture-sensitive indicators to support public-health decision-making. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Food Chemical Safety)
Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 373 KB  
Article
Anorexic Readiness Syndrome in Women Engaging in Body-Shaping Exercise
by Katarzyna Walicka-Cupryś, Agnieszka Pelc and Anna Wojtoń
Nutrients 2026, 18(2), 206; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18020206 - 8 Jan 2026
Viewed by 267
Abstract
Background: Eating disorders are increasingly diagnosed in young women, particularly during adolescence. The recently described Anorexic Readiness Syndrome (ARS) is more common than full-blown anorexia. It has been identified in female athletes engaging in disciplines focusing on the aesthetics of the body, in [...] Read more.
Background: Eating disorders are increasingly diagnosed in young women, particularly during adolescence. The recently described Anorexic Readiness Syndrome (ARS) is more common than full-blown anorexia. It has been identified in female athletes engaging in disciplines focusing on the aesthetics of the body, in women involved in recreational exercise and in those who are not physically active but strive to achieve the “perfect” figure. The study aimed to assess the severity and prevalence of ARS in women regularly engaging in body-shaping physical activity. Methods: The study included 659 women aged ≥ 14 years who engaged in regular body-shaping physical activity, provided informed consent to participate in the study (in the case of minors, also the consent of a parent or legal guardian), and had no diagnosed chronic diseases. The level of ARS was assessed using a questionnaire measuring attitudes toward food, supplemented with a specially designed survey consisting of 32 questions and a personal data form. Based on the frequency of body-shaping physical activity, participants were divided into two groups: the study group comprised women exercising ≥ 3 times per week (n = 301), while women exercising < 3 times per week constituted the control group (n = 358). The analyses examined the relationships between ARS, frequency of body-shaping physical activity, BMI, and menstrual irregularities. Results: Medium or high ARS level was identified in over 96% (n = 637) of the respondents. The level of ARS was significantly related to the allocation into the group (p = 0.034) and the weekly hours of physical activity (p = 0.011 in the control group; p = 0.020 in the study group). There was a correlation between ARS and menstrual irregularities (p = 0.001). Weak but significant correlations were identified for awareness of eating disorders (V = 0.20; p = 0.001), adherence to a special diet (V = 0.18; p < 0.001) and self-assessed health (V = 0.18; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Higher ARS levels were observed in women reporting greater weekly physical activity. No significant associations were found between ARS and body mass index or body weight. Medium and high ARS levels were significantly associated with self-reported menstrual disturbances, while most participants with elevated ARS were unaware of disordered eating risk. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Nutrition in Women)
16 pages, 622 KB  
Article
Low-Carbohydrate Diet and Metabolic Syndrome Risk in Korean Adults: A Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Study
by Vasuki Rajaguru, Jeoungmi Kim, Durga Datta Chapagain, Tae Hyun Kim, Sang Gyu Lee and Whiejong M. Han
Nutrients 2026, 18(1), 178; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18010178 - 5 Jan 2026
Viewed by 541
Abstract
Aims: Low-carbohydrate diets (LCDs) are associated with metabolic benefits, but their long-term effects remain uncertain, particularly in Asian populations with traditionally high carbohydrate intake. This study examined LCD patterns and their association with metabolic syndrome (MetS) in Korean adults using nationally representative data [...] Read more.
Aims: Low-carbohydrate diets (LCDs) are associated with metabolic benefits, but their long-term effects remain uncertain, particularly in Asian populations with traditionally high carbohydrate intake. This study examined LCD patterns and their association with metabolic syndrome (MetS) in Korean adults using nationally representative data from the 2022–2023 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). Methods: Among 9617 adults aged ≥20 years with complete dietary and health data, LCD score was calculated from the percentage of energy derived from carbohydrates (reverse-scored), fats, and proteins, and participants were categorized into high-carbohydrate, moderate-carbohydrate, and low-carbohydrate groups. MetS was defined using an Adult Treatment Panel III and Korean criteria. Survey-weighted logistic regression was applied to assess associations between LCD score and MetS across sequentially adjusted models. Results: MetS prevalence differed significantly across LCD decile groups (LCD1: 9.6%, LCD2: 5.8%, LCD3: 9.7%; p < 0.001). In a minimally adjusted model, LCD decile 3 was associated with higher odds of MetS (OR, 1.14; 95% CI: 1.02–1.27). However, this association was attenuated and became non-significant after further adjustment for key metabolic risk factors. Obesity, blood pressure, fasting glucose, triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were all strongly associated with MetS (all p < 0.001), and income-related disparities were evident, with lower-income groups showing higher carbohydrate and lower fat and protein intakes. Conclusions: These findings suggest that LCD patterns are not independently associated with MetS once underlying metabolic factors are considered. Public health strategies in Korea would be emphasized by improving nutrient quality, promoting balanced macronutrient intake, and reducing socioeconomic inequalities in diet to mitigate metabolic risk among adults. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Clinical Nutrition)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

17 pages, 1054 KB  
Article
Food Intake and Physical Activity Patterns Among University Undergraduate Students at Risk of Eating Disorders
by Maria Antònia Amengual-Llofriu, Antoni Aguiló and Pedro Tauler
Nutrients 2026, 18(1), 155; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18010155 - 2 Jan 2026
Viewed by 339
Abstract
Background/Objectives: University students are particularly vulnerable to unhealthy eating patterns and body image dissatisfaction. The association between lifestyle factors and eating disorders (EDs) can be ambiguous as healthier lifestyle choices may paradoxically be related to ED risk. In this study, we aimed [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: University students are particularly vulnerable to unhealthy eating patterns and body image dissatisfaction. The association between lifestyle factors and eating disorders (EDs) can be ambiguous as healthier lifestyle choices may paradoxically be related to ED risk. In this study, we aimed to analyze physical activity (PA) and dietary patterns—specifically food type and diet quality—as lifestyle indicators in university students with and without ED risk. Motivations for engaging in PA and the association between PA levels and diet quality were also examined. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on a convenience sample of 1982 undergraduate students aged 18–30 years from the University of the Balearic Islands. Dietary intake, diet quality, PA levels, and motivations were self-reported using a questionnaire. Results: Students at risk of EDs reported higher diet quality, including greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet (p < 0.001) and more adequate consumption of fruits (p < 0.001), vegetables (p < 0.001), and red and processed meat (p < 0.001). Regarding PA, participants with ED risk engaged in more weekly PA sessions (p < 0.001) and accumulated a longer total weekly duration (p = 0.019), with physical appearance being the main motivation. In participants without ED risk, PA levels were positively associated with adherence to the Mediterranean diet (p < 0.001); however, no such association was observed in participants with ED risk (p = 0.538). Conclusions: Students at risk for EDs exhibited comparatively healthier diet and PA patterns, seemingly driven by concerns related to body image and an aversion to energy-dense foods. Therefore, apparent health behaviors should not be used to rule out ED risk. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Nutrition and Public Health)
Show Figures

Figure 1

9 pages, 214 KB  
Brief Report
Body Weight Perception and Eating Attitudes Among Polish Midwives with Overweight and Obesity: A Cross-Sectional Study
by Aleksandra Łopatkiewicz, Olga Barbarska, Iwona Kiersnowska, Beata Guzak and Edyta Krzych-Fałta
Nutrients 2026, 18(1), 144; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18010144 - 1 Jan 2026
Viewed by 301
Abstract
Background: Midwives, despite their health-promoting role, face factors that may disrupt eating behaviours and weight regulation. Little is known about their body weight perception or disordered eating attitudes (DEAs). This study assessed body weight perception and eating attitudes across BMI categories among Polish [...] Read more.
Background: Midwives, despite their health-promoting role, face factors that may disrupt eating behaviours and weight regulation. Little is known about their body weight perception or disordered eating attitudes (DEAs). This study assessed body weight perception and eating attitudes across BMI categories among Polish midwives. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 568 midwives was conducted. BMI was calculated from self-reported measures and classified according to WHO criteria. Body weight perception was assessed using discrepancies between actual and ideal body weight and between self-perceived ideal body weight and ideal body weight. Long-term weight variability was additionally evaluated using the difference between maximum and minimum adult body weight. Eating attitudes were examined using the Polish version of the EAT-26. Group differences were analysed with the Kruskal–Wallis and χ2 tests. Results: Among the participants, 62.9% had normal weight, 23.4% were overweight, and 13.7% were obese. Perceived ideal body weight increased with BMI (p < 0.001). Midwives with overweight and obesity demonstrated higher EAT-26 scores than those with normal BMI, with EAT-26 > 20 observed in 8.3% of overweight and 14.1% of obese participants (p = 0.010). Overweight and obese midwives also showed larger discrepancies between actual and ideal body weight and greater lifetime weight variability, and these groups simultaneously presented higher levels of disturbed eating attitudes. Emotional eating, binge-type episodes, and dieting behaviours were more common among overweight and obese participants, while calorie awareness remained consistently high across groups. Conclusions: Midwives with excess body weight often misperceive their body size and show an elevated risk of DEA. Weight perception appears more strongly related to maladaptive eating patterns than BMI alone. These findings highlight the need for targeted, non-stigmatising interventions addressing weight perception, eating attitudes, and occupational stressors, which may support both midwives’ well-being and their professional effectiveness in delivering nutrition and lifestyle counselling. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Eating Disorders, Physical Activity and Body Image)
18 pages, 1843 KB  
Article
Effects of Glutamine Dipeptide-Supplemented Formulated Diet Substituting Chilled Trash Fish in Chinese Mitten Crab (Eriocheir sinensis)
by Wenjun Qiu, Xueming Hua, Bin Luo, Huanchao Ma, Ying Hang, Saiya Liu, Dong Yu, Shuichao Mi, Jun Zhang, Jie Yang and Jianbin Zu
Biology 2026, 15(1), 80; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology15010080 - 31 Dec 2025
Viewed by 404
Abstract
Feeding Chinese mitten crabs with fresh-frozen fish causes nutritional imbalance and increases disease risk. Compound feed offers better nutrient balance but still requires improvements in palatability and growth performance. This study evaluated the effects of replacing fresh-frozen fish with glutamine dipeptide-supplemented formulated diet [...] Read more.
Feeding Chinese mitten crabs with fresh-frozen fish causes nutritional imbalance and increases disease risk. Compound feed offers better nutrient balance but still requires improvements in palatability and growth performance. This study evaluated the effects of replacing fresh-frozen fish with glutamine dipeptide-supplemented formulated diet on growth, hepatopancreas health, and edible quality, aiming to inform feed formulation strategies. A five-month feeding trial (June–October) was conducted with two treatments: the experimental group received only glutamine dipeptide compound feed, while the control group was fed a mix of fresh-frozen fish and compound feed. Crabs in the experimental group showed significantly higher body weight, length, and width. No significant differences were found in the hepatopancreatic index, gonadosomatic index, meat yield, or total edible yield. In October, the experimental group showed lower malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the hepatopancreas and higher alkaline phosphatase (AKP) and acid phosphatase (ACP) activities in males. In females, hemolymph AKP and ACP were higher in the control, while glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) was higher in the experimental group. Whether this is related to a potential risk of liver damage or a reaction at a special stage remains to be further verified. Digestive enzyme activities (protease, lipase, amylase) were generally higher in the experimental group, particularly in August (p < 0.05). In October, protease activity in females and lipase activity in males were significantly higher than in controls (p < 0.05). Nitrogen and phosphorus retention in muscle was also significantly higher, indicating better nutrient utilization (p < 0.05). Overall, these findings indicate that a glutamine dipeptide-supplemented diet provides a more effective and sustainable alternative to fresh-frozen fish over a five-month rearing period, improving digestive physiology, feed efficiency, growth performance, and edible quality and flavor. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aquatic Animal Nutrition and Feed)
Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 424 KB  
Review
Lifestyle and Selected Issues Related to Sexual Health: The Importance of Specialist Care in Balneology, Dietetics, and Physiotherapy
by Agata Puszcz, Paulina Kozłowska, Justyna Wójcik, Anna Morawska, Małgorzata Wójcik, Katarzyna Plagens-Rotman, Monika Englert-Golon, Jakub Mroczyk, Małgorzata Mizgier, Ewa Jakubek, Magdalena Pisarska-Krawczyk, Stefan Sajdak, Klaudyna Madziar, Witold Kędzia and Grażyna Jarząbek-Bielecka
J. Clin. Med. 2026, 15(1), 307; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15010307 - 31 Dec 2025
Viewed by 576
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Sexual health is shaped by lifestyle factors alongside biomedical determinants. This review synthesises evidence on physiotherapy, balneology/peloidotherapy, and diet therapy as preventive and therapeutic adjuncts for female sexual dysfunctions and related gynaecological conditions. Methods: A structured narrative review of PubMed [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Sexual health is shaped by lifestyle factors alongside biomedical determinants. This review synthesises evidence on physiotherapy, balneology/peloidotherapy, and diet therapy as preventive and therapeutic adjuncts for female sexual dysfunctions and related gynaecological conditions. Methods: A structured narrative review of PubMed and Google Scholar (June–July 2025) was conducted by three independent reviewers using predefined keywords in English and Polish. Case reports, preprints, and studies before 2015 were excluded. From 7322 records, 47 studies met the inclusion criteria for qualitative synthesis. Results: Physiotherapy—particularly pelvic floor muscle training, multimodal manual therapy, neuromuscular electrical stimulation (including PTNS), magnetostimulation, short-wave diathermy, and capacitive–resistive monopolar radiofrequency—was consistently associated with reductions in dyspareunia, chronic pelvic pain, and urinary symptoms, with parallel improvements in sexual function and quality of life. Balneological procedures (brine baths/irrigations, crenotherapy, selected radon/sulphide/iodine–bromine applications) and peloidotherapy demonstrated analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and perfusion-enhancing effects, with signals of benefit in vulvodynia, endometriosis, and infertility support. Dietary measures—higher fruit intake (notably citrus), adequate vitamin D, targeted omega-3 use in PCOS, a Mediterranean dietary pattern, and prudent red-meat limitation—were associated with favourable endocrine–metabolic profiles and, in selected contexts, reduced disease risk. Conclusions: Integrating lifestyle–medicine modalities with standard care may meaningfully prevent and manage female sexual dysfunctions by addressing pain, perfusion, neuromuscular control, and endocrine–metabolic drivers. Implementation frameworks and high-quality trials are warranted to refine indications, dosing, and long-term effectiveness. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Reproductive Medicine & Andrology)
Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 945 KB  
Article
Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and Metabolic Health in Older Adults: Insights from a Feasibility Study
by Sara Brás Alves, Leandro Moreira de Sá, Carla Agradém, Eugénia Mendes, António Miguel Monteiro, Adília Fernandes, Hélder Fernandes, Josiana Vaz and Ana Pereira
J. Ageing Longev. 2026, 6(1), 5; https://doi.org/10.3390/jal6010005 - 31 Dec 2025
Viewed by 402
Abstract
Introduction: The Mediterranean Diet is known for its protective effects against cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Metabolic syndrome, characterized by multiple health risk factors, is increasingly concerning in older populations. Understanding dietary impacts on metabolic health is key for promoting healthy ageing. Objectives: This [...] Read more.
Introduction: The Mediterranean Diet is known for its protective effects against cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Metabolic syndrome, characterized by multiple health risk factors, is increasingly concerning in older populations. Understanding dietary impacts on metabolic health is key for promoting healthy ageing. Objectives: This feasibility study aimed to explore the relationship between adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and metabolic risk factors in older adults participating in a community exercise program and to evaluate the feasibility of applying validated tools in this setting. Methods: A cross-sectional design was used. Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet was evaluated using the PREDIMED questionnaire, while Metabolic Syndrome was evaluated according to National Cholesterol Education Program criteria. Blood samples were taken following WHO guidelines. Results: Ten participants (mean age 73.1 years; 90% women) were included. 50% showed high adherence to the Mediterranean Diet, while 40% had moderate or low adherence. No participants met the full criteria for Metabolic Syndrome. Significant associations were found between Mediterranean Diet adherence and chronic disease (r = 0.869, p < 0.01), and an inverse correlation with the number of Metabolic Syndrome criteria (r = –0.707, p < 0.05). The Mediterranean Diet score was also inversely related to cholesterol (r = –0.740, p < 0.05). Conclusions: Higher adherence to the Mediterranean Diet was associated with better metabolic profiles, highlighting its potential protective role. The study demonstrates the feasibility of incorporating nutritional screening in community exercise programs for older adults. Future research should include larger and longitudinal samples and integrate inflammatory biomarkers. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop