Search Results (1,725)

Background/Objectives: Rural communities in Guatemala face a growing double-burden of malnutrition. Women of reproductive age are a key population to address, as their health and nutritional status influence not only their own well-being but also that of their children and families. However, they often experience greater exposure to nutritional risks due to gendered inequalities in access to resources, education, and health care. This small-scale observational study aimed to describe the dietary habits and nutritional status of a sub-group of women living in a rural area of Bárcena Villa Nueva, Guatemala. Methods: An observational study was conducted between March and April 2025 among women aged ≥18 years from two rural communities. Dietary data were collected through structured interviews, 24 h dietary recall (24-hR), and a validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Anthropometric and biochemical measurements were also collected. Results: A total of 22 women were included (mean age: 41.3 ± 16.3 years). The prevalence of obesity and central obesity was 45.5% and 86.0%, respectively. Quantitative dietary assessment based on the 24 h recall showed a mean energy intake approximately 35% higher than the recommended values, with a high contribution from fats and carbohydrates and an excessive sodium intake. In contrast, intakes of potassium, zinc, and folic acid were below the recommended levels. The qualitative analysis of the food frequency questionnaire indicated a dietary pattern characterized by high consumption of carbohydrates, animal-based protein sources, traditional energy-dense foods, and ultra-processed products, alongside a limited intake of vegetables and fruits. Datary diversity was low (4.9, SD: 1.1). Conclusions: This small-scale observational scale study provides a preliminary overview of dietary patterns and nutritional status among women living in a rural community in Guatemala. Although the findings are not generalizable, they suggest the coexistence of excessive energy intake, suboptimal micronutrient intake, and low dietary diversity. These results underscore the need for further research using larger and more representative samples and may help inform the development of context-specific nutrition education initiatives in similar underserved settings. Full article

Background: Cardiometabolic risk is increasingly observed in young adults, particularly during university years, and is not limited to individuals with elevated body mass index. Emerging evidence highlights the presence of normal weight obesity—characterized by excess adiposity and unfavorable body composition despite normal BMI—which may confer early metabolic vulnerability. Dietary diversity is often promoted as a marker of dietary adequacy; however, its relationship with adiposity, body composition, and muscular health remains inconsistent, particularly in Latin American populations. Moreover, few studies have directly contrasted dietary diversity indicators with empirically derived dietary patterns in relation to cardiometabolic and functional outcomes. Objective: To examine the associations between dietary diversity, dietary patterns, and indicators of adiposity, muscular strength, and relative muscle mass in Ecuadorian university students. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 349 undergraduate students aged 18–26 years enrolled in health sciences programs in Ecuador. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Dietary diversity was quantified using the Food and Agriculture Organization’s Individual Dietary Diversity Score, while dietary patterns were identified through principal component analysis followed by k-means clustering. Outcomes included excess body weight, relative muscle mass assessed by bioelectrical impedance analysis, and handgrip strength. Multivariable Poisson and linear regression models were fitted, adjusting for age, sex, academic program, physical activity level, and pre-existing conditions. Results: Despite their young age and low prevalence of diagnosed disease, approximately one-third of the participants exhibited markers of early cardiometabolic risk, including excess body weight and central adiposity. Higher dietary diversity was independently associated with a higher prevalence of excess body weight (adjusted prevalence ratio per one-unit increase in IDDS: 1.17; 95% CI: 1.06–1.30) and with greater relative muscle mass (adjusted β = 0.13; 95% CI: 0.05–0.22), whereas no association was observed with handgrip strength. In contrast, dietary patterns derived from multivariate analysis showed no significant associations with adiposity, muscular strength, or relative muscle mass after adjustment. Conclusions: In this young adult population, dietary diversity captured aspects of overall dietary exposure associated with both increased adiposity and greater lean mass, but not with muscular strength. Empirically derived dietary patterns demonstrated limited discriminatory capacity, likely reflecting dietary homogeneity within the cohort. These findings indicate that dietary diversity alone does not necessarily reflect diet quality and underscore the importance of interpreting diversity metrics alongside indicators of food quality, energy density, and body composition when evaluating early cardiometabolic risk in contemporary food environments. Full article

Background/Objectives: Current data-driven dietary pattern methods have limitations in identifying disease-specific dietary structures. We developed network-derived dietary scores based on type 2 diabetes (T2D)-differential food co-consumption networks and examined their associations with incident T2D risk. Methods: Using the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study-CArdioVascular disease Association Study (KoGES-CAVAS, n = 16,665), we constructed food co-consumption networks from cumulative average intakes stratified by incident T2D status. The network centrality scores from edges appearing exclusively in either T2D or non-T2D networks were used to generate a differential co-consumption network-derived (D_CCN) score, with higher scores indicating a greater alignment with diabetes-specific structures. CAVAS-derived scores were applied to the Health Examinee Study (KoGES-HEXA, n = 51,206) for cross-cohort validation. Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) were estimated using modified Poisson regression with robust error estimation. Results: During follow-up, 953 and 2190 new cases of T2D were identified in CAVAS and HEXA, respectively. Rice and vegetable dishes were primary hub foods in both networks, with rice showing exclusively negative correlations. Non-T2D networks were more complex, whereas T2D networks were simpler and centered on refined flour-based foods. The D_CCN score was associated with a higher T2D risk in CAVAS (IRR = 1.45, 95% CI: 1.21–1.74), and this association was validated in HEXA (IRR = 1.58, 95% CI: 1.40–1.78), with consistent dose–response relationships (both p-trend < 0.0001). Conclusions: Differential network analysis identified T2D-specific co-consumption structures, and the D_CCN score consistently predicted T2D risk across cohorts. This approach highlights the utility of network-based methods for capturing disease-relevant dietary structures beyond traditional approaches. Full article

Background: Salt-sensitive blood pressure (SSBP) represents a prevalent yet underrecognized hypertensive phenotype, in which blood pressure (BP) and volume status are disproportionately influenced by dietary sodium intake. Beyond BP elevation alone, salt sensitivity reflects a convergence of renal sodium handling abnormalities, neurohormonal activation, vascular dysfunction, and inflammatory pathways that link excessive sodium exposure to progressive kidney injury and adverse cardiac remodeling. Given its association with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and the association of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), improved recognition of SSBP has direct clinical relevance. Objective: This narrative review aims to synthesize current mechanistic and clinical evidence on SSBP, focusing on pathophysiology, cardiorenal interactions, diagnostic challenges, and phenotype-guided therapeutic strategies with practical applicability. Methods: A narrative literature review was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science from inception through January 2026. Experimental, translational, and clinical studies, along with relevant guideline documents, were integrated to provide conceptual and clinical interpretation rather than quantitative analysis. Key Findings: Impaired renal sodium excretion, intrarenal RAAS activation, sympathetic overactivity, endothelial dysfunction, and immune-mediated inflammation contribute to sodium retention, microvascular dysfunction, and fibrotic remodeling across the kidney–heart axis. These pathways are strongly supported by experimental and translational data, but direct interventional clinical validation remains limited for several mechanisms. Clinically, salt-sensitive individuals often exhibit non-dipping BP patterns, albuminuria, salt-induced edema, and a predisposition to HFpEF. Dynamic BP monitoring combined with targeted laboratory assessment improves identification of this phenotype and supports individualized management. Conclusions: Early recognition of SSBP enables targeted interventions beyond uniform sodium restriction. Phenotype-guided strategies integrating lifestyle modification, RAAS blockade, thiazide-like diuretics, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, and sodium-glucose co-transporters 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) may improve cardiorenal outcomes. Emerging precision tools (e.g., wearable blood-pressure sensors, digital sodium tracking technologies, etc.) remain exploratory but may further refine individualized management. Full article

Background/Objectives: Adolescence represents a critical period for the formation of lifestyle habits that often persist into adulthood, significantly shaping long-term health outcomes and contributing to the development of non-communicable diseases. This study aims to assess the impact of Food Game, a secondary school-based programme, delivered throughout the academic year, to promote healthy eating, physical activity, and sustainability awareness among students. Methods: As part of the Food Game programme, 184 adolescents aged 14–16 years from the Milan area (Italy) completed two questionnaires, administered before and after the intervention (November 2024, April 2025), evaluating dietary habits, lifestyle behaviours, and attitudes toward sustainability. This uncontrolled intervention study assessed dietary changes using a composite score [0–14], with higher scores indicating healthier eating patterns. Pre–post intervention differences were analysed using paired t-tests for continuous variables and McNemar’s test for categorical variables. Results: After participation in Food Game, a significant improvement in mean dietary score from 7.6 to 8.2 (p < 0.001) occurred. Overall, 28.3% of the students worsened their score and 53.2% improved (≥1-point increase), including a significant improvement (≥2-point increase) in 29.4%. Fruit, vegetable, and fish intake increased, while consumption of meat, processed meat, and snacks decreased (p < 0.05). Waste recycling did not change (94.6%), and tap water non-significantly increased. No significant changes were observed in water intake, physical activity, screen time, or addictive behaviours. Conclusions: These findings support the potential of peer-led gamified interventions to promote healthier eating in youth. Future controlled studies are required to rigorously evaluate the Food Game programme’s effectiveness in relation to adolescents’ diet, lifestyle, and sustainability habits. Full article

Background/Objectives: While excessive body fat is commonly linked to metabolic disorders (metabolically unhealthy obesity, MUO), a subset of individuals remain metabolic healthy despite obesity (metabolically healthy obesity, MHO). This work aims to determine how these phenotypes influence responses to lifestyle modification (LSM) in older adults. Methods: A 12-month lifestyle modification (LSM) intervention based on the Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet) and regular physical activity (PA) was conducted in 43 older adults (70% women) classified according to World Health Organization (WHO) criteria as MHO (22 subjects) or MUO (21 subjects). Clinical, dietary, and PA parameters were assessed at baseline and follow-up. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were analyzed for mitochondrial fusion (OPA1, MFN2), mitophagy (PINK1), biogenesis (TFAM), and the respiratory chain (COX IV) using Western blot and RT-qPCR techniques. Results: At baseline, MUO showed significant lower OPA1-L, MFN2, and TFAM along with MFN2 degradation products and PINK1 accumulation. After 12 months of LSM, MUO participants exhibited greater metabolic profile improvements, such as significantly reduced MFN2 degradation products and higher COX IV. Changes in mitochondrial proteins were associated with nutrient intake and PA and clinical parameters with phenotype-specific patterns. In MUO, protein and cholesterol intake improved MFN2 fusion (rho = 0.446, p = 0.043; rho = 0.581, p = 0.006), while carbohydrates were negatively associated with OPA1 in MHO (rho = −0.596, p = 0.025). PA was positively related to fusion proteins in both phenotypes. Clinically, significant improvements in BMI, waist circumference, and HDL were found in MUO but not in MHO. Conclusions: Older adults with obesity show phenotype-specific mitochondrial impairments that shape distinct responses to LSM, highlighting the relevance of tailoring LSM interventions by metabolic phenotype. Full article

Premenstrual syndrome is a common hormone-related condition marked by recurrent physical and affective symptoms that can substantially impair daily functioning. While cyclical ovarian hormone fluctuations are physiological, clinically relevant symptoms occur only in a subset of women, indicating the contribution of individual vulnerability and modifiable environmental factors. In this context, growing attention has been directed toward the role of nutrition. This narrative review synthesizes and critically discusses current evidence on the relationship between dietary factors and premenstrual syndrome, with emphasis on both primary prevention and symptom modulation. Available observational and interventional data suggest that dietary patterns characterized by high intake of ultra-processed foods, refined carbohydrates, and saturated fats are more frequently associated with increased symptom severity, whereas healthier dietary patterns may be linked to a lower symptom burden. Certain micronutrients—including calcium, vitamin D, zinc, iron, and omega-3 fatty acids—have demonstrated potential benefits, although findings remain heterogeneous and methodologically limited. Overall, nutrition emerges as a plausible complementary strategy in premenstrual syndrome management; however, well-designed prospective studies are needed to support robust, evidence-based dietary recommendations. Full article

Background/Objectives: Avocados are nutrient-dense fruits rich in monounsaturated fats, fiber, and key micronutrients. Although avocado purchases increased in recent years, comprehensive national data on consumption patterns remains limited. Thus, this study aimed to characterize the prevalence, quantity, and context of avocado intake among the US population and to evaluate its contribution to daily nutrient intake. Methods: Day 1 24-h dietary recall data were analyzed from 19,086 participants aged ≥1 year in NHANES 2017–March 2020 and August 2021–August 2023. Avocado intake was identified using consumption data coded as avocado, avocado for use on a sandwich, guacamole, and guacamole with tomatoes. Weighted estimates described consumption prevalence, amount, form, self-selected eating occasion, location, and source. Nutrient contributions from avocado were calculated overall and by sex, age, and race/ethnicity. Results: 5.8% of participants consumed avocado. Prevalence was highest among women (6.9%), adults aged 19–50 years (7.4%), and Hispanic individuals (9.1%). Among consumers, the mean intake was 67.0 g/day. Plain avocado was the most common form (54.8%), and most intake occurred at dinner (43.4%) and at home (67.7%). Avocado was an important contributor to the mean daily intake among consumers for beta-cryptoxanthin (33.4%), alpha-carotene (27.0%), dietary fiber (19.9%), monounsaturated fatty acids (19.7%), and other nutrients. Conclusions: Although avocado consumption remains relatively modest, it contributes meaningfully to nutrient intake among avocado consumers. These findings provide descriptive insight into avocado consumption patterns and nutrient contributions in the U.S. population. Full article

Background: Evidence on the long-term impact of sapropterin in phenylketonuria (PKU) is limited. Understanding its effects on dietary restrictions, growth in children, and caregiver burden is essential to optimize PKU management. Methods: This prospective, two-year longitudinal study with a comparison group followed 33 children with PKU after sapropterin responsiveness assessment (21 responsive, 12 non-responsive). Outcomes included metabolic control, prescribed protein intake, dietary patterns, growth, psychological measures, and caregiver burden. Results: Sapropterin-responsive children increased natural protein intake from 10 g to 28 g/day at 2 years (p < 0.001), with reduced protein substitute intake (60 g [56–63] to 45 g [40–60], p < 0.05); no changes occurred in non-responsive children (p > 0.05). Animal-based foods (cheese, eggs, meat, fish) were introduced in 52% (11/21) of responsive children once tolerance exceeded approximately 25 g/day. The caregivers of responsive children reported reduced financial, familial-social, and personal burden (all p ≤ 0.05), alongside decreased food neophobia (p = 0.005) and caregiver depression (p = 0.013). In sapropterin-responsive children, weight and BMI z-scores remained stable, while height z-score increased over 24 months (p = 0.03); non-responsive children had higher weight and BMI z-scores than responsive children at 24 months (p = 0.037 and p = 0.026). Blood phenylalanine concentrations remained within recommended target ranges overall, with lower median values in responsive children at several time points. Conclusions: Sapropterin enabled more flexible, sustainable dietary management in responsive children with PKU, supporting metabolic control, growth, and improved family well-being and social participation. Equitable access to therapies and long-term dietetic support remain essential to optimize outcomes. Full article

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of graded replacement of soybean meal (SBM) with black soldier fly larvae meal (BSFLM) on growth performance, growth dynamics, carcass characteristics, and economic efficiency in Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica). A total of 300 one-day-old quail chicks were randomly allocated to five dietary treatments in which SBM was replaced with BSFLM at 0, 25, 50, 75, or 100% using isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets. Body weight was recorded weekly, feed intake was measured per cage, and growth dynamics were assessed using the Gompertz growth model. At 42 d of age, 150 quails were slaughtered to determine carcass yield and major carcass components, and economic evaluation was performed using scenario-based analyses to compare feed cost efficiency under contrasting ingredient price conditions. Dietary inclusion of BSFLM had no significant effects on body weight at any measured age, mortality rate, or carcass yield and composition. Feed intake and feed conversion ratio were significantly improved at the 50% BSFLM inclusion level, indicating improved feed efficiency at moderate replacement. Gompertz growth parameters, including mature weight, growth rate, and inflection point traits, were not affected by dietary treatment, confirming that intrinsic growth patterns were maintained. Economic analyses showed that partial replacement of SBM with BSFLM was associated with improved or stabilized feed cost efficiency depending on relative ingredient prices, whereas higher inclusion levels were more sensitive to unfavorable price conditions. In conclusion, BSFLM can be incorporated into Japanese quail diets without detrimental effects on growth performance or carcass traits, with moderate inclusion levels providing the most consistent balance between biological efficiency and economic robustness, thereby supporting risk-aware and sustainable poultry feeding strategies under variable market conditions. Full article

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with early-age onset. While vitamin D (VitD) has been associated with AD alleviation, geographical factors should be considered as VitD synthesis depends on sunlight exposure and dietary intake. We conducted a mapping review to identify geography-related evidence gaps in interventional and observational studies on the VitD-AD inverse association. We analyzed latitude and the Human Development Index (HDI) as background geographical factors. The review identified 38 studies (17 interventional, 21 observational), of which 26 confirmed the inverse VitD-AD association. Of all reviewed studies, 73% were from latitudes above 35° N, and 70.3% were from developed countries. The median latitude and HDI were 37.5° N and 0.915, respectively. Conversely, only 5.4% of studies were from Africa and 8.1% from Latin America. Studies that did not confirm the inverse VitD-AD association tended to be concentrated in developed countries at higher latitudes (median latitude 42.4° N, median HDI 0.937). Only 8.1% of all studies were from low-latitude developed countries, and among interventional studies this share was even lower (6.3%). In addition, 52.6% of studies lacked data on baseline VitD variability and 13.2% had no baseline VitD data at all. More thorough data reporting and additional clinical studies from countries that do not follow the high latitude/high HDI overlap pattern would facilitate future meta-analyses aimed at clarifying the role of VitD in AD treatment. Full article

Purpose: A growing body of evidence has emerged on the role of diet for health outcomes in cancer survivors. Patients transitioning to post-treatment care may seek guidance on dietary changes, and summaries of the evidence for dietary patterns recommended by guidelines can support providers in effectively answering questions. Increasing evidence suggests that food choices impact planetary health. Plant-based diets are one eating pattern that may improve patient outcomes and planetary health. Methods: We performed a literature review and used narrative reporting to summarize evidence for plant-based diets and offer specific guidance for breast, colorectal, and prostate cancer patients who are post-diagnosis. Specifically, we reviewed impacts on recurrence, all-cause, and cancer-specific mortality. Results: Increased fibre intake by consuming foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains is associated with a decreased risk of breast cancer-specific and all-cause mortality, as well as reduced colon cancer-specific mortality. Replacing refined grains with whole grains is associated with improved disease-free survival for colon cancer survivors. Higher tree nut consumption is associated with improved disease-free survival for breast, colorectal, and prostate cancer survivors. Soy is safe to consume for breast cancer survivors and is associated with a reduced risk of recurrence. Conversely, more Western dietary patterns high in processed meat intake are associated with an increased risk of colon cancer recurrence and prostate cancer mortality. There are also environmental benefits of a shift towards plant-based diets to address the adverse health outcomes associated with climate change and its potential impact on cancer care delivery as previously outlined in a 2024 ASCO policy statement. Conclusions: Based on the best existing evidence, providers can suggest that patients consider plant-based dietary patterns in the post-treatment phase of their cancer care to support health outcomes and planetary health. Full article

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines deliver mRNA packaged in lipid nanoparticles via intramuscular injection. This study investigated several factors influencing antibody production patterns and adverse reactions after vaccination with COVID-19 vaccines. Methods: Among the participants of the Iwaki Health Promotion Project (IHPP), 211 individuals who consented to this study were surveyed regarding antibody titers and adverse reaction symptoms following vaccination. A machine learning approaches such as ridge regression, elastic-net, light gradient boosting, and neural network were applied to extract the variables, and Bayesian network analysis was applied to explore causal relationships between health data and the multi-omics dataset obtained from the IHPP health checkups. Results: Females with lower levels of free testosterone experienced more adverse reactions than males. Moreover, the immune system is more active in younger individuals, causing adverse reactions and higher antibody production. The Spikevax vaccine induced adverse reaction symptoms with higher antibody production in cases of fever. Meanwhile, drinking 2–3 cups of green tea daily seemed to be effective in increasing antibody production. Factors increasing side effect risk include blood natural killer cell count and muscle quality in the vaccinated arm. Plasma metabolome metabolite concentrations, tongue coating bacterial colonization, and folate intake were also identified as factors influencing side effect risk. Furthermore, characteristics of participants at risk for fever symptoms included longer telomere length, higher antibody production patterns, and higher CD4-positive T cell counts. Conclusions: Further investigation of these identified influencing factors is expected to clarify the rationale for new vaccine development and identify lifestyle and dietary habits that enhance vaccine efficacy. Full article

Background: Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) is a prevalent autoimmune disorder, often diagnosed late due to its asymptomatic or nonspecific presentation. Emerging evidence suggests that gut-derived lipopolysaccharides (LPS) may contribute to autoimmune activation. Objective: The primary objective of this study was to assess circulating LPS concentrations and dietary patterns in patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis compared to healthy controls. Methods: A hospital-based case–control study was conducted involving 105 HT patients and 25 healthy controls. Serum LPS concentrations, thyroid hormone profiles, and autoantibody levels were assessed. Dietary patterns were evaluated using the validated KomPAN questionnaire. Results: HT patients exhibited significantly higher serum LPS levels, particularly those with elevated anti-TPO and TRAB antibodies. A positive correlation was found between LPS and the fT3/fT4 ratio (r = 0.247, p = 0.006), and a negative correlation with fT4 (r = −0.314, p < 0.001). Dietary analysis revealed lower Pro-Healthy Diet Index scores in HT patients (3.94 vs. 5.34, p = 0.001), with increased consumption of processed foods and reduced intake of whole grains and oats. Conclusions: Elevated levels of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and unhealthy dietary patterns may play a role in the development of thyroid autoimmunity. Taken together, these observations are consistent with a multifactorial model that potentially involves gut barrier dysfunction, endotoxemia, and nutritional factors in HT pathogenesis. Full article

Background and Objectives: Intermittent fasting (IF) has emerged as a nutritional strategy capable of modulating circadian alignment, metabolic efficiency, and neuroendocrine regulation in individuals with obesity. Among the neurobiological mediators potentially involved, Orexin-A—a hypothalamic neuropeptide regulating arousal, appetite, and energy balance—may represent a key link between fasting patterns and metabolic homeostasis. This study aimed to evaluate the long-term metabolic and neuroendocrine effects of two intermittent fasting protocols, time-restricted feeding (16:8) and alternate-day fasting (5:2), compared with a hypocaloric Mediterranean diet used as a reference condition. Materials and Methods: Thirty adults with obesity (aged 20–40 years) were allocated to one of three dietary interventions—low-calorie Mediterranean diet, IF 16:8, or IF 5:2—based on habitual dietary patterns and followed prospectively for 12 months. Anthropometric parameters, metabolic indices, inflammatory markers (CRP, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10), and circulating Orexin-A concentrations were assessed at baseline and at three-month intervals (T0–T3). Results: Both intermittent fasting protocols induced more rapid improvements in body mass index, adiposity, lipid profile, fasting glucose, and inflammatory markers compared with the Mediterranean diet. Among the IF strategies, the 16:8 regimen showed the most consistent and physiologically coherent pattern of adaptation, characterized by a progressive and sustained increase in Orexin-A levels. This response was strongly associated with enhanced metabolic flexibility, reduced systemic inflammation, and improved energy regulation over time. In contrast, the 5:2 protocol produced more variable metabolic and neuroendocrine responses, likely due to alternating cycles of marked caloric restriction and compensatory intake. Conclusions: Intermittent fasting, particularly the 16:8 time-restricted feeding protocol, appears to be an effective and sustainable chrononutritional strategy for obesity management. By reinforcing circadian organization, improving inflammatory balance, and activating orexinergic pathways, the 16:8 model emerges as a promising intervention to address key metabolic and neuroendocrine dysfunctions associated with obesity. Full article