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Keywords = nutrition programmes

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18 pages, 820 KiB  
Article
Integrated Evaluation of Undernutrition, Anaemia, and Intestinal Parasitic Infections in School-Aged Children: A Cross-Sectional Study in Three Regions of Southern Madagascar
by Gabriela Tapia-Veloz, Mónica Gozalbo, Venny Guirao, Hafsa Dinari, Màrius Vicent Fuentes and María Trelis
Children 2025, 12(8), 990; https://doi.org/10.3390/children12080990 - 28 Jul 2025
Viewed by 268
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Undernutrition and intestinal parasitic infections are critical public health problems in low-income countries, with adverse effects on child growth and increasing anaemia. Madagascar, with a high prevalence of these factors, lacks comprehensive studies analysing their interaction. This study aimed to assess the [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Undernutrition and intestinal parasitic infections are critical public health problems in low-income countries, with adverse effects on child growth and increasing anaemia. Madagascar, with a high prevalence of these factors, lacks comprehensive studies analysing their interaction. This study aimed to assess the nutritional status, the prevalence of anaemia, and the occurrence of intestinal parasitic infections among children and adolescents in three southern regions of Madagascar. Methods: A cross-sectional, prospective study of 289 children and adolescents (10–18 years) from three schools located in Antsoamadiro, Fianarantsoa, and Toliara was conducted. Sociodemographic, anthropometric, and haemoglobin concentration data, as well as faecal samples, were collected. Nutritional status was assessed by Nutrimetry, combining Height-for-Age and BMI-for-Age indicators. Stool samples were analysed by optical microscopy and molecular methods. Results: Nutricode 1 (short stature/stunting + thinness/wasting) was significantly more frequent in Toliara. Nutricode 1 was also significantly more prevalent in males than females. Anaemia affected 57.8% of participants and was significantly associated with Nutricode 1. The overall parasitism rate was also associated with Nutricode 1. Trichuris trichiura and Ascaris lumbricoides significantly increased the risk of stunting, wasting, and Nutricode 1. Co-infection with Trichuris trichiura + Giardia duodenalis was significantly associated with wasting and Nutricode 1. This co-infection was also related to the presence of anaemia, as was moderate-intensity infection with T. trichiura. Conclusions: There is a high co-burden of undernutrition, anaemia, and parasitic infections in southern Madagascar. These findings highlight the urgency of implementing comprehensive health programmes combining parasite control, nutritional support, and iron supplementation adapted to regional realities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Global Pediatric Health)
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11 pages, 578 KiB  
Article
Effectiveness of a Nutrition Education Programme on Nutritional Knowledge in Young Football Players: A Pilot Study
by Filipa Vicente, Leandro Anastácio, Andreia Monteiro, José Brito, Renata Ramalho and Paula Pereira
Nutrients 2025, 17(15), 2404; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17152404 - 23 Jul 2025
Viewed by 384
Abstract
Background: Adequate nutrition is fundamental to the health and performance of young athletes. However, many fail to meet nutritional recommendations. Nutrition education programmes are promising, cost-effective strategies for improving dietary habits. However, research gaps persist, coupled with notable variability amongst the intervention programmes [...] Read more.
Background: Adequate nutrition is fundamental to the health and performance of young athletes. However, many fail to meet nutritional recommendations. Nutrition education programmes are promising, cost-effective strategies for improving dietary habits. However, research gaps persist, coupled with notable variability amongst the intervention programmes targeting youth athletes. The aim of this study was to assess the nutritional knowledge of Portuguese youth athletes and to evaluate the effectiveness of a nutrition education programme in improving football players’ understanding of a healthy diet. Methods: Participants were recruited from a local football club through public announcement. Male youth football players aged 13 to 18 years, training at least 3 times per week and competing regularly over the past six months, were eligible. The baseline assessment included anthropometric measurements, an assessment of the adherence to the Mediterranean diet using the KIDMED questionnaire, and an assessment of general and sports nutrition knowledge via a structured questionnaire. Following the intervention—comprising three face-to-face educational sessions and two digital infographics—the KIDMED and nutrition knowledge questionnaires were re-administered. Results: A sample of 38 male footballers were eligible for this study. Most participants exhibited a healthy body weight, with a corresponding adequate body composition. The mean KIDMED score indicated moderate adherence to the Mediterranean diet with no statistically significant difference between the baseline and post-intervention (6.79 ± 1.52 versus 6.97 ± 2.01, p > 0.05). There was a significant enhancement in overall nutrition knowledge, accompanied by notable improvements in the comprehension of macro- and micronutrient sources and sports nutrition principles. Conclusions: This pilot programme proved effective in enhancing young football players’ knowledge of nutrient sources and sports nutrition. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fueling the Future: Advances in Sports Nutrition for Young Athletes)
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20 pages, 443 KiB  
Article
COVID-19 Lockdown and Implications for Household Food Security in Zambia: Quality of Diet or Economic Vulnerability?
by Richard Bwalya and Chitalu Miriam Chama-Chiliba
Economies 2025, 13(7), 200; https://doi.org/10.3390/economies13070200 - 9 Jul 2025
Viewed by 375
Abstract
The study examines changes in household food security and identifies their key determinants in Zambia by comparing the pre-pandemic period to the COVID-19 pandemic period. Using nationally representative surveys from 2015 and 2021 and the coarsened exact matching (CEM) approach, 8650 households were [...] Read more.
The study examines changes in household food security and identifies their key determinants in Zambia by comparing the pre-pandemic period to the COVID-19 pandemic period. Using nationally representative surveys from 2015 and 2021 and the coarsened exact matching (CEM) approach, 8650 households were matched for comparison. Two complementary food security measures are analysed using multinomial logit regression models: household expenditure share, representing economic vulnerability, and household dietary diversity score (HDDS), representing diet quality. The results show that household food expenditure share significantly increased from 53.8% to 61.4%, indicating increased economic vulnerability. Notably, household dietary diversity improved from 7.1 to 8.2 out of 12, indicating better dietary quality. Consistent determinants of food security—such as household size, education level, marital status, region, and employment—remained significant, but their protective effects weakened during the pandemic. Specifically, the protective effect of education declined, urban households became relatively more vulnerable, and wealthier households experienced minimal changes. The study recommends targeted interventions, including expanding social protection programmes for economically vulnerable households, supporting informal food markets, enhancing rural–urban food supply linkages, and promoting nutrition education to ensure diverse, affordable food access during crises. Full article
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41 pages, 775 KiB  
Review
Examining the Efficacy of Post-Primary Nutritional Education Interventions as a Preventative Measure for Diet-Related Diseases: A Scoping Review
by Kevin Mullaney, Louise Mylotte and Amanda McCloat
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(12), 6901; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15126901 - 19 Jun 2025
Viewed by 498
Abstract
Globally, unhealthy dietary behaviours are consistently seen to significantly contribute to the burden caused by diet-related diseases (DRDs). This is particularly evident among adolescents, a demographic that are at a critical stage of development for lifelong eating habits. This study aims to map [...] Read more.
Globally, unhealthy dietary behaviours are consistently seen to significantly contribute to the burden caused by diet-related diseases (DRDs). This is particularly evident among adolescents, a demographic that are at a critical stage of development for lifelong eating habits. This study aims to map the efficacy of post-primary school-based nutritional education (NE) interventions in the modification of adolescent dietary behaviours. A scoping review methodology was implemented, following the Joanna Briggs Institute framework, and adhering to PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Peer-reviewed research from 2015 to 2024 was thoroughly searched using the PubMed and Scopus databases, with inclusion criteria centred on school-based NE interventions aimed at changing post-primary students’ eating habits. In total, 50 studies were selected for analysis, which were then further categorised into five key intervention approaches: knowledge and behaviour-focused programmes, DRD-specific interventions, gamified or interactive learning methods, peer-led or externally facilitated programmes, and school food environment modifications. The findings indicate that structured NE interventions, particularly those incorporating behavioural theories, show positive outcomes in enhancing adolescent dietary knowledge and self-efficacy. The gamified interventions and interactive approaches demonstrated high engagement among participants, but the success of long-term changes was varied. The interventions addressing DRDs, especially obesity, showed significant impacts when combining educational components with structural modifications to school food environments. Peer-led models improved relatability and participation rates but faced challenges in terms of standardisation and repeatability. While school-based NE interventions effectively improve adolescent nutritional knowledge and behaviours, future research should focus on long-term follow-up assessments to determine the sustainability of these changes. These findings offer valuable insights for educators designing curricula, policymakers developing school health strategies, and practitioners seeking to implement feasible, evidence-based nutrition programmes in diverse educational settings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Security, Nutrition, and Public Health)
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27 pages, 1246 KiB  
Article
Nourishing Beginnings: A Community-Based Participatory Research Approach to Food Security and Healthy Diets for the “Forgotten” Pre-School Children in South Africa
by Gamuchirai Chakona
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(6), 958; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22060958 - 18 Jun 2025
Viewed by 738
Abstract
Adequate and diverse diets are essential for children’s physical and cognitive development, yet food insecurity and malnutrition continue to threaten this fundamental right, which remains a pressing concern in many resource-poor settings. This study investigated food and nutrition security in Early Childhood Development [...] Read more.
Adequate and diverse diets are essential for children’s physical and cognitive development, yet food insecurity and malnutrition continue to threaten this fundamental right, which remains a pressing concern in many resource-poor settings. This study investigated food and nutrition security in Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres in Makhanda, South Africa, through a community-based participatory research approach. Using a mixed-methods approach combining questionnaire interviews, focus group discussions, direct observations, and community asset mapping across eight ECD centres enrolling 307 children aged 0–5 years, the study engaged ECD facilitators and analysed dietary practices across these centres. Results indicated that financial constraints severely affect the quality and diversity of food provided at the centres, thus undermining the ability to provide nutritionally adequate meals. The average amount spent on food per child per month at the centres was R90 ± R25 (South African Rand). Although three meals were generally offered daily, cost-driven dietary substitutions with cheaper, less diverse alternatives, often at the expense of nutritional value, were common. Despite guidance from Department of Health dieticians, financial limitations contributed to suboptimal feeding practices, with diets dominated by grains and starchy foods, with limited access to and rare consumption of protein-rich foods, dairy, and vitamin A-rich fruits and vegetables. ECD facilitators noted insufficient parental contributions and low engagement in supporting centre operations and child nutrition provision, indicating a gap in awareness and limited nutrition knowledge regarding optimal infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices. The findings emphasise the need for sustainable, multi-level and community-led interventions, including food gardening, creating ECD centre food banks, parental nutrition education programmes, and enhanced financial literacy among ECD facilitators. Strengthening local food systems and establishing collaborative partnerships with communities and policymakers are essential to improve the nutritional environment in ECD settings. Similarly, enhanced government support mechanisms and policy-level reforms are critical to ensure that children in resource-poor areas receive adequate nutrition. Future research should focus on scalable, locally anchored models for sustainable child nutrition interventions that are contextually grounded, community-driven, and should strengthen the resilience of ECD centres in South Africa. Full article
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17 pages, 864 KiB  
Article
Promotion of Healthy Habits in Adolescents: An Interdisciplinary Study on Motivation Towards Physical Education, Mediterranean Diet and Physical Activity
by Paula San Martín González, José Enrique Moral García, Mario Amatria Jiménez and Rubén Arroyo del Bosque
Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(6), 778; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15060778 - 4 Jun 2025
Viewed by 824
Abstract
Adolescence is a key period for the development and consolidation of habits that favour a healthy and active lifestyle. The promotion of healthy habits in this critical period of development is essential to ensure a better quality of life and the prevention of [...] Read more.
Adolescence is a key period for the development and consolidation of habits that favour a healthy and active lifestyle. The promotion of healthy habits in this critical period of development is essential to ensure a better quality of life and the prevention of chronic diseases in the long term. This study aims to analyse how physical activity (PA) and adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) influence motivation towards physical education (PE) in adolescents. It also aims to explore gender differences and provide information that will allow the design of educational strategies to promote healthy lifestyle habits in schools. Method: descriptive cross-sectional quantitative study. An ad hoc socio-demographic questionnaire, the Physician-based Assessment and Counselling for Exercise, the KIDMED Mediterranean diet adherence questionnaire and the motivation in Physical Education questionnaire were administered in the school environment under direct supervision of the researchers to minimise biases in self-perception. Results: Students with higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet showed higher intrinsic motivation towards physical education (F = 5.133, p < 0.01), while those with lower adherence showed higher demotivation (F = 5.507, p < 0.01). Conclusions: The findings suggest the need to reinforce physical activity and nutrition education programmes in adolescents, promoting interdisciplinary approaches to increase adherence to healthy lifestyles. Full article
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13 pages, 237 KiB  
Article
Pilot Study About the Importance of the Active Role of Roma Students: Improving the Health of Bulgarian Children from the Roma Minority Group Through Nutrition and Probiotics
by Bozhidarka Radoslavova Hadzhieva, Marin Kostadinov Baltov, Daniela Ivova Taneva, Atanas Denev Luizov, Milen Ventsislavov Dimitrov and Valentina Boyanova Petkova-Dimitrova
Healthcare 2025, 13(11), 1314; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13111314 - 1 Jun 2025
Viewed by 410
Abstract
Background/Objective: The priority task of each country is to ensure the protection of and improvement in its people’s health. One of the key aspects of health is related to food culture, consuming foods that ensure growth and normal development in a person and [...] Read more.
Background/Objective: The priority task of each country is to ensure the protection of and improvement in its people’s health. One of the key aspects of health is related to food culture, consuming foods that ensure growth and normal development in a person and also prevent diseases. The consumption of foods that contain essential nutrients and functional foods, which include those containing probiotics, is the basis of a healthy diet. Methods: A structured anonymous interview was conducted with 90 parents from the Roma minority group to assess the nutritional culture of children from these families. The knowledge of Roma parents about probiotics, as well as their attitudes to apply them to their children, was examined. The survey was based on a questionnaire that was distributed among the respondents, Roma students, under the guidance of a mentor. Roma students study health specialties and are also participants in a Scholarship Programme. Results: We have established that the daily diet of children from this minority group consists of foods containing hydrogenated fats and sugar, which was indicated by 53.3% of respondents, and only 28.9% of respondents noted that their children consume fresh fruit every day. We have established that less than half of the children (35.6%) consume yoghurt daily as a source of valuable probiotics. We applied a nonparametric Kruskal–Wallis test and found statistically significant differences in the respondents’ knowledge of probiotics (χ2 = 16.186, p = 0.001): those receiving secondary specialized education were better informed, but education has not affected their knowledge of the health benefits of probiotics (χ2 = 5.462, p = 0.141). Children from minority groups tend to eat unhealthy foods. Conclusions: The role of Roma students studying health specialties as participants in the Scholarship Programme is to assist parents in forming a nutritional culture in their children. Roma students, due to their ethnic and cultural proximity and potential to be health professionals, contribute to sustainable health improvements among the Roma community as a whole. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Healthcare Quality and Patient Safety)
18 pages, 2054 KiB  
Article
Phenotypic Variability of Local Latvian Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and Its Position Within European Germplasm
by Gunārs Lācis, Shreya Jagtap, Laila Dubova, Tetiana Harbovska, Daniels Udalovs, Liene Ziediņa and Ina Alsiņa
Int. J. Plant Biol. 2025, 16(2), 59; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijpb16020059 - 30 May 2025
Viewed by 300
Abstract
Common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) are considered a socially and economically important crop, with the biggest growers in India, Myanmar, and Brazil. Traditionally, common beans are also grown in most parts of Europe, including Latvia, where cultivation areas have remained relatively constant [...] Read more.
Common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) are considered a socially and economically important crop, with the biggest growers in India, Myanmar, and Brazil. Traditionally, common beans are also grown in most parts of Europe, including Latvia, where cultivation areas have remained relatively constant since the middle of the last century. This is explained by the plant’s higher thermal requirements compared to peas and faba beans more widely grown here. Despite this, landraces adapted to local conditions have been developed, whose origin and potential relationship with another European common bean germplasm is very limited. Therefore, the study aimed to characterise the morphology of the common bean germplasm collected and grown in Latvia to identify the most valuable material for further crop development and evaluate the local landraces in the European common bean germplasm context. The 28 genotypes representing Latvian landraces and European reference genotypes were phenotyped using 26 traits of bean seeds, pods, leaves, flowers, and stems, which were evaluated according to an internationally applied methodology. Latvian varieties showed phenotypical variability and characteristics that were different from those found in other European regions, showing the significance of the germplasm under study and highlighting the need for conservation. Local varieties (landraces) are reservoirs of unique genetic traits. Their adaptability to local environmental conditions, resistance to pests and diseases, and their potential to enhance nutritional quality make them invaluable resources for in situ conservation efforts and targeted genetic improvement programmes. Emphasising the utilisation of these landraces can contribute to sustainable agriculture, climate resilience, and food security. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Plant Biochemistry and Genetics)
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13 pages, 1290 KiB  
Article
The Role That Local Food Plants Can Play in Improving Nutrition Security and Reducing Seasonal Scarcity in Rural Communities: A Multi-Country Study
by Gea Galluzzi, Gisella S. Cruz-Garcia, Konstantina Maria Togka, Bert Visser and Hilton Mbozi
Sustainability 2025, 17(10), 4683; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17104683 - 20 May 2025
Viewed by 442
Abstract
Local food plants contribute to dietary diversity, and hence, to food and nutrition security in rural households of low- and middle-income countries. However, their consumption and use are declining, in favour of simplified diets or industrial foods. This paper presents data from the [...] Read more.
Local food plants contribute to dietary diversity, and hence, to food and nutrition security in rural households of low- and middle-income countries. However, their consumption and use are declining, in favour of simplified diets or industrial foods. This paper presents data from the Sowing Diversity = Harvesting Security programme, which aimed at improving nutrition through better use of local, underused agrobiodiversity in six low- or mid-income countries. Through a Farmer Field School approach, rural communities’ perceptions on nutrition, local food plant use, and food scarcity coping strategies were gathered. Overall, the results showed that farmers recognise the relationship which exists between increasingly impoverished diets and the (declining) use of local food plants. They attributed such a decline to multiple, intertwined factors, being both socioeconomic and cultural, as well as agronomic or environmental. Despite a declining trend, communities still heavily rely on local food plants during food scarcity periods: indeed, turning to local and wild plants emerged as one of the most frequent coping strategies in all countries, and this trend was stronger as the length and severity of the scarcity period increased. In this paper, we discuss the opportunity to further leverage the role of local food plants through integrated (“field to plate”) actions as a way to conserve valuable agricultural biodiversity while enhancing local food and nutrition security. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Sustainability, Biodiversity and Conservation)
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17 pages, 1276 KiB  
Article
Exploring the Role of Food Security in Stunting Prevention Efforts in the Bondowoso Community, Indonesia
by Gunawan Prayitno, Aidha Auliah, Lilik Zuhriyah, Achmad Efendi, Syamsul Arifin, Rahmawati Rahmawati, Achmad Tjachja Nugraha and Enock Siankwilimba
Societies 2025, 15(5), 135; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc15050135 - 14 May 2025
Viewed by 724
Abstract
Stunting—defined by the World Health Organization as a height-for-age z-score < −2 SD—signals chronic undernutrition that impairs both physical and cognitive development. This study investigates how the three pillars of food security (availability, access, utilization) influence stunting prevention efforts in the Bondowoso Regency, [...] Read more.
Stunting—defined by the World Health Organization as a height-for-age z-score < −2 SD—signals chronic undernutrition that impairs both physical and cognitive development. This study investigates how the three pillars of food security (availability, access, utilization) influence stunting prevention efforts in the Bondowoso Regency, East Java, Indonesia. A cross-sectional survey of 113 mothers of stunted children (0–59 months) was analysed with Structural Equation Modelling using Partial Least Squares (PLS-SEM). The model reveals significant positive paths from food security pillars to composite stunting prevention behaviours (β = 0.18–0.86, p < 0.05), with availability emerging as the strongest predictor. These findings highlight food security as a lever for reducing the local stunting prevalence (local 32% vs. national 24.4%) and provide evidence for community-based nutrition programmes in similar agrarian districts. Strengthening food security is therefore essential to safeguarding child well-being in vulnerable Indonesian communities. Full article
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15 pages, 254 KiB  
Article
Cardiovascular Disease in Women’s Prisons: A Qualitative Study of Dietary Habits from the Perspective of Professionals
by Ana Margarida Machado, Iara Rafaela Ferreira, Mariana Rodrigues, Adriana Taveira, Francisca Linhares and Ana Paula Macedo
Nutrients 2025, 17(9), 1428; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17091428 - 24 Apr 2025
Viewed by 530
Abstract
Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death worldwide and is exacerbated by poor dietary habits, particularly in settings such as women’s prisons. Incarcerated women are often exposed to ultra-processed foods, limited nutritional education, and restricted living conditions that increase [...] Read more.
Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death worldwide and is exacerbated by poor dietary habits, particularly in settings such as women’s prisons. Incarcerated women are often exposed to ultra-processed foods, limited nutritional education, and restricted living conditions that increase their risk of CVD. Objectives: This study aimed to explore the challenges perceived by professionals in a Portuguese women’s prison regarding the prevention of CVD, particularly through dietary interventions. Methods: A qualitative, exploratory and descriptive study was conducted using a focus group with six professionals. Data were collected in July 2024 and analysed using thematic content analysis. Results: Three thematic categories emerged: (1) contextual challenges of the prison system (e.g., sedentary lifestyle, limited food options); (2) socio-cultural resistance to behavioural change (e.g., low adherence to health programmes, use of food as a coping mechanism); and (3) the need for sustainable and interdisciplinary intervention strategies. Conclusions: The findings highlight the complexity of promoting cardiovascular health in female prisoners. Interventions need to take into account mental health support, prisoner autonomy and institutional constraints. Future research should develop and test targeted, context-specific nutrition programmes in similar settings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Geriatric Nutrition–What to Eat to Get It Right)
23 pages, 4141 KiB  
Article
Burden and Trends of Diet-Related Colorectal Cancer in OECD Countries: Systematic Analysis Based on Global Burden of Disease Study 1990–2021 with Projections to 2050
by Zegeye Abebe, Molla Mesele Wassie, Amy C. Reynolds and Yohannes Adama Melaku
Nutrients 2025, 17(8), 1320; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17081320 - 10 Apr 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1275
Abstract
Background: An unhealthy diet is a major risk factor for colorectal cancer (CRC). This study assessed the diet-related CRC burden from 1990 to 2021 in Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) nations and estimated the burden until 2050. Methods: Data [...] Read more.
Background: An unhealthy diet is a major risk factor for colorectal cancer (CRC). This study assessed the diet-related CRC burden from 1990 to 2021 in Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) nations and estimated the burden until 2050. Methods: Data for OECD countries on diet-related CRC disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and deaths were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease 2021 study. The estimated annual percent change (EAPC) was calculated to analyse the CRC burden attributable to dietary factors. A generalised additive model with a negative binomial distribution was used to predict the future burden of CRC attributable to dietary factors from 2021 to 2050. Results: In 2021, the age-standardised percentages of diet-related CRC DALYs and deaths were 39.1% (95% uncertainty interval (UI): 9.3, 61.3) and 39.0% (95% UI: 9.7, 60.9), respectively, in the OECD countries. Between 1990 and 2021, the age-standardised DALYs decreased from 185 to 129 per 100,000, and deaths decreased from 8 to 6 per 100,000 population for OECD countries. Similarly, the EAPC in the rates showed a downward trend (EAPCdeaths = −1.26 and EAPCDALYs = −1.20). The estimated diet-related CRC DALYs and deaths are projected to increase to 4.1 million DALYs and 0.2 million deaths by 2050. There is a downward trend in CRC deaths (EAPC = 1.33 for both sexes) and in DALYs (−0.90 for males and −1.0 for females) from 1990 to 2050. Conclusions: The diet-related CRC burden remains significant. Implementing nutrition intervention programmes is necessary to promote access to affordable and nutritious foods and raise awareness about the importance of a healthy diet in reducing CRC risk. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition and Dietary Guidelines for Colorectal Cancer Patients)
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16 pages, 691 KiB  
Article
Carbohydrate Quality Is Independently Associated with Cardiometabolic Risk in Chinese Individuals with Impaired Glucose Tolerance
by Natural H. S. Chu, Yelia Yu, Jie He, Cynthia R. H. Li, Seong I. Pai, Kathy H. T. Leung, Ronald C. W. Ma, Juliana C. N. Chan and Elaine Chow
Nutrients 2025, 17(7), 1123; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17071123 - 24 Mar 2025
Viewed by 996
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Dietary manipulation with carbohydrate restriction has been extensively investigated in diabetes prevention programmes. Carbohydrate (CHO) quality, rather than quantity, is associated with various metabolic outcomes. Few studies examined the fibre/CHO ratio on lipid profiles, liver fat and insulin resistance in individuals [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Dietary manipulation with carbohydrate restriction has been extensively investigated in diabetes prevention programmes. Carbohydrate (CHO) quality, rather than quantity, is associated with various metabolic outcomes. Few studies examined the fibre/CHO ratio on lipid profiles, liver fat and insulin resistance in individuals with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). Methods: In this comprehensive cross-sectional study, we evaluated the association of carbohydrate-related nutritional factors with metabolic parameters in a cohort of 177 Hong Kong Chinese with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). The subjects underwent a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) with measurement of plasma C-peptide and lipid profiles, body composition, transient elastography, and three-day food records. The fibre/CHO ratio is calculated by dividing fibre intake by total carbohydrate intake (in grams). Results: The median (IQR) age of the study cohort was 60 (54–62) with a mean ± SD BMI of 26.7 ± 3.9 kg/m2, and 40.7% were female. A higher carbohydrate quality, measured as fibre/CHO ratio, was inversely correlated with triglycerides (r = −0.305, p < 0.001) and positively correlated with High-density lipoproteins cholesterol (HDL-C) (r = 0.354, p < 0.001). These associations remained significant after adjusting for age, gender, lipid-lowering drugs, total calorie, macronutrient and sugar intake, physical activity and sodium/potassium ratio. Blood pressure, liver fat and insulin resistance were also associated with the fibre/CHO ratio after the adjustment of these confounding factors. Consuming more than 5.5 g of fibre per 100 g carbohydrate was associated with lower serum triglycerides. Conclusions: Our results highlight the potential for using the fibre/CHO ratio as a metric for daily carbohydrate quality and the importance of addressing both carbohydrate quality and quantity in designing dietary interventions to reduce cardiometabolic risk. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Guidance for Cardiovascular Health)
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25 pages, 7742 KiB  
Article
Exploring Nutrient Deficiencies in Lettuce Crops: Utilizing Advanced Multidimensional Image Analysis for Precision Diagnosis
by Jilong Xie, Shanshan Lv, Xihai Zhang, Weixian Song, Xinyi Liu and Yinghui Lu
Sensors 2025, 25(7), 1957; https://doi.org/10.3390/s25071957 - 21 Mar 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 842
Abstract
In agricultural production, lettuce growth, yield, and quality are impacted by nutrient deficiencies caused by both environmental and human factors. Traditional nutrient detection methods face challenges such as long processing times, potential sample damage, and low automation, limiting their effectiveness in diagnosing and [...] Read more.
In agricultural production, lettuce growth, yield, and quality are impacted by nutrient deficiencies caused by both environmental and human factors. Traditional nutrient detection methods face challenges such as long processing times, potential sample damage, and low automation, limiting their effectiveness in diagnosing and managing crop nutrition. To address these issues, this study developed a lettuce nutrient deficiency detection system using multi-dimensional image analysis and Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA). The system first applied a dynamic window histogram median filtering algorithm to denoise captured lettuce images. An adaptive algorithm integrating global and local contrast enhancement was then used to improve image detail and contrast. Additionally, a multi-dimensional image analysis algorithm combining threshold segmentation, improved Canny edge detection, and gradient-guided adaptive threshold segmentation enabled precise segmentation of healthy and nutrient-deficient tissues. The system quantitatively assessed nutrient deficiency by analyzing the proportion of nutrient-deficient tissue in the images. Experimental results showed that the system achieved an average precision of 0.944, a recall rate of 0.943, and an F1 score of 0.943 across different lettuce growth stages, demonstrating significant improvements in automation, accuracy, and detection efficiency while minimizing sample interference. This provides a reliable method for the rapid diagnosis of nutrient deficiencies in lettuce. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Sensing and Imaging)
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16 pages, 988 KiB  
Article
Demographic and Physical Determinants of Unhealthy Food Consumption in Polish Long-Term Care Facilities
by Aia Ase, Jacek Borowicz, Kamil Rakocy, Edyta Krzych-Fałta and Bolesław Samoliński
Nutrients 2025, 17(6), 1008; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17061008 - 13 Mar 2025
Viewed by 1058
Abstract
Background: Unhealthy food consumption in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) contributes to poor health outcomes among residents. This study aimed to assess its prevalence, identify demographic and physical risk factors, and propose targeted interventions. Methods: A mixed-methods study (2017–2021) analyzed data from 1000 Polish [...] Read more.
Background: Unhealthy food consumption in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) contributes to poor health outcomes among residents. This study aimed to assess its prevalence, identify demographic and physical risk factors, and propose targeted interventions. Methods: A mixed-methods study (2017–2021) analyzed data from 1000 Polish LTCF residents (aged 35–105 years). Anthropometric measurements, bioimpedance analyses, dietary assessments, and physical activity records were collected. Food items were classified as “healthy” or “unhealthy” using an AI-based Large Language Model (LLM), applying WHO guidelines and the NOVA classification system. Logistic regression and chi-square tests assessed associations between unhealthy food consumption and marital status, education level, mobility aid use, and portion control. Results: Unhealthy food consumption prevalence was 15.6%. Married residents had significantly higher rates than unmarried individuals (22.6% vs. 14.3%, p < 0.01). Lower educational attainment correlated with increased risk (partial primary education: 34.7% vs. tertiary education: 8.1%). Mobility aid users exhibited elevated consumption (cane: 34.6%; walker: 22.6%). Poor portion control showed the strongest association (OR = 3.2, 95% CI: 1.8–5.7). Conclusions: Marital status, educational disparities, mobility limitations, and portion control were key modifiable risk factors. Findings suggest the need for targeted nutrition programs, caregiver education, and policy reforms to improve dietary literacy and meal portioning. Future research should validate AI-based food classification methods, assess long-term intervention outcomes, and expand studies to diverse LTCF settings. These findings align with Poland’s National Health Programme and provide actionable insights for global LTCF populations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Nutritional Immunology)
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