International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition最新文献

Front-of-pack labelling (FOPL) facilitates informed nutritional choices and helps reduce non-communicable disease risk. This study investigated FOPL awareness, comprehension and attitudes among Maltese adults. An anonymous online survey was distributed through social media to collect demographic data and assess familiarity with FOPL, Nutri-Score, and Guideline Daily Amounts (GDA). Statistical analyses examined associations between demographics and FOPL engagement. Results from 600 respondents revealed that 62.17% did not read FOPL during grocery shopping. Females and those with higher education were more likely to review nutrition information and be familiar with GDA. While 85.83% recognised the importance of FOPL, fewer than half found it easy to understand. Participants generally demonstrated good understanding of the Nutri-Score system and were primarily concerned with calorie and fat content when reading GDA labels. These findings highlight the need for targeted public health efforts to improve FOPL literacy, supporting more informed dietary decisions and better health outcomes.

Recent studies highlight an increasing deviation from the Mediterranean Diet and Italian Dietary Guidelines (IDGs) among Italians. This study assessed food consumption in 2,974 Italian adults from the ARIANNA cross-sectional survey, comparing it with Mediterranean Diet Serving Score and IDGs recommendations. Associations between sample characteristics and consumption frequencies, also considered as according/not according to IDGs, were assessed using chi-square test and univariable ordered logistic regression models. Over half of participants failed to meet IDGs for fruit (74.84%), vegetables (78.80%), and eggs (54.50%), while exceeding that for sweets (87.67%) and alcoholic beverages (54.10%). Male sex, older age, higher education, full-time employment, higher income, and lower physical activity were linked to lower compliance. Higher physical activity levels correlated positively with adherence to most IDGs. Findings emphasize the need for further studies to target appropriate intervention strategies at population level and for specific foods, support IDGs refinement, and facilitate participation in international comparisons.

The nutrient quality of 96 beverages in Sweden was assessed based on the Keyhole (KH), Nutri-Score (NS) and Nutrient Rich Food (NRF) index. Of milk- and plant-based beverages, 20% were similarly rated by all three as either high or low quality. Keyhole evaluated plain milk more coherently to the dietary guidelines, whilst NS assessed plant-based beverages more consistently than other indicators. Of water-based beverages, 61% were similarly rated by NS and NRF, with highest alignment in sugar-sweetened and non-nutritive sweeteners containing beverages. According to NS, water, unsweetened beverages, freshly squeezed fruit juices and vegetable juices qualified as nutritious choices. NRF index evaluated beverages less coherently to the guidelines and the rating of products largely mirrored fortification. Thus, agreement among indicators varies across beverage groups. NS is suitable to rate the nutrient quality of most beverages consistently with the dietary guidelines, except for milk where KH outperforms NS.

This study analysed the NHANES (2010-2014) data of 2,312 elderly people to investigate the relationship between dietary intake of live microbes (DLM) and cognitive function and the mediating role of mitochondrial dysfunction between them. Linear regression indicated that the high-DLM group was positively associated with z-score of Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST) (β = 0.13, p < 0.05) and global cognitive score (β = 0.37, p < 0.05). Logistic regression showed that high-DLM was a protective factor for cognitive impairment among the elderly (OR = 0.62, p < 0.05). Mediation analysis revealed that circulating methylmalonic acid (MMA) was negatively associated with high-DLM (β = -22.98, p < 0.05) and it exerted a mediating effect on the relationship between the high-DLM group and DSST and global cognitive score, with the mediated proportions of 3.8%, and 4.1%, respectively. Moreover, high-DLM is associated with better cognitive function through its relationship with MMA in older adults.

Work environments are pivotal for nudging workers to healthy and sustainable diets. The sì.mediterraneo application was developed and tested to promote healthy and sustainable food choices among employees of an Italian company. Employees voluntarily enrolled in the study by registering to the app that comprised educational materials and functionalities to order food and suggest the best meal choices at the canteen; record progress by setting nutritional and food intake goals; foster users's engagement. In total, 247 participants completed 6 months of intervention. The meal composition selected by employees was not compliant with the Healthy Eating Plate, but the nutritional composition was almost adequate. When adjusted for the reference energy content for lunch, the environmental indicators decreased over time. The intervention was slightly effective in nudging towards healthier and more sustainable food choices at worksite canteen. Improvement of tool usability and of the food environment should be considered in the future.

The present study explored associations between the five personality traits (Extraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, Neuroticism, and Openness) and dietary patterns of apparently healthy individuals. Demographic, anthropometric, dietary, and personality data were obtained from 480 adults, up to 45 years of age, through self-completed questionnaires. Dietary habits were assessed via a validated for the population Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), whereas personality was evaluated with the validated Greek version of the 50-item International Personality Item Pool (IPIP). Five dietary patterns were derived from the principal component analysis: the processed foods, the plant-based, the Western-type, the healthy, and the alcohol-coffee pattern. Regression analysis revealed significant findings for various dietary patterns. For the alcohol-coffee pattern, neuroticism showed a positive correlation in the 18-24 age group. In the healthy dietary pattern, BMI and openness were positive predictors, with age predicting healthy eating in participants with under- and normal weight. For the plant-based pattern, male gender was a negative predictor, while openness was positive. For the western-type pattern, male gender was a positive predictor, whereas age and neuroticism negatively predicted adherence in females. Age and conscientiousness negatively predicted the processed foods dietary pattern. More research is needed in this field.

Hyperleptinemia is associated with pregnancy complications. We assessed the effects of aerobic exercise, antioxidant micronutrient supplementation (AMS), and their combination on leptin levels during pregnancy. Healthy pregnant women were randomized to four groups: exercise (n = 19), AMS (zinc/magnesium/tocopherol/vitamin C/niacin) (n = 19), exercise plus AMS (n = 19), and controls (n = 20). Leptin levels were measured at 16-20 and 32-36 gestational weeks. Fat mass percentage (FM%) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were secondary outcomes. No significant baseline differences were observed across groups. Post-intervention leptin levels were significantly lower in the exercise group compared to controls [Geometric mean (95% CI): 24 (20-28.8) vs. 33.8 (26.9-42.3), p = 0.028]. No significant differences were found for the other interventions or for FM% and hs-CRP. Leptin increased in all groups (p < 0.05) except the exercise group (p = 0.682). In conclusion, aerobic exercise prevented leptin elevation during pregnancy, independently of fat mass changes. AMS attenuated this benefit when combined with exercise.

In Italy, around 30% of children and adolescents are overweight or obese, with higher rates in the South. Parental dietary habits influence children's eating behaviours, yet most studies focus on food composition without considering the level of food processing. The Nova classification categorises foods by processing levels, suggesting that food processing may affect health beyond nutritional content. Ultra-processed foods (UPFs), such as sugary drinks and packaged snacks, are calorie-dense and contain cosmetic food additives. High UPF consumption is linked to obesity, chronic diseases, and poor cognitive development in children. However, no comprehensive up-to-date assessment of UPF consumption among Italian children exists. To address this gap, the ICARO Study was launched in Southern Italy as a web-based cohort of children, adolescents, and their parents. This study aims to evaluate UPF consumption and its correlates, and assess the impact of a nutrition education intervention on reducing UPF intake at the family level.

This study evaluates the daily intake of polyphenols from culinary herbs and herbal infusions among the Greek adult population through the HYDRIA survey. The polyphenol content was assessed through the Phenol-Explorer database. The mean intake of total polyphenols from culinary herbs was 3.30 mg/day, and 70.35 mg/day from herbal infusions. Phenolic acids were the primary contributors from herbal infusions, accounting for 63.92 mg/day, with hydroxycinnamic acids making up the majority (54.43 mg/day). Flavonoids, particularly flavonols, were the most consumed polyphenol class from culinary herbs across all sexes and age groups. The most prevalent phenolic acids found in herbal infusions were those derived from mountain tea. Men aged 18-64 years old had the highest total polyphenol intake from herbal infusions, while women aged 65+ had the lowest intake. These findings provide a comprehensive overview of polyphenol consumption from culinary herbs and herbal infusions in Greece and can offer valuable insights for future nutritional research.