International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition最新文献

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.

To evaluate the bidirectional relationship between the incidence of depression and obesity in Brazilian graduates. This 6-year longitudinal follow-up study included 3,426 participants from the CUME study in assessing the incidence of obesity and 3,414 participants in assessing the incidence of depression. Risk ratios were estimated and the interaction by sex was tested using the multiplicative method. After an average follow-up of 2.13 years, 387 incident cases of depression and 216 cases of obesity were identified. When stratified by sex, women with an initial diagnosis of depression were at increased risk of developing obesity over time (HR: 2.14; 95% CI: 1.47 - 3.11). The association between initial obesity and incidence of depression was also positive, but only for men (HR: 1.82; 95% CI 1.05 - 3.16). As conclusion, there is bidirectional association for incidence of depression and obesity over time and the risks of developing these diseases are associated differently by sex.

Previous studies have highlighted differences in faecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) between hypercholesterolemic (HC) and normocholesterolemic (NC) individuals; however, the impact of nutritional factors on SCFAs remains underexplored. This cross-sectional observational study involved 42 HC and 38 NC Thai adults and examined faecal SCFA concentrations and their associations with nutritional factors. Aliphatic (acetic, propionic, butyric acids) and branched (isobutyric and isovaleric acids) SCFAs were analysed. Although NC participants exhibited higher aliphatic and total SCFAs than HC participants, these differences were insignificant. Carbohydrate intake was positively associated with acetic and propionic acid, in the NC group. Sugar intake was negatively correlated with isobutyric and isovaleric acids in the NC group but positively correlated in the HC group. These findings suggest less efficient sugar and carbohydrate fermentation in the HC group, potentially affecting SCFA profiles. Future studies should investigate gut microbiota composition, bile acid secretion and gut pH as contributing factors.

β-Casomorphin-7 (BCM-7), a heptapeptide derived from β-casein hydrolysis, has gained attention for its potential role in gastrointestinal discomfort and certain diseases, yet its effects remain controversial. This study aimed to provide the first reliable estimation of BCM-7 exposure for low, medium and high consumers of milk and dairy products in the European population. We developed a database on BCM-7 released after simulated digestion, combining literature review and direct analysis of milk and selected dairy products. Using European food consumption data, we estimated BCM-7 daily exposure for adults (132-2541 μg), adolescents (163-2594 μg) and children (200-2357 μg). Milk emerged as the most significant source of BCM-7 exposure across all population groups. Statistical analysis revealed differences in exposure levels between adults and children at medium consumption levels. This work provides the first comprehensive estimation of dietary BCM-7 exposure, laying the groundwork for future research on its potential health effects.

The actual food system negatively impacts human health and the environment. To promote sustainable food consumption, a cross-sectional survey of 815 Italian adults, representative for age, gender, and geographical areas, explored consumer perceptions and purchasing barriers. Correspondence and cluster analysis were applied. Most respondents identified sustainable foods as having low environmental impact (88.6%), being healthy (81.3%), and locally sourced (81.2%). However, high prices and unclear labelling emerged as key obstacles. The cluster analysis identified four consumer groups. Notably, even the group aware of sustainability issues (Aware consumers with barriers - Cluster 2) still struggled to make sustainable choices due to persistent obstacles. Conversely, a small segment (Ditched consumers - Cluster 1), despite high socio-economic and educational status, showed no interest in sustainability. These results highlight the complex nature of barriers to sustainable consumption, shaped by diverse sociodemographic factors. Tailored strategies are needed to overcome these obstacles and support more sustainable consumer behavior.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association between impaired fasting glucose and the 20-year cumulative incidence of type 2 diabetes (T2D), and the role of lifestyle habits, in the ATTICA cohort study (2002-2022). The present analysis was based on 2000 individuals free of T2D at baseline examination (age 43 ± 13 years; 51% women), 773 (39%) had IFG defined by fasting glucose 100-125 mg/dL and HbA1c 5.7-6.4%. Sociodemographic, anthropometric, lifestyle, and clinical parameters were collected at baseline and follow-up examinations. The 20-year cumulative incidence of T2D was 347 out of 773 (45%) participants with IFG. Male sex [RR 1.82, 95%CI (1.36, 2.43)], overweight [RR 6.3, 95%CI (3.7, 10.5)], obesity [RR 5.3, 95%CI (2.5, 11.3)], hypercholesterolaemia [RR 1.71, 95%CI (1.28, 2.28)], smoking [RR 1.67, 95%CI (1.14, 2.44)] and adherence to Mediterranean diet (high vs. low) [RR 0.41, 95%CI (0.26, 0.65)], were significantly associated with the development of T2D in the subjects with IFG, during the 20-year of follow-up. IFG significantly increases the risk of T2D, with male sex, obesity, hypercholesterolaemia, and smoking as key risk factors. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet and weight management were protective, in preventing diabetes progression.