Nutrition and health最新文献

Loss aversion, the cognitive bias favouring avoiding losses over equivalent gains, has been linked to dietary choices. Independently, genetic variation affecting dopaminergic function has been associated with loss aversion. This study examined the influence of loss aversion and genetic variation on food choices based on perceived healthiness. This is a randomised cross-over study. Participants completed two food choice tasks, scale-up (adding toppings) and scale-down (removing/keeping toppings). Participants rated the perceived healthiness of each food item. Loss aversion was objectively assessed using a small-stake gambling task, classifying individuals as highly (LA_H) or lowly (LA_L) loss averse. Buccal samples were collected for genetic analysis, and all data were obtained via Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC) Online Surveys. Both LA_H and LA_L participants kept more toppings than they added. LA_H participants kept more healthy and unhealthy toppings, whereas LA_L kept only more healthy toppings than they added. Genetic variation had an opposing effect in the LA_H and LA_L groups, leading to the differences in the addition of total toppings and unhealthy toppings (scale up) and removal of unhealthy toppings (scale down). Therefore, high loss aversion combined with genetic predispositions to reduced dopamine activity may promote greater food retention, irrespective of perceived healthiness. In contrast, genetic variants and lower loss aversion are associated with more selective, health-oriented choices. Findings warrant further investigation in larger cohorts to elucidate underlying mechanisms and inform personalised dietary interventions.

BackgroundEarly nutrition is critical to later health outcomes. Infants exposed to maternal incarceration are a marginalized population and may be at elevated risk for suboptimal feeding.AimTo assess adherence to recommended timing of complementary food introduction among infants exposed to maternal incarceration in utero.MethodsWe analyzed data from 69 infants and caregivers in Georgia. Formerly incarcerated mothers (n = 17) and nonmaternal caregivers (n = 52) reported timing of complementary food introduction. Regression analyses assessed associations with independent variables, including poverty, food insecurity, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program receipt, and caregiver education, psychological distress, and age.ResultsApproximately 47.8% of infants received complementary foods early, defined as before four months of age. The mean age of introduction was 3.6 months. Caregiver distress was associated with earlier introduction.ConclusionThis population of caregivers requires tailored nutrition education, financial assistance, and mental health and social support services to promote optimal infant feeding practices.

Introduction: Advances in nutrigenomics have enabled exploration of how genetic variation may relate to nutrition and lifestyle traits. However, the extent to which demographic factors influence the distribution of such variants remains underexplored. Objective: This study examined gender- and region-specific variation in diet- and lifestyle-related genetic traits and described patterns of trait clustering within a cohort of direct-to-consumer gene-test clients. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted on 503 anonymised gene-test reports covering 41 nutrition- and lifestyle-linked genetic components. Chi-square tests assessed demographic differences in allele frequency distributions. Hierarchical clustering and principal component analysis were applied as exploratory tools to visualise trait patterns. Results: Most individuals exhibited typical genotype distributions, though some demographic differences were observed. Statistically significant gender variation was noted in omega-3/6 metabolism (p = 0.0378). Lactose intolerance showed the greatest regional disparity, disproportionately affecting Asian (p < 0.00001). Marked regional differences were also observed in vitamin-D status (p = 0.0137), omega-3 metabolism (p = 0.0215), pain tolerance (p = 0.0279), fat utilisation (p = 0.0406) and gluten sensitivity (p = 0.0411). Clustering grouped 41 components into 14 sets. Three principal clusters explained 44-80% of the variance. Predictive modelling was limited by incomplete data and class imbalance. Conclusion: This exploratory study highlights modest demographic differences in allele frequencies and demonstrates clustering of nutrition-related genetic traits within a direct-to-consumer dataset. Findings should be interpreted as descriptive signals rather than prescriptive guidance. Future research incorporating phenotypic, biomarker, and outcome data is needed to evaluate functional and clinical significance.

Background and AimsThe climate emergency and other sustainability challenges interact to threaten human and planetary health. Efforts to improve the sustainability of food initiatives within healthcare institutions could mitigate these threats by addressing the four pillars of sustainability: health, social, economic, and environmental. Understanding current initiatives to incorporate sustainability into food programs and the sustainability pillars that guide those initiatives is important to inform priorities for action. This scoping review will investigate the extent to which major healthcare institutions in Ontario, Canada, have publicly committed to, discussed, planned, and/or implemented sustainable food initiatives.MethodsThe protocol follows guidance from the Joanna Briggs Institute and Arksey & O'Malley. The current strategic plans of 57 healthcare institutions in Ontario, Canada, will be retrieved from their websites and used to examine any commitments to or discussion, planning, and/or implementation of sustainability initiatives. The healthcare institution websites, along with those of selected sustainability organizations, will be searched for grey literature from 2015 to 2024 describing sustainable food initiatives within these institutions. Documents will be screened for eligibility by two researchers. Data concerning the incorporation of sustainable food into institutional food programs, and the sustainability pillars addressed, will be extracted by one researcher, with 10% of entries verified by a second researcher. Data will be shared with stakeholders in sustainability to augment findings. The data will be synthesized narratively.SummaryThis grey literature scoping review will summarize publicly available progress toward integrating sustainable food into healthcare institutions in Ontario, Canada, informing efforts to address climate and other sustainability challenges.

BackgroundDiet teas marketed for weight loss remain understudied despite growing consumer use and potential health risks.ObjectiveThis study examined the marketing practices, labeling, and regulatory disclaimers of diet teas sold in culturally specific grocery stores.MethodsWe conducted a content analysis of 12 diet teas sold across three Asian-oriented grocery stores in Connecticut. Packaging was systematically reviewed for ingredients, health claims and benefits, warnings, labeling format, and disclaimers using a team-developed codebook and iterative thematic coding.ResultsThe majority (58.3%) displayed Supplement Facts panels; 66.7% included FDA disclaimers. Marketing claims emphasized natural ingredients, detoxification, slimming and thin imagery, and ancient remedies. Four themes were identified: slimming and weight loss imagery, "natural" and "herbal" health claims, caffeine-free or gentle detox positioning, and use of regulatory disclaimers to appear trustworthy.ConclusionsThese teas employ strategic marketing that may obscure health risks and appeal to vulnerable populations, including adolescents.

BackgroundAssessing energy expenditure (EE) is critical for identifying dietary intake (DI) requirements for nutrition care and management. Understanding both EE and DI can provide deeper insight into energy balance, which is crucial considering the rising prevalence of obesity.ObjectiveThe objective of this visualization and bibliometric analysis was to characterize emerging trends in EE and DI literature from 2013 to 2023.MethodsWeb of Science Core Collection was searched using EE- and DI-related terms. A manual screening process was used to enhance the relevancy of included articles and to dichotomize articles as animal or human research.Results7149 articles were included: 4130 focused on animal models and 3462 focused on humans. Annual new publications grew 8.1% from 2013 to 2022. New publications increased faster in animal research at 10.1% compared to only 4.7% in human research. Keywords in animal and human domains clustered around four topics: 'energy expenditure', 'metabolism mechanisms', 'obesity', and 'dietary intake'. The most frequent keyword was 'obesity' in both animal and human research.ConclusionsAnimal and human research saw different trends in the rate of annual new publications, highly cited references, and keywords, highlighting the distinct approaches in animal and human models within EE and DI research.

BackgroundExisting tools for assessing mindful eating tend to be too long to use in many settings.Aims/ObjectiveWe assessed if a Shortened Mindful Eating Inventory (sMEI) would perform similarly to a previously developed longer inventory.Methods/MethodologyThe sMEI was constructed by selecting the items with the highest factor loading from each subscale of the original Peitz Mindful Eating Inventory (MEI) study. Participants (n = 224) completed the sMEI first and the MEI a month later to examine test-retest reliability. The Spearman's correlation coefficient was computed for sMEI and MEI scores overall and for demographic subgroups. Cronbach's alpha was computed to assess internal reliability and exploratory factor analysis was used to verify sMEI items loaded highly on MEI subscales.Results/FindingsThe mean age of the participants was 31.0 (SD 13.0) with 85.7% females. Overall, the sMEI and MEI were correlated (Spearman r = 0.73, p < 0.001). Among demographic subgroups, the correlation remained moderate to strong and similar (r = 0.62-0.76), but most highly correlated for females (r = 0.75, p < 0.001), and individuals 18-30y (r = 0.76, p < 0.001). Each sMEI item agreed closely (+/- 1-point) with its corresponding MEI item. The items also ranked high on factor loadings in their respective subscale, indicating their appropriateness as representing dimensions of mindful eating.ConclusionThe sMEI showed acceptable internal validity, good correlation with MEI, and sMEI items sufficiently represent each MEI subscale in our sample of mainly white female adults =< age 30. Therefore, in this population the sMEI may be a reasonable alternative when a longer measurement tool is not feasible.

BackgroundAcne vulgaris has a multifactorial pathogenesis; emerging evidence implicates micronutrients like calcium. This case-control study examined associations between serum calcium and acne, without assessing causality or ionized calcium.ObjectivesCompare serum calcium in acne patients vs. controls; correlate with severity and subtypes; adjust for dietary intake and hormones.Methods50 acne patients and 50 age-/sex-matched controls. Acne is graded by Global Acne Grading System (GAGS). Measured serum calcium, albumin, vitamin D, and parathyroid hormone (PTH). Dietary calcium via validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ; dairy vs. plant sources). Analyses: t-tests, ANOVA, correlations, multivariate regression (adjusted for body mass index, smoking, and hormones).ResultsAcne patients had higher serum calcium (9.8 ± 0.6 mg/dL) than controls (9.2 ± 0.5 mg/dL; p < .001). Calcium correlated with severity (r = .42, p = .003); severe cases: 10.2 ± 0.7 mg/dL. Inflammatory subtypes showed higher levels (10.0 ± 0.6 mg/dL) versus non-inflammatory (9.5 ± 0.5 mg/dL; p = .002). Adjusted OR for acne presence: 2.1 (95% CI: 1.4-3.2); severity β = 0.38 (p = .004).ConclusionElevated serum calcium associates with acne vulgaris, especially severe/inflammatory forms, suggesting a role in pathogenesis via metabolic alterations. Causality unestablished; calcium-modulating therapies warrant investigation.

BackgroundSibutramine was once a commonly prescribed medication for weight management. However, it was ultimately removed from the market due to its link to serious cardiovascular risks such as stroke and myocardial infarction. While its primary function is to suppress appetite, sibutramine has also been known to trigger a range of psychiatric symptoms, including anxiety, depression, and psychosis.ObjectiveTo present a case highlighting the potential mental health implications associated with the use of sibutramine.MethodsThis article presents a case report; clinical details were documented by the psychiatrist in charge and reviewed by the team. The Naranjo adverse drug reaction Probability Scale was used in this case to evaluate whether the psychotic events were associated with sibutramine use.Resultsa young female developed severe psychiatric symptoms requiring hospitalization after using sibutramine for weight loss. Treatment included suspending sibutramine and administering Aripiprazole 15 mg.ConclusionThis case serves as a poignant reminder of the potential dangers associated with using unregulated medications for weight loss purposes and underscores the importance of seeking professional medical guidance when embarking on any kind of treatment regimen.

Osteosarcopenic obesity (OSO) is a multifaceted condition in which obesity is present along with reduction in bone and muscle mass. The coexistence of these conditions increases the risk of fractures, physical disability and insulin resistance. This article explains the mechanism of insulin resistance in individuals with OSO highlighting the role of adipokines, lipid metabolites, pro inflammatory cells like Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha, Interluekin-6, Interleukin-1 in causing the defective insulin signaling and exacerbating insulin resistance. The pathophysiology involves muscle atrophy and bone loss exacerbated by insulin resistance. Life style interventions like low resistance exercise and intake of diet full of nutrients especially proteins can be helpful in preventing this condition. A combination therapy of resistance trainings and protein rich diet can be considered as effective approach in combating OSO and improving insulin signaling. This article accentuates the importance of lifestyle and dietetic alterations in addressing OSO and its associated metabolic and hormonal disturbances.