Pregnancy and lactation change women’s body composition (BC), but few longitudinal studies have investigated postpartum BC trajectories. We aimed to investigate maternal and infant predictors of maternal body fat (BF), fat mass (FM), fat-free mass (FFM) and BMI trajectories during lactation. Longitudinal study with 234 Brazilian mother–infant dyads followed at 1·0–3·49, 3·5–5·99 and 6·0–8·5 months postpartum. Maternal BC was estimated using bioelectrical impedance at all follow-up points. Longitudinal mixed–effects models with interaction terms with time (weeks postpartum) were employed. FFM declined significantly over weeks postpartum (β = −0·02 kg; 95 % CI –0·03, −0·01). Pre-pregnancy overweight women experienced an increase in all body components (BF: β = 4·91 %, 95 % CI 3·79, 6·04; FM: β = 6·46 kg, 95 % CI 5·26, 7·67; FFM: β = 3·72 kg, 95 % CI 2·80, 4·65) and BMI (β = 4·51 kg/m2, 95 % CI 3·91, 5·12). Multiparous women showed BMI increases (β = 0·76 kg/m2, 95 % CI 0·11, 1·41), and those who delivered by caesarean had FFM (β = 1·87 kg, 95 % CI 0·67, 3·07) and BMI (β = 1·39 kg/m2, 95 % CI 0·61, 2·18) increases. Women who birthed girls had reductions in FM (β = −1·24 kg, 95 % CI –2·41, −0·07) and FFM (β = −0·93 kg, 95 % CI –1·84, −0·01). Interactions occurred between maternal age ≥ 30 years, higher family income, multiparity and infant sex for BC and BMI trajectories. Maternal age, pre-pregnancy BMI, parity, family income, mode of delivery and infant sex predict maternal BC and BMI trajectories.

The rising incidence of neurodegenerative diseases in an ageing global population has shifted research focus towards modifiable risk factors, such as diet. Despite potential links between dietary patterns and brain health, inconsistencies in neuroimaging outcomes underscore a gap in understanding how diet impacts brain ageing. This study explores the relationship between three dietary patterns – Mediterranean, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) and Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay – and cognitive outcomes as well as brain connectivity. The study aimed to assess the association of these diets with brain structure and cognitive function, involving a middle-aged healthy group and an older cohort with subjective cognitive decline. The study included cognitive assessments and diffusion-weighted MRI data to analyse white matter microstructural integrity. Participants comprised fifty-five older individuals with subjective cognitive decline (54·5 % female, mean age = 64) and fifty-two healthy middle-aged individuals (48·1 % female, mean age = 53). Age inversely correlated with certain cognitive functions and global brain metrics, across both cohorts. Adherence to the Mediterranean, DASH and Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay diets showed no significant cognitive or global brain metric improvements after adjusting for covariates (age, education, BMI). Network-based statistics analysis revealed differences in brain subnetworks based on DASH diet adherence levels in the subjective cognitive decline cohort. In the healthy cohort, lower white matter connectivity was associated with reduced adherence to Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay and DASH diets. Ultimately, the study found no strong evidence connecting dietary patterns to cognitive or brain connectivity outcomes. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies and refine dietary assessments.

The marketing of unhealthy foods has been implicated in poor diet and rising levels of obesity. Rapid developments in the digital food marketing ecosystem and associated research mean that contemporary review of the evidence is warranted. This preregistered (CRD420212337091)1 systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to provide an updated synthesis of the evidence for behavioural and health impacts of food marketing on both children and adults, using the 4Ps framework (Promotion, Product, Price, Place). Ten databases were searched from 2014 to 2021 for primary data articles of quantitative or mixed design, reporting on one or more outcome of interest following food marketing exposure compared with a relevant control. Reviews, abstracts, letters/editorials and qualitative studies were excluded. Eighty-two studies were included in the narrative review and twenty-three in the meta-analyses. Study quality (RoB2/Newcastle–Ottawa scale) was mixed. Studies examined ‘promotion’ (n 55), ‘product’ (n 17), ‘price’ (n 15) and ‘place’ (n 2) (some > 1 category). There is evidence of impacts of food marketing in multiple media and settings on outcomes, including increased purchase intention, purchase requests, purchase, preference, choice, and consumption in children and adults. Meta-analysis demonstrated a significant impact of food marketing on increased choice of unhealthy foods (OR = 2·45 (95 % CI 1·41, 4·27), Z = 3·18, P = 0·002, I2 = 93·1 %) and increased food consumption (standardised mean difference = 0·311 (95 % CI 0·185, 0·437), Z = 4·83, P < 0·001, I2 = 53·0 %). Evidence gaps were identified for the impact of brand-only and outdoor streetscape food marketing, and for data on the extent to which food marketing may contribute to health inequalities which, if available, would support UK and international public health policy development.

The scientific literature indicates that chokeberry is widely used as a supplement to support the maintenance of the body’s homeostasis by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress. In recent years, positive effects of chokeberry on intestinal parameters have also been observed. Oxidative stress, inflammation and, according to recent reports, also the gut microbiome are closely related to the overall well-being and health of the population. This study, therefore, attempts to summarise all the health benefits of black chokeberry supplementation. This study was registered in PROSPERO (International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews) under registration number CRD42023395969. Additionally, the systematic review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) method. Electronic databases were searched in Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus and EBSCO using the following combination of the words ‘chokeberry or aronia’ and ‘inflammation or oxidative stress or microbiota or microbiome or permeability or gut’. Ultimately, fifty-seven studies were summarised in the review. Data analysis showed that black chokeberry has a positive effect on the reduction of inflammation, oxidative stress and intestinal microflora, but the size of the changes varies and depends on many variables. Therefore, the researchers concluded that the compounds found in black chokeberry play a pivotal role in maintaining the overall balance within the system. This is a crucial consideration given the tendency for disturbances in organismal homeostasis to accompany disease processes and various disorders. However, further research is necessary to elucidate the mechanisms and optimise its use fully.

This review aimed to assess the impact of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) consumption on CVD risk factors. Relevant studies were identified through electronic searches of databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, CENTRAL and EMBASE, up to January 2025. Twelve trials involving 770 participants with interventions ranging from 2 to 12 weeks and doses varying from 125 to 40 000 mg/d were included. Okra supplementation significantly reduced BMI (standardised mean difference (SMD) = −0·70; 95 % CI −1·23, −0·16; P = 0·011), fat mass (SMD = −0·74; 95 % CI −1·13, −0·36; P < 0·001), hip circumference (SMD = −0·85; 95 % CI −1·41, −0·28; P = 0·003), weight (SMD = −0·77; 95 % CI −1·42, −0·11; P = 0·022), fasting insulin (SMD = −0·35; 95 % CI −0·63, −0·07; P = 0·013), fasting plasma glucose (SMD = −1·07; 95 % CI −1·75, −0·38; P = 0·002), HbA1c (SMD = −0·38; 95 % CI −0·71, −0·05; P = 0·023), homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (SMD = −0·56; 95 % CI −0·84, −0·29; P < 0·001), LDL-cholesterol (SMD = −0·32; 95 % CI −0·52, −0·11; P = 0·003), total cholesterol (SMD = −0·45; 95 % CI −0·74, −0·16; P = 0·003) and aspartate aminotransferase (SMD = −0·45; 95 % CI −0·73, −0·17; P = 0·002). Okra supplementation demonstrated significant benefits in improving anthropometric measures, glycaemic control, lipid profiles and liver function tests, suggesting its potential as an adjunct therapy for improving CVD risk factors.

Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) poses significant health risks and is prevalent in children and adolescents in India. This study aimed to determine the effect of seasonal variation and availability of vitamin A-rich (VA-rich) foods on serum retinol in adolescents. Data on serum retinol levels from adolescents (n 2297, mean age 14 years) from the Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey (2016–2018) in India were analysed, with VAD defined as serum retinol < 0·7 µmol/L. Five states were selected based on a comparable under-five mortality rate and the seasonal spread of the data collection period. Dietary data from adolescents and children ≤ 4 years old were used to assess VA-rich food consumption. A linear mixed model framework was employed to analyse the relationship between serum retinol, month of the year and VA-rich food consumption, with a priori ranking to control for multiple hypothesis testing. Consumption of VA-rich foods, particularly fruits and vegetables/roots and tubers, showed seasonal patterns, with higher consumption during summer and monsoon months. Significant associations were found between serum retinol concentrations and age, month of sampling, consumption of VA-rich foods and fish. VAD prevalence was lowest in August, coinciding with higher consumption of VA-rich fruits and foods. Findings highlight the importance of considering seasonality in assessing VAD prevalence and careful interpretation of survey findings. Intentional design, analysis and reporting of surveys to capture seasonal variation is crucial for accurate assessment and interpretation of VAD prevalence, including during monitoring and evaluation of programmes, and to ensure that public health strategies are appropriately informed.

The sulphur microbial diet (SMD), a dietary pattern associated with forty-three sulphur-metabolising bacteria, may influence gut microbiota composition and contribute to ageing process through gut-produced hydrogen sulfide (H2S). We aimed to explore the association between SMD and biological age (BA) acceleration, using the cross-sectional study that included 71 579 individuals from the UK Biobank. The SMD score was calculated by multiplying β-coefficients by corresponding serving sizes and summing them, based on dietary data collected using the Oxford WebQ, a 24-hour dietary assessment tool. BA was assessed using Klemerae–Doubal (KDM) and PhenoAge methods. The difference between BA and chronological age refers to the age acceleration (AgeAccel), termed ‘KDMAccel’ and ‘PhenoAgeAccel’. Generalised linear regression was performed. Mediation analyses were used to investigate underlying mediators including BMI and serum aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase (AST/ALT) ratio. Following adjustment for multiple variables, a positive association was observed between consuming a dietary pattern with a higher SMD score and both KDMAccel (βQ4 v. Q1 = 0·35, 95 % CI = 0·27, 0·44, P < 0·001) and PhenoAgeAccel (βQ4 v. Q1 = 0·32, 95 % CI = 0·23, 0·41, P < 0·001). Each 1-SD increase in SMD score was positively associated with the acceleration of BA by 7·90 % for KDMAccel (P < 0·001) and 7·80 % for PhenoAgeAccel (P < 0·001). BMI and AST/ALT mediated the association. The stratified analysis revealed stronger accelerated ageing impacts in males and smokers. Our study indicated a higher SMD score is associated with elevated markers of biological ageing, supporting the potential utility of gut microbiota-targeted dietary interventions in attenuating the ageing process.

Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) is an important growth factor in childhood. We aimed to investigate the impact of food supplements for the treatment of moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) on serum IGF-1 (sIGF-1). Secondary analysis of a randomised 2 × 2 × 3 factorial nutrition trial was performed. Children aged 6–23 months with MAM received 2093 kJ/d as lipid-based nutrient supplement (LNS) or corn soy blend (CSB), containing either dehulled soya or soya isolate and different quantities of dried skimmed milk (0 %, 20 % or 50 % of total protein) for 12 weeks. The trial was double-blind with regard to soya and milk but not to matrix (LNS v. CSB). sIGF-1 was measured at inclusion and after 12 weeks of supplementation. Of 1609 children enrolled, 1455 (90 %) had sIGF-1 measured at both time points. During supplementation, sIGF-1 increased 6·7 (95 % CI 6·1, 7·3) ng/ml compared with an expected age-dependent decrease of 0·3 (95 % CI 0·2, 0·4) ng/ml. Children who received LNS v. CSB had a lower increase in sIGF-1 (–8 %, 95 % CI − 12, −3). The effect of LNS was partly attenuated when sIGF-1 was corrected for inflammation. Children who received soya isolate compared with dehulled soya had a higher increase in sIGF-1 (6 %, 95 % CI 1, 12). Milk content did not affect sIGF-1. Overall, sIGF-1 increased during supplementation. The lower increase with LNS v. CSB was only partly explained by increased inflammation with LNS and needs further investigation. Isolate v. dehulled soya led to a higher increase which may be due to antinutrients in dehulled soya.

Although the energy stored in the lean tissue (LT) and adipose tissue (AT) is well known, the energy required to synthesise these tissues is obscure. Theoretically, the energy at the point at which ΔLT/Δ body weight (BW) reaches 100 % on a regression line, which indicates the relationship between ΔLT/ΔBW and the energy required for BW gain, is considered to be the energy expended to synthesise LT. Therefore, we investigated this relationship in rats. Rats were fed diets with different ratios of protein, fat and carbohydrates because their ΔLT/ΔBW values were expected to be different. Six-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats had ad libitum access to normal (N, n 6), high-fat (HF, n 7) or high-protein (HP, n 8) diets for 4 weeks. The ΔLT/ΔBW was 0·77 in the N, 0·70 in the HF and 0·87 in the HP groups, respectively. The average energy required to gain BW was 8·8 kJ/g in the N group, 7·0 kJ/g in the HF group and 11·3 kJ/g in the HP group. We observed a positive correlation between ΔLT/ΔBW and energy required for BW gain. The regression line demonstrated that the energy expended to synthesise LT was 13·9 kJ/g and AT was −7·9 kJ/g. Therefore, combined with the energy stored in LT, the energy required to accumulate LT is approximately 19 kJ/g, whereas the energy to accumulate AT could not be elucidated.

Timing of food intake seems to impact metabolism and circadian rhythms, and eating in synchronisation with the rhythms has been suggested to be favourable for health. This study aims to evaluate temporal meal patterns in the Swedish population and explore differences between population groups. Further, to investigate whether temporal meal patterns are associated with energy and nutrient intake, data were sourced from two national dietary surveys Riksmaten Adolescents 2016–2017 and Riksmaten Adults 2010–2011, with a total of 4763 participants. Food intake and temporal meal patterns were measured with 3- to 4-day food diaries and/or 24-hour recalls. The average meal frequency was 4·2 eating occasions (sd 0·9) per day for adolescents with an eating window of 11·9 h (sd 1·7). For adults, it was 4·6 (sd 1·1) eating occasions and an eating window of 12·0 h (sd 1·9) Meal frequency was positively associated with energy intake in both adolescents (r = 0·47) and adults (r = 0·51). Meal frequency was higher with age, and adolescents skipped breakfast more often, and had a later energy distribution than adults. A higher eating frequency and eating breakfast are associated with a higher absolute intake of whole grains, as well as Vitamin D and folate. A higher eating frequency makes it more likely to reach nutrient requirements. However, a higher eating frequency was also associated with a higher intake of free sugars. The findings can serve as reference data for temporal meal patterns in the Swedish context and also show differences within a population, which can be valuable insights for public health nutrition.

Evidence of an association between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is emerging but is still inconclusive. The current cross-sectional study was conducted to explore the relationship between the two syndromes in a sample of Lebanese adults (n 221; mean age: 43·36 years; 62·9 % females), recruited from a large urban university and its neighbouring community. MetS was diagnosed based on the International Diabetes Federation criteria, and IBS was assessed using the Birmingham IBS scale. Logistic regression analyses were performed taking MetS and its components as dependent variables and IBS and its subscales as independent variables. Covariates included socio-demographic, dietary and lifestyle variables. MetS was positively associated with visual analogue scale (VAS) IBS (total scale (Beta = 4·59, P = 0·029) and VAS–diarrhoea subscale (Beta = 4·96, P = 0·008). Elevated blood pressure (Beta = 5·02, P = 0·007), elevated fasting blood sugar (Beta = 4·19, P = 0·033) and elevated waist circumference (Beta = 5·38, P = 0·010) were positively associated with VAS–Diarrhoea subscale. MetS and IBS were found to be positively associated in a sample of the Lebanese adult population. We suggest that it might be of value to screen for either condition if one of the syndromes exists. Future longitudinal studies are essential to establish a causal relationship between the two syndromes to further understand the commonality related to pathogenesis and explore potential underlying mechanisms.

Emerging evidence has shown a strong correlation between serum TAG levels, the inflammatory response and Parkinson’s disease (PD) onset. However, the causal relationship between TAG levels and PD has not been well established. We aimed to investigate the relationship between serum TAG levels and risk of PD and explore the potential mediating role of circulating immune cells and inflammatory proteins. We utilised genotype data from the GeneRISK cohort, and summary data from genome-wide association studies investigating PD, circulating immune cells, inflammatory proteins and plasma lipidomes. Using Mendelian randomisation (MR) and multivariate MR (MVMR) analysis, we further adjusted for phosphatidylcholine (17:0_18:1) and TAG (58:7). Our results suggested a robust causal link between higher serum TAG (51:4) levels and a decreased risk of PD, with 1 sd genetically instrumented higher serum TAG (51:4) level leading to a 21 per cent (95 % CI 0·66, 0·96) reduction in the risk of PD (P= 0·015). Additionally, the results of the mediation analysis suggested a possible role for mediation through circulating immune cells (including IgD-CD38-B cells and resting CD4 regulatory T cells), but not circulating inflammatory proteins, in the causal relationship between the plasma lipidomes and PD. Our study confirms a causal relationship between higher serum TAG (51:4) levels and a lower risk of PD and clarifies a possible role for mediation through circulating immune cells, but not inflammatory proteins. These findings indicate that serum TAG (51:4) regulates immunity to effectively lower the risk of PD.

Whole-body and regional raw bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) parameters have been used to develop lean soft tissue estimation prediction models. Still, no regional fat mass (FM) assessment models have been provided. Hence, we aimed to develop and validate BIA-derived equations to predict regional FM against dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in healthy adults. One hundred and forty-eight adults (77 females) were included in this cross-sectional investigation. DXA assessed whole-body and regional FM and raw bioelectrical parameters of distinct body regions were measured using a 50 kHz phase-sensitive BIA analyser. BIA-derived equations were developed for each sex using a stepwise multiple linear regression approach in 2/3 of the sample and cross-validated in the remaining sample. The BIA-derived equations exhibited moderate to very strong relationships (P < 0·001) with DXA-measured FM of all body regions in females (r = 0·650 to 0·907) and males (r = 0·401 to 0·807). Also, for all the models, no significant deviation from linearity was found (P > 0·10). Agreement analyses revealed no associations between the differences and the means of the predicted and DXA-derived FM. However, the limits of agreement were large, with individual errors exceeding 50 % in females and 70 % in males. While the new BIA-derived equations provide a valid estimate of regional FM in middle-aged healthy adults at the population level, demonstrating a cost-effective alternative to DXA for assessing regional FM, caution is advised when applying these equations for individual-level analysis.

Diet quality has been linked to socio-economic status. However, evidence within rural and regional populations is lacking. This cross-sectional study examined the relationship between diet quality and socio-economic position in adults living in rural and regional areas of Australia. The Australian Recommended Food Score (ARFS; range 0–73) measured diet quality (total and subscale scores). Area-level socio-economic position was determined by postcode-linked socio-economic index for areas (SEIFA), Index of Relative Social Advantage and Disadvantage scores, stratified into quintiles. The mean total ARFS (34·7; sd = 9·1; n 836) was classified as ‘getting there’. Findings showed significantly lower mean total ARFS between SEIFA quintile 1 (1 = lowest; mean total ARFS = 30·4; sd = 10·2; categorised as ‘needs work’) compared with all other SEIFA quintiles (F (44 831) = 8·44, P ≤ 0·001). Linear regression, adjusting for age, sex, income, education, employment status and household composition demonstrated significantly lower overall diet quality for SEIFA quintile 1 compared with SEIFA quintile 3 (B = –3·9; 95 % CI (–6·2, −1·5); P < 0·001) and lower subscale scores for vegetables (B = –1·6; 95 % CI (–2·7, −0·6); P = 0·003), fruit (B = –0·9; 95 % CI (–1·6, −0·1); P = 0·018) and grains (B = –0·6; 95 % CI (–1·3, −0·0); P = 0·050). After adjusting for individual confounders of diet quality, results indicate that lower area-level socio-economic position remained associated with poorer diet quality in this sample of rural and regional Australian adults. This suggests that broader social and environmental factors unique to these areas may impact diet quality and amplify individual barriers to achieving a healthy diet.

Postpartum maternal diet quality has been linked with optimal infant feeding practices. However, whether maternal diet quality during pregnancy influences infant feeding practices remains unclear. The present study explored the relationship between maternal diet quality in pregnancy and infant feeding practices in Australian women. A brief 15-item FFQ was used to collect maternal dietary data (n 469). Diet quality was calculated using a modified 2013 Dietary Guideline Index (DGI). Multivariable linear and logistic regressions with adjustment for covariates were used to examine associations between maternal diet quality in pregnancy and infant feeding practices: infant feeding mode, breast-feeding duration and timing of solids introduction. Higher DGI score during pregnancy was associated with higher odds of breast-feeding than formula/mixed feeding (adjusted OR (AOR) 1·03, 95 % CI 1·00, 1·07), longer breast-feeding duration (adjusted β 0·09, 95 % CI 0·03, 0·15) and higher odds of breast-feeding for ≥ 6 months (AOR 1·04, 95 % CI 1·02, 1·07) than for < 6 months. Associations between maternal DGI score and breast-feeding variables were moderated by maternal country of birth, with significant associations observed in Australian-born mothers only. No association was found between maternal DGI score and timing of solids introduction. Higher maternal diet quality was associated with better infant feeding practices, and the association was moderated by country of birth. Our findings provide evidence to support the initiation of dietary interventions to promote diet quality during pregnancy, particularly among Australian-born women. Further research could explore underlying mechanisms linking maternal diet quality and infant feeding practices.

Dietary choline and betaine, suggested as neuroprotective nutrients, have not been sufficiently studied in relation to psychological disorders. This study aimed to investigate the association between dietary choline and betaine and common psychological disorders (depression, anxiety and psychological distress) among Iranian adults. Using a multistage cluster random sampling method, 533 middle-aged adults were included in this cross-sectional study. Dietary intakes were assessed using a validated semi-quantitative 168-item FFQ. Depression, anxiety and psychological distress were evaluated using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the General Health Questionnaire, both validated for the Iranian population. Binary logistic regression was applied to explore the associations. Mean age of participants was 42·6 (sd 11·14) years; of whom 18·9, 5·1 and 33·4 % had depression, anxiety and psychological distress, respectively. In the crude model, the highest intake of choline was negatively associated with depression (OR = 0·52; 95 % CI: 0·30, 0·91), anxiety (OR = 0·38; 95 % CI: 0·14, 0·99) and distress (OR = 0·60; 95 % CI: 0·38, 0·94) compared with the lowest intake. After considering all confounders, such associations remained significant in the case of depression (OR = 0·51; 95 % CI: 0·26, 0·98) but not for anxiety and distress. Additionally, there was no significant association between betaine intake and odds of depression, anxiety or distress in both crude and adjusted models. This study suggests a protective association between choline intake and depression, while no significant relation was found in the case of anxiety and distress. Betaine intake was not related to psychological disorders. Further prospective studies are crucial to replicate these findings.