Neuromuscular disorders (NMDs) are a heterogeneous group of conditions characterised by progressive muscle weakness, motor impairment, and risk of malnutrition, affecting the quality of life (QoL) of patients. While pharmacological treatments are essential for the management of symptoms, the role of diet, nutrition, and other lifestyle factors remains underexplored. This narrative systematic review, performed on PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus following PRISMA guidelines, aimed to investigate the relationship between lifestyle, the progression of NMDs, and the QoL. A total of 30 studies (n = 5055 patients) met inclusion criteria. According to our search strategy, the most representative lifestyle factors were diet (70%), physical activity (53.3%), and emotional perception and care (36.7%); seven papers (23.3%) evaluated three or more lifestyle aspects. Overall, both quantitative and qualitative deficiencies emerged: calories, proteins, lipids, and fibres, as well as vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, selenium, and calcium, were lower than recommended. A reduced consumption of fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and seeds, replaced by ultra-processed foods, was detected. Diets optimised for calorie and nutrients intake, rich in anti-inflammatory foods, have shown benefits both in mitigating oxidative stress and muscle degeneration. Regarding other aspects of lifestyle, although physical activity was associated with improved motor performance and QoL, adherence was low, particularly among females. Negative emotional status emerged as a critical factor influencing patients’ overall well-being. Even in the most complex neuromuscular disease settings, addressing nutrition and dietary habits, in the context of lifestyle, could support patients and their families throughout the disease course and improve their QoL.

Obtaining accurate estimates of children’s dietary intake is important because these estimates are used to characterise diet–disease relationships and inform nutrition interventions. This systematic review synthesised findings from validation studies of dietary assessment tools for children (aged one to ten years) in which parents were proxy reporters. Database searches (Ovid Medline, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane) in January 2026 for validation studies of dietary assessment tools used for estimating daily intake of macronutrients and micronutrients yielded 4,545 citations. Articles were uploaded to Covidence for screening. Sixty-six articles met the inclusion criteria. Median sample size was 103. Of the studies, 86% (n = 57) validated a food frequency questionnaire; the remainder validated dietary recalls (11%, n = 8) or food diaries (2%, n = 1). Many studies (67%, n = 44) used another parent-proxy report tool as the reference method. For most nutrients, over a quarter of the 66 studies failed to find a significant correlation between the assessment tool and reference method. Among the 69% of analyses that did show a significant correlation, the median correlation for each nutrient ranged from 0.37 to 0.40 for macronutrients and 0.29 to 0.55 for micronutrients. Studies were limited by lack of generalisability, use of reference methods prone to error, and misalignment between the assessment tool and reference method. Overall, this review found no correlation or low-to-moderate correlations between dietary assessments and the reference method. The studies had significant methodological limitations. Future studies should validate parent-proxy report dietary assessments against objective measures, such as biomarkers. The development of novel assessment tools may also be warranted.

This review aimed to summarise the nutrition education programmes and interventions that have sought to improve maternal health outcomes. Pregnancy is often considered a ‘teachable moment’ when mothers may be motivated to adopt positive behavioural changes, including improving their nutrition habits. Pregnancy nutrition education is the provision of information and guidance on optimal nutritional practices that aim to support a healthy pregnancy. This scoping review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Eight electronic databases were searched (Medline, Embase, CINAHL, Global Health, Scopus, PsycARTICLES, SocINDEX, Academic Search Complete) for studies reporting on nutrition education programmes and interventions with pregnant women. Studies were included based on PICOS criteria, with no limitations on time and study design. Data were extracted and thematically analysed to identify the scope of diet, nutrition knowledge, and maternal outcomes included. This review includes 169 studies, which included various maternal outcomes (gestational weight gain, gestational diabetes mellitus, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, and anaemia); dietary outcomes; nutritional status; and nutritional knowledge, attitudes, and/or behaviours. Significant positive results were observed for many health and dietary outcomes, with the exception of prevention of gestational diabetes and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. A range of strategies has been used to deliver nutrition education. This inconsistency makes it challenging to summarise the key components of effective nutrition education and highlights the need for targeted approaches tailored to specific maternal outcomes.

Obesity is a multifactorial condition arising from complex interactions between genetic susceptibility, environmental exposures, and behavioural factors. Among the genetic contributors identified through genome-wide association studies, variants within the fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) gene represent some of the most consistently replicated loci associated with body mass index, adiposity, and appetite regulation across populations. Experimental and observational evidence suggests that FTO variants may influence energy intake, food preference, and metabolic pathways through effects on hypothalamic signalling, adipocyte biology, and epigenetic regulation. These findings have stimulated interest in precision nutrition approaches that aim to tailor dietary strategies according to individual genetic profiles. This narrative review critically examines the role of FTO gene variants in polygenic obesity and evaluates the current evidence supporting gene–diet interactions relevant to personalised weight management. We synthesised data from mechanistic studies, observational cohorts, randomised controlled trials, and meta-analyses to assess whether dietary interventions, including macronutrient composition, Mediterranean-style dietary patterns, and discretionary food intake, can meaningfully modify obesity risk in individuals carrying FTO risk alleles. While mechanistic plausibility and observational associations are well established, evidence from intervention studies indicates that genotype-specific responses are generally modest and context-dependent. Overall, current findings support the potential of precision nutrition as a complementary framework rather than a deterministic approach to obesity management. Further large-scale, long-term, and ethnically diverse intervention studies are required to clarify clinical utility and inform evidence-based implementation.

Perinatal depression is a common disorder that can manifest during pregnancy and the postpartum period, severely affecting both the mother and the baby. Dietary factors have been associated with an increased risk of perinatal depression. We analysed the association between adherence to certain dietary patterns before and during pregnancy and postpartum and perinatal depression. A scoping review of the available literature was conducted reporting the main findings following the PRISMA 2020 statement. The search strategy was last reproduced in December 2024 in the MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Scopus databases. The methodological quality of the studies was evaluated using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale and the revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials. The protocol has been published on OSF (https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/AV8TP). A total of nine studies (five cohort studies, three cross-sectional studies, and one randomized clinical trial) conducted in various countries were included in the mapping review. These studies evaluated the dietary intake of the participants at different times during the perinatal period and identified several dietary patterns. Of the nine studies, two research described the Mediterranean diet as a protective dietary pattern in prevention of depression, characterised by high intake of vegetables, fruits, fish, and seafood, and perinatal depression. In contrast, four of the studies showed that high adherence to Western dietary patterns (n = 2) or dietary patterns characterised by a high intake of ultraprocessed foods (n = 2) was associated with an increased risk of perinatal depression. These findings suggest that adherence to healthy dietary patterns may play a protective role against perinatal depression. However, further high-quality prospective studies and randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm these associations.

There is a lack of comprehensive reviews examining workplace health promotion (WHP) interventions targeting nutrition; most of the reviews focus on productivity-related outcomes. This narrative review, based on articles extracted from PubMed between January 2015 and July 2024, aims at providing a critical analysis of the current evidence regarding WHP interventions, and proposes practical principles for companies and human resource management to develop more effective WHP initiatives. The review includes 54 eligible randomized controlled trials conducted in various workplace settings across high-income countries, involving a general adult working population of both sexes, with or without metabolic chronic diseases. Among the 54 eligible articles analysed, 8 different strategies were identified for environmental, 6 for educational, and 5 for behavioural interventions. A combined educational and behavioural intervention was the solution most frequently applied (24 studies). Less than half of the studies were effective. Outcomes that improved most frequently in WHP interventions were waist circumference (11/20 studies evaluating this outcome), consumption of unhealthy food/nutrients (10/17), vending machines or worksite cafeteria purchases (4/5), and metabolic syndrome (2/4). 46% of the WHP interventions tackled ≥ 2 healthy lifestyle domains promoted by the World Health Organization, and 71% used technology. WHP programmes often fail due to poor design, but with evidence-based, tailored strategies and international guidelines, they could drive lasting, widespread benefits. Effective frameworks should balance scientific rigor with practical tools to ensure engagement and impact, providing concrete benefits for the employees, their families and the entire society.

The aim of this review is to describe nutrition strategies that may help to meet the ever-increasing global demand for chicken meat in a sustainable manner. This may include decreased reliance on imported feedstuffs through replacement of imported protein (e.g., soybean meal) with locally available alternatives such as canola or grain legumes, as well as a reduction in crude protein content in feeds through a precision use of amino acids and enzymatic supplements. Challenges, opportunities and research needs associated with alternative feed ingredients are illustrated, and potential risks or benefits to the health of birds, consumers and their environment are discussed. It is concluded that the long-term sustainability of chicken meat requires a multifactorial approach that relies on improved feed formulation practices based on use of local ingredients, reduced crude protein, optimizing feed processing (e.g., particle size), and use of feed additives (e.g., enzymes, synthetic amino acids, pre-and pro-biotics) whilst considering their impact on efficiency of production as well as animal, human and environmental health.

Tryptophan (TRP) is an essential amino acid that needs to be ingested into the human body with food. Once ingested in the human body, it is metabolised by gut microbiota into indole metabolites. These indole metabolites can bind to the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and pregnane X receptor (PXR). AhR is expressed in many immune cells. The innate and adaptive immune system is modulated by the binding of the indole metabolites to this receptor, and anti-inflammatory signal cascades are activated. PXR is enriched in the enterohepatic system and is essential in handling xenobiotics. Our analysis of results showed that the amino acid TRP and its indole metabolites are ligands, which can modulate mucosal barrier integrity and regulate disease states. The TRP indole metabolites were shown to be a possibility for the supported treatment of diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, ischaemic diseases, and neurodegenerative and autoimmune diseases, including multiple sclerosis. This review shows that the gut microbiome can be altered by supplementation in the nutrition of these bacterial metabolites. As shown in the examples in this review, inclusive experimental models and the supplementation of TRP and its metabolites could be an alternative approach for treating patients. This review highlights the nutritional aspects of tryptophan and its biochemistry. Furthermore, it sheds light on nutrition and the role of TRP malnutrition.

Many adults report insufficient sleep duration and poor sleep quality. Interventions to improve sleep in adults are thus needed, and evidence suggests that diet could benefit sleep health. This review evaluates whether nutrients and bioactive compounds in pistachios could improve sleep. Pistachios are particularly rich in vitamin B6, magnesium, fibre, phenolic compounds, and phytomelatonin that could benefit sleep health. These nutrients are implicated in melatonin synthesis and gut–brain axis signalling of inhibitory neurons. Our evaluation of the literature indicates that pistachios could represent a promising wholefood intervention for improving sleep due to their favourable nutrient profile. However, human trials are needed to assess the direct effects of pistachio consumption on sleep outcomes.

This umbrella review synthesised evidence from 35 meta-analyses encompassing 154 randomised controlled trials (11 newly included) and 78,175 participants to evaluate the clinical effects of calcium (Ca) and calcium plus vitamin D (CaD) supplementation on cardio-cerebrovascular outcomes and metabolic parameters. Data extracted from Embase, Web of Science, PubMed, and Cochrane Library (inception to 31 January 2025) revealed divergent outcomes: Ca supplementation demonstrated reductions in diastolic blood pressure, body fat, total cholesterol, and total/high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol ratio but was associated with increased cardio-cerebrovascular disease risk, elevated inflammatory markers (IL-6, TNF-α), two-hour postload glycemia, and waist-to-hip ratio. Conversely, CaD supplementation showed beneficial regulation of cardiovascular risk factors including decreased body fat, body mass index, fasting blood glucose, and improved lipid profiles (low-density lipoprotein, HDL, non-HDL, and total/HDL cholesterol ratios), whereas no significant effects were observed on cardio-cerebrovascular disease incidence. Limitations included exclusion of studies with an unspecified calcium source and suboptimal evidence quality. Taken together, these findings suggest that CaD supplementation may confer a more favourable cardiometabolic profile than Ca supplementation alone. Because several clinical event outcomes were supported by low-certainty evidence, the potential benefits and risks of calcium supplementation should be weighed carefully in individualised clinical decision-making.

Human milk is a dynamic, bioactive fluid that supports infant growth, development, and immune protection. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), characterised by glucose intolerance with onset during pregnancy, is associated with altered maternal metabolism that may persist postpartum and affect lactation and milk composition. To systematically evaluate and meta-analyse evidence on associations between maternal GDM and human milk composition across lactation, five electronic databases were searched for studies comparing human milk composition between mothers with and without GDM. Data were extracted for milk macronutrients, lipids, oligosaccharides, hormones and metabolic regulatory factors, immune and inflammatory factors, micronutrients and antioxidants, and multiomics across colostrum, transitional, and mature milk. Meta-analyses were conducted where possible. Fifty-two studies with 3233 mothers were included. Macronutrient content, total fat, and fatty acids were found to be similar between GDM and non-GDM milk. However, lactose concentrations were lower in GDM colostrum. In addition, mothers with GDM who were not taking docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplements had lower DHA concentrations than mothers without GDM. Appetite- and metabolism-related peptides were lower in colostrum, whereas other regulatory peptides were higher. Mothers with GDM had lower colostrum concentrations of human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), including 2′-fucosyllactose and 6′-sialyllactose, with partial normalisation in mature milk. Immune, metabolomic, and proteomic findings were heterogeneous but indicated stage-dependent remodelling. GDM is associated with selective, lactation-stage-specific alterations in the bioactive and functional components of human milk rather than the disruption of core nutritional composition. The stage-specific nature of these alterations suggests that human milk composition may adapt to maternal physiological changes during lactation.

Different types of bariatric surgeries, such as malabsorptive and restrictive procedures, can impact nutrient absorption and metabolism. One of the concerns for reproductive-aged women and pregnancy-capable individuals undergoing bariatric surgery is the increased risk of nutritional deficiencies during pregnancy and breastfeeding. This review aimed to collate and synthesise available literature on nutritional status during pregnancy and breastfeeding post-bariatric surgery. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews framework was used. It included peer-reviewed primary research studies published in English that reported the nutritional status of women with histories of bariatric surgery during pregnancy and breastfeeding. There were no time restrictions for including studies. A narrative synthesis was performed to summarise and interpret the findings. Anaemia and micronutrient deficiencies were frequently reported during pregnancy after bariatric surgery. Malabsorptive procedures were associated with greater micronutrient deficiencies during pregnancy, while the surgery-to-conception interval showed no consistent association. Macronutrient intake during pregnancy was characterised by high fat intake, low carbohydrate and fibre intake, and adequate protein intake. There was limited evidence of altered breast milk macronutrient composition following bariatric surgery. Limited qualitative studies showed that women wanted more nutritional information and support during pregnancy and breastfeeding following bariatric surgery. These findings highlight the need for individualised nutritional care, regular biochemical monitoring, and multidisciplinary management for women and pregnancy-capable individuals during pregnancy and breastfeeding following bariatric surgery, particularly after malabsorptive procedures. Further research is required to address gaps in evidence regarding mothers’ experiences and breast milk composition after bariatric surgery.

Women in West Africa experience unique vulnerabilities to food insecurity due to structural and cultural drivers rooted in gendered social norms. We aimed to systematically review and synthesise available evidence describing the extent of food insecurity among women in West Africa, focusing on prevalence, drivers, and gender inequalities. Global Health, MEDLINE, Web of Science, Academic Search Complete, and Scopus were searched from year 2000 up until 2023 for quantitative and qualitative studies reporting data on the prevalence or drivers of food insecurity among women (independently of or in comparison to men) in West Africa. Thirty-two studies identified from four West African countries (Nigeria, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Benin) met the inclusion criteria. About 24% of women experienced food insecurity in Côte d’Ivoire, 33–52% in Ghana, and 23–75% in Nigeria. In Benin, a study using the Household Food Insecurity Experience Scale (HFIES) reported a mean score of 3.2. Female-headed households had a higher prevalence of food insecurity than male-headed households. Key drivers of food insecurity among women included age (mixed findings across studies), low education, larger households, women’s income level, adhering to traditional gender roles, being single or widowed, assets owned, access to and control over productive and agricultural resources (land, capital), and autonomy. Food insecurity among women in parts of West Africa is high in prevalence, with significant gender inequalities. Targeted interventions to improve women’s access to resources, education, and economic opportunities, while addressing restrictive gender norms, should be prioritised.

Mental health conditions are one of the leading causes of disability worldwide, with affected individuals often experiencing poorer physical health and increased risk of comorbidities. Nutrition is increasingly recognised as a modifiable factor influencing mental health outcomes, and digital technologies offer opportunities to support dietary behaviour change in this population, though their potential remains underexplored. This systematic review synthesises evidence on digital interventions aimed at improving nutrition-related outcomes among adults with mental health conditions. A comprehensive search of PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Health Premium was conducted for studies published between January 2000 and August 2026. Two reviewers extracted data on study characteristics, participant demographics, mental health diagnoses, intervention type, digital technology, and nutrition-related outcomes. Outcomes included qualitative and quantitative measures of nutrition-related outcomes, feasibility, and acceptability. Twenty-six unique studies were included and categorised as: (i) lifestyle interventions with a digital component; (ii) fully digital lifestyle interventions; or (iii) digital nutrition-specific interventions. Findings were synthesised narratively due to heterogeneity. Across categories, digital interventions demonstrated mixed effects on dietary intake, diet quality, and weight management, with some improvements observed, although effects were not consistently significant. Interventions were generally feasible and acceptable, although recruitment, retention, and engagement varied. Challenges included technology access, adherence, and contextual barriers. The findings suggest that digital approaches are promising for supporting dietary behaviour change in adults with mental health conditions. Future research should prioritise high-quality, theory-driven, and co-designed digital nutrition interventions that address barriers to digital access and literacy and leverage digital tools to support sustainable nutritional change.

Systematic Review Registration: PROSPERO registration CRD42025622881