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To date, there have been few studies on dietary supplement (DS) use in Korean children and adolescents, using nationally representative data. This study aimed to investigate the current status of DS use and its related factors, among Korean children and adolescents from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) data.
Design:
A cross-sectional study.
Setting:
Data from the KNHANES 2015–2017. Participants completed 24-h dietary recall interviews, including DS products that the subjects consumed.
Participants:
The study population was 4380 children and adolescents aged 1–18 years.
Results:
Approximately 2013 % of children and adolescents were using DS; the highest use was among children aged 1–3 years old, and the lowest use was among adolescents aged 16–18 years. The most frequently used DS was prebiotics/probiotics, followed by multivitamin/mineral supplements. Factors that were associated with DS use were lower birth weight in children aged <4 years; younger age, higher household income, regular breakfast intake and lower BMI in children aged 4–9 years; and regular breakfast intake and use of nutrition facts label in adolescents aged 10–18 years. Feeding patterns in infancy and having chronic diseases were not associated with DS use.
Conclusions:
We report that over 20 % of children and adolescents use DS. Nutritional education for parents and children about proper DS consumption is needed.
The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between dietary total antioxidant capacity (dTAC) and risk of breast cancer among Iranian women.
Design:
In this hospital-based case–control study, dietary intake of participants was collected using a 168-item validated FFQ. Dietary TAC was assessed using FRAP assay considering. Logistic regression was used to obtain ORs for breast cancer across quartiles of dTAC.
Setting:
Cancer Institute, Iran.
Participants:
We included 412 women with pathologically confirmed breast cancer and 456 apparently healthy controls.
Results:
Mean dTAC was 11·3 ± 5·8 for cases and 12·1 ± 7·9 for controls. A trend towards significant inverse association was seen between dTAC and odds of breast cancer in the whole population; such that after controlling for several potential confounders, individuals in the highest quartile of dTAC were 0·39 times less likely to have breast cancer than those in the lowest quartile (0·61; 95 % CI: 0·38, 0·99, P < 0·05). In the stratified analysis by menopausal status, we found that postmenopausal women with the greatest dTAC had lower odds for breast cancer, compared with those with the lowest dTAC (0·47; 95 % CI: 0·24, 0·93, P < 0·05). This association strengthened after additional adjustment for BMI (0·28; 95 % CI: 0·11, 0·72, P < 0·05). No significant association was seen between dTAC and odds of breast cancer in premenopausal women.
Conclusions:
We found that dietary TAC was inversely associated with risk of breast cancer, in particular among postmenopausal women. Prospective cohort studies are needed to confirm these findings.
To develop a greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE) database for Japanese foods using three different approaches, compare the results of estimated diet-related GHGE and determine major food contributors among Japanese adults.
Design:
Cross-sectional. Three GHGE databases were developed: (1) a literature-based method including a literature review of life cycle assessment studies of Japanese foods and (2) production- and (3) consumption-based input–output tables (IOT)-applied methods using the Japanese IOT. All databases were linked to the Japanese food composition table and food consumption data. Diet-related GHGE was estimated based on each database and the 4-d dietary record data. Diet-related GHGE were compared in both total and food group level between the databases.
Setting:
Japan.
Participants:
392 healthy adults aged 20–69 years.
Results:
The mean diet-related GHGE significantly differed according to the calculation methods: 4145 g CO2-equivalent (CO2-eq)/d by the literature-based method, 4031 g CO2-eq/d by the production-based method and 7392 g CO2-eq/d by the consumption-based IOT-applied methods. It significantly differed in food group level as well. Spearman’s correlation coefficients between three methods ranged from 0·82 to 0·86. Irrespective of the methods, the top contributor to GHGE was meat (19·7–28·8 %) followed by fish and seafood (13·8–18·3 %).
Conclusions:
Although the identified major food contributors to GHGE were comparable between the three methods, the estimated GHGE values significantly differed by calculation methods. This finding suggested that caution must be taken when interpreting the estimated diet-related GHGE values obtained using the different calculation methods of GHGE.
To explore the scope of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its relationship to the major dietary patterns among an urbanised and semi-urbanised Tibetan population in transition from nomadic to settled settings.
Design:
Cross-sectional.
Setting:
Community-based.
Participants:
Urbanised and semi-urbanised Tibetan adults (n 920, aged 18–90 years), who have moved from nomadic to settled living environments, answered questionnaires on food consumption frequency and lifestyle characteristics through structured face-to-face interviews and completed anthropometric measurement and metabolic biomarker tests.
Results:
MetS prevalence was 30·1 % in males and 32·1 % in females. Low HDL-cholesterol and central obesity were the leading metabolic abnormalities (86·3 and 55·8 %, respectively). Three major dietary patterns – urban, western and pastoral – were identified. Beef/mutton was an important food group for all three identified dietary patterns. In addition, the urban dietary pattern was characterised by frequent consumption of vegetables, tubers/roots and refined carbohydrates; the western pattern was characterised by sweetened drinks, snacks and desserts; and the pastoral pattern featured tsamba (roasted Tibetan barley), Tibetan cheese, butter tea/milk tea and whole-fat dairy foods. Individuals in the highest quintile of urban dietary pattern scores were found to be at a higher risk of developing MetS (OR 2·43, 95 % CI 1·41, 4·18) and central obesity (OR 1·91, 95 % CI 1·16, 3·14) after controlling for potential confounders.
Conclusions:
MetS was common among urbanised and semi-urbanised Tibetan adult population in transition. The urban dietary pattern, in particular, was a risk factor for MetS. To prevent MetS, nutrition interventions need to be tailored to address the variety of local diet patterns to promote healthy eating.
To explore the association between dietary Na intake and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in a nationally representative sample of the US population.
Design:
In this cross-sectional study, the associations between Na intake and NAFLD, defined by the hepatic steatosis index (HSI) and the fatty liver index (FLI), were assessed through multivariable logistic regression models.
Setting:
Communities in the USA from 2007 to 2014.
Participants:
Men and women aged 20 years and older.
Results:
A total of 11 022 participants were included in the HSI-defined NAFLD analysis, and a subsample of 5320 participants was included in the FLI-defined NAFLD analysis. Compared with the lowest quartile of Na intake, the highest quartile had a multivariate-adjusted OR and 95 % CI of 1·46 (1·29, 1·65) for NAFLD as defined by HSI, and 1·41 (1·18, 1·69) for NAFLD as defined by FLI. This association was, to some degree, attenuated but remained significant after adjusting for several related metabolic parameters, including BMI, hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia, and diabetes.
Conclusions:
Findings from the current study indicate that dietary Na intake is positively associated with NAFLD in US adults.
To investigate homocysteine (Hcy) and folate levels, prevalence of hyperhomocysteinaemia (HHcy) and folate deficiency, which are affected by lifestyles in urban, agricultural and stock-raising populations.
Design:
This is a cross-sectional study.
Setting:
Urban, agricultural and stock-raising regions in Emin, China.
Participants:
Totally 1926 subjects – 885 (45·9 %) from urban, 861 (44·7 %) from agricultural and 180 (9·4 %) from stock-raising regions – were obtained using multistage stratified random sampling. Inclusion criteria encompassed inhabitants aged ≥15 years who resided at the current address for ≥6 months and agreed to participate in the study. Surveys on health behaviour questionnaires and physical examinations were conducted and blood samples collected.
Results:
The folate level of subjects from the stock-raising region was the lowest, followed by those from the agricultural region, and the highest in those from the urban region (3·48 v. 6·50 v. 7·12 ng/ml, P < 0·001), whereas mean Hcy showed no significant difference across regions. The OR for HHcy in stock-raising regions was 1·90 (95 % CI 1·11, 3·27) compared with the urban region after adjusting for all possible covariates. The OR for folate deficiency in stock-raising and agriculture regions was 11·51 (95 % CI 7·09, 18·67) and 1·91 (95 % CI 1·30, 2·82), respectively, compared with the urban region after adjusting for all possible covariates.
Conclusions:
HHcy and folate deficiency are highly prevalent in stock-raisers, which is of important reference for HHcy control in Xinjiang, with a possibility of extension to others with approximate lifestyles.
Chronic undernutrition is a common phenomenon in Bangladesh. However, information is grossly lacking to report the correlation between chronic undernutrition trajectory and lung function in children. The aim of the current study was to understand the association between early-childhood chronic undernutrition trajectory and lung function at preadolescence.
Design:
The current study is a part of the 9-year follow-up of a large-scale cohort study called the Maternal and Infant Nutrition Interventions in Matlab.
Settings:
The current study was conducted in Matlab, a sub-district area of Bangladesh that is located 53 km south of the capital, Dhaka.
Participants:
A total of 517 children participated in lung function measured with a spirometer at the age of 9 years. Weight and height were measured at five intervals from birth till the age of 9 years.
Results:
Over half of the cohort have experienced a stunting undernutrition phenomenon up to 9 years of age. Children who were persistently or intermittently stunted showed lower forced expiratory volume (ml/s) than normal-stature children (P < 0·05). Children who exhibited catch-up growth throughout 4·5 years from the stunted group showed similar lung function with normal counterparts, and a better lung function than in children with the same growth velocity or who had faltering growth. In the multivariable models, similar associations were observed in children who experienced catch-up growth than their counterparts after adjusting for covariates.
Conclusion:
Our data suggest that catch-up growth in height during early childhood is associated with a better lung function at preadolescence.
To further understandings of household food insecurity in First Nations communities in Canada and its relationship with obesity.
Design:
Analysis of a cross-sectional dataset from the First Nations Food, Nutrition and Environment Study representative of First Nations communities south of the 60th parallel. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess associations between food insecurity and sociodemographic factors, as well as the odds of obesity among food-insecure households adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics.
Setting:
Western and Central Canada.
Participants:
First Nations peoples aged ≥19 years.
Results:
Forty-six percent of First Nations households experienced food insecurity. Food insecurity was highest for respondents who received social assistance; had ≤10 years of education; were female; had children in the household; were 19–30 years old; resided in Alberta; and had no year-round road access into the community. Rates of obesity were highest for respondents residing in marginally food-insecure households (female 56·6 %; male 54·6 %). In gender-specific analyses, the odds of obesity were highest among marginally food-insecure households in comparison with food-secure households, for both female (OR 1·57) and male (OR 1·57) respondents, adjusting for sociodemographic variables. For males only, those in severely food-insecure (compared with food-secure) households had lower odds of obesity after adjusting for confounding (OR 0·56).
Conclusions:
The interrelated challenges of food insecurity and obesity in First Nations communities emphasise the need for Indigenous-led, culturally appropriate and food sovereign approaches to food security and nutrition in support of holistic wellness and prevention of chronic disease.
To assess the association between adverse childhood experiences (ACE) and behaviours of fruit and vegetable consumption among adults.
Design:
Cross-sectional analysis. Weighted χ2 and weighted multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine the association between ACE and low fruit and vegetable consumption.
Setting:
The 2017 Nevada Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.
Participants:
The sample consisted of 2939 adults.
Results:
After controlling for potential confounders, exposure to three or more ACE (adjusted OR (AOR) 1·42, 95 % CI 1·02, 2·00) and experiencing parental divorce/separation (AOR 1·50, 95 % CI 1·13, 1·98) were significantly associated with low fruit and vegetable consumption. The study did not find a dose–response relationship between the number of ACE and fruit and vegetable consumption.
Conclusions:
The study suggests that participants who experienced three or more ACE or parental divorce/separation were at increased risk for low fruit and vegetable consumption. The findings highlight the continuing need for public health interventions and policies that decrease exposure to ACE and increase fruit and vegetable intake among the populations with ACE.
This cross-sectional study evaluated the dietary characteristics of snacks, the contribution of snacks to daily nutrient intake and the association of energy intake (EI) from snacks with the prevalence of nutritional inadequacy in Japanese nursery school children.
Design:
Foods and nutrients consumed in each eating occasion were assessed by 3-d dietary records. The prevalence of inadequate intake of twenty nutrients assessed by the age- and sex-specific reference values in the Japanese Dietary Reference Intakes was compared according to tertile categories of EI from snacks.
Setting:
A multi-regional dietary survey based on nursery schools in Japan.
Participants
A total of 187 boys and 191 girls aged 3–6 years.
Results:
EI from snacks accounted for 19·5 % (sd 6·9) of total daily EI. Confectionaries accounted for the largest part of EI from snacks (35·3 %), followed by milk (19·5 %). Relative to their energy contribution, snacks accounted for a small proportion for all nutrients examined, except for free sugar, calcium, SFA and riboflavin. Although a higher EI from snacks was associated with favourable profiles for intakes of calcium, iron, thiamine and riboflavin, excessive intakes of free sugar and Na were more prevalent among children with a higher EI from snacks.
Conclusions:
Although snacks are effective in meeting the requirement of some nutrients among Japanese nursery school children, snacks are generally not nutrient-dense and have an impact on excessive intake of some nutrients. There is hence room for improvement in food choices at snack time.
To assess and compare the association between household food insecurity and child nutritional status over two time-points taking into consideration the effects of a severe drought.
Design:
The study used two cross-sectional household surveys during and after a severe drought, consistent with a natural experiment design.
Setting:
The study took place in the district of iLembe, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
Participants:
Households with children aged <5 years were invited to participate in the survey. Anthropometric measures were taken for the respective children in each of the participating households.
Results:
The results indicated that all forms of poor nutritional status increased over the two time-points, with the most significant increases being for stunting (P < 0·016) and obesity (P < 0·001). There was evidence of an association between increasing food insecurity and stunting (P < 0·003) at the end of the drought, but not wasting, underweight or overweight. The results indicated a strong link between chronic food insecurity and chronic undernutrition. The results also showed stronger evidence of an association between food insecurity and stunting for urban households (P < 0·001) compared to their rural counterparts (P < 0·019).
Conclusions:
The negative effects of drought appear to contribute to increased rates of child stunting through higher levels of household food insecurity. Future research should assess this relationship through longitudinal studies. Interventions aimed at improving food security may assist in reducing child malnutrition, but policymakers should consider urban–rural differences as well as climatic and environmental events.
To survey outdoor food and beverage advertisements (‘F&B adverts’) for products that may be a risk factor for obesity, diabetes and CVD located in the vicinity of gathering places for children and adolescents.
Design:
We recorded the GPS coordinates of all F&B adverts visible from the streets at distances of 0–100, 100–300 and 300–500 m from facilities often used by children and adolescents. Those for unhealthy foods and beverages were identified. The density (number per square kilometre) of such advertisements was calculated and evaluated using hotspot analysis.
Setting:
The sub-districts Mulyorejo and Sukolilo in Surabaya city and the sub-districts Banyuwangi and Giri in Banyuwangi District, Indonesia.
Participants:
None.
Results:
The proportion of all outdoor advertisements that were F&B adverts was slightly higher in Banyuwangi than in Surabaya. Of the 570 F&B adverts recorded in Banyuwangi, 227 (39·8 %) and 273 (47·9 %) were for unhealthy foods and beverages, respectively. Of 960 F&B adverts in Surabaya, 271 (28·2 %) and 445 (46·3 %) were for unhealthy foods and beverages. In both regions, F&B advert density increased near gathering places for children and adolescents; all recreational areas had at least one set of advertisements for unhealthy beverages and food at 100–300 and 300–500 m. Both regions had one hotspot with significantly high numbers of unhealthy advertisements; Banyuwangi had one cold spot with a significantly low number of healthy advertisements.
Conclusion:
Regulations to control advertisements for unhealthy foods and beverages in areas frequented by children and adolescents are urgently needed.
The study aimed to determine the associated factors of household food security (HFS) and household dietary diversity (HDD) during the COVID−19 pandemic in Bangladesh.
Design:
Both online survey and face-to-face interviews were employed in this cross-sectional study. The Household Food Security Scale and Household Dietary Diversity Score were used to access HFS and HDD, respectively. The HDD scores were derived from a 24-h recall of food intake from 12 groups.
Setting:
Bangladesh.
Participants:
A total sample of 1876 households were recruited.
Results:
The overall mean scores of HFS and HDD were 31·86 (sd 2·52) and 6·22 (sd 5·49), respectively. Being a rural resident, having no formal education, occupation of household head other than government job and low monthly income were potential determinants of lower HFS and HDD. Approximately 45 % and 61 % of Bangladeshi households did not get the same quantity and same type of food, respectively, as they got before the pandemic. Over 10 % of respondents reported that they lost their job or had to close their businesses, and income reduction was reported by over 70 % of household income earners during the COVID-19 pandemic, which in turn was negatively associated with HFS and HDD.
Conclusion:
Household socio-economic variables and COVID-19 effects on occupation and income are potential predictors of lower HFS and HDD scores. HFS and HDD deserve more attention during this pandemic particularly with reference to low-earning households and the households whose earning persons’ occupation has been negatively impacted during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory disease and a major global health-related issue. Knowledge, attitude and behaviours associated with this disease are being developed. Infected animals and consumption of contaminated foods are probably the main sources of this viral infection. Adhering to a healthy diet is effective in preventing patient affliction and recovery. Thus, the present research aims to determine the nutritional knowledge, attitude and behaviours associated with COVID-19 among Residents of Gonabad, Iran.
Design:
The present online cross-sectional survey was conducted in March 2020 on 389 people selected through convenient sampling method. The data collection instrument was a questionnaire developed by the present researchers comprising four sections: demographic information, knowledge, attitude and nutritional behaviour. The collected data were analysed statistically in SPSS.
Setting:
Gonabad city in Khorasan Razavi in the Northeast of Iran.
Participants:
All people at or above 18 years of age.
Results:
The present results revealed that the mean age of the participants was 37·3 ± 11·3 years. The mean scores for knowledge, attitude and nutritional behaviour were, respectively, 9·7 ± 1·4, 14·3 ± 3·5 and 29·6 ± 4·2. The mean scores for nutritional knowledge and attitude showed no statistically significant correlation with age, education, occupation, marital status and economic status. However, the mean nutritional behaviour score was significantly higher among women than men (P = 0·004).
Conclusions:
Participants’ nutritional attitude and behaviour regarding COVID-19, at its early stage in Iran, were average and above average. The public education provided with this regard can have affected this result.
The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine the attitude towards food prescriptions (FRx) interventions among clinicians and identify potential barriers to their use in clinical practice.
Design:
The current study employed an exploratory research design using in-depth semi-structured interviews. Research participants were selected from primary care facilities, family practice offices and obesity clinics located in Mississippi and Louisiana.
Setting:
Providers selected for participation in the current study serve predominantly rural, low-income communities in the US South.
Participants:
From an original population of fifty healthcare providers that included physicians, registered dieticians and nurse practitioners, from Oxford, Tupelo, Batesville, Jackson, and Charleston, MS and New Orleans, LA. Fifteen healthcare providers agreed to participate, including three physicians, four registered dieticians, three nurses and three nurse practitioners.
Results:
The current study found that while healthcare providers expressed a desire to use FRx interventions, there was a universal lack of understanding by healthcare providers of what FRx interventions were, how they were implemented and what outcomes they were likely to influence.
Conclusions:
The current study identified key bottlenecks in the use of FRx interventions at the clinic level and data provided evidence for two key recommendations: (1) development and validation of a screening tool to be used by clinicians for enrolling patients in such interventions and (2) implementation of nutrition education in primary professional training, as well as in continuing education.
To explore impacts of a demonstration garden-based agricultural intervention on agricultural knowledge, practices and production, food security and preschool child diet diversity of subsistence farming households.
Design:
Observational study of households new to the intervention or participating for 1 or 5 years. Variables measured were agricultural techniques learned from the intervention and used, agricultural production, household food insecurity (FIS) and child diet diversity (DDS), over one agricultural cycle (during land preparation, growing and harvest months).
Setting:
Fifteen rural subsistence farming communities in Panama.
Participants:
Households participating in intervention (n 237) with minimum one preschool child.
Results:
After 1 year, participants had more learned and applied techniques, more staple crops produced and lower FIS and higher DDS during land preparation and growing months compared with those new to the intervention. After 5 years, participants grew more maize, chickens and types of crops and had higher DDS during growing months and, where demonstration gardens persisted, used more learned techniques and children ate more vitamin A-rich foods. Variables associated with DDS varied seasonally: during land preparation, higher DDS was associated with higher household durable asset-based wealth; during growing months, with greater diversity of vegetables planted and lower FIS; during harvest, with older caregivers, caregivers working less in agriculture, more diverse crops and receiving food from demonstration gardens.
Conclusions:
The intervention improved food production, food security and diets. Sustained demonstration gardens were important for continued use of new agricultural techniques and improved diets.
A high-fibre diet is associated with a lower risk for diseases. However, few adults meet the dietary fibre recommendation. Therefore, the effects and acceptance of an algorithm-generated personalised dietary advice (PDA) compared with general advice (GA) on fibre intake were investigated.
Design:
A 6-week, single-blind randomised controlled trial with a 3-month follow-up.
Setting:
PDA was based on habitual intake and provided fibre-rich alternatives using a website; GA contained brochures. Dietary intake was assessed at baseline, week 1, week 6 and 3-month follow-up. Both groups evaluated their advice at week 6. All participants had access to PDA from week 7 until 3-month follow-up.
Participants:
Two groups of healthy adults: PDA (n 34) and GA (n 47). For 3-month follow-up analysis, participants were re-divided into visitors (n 52) and non-visitors (n 26) of the PDA.
Results:
At week 6, energy intake remained stable in both groups, but fibre intake per 1000 kcal increased non-significantly in both groups (PDA = Δ0·5 ± 2·8; GA = Δ0·8 ± 3·1, P = 0·128). Importantly, a significantly higher percentage of PDA participants adhered to the recommendation compared with week 1 (PDA = 21 % increase; GA = 4 % increase, P ≤ 0·001). PDA participants evaluated the advice significantly better compared with GA participants. At 3-month follow-up, fibre intake increased compared with baseline (visitors = Δ2·2 ± 2·6, P < 0·001; non-visitors = Δ1·5 ± 1·9, P = 0·001), but was insignificantly different between groups. Visitors had a decrease and non-visitors had an increase in energy intake (visitors =Δ − 132 ± 525; non-visitors = Δ109 ± 507, P = 0·055).
Conclusions:
The algorithm-generated PDA was well accepted and stimulated adherence to the recommendations more than GA, indicating to be a suitable and cost-efficient method for improving dietary fibre intake in healthy adults.
To evaluate the hypothesis that a perinatal educational dietary intervention focused on ‘eating for the gut microbiota’ improves diet quality of pregnant women pre- and postnatally.
Design:
The Healthy Parents, Healthy Kids study is a prospectively registered randomised controlled trial designed to evaluate the efficacy of a dietary intervention in altering the maternal and infant gut microbiota and improving perinatal diet quality. Eligible pregnant women were randomised to receive dietary advice from their healthcare provider or to additionally receive a three session dietary intervention. Dietary data were collected at gestation weeks 26, 31, 36 and postnatal week 4. Outcome measures were diet quality, dietary variety, prebiotic and probiotic food intakes, energy, fibre, saturated fat and discretionary food intakes. Between-group differential changes from baseline before and after birth in these dietary measures were assessed using generalised estimating equations.
Setting:
Melbourne, Australia.
Participants:
Healthy pregnant women from gestation week 26.
Results:
Forty-five women were randomised (twenty-two control, twenty-three intervention). Compared with the control group, the intervention group improved diet quality prior to birth (5·66 (95 % CI 1·65, 9·67), Cohen’s d: 0·82 (se 0·33)). The intervention improved dietary variety (1·05 (95 % CI 0·17, 1·94), d: 0·66 (se 0·32)) and increased intakes of prebiotic (0·8 (95 % CI 0·27, 1·33), d: 0·91 (se 0·33)) and probiotic foods (1·05 (95 % CI 0·57, 1·53), d: 1·3(se 0·35)) over the whole study period compared with the control group.
Conclusion:
A dietary intervention focused on ‘eating for the gut microbiota’ can improve aspects of perinatal diet quality during and after pregnancy.
To explore the use of references to the COVID-19 pandemic as part of the marketing strategies used on Facebook to promote ultra-processed products.
Design:
A search for Facebook accounts of ultra-processed products was performed using a master list of products commercialised in two online supermarkets in Uruguay. For each of the identified Facebook accounts, all the content posted from the confirmation of the first cases of COVID-19 in Uruguay, on 14 March 2020, until 1 July 2020 was recorded. Posts including mentions to COVID-19, social distancing measures or their consequences were identified and analysed using content analysis.
Setting:
Uruguay, Latin America.
Results:
A total of 135 Facebook accounts were identified, which generated a total of 1749 posts related to ultra-processed products, from which 35 % included references to COVID-19. The majority of the posts included references to prevention measures. Approximately one-third of the posts included proposals of activities to do at home, most of which were linked to a healthy lifestyle. Tips for coping with quarantine and descriptions of the charitable work undertaken by brands were also identified.
Conclusions:
Results from the present work provide evidence that industries of ultra-processed products have taken advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic to promote their products, create positive associations with the brands and improve their image as part of their digital marketing strategies.
To analyse nutritional and packaging characteristics of toddler-specific foods and milks in the Australian retail food environment to identify how such products fit within the Australian Dietary Guidelines (ADG) and the NOVA classification.
Design:
Cross-sectional retail audit of toddler foods and milks. On-pack product attributes were recorded. Products were categorised as (1) food or milk; (2) snack food or meal and (3) snacks sub-categorised depending on main ingredients. Products were classified as a discretionary or core food as per the ADG and level of processing according to NOVA classification.
Setting:
Supermarkets and pharmacies in Australia.
Results:
A total of 154 foods and thirty-two milks were identified. Eighty percentage of foods were snacks, and 60 % of foods were classified as core foods, while 85 % were ultraprocessed (UP). Per 100 g, discretionary foods provided significantly more energy, protein, total and saturated fat, carbohydrate, total sugar and Na (P < 0·001) than core foods. Total sugars were significantly higher (P < 0·001) and Na significantly lower (P < 0·001) in minimally processed foods than in UP foods. All toddler milks (n 32) were found to have higher energy, carbohydrate and total sugar levels than full-fat cow’s milk per 100 ml. Claims and messages were present on 99 % of foods and all milks.
Conclusions:
The majority of toddler foods available in Australia are UP snack foods and do not align with the ADG. Toddler milks, despite being UP, do align with the ADG. A strengthened regulatory approach may address this issue.