The current study aimed to assess the relationship between protein intake and bone parameters among dynapenic-obese older adults.

The current study is a secondary analysis with an a posteriori and exploratory design.

Subjects were recruited from the community via social communication (flyers and meetings in community centres) in the Great Montreal area.

Twenty-six subjects were divided a posteriori into two groups according to their usual protein intake: PROT−: < 1 g/kg per d (n 13; women: 53·8 %; 66·5 (sd 3·3) years) and PROT+: > 1·2 g/kg per d (n 13; women: 61·5 %; 67·2 (sd 2·7) years).

Both groups were comparable for age (PROT−: 66·5 (sd 3·3) v. PROT+: 67·2 (sd 2·7) years, P = 0·61) and gender (women: PROT−: n 7; 53·8 % v. PROT+: n 8; 61·5 %, P = 0·69). The PROT− group had a higher marrow area (P = 0·049), a greater bone compressive strength (P = 0·048) and a larger total bone area (P = 0·045) than the PROT+ group. However, no significant difference between the two groups was observed regarding body composition (fat and lean masses) or muscle composition.

A lower protein intake seems to be associated with bone sizes, which influence bone strength, but do not influence bone density among dynapenic-obese older people.

To estimate the prevalence of frequent milk consumption (≥five times/week), the consumption of low-fat/skimmed milk and associated factors in adults and older people, evaluating adherence to current Brazilian guideline.

Population-based cross-sectional study involving the analysis of data from the 2015 Campinas Food Intake and Nutritional Status and 2015 Campinas Health Survey. The prevalence of milk consumption was analysed according to socio-economic characteristics, morbidities and health-related behaviours.

City of Campinas, state of São Paulo, Brazil.

A sample of 1710 participants of the 2015 Campinas Nutritional and Health Surveys.

A total of 73·8 % of the population consumed milk, but the prevalence of frequent consumption was only 44·0 %. Frequent milk consumption was higher among women, older people and individuals with better diet quality. A total of 18·4 % of the individuals who consumed milk reported consuming low-fat/skimmed milk; this prevalence was higher among women, individuals with a higher socio-economic status, those with better diet quality and those with chronic diseases.

Despite the high nutritional quality of milk and the different types available on the market, adults and older people do not follow current recommendations regarding its consumption. Information on the nutritional quality of milk and current recommendations should be disseminated more at healthcare services.

To test whether traffic light labels and an increased range of healthy beverages, individually and in combination, can increase healthy beverage choices from vending machines.

Two studies (n 558, 420) tested whether the provision of traffic light labels (green, amber and red) and an increased range of healthy beverages (from 20 % to 50 % green options), individually and in combination, could increase healthy beverage choices from a digital vending machine display. The studies used a between-subjects experimental design, and a hypothetical beverage choice, a limitation when considering real-world applicability.

Both studies utilised an online Qualtrics survey that featured a digital vending machine display.

Both studies (n 558, 420) consisted of university students from Flinders University and individuals from a survey recruitment service.

Featuring traffic lights did not significantly influence beverage choices (P = 0·074), while increasing the healthy range (P = 0·003, OR = 3·27), and the combination of both, did significantly increase healthier beverage choices (P < 0·001, OR = 4·83).

The results suggest that the traffic light system and increased healthy range are not maximally effective when used on their own, and benefit greatly when combined, to increase healthy beverage choices. It was suggested that the provision of traffic light labels supplied the necessary nutritional information, and the increased healthy range offered greater opportunity to act in accordance with that information. In so doing, the present findings offer a promising pathway for reducing unhealthy beverage consumption.

The purpose of this overview is to synthesise and summarise the findings and recommendations of all 14 projects funded between 1997 and 2002 under Phase 2 of the Department of Health's Policy Research Programme Nutrition Initiative. This is aimed at end users, including policy makers, practitioners, researchers and research funding bodies.

The main findings and recommendations for policy and practice, as well as for future research, contained in the peer-reviewed final report of each project are summarised under headings identified as being useful for policy groups and practitioners: Maintenance of a healthy weight; Functional outcomes related to different markers of iron status; Nutritional aspects of bone health in humans; and Dietary interventions.

The overview draws together the key findings and recommendations for current and future policy and practice from the second phase of the research programme and identifies research gaps.

The findings and recommendations of the Department of Health's Nutrition Research Initiative have contributed to the scientific evidence base for policy development, policy evaluation, and will inform practitioners as well as researchers and research funding bodies.

To describe four different methods of identifying indicator foods that are high, medium or low in fat with reference to dietary patterns and to use these indicator foods to test three sets of definitions of ‘high’, ‘medium’ and ‘low’ in fat from ‘banding schemes’ developed by the Coronary Prevention Group (CPG), the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Sainsbury’s.

Indicator foods were developed using food intake data from the UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey and two parameters: (i) probability of the food being consumed by an individual with a high-fat diet (Method 1); and (ii) the contribution of the food to the fat intake of the average diet of consumers (Methods 3 and 4). Method 2 used both parameters. The three banding schemes were tested by assessing their levels of agreement with methods in categorising indicators.

Sensitivity in identifying high, medium and low fat indicators was highest with the CPG banding scheme (high and medium fat indicators) and Sainsbury’s scheme (low fat indicators) (Methods 2, 3 and 4). The levels of agreement (kappa coefficient) were 0·68 for the CPG scheme; 0·51 for the Sainsbury’s scheme; and 0·41 for the FSA scheme (Method 3).

It is possible to use indicator foods related to dietary patterns of a specific population to generate more rational definitions of ‘high’, ‘medium’ and ‘low’ in fat. This could be the starting point for the development of indicator foods for testing more complex nutrient profile models (i.e. those that consider more than one nutrient).

To describe the time trends and socio-economic inequalities in infant and young child feeding practices in accordance with the Brazilian deprivation index (BDI).

This time-series study analysed the prevalence of multiple breast-feeding and complementary feeding indicators based on data from the Brazilian Food and Nutrition Surveillance System, 2008–2019. Prais–Winsten regression models were used to analyse time trends. Annual percent change (APC) and 95 % CI were calculated.

Primary health care services, Brazil.

Totally, 911 735 Brazilian children under 2 years old.

Breast-feeding and complementary feeding practices differed between the extreme BDI quintiles. Overall, the results were more favourable in the municipalities with less deprivation (Q1). Improvements in some complementary feeding indicators were observed over time and evidenced such disparities: minimum dietary diversity (Q1: Δ 47·8–52·2 %, APC + 1·44, P = 0·006), minimum acceptable diet (Q1: Δ 34·5–40·5 %, APC + 5·17, P = 0·004) and consumption of meat and/or eggs (Q1: Δ 59·7–80·3 %, APC + 6·26, P < 0·001; and Q5: Δ 65·7–70·7 %, APC + 2·20, P = 0·041). Stable trends in exclusive breast-feeding and decreasing trends in the consumption of sweetened drinks and ultra-processed foods were also observed regardless the level of the deprivation.

Improvements in some complementary food indicators were observed over time. However, the improvements were not equally distributed among the BDI quintiles, with children from the municipalities with less deprivation benefiting the most.

The main aim of this study was to assess the psychometric proprieties of the Child Feeding Questionnaire (CFQ) in Italian mothers.

Mothers completed the Italian version of the CFQ, and children’s anthropometric data were collected. Construct validity of the CFQ was assessed by comparing three different models: (a) a seven correlated factors model in which all items were analysed; (b) a seven correlated factors model with composite items based on the Restriction factor and (c) an eight correlated factors model with a separate Reward factor. Measurement invariance using BMI categories and gender was evaluated. Furthermore, discriminant validity with group comparison was performed between BMI categories and gender.

Italy.

A total of 1253 6-year-old Italian children (53·9 % male) attending elementary school (1st grade) and their mothers (mean age = 38·22 years; sd = 4·89) participated in this study.

The eight-factor model with a separate reward factor provided the best fit for the data. The strict invariance of the CFQ across child BMI categories and gender was confirmed. The CFQ internal consistency was acceptable for most subscales. However, two subscales showed no adequate values. As expected, the CFQ scales showed significant differences between BMI categories, while no gender-related differences were found.

The study indicated the Italian version of the CFQ to be factorially valid for assessing parental feeding practices of 6-year-old children across BMI categories. Future research should address low internal consistency in some of the CFQ subscales.

Feeding practices used by educators in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) settings can influence the diet quality of young children. However, Australian data is scarce and limited to describing barriers to responsive feeding. This study describes the use of feeding practices amongst a group of Australian educators.

Direct observation of feeding practices and assessment of centre policy were conducted using the ‘Environment and Policy Assessment and Observation’ tool. Self-reported feeding practices and demographic data were collected via online survey using the Childcare Food and Activity Practices Questionnaire.

Ten centre-based ECEC services in South East Queensland, Australia.

Educators working in ECEC.

A total of 120 meals were observed and 88 educators provided self-report data (n 84 female). Centre policy supported the use of responsive feeding practices, and this was reflected in the high frequency with which children could decide what and how much to eat, across both observed and self-report data as well as low levels of pressure to eat and use of food as a reward (observed at 19·9 % and 0 % of meals). The only apparent discrepancy was regarding modelling. Median score for self-reported role-modelling was 5·0 (4·3–5·0) and educators were observed to sit with children at 75 % of meals, however observed occasions of enthusiastic role modelling was only 22 % (0–33·3) of meals.

Research addressing how educators conceptualise feeding practices, as well under what circumstances they are used, particularly in centres with different models of food provision, may shed light on why modelling is rarely implemented in practice.

Population reductions in Na intake could prevent hypertension, and current guidelines recommend that clinicians advise patients to reduce intake. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of taking action and receiving advice from a health professional to reduce Na intake in ten US jurisdictions, including the first-ever data in New York state and Guam.

Weighted prevalence and 95 % CI overall and by location, demographic group, health status and receipt of provider advice using self-reported data from the 2017 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System optional Na module.

Seven states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam.

Adults aged ≥ 18 years.

Overall, 53·6 % (95 % CI 52·7, 54·5) of adults reported taking action to reduce Na intake, including 54·8 % (95 % CI 52·8, 56·7) in New York and 61·2 % (95 % CI 57·6, 64·7) in Guam. Prevalence varied by demographic and health characteristic and was higher among adults who reported having hypertension (72·5 %; 95 % CI 71·2, 73·7) v. those who did not report having hypertension (43·9 %; 95 % CI 42·7, 45·0). Among those who reported receiving Na reduction advice from a health professional, 82·6 % (95 % CI 81·3, 83·9) reported action v. 44·4 % (95 % CI 43·4, 45·5) among those who did not receive advice. However, only 24·0 % (95 % CI 23·3, 24·7) of adults reported receiving advice from a health professional to reduce Na intake.

The majority of adults report taking action to reduce Na intake. Results highlight an opportunity to increase Na reduction advice from health professionals during clinical visits to better align with existing guidelines.

The cardioprotective effects of nuts are well established. However, the positive impacts of nuts in preventing CVD at a younger age, a condition known as premature coronary artery disease (PCAD), is still debated. Therefore, we aim to determine the association between nuts and PCAD occurrence and its severity in different Iranian ethnicities.

This case–control study was conducted within the framework of the Iran-premature coronary artery disease (I-PAD) study, an ongoing multi-centric study on Iranian patients of different ethnicities.

This multi-centric case–control study was conducted in among 3253 persons under the age of 70 years in women and 60 years in men from different ethnicities in Iran.

Information on nut consumption was collected using a validated FFQ. Subjects were selected from among the candidates for angiography. Cases were those whose coronary angiography showed stenosis of more than 75 % in at least one vessel or more than 50 % of the left main artery, while the control group participants had normal angiography results.

In the crude model, compared to the first quartile, the highest quartile of nut consumption was significantly associated with a lower risk of PCAD (OR = 0·26, 95 % CI (0·21, 0·32); Pfor trend = 0·001). In the top quartile of nut intake, a substantial decrease in PCAD was observed after controlling for putative confounders (OR = 0·32; 95 % CI (0·24, 0·43); Pfor trend = 0·001). Additionally, a 75 % decrease in the risk of severe PCAD was observed in the participants in the highest quartile of nut intake.

A significant inverse association was observed between nut intake and the risk and severity of PCAD in the Iranian population. Large-scale clinical trials are required to confirm these findings.