Food insecurity is an important public health concern; however, research into this phenomenon within the Netherlands is limited. Food insecurity is not solely related to individual factors, but can also be influenced by various factors in the social and physical environment. Therefore, this study aimed to identify determinants of food insecurity within the personal, social and physical environment, based on the social ecological model (SEM), and to identify their relative importance for experiencing food insecurity. The study population consisted of 307 participants living in disadvantaged neighbourhoods of the Dutch city The Hague, of which approximately one-quarter were food insecure. Participant characteristics showing bivariate associations P < 0⋅20 were placed in a predetermined level of the SEM, after which a multivariate logistic regression was performed for each level and the Nagelkerke pseudo R2 was presented. Determinants of food insecurity were BMI, gross monthly income, highest educational attainment, smoking status, diet quality, employment status, marital status and religion (P < 0⋅05). The results showed that 29⋅7 % of the total variance in food insecurity status was explained by all included determinants together. The personal, social and physical environment explained 20⋅6, 14⋅0 and 2⋅4 % of the total variance, respectively. Our findings suggest that determinants within the personal environment are most important for explaining differences in experienced food insecurity. The present study contributes to furthering the knowledge about the relative importance of the personal, social and physical environment, indicating that determinants within the personal environment may be most promising for developing targeted interventions to reduce food insecurity.

Short-term feeding studies have highlighted a phenomenon in Ca regulation that raises concerns around Ca absorption in dogs that may make an impact on commercial diets near to the maximum recommended level. A recent study to determine responses in dogs fed one of two diets differing in dietary Ca over 40 weeks found no evidence to suggest a concern across a range of biological parameters hypothesised to be affected by Ca. Unforeseen consequences of dietary Ca could have occurred and metabolic profiling was deemed a suitable data-driven approach to identify effects of dietary Ca. The objectives were to compare the fasted plasma metabolome (sampled at 8-week intervals over 40 weeks) of dogs fed one of two diets, near to the minimum and maximum recommended levels of dietary Ca. Comparisons with the control diet were also investigated across the postprandial time course (1–4 h) following acute (1 d) and long-term (24 weeks) feeding of the test diet. Comparing fasted plasma samples at each time point, no significant effect (adjusted P < 0·05) of diet on metabolites was observed. In the postprandial state, only phosphate was consistently different between diets and was explained by additional dietary P to maintain Ca:P. Metabolic profiling analysis supports the view that the dietary Ca upper limit is safe. Additionally, the canine plasma metabolome was characterised, providing insights into the stability of individual profiles across 40 weeks, the response to consumption of a nutritionally complete meal over a 4 h postprandial time course and different kinetic categories of postprandial absorption.

The association between diet and CVD cannot be assigned to a single nutrient, but rather to a set of nutrients and non-nutrients, and eating pattern analyses have become an important tool in investigation of this relationship. Our objective was to investigate eating patterns in relation to nutrient intake and serum concentration of folate, vitamin B12 and TAG in ninety-five healthy adult participants. Dietary information was collected by an FFQ, and eating patterns were obtained by principal components analyses of thirty-three food groups. Three eating patterns were extracted, a sweet eating pattern identified by intakes of cakes, snacks, sugar-sweetened drinks and chocolates; a prudent eating pattern identified by vegetables, fruits and olive oil; and a traditional food pattern identified by red meat, lean fish and cheese. Blood samples were collected in the morning after an overnight fast. Linear regression analyses adjusted for age, BMI and smoking showed a negative association between the sweet eating pattern scores and the serum concentration of folate (β = −2·31 (95 % CI −4·14, −0·45)) and a positive association with serum concentration of TAG (β = 0·35 (95 % CI 0·12, 0·57)). The prudent eating pattern scores were positively associated with the serum concentration of folate (β = 1·69 (95 % CI 0·44, 2·92)). In conclusion, a sweet eating pattern was associated with risk factors for CVD, whereas a prudent eating pattern was associated with protective factors.

Dietary diversity in children may be influenced not only by individual circumstances but also by the features of the community in which they live. Our study aimed to assess community and individual-level determinants of minimum dietary diversity among children aged 6–23 months in Ethiopia. We included 2960 children aged 6–23 months from the recent Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey. A minimum dietary diversity was defined as the consumption of at least five food groups out of the eight reference food groups within 24 h by children aged 6–23 months. Multilevel logistic regression was used to investigate the drivers of minimum dietary diversity in Ethiopian children aged 6–23 months. About 12⋅5 % of children met the bare minimum of dietary diversification. Age of the child (9–11 months AOR, 3⋅3 (95 % CI 1⋅8, 5⋅6), 12–17 months AOR, 4⋅0 (95 % CI 2⋅4, 6⋅7), 18–23 months AOR, 3⋅5 (95 % CI 2⋅0, 5⋅8)), caregiver listening radio at least once a week AOR, 1⋅6 (95 % CI 1⋅1, 2⋅4) and wealth quantiles (Second AOR, 1⋅8 (95 % CI 1⋅1, 3⋅1), Fourth AOR, 2⋅9 (95 % CI 1⋅6, 5⋅2) and Highest AOR, 2⋅2 (95 % CI 1⋅1, 4⋅2)) were individual characteristics associated with dietary diversity. Place of residence was the only community-level characteristic associated with children's dietary diversity (Rural AOR, 0⋅4 (95 % CI 0⋅2, 0⋅6)). The minimum dietary diversity among Ethiopian children is suboptimal. Nutrition programmes aimed at enhancing dietary diversity should be strengthened in this population, particularly for those from poor families and residing in rural areas.

Information regarding Zn status in the Australian population is very limited. Mild deficiencies in Zn have been associated with CVD, impaired immune function and poor healing. A cross-sectional study of 497 northern Tasmanian adults (24–82 years of age) was conducted to assess Zn status. Dietary intakes were assessed by FFQ and serum concentrations of Zn were evaluated using International Zinc Nutrition Consultative Group methodology. Mean Zn intakes were 12·6 (sd 4·4) mg/d for men and 10·9 (sd 3·6) mg/d for women. It was found that 52 % of men but only 9 % of women consumed less than the Australia/New Zealand estimated average requirement for Zn. Mean serum Zn was 13·0 (sd 2·4) µmol/l in men and 13·0 (sd 2·5) µmol/l in women. Overall, 15 % of men and 7 % of women had low serum Zn levels. Furthermore, low serum Zn was observed in 18 % of men 50 years or older and 30 % of men 70 years or older. The present results suggest that mild Zn deficiency may be prevalent in older Tasmanian adults, particularly men; and due to the importance of Zn in many areas of health, this could be of public health concern.

Maternal obesity may compromise the micronutrient status of the offspring. Vitamin A (VA) is an essential micronutrient during neonatal development. Its active metabolite, retinoic acid (RA), is a key regulator of VA homeostasis, which also regulates adipose tissue (AT) development in obese adults. However, its role on VA status and AT metabolism in neonates was unknown and it was determined in the present study. Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were randomised to a normal fat diet (NFD) or a high fat diet (HFD). From postnatal day 5 (P5) to P20, half of the HFD pups received oral RA every 3 d (HFDRA group). NFD pups and the remaining HFD pups (HFD group) received placebo. Six hours after dosing on P8, P14 and P20, n 4 pups per group were euthanised for different measures. It was found that total retinol concentration in neonatal liver and lung was significantly lower in the HFD group than the NFD group, while the concentrations were significantly increased in the HFDRA group. The HFD group exhibited significantly higher body weight (BW) gain, AT mass, serum leptin and adiponectin, and gene expression of these adipokines in white adipose tissue compared with the NFD group; these measures were significantly reduced in the HFDRA group. BAT UCP2 and UCP3 gene expression were significantly higher in pups receiving RA. In conclusion, repeated RA treatment during the suckling period improved the tissue VA status of neonates exposed to maternal obesity. RA also exerted a regulatory effect on neonatal obesity development by reducing BW gain and adiposity and modulating AT metabolism.

Little is known on the association between frequency of yogurt consumption and dietary intake in the United Kingdom (UK). The aim of the present study was to examine associations between frequency of yogurt consumption and dietary outcomes in children (n 1912, age 9⋅6 ± 0⋅1 years, 51 % boys) and adults (n 2064, age 48⋅7 ± 0⋅5 years, 49 % men) using cross-sectional data from the National Diet and Nutrition Survey rolling programme year 7 to year 9 (2014/15–2016/17). The frequency of yogurt consumption was determined by the number of days with yogurt reported in 4-d food diaries and participants were classified as non-eaters, occasional eaters (1–2 d of consumption) or regular eaters (3–4 d of consumption). Dietary outcomes were estimated from food diaries. The frequency of yogurt consumption was positively associated with intake of key vitamins and minerals such as thiamin, riboflavin, vitamin C, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and iodine in both children and adults (all P < 0⋅0018), as well as higher intake of total dairy (P < 0⋅0001 for both children and adults). Regular yogurt eaters were more likely to meet or exceed nutrient recommendations for vitamins and minerals such as vitamin A, riboflavin, folate, potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc and iodine (all P < 0⋅001). Diet quality was positively associated with frequency of yogurt consumption in children (P = 0⋅045) and adults (P < 0⋅001). No association between yogurt consumption and free sugar intake was found (P = 0⋅49 for children and P = 0⋅29 for adults). The study suggests that frequency of yogurt consumption is associated with better dietary intake and diet quality in children and adults in the UK.

In 2021, the Lancet Commission on adolescent nutrition highlighted the need to prioritise the elimination of adolescent malnutrition to tap the human capital potential and break the intergenerational malnutrition trap. The nutritional requirement during adolescence reaches its peak. The present study aims to appraise the prevalence of undernutrition (stunting and thinness) and anaemia among adolescents (10–19 years) in India and the role of socioeconomic, individual-level hygiene behaviour and dietary diversity in nutritional outcomes. We have used the nationally representative Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey (CNNS-2016–18) that covers children and adolescents (0–19 years) in India. The prevalence of stunting, anaemia and thinness among adolescents was 27⋅2, 28⋅5 and 24⋅1 %, respectively. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression models were applied to estimate the likelihood of undernutrition. The likelihood of stunting was higher for late adolescence (OR 1⋅21, 95 % CI 1⋅15, 1⋅27), low dietary diversity (OR 1⋅37, 95 % CI 1⋅26, 1⋅49) and low hygiene behaviour compliance (OR 1⋅53, 95 % CI 1⋅42, 1⋅64). Adolescents from the poorest quintile were more likely to be stunted (OR 3⋅20, 95 % CI 2⋅94, 3⋅48), anaemic (OR 1⋅66, 95 % CI 1⋅47, 1⋅87) and thin (OR 1⋅68, 95 % CI 1⋅54, 1⋅82). We found that lower hygienic compliance was significantly associated with undernutrition and anaemia. Therefore, promoting hygienic practices should be emphasised to tackle undernutrition and anaemia. Furthermore, dietary diversity and poverty were strong predictors of stunting and thinness, therefore targeting the poor and focusing on improving dietary diversity should be the priority.

The physiological demands of weight-pulling dogs have yet to be investigated. Two groups of competitive weight-pulling dogs both underwent two identical pull series 3 h apart. The control group (n 8) was compared with a group fed a rapidly digestible carbohydrate and protein supplement after the first pull series (n 9). Blood was drawn before and after each pull series as well as at 15 and 30 min after the first pull series finished. Biochemistry values remained unremarkable throughout the study in both groups regardless of supplementation or exercise over time. Lactic acid showed mild significant increases post-exercise (2·1 (sd 1·2) mmol/l) compared with baseline (1·4 (sd 0·3) mmol/l; P = 0·03) after the initial pull series. When examining the effects of time there was a significant increase in insulin from baseline (median of 10·8 (range 6·8–17·4) μIU/ml) compared with 30 min after supplementation (17·0 (range 8·1–33·0) μIU/ml) and at 3 h after supplementation (19·2 (range 9·7–53·4) μIU/ml). In the treatment group there was also a time effect, with glucagon being elevated from baseline (median of 100 (range 79–115) pg/ml) compared with 30 min after supplementation (114 (range 90–183) pg/ml) and after the second pull series (131 (range 107–152) pg/ml). Evaluation of each dog's ability to pull the same or greater amount of weight on the second pull series revealed no significant differences. In conclusion, weight-pulling dogs have mild elevations in lactate reflecting little anaerobic metabolism compared with other canine sprinting athletes; hormonal changes associated with carbohydrate absorption are reflected within the treatment group, and supplementation had no effect on performance.

Despite the high burden of neural tube defects (NTD) in eastern Ethiopia, there is no evidence that it is related to maternal dietary practice. The aim of the present study was to compare dietary practice between women who gave birth to newborns with and without NTDs. A comparative cross-sectional study was performed on a total of 276 (138 in each group) mothers who delivered neonates with or without NTD. Study participants were selected from three hospitals found in the eastern part of Ethiopia. The dietary practice was determined using the indicators including meal frequency, dietary diversity score (DDS), food variety score (FVS) and consumption of animal source food (ASF) generated from the dietary data collected using validated and pre-tested Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). A multivariable logistic regression model was fitted to isolate independent predictors of dietary practices. The prevalence of good dietary practice was 29 % (95 % CI 23·6 %, 34·3 %). There was a significant difference in dietary practices (P = 0·034), in FVS (P = 0·01), in DDS (P = 0·045) between the two groups. In multivariable logistic regression, independent predictors of having good dietary practice were: not being the mother of a newborn with NTDs [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 2·1, 95 % CI 1·07, 4·1], being from a rural residence area (AOR 0·29, 95 % CI 0·1, 0·7) and being illiterate (AOR 0·16, 95 % CI 0·03, 0·8). The present study found that dietary practice is associated with the development of NTDs. Nutrition education, food fortification and supplementation are needed to address this issue, and further research is needed to explore the mechanism.

Feeding is a source of interaction and communication. It affects children's physical and psychological/emotional development. The present study aims to examine the association between caregiver and child characteristics and caregivers' feeding practices among preschools in Addis Ababa. We conducted a cross-sectional study among 542 caregivers of children aged between 3 and 6 years old in selected preschools. We used the Child Feeding Questionnaire (CFQ) to measure caregivers' feeding practices. Multiple linear regression was used for analysis. Caregivers who had higher levels of perceived feeding responsibility (β 0⋅20, P < 0⋅001), who were more concerned about their child being overweight (β 0⋅11, P < 0⋅001) and who had more depressive symptoms (β 0⋅23, P 0⋅05) were associated with food restriction practice. Caregivers who were less concerned about their child being overweight (β −0⋅10, P < 0⋅001) and who had higher levels of perceived feeding responsibility (β 0⋅25, P < 0⋅001) were associated with pressure to eat practice. Caregivers who had higher education (β 0⋅29, P < 0⋅05), who had higher levels of perceived feeding responsibility (β 0⋅47, P < 0⋅001), who were more concerned about their child being overweight (β 0⋅15, P < 0⋅001) and who were less concerned about their child underweight (β −0⋅06, P < 0⋅05) were associated with monitoring feeding practice. In addition, as the children have gotten older (β 0⋅08, P < 0⋅05), there is increased use of monitoring feeding practice. This study is one of few studies that show the association between caregiver and child characteristics and feeding practices in developing countries such as Ethiopia. It is essential to include responsive feeding components in national nutritional programmes to improve preschool children's nutritional status in Ethiopia.

Litter size reduction can induce early overnourishment, being an attractive experimental model to study short- and long-term consequences of childhood obesity. Epidemiological data indicate sex differences regarding cardiometabolic disorders and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The present study aimed to describe biometric, nutritional and cardiovascular changes related to neonatal overweight promoted by litter size reduction in young and adult Wistar rats of both sexes. Litter adjustment to eight or four pups/mother (1:1 male-to-female ratio) gave, respectively, control and overweight groups. Body mass, food intake, haemodynamic and echocardiographic parameters and cardiorespiratory capacity were evaluated at postnatal days 30 and 150. Diminished litters were correlated with higher body mass and weight gain (12 %) during lactation, validating the experimental model of neonatal overweight. Soon after weaning male (16 %) and female (25 %) offspring of these litters presented a lower food intake than their respective control, without differences in body mass. Adult males from reduced litters presented higher abdominal circumference (7 %), systolic blood pressure (10 %), interventricular septum thickness (15 %) and relative wall thickness (15 %) compared with their respective control. Rats' performance on the maximal effort ergometer test was not affected by neonatal overweight. Data suggest the occurrence of catch-down growth and hypophagia in male and female rats submitted to neonatal overweight. However, only male rats presented haemodynamic and cardiac structural changes. These findings are crucial to personalised/gender medicine.

Previous studies have shown that fish protein, as well as marine n-3 PUFA, may have beneficial effects on cardiovascular risk profile. The objectives of this study were to investigate the combined effects of fish gelatine (FG) and n-3 PUFA supplementation on (1) energy intake and body weight, (2) lipid profile and (3) inflammatory and CVD markers in free-living insulin-resistant males and females. Subjects were asked to consume, in a crossover study design with two experimental periods of 8 weeks each, an n-3 PUFA supplement and n-3 PUFA supplement plus FG (n-3 PUFA + FG). n-3 PUFA + FG led to an increase in protein intake and a decrease in carbohydrate intake compared with n-3 PUFA (P < 0·02) in males and females. Sex–treatment interactions were observed for TAG (P = 0·03) and highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) (P = 0·001) levels. In females, n-3 PUFA reduced plasma TAG by 8 % and n-3 PUFA + FG by 23 %, whereas in males, n-3 PUFA reduced plasma TAG by 25 % and n-3 PUFA + FG by 11 %. n-3 PUFA increased serum hsCRP by 13 % and n-3 PUFA + FG strongly reduced hsCRP by 40 % in males, whereas in females, n-3 PUFA reduced serum hsCRP by 6 % and n-3 PUFA + FG increased hsCRP by 20 %. In conclusion, supplementation with FG may enhance the lipid-lowering effect of marine n-3 PUFA in females and beneficially counteract the effect of n-3 PUFA on serum hsCRP in males. Further studies are needed to identify the sex-dependent mechanisms responsible for the divergent effects of FG on TAG and hsCRP levels in females and males, respectively.

Previous research into the effectiveness of healthy eating programmes has shown increases in healthful eating behaviour in primary schools; however, data collection methods have not been sufficiently sensitive to detect micronutrient changes. The present study extends the literature by measuring individual children's intake of macro- and micronutrients at lunchtime, before and after a programme targeting children's consumption of fruit and vegetables, to identify evidence-based health benefits of programme participation. Baseline data were collected over 4 d at lunchtime in two primary schools. The Food Dudes programme was then implemented in the intervention school. Follow-up data were collected over 4 d in each school 2 months after baseline. We employed a validated and sensitive photographic method to estimate individual children's (N 112) consumption of fruit, vegetables, and their intake of calories, macro- and selected micronutrients. Significant changes were observed in the intervention school but not in the control school: Children's consumption of fruit, vegetables, vitamin C and E intake increased, while their total energy consumption, fat, saturated fat, and sodium intake decreased. The present results show that the Food Dudes programme produced a positive nutritional change, with implications for its application as a healthy eating and obesity prevention intervention. These optimistic conclusions should be tested by further research to establish the longevity of the positive effects presented here.

A validation study of an interviewer-administered, seven-day semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (7-d SQFFQ) was conducted in Bangladeshi rural preschool age children. Using a cross-sectional study design, 105 children from 103 households were randomly selected. For the SQFFQ, a list of commonly consumed foods was adapted from the Bangladesh national micronutrient survey 2011–12. The data on the actual number of times and the amount of the children's consumption of the foods in the preceding 1 week were collected by interviewing the mothers. The intake was compared with two non-consecutive days 24-h dietary recalls conducted within 2 weeks after the SQFFQ. Validity was assessed by the standard statistical tests. After adjusting for the energy intake and de-attenuation for within-subject variation, the food groups (cereals, animal source foods, milk and the processed foods) had ‘good’ correlations between the methods (rho 0⋅65–0⋅93; P < 0⋅001). Similarly, the macronutrients (carbohydrate, protein and fats) had ‘good’ correlations (rho 0⋅50–0⋅75; P < 0⋅001) and the key micronutrients (iron, zinc, calcium, vitamin A, etc.) demonstrated ‘good’ correlations (rho 0⋅46–0⋅85; P < 0⋅001). The variation in classifying the two extreme quintiles by the SQFFQ and the 24-h recalls was <10 %. The results from Lin's concordance coefficients showed a ‘moderate’ to ‘excellent’ absolute agreement between the two methods for food groups, and nutrients (0⋅21–0⋅90; P < 0⋅001). This interviewer-administered, 7-d SQFFQ with an open-ended intake frequency demonstrated adequate validity to assess the dietary intake for most nutrients and suitable for dietary assessments of young children in Bangladesh.

Anaemia remains among the most prevalent nutritional problems among children in developing countries. In Ethiopia, more than half of children <5 years of age are anaemic. In the early stages of life, it leads to poor cognitive performance, delay psychomotor development and decreases working capacity in later life. The present study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of anaemia among children aged 6–23 months in the Bale zone. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 1 to 30 June 2021. Multistage stratified sampling and simple random sampling techniques were employed to select 770 samples. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-demographic, child health and feeding practices. Haemoglobin levels were estimated using a portable Hemosmart machine. Children with haemoglobin values below 11 g/dl were considered anaemic. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with anaemia. Statistical significance was set at P < 0⋅05. The prevalence of anaemia was 47⋅9 % (95 % CI (44⋅4, 51⋅5)). The multivariate analysis showed that child age (6–11 months) (AOR 1⋅47; 95 % CI (1⋅06, 2⋅03)), household food insecurity (AOR 1⋅44; 95 % CI (1⋅01, 2⋅04)), having diarrhoea and cough in the past 2 weeks (AOR 1⋅70; 95 % CI (1⋅18, 2⋅44)) and (AOR 1⋅97; 95 % CI (1⋅28, 3⋅04), respectively), not consuming the recommended dietary diversity (AOR 2⋅72; 95 % CI (1⋅96, 3⋅77)) and stunting (AOR 1⋅88; 95 % CI (1⋅31, 2⋅70)) were significantly associated with anaemia. Anaemia in children aged 6–23 months was a severe public health problem in the study area. Integrated nutritional interventions combined with iron fortification and supplementation is recommended.

Among countries which have undergone a rapid socio-economic and nutrition transition over the past few decades, the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius is among those with the greatest surge in the prevalence of type 2 diabetes and CVD. The aim of the present study was to characterise the BMI and cardiovascular functions of children and adolescents of this at-risk population. Data were collected through measurements of anthropometry, resting heart rate and blood pressure in a nationally representative sample (n 2489) of children (5–10 years) and adolescents (11–18 years), and analysed according to sex and ethnic identity: South Asian Hindus and Muslims (both of Indian ancestry), Creole (of varying degrees of African ancestry) and Chinese (of mainland China ancestry). Based on standards of the WHO or International Obesity Task Force, one in six of these young individuals exhibit a high BMI-for-age. Analysis by ethnicity revealed that Creole males and females show higher BMI-for-age but also lower heart rate (P < 0·001) even after adjustment for BMI. Additionally, Chinese males and females show higher systolic blood pressure (P < 0·01), independently of BMI. None of these ethnic differences could be related to household income, diet type (vegetarian v. non-vegetarian) or to fruit consumption. This study in children and adolescents of this multi-ethnic at-risk population for CVD reveal ethnic differences in BMI-for-age as well as consistent BMI-independent ethnic differences in heart rate and systolic blood pressure. These findings underscore the need to establish the BMI–fat % relationship across the various ethnic groups and for more detailed investigations about their differences in lifestyle and dietary habits that might explain their differential cardiovascular functions prior to adulthood.

Dogs used for search and rescue (SAR) may experience continuous micro-traumas that predispose them to skeletal disorders. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of diet on osteo-articular apparatus in healthy SAR dogs. A total of sixteen SAR dogs were divided into two groups (low supplementation (LS) and high supplementation (HS)) and were fed for 3 months with two experimental diets, characterised by the same protein and energy density, but different in n-3 PUFA (6·2 v. 8·4 % of metabolisable energy), chondroitin sulfate (219·8 v. 989·0 mg/kg DM) and glucosamine (769·2 v. 1318·7 mg/kg DM) in the LS and HS groups, respectively. At recruitment all dogs showed no joint inflammation signs, except four that showed mild symptoms. Haematology and serum biochemistry were performed every 30 d. Joint status was scored by physical and lameness evaluations. The sampling effect analysis showed potential beneficial effects by a decrease in a specific marker of membrane integrity (creatine kinase; CK). Comparing groups, glucose was significantly higher and CK was significantly lower in the HS group; however, in both cases the levels of these parameters fell in the normal range. At the end of the experiment, erythrocytes, Hb and packed cell volume were significantly higher in the HS compared with the LS group. These could result in an improvement in dogs’ performance, even if this aspect was not investigated in the present study. Concerning joint evaluation (pain on manipulation, lameness and range of motion), no statistically significant differences were detected between the groups and within the experimental period.

Worldwide, there are limited data on the prevalence of postpartum anaemia and iron status. The aims of the present study were to assess the prevalence of anaemia and iron deficiency (ID) by three iron indicators 14 weeks postpartum, their relations to haemoglobin (Hb) and associations with ethnicity and clinical factors in a multi-ethnic population. We conducted a population-based cohort study of 573 women followed from early pregnancy. The prevalence of postpartum anaemia (Hb <12·0 g/dl) was 25 %. ID prevalence varied from 39 % by serum ferritin (SF <15 μg/l), to 19 % by soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR >4·4 mg/l) and 22 % by total body iron (TBI < 0 mg/kg). The mean Hb concentration was 12·8 g/dl in women with no ID, 12·6 g/dl in those with ID by SF only and 11·6 g/dl in those with ID by SF, sTfR and TBI. ID by sTfR and TBI defined by the current threshold values probably identified a more severe iron-deficient population compared with ID assessed by SF. Compared with Western Europeans, the prevalence of anaemia was at least the double in ethnic minorities (26–40 % v. 14 %; P < 0·01–0·05), and the prevalence of ID by sTfR and TBI, but not of ID by SF < 15 μg/l, was significantly higher in some minority groups. After adjustment for covariates, only South Asians had lower Hb and higher sTfR concentration. Insufficient iron intake, gestational anaemia or ID, and postpartum haemorrhage were associated with lower postpartum Hb concentration and poorer iron status.

The effects of Enzamin on obesity-related metabolic disorders in obese db/db mice were examined to explore a novel agent for the prevention of insulin resistance. Db/db mice were treated with water containing Enzamin (0·1 and 1·0 %) for 8 weeks from 6 weeks of age. Enzamin treatment at 1·0 %, but not at 0·1 %, significantly decreased the fasting plasma glucose, serum total cholesterol and TAG levels in db/db mice, without affecting body weight gain and body fat composition. Furthermore, insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance were improved by the treatment of db/db mice with 1·0 % Enzamin. Immunohistochemical studies and gene expression analysis showed that 1·0 % Enzamin treatment suppressed macrophage accumulation and inflammation in the adipose tissue. In addition, 1·0 % Enzamin treatment increased serum adiponectin in db/db mice. Treatment with 1·0 % Enzamin also significantly suppressed the expression of NADPH oxidase subunits, suggesting an antioxidative effect for Enzamin in the adipose tissue. Furthermore, in vitro experiments demonstrated that the lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory reaction was significantly suppressed by Enzamin treatment in macrophages. Enzamin treatment increased the expression of GLUT4 mRNA in muscle, but not GLUT2 mRNA in the liver of db/db mice. Enzamin also increased the mRNA expression of carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1a (CPT1a, muscle isoform) in db/db mice, whereas Enzamin treatment did not affect the mRNA expression of CPT1b (liver isoform) in db/db mice. In conclusion, our data indicate that Enzamin can improve insulin resistance by ameliorating impaired adipocytokine expression, presumably through its anti-inflammatory action, and that Enzamin possesses a potential for preventing the metabolic syndrome.