Nuts are good sources of dietary fiber, magnesium, polyunsaturated fats, vitamin E, and antioxidants, all of which may have health benefits and associated with increased sensations of satiety and could have beneficial effects on weight control. This study aims to determine the effects of a balanced hypocaloric almond (30 g/day) enriched diet (AED) compared to a balanced hypocaloric almond free diet (AFD) on anthropometric measurements and blood parameters. Study was a 3-months, randomized, controlled trial with four serial measurements on 32 overweight and obese (BMI: ≥ 25 kg/m2) women, aged 25–50 years. The subjects were randomly divided into two groups (16 AED and 16 AFD). Individualized hypocaloric diets of AED considering the energy recommendation, 30 g/day of almonds was added as a snack. Demographic characteristics, nutritional habits, physical activity levels of subjects were determined by a questionnaire. 24-hour dietary intakes for 3 consecutive days (one day week-end) were recorded at the beginning, 1rd, 2nd, and 3rd months of the study. Anthropometric measurements (height, body weight, waist, hip and neck circumferences) were taken and body composition was determined by Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA), BMI, waist/hip circumference ratio (WHR) and waist circumference/height ratio (WHtR) were calculated. Fasting blood glucose, insulin level, HbA1c, HOMA-IR, total cholesterol, triglycerides, serum iron, haemoglobin, TSH, CRP were determined prior to and at the end (3rd month) of the study. At the beginning of the study no statistically significant difference was found between anthropometric measurements of the groups (p > 0.05). Body weight, BMI, waist, hip circumferences, WHR, WHtR, percentage of body fat, body fat mass were decreased significantly in almond and control groups compared with the beginning and 1rd, 2nd., 3rd months of the study (p = 0.001). Significant reductions in HbA1c and LDL-cholesterol levels were determined in almond group (p < 0.05). Statistically significant differences were found in insulin, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides and HOMA-IR levels compared to the prior and end of study in both groups (p < 0.05). Balanced hypocaloric diet caused weight loss and improvements in anthropometric and blood parameters in both groups, but better improvement was determined with almond enriched diet. Almonds as a snack could be recommended as a healthy choice in weight reduction diets. Almonds fiber and protein content may have beneficial effects on weight reduction.

Both maternal metabolic status and nutrition during pregnancy and lactation may have a programming effect on offspring metabolism. The aim of this study was to examine the role of the dietary choline supply during pregnancy and lactation in rat dams suffering from nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) on body weight and plasma lipid profile of the progeny.

The research protocol was approved by the local ethics committee. The study groups included the offspring of 1. healthy dams receiving choline during pregnancy and lactation (the control group); 2. NAFLD dams receiving choline during pregnancy and lactation (NN); 3. NAFLD dams receiving choline during pregnancy and a choline-deficient diet during lactation (ND); 4. NAFLD dams receiving a choline-deficient diet during pregnancy and a supply of choline during lactation (DN); and 5. NAFLD dams receiving a choline-deficient diet during both pregnancy and lactation (DD). Body mass and plasma lipid profile were assessed in male and female rats from each group on day 3 (3d), day 24 (24d), and day 90 (90d).

Body mass was significantly lower in the male offspring of the DD and DN groups than in the control group. Differences were observed at all times (3d: p = 0.0023; 24d: p < 0.0001; 90d: p < 0.0001). Moreover, body mass was significantly higher in the male offspring of the control group than in any other group. In the female progeny, body mass was higher in the control group than in the ND (24d: p < 0.0001; 90d: p = 0.0067) or NN (24d: p = 0.0058) groups.

Total plasma cholesterol concentration was higher in the 90d males of the control group than in the DD group (p = 0.0163) and in the 24d females of the NN group than in the ND group (p = 0.0495). In the 3d animals, LDL was higher (p = 0.0083) but HDL was lower (p = 0.0196) in male rats of the DD and DN groups than in the NN and ND groups. Neither age nor sex affected LDL levels. The plasma levels of triglycerides were not affected by the dietary regimen, sex, or age of the animals.

Maternal NAFLD and dietary choline status during pregnancy and lactation affect body mass and lipid profile in rat offspring, and the effects of maternal programming are more pronounced in male offspring than in female.

The project was financed by the National Science Centre, Poland (2016/21/D/NZ9/00360).

Stunting has remained a challenge in Zambia. Poor nutrition in early life of children below the age five has a great effect on stunting. This paper looked at other factors that can influence stunting among children aged 6–59 months. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Kapiri-Mposhi district among 100 children aged 6–59 months. This study was part of the macro study Implementation of Nutrition-sensitive Agriculture in the Central Province of Zambia.” We looked at four factors, which included, the Mothers age, level of mother's education, Family size and marital status. These factors where compared to the nutrition status of children (Stunting). We used descriptive and binary logistic regression analysis to assess the factors that influence stunting. The prevalence of stunting was found to be 21%, wasting was 9% and underweight was 2%.This study found that Children who were born from teenage mothers were likely to be stunted (P < 0.02) than those from older mothers. In addition, we also found that there was a significant relationship between family size and stunting (P < 0.01). Most families that had over eight member were likely to have stunted children than those we had less. This study did not find any association between the mother's level of education or marital status and stunting in Kapiri-Mposhi district. Family size and mother's age are associated to stunting in Kapiri-Mposhi district.

Obesity predisposes to such health conditions, as cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, osteoarthritis. Poor diet is among the common causes of obesity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the intake of macro- and micronutrients in obese Polish men and women in accordance with the recommended intakes. Two hundreds ninety seven obese men (BMI > 30) and 412 obese women, aged 45–65 years, participants of the population-based cross-sectional Polish National Multicenter Health Examination Surveys - WOBASZ (2003–2005) and WOBASZ II (2013–2014) were selected for the study. Nutritional data were collected using a single 24-hour dietary recall method. Nutrient content in the diet was calculated according to national tables of food composition and compared to the current dietary recommendations. Anthropometric measurements were recorded using standard anthropometric procedures. Descriptive statistics were used for the determination of means, standard deviations (SD), median, and for the percentage analyses of the macro- and micronutrient intakes. In men the average energy from fat was 37.8%, while in the women 35.5%, compared to 20–35% recommended, while for saturated fat it was 13.95% in men and 13.37% in women, compared to the recommended level of less than 10%. A low percentage of men (M) and women (W) implementing dietary recommendations for vitamin D (M = 3.03%, W = 0.97%), calcium (M = 9.09%, W = 7.52%), magnesium (M = 22.22%, W = 35.92%), saturated fats (M = 17.85%, W = 19.90%), folates (M = 22.90%, W = 14.08%) and dietary fiber (M = 31.31%, W = 18.45%) was found. The highest percentage of participants who consumed the recommended amounts was found in the case of iron (M = 95.62%, W = 84.22%). About 1 % of obese participants were on a weight-reducing diet, while 10% of men and 11% of women were on other diets (low-cholesterol, low-fat, diabetic). In this study energy intake from total and saturated fat was higher than the recommended level. This indicates the incorrect structure of energy in the meals of obese middle-aged people. The mean intake of dietary fiber was below the recommended 25 g/day both in men and women. An adequate fiber intake ensures better glycemic control, satiety and prevents constipation. A limitation of this study is the use of a 24-hour dietary recall method, that may not reflect long-term food consumption. Also obese people tend to underreport how much food they consume. However, in this study about one tenth of the participants reported that they are on a diet. This study showed that dietary deficiencies are common in middle-aged obese Polish men and women.

Poor dietary quality is one of the leading modifiable risk factor for premature mortality worldwide. People live longer than ever, but spend more years with illness and disability although the ultimate goal is to increase healthy years of life. Less research has considered the role of dietary habits in relation to health or cardiometabolic disesase-free life expectancy (LE). This study investigate the association of diet quality with healthy and cardiometabolic disease-free LE between ages 50 and 85. The study comprised 8,075 participants of the Whitehall II study. Diet quality was assessed with Alternative Healthy Eating Index (AHEI) 2010 at phases 3, 5 and 7 and took the measure of diet closest to age of 50 years for each participant. We utilized repeat measures of self-rated health and cardiometabolic disease from the first observation when participants were aged 50 years or older. In the analyses the AHEI-2010 total score was categorized in to quintiles, where the lowest quintile represents unhealthiest diet quality and highest quintiles healthiest diet. Multistate life table models were used to estimate healthy and cardiometabolic disease-free LE from age 50 to 85 years for each category of AHEI-2010 quintiles and three occupational position group. Participants in the highest AHEI-2010 quintile lived 3.6 years longer in good health and 2.7 years longer without cardiometabolic diseases than participants in the lowest quintile of the AHEI-2010. Higher diet quality associated with an increased healthy and cardiometabolic disease-free LE was observed across different occupational positions: Men in highest occupational position and highest AHEI-2010 quintile lived 9.4 years longer with good health compared to lowest occupational position and lowest AHEI-2010 quintile and for women the corresponding difference was 8.2 years. In terms of proportion of years spent without cardiometabolic diseases ranged from 77% (high occupational position and highest AHEI-2010) to 57% (low occupational position and lowest AHEI-2010) in men and from 82% to 70% in women. The difference in years lived healthy across AHEI-2010 quintiles was most remarkable in persons with low occupation status. Healthier dietary habits are associated with longer healthy and longer cardiometabolic disease-free LE between ages 50 and 85. Attention to poor diet should be paid especially among people in the lowest occupational position.

Advancing age is regarded as a risk factor for an insufficient cobalamin and folate status. However, longitudinal data are lacking and little is known on the impact of age in subjects ≥ 60 years after considering potential confounding factors. Therefore, the present study investigates age-related changes in cobalamin and folate status in older adults by using longitudinal data of 332 German subjects aged ≥ 60 years, who participated in the longitudinal study on nutrition and health status of senior citizens in Giessen (GISELA study). All subjects had complete data records on at least three follow-ups between 1997 and 2014. The mean follow-up time was 12 years. Fasting serum concentrations of cobalamin and folate were determined with SimulTRAC-SNB radio assay kit. In each follow-up, body composition (bioelectrical impedance analysis), dietary cobalamin and folate intakes (3-day estimated dietary record), supplement use and lifestyle factors (questionnaires) were assessed. Linear mixed models were used to analyze age-related changes in serum concentrations of cobalamin and folate by considering sex, absolute fat-free mass, supplement use, dietary intakes and smoking behavior as potential confounding variables. Furthermore, due to the metabolic interaction of cobalamin and folate, linear mixed models implemented a mutual adjustment of serum cobalamin and serum folate. At baseline, 11.4 % and 7.8 % of the subjects had cobalamin concentrations < 148 pmol/L and folate concentrations < 10 nmol/L, respectively. In contrast, dietary cobalamin intakes < 4 μg/d and folate intakes < 300 μg/d were found in 24.4 % and 76.5 % of the subjects, respectively. Without adjustments, a positive influence of age on serum cobalamin [parameter estimate (95 % CI) = 4.57 (1.67, 7.46)] and serum folate [0.29 (0.18, 0.40)] was found. After multiple adjustments, age was still a positive predictor of serum folate [0.25 (0.14, 0.36)], whereas no significant influence on serum cobalamin was found [2.73 (-0.23, 5.69)]. Similar results were noticed when the analyses were restricted to non-users of B-vitamin/multi-vitamin supplements. In conclusion, the present study in community-dwelling subjects does not confirm age-related declines in serum concentrations of cobalamin and folate between the ages of 60 and 90 years. Although a significant proportion of the subjects showed dietary intake levels below the current European references values, serum concentrations of cobalamin and folate were predominantly in reference ranges. Longitudinal investigations on other biomarkers of cobalamin and folate status are warranted.

Some dietary patterns (DPs) identified across the world are classified as universal (e.g. ‘Western’ or ‘Prudent’) while other patterns are country-specific, often labelled as ‘Traditional’. Regional, country-level variations in DPs adherence were not extensively studied to date. The aim of this study was to analyse differences in DPs adherence among Polish females between country regions. A cross-sectional study was performed using data from a representative sample (n = 1107) of Polish females 13–21-year-old, enrolled for the Girls Eating Behaviours and Health Study. Initially, 2104 females were randomly selected from the Universal Electronic System of Population Register database. The response rate was 52.6%. All data were adjusted for survey weights to maintain the representativeness. Three short form food frequency questionnaires were applied. Four DPs were identified by principal component analysis: ‘Traditional Polish’ (positively loaded by higher consumption frequency of white bread, potatoes, meat and fat), ‘Vegetables and fruit’, ‘Fast-food and sweets’ and ‘Dairy and fats’. In line with the Polish database of Central Statistical Office, six Polish regions were considered: East (with the lowest Gross Domestic Product, GDP = 69.7; Poland = 100), North (DP = 84.8), North-West (GDP = 95.1), South (GDP = 98.8), South-West (GDP = 104.8) and Central (the highest GDP = 140.4). Multiple logistic regression analysis was used. Odds ratios (ORs) were adjusted for age and body mass index. Higher adherence to ‘Traditional Polish’ DP was found in 4 out of 5 regions (OR 2.02 to 2.53) when compared to the East region. Higher adherence to ‘Vegetables and fruit’ DP was found in 2 out of 5 regions (the South and the South-West; OR 1.71 and 1.81, respectively), when compared to the East region, and in 3 out of 5 regions (the South, the South-West and the Central; OR 1.69 to 2.23), when compared to the North-West region. Higher adherence to ‘Fast-food and sweets’ DP was found in the North region when compared to the three other regions as reference: the East (OR 1.94), the North-West (OR 1.93), and the South (OR 2.10). In young Polish females, high adherence to the ‘Traditional Polish’ DP was observed across the country, except of the poorest region (the East). The study highlights that young females from economically deprived regions are at higher risk of unhealthy (westernized) dietary behaviors while those living in more affluent regions more frequently consume fruit and vegetables being a high-cost food. Increasing the affordability of healthy foods should be considered as an important component of public health interventions, particularly in more deprived regions.

Adolescence is a decisive and characteristic period for overall development throughout the life-span in which Eating Disorders (ED) are among the most common mental health problems in young population. Different factors might be related to the risk of ED such as sex and body composition, but literature about hydration status is still very scarce. This study was aimed to assess possible relationships between ED risk and body composition, including hydration status. A 2-year follow-up substudy from the UP&DOWN Study was performed in a sample of 77 adolescents at baseline (n = 74 after the follow-up; 13.87 ± 1.54 years old at baseline). Subjects were grouped by sex. ED risk was measured by the SCOFF questionnaire, a validated screening tool for ED. Risk of ED criterion is considered when SCOFF score is equal or higher than 2.0. Body composition, particularly Fat Mass (FM%) and hydration [Total Body Water (TBW in liters) regarding the weight of individuals and its range (low, within, high)] were determined by bioimpedance. Data analysis was conducted using version 25.0; SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA, software. A logistic regression was made to select the variables [sex, TBW (L), FM%] that could be more related to ED risk, considered as a dependent variable. Crosstabs and chi-square test were used to establish the relationships between the categorical variables. Almost 30% girls and 10% boys were at risk of ED at baseline (P = 0.036). Furthermore, almost 39% girls and none of the boys were at ED risk after the follow-up (P = 0.000). All the subjects at ED risk showed a low TBW range at both points (baseline, P = 0.04; after the follow-up, P = 0.039). A probit binary model of repeated measures (151 healthy adolescent values were obtained considering every subject in both points of the study) was made to study the influence of sex, TBW (L), FM% on the ED risk. Positive associations between Sex-TBW interaction and ED risk (P = 0.000) as well as between FM% and ED risk (P = 0.020) were observed. These findings show that body composition, not only fat mass but also hydration status is related to ED risk, although it is well known that boys and girls show different hydration and fat patterns. The fact of being a female adolescent with low TBW and FM% values may predispose to a high ED risk. Therefore, sex-hydration interaction together with body composition should be further investigated for ED in adolescence.

Over the past decade, energy drinks (ED) have become increasingly popular among adolescents. Due to their high content in caffeine, sugar and other energy-promoting components, frequent ED consumption may have adverse health effects, like cardiovascular symptoms, sleep impairment, and nervousness. Previous studies have shown that ED consumption was more frequent among males. To extend this knowledge, our analysis examined how sociodemographic and lifestyle determinants of frequent ED consumption may differ by gender among Belgian adolescents. This study was based on data self-reported by 9,119 12–19 year-old French-speaking Belgian adolescents in secondary school, within the 2014 cross-sectional Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children survey. Pupils reporting they usually consumed ED once a day or more were considered as “high ED consumers”. Sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics were described in relation to ED consumption, for boys and girls separately. We used multiple logistic regression models, stratified by gender, to assess the associations between the sociodemographic and lifestyle variables, with high ED consumption. Daily ED consumption was reported by 7.9% of boys and 4.6% of girls. In both genders, the proportion of high ED consumers was significantly higher among adolescents of grades 1–3, those of lower family affluence, in first- and second-generation immigrants, those watching TV more than 6 hours/day, those reporting later bedtimes, and those consuming soft drinks daily. In girls only, higher percentages were observed in girls from single- (7.6%) or blended-families (5.2%), than in girls from two-parent families (3.5%). In boys only, this percentage was higher among adolescents meeting physical activity recommendations (14.5% vs 6.5%). Multivariate analyses showed that high ED consumption was associated with lower grades, long screen time, later bedtimes, and daily soft drink consumption in both genders. In girls only, adolescents from single-parent families were more likely to consume ED daily (OR 1.70; 95% CI 1.23–2.37) (vs. two-parent families). In boys only, first-generation immigrants (OR 1.53; 95% CI 1.06–2.21) (vs. natives) and youth sufficiently physically active (OR 2.19; 95% CI 1.65–2.90) were more likely to consume ED daily. High ED consumption was more frequent among boys and showed gender-specific patterns, with associations with family structure in girls only, and with migration status and physical activity in boys only. Our findings provide evidence about patterns of high ED consumption among adolescents and should be used to inform the development of prevention strategies.

The aim of this study was to identify the sociodemographic and family correlates associated with dietary and lifestyle patterns in young men. In all, 367 men from the Warmia and Mazury region (Poland), aged 19–40 years old participated in the study. Data regarding sociodemographic, family status, dietary and lifestyle characteristics were collected through structured interviews using food frequency questionnaire KomPAN (Jezewska-Zychowicz et al. 2018, http://www.knozc.pan.pl). Dietary and lifestyle patterns were derived using Principal Component Analysis (PCA). In total, 25 dietary and 6 lifestyle standardised variables were included in the PCA. The associations were verified using logistic regression. Four DLPs were derived, explaining 33% of the variance. Men from the upper tertile of “Protein food, fried-food and recreational physical activity” pattern (characterised by frequent intake of white meat, white rice, eggs, red meat, fried food, groats, higher number of meals a day and recreational activity) were more likely to be under 30 years old (odds ratio, OR = 2.20, 95% confidence interval, 95%CI: 1.30–3.70) than men from the bottom tertile. Men from the upper tertile of “Sandwiches and convenience foods” pattern (characterised by frequent intake of cold meats and smoked sausages, white bread, butter, cheese, sweets and tinned meat) were more likely to be in a relationship (1.95, 1.14–3.34) than men from the bottom tertile. Men from the upper tertile of “Fast foods and stimulants” pattern (characterised by frequent intake of sweetened beverages, energy drinks, alcohol, fast foods, and smoking currently or/and in the past) were more likely to be under 30 years old (2.46, 1.46–4.14), to live in towns and rural areas (2.07, 1.21–3.55) and to have lower educational level (2.01, 1.20–3.36) in comparison to men from the bottom tertile. Men from the upper tertile of “Healthy diet, activity at work, former smoking” pattern (characterised by frequent intake of fruit, vegetables, fermented milk products, wholegrain bread, fish, cottage cheese, milk, groats, legumes, higher number of meals a day, physical activity at work and smoking in the past) were more likely to work physically (2.06, 1.22–3.47) and be in a relationship (1.93, 1.12–3.32). Sociodemographic and family correlates were strongly associated with dietary and lifestyle patterns, both healthy and unhealthy, in our sample of young men. The results demonstrate that diet and lifestyle interventions should be particularly targeted at men under 30 years old, those living in small towns and rural areas and with lower educational level.

Obesity is a major risk factor of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Accordingly, weight loss is being used to reduce this risk. Intervention studies have shown a T2D risk reduction due to weight loss in populations with an elevated risk. Data on the prediction of intentional weight loss (IWL) on diabetes occurrence at population level is, however, sparse. Since in observational studies IWL has been shown to predict later weight gain, possibly leading to adverse consequences, this study examined the prediction of IWL on T2D occurrence in a general population. Data from the representative Finnish Health 2000 Survey conducted in 2000–2001 was used. The study sample consisted of 1962 men and 2308 women, aged 30–69. Information on IWL during the previous year was collected with a questionnaire. Data for the covariates was collected with a health examination, interviews and questionnaires. Incident T2D cases during a 15-year follow-up were drawn from national health registers covering information on medication use, hospitalization, and cause of death. The Cox model was used to estimate strength of association between IWL and T2D occurrence. During the follow-up, 417 individuals developed a T2D. After adjusting for socio-demographic and lifestyle factors and the components of metabolic syndrome, IWL predicted an increased risk of T2D occurrence (HR 1.44; 95% CI 1.11–1.87) compared to individuals without IWL. Moreover, in interaction analyses, the risk in individuals with IWL compared to those without IWL was pronounced in younger age group and in those with the lowest quality diet. Furthermore, an elevated risk was consistently found in persons with IWL and overweight (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2), also in combination with different aspects of poor health (i.e. mental health, self-perceived health, metabolic health). In the present cohort, IWL predicted an increased subsequent risk of developing T2D. This may be due to that in long-term at population level IWL causes an elevated risk of T2D e.g. by acting as a promotor for weight gain or by causing weight cycling resulting in unfavorable changes in metabolic health indicators. Alternatively, it cannot be excluded, that individuals reporting IWL already are at a greater risk of T2D and pursue IWL in response to that. Greater emphasis should be put on the initial prevention of weight gain and on the support on the weight maintenance after weight loss. Further cohort studies with repeated measurements on dieting behavior and changes in weight are needed.