To identify dietary patterns among young adults and the relationships with socio-economic, demographic and lifestyle characteristics.

Population-based, cross-sectional analysis of a cohort study. Food intake was assessed by a frequency questionnaire, and dietary patterns were identified using principal components analysis.

Southern Brazil.

A total of 4202 men and women aged 23 years, who participated in the 1982 Pelotas Birth Cohort Study.

Five dietary patterns were identified: common Brazilian, processed food, vegetable/fruit, dairy/dessert and tubers/pasta. Subjects who had low own or maternal educational levels, low social position or who were always poor throughout life had high adherence to the common Brazilian dietary pattern. In contrast, the processed food pattern was more likely to be followed by those belonging to middle and high social position and who were never poor. Men and smokers showed high adherence to the processed food and common Brazilian dietary patterns. Vegetable/fruit pattern was more likely to be followed by women and subjects engaged in physical activity. Women also showed high adherence to the dairy/dessert pattern.

Our study among young Brazilian adults has identified distinct dietary patterns that are clearly influenced by socio-economic and lifestyle characteristics, which have important policy implications in a country with marked social and economic inequalities.

In Morocco, the association between obesity/overweight and socio-demographic and lifestyle factors is poorly understood. The present study aimed to investigate this association in a representative sample of the Moroccan population aged 18 years and above.

This is a cross-sectional study using a questionnaire including demographic, socio-economic and physical activity items. Height and weight were measured and BMI was computed. The association between obesity (BMI ≥ 30·0 kg/m2) or overweight (25·0 ≤ BMI < 29·9 kg/m2) and the other variables was analysed using multiple binomial logistic regression, separately in men and women.

The whole Moroccan territory.

A total of 2891 subjects took part in the survey (1430 men and 1461 women).

The prevalence of obesity was 20·9 % in women and 6·0 % in men (P < 0·0001). The prevalence of overweight was 32·9 % in women v. 26·8 % in men (P < 0·0001). In women, the risk of obesity and overweight increased with age, with the highest risk being in individuals aged 45–54 years (OR = 3·02, 95 % CI 2·06, 4·44) compared to individuals <35 years old. Married women were more prone to obesity and overweight (OR = 2·42, 95 % CI 1·50, 3·91) than single women. In men, the risk of obesity and overweight increased with average family income (OR = 2·62, 95 % CI 1·40, 4·87 for family income ≥5000 MAD/month compared to <2000 MAD/month) and in married persons (OR = 3·75, 95 % CI 1·78, 7·81) compared to single individuals.

These results contribute to target groups in whom prevention programmes could be implemented.

To describe dietary changes in men participating in an obesity intervention as part of the Self-Help, Exercise and Diet using Information Technology (SHED-IT) study.

An assessor-blinded randomized controlled trial comparing Internet (n 34) v. information-only groups (n 31) with 6-month follow-up. Dietary intake assessed by FFQ, reporting usual consumption of seventy-four foods and six alcoholic beverages using a 10-point frequency scale. A single portion size (PSF) factor was calculated based on photographs to indicate usual serving sizes.

The campus community of the University of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.

Sixty-five overweight/obese men (43 % students, 42 % non-academic general staff, 15 % academic staff; mean age 35·9 (sd 11·1) years, mean BMI 30·6 (sd 2·8) kg/m2).

The average PSF decreased significantly over time (χ2 = 20·9, df = 5, P < 0·001) with no differences between groups. While both groups reduced mean daily energy intake (GLM χ2 = 34·5, df = 3, P < 0·001), there was a trend towards a greater reduction in the Internet group (GLM χ2 = 3·3, P = 0·07). Both groups reduced percentage of energy from fat (P < 0·05), saturated fat (P < 0·001) and energy-dense/nutrient-poor items (P < 0·05), with no change in dietary fibre or alcohol (P > 0·05).

Although men reported some positive dietary changes during weight loss, they did not increase vegetable intakes nor decrease alcohol consumption, while saturated fat, fibre and Na intakes still exceeded national targets. Future interventions for men should promote specific food-based guidelines to target improvements in their diet-related risk factor profile for chronic diseases.

To assess critically the scope for public health nutrition taxation within the framework of the global tax reform agenda.

Review of the tax policy literature for global policy priorities relevant to public health nutrition taxation; critical analysis of proposals for public health nutrition taxation judged against the global agenda for tax reform.

The global tax reform agenda shapes decisions of tax policy makers in all countries. By understanding this agenda, public health nutritionists can make feasible taxation proposals and thus improve the development, uptake and implementation of recommendations for nutrition-related taxation.

The priorities of the global tax reform agenda relevant to public health nutrition taxation are streamlining of taxes, adoption of value-added tax (VAT), minimisation of excise taxes (except to correct for externalities) and removal of import taxes in line with trade liberalisation policies. Proposals consistent with the global tax reform agenda have included excise taxes, extension of VAT to currently exempted (unhealthy) foods and tariff reductions for healthy foods.

Proposals for public health nutrition taxation should (i) use existing types and rates of taxes where possible, (ii) use excise taxes that specifically address externalities, (iii) avoid differential VAT on foods and (iv) use import taxes in ways that comply with trade liberalisation priorities.