Lorenzo M Donini, Andrea Poli, Aldo Rosano, Luca Muzzioli, Marianna Minnetti, Claudia Piciocchi, Olivia Di Vincenzo, Francesco Frigerio, Maria Pintavalle, Franca Marangoni, Silvia Migliaccio, Andrea Lenzi, Eleonora Poggiogalle
{"title":"Eating behaviours, prevalence of obesity & health policies.","authors":"Lorenzo M Donini, Andrea Poli, Aldo Rosano, Luca Muzzioli, Marianna Minnetti, Claudia Piciocchi, Olivia Di Vincenzo, Francesco Frigerio, Maria Pintavalle, Franca Marangoni, Silvia Migliaccio, Andrea Lenzi, Eleonora Poggiogalle","doi":"10.1080/09637486.2026.2700520","DOIUrl":"10.1080/09637486.2026.2700520","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Obesity prevalence is increasing, particularly in developing nations. To contain these trends, several countries implemented preventive measures such as taxation of food items and/or front-of-pack labels. An ecological cross-country observational study was conducted, using publicly available data (GBD, WHO-GHO) on 20 European and Latin American countries, to explore changes around the year of policy in the consumption of foods/nutrients considered \"healthy\" or \"unhealthy\" and in the obesity prevalence across age groups. Food/nutrient consumption trends did not show a consistent pattern according to policy adoption. In several countries, \"healthy\" food consumptions decreased over time, while \"unhealthy\" food/nutrient consumptions increased, regardless of the adoption of policies. Trend analyses around policy adoption suggested changes in obesity trajectories, particularly among children and adolescents, but these findings were inconsistent across settings. The multifactorial nature of obesity may explain the contrasting results evidenced by this study, indicating a more complex approach beyond focusing on single foods/nutrients.</p>","PeriodicalId":14087,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition","volume":" ","pages":"484-497"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148430189","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jonas Poppe, Jessika Natalia Humerez Flores, Sara Vieira-Silva, Jeroen Raes, Marc E G Hendrickx, Gwen Falony, Kristin Verbeke
{"title":"Modified homogalacturonan-rich citrus pectin as potential next-generation prebiotics.","authors":"Jonas Poppe, Jessika Natalia Humerez Flores, Sara Vieira-Silva, Jeroen Raes, Marc E G Hendrickx, Gwen Falony, Kristin Verbeke","doi":"10.1080/09637486.2026.2704773","DOIUrl":"10.1080/09637486.2026.2704773","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Pectin, a structurally diverse class of dietary fibres, holds promise as a next-generation prebiotic. This study evaluated the microbiota-modulating potential of 17 chemically and enzymatically modified citrus pectin fractions, along with rhamnogalacturonan-rich apple and potato pectin extracts, using <i>in vitro</i> batch fermentations inoculated with human faecal samples. A highly linear, homogalacturonan-rich citrus pectin (CP3 MOD 2) selectively increased the absolute abundances of <i>Faecalibacterium</i> and <i>Gemmiger</i> - key butyrate-producing genera - while suppressing opportunistic pathogens such as <i>Escherichia</i>. These effects were confirmed across twelve donors and associated with increased acetate production. Pectin structural features, including high galacturonic acid content and low branching, were positively correlated with beneficial microbial shifts. In contrast, rhamnogalacturonan-rich pectins exhibited broader, less selective responses. The microbiota's baseline composition significantly influenced fermentation outcomes, underscoring interindividual variability. CP3 MOD 2 emerges as a promising candidate for further <i>in vivo</i> evaluation in a targeted, structure-guided prebiotic intervention.</p>","PeriodicalId":14087,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition","volume":" ","pages":"438-450"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148578597","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Adherence to Mediterranean diet: a public health paradox.","authors":"Domenico Praticò","doi":"10.1080/09637486.2026.2692948","DOIUrl":"10.1080/09637486.2026.2692948","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Diet plays a fundamental role in our life starting from the earliest stages and throughout each phase of our existence. One diet that has garnered considerable attention in recent years is the Mediterranean diet. Named after the geographical region surrounding the Mediterranean Sea, which includes areas Greece, Spain and Southern Italy, it is one of the healthiest diets in the world since it is associated with significant lower risks for several non-transmissible chronic diseases. Despite this overwhelming evidence, recent data show a significant decrease in the popularity of this diet in the very countries that are considered the cradle of it, which is associated with an increase in metabolic diseases and obesity. Paradoxically, this diet is gaining more followers in countries that geographically are not part of the Mediterranean basin. This \"Mediterranean diet paradox\" highlights the urgent need for coordinated public health strategies aimed at correcting or reversing this shiftwithin the Mediterranean region itself to avoid the long-term economic and public health consequences.</p>","PeriodicalId":14087,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition","volume":" ","pages":"413-425"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148308081","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Van H Nguyen, Oliver M Shannon, Elissa Burton, Ellise Stirling, Sana Farzam, Jonas Benjamim, Claire V Burley, Blossom C M Stephan, Mario Siervo
{"title":"Knowledge of inorganic nitrate dietary survey-2 (KINDS-2): a multinational cross-sectional study of nitrate knowledge, beliefs and purchasing behaviours in the general population and healthcare professionals.","authors":"Van H Nguyen, Oliver M Shannon, Elissa Burton, Ellise Stirling, Sana Farzam, Jonas Benjamim, Claire V Burley, Blossom C M Stephan, Mario Siervo","doi":"10.1080/09637486.2026.2694532","DOIUrl":"10.1080/09637486.2026.2694532","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Dietary inorganic nitrate has cardioprotective and ergogenic effects, yet public and professional knowledge remains poorly characterised. In the KINDS-2 multinational cross-sectional survey, we assessed knowledge, beliefs and purchasing behaviours in a general population cohort (UK, USA, Australia; <i>n</i> = 2,970, recruited via Prolific) and a healthcare professional (HCP) cohort (42 countries; <i>n</i> = 498, recruited via professional networks). Knowledge was scored using cohort-specific indices and a harmonised cross-cohort comparable index (CCC-NKI; 20 points, seven domains). Knowledge was low in both cohorts: general population median 8.9/21, with only 28.7% having heard of dietary nitrate (USA 36.4%, UK 15.0%, Australia 11.2%); HCPs median 11.5/23. On the CCC-NKI, HCPs scores were higher in the general population (median 10 vs. 8; <i>p</i> < 0.001). Identifying nitrate-rich foods was the strongest correlate of total score yet showed no between-cohort difference. Most participants were willing to consume nitrate-rich foods given supporting evidence. These findings underscore the need for targeted education.</p>","PeriodicalId":14087,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition","volume":" ","pages":"462-472"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148436606","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ioanna Kechagia, Paraskevi Detopoulou, Mary Yannakoulia, Fotios Barkas, Evangelos Liberopoulos, Petros P Sfikakis, Costas Tsioufis, Christos Pitsavos, Demosthenes Panagiotakos
{"title":"Exclusive olive oil use is associated with lower 20-year cumulative type 2 diabetes incidence across BMI categories and Mediterranean diet adherence trajectories in ATTICA study.","authors":"Ioanna Kechagia, Paraskevi Detopoulou, Mary Yannakoulia, Fotios Barkas, Evangelos Liberopoulos, Petros P Sfikakis, Costas Tsioufis, Christos Pitsavos, Demosthenes Panagiotakos","doi":"10.1080/09637486.2026.2705427","DOIUrl":"10.1080/09637486.2026.2705427","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Despite the recognized role of diet in type 2 diabetes (T2D) prevention, evidence on the long-term association between olive oil consumption and T2D remains limited. The ATTICA study included 2000 adults free of CVD and T2D at baseline and followed them for 20 years. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated FFQ, and participants were classified into three olive oil use categories (no, mixed and exclusive olive oil use). Exclusive olive oil use was associated with lower 20-year cumulative incidence of T2D (OR = 0.51, 95%CI: 0.33-0.80, <i>p</i> = 0.004), with stronger associations among overweight (OR = 0.45, 95%CI: 0.22-0.91) and obese participants (OR = 0.23, 95%CI: 0.07-0.73). The association was also significant among participants with persistently low Mediterranean diet adherence (OR = 0.29, 95%CI: 0.11-0.80, <i>p</i> = 0.016). Exclusive olive oil use may represent a simple and sustainable dietary strategy associated with lower long-term odds of developing T2D, particularly among metabolically vulnerable individuals overall.</p>","PeriodicalId":14087,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition","volume":" ","pages":"498-509"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148584284","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Flavia Pennisi, Antonio Pinto, Daniele Nucci, Marta Barbano, Andrea Cozza, Carlo Signorelli, Vincenzo Baldo, Vincenza Gianfredi
{"title":"Food security in Italian adults: associations with sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle behaviours and food-app use in a cross-sectional study.","authors":"Flavia Pennisi, Antonio Pinto, Daniele Nucci, Marta Barbano, Andrea Cozza, Carlo Signorelli, Vincenzo Baldo, Vincenza Gianfredi","doi":"10.1080/09637486.2026.2700517","DOIUrl":"10.1080/09637486.2026.2700517","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>To examine the association of sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle behaviours and food-app-related factors with food security. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among 1752 adults residing in Italy (January-June 2024). Food security was assessed using the Italian version of the 10-item Food Security Survey Module, dichotomised (food secure versus food insecure) for regression analysis. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine associations with age, self-reported gender, macro-region of residence, education, marital status, family size, lifestyle profile and food-related app use. In fully adjusted models, women (OR 0.60; 95% CI 0.37-0.96) and participants living in Southern Italy and the Islands (OR 0.65; 95% CI 0.42-0.99) had lower odds of food security, while higher education was positively associated with food security (OR 2.61; 95% CI 1.14-5.97). A healthier lifestyle profile was also associated with greater odds of food security (OR 2.12; 95% CI 1.20-3.73). Findings support integrated strategies addressing structural and lifestyle-related food insecurity.</p>","PeriodicalId":14087,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition","volume":" ","pages":"473-483"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148411561","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Association of dietary n-3 fatty acids intake with metabolic syndrome among Korean middle-aged adults: effect modification by body mass index.","authors":"Youri Jin","doi":"10.1080/09637486.2026.2669943","DOIUrl":"10.1080/09637486.2026.2669943","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>N-3 fatty acids (n-3 FA) may protect against metabolic syndrome (MetS), but the influence of obesity remains unclear. This study examined the association between n-3 FA intake and MetS by body mass index (BMI) among 12,853 middle-aged Koreans (aged 40-64 years) from the 2016-2021 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. MetS was defined using modified NCEP-ATP III criteria, and dietary intake was assessed by 24-h recall. Participants were stratified into under/normal weight (BMI <23 kg/m<sup>2</sup>) and overweight/obese (BMI ≥23 kg/m<sup>2</sup>) groups. In the under/normal weight group, higher intakes of total n-3 FA (odds ratio [OR] = 0.55), alpha-linolenic acid (OR = 0.66), and eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid (OR = 0.66) were inversely associated with MetS odds. A modest interaction between BMI and total n-3 FA intake was observed (<i>p</i>-interaction = 0.04). BMI may modify the metabolic response to n-3 FA intake, suggesting dietary n-3 FA may be particularly beneficial for those with lower BMI in relation to MetS.</p>","PeriodicalId":14087,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition","volume":" ","pages":"350-362"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147929018","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mariem Ben Yahia, Sonda Jallouli, Mohamed Romdhani, Achraf Ammar, Kawther Ben Hamed, Mohamed Sedki Kallela, Nouha Farhat, Khadija Sonda Moalla, Mariem Damak, Nicolas Termoz, Tarak Driss, Omar Hammouda
{"title":"Melatonin supplementation as an adjunct to dual-task training: effects on functional capacity and quality of life in Parkinson's disease.","authors":"Mariem Ben Yahia, Sonda Jallouli, Mohamed Romdhani, Achraf Ammar, Kawther Ben Hamed, Mohamed Sedki Kallela, Nouha Farhat, Khadija Sonda Moalla, Mariem Damak, Nicolas Termoz, Tarak Driss, Omar Hammouda","doi":"10.1080/09637486.2026.2688768","DOIUrl":"10.1080/09637486.2026.2688768","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study assessed the combined effect of 12 weeks melatonin supplementation (5mg/day) and Dual-task training (DTT) on functional capacity and quality of life in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Thirty-six participants were randomised into three groups: DTT + melatonin (TMG, <i>n</i> = 13), DTT + placebo (TPG, <i>n</i> = 11), and placebo (PG, <i>n</i> = 12). During bipedal stance, post-intervention centre-of-pressure mean velocity (CoPVm) was lower in TMG and TPG than in PG under both eyes-opened and eyes-closed conditions. During unipedal stance, CoPVm decreased only in TMG under eyes-closed conditions and was lower than in PG. Leg muscle strength was higher in TMG than in TPG and PG, and higher in TPG than in PG at post-intervention. Both training groups demonstrated better motor capacity, freezing-of-gait, and quality-of-life outcomes than PG. Overall, DTT enhanced motor capacity, bipedal static balance, freezing of gait and quality of life, while melatonin provided additional benefits for unipedal static balance and leg strength.</p>","PeriodicalId":14087,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition","volume":" ","pages":"397-411"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148308075","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ana Cláudia Morito Neves, Josefina Bressan, Carolynne Martins Teixeira, Helen Hermana Miranda Hermsdorff, Adriano Marçal Pimenta, Júlia Cristina Cardoso Carraro
{"title":"Dietary carbohydrate quality and body weight: a longitudinal investigation with Brazilian undergraduates (CUME STUDY).","authors":"Ana Cláudia Morito Neves, Josefina Bressan, Carolynne Martins Teixeira, Helen Hermana Miranda Hermsdorff, Adriano Marçal Pimenta, Júlia Cristina Cardoso Carraro","doi":"10.1080/09637486.2026.2673049","DOIUrl":"10.1080/09637486.2026.2673049","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study aimed to investigate the association between carbohydrate quality and body weight. This longitudinal study included 3,816 participants from the Cohort of Universities of Minas Gerais, Brazil (CUME) Study. Food consumption was assessed at baseline using a food frequency questionnaire. The Carbohydrate Quality Index (CQI) was calculated based on four criteria: fibre intake (g/day), glycemic index, ratio of whole grains, and ratio of solid carbohydrates. Body weight was self-reported for all follow-up waves. A generalised linear mixed model (GLMM) was used. Individuals in the last CQI quintile had lower mean body weight over time (exp(β) = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.93-0.96, <i>p</i> < 0.001). Similar results were found in the components of the CQI, where a higher intake of fibre, whole grains, and complex carbohydrates was associated with a lower mean body weight over time. These findings reinforce the importance of dietary recommendations that prioritise especially the quality of macronutrients consumed.</p>","PeriodicalId":14087,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition","volume":" ","pages":"372-383"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148015370","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Donato Angelino, Marialaura Bonaccio, Emilia Ruggiero, Annarita Formisano, Marika Dello Russo, Fabio Lauria, Silvia Lisciani, Daniela Martini
{"title":"From global to local: comparing the EAT-Lancet planetary health diets with the traditional Mediterranean Diet across Mediterranean countries.","authors":"Donato Angelino, Marialaura Bonaccio, Emilia Ruggiero, Annarita Formisano, Marika Dello Russo, Fabio Lauria, Silvia Lisciani, Daniela Martini","doi":"10.1080/09637486.2026.2676223","DOIUrl":"10.1080/09637486.2026.2676223","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The planetary health diet proposed by the EAT-Lancet Commission provides a global framework to integrate human health and environmental sustainability through plant-based dietary patterns. Its 2025 update refined quantitative targets and emphasised the need for regional adaptation. This study compares the EAT-Lancet reference diets, the FAO/WHO Sustainable Healthy Diets, and Mediterranean dietary models represented by national guidelines from Italy, Spain, Greece, and Portugal, alongside the Italian Mediterranean Diet Pyramid proposed by the Italian Society of Human Nutrition. Quantitative recommendations were harmonised into weekly intakes, and qualitative features were systematically analysed. Overall, strong convergence was observed, particularly for whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and unsaturated fats. However, the EAT-Lancet model recommends higher intakes of legumes and nuts than the Mediterranean guidelines. Differences also emerged for dairy products and olive oil, reflecting regional adaptations. The Mediterranean Diet represents a culturally grounded and feasible model for translating planetary health principles into practice.</p>","PeriodicalId":14087,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition","volume":" ","pages":"314-325"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148042267","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}