BMC Nutrition最新文献

{"title":"Utilization of serum vitamin A testing and vitamin A deficiency in Korea.","authors":"Rihwa Choi, Sung-Eun Cho, Sang Gon Lee","doi":"10.1186/s40795-026-01435-9","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s40795-026-01435-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Vitamin A deficiency remains a clinically relevant nutritional issue, yet data on real-world testing patterns and vitamin A status in Korea are limited.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted a retrospective observational study analyzing serum vitamin A (retinol) test results performed for diagnostic purposes at a large referral laboratory in Korea between 2016 and 2024. Vitamin A deficiency (< 0.70 µmol/L) and testing patterns were evaluated by age, sex, calendar year, and referring institution type, and factors associated with deficiency were examined using multivariable logistic regression; population-level prevalence was additionally assessed using weighted data from KNHANES 2016-2018.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 15,042 serum vitamin A measurements from 9,608 individuals were analyzed. The overall prevalence of vitamin A deficiency was 7.6%. In the GC Labs population, vitamin A deficiency showed a U-shaped age distribution, with higher prevalence in younger age groups and in older adults, particularly those aged ≥ 80 years, who had the highest risk (adjusted odds ratio 9.52). Male sex and testing at public health centers were also independently associated with deficiency. In the KNHANES 2016-2018 population, the weighted prevalence of vitamin A deficiency was low (0.76%); however, a similar U-shaped age distribution was observed, with relatively higher prevalence in adolescents and older adults.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Although vitamin A deficiency does not represent a major public health burden in Korea, older adults and specific high-risk groups may be vulnerable. These findings provide a real-world overview of vitamin A testing practices and support targeted clinical and nutritional assessment in selected populations.</p>","PeriodicalId":36422,"journal":{"name":"BMC Nutrition","volume":"12 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-07-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149228987","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Implementation of multisectoral interventions to improve nutrition in Uganda: stakeholder perceptions and experiences.","authors":"Edgar Agaba, Peter Rukundo, Per Ole Iversen, Xikombiso Mbhenyane","doi":"10.1186/s40795-026-01433-x","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s40795-026-01433-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Malnutrition in sub-Saharan Africa remains a persistent public health challenge driven by food insecurity, inadequate health services, suboptimal caregiving practices, and weak livelihoods. Addressing these complex determinants requires multisectoral interventions that integrate nutrition, health, agriculture, and community development. The Uganda Community Connector (UCC) programme was designed to address these challenges through integrated, community-based approaches. This study explored stakeholder perceptions of UCC implementation strategies using the RE-AIM framework.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional qualitative study grounded in Participatory Action Research was conducted in six UCC implementation districts in Uganda. Data were collected through key informant interviews with policymakers, health workers, and implementers, and focus group discussions with community members, including lactating mothers, youth, and community leaders. Thematic content analysis was conducted using a combined deductive approach based on the RE-AIM framework and inductive coding for emerging themes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The UCC programme achieved broad reach among vulnerable populations, particularly women of reproductive age, children under five years, and youth, through community mobilisation and use of local leadership and existing local systems. Study participants reported high adoption of integrated nutrition, health, WASH, agriculture, and livelihood practices among participating households, supported by participatory training and group-based platforms such as Village Savings and Loan Associations. Stakeholders reported perceived improvements in dietary practices, hygiene behaviours, health-seeking practices, women's empowerment, and household livelihoods, alongside strengthened linkages between communities and health services. However, implementation and adoption were constrained by environmental shocks, weak infrastructure, limited resources, gender norms, and inconsistent incentives for community volunteers. Sustainability of gains was strongest where community ownership, institutional capacity, and integration into district systems were present.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The UCC programme demonstrates that integrated, community-led, and multisectoral approaches can improve nutrition and health-related behaviours in rural settings. However, sustaining and scaling such gains requires stronger institutional integration, continued capacity strengthening, adaptive implementation strategies, and inclusive engagement of marginalized groups, particularly men and vulnerable households.</p>","PeriodicalId":36422,"journal":{"name":"BMC Nutrition","volume":"12 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-07-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149229041","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Improving the nutritional quality, and contribution to recommended dietary allowances of cassava and orange-fleshed sweet potato fufu flour blends for adults and children.","authors":"G K Elemuo, C O Udemba, E G Njuwa, U A Onwuzuruike, J M Emetole","doi":"10.1186/s40795-026-01390-5","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s40795-026-01390-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Cassava-based fufu is widely consumed but nutritionally limited, particularly in micronutrients. Incorporation of orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) may enhance its nutritional value. This study evaluated the nutrient composition, microbial safety, functional properties and contribution to recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of cassava-orange-fleshed sweet potato composite fufu flour for adults and children. Four blends were formulated: CONTROL (100% CF, Control), CSF1 (90% CF:10% OFSPF), CSF2 (80% CF:20% OFSPF), and CSF3 (70% CF:30% OFSPF). Nutrient composition, functional properties, microbial safety, pasting behavior, carotene content, and sensory attributes were analyzed using standard methods. Moisture (5.54-6.41%), ash (1.05-2.10%), crude fiber (0.23-1.91%), fat (1.80-9.96%), protein (2.02-7.82%), and carbohydrates (77.60-87.32%) varied significantly (p < 0.05) across blends. Pasting properties revealed: peak time (46.4 -5.63 s), pasting temperature (74.47-77.53 °C). Peak viscosity (26.0-44.6 RVU), minimum viscosity (12.67-14.83RVU), Ultimate viscosity (18.1-31.5 RVU), Attenuation value (142.5-354.5 RVU), and regeneration value (63.0-208 BVU). These results indicate that the inclusion of OFSPF modifies starch gelatinization behavior and improves paste stability. Microbial counts remained within safe limits during storage, with sample CSF2 (80% CF:20% OFSPF) and CSF1 (90% CF:10% OFSPF) having no fungal growth at 35 days. Although CSF3 exhibited the highest carotene (276.87 µg/g) and protein contents (7.82%), CSF2 provided a more balanced combination of nutrient enhancement and functional properties, and was therefore considered the most suitable formulation. This product has potential as a food-based strategy to combat micronutrient deficiencies in vulnerable populations.</p>","PeriodicalId":36422,"journal":{"name":"BMC Nutrition","volume":"12 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-07-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13445869/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148680152","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prevalence and predictors of undernutrition among preschool children (3 to 5 years) in Nigerian semi-urban community: conventional anthropometric indices versus composite index of anthropometric failure approach.","authors":"Ifeoma Christiana Afiaenyi, Florence Ifeyinwa Nwoga","doi":"10.1186/s40795-026-01432-y","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s40795-026-01432-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Although numerous studies have been conducted on the predictors of undernutrition among children in Nigeria, none of them used composite index of anthropometric failure approach (CIAF). CIAF estimates accurately the actual burden and magnitude of undernutrition in children. Therefore, this study utilized both the conventional and CIAF approaches to determine the prevalence and predictors of undernutrition among preschool children in a semi-urban Nigerian community.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Cross sectional survey design was adopted. Multistage sampling technique was used to select 492 children used for the study. Data was collected, between July and August 2025, through questionnaires and anthropometric measurements. Data obtained were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics, version 21.0. Chi square was used to establish relationships among categorical variables. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to determine factors associated with undernutrition and significance was set at p < 0.05.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The forms of malnutrition among the participants included stunting (26.2%), underweight (12.2%), wasting (7.7%) and overweight/obesity (25.4%). Using the CIAF approach, 67.9% had no failure at all, 1.0% experienced only wasting, 4.9% were wasted and underweight, 1.8% had all the 3 forms of undernutrition, 5.5% were stunted and underweight and 18.9% had stunting as a single manifest. Maternal educational level and monthly income, toilet facility used, and having been sick within 3 months prior to the study were significant predictors of stunting, underweight and wasting among the study population. Age of the children, maternal educational level and monthly income, number of under-five children in the household, dietary diversity score, type of toilet facility used, source of drinking water and recent illness were significant predictors of CIAF. Stunting index had the highest value (0.82).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Children affected by undernutrition using the CIAF approach was more than that observed using the conventional approach. Government should, therefore, integrate the CIAF as a routine screening instrument at both primary healthcare facilities and community-level nutrition surveillance programmes, given its capacity to capture the magnitude and severity of malnutrition within the same individual.</p>","PeriodicalId":36422,"journal":{"name":"BMC Nutrition","volume":"12 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-07-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149225065","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Predictors of recovery from uncomplicated severe acute malnutrition among children aged 6-59 months in Kandahar, Afghanistan: a multicentre prospective cohort study.","authors":"Ahmad Haroon Baray, Anita Mesic, Nazifullah Mohmand, Giulia Scarpa","doi":"10.1186/s40795-026-01431-z","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s40795-026-01431-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) is a significant contributor to child mortality and morbidity, particularly prevalent in low-resource settings such as Afghanistan. Studies have found various factors that influence the recovery from uncomplicated SAM. However, such associations are yet to be studied in the Afghan context, which has been affected by decades of conflicts and instabilities. This study aims to identify the predictors of recovery from uncomplicated SAM in children aged 6-59 months admitted to an outpatient therapeutic feeding program.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A multicentre prospective cohort study enrolled 713 children with uncomplicated SAM between October 2023 and March 2024. Baseline, follow-up, and end data were collected through structured questionnaires and anthropometric measurements, guided by the national guidelines. Recovery from uncomplicated SAM was defined as achieving a mid-upper arm circumference ≥ 125 mm or weight-for-height Z-score ≥ - 2SD, together with the absence of bilateral pitting oedema for two consecutive visits, within three months of treatment. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify predictors of recovery from uncomplicated SAM. Adjusted odds ratios (AOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were reported. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of (567, 79.5%) children recovered from uncomplicated SAM. Children with literate mothers (AOR 6.03, 95%CI 1.76-20.57, p = 0.004), those from small family size (AOR 4.05, 95%CI 2.56-6.41, p < 0.001), those with access to an improved water source (AOR 4.24, 95%CI 2.63-6.82, p < 0.001), good adherence to routine antibiotics (AOR 4.28, 95%CI 2.49-7.34, p < 0.001) and caregivers who received nutrition counselling (AOR 2.80, 95%CI 1.72-4.58, p < 0.001) were significantly more likely to recover from uncomplicated SAM.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>In this study, 79.5% of children recovered from uncomplicated SAM. Factors such as maternal literacy, adherence to routine antibiotics, caregiver nutrition counselling, small family size, and access to improved water sources were linked to better recovery from uncomplicated SAM. These findings highlight the potential importance of educational, behavioural, household, and environmental factors in recovery from uncomplicated SAM and may help inform future research and program planning.</p>","PeriodicalId":36422,"journal":{"name":"BMC Nutrition","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-07-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13662995/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148521161","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Beyond the chalkboard: overnutrition and cardiometabolic health among high school teachers in a semi-urban community in Southwestern Nigeria.","authors":"Olaoti O Ogundare, Comfort A Odedeyi, Eyiyemi T Akeju, Fadipe Rahmat, Osabusua Omoniyi, Okusi Abimbola, Ojeniran Samuel, Adeleye A Adeomi","doi":"10.1186/s40795-026-01428-8","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s40795-026-01428-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Cardiometabolic diseases are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally. While previous studies have largely focused on in-school adolescents as regards overnutrition and cardiometabolic risk, limited attention has been given to school teachers in Nigeria. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of overnutrition and its association with cardiometabolic risk among high school teachers in Ile-Ife, Southwestern Nigeria.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted among high school teachers in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. Using multistage sampling technique, 252 teachers were recruited from 20 secondary schools. Data were collected using a pre-tested structured questionnaire followed by anthropometric and clinical measurements. According to this study, cardiometabolic risk was operationally defined as presence of at least one of the two parameters: elevated blood pressure (≥ 140/90 mmHg) and elevated blood sugar (≥ 7.8 mmol/L) in each respondent. Data were analyzed with IBM SPSS version 26 with significance set at p < 0.05.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The mean age of participants was 41.9 ± 9.8 years, with 57.9% aged ≥ 40 years. Overall, 54% had overnutrition (30.2% were overweight and 23.8% obese). Elevated blood pressure and elevated blood glucose were found in 17.1% and 5.6% of participants respectively. Cardiometabolic risk was observed in 21% of the teachers. Multivariate logistic regression identified overnutrition (overweight/obesity) as the significant predictor, with overweight teachers being 3.5 times more likely to have cardiometabolic risk (AOR = 3.5, 95% CI:1.47-8.51, p = 0.005) while obese teachers had 7.7 times higher odds of having cardiometabolic risk (AOR = 7.7, 95% CI: 2.83-20.94, p < 0.001) compared to teachers with underweight/normal weight.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study demonstrated that about 1 in 5 high school teachers had cardiometabolic risk, with overnutrition emerging as the significant predictor. Hence, addressing overnutrition among the school teachers may contribute to improved cardiometabolic health and should be considered in prevention programs.</p>","PeriodicalId":36422,"journal":{"name":"BMC Nutrition","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-07-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13656357/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148473246","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Food consumption and nutrient intake among adolescent girls in The Gambia: a cross-sectional study with urban-rural and nutritional status comparisons.","authors":"Haddy Jallow-Badjan, Tanefa A Apekey, Maria J Maynard","doi":"10.1186/s40795-026-01430-0","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s40795-026-01430-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Heightened biological and sociocultural vulnerability among adolescent girls places them at increased risk of malnutrition in The Gambia, as elsewhere. This cross-sectional study therefore aimed to explore food consumption and nutrient intakes comparing urban and rural and nutritional status groups, providing novel data for The Gambia.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Adolescent girls aged 10-19 years from urban or rural communities took part in the study. Participants completed a questionnaire collecting socio-demographic information. Anthropometric measurements were obtained to derive body mass index-for-age and height-for-age z-scores, and nutritional status (stunting, underweight, and overweight). Dietary intake was assessed using two interviewer-administered multiple-pass 24-hour dietary recalls.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 208 adolescent girls participated in the study. The diets of those in urban areas featured frequent consumption of processed cereals, sandwiches, and meat-based stews. By contrast, traditional porridges and fish-based stews predominated in the diets of rural participants. Overall, diets in both groups were energy-dense, but low in fruit and vegetables (180 g per day, on average), fibre and iron. Excess fat and carbohydrate as a percentage of energy intake featured in the diets of both groups. Despite greater intakes among the urban compared to rural adolescents for vitamin A (222 vs. 164 µg per day), vitamin D (2 vs. 1 µg) and calcium (390 vs. 289 mg), deficiencies were evident for both urban and rural participants. Higher intakes of free sugars among urban adolescents, inadequate vitamin C intakes among rural adolescents, and (in the context of deficient intakes overall) lower calcium intakes among adolescent girls who were stunted compared to those who were not (325 vs. 367 mg; p = 0.018), were also notable disparities. White rice provided nearly half of total energy intake, and nearly 40% of daily protein across settings. The predominance of sugar-sweetened beverages, and the importance of traditional sweetened drinks as a source of vitamin C, is also a notable concern.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study describes similarities and differences in urban and rural diets in The Gambia, with nutritional inequalities evident in both settings. The findings are context-specific and descriptive, but are likely to resonate with other West African contexts and underscore the need for targeted intervention strategies to address malnutrition among adolescent girls.</p>","PeriodicalId":36422,"journal":{"name":"BMC Nutrition","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-07-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13656378/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148473238","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Estimating multivitamin and mineral supplement use and associated nutrient intake in Saudi Arabia: a probabilistic modeling study.","authors":"Omar Alhumaidan, Mohammed Alsaif, Haya Alajmi, Ghadir Fallata, Nawaf Sharahili","doi":"10.1186/s40795-026-01429-7","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s40795-026-01429-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Multivitamin and mineral supplements (MVMs) are extensively consumed worldwide; however, national-level data regarding their usage and associated nutrient intake in Saudi Arabia remain limited. Characterizing exposure and intake is crucial for regulatory assessments and public health planning.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A probabilistic model was developed to estimate exposure to MVMs and quantify nutrient intake among adults in Saudi Arabia. The model integrated three probability distributions representing overall supplement use, MVMs use, and daily use, derived from population-based data, and combined them with nutrient concentration distributions obtained from 24 MVMs products available in the Saudi market. Monte Carlo simulation was applied to account for variability and uncertainty.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The median probability of exposure was 0.033 (95% uncertainty interval: 0.019-0.054) for males and 0.058 (95% uncertainty interval: 0.044-0.074) for females. Sensitivity analysis yielded comparable exposure estimates across the evaluated scenarios. Estimated nutrient intakes generally contributed modestly to daily values (DV), with vitamin B12 showing the highest contribution at the 50th percentile (117.7% DV for males and 203.7% DV for females). Estimated intakes for all nutrients remained below established upper levels (ULs). Indirect validation using per-capita expenditure showed that the observed market expenditure of 35 SAR/capita/year fell within the modeled uncertainty range of 4-50 SAR/capita/year .</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The proposed probabilistic model provides a preliminary tool for estimating supplement-related nutrient exposure in the absence of national consumption surveys. The findings support its use in regulatory decision-making and highlight the need for further integration with food-based intake data.</p>","PeriodicalId":36422,"journal":{"name":"BMC Nutrition","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-07-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13656703/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148457121","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The effects of a diet based on vegetable and dairy protein on nutritional status and MELD score in patients with liver cirrhosis: a randomized controlled study.","authors":"Mahdiyeh Taghizadeh, Amirreza Ostevari, Banafshe Khalese-Ranjbar, Mehdi Saberifiroozi, Somayyeh Asghari","doi":"10.1186/s40795-026-01426-w","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s40795-026-01426-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Liver cirrhosis is a progressive disease that can lead to serious complications including malnutrition which worsen the patient's condition and pose a significant threat to life. The choice of protein source plays a crucial role in the clinical management of these patients; however, concerns remain regarding their nutritional adequacy and patient tolerance.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This RCT evaluated the effects of a diet based on vegetable and dairy protein versus a standard isocaloric, isonitrogenous diet on nutritional status and liver disease severity in cirrhotic patients.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Forty-six adults with liver cirrhosis were randomized using a computer-generated random number sequence into two groups for a 12-week intervention. Malnutrition status based on the Royal Free Hospital-Global Assessment (RFH-GA), Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score (as the primary outcome) as well as dietary intake, anthropometric measurements, and biochemical parameters, including serum albumin and total protein were assessed at baseline and at study completion. The intervention group received a diet where the primary protein sources were from vegetables (e.g., legumes, soy) and dairy (e.g., milk, yogurt, cheese). Both groups followed an isocaloric, isonitrogenous diet, ensuring total protein intake was adequate and comparable. Intake records and interviews monitored dietary adherence.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Compared to controls, the intervention group showed significant improvements in MELD score (-1.87; 95% CI: -3.03 to -0.71, p-between < 0.01), serum creatinine (-0.04; 95% CI: -0.14 to -0.01, p-between = 0.01), and INR (-0.10; 95% CI: -0.17 to -0.02, p-between = 0.01). Although serum total protein decreased within the intervention group (-0.25 ± 0.11, p-within = 0.03), the between-group difference was not significant (-0.21; 95% CI: -0.49 to 0.06, p-between = 0.13), and there were no changes in serum albumin or nutritional status categories-suggesting no clinical deterioration.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Adherence to a 12-week vegetable- and dairy-based protein diet in patients with liver cirrhosis significantly reduced short-term disease severity without adversely affecting nutritional status. Longer-term studies are needed to evaluate the durability of these effects.</p><p><strong>Trial registration: </strong>The trial was registered in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials on June 8, 2023, under the registration number IRCT20220426054667N2. The full trial record can be accessed at https://irct.behdasht.gov.ir/trial/69973 .</p>","PeriodicalId":36422,"journal":{"name":"BMC Nutrition","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-07-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13656350/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148457155","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exploring the association between women's empowerment and household dietary diversity in rural Armenia: a cross-sectional analysis.","authors":"Narges Ebadi, Davod Ahmadi, Elise Carbonneau","doi":"10.1186/s40795-026-01427-9","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s40795-026-01427-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Women's empowerment plays a critical role in improving household dietary diversity. Empowered women have greater control over resources, information, and decision-making regarding nutrition, leading to healthier dietary practices for their families. This study investigates the association between women's empowerment and household dietary diversity in rural Vayots Dzor, Armenia.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Using Oxfam database, a cross-sectional analysis utilized data from 350 women residing in the Vayots Dzor region. Women's empowerment was assessed across multiple dimensions: social capital, economic empowerment, information and communication technology access, decision-making power, attitudes towards gender roles and leadership, and public event participation. Household dietary diversity was measured using an adapted Household Dietary Diversity Score, which encompasses six key food groups. Descriptive statistics and binomial regression models were employed to analyze the data and identify relationships between variables.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Findings from the regression analyses showed a positive association between women's empowerment dimensions and household dietary diversity. The adjusted regression model indicated that women with low social capital (OR = 0.409; 95% CI = 0.235-0.713) had low household dietary diversity score. Additionally, shared decision-making within families increased the likelihood of high diversity (OR = 2.481; 95% CI = 1.143-5.384).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study underscores the need for multifaceted approaches to women's empowerment to support improved household dietary outcomes. While causal inference is limited by the cross-sectional design, the findings suggest that policies integrating women's participation in household decision-making with broader social and economic support mechanisms may help enhance dietary diversity in rural settings. Further research is needed to evaluate context-specific empowerment interventions and their pathways to improving food security and gender equality.</p>","PeriodicalId":36422,"journal":{"name":"BMC Nutrition","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-07-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13647761/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148438318","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}