BMC Nutrition最新文献

{"title":"Examining the influences of media on food practices among adolescents in Salem district of Tamil Nadu: a cross-sectional study.","authors":"Priyanka Krishnamoorthy, Sendilkumar Balasundaram, Indra Sambasivam, Ravichandran Rajendhran, Gayathri Lakshmanan, Priyamathi T, Tamilchudar Raju, Deepiga Gnanadass, Dhasarathi Kumar","doi":"10.1186/s40795-026-01394-1","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s40795-026-01394-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Social media-based food advertising has notably emerged as a significant and modern form of exposure for adolescents, frequently exceeding traditional media in terms of reach and influence. Food labels also play a role in their nutritional choices, albeit with varied understanding.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To determine the association of advertisements and food labelling practices on dietary choices among adolescents and to examine associations with junk food consumption.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 385 adolescents aged 10-19 years in Salem, Tamil Nadu, using stratified random sampling. Data on demographics, media exposure, food habits, and label reading practices were collected through a semi-structured questionnaire. Association was examined using chi-square test.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Nearly, 69.4% of adolescents reported being tempted by advertisements to consume junk food (p = 0.002). Advertisements were significantly associated with the frequency of junk food intake, belief in food marketing, and intent to purchase. Social media platforms like Instagram and YouTube were identified as significantly associated channels for food marketing.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Current study highlighting that media advertisements were significantly associated with unhealthy eating patterns. This highlights the need for educational interventions and regulatory policies to enhance media literacy and improve understanding of food labelling to promote healthier dietary behaviors.</p>","PeriodicalId":36422,"journal":{"name":"BMC Nutrition","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-06-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13425777/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148279061","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":"Complementary feeding practices in Northern Ghana: a mixed-methods study of prevalence, predictors, and socio-cultural influences.","authors":"Abdul Razak Abubakari, Ahmad Sukerazu Alhassan, Abukari Salifu, Shamsu-Deen Ziblim, Suara Bakuri Sufyan","doi":"10.1186/s40795-026-01398-x","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s40795-026-01398-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Inappropriate complementary feeding (CF) practices contribute significantly to poor child development especially in malnutrition-burdened areas. While high knowledge and poor CF practices are widely documented, socio-cultural norms and taboos influencing child feeding practices have rarely been studied in context. This study examined the prevalence, predictors, and cultural beliefs influencing CF practices in Northern Ghana.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A concurrent mixed-methods approach was employed. 326 mothers with children aged 6-23 months were recruited into the quantitative study while four Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were held for the qualitative study. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21.0 was used to analyze the quantitative data (using both descriptive and inferential statistics) while the qualitative data was analyzed using thematic analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>About 66.6% of the children were timely initiated to CF (introduction of solid, semisolid or soft foods at 6-8 months), while 39.3%, 71.2%, and 37.1% met minimum dietary diversity (MDD), minimum meal frequency (MMF) and minimum acceptable diet (MAD), respectively. Appropriate complementary feeding (those who achieved timely initiation to CF, MDD, and MMF simultaneously) was met by 22.1%. Antenatal care (ANC) attendance and ethnicity were significant determinants of timely initiation of CF; children's age and ethnicity were predictors of MAD; while household size and children's age were associated with appropriate CF. In the qualitative results, early CF initiation (before 6th month of birth) was driven by perceived child readiness, and influence from mothers-in-law. Consumption of meat, eggs and dairy products were restricted by food taboos as well as spiritual and cultural beliefs. It was believed that consumption of these foods may cause delayed speech or immoral behavior in children. These beliefs restricted mothers' willingness to provide animal-source foods.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Appropriate complementary feeding remains sub-optimal despite high rate of timely CF initiation. These feeding practices are influenced by a wide range of maternal, household, and socio-cultural factors. These findings highlight the importance of considering socio-demographic and cultural influences when designing future child nutrition programs and interventions.</p>","PeriodicalId":36422,"journal":{"name":"BMC Nutrition","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-06-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13495485/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148260027","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":"Ultra-processed food consumption, dietary behaviors, and marketing exposure among school adolescents in urban Ethiopia: a qualitative study.","authors":"Kefyalew Taye Belete, Simon Nitter Dankel, Tafese Bosha, Gudina Egata","doi":"10.1186/s40795-026-01401-5","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s40795-026-01401-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Adolescence is a critical period for establishing lifelong dietary habits. The growing availability and marketing of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) pose increasing public health nutrition concerns, particularly in rapidly urbanizing settings. However, qualitative evidence on how adolescents in urban Ethiopia engage with UPFs remains limited. This study explored UPF-related dietary behaviors, consumption patterns, and exposure to food marketing among school adolescents in Adama Town, Ethiopia.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A qualitative study was conducted using 15 in-depth interviews with purposively selected secondary-school adolescents aged 13-19 years to ensure variation by age, sex, and school type. Interviews were conducted in Afan Oromo, audio-recorded, transcribed, translated into English, and analyzed thematically using Braun and Clarke's framework. Trustworthiness was enhanced through peer debriefing, reflexivity, and audit trails.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Seven interrelated themes described adolescents' dietary behaviors, consumption patterns, marketing exposure, and recommended responses related to UPFs. Adolescents expressed ambivalent views, describing UPFs as hygienic, quality-assured, affordable, and timesaving, while also recognizing concerns related to artificial ingredients, high sugar and fat content, and long-term health effects. Consumption ranged from frequent intake of packaged snacks, sugary drinks, and some commercially prepared staple foods to occasional fast-food consumption, shaped by taste, availability, affordability, situational need, and social influences from family and peers. Participants identified perceived benefits, including quick energy, weight gain, durability, and trust in the safety of commercially produced foods, alongside recognized risks such as dental problems, obesity, chronic diseases, addiction, and exposure to expired or contaminated products. Exposure to food marketing through mass media, packaging, and branding increased awareness and desire for UPFs, although some adolescents expressed skepticism toward misleading promotions and held mixed views on marketing restrictions. Despite consumption, many adolescents demonstrated reflective awareness and recommended moderation, preference for natural or homemade foods, checking expiry dates, and stronger regulation and consumer education to reduce harms.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>School adolescents in urban Ethiopia navigate a complex interplay of taste, convenience, affordability, social influence, and health awareness in their engagement with UPFs. Public health nutrition interventions should address both individual dietary behaviors and the broader food environment, including exposure to food marketing, to promote healthier dietary choices among adolescents.</p>","PeriodicalId":36422,"journal":{"name":"BMC Nutrition","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-06-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13495184/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148260064","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":"Association between the lactate-to-albumin ratio and mortality in patients with protein-energy malnutrition: a retrospective cohort study.","authors":"Zhenpeng Xiao, Liangliang Zhang, Wei Qiu, Yang Jiang, Xinger Geng, Qian Yang, Anhua Tang, Youwei Lu, Huixia Wu, Lin Zhang","doi":"10.1186/s40795-026-01399-w","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s40795-026-01399-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>To evaluate the association between lactate-to-albumin ratio (LAR) levels and clinical outcomes in patients with protein-energy malnutrition (PEM).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A retrospective analysis was conducted using the MIMIC-IV database. Patients with PEM were identified and stratified into four groups based on LAR quartiles. Cox regression models and restricted cubic spline (RCS) curves were employed to investigate the association between LAR and both 28-day ICU mortality and ICU mortality. Subgroup analyses were performed to compare the prognostic value of LAR across different populations.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 2,750 patients were included. Patients in the highest LAR quartile exhibited significantly higher 28-day ICU mortality and ICU mortality compared to those in the lowest quartile (both P < 0.001). After comprehensive adjustment for covariates, LAR remained significantly associated with 28-day ICU mortality (HR: 1.11, 95% CI: 1.01-1.22) and ICU mortality (HR: 1.19, 95% CI: 1.04-1.36) (both P < 0.05). Restricted cubic spline (RCS) curves indicated a non-linear relationship between LAR and both mortality outcomes. Sensitivity analyses further supported the robustness of the results.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>LAR was independently associated with increased 28-day ICU and ICU mortality in patients with PEM, exhibiting a non-linear relationship. These findings highlight the potential of LAR as an indicator for risk stratification in the PEM population.</p>","PeriodicalId":36422,"journal":{"name":"BMC Nutrition","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-06-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13495274/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148253552","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":"Dietary practices, nutritional knowledge, and socio-cultural influences among pregnant adolescents in rural Ghana: a qualitative study from North Dayi District.","authors":"Leticia Emefa Obobi, Phyllis Addo, Fedelix Agyemang Owusu, Celestine Yeboah","doi":"10.1186/s40795-026-01396-z","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s40795-026-01396-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Adolescent pregnancy is associated with heightened nutritional vulnerabilities due to the concurrent demands of adolescent growth and fetal development. Despite the critical importance of adequate dietary intake during this period, dietary practices among pregnant adolescents in rural Ghanaian settings are poorly understood. This study assessed dietary practices, nutritional knowledge, and socio-economic and cultural influencing factors among pregnant adolescents in North Dayi District, Volta Region, Ghana.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A qualitative study design was employed, using in-depth interviews with eleven (11) pregnant adolescents aged 16-19 years. Participants were recruited via a combination of purposive and snowball sampling from rural communities in North Dayi District. Data were collected using a semi-structured interview guide and analysed using Braun and Clarke's six-phase thematic analysis framework. The Health Belief Model (HBM) provided the theoretical framework for interpreting how adolescents' perceptions of susceptibility, barriers, benefits, and self-efficacy shaped their dietary behaviours.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Three overarching themes emerged: (1) dietary habits centred on starchy staples (banku, kenkey, rice, fufu) with reportedly limited dietary diversity and irregular meal patterns; (2) severely limited nutritional knowledge, with most participants unable to define a balanced diet or identify pregnancy-appropriate foods despite attending antenatal care (ANC); and (3) multiple intersecting barriers to adequate nutrition, including financial constraints, cultural food taboos, limited household decision-making autonomy, and reportedly inadequate dietary counselling at ANC. Food cravings frequently went unmet due to financial limitations, and ANC services reportedly focused predominantly on hygiene and medication rather than dietary guidance.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Pregnant adolescents in North Dayi District face significant dietary challenges stemming from poverty, knowledge gaps, cultural food restrictions, and perceived inadequate health system support. Current ANC nutrition education approaches appear insufficiently tailored to the needs of this population. Comprehensive, multi-level interventions may be needed, including food assistance programmes, adolescent-friendly nutrition education, enhanced health worker training, family engagement strategies, and policy reforms addressing adolescent-specific nutritional needs.</p>","PeriodicalId":36422,"journal":{"name":"BMC Nutrition","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-06-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13495326/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148240153","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 dietary intake and nutrient adequacy among adults in Saudi Arabia: a population-based assessment.","authors":"Omar Alhumaidan, Shihana Alakeel, Sarah Alkhunein, Ghadir Fallata","doi":"10.1186/s40795-026-01341-0","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s40795-026-01341-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Non‑communicable diseases (NCDs) pose a significant health challenge in Saudi Arabia, where 18.95% of adults report at least one chronic condition, including diabetes (9.1%), hypertension (7.9%), and cardiovascular diseases (1.5%). This burden highlights the need for reliable, national‑level estimation of dietary intake and nutrient adequacy to inform evidence‑based nutrition policy. Therefore, this study aimed to estimate dietary intake, nutrient exposure, and adequacy among Saudi adults using an updated, locally developed probabilistic model (NNC‑v2).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This modeling study was developed a model using nationally published data from Saudi Arabia starting in 2010. The model was designed to generate probabilistic estimates that account for uncertainty and variability by linking food supply data to population-level intake and nutrient exposure. Model parameters were specified as statistical distributions rather than fixed values, allowing variability and uncertainty to propagate through the estimation process. Age-related intake adjustment and routine variation were incorporated within the model structure. Nutrient adequacy was evaluated using a Monte Carlo-based Average Requirement cut-point approach (10,000 iterations). Predictive performance was assessed indirectly by comparing model-derived food expenditure with national survey data.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Grains estimated intake (mean 278 g/day), followed by protein foods (120 g/day). Median energy intake was 2399 kcal/day in males and 2366 kcal/day in females. Estimated intake levels were evaluated against the Average Requirement (AR) values of 320 µg/day for folate and 75-90 mg/day for vitamin C. Among individuals with intake below the AR, the mean intake gaps were approximately 97 µg/day for folate and 27 mg/day for vitamin C. Magnesium intake was evaluated relative to AR values of 350 mg/day for males and 255 mg/day for females. Model-estimated monthly food expenditure closely aligned with national data (7% difference in 2018; 2% in 2023).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>NNC-v2 offers a probabilistic framework for estimating dietary intake and nutrient adequacy at the national level in Saudi Arabia within the available data sources.</p>","PeriodicalId":36422,"journal":{"name":"BMC Nutrition","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-06-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13281250/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148240275","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":"Association of macronutrient quality at dinner versus breakfast with body composition in adults living in Tehran: results from a cross-sectional study.","authors":"Shadi Ghaemi, Reyhane Norouziasl, Negar Bafkar, Bahareh Jabbarzadeh Ganjeh, Kourosh Djafarian, Alireza Bahrami, Sakineh Shab-Bidar","doi":"10.1186/s40795-026-01382-5","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s40795-026-01382-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>We aimed to examine the relationship between the quality of macronutrients consumed at dinner versus breakfast and their effects on body composition among Iranian adults.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional study was conducted among 450 Iranian adults (aged 20-59). Anthropometric and body composition measures, including BMI, body fat percentage, fat-free mass, muscle mass, and waist-to-hip ratio, were assessed. Dietary data were collected using three 24-hour recalls, categorizing macronutrient quality (carbohydrates, fats, and proteins). ANCOVA was used to compare anthropometric and body composition measures across macronutrient tertiles for dinner versus breakfast. Non-linear associations were analyzed using restricted cubic splines.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>According to our findings, higher-quality carbohydrate intake at dinner versus breakfast showed a significant inverted U-shaped association with BMI. Conversely, saturated fat intake at dinner versus breakfast increased BMI in a U-shaped relationship, while linearly reducing muscle mass and fat-free mass. Unsaturated fat intake at dinner compared to breakfast showed a U-shaped association with BMI. Moreover, animal protein intake at dinner versus breakfast slightly increased muscle mass and fat-free mass in a reverse U-shaped pattern. However, higher plant protein intake at dinner versus breakfast reduced BMI linearly and decreased fat-free mass and muscle mass.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Higher intake of high-quality carbohydrates, unsaturated fats, and plant-based proteins at dinner versus breakfast may improve body composition, while increased consumption of saturated fats and animal proteins at dinner versus breakfast may worsen central adiposity and BMI.</p>","PeriodicalId":36422,"journal":{"name":"BMC Nutrition","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-06-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13495163/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148240230","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":"Determinants and district-level variation in childhood undernutrition in Sindh, Pakistan: evidence from MICS 2018.","authors":"Benazir Mahar, Tazeen Shah, Noor Nasir Rajpoot, Noman Sadiq, Muhammad Ali Ansari, Shazia Ali, Dalpat Rai","doi":"10.1186/s40795-026-01391-4","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s40795-026-01391-4","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background: &lt;/strong&gt;Childhood undernutrition remains a persistent public health challenge in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in South Asia. In Pakistan, both chronic (stunting) and acute (wasting) forms of undernutrition continue to affect a substantial proportion of children. Sindh province faces pronounced socioeconomic, environmental, and health-related disparities that may influence child nutritional outcomes. This study aimed to examine the determinants of stunting and wasting among children aged 0-23 months and to assess district-level variations using Sindh Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2018 data.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methods: &lt;/strong&gt;This cross-sectional study utilized secondary data from MICS 2018, including 5,985 children with valid anthropometric measurements. Stunting and wasting were defined as height-for-age z-score (HAZ) and weight-for-height z-score (WHZ) below - 2 standard deviations, respectively, based on WHO standards. Analyses were conducted using the complex samples module in SPSS to account for sampling weights, clustering, and stratification. Weighted descriptive statistics were computed, and bivariate associations were assessed using the Rao-Scott chi-square test. Multivariable logistic regression models were applied to identify determinants, with adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) reported. District-level prevalence estimates were also generated.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results: &lt;/strong&gt;The prevalence of stunting and wasting was 38.4% and 17.4%, respectively. In bivariate analysis, both outcomes increased with age; however, after adjustment, younger children aged 0-5 months exhibited significantly lower odds of wasting compared with children aged 12-23 months, indicating comparatively higher odds among older children. Household socioeconomic status was significantly associated with stunting, with children from poorer households having significantly higher odds. Access to improved drinking water was associated with reduced odds of stunting (AOR = 0.70; 95% CI: 0.49-0.98). Male children showed relatively higher odds of wasting, although the association was not statistically significant after adjustment. while other factors, including sanitation, feeding practices, and recent illness, were not statistically significant after adjustment. The apparent association between vaccination and wasting observed in bivariate analysis was attenuated in multivariable analysis, suggesting confounding, particularly by child age. Substantial district-level disparities were observed, with higher burdens in interior districts compared to urban areas.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusion: &lt;/strong&gt;Childhood undernutrition remains a significant concern in Sindh, with distinct determinants for stunting and wasting. Socioeconomic inequalities and environmental conditions remain important factors associated with childhood under nutrition. While geographic disparities highlight the need for targeted, context-","PeriodicalId":36422,"journal":{"name":"BMC Nutrition","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-06-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13483532/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148228556","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":"Digesting detention: how to document eating patterns in jail.","authors":"Elizabeth Schmitter, Nicolette I Teufel-Shone, Sara Shuman, Javier Lopez, Beya Thayer, Richard Martin, Ricky Camplain","doi":"10.1186/s40795-026-01393-2","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s40795-026-01393-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>People incarcerated experience significant health inequities compared to the non-incarcerated population, including higher rates of many diet-related diseases. Despite widespread acceptance of the association between diet and health, research documenting the dietary intake and nutritional status of individuals incarcerated in jail is limited. Food intake is notoriously difficult to measure, and current measurement tools are not designed for the jail setting. This study aimed to assess the acceptability and feasibility of a comprehensive tool to assess food intake during incarceration.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The cycle menu and commissary list from a rural county jail in the Southwest United States were used to design a dietary assessment questionnaire tailored to the carceral setting. The instrument included structured tables listing all menu items by meal (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), allowing participants to indicate the foods and proportions consumed (none, less than half, about half, more than half but not all, all, or more than one serving). Additional items captured the type and quantity of foods obtained and consumed from the commissary. Participants completed the food intake questionnaire over a 4-day period. At the end of the four days, participants provided feedback on the questionnaire's appropriateness and feasibility during group listening sessions. Verbal and written feedback was compiled and coded to identify common themes. Daily total and mean caloric, macronutrient, and micronutrient intakes were estimated using NutritionCalc Plus® and compared to appropriate Dietary Reference Intakes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of the 65 people recruited, 64 agreed to participate in the study and 61 participants completed all four days of the questionnaire. Participants reported that they enjoyed reflecting on their diets and recommended several modifications to the questionnaire design to improve accuracy when documenting intake. Women reported consuming excess total calories and men reported consuming deficient total calories. Macronutrient consumption was within the recommended ranges for men and women, while sodium exceeded healthy recommendations. Participants also reported consuming inadequate amounts of fruits, vegetables, and minerals.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>With specific modifications to improve documentation accuracy, the food intake questionnaire can be used in future research assessing nutritional status in jails, prisons, and other controlled food environments.</p>","PeriodicalId":36422,"journal":{"name":"BMC Nutrition","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-06-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13483404/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148218954","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":"From knowledge to everyday food choices: a qualitative study of nutrition literacy and eating behaviors among primary school students in Sabzevar, Iran.","authors":"Ali Mehri, Malihe Seyedabadi, Shirin Shahbazi Seighaldeh, Maryam Bazargan, Mostafa Rad, Reza Shahrabadi, Hamid Jovini, Masoumeh Hashemian, Bahar Hassantabar","doi":"10.1186/s40795-026-01370-9","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s40795-026-01370-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Nutrition literacy refers to the ability to access, understand, evaluate, and apply nutrition information to make informed dietary choices. Evidence from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) on nutrition literacy and related behaviors among schoolchildren remains limited, particularly regarding how school, home, and community environments shape these dynamics. This study explored how primary school students in Sabzevar, Iran, understand nutrition literacy and apply it in their daily eating practices.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A descriptive exploratory qualitative study was conducted in Sabzevar, Iran, between October 2021 and May 2022. Thirty-two students aged 10-12 years from three schools in different socioeconomic areas were recruited using purposive sampling, with limited snowball sampling to ensure variation in gender, BMI group, and socioeconomic status. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews guided by seven thematic sections and approximately 30 open-ended questions. Interviews lasted 45-60 min, were conducted in private school settings, and were audio-recorded with parental consent and child assent. Data saturation was reached after 28 interviews and confirmed with four additional interviews. Data were analyzed using Graneheim and Lundman's content analysis, and trustworthiness was ensured using Lincoln and Guba's criteria.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Participants included 18 girls and 14 boys (mean age: 11.06 years). Students demonstrated mainly functional nutrition literacy, identifying unhealthy foods and recognizing some health risks, particularly related to processed foods and food safety. However, knowledge rarely translated into healthy eating behaviors due to dependence on parents, simplified food classifications, taste preferences, peer norms, convenience, and irregular meal routines. Breakfast skipping and frequent consumption of processed snacks were common. Interactive and critical nutrition literacy skills were limited.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Nutrition literacy among Iranian primary school students is largely functional, with a clear gap between knowledge and behavior. Bridging this gap requires multi-level interventions involving schools, families, and supportive food environments to strengthen interactive and critical literacy and promote lasting healthy eating habits.</p>","PeriodicalId":36422,"journal":{"name":"BMC Nutrition","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-06-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13495226/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148218970","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}