Gut microbiota data obtained by DNA sequencing are not only complex because of the number of taxa that may be detected within human cohorts, but also compositional because characteristics of the microbiota are described in relative terms (e.g., “relative abundance” of particular bacterial taxa expressed as a proportion of the total abundance of taxa). Nutrition researchers often use standard principal component analysis (PCA) to derive dietary patterns from complex food data, enabling each participant's diet to be described in terms of the extent to which it fits their cohort's dietary patterns. However, compositional PCA methods are not commonly used to describe patterns of microbiota in the way that dietary patterns are used to describe diets. This approach would be useful for identifying microbiota patterns that are associated with diet and body composition. The aim of this study is to use compositional PCA to describe gut microbiota profiles in 5 year old children and explore associations between microbiota profiles, diet, body mass index (BMI) z-score, and fat mass index (FMI) z-score. This study uses a cross-sectional data for 319 children who provided a faecal sample at 5 year of age. Their primary caregiver completed a 123-item quantitative food frequency questionnaire validated for foods of relevance to the gut microbiota. Body composition was determined using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, and BMI and FMI z-scores calculated. Compositional PCA identified and described gut microbiota profiles at the genus level, and profiles were examined in relation to diet and body size. Three gut microbiota profiles were found. Profile 1 (positive loadings on Blautia and Bifidobacterium; negative loadings on Bacteroides) was not related to diet or body size. Profile 2 (positive loadings on Bacteroides; negative loadings on uncultured Christensenellaceae and Ruminococcaceae) was associated with a lower BMI z-score (r = -0.16, P = 0.003). Profile 3 (positive loadings on Faecalibacterium, Eubacterium and Roseburia) was associated with higher intakes of fibre (r = 0.15, P = 0.007); total (r = 0.15, P = 0.009), and insoluble (r = 0.13, P = 0.021) non-starch polysaccharides; protein (r = 0.12, P = 0.036); meat (r = 0.15, P = 0.010); and nuts, seeds and legumes (r = 0.11, P = 0.047). Further regression analyses found that profile 2 and profile 3 were independently associated with BMI z-score and diet respectively. We encourage fellow researchers to use compositional PCA as a method for identifying further links between the gut, diet and obesity, and for developing the next generation of research in which the impact on body composition of dietary interventions that modify the gut microbiota is determined.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a condition characterized by a constellation of reversible major risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes (T2DM). While it has been widely demonstrated that weight reduction by 5–10% decreases CVD and T2DM risk factors, including atherogenic dyslipidemia, on the other hand, its effects on comprehensive serum cytokine profile and endotoxemia are less investigated. Furthermore, the impact of weight loss on these parameters was studied especially in subjects with morbid obesity, often after bariatric surgery; while the studies on the effects of a physiological weight reduction with a balanced hypocaloric diet in overweight and moderately obese subjects showed contradictory results.

The aim of this pilot study was to investigate in overweight and obese men with MetS the effects of caloric restriction on the MetS-associated risk factors, chemical composition of lipoproteins and serum concentration of a wide spectrum of inflammation markers. In addition, the second purpose of this work was to study the possible correlation between lipoprotein chemical composition and these inflammation markers.

Eighteen adult Caucasian males (25 kg/m2 < BMI < 35 kg/m2) with MetS losing at least 5% of their initial weight after six months of a Mediterranean-style balanced hypo-caloric diet were included in the study. Lipoproteins were isolated from plasma by ultracentrifugation in a discontinuous KBr gradient. Lipoprotein concentrations of proteins, cholesterol, phospholipids, and triacylglycerols were determined by colorimetric assays. Peripheral cytokine levels (IL-2, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, IL-17, GM-CSF, MCP-1, MIP-1b, IL1-b, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, G-CSF, INF-g, TNF-a) were determined by Bioplex multiplex immunoassay. Endotoxemia was measured by Limulus Amebocyte lysate assay. The effects of weight-loss were analysed by Wilcoxon's test, the correlations between covariates by Spearman's test (significance: p-value ≤ 0.05).

After weight loss, we observed an improvement of MetS-associated risk factors and changes in lipoproteins composition. In particular, together with a reduction of triglyceridemia, we detected a massive transfer of triacylglycerols from HDLs toward LDLs. Furthermore, a significant decrease of IL-6 (0.9 ± 0.7 vs 0.5 ± 0.6), TNF-α (0.7 ± 0.3 vs 0.3 ± 0.18), IL-8 (1.6 ± 0.7 vs 1.3 ± 0.3) and MIP-1β (19.2 ± 1.5 vs 18.5 ± 1.5) was observed. Finally, peripheral levels of TNF-α and IL-8 were directly correlated with all lipid species of VLDL, whereas the concentration of MIP-1β and endotoxin with HDL lipids.

Weight loss improved cardio-metabolic risk factors and decreased inflammatory state by reduction of cytokine levels. The relationships between lipoprotein composition and serum inflammation markers deserve to be deepened by studying broader populations.

The Mediterranean diet is rich in bioactive nutrients and may be effective at preventing cardiovascular disease and dementia. However, long-term sustainability could be limited in non-Mediterranean populations with different nutrient requirements and food preferences. To address this issue, our research group conducted two randomised controlled trials to examine whether the Mediterranean diet can be adapted to increase sustainability for an Australian population, while still providing cardiovascular and cognitive benefits. In our first trial (n = 41), we examined a Mediterranean diet designed to meet the calcium requirements of older adults by including 3–4 daily serves of dairy foods (milk, cheese and yoghurt) (MedDairy). In our second trial (n = 33), we tested a Mediterranean diet supplemented with 2–3 weekly serves of fresh, lean pork (MedPork), designed to provide an alternate source of protein. Both trials employed a low-fat control diet (LF) and a 24-week parallel crossover design, consisting of two 8-week intervention periods and an 8-week washout separating interventions. We found that the MedDairy intervention significantly increased dairy food (mean difference = 1.0 ± 0.2 serves, P < 0.001) and calcium intake (mean difference = 25.9 ± 6.8 mg/MJ, P < 0.001) compared to LF. Further, MedDairy led to greater improvements in morning home systolic blood pressure (mean difference = -1.6 ± 0.6 mmHg, P = 0.01), triglycerides (mean difference = -0.05 ± 0.02 mmol/L, P < 0.01), HDL (mean difference = 0.04 ± 0.01 mmol/L, P = < 0.01), and total cholesterol to HDL ratio (mean difference = -0.4 ± 0.10 mmol/L, P = < 0.001). The MedDairy intervention also led to greater improvements in processing speed (P = 0.04), a measure of cognitive function, as well as self-reported mood (P = 0.01). No significant differences were observed between MedPork and LF for blood pressure or other markers of cardiometabolic health. However, the MedPork intervention led to greater improvements in processing speed (P = 0.01) and mood (P = 0.03). Our findings demonstrate that a Mediterranean diet with added dairy foods is capable of delivering adequate calcium to ageing populations while providing cardiovascular and cognitive benefits. Further, a Mediterranean diet supplemented with fresh, lean pork offers comparable cardiovascular benefits to a low-fat diet and greater improvements to cognitive function and mood. Our findings are of particular relevance to non-Mediterranean populations at risk of cardiovascular disease and dementia, and offer two options for modifying the Mediterranean diet depending on dietary priorities.

The burden of neurodegenerative disorders has been increasing as a consequence of a growing elderly population. These multifactorial diseases do not have a cure or efficient treatments. Due to its mechanistic complexity, prevention and treatment will require novel multi-targeted therapeutic strategies, targeting different disease hallmarks. The possibility of altering the progression and development of diseases through diet is an emerging as attractive approach with increasing supporting data. Epidemiological and clinical studies have highlighted the health potential of diets rich in fruits and vegetables. Studies with dietary (poly)phenols have been showing their multipotent and pleiotropic ability to modulate several cellular and molecular pathways and in that sense, dietary (poly)phenols can emerge as an alternative, with potential to be further explored. However, the precise contribution of dietary (poly)phenols and circulating (poly)phenol metabolites to human health is still in the beginning of being elucidated. Absorption and blood concentrations of some (poly)phenols is quite low, which can hamper the research in terms of understanding their effects in specific biomarkers of disease.

The difficulty in demonstrating (poly)phenols true effects can also be justified by the uncertain metabolic fate that dietary (poly)phenols can have. In fact, it is necessary to identify the bioavailable metabolites resulting from (poly)phenol ingestion through the diet, as well as their ability to overcome and/or interact with cellular barriers and reach target tissues, in this case reach the brain. Having this in mind, it will be reviewed the current knowledge on the molecular mechanisms underlying (poly)phenol metabolites effects and their role on neuroinflammation one central hallmark, common in all neurodegenerative diseases.

One of the latest neurotoxic and carcinogenic substances discovered in food is acrylamide (AA). The main pathway for AA formation in foods is the Maillard reaction (MR). Heat treated carbohydrate-rich foods such as potato, cereal and bakery products, together with coffee contain high levels of acrylamide. The high consumption of coffee in many countries makes it a potentially significant source of daily exposure to acrylamide. The purpose of the present investigation was to study the influence of the brewing method on the acrylamide level in coffee beverages. The experiment was performed with six different roasted coffee from local supermarkets. For coffee beverages preparation four different methods were used: boiled coffee (Turkish coffee), steeping (French press coffee), infusion (filtered coffee), and Italian pressure method (espresso coffee). Each time coffee beans were mechanically powdered and 100 ml brew was prepared using 6 g of ground coffee. AA contents in the brew coffee samples were determined by the RP - HPLC - DAD method. The results for AA contents were presented as mean values ± standard deviations (SDs) of six independent samples, analysed in triplicate (n = 18). Obtained results showed that the method of brewing coffee influences the level of AA in infusions. AA concentrations for Turkish coffee (4.10 μg/100 ml), French press (3.19 μg/100 ml) and filtered coffee (2.95 μg/100 ml) were higher than for espresso (2.13 μg/100 ml). Results showed also that the highly water-soluble acrylamide is easily extracted from the ground coffee to the liquid phase of the beverage. The extraction percentage variation according to the brew method was: from 52% for espresso to 95% for Turkish coffee. The brewing procedure for espresso extracted acrylamide incompletely from ground coffee comparing to other brewing methods, due to the short contact time between coffee and water. When compared with other common coffee beverages, espresso is the most concentrated brew. However, its acrylamide content per cup may be lower, due to the lower level of this substance extraction to the brew. The brewing time has a significant influence on the extraction level of AA for the beverage.

Childhood obesity is one of the most serious global public health challenges of the 21stcentury. Health and scientific organizations demand early interventions, although their complexity generates difficulties in their implementation. In systematic reviews, quality assessments are intended to limit mislead reporting and it is important they are conducted in a manner that minimizes bias. Process evaluation (PE) is used to monitor and document program implementation and can aid in understanding the relationship between specific program elements and program outcomes. Failure to deliver an intervention as intended can lead to unclear conclusions about the effectiveness of the intervention. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the studies based on the process evaluation and the quality on its interventions. We performed a systematic review of randomized control trials aiming to prevent childhood obesity. The Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions tool was used to assess and report methodological risk of bias. Each item was judged as being at high (HR), low (LR) or unclear (UN) risk of bias as per criteria. Key domains random sequence generation and allocation concealment were also assessed. Effectiveness was estimated when the study showed changes in body composition as the main outcome (BMI z-score or waist circumference). Process evaluation was evaluated if at least one process evaluation indicator was identified as being adequately implemented. From the 41 studies, 26 showed any degree of effectiveness and 15 were not effective. Almost half of studies scored high risk of bias: 20/41 (Effective 13/26; non effective 7/15). Moreover, 16/41 studies reported to have unclear risk of bias (effective 10/26; and non-effective 6/15). Only 5/41 articles reported to have low risk (effective 3/26; non effective 2/15). Regarding random sequence generation, there was no difference according to the quality of the studies (effective: LR 25/26, UN 1/26 AND HR 0/26; non effective: LR 15/15, UN 0/15 AND HR 0/15). Concerning the allocation concealment domain, there were no differences found either (effective: LR 11/26, UN 10/26 AND HR 5/26; non effective: LR 7/15, UN 5/15 AND HR 3/15). PE was used in 7 papers (effective 3/7 and non-effective 4/7). Quality seems to have slightly more influence in the non-effective studies (LR 13.3%) than in the effective studies (LR 11.5%). The non-effective studies showed the highest proportion of performing PE. There seems to be a relationship between the quality and PE performance.

Nutrition in pregnancy is important for the health of the mother and infant. Suboptimal maternal nutrition can result in poor pregnancy outcomes for the infant such as low birth weight, hypovitaminosis D, and neural tube defects. Theinternet is a popular source of dietary advice in pregnancy, but there are no regulations to control the quality of information provided,and poor accuracy and readability can hinder its usefulness.

The purpose of this study was to examine the accuracy and readability of online pregnancy-related diet and nutrition information regardless of geographical origin when searching from the UK. The accuracy was assessed against UK government advice and the readability using theFlesch Readability Ease (FRE) tool. Three commonly searched themes were examined;foods to avoid, foods to eat, and supplements.

130 web pages were rated for accuracy and readability. Descriptive and non-parametric tests were used and Spearman's Correlation used to explore the relationship between accuracy and readability.

Eighty-three (64%) web pages contained accurate and inaccurate advice, 23 (18%) were accurate, 21 (16%) were inaccurate, and three (2%) lacked relevant advice. The median percentage accuracy of all advice was 83 (LQ, UQ) (48,100). Eighty-seven pages (67%) scored below the recommended FRE for public web pages. The median FRE was 55 (46, 61) defined as ‘fairly difficult’. There was a weak positive correlation between accuracy and readability of web pages, rho = 0.241, p = 0.006. There was no significant difference in accuracy of web page by theme. Readability of web pages on supplements was more difficult than foods to avoid and foods to eat. Web pages from the UK (58%) were more accurate, difference of median 33 (16, 40) p < 0.001 and more readable, difference of median 9.1 (5.0, 13.1) p < 0.001 than those from outside the UK. Web pages from commercial sources (76%) were significantly less accurate than those from non-for-profit organisations, difference of median -8 (-29, 0.00) p = 0.019. 27% of web pages originated from the US. Dietary advice for pregnancy from the US differs from that in the UK.

Despite the popularity of internet searching, much pregnancy-related dietary advice online is inaccurate and difficult to comprehend. Contradictory advice may interrupt the process of making improvements to diet in pregnancy, and result in negative health outcomes for mother and infant. Healthcare professionals can support women by guiding them to accurate advice, which should only be provided by those qualified in nutrition or dietetics.

In recent years special attention has been paid to gluten-free foods, and among them buckwheat grains are becoming more popular. They are a rich source of many nutrients, including mineral compounds, and are eaten in many forms, eg. as a “kasha” which is obtained from roasted and dehulled grains. Food processing causes various changes in chemical composition of raw materials and their rate depends on the treatment parameters, therefore the aim of the study was to determine how the content and bioavailability of selected minerals is influenced by conduction the buckwheat groats production under different conditions.

The experimental materials were buckwheat grains subjected in industrial conditions to a short hydrothermal treatment (ca. 100°C/15 min) conducted in cereal dryer (unroasted groats were obtained), and also roasted in pressure boilers (140°C/90 min, 0.4 MPa) to receive roasted grains. The content of selected minerals (Mg, Mn, Zn, Cu) was determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry and their bioavailability was determined by enzymatic hydrolysis in vitro in a system, which simulated the conditions in the human gastrointestinal tract.

It was shown that different conditions of applied hydrothermal treatment had a lesser influence on the total content of analyzed minerals (determined before the digestion process), but they significantly influenced their bioaccessibility. Short treatment carried out at a lower temperature had a beneficial effect on the availability of all determined elements, increasing it to the greatest extent for Mg and Mn.

This process caused an increase in the content of Mg released after digestion from 859.4 μg/g (unheated grains) to 1233.8 μg/g (unroasted groats), and the Mn level increased respectively from 2.61 to 5.19 μg/g. The roasting process statistically significantly (p < 0.001) reduced the level of these elements (to 836.1 μg/g for Mg and 1.99 μg/g for Mn). The high parameters of seed treatment used during roasting also caused a decrease in the availability of other elements and their effect was most noticeable for Zn, whose level decreased from 31.99 μg/g (unheated grains) to 9.97 μg/g (roasted groats).

Observed dependencies allow to state, that due to the bioaccessibility of minerals, it is more beneficial to treat buckwheat grains with a lower temperature in a short time, and therefore consumers who pay attention to the nutritional value of the food, should choose unroasted buckwheat groats.

The increasing prevalence of diabetes mellitus has become one of the world's most serious public health problems. This reflects an increase in associated risk factors such as being overweight or obese. Currently available therapies are associated with a number of adverse effects, so there is a need to search for new substances that can support the treatment.

Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni is a plant famous for its sweetness due to the content of steviol glycosides that are derivatives of diterpene – steviol. Stevia and its glycosides are becoming popular in the world of science due to their anti-diabetic potential. However, the mechanisms responsible for its action are not fully understood and require further investigation.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of steviol on adipogenesis, intracellular ROS generation and the gene expression, as well as cytotoxicity in murine 3T3-L1 cell line. Cell viability, adipocyte differentiation, intracellular ROS generation and the influence on gene expression in the presence of steviol (in concentrations of 1–100 μM) was determined using MTT assay, Oil Red O staining, NBT methods and RT-PCR. It was found that steviol in concentrations up to 100 μM did not affect proliferation of cells. Also, there were no effects on lipid accumulation and intracellular ROS generation with examined concentrations (0–100 μM). The agent reduced the expression of genes regulating adipogenesis and lipogenesis processes: PPARγ (at concentrations of 10 and 100μM, by 38.1 and 45.3%), C/EBPα (at concentrations of 1, 10 and 100μM, by 36.9, 61.9 and 45.3%), SREBP-1 (at concentrations of 10 and 100μM, by 49.8 and 37.2%), LPL (at concentrations of 1, 10 and 100μM, by 45, 33.7, 30.8%), aP2 (at concentrations of 1, 10 and 100μM, by 36.9, 23.8, 52.4%), FAS (at concentrations of 1, 10 and 100μM, by 55.4, 22.4, 55.6%), LEP (at concentrations of 1, 10 and 100μM, by 27.5, 59.2, 68.6%), ADIPQ (at concentration of 100μM, by 55.6%) and RSTN (at concentrations of 1, 10 and 100μM, by 36.9, 61.9, 63.9%). Steviol lowered the expression of gene coding glucose transporter GLUT4 (at concentrations of 10 and 100μM, by 33.7 and 37.2%).

The results of this study seem to confirm that the mechanisms of anti-diabetic effects of steviol may be related to inhibition of expression of genes responsible for adipogenesis, lipogenesis and glucose transport in cells.

The presented work is an integral part of the research project

(National Science Centre, Poland, NCN 2017/27/B/NZ29/00677)

Luteolin is a naturally occurring flavone that reportedly has anti-inflammatory effect. Flavones in plants are usually present in the form of glucosides, although occasionally they are found as aglycones. The bioavailability of flavones may differ when consumed as either aglycones or glucosides. Nonetheless, numerous studies focused on the biological activity of flavonoid aglycones or that in vitro. These findings are supporting reason to compare the anti-atherogenic effect of aglycone and glucoside forms of flavones in vivo. Male ApoE knockout mice (n = 28, 6-week-old) were divided randomly into 4 groups of 7 mice: negative control group, homocysteine control group, luteolin and luteolin7-O-glucoside groups with homocysteine. All animals were fed by a high-fat diet, modified by AIN-93, containing 0.5% of cholesterol and 45% of fat. Luteolin and luteolin-7-O-glycoside were given daily by gavage for 5 weeks (50 mg/kg BW, respectively). To induce hyperhomocysteinemia, homocysteine was provided as a drinking water (0.9g/L). Administration of homocysteine did not affect body weight gain, feed intake and feed efficiency ratio among groups. Homocysteine feeding sharply increased serum concentrations of homocysteine and triglyceride as well as adhesion molecules including monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, which were attenuated by the administration of luteolin and luteolin-7-O-glucoside (p < 0.05). Homocysteine administration produced development of atherosclerotic process by the induction of hepatic inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 as well as aortic intercellular adhesion molecule expressions along with diminished expressions of antioxidative enzymes, such as hepatic glutathione reductase (GR), aortic GR and glutathione peroxidase (p < 0.05). Administration of both flavones down-regulated expressions of inflammatory mediators and adhesion molecules as well as up-regulated expressions of antioxidative enzymes (p < 0.05). These data were in accordance with the histopathological observations which were analyzed by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stain and immunohistochemistry. In a comparison of both agents, luteolin more potently attenuated inflammation and oxidative stress than luteolin-7-O-glucoside. These results exhibit that luteolin and luteolin-7-O-glycoside ameliorated atherogenic processes through the regulation of inflammation and oxidative stress in ApoE knockout mice with hyperhomocysteinemia. This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korea government of MOE (No 201704340001).

Combinable broad beans (Vicia faba) is a major agricultural crop in Europe with annual production around 1.5 million mt. During its milling the seed testa (hull) is removed and is a significant underutilised secondary product. The aim of this study was to examine the nutritional and functional properties of broad bean hull (BBH), specifically for blood glucose control and as a source of fibre for humans.

The proximate composition of BBH was assessed using standard AOAC methods and the phytochemical profile using LC-MS(1). BBH extracts were characterised for total polyphenol content, antioxidant potential (FRAP, TEAC)(2), and effects on α-amylase (AA) and α-glucosidase (AG) enzyme activity(3). Bread containing BBH was developed and assessed for glycaemic potential using a standardised in vitro gastro-intestinal digestion model(4). Wheat bran and acarbose were used as comparators.

BBH showed a comparable proximate composition to wheat bran but with higher fibre (49 vs 43 g/100g), and lower carbohydrate (19 vs 23 g/100g) and fat contents (1.3 vs 5 g/100g). LC-MS profiling showed that proanthocyanidins were the predominant phytochemicals in the hull with some minor compounds including flavonols. Total polyphenol content and antioxidant potential (FRAP, TEAC) of BBH was significantly higher than in wheat bran (160.1 vs 12.3 μg Gallic acid/mL, 3877.9 vs 75.5 μM Fe Sulphate, and 0.50 vs 0.19 mM Trolox Eq respectively; P < 0.001). Compared to acarbose BBH showed a significantly higher IC50 for α-amylase inhibition (76.6 vs 4.2 μg/mL), and a significantly lower value for α-glucosidase inhibition (2.7 vs 2175.8 μg/mL)(P < 0.001). The addition of BBH significantly reduced starch digestion in bread during the oral, gastric phases and at 20 and 60 min of intestinal digestion (P < 0.005).

Broad bean hull is a good source of non-soluble fibre with potential for increasing fibre contents in foods by up to 15g/100 g. Compared to similar material it is a richer source of polyphenols and antioxidants, retards both α-amylase and α-glucosidase activity and shows potential for reducing the glycaemic potential of foods.

The work was funded by the Rural and Environment Science and Analytical Services Division of the Scottish government (RESAS).

Marine fish are a good source of unsaturated fatty acids, high nutritional value protein, vitamins and minerals. Baltic herring is one of the most frequently caught fish in Poland(1). It was demonstrated that the fishing season has an effect on the content of individual fatty acid fractions(2).

The aim of the study was to analyse the fatty acid profile of Baltic herring flaps originating from two fishing seasons.

The study material were flaps of Baltic herring (Clupea harengus) originating from two fishing seasons (April-June following spawning and October-December prior to spawning). For each fishing season, six batches of raw material were examined (n = 6). From each batch, flaps were taken from ten fish. The flaps were comminuted and thoroughly mixed to prepare an experimental sample from which adequate weights of analytical samples were taken. The quantitative and qualitative analysis of the fatty acid composition was conducted following the cold muscle lipid extraction with a mixture of chloroform : methanol (2:1). Fatty acid methylation was carried out with a chloroform : methanol : sulphuric acid mixture (100:100:1). The separation of fatty acids was performed by gas chromatography. A one-factor variance analysis method with Duncan's test (P ≤ 0.05) was used to evaluate the variation of mean values.

The fishing season does not significantly affect the content of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. Differences were found during the analysis of the individual groups of unsaturated acids. The amount of monounsaturated fatty acids in herring before spawning (25.27%) was significantly lower than that after spawning (35.91%) (P ≤ 0.05). The content of polyunsaturated fatty acids before spawning (43.99%) was significantly higher than that after spawning (33.49%) (P ≤ 0.05). Most changes in the fatty acid profile occur in the highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA). The most important change due to the health-promoting properties for humans is an increase in the amount of EPA from 6.24% to 9.84% after and before spawning, respectively. Analogous changes were demonstrated for DHA, whose amount increased from 9.64% to 24.56%. The obtained results demonstrate a more favourable fatty acid profile in herring caught before spawning.

Processed meat (PM) has an important role in diet of the Swiss population, but increasingly regarded as a food group of concern due to epidemiological evidence for its association with colorectal cancer (CRC) and other chronic diseases. Data on CRC incidence for men and women and by region is available in Switzerland, but cannot be linked with PM intake.

This secondary analysis aimed to describe PM consumption in Switzerland, using data from the National Nutritional Survey menuCH, to investigate associations between PM intake and sociodemographic and lifestyle factors, and to examine CRC incidence in Switzerland for any similar regional patterns to PM consumption.

Intakes of total PM and of categories ham, bacon, sausage and other PM types were described by means and standard errors (SEM). Multiple regression analysis was used to investigate associations between meat intake (total meat and PM, assessed separately, g/1000 kcal) and the following sociodemographic and lifestyle factors: sex, language-speaking region, age-category, nationality, education, gross household income, household status, smoking status, overall health status (self-reported), and currently following a weight-loss diet. Data were weighted for age, sex, marital status, major areas of Switzerland, nationality and household size, and for consumption data, also season and weekday.

Results show PM was consumed by approximately 70% of the population with mean total intake of 42.7 (SEM 1.2 g/d). Sausage intake was highest with 16.8 g/day, followed by ham, other PM and bacon, 12.4, 10.6, and 2.0 g/day, respectively. Sex was significantly associated with total meat and PM intake; women consumed 10.1 g/1000 kcal less total meat [95% CI: -13.60; -6.64], and 4.70 g /1000 kcal less PM [95% CI: -6.73; -2.68] than men. For both variables, total meat and PM intake, positive associations were observed for overweight, obesity and current smoking; and negative associations observed for tertiary education and following a diet. The later was significant only for PM intake. The ecological data for CRC incidence revealed much higher rates for men than women, over 24 years; but the data shown by language region did not reveal any particular pattern.

This study is the first to describe intakes of total and different PM types, based on national representative data. Positive associations between PM intake and smoking and obesity merit careful monitoring. More regular data collection by methods enabling separate quantification of meat and PM, as well as relevant health biomarkers are needed in future studies.

An imbalance in energy expenditure can be the main cause of overweight and obesity. Some factors that increase it are the raise in the consumption of hypercaloric foods and the tendency to decrease physical activity. The aim of this study was to determine the association of physical activity by number of steps with the nutritional status of adolescents in Mexico City. A sample of 1457 first-grade adolescents from high school was obtained. To measure the number of steps in the adolescents, a Tanita® FB-731 pedometer was used. For the determination of physical activity, the cut points proposed by Tudor and Bassett were used. Likewise, anthropometric measures were taken and through the use of Who Anthro Plus program, the nutritional status diagnosis was obtained. The obtained data was analyzed with the statistical package IBM SPSS Statistics® version 20.0 for Windows. It was found that highly active and active adolescents have a lower prevalence of obesity (8.0% and 6.3%, respectively), in comparison with adolescents who classify on a typical day (28.5%), or slightly active (14.2%), finding a high significant difference (p < 0.01). In the present study it was found that adolescents with greater physical activity have lower prevalence of obesity, results that agree with the literature, which highlight the importance of encourage adolescents to be more active to reduce the prevalence of overweight and obesity.