Adequate intakes of the B vitamins are essential for health; however there is a lack of data concerning B vitamin intakes in UK dwelling South Asian (SA) groups. We aimed to investigate whether UK SA women meet the LRNI for B vitamins, and whether their intake differs from same-age White Caucasian (WC) women. We used summer 2006 dietary intake data from the Food Standards Agency (FSA) funded D-FINES study (Vitamin D, Food Intake, Nutrition and Exposure to Sunlight in Southern England, project N05064). After removal of over- and under-reporters (energy: BMR ratio < 1 or > 1.6) there were n = 29 SA and n = 146 WC subjects. The two groups did not differ significantly in age and BMI. Overall mean (SD) for age was 50.6 (13.6) years and for BMI was 26.8 (4.8). In SA, 41% were Bangladeshi or Pakistani, 28% were Indian and 31% were of other ethnicity. Independent T-tests, using log transformed data, showed no statistically significant differences for any B vitamin (Bonferroni revised p value: < 0.008). Results were as follows, giving median (IQR): Thiamine (mg) 1.5 (0.5) SA vs 1.4 (0.5) WC; (P = 0.8); Riboflavin (mg) 1.3 (0.5) SA vs. 1.5 (0.6) WC (P = 0.08); Niacin (mg) 30.7 (13.7) SA vs 33.3 (9.8) WC (P = 0.4); B6 (mg) 1.7 (0.5) SA vs 1.9 (0.7) WC (P = 0.2); B12 (micrograms) 2.8 (0.05) SA vs 3.6 (2.5) WC (P = 0.02); Folate (micrograms) 213 (93) SA vs 231 (82) WC (P = 0.8). In terms of percentages below the LRNI: Thiamine 0% SA and 0.7% (n = 1) WC; Riboflavin 0% SA and 1.4% (n = 2) WC; B12 10% (n = 3) SA and 0% WC. For Niacin, B6 and Folate no women in either group were below the LRNI. Overall, there were no ethnic differences in B vitamin intake by ethnicity. There was a trend for a slightly lower B12 intake in SA but this did not reach statistical significance after adjustment for multiple testing. It is of concern that 10% of SA did not meet the LRNI for B12. Of this 10%, the majority were not vegetarian or vegan. The sample size for SA was very small and further research is now required in a larger sample to confirm this finding. The D-FINES study was funded by the UK FSA (N05064). The views expressed are those of the authors alone.

Dispositional optimism is a psychological trait that has been associated with health issues such as cardiovascular disease. However, there is little knowledge on the relationship between optimism and dietary intake in the general population. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to assess whether optimism was associated with diet quality, food group consumption and snacking. In 2016, 32,806 adult participants from the NutriNet-Santé study completed the Life-Orientation Test Revised (LOT-R) which assesses dispositional optimism. Diet quality (N = 17,849) and food group consumption (N = 19,335) were evaluated using at least three self-reported 24-h dietary records, while snacking behavior was evaluated by an ad-hoc question (N = 28,948). Logistic and linear regressions were used to analyze the associations between optimism and diet quality, food group consumption, and snacking behavior taking into account socio-demographic, lifestyle and depressive symptomatology characteristics. Optimism was positively associated with diet quality (b (95% CI) = 0.07 (0.004–0.11), P < 0.0001), while no association with energy was observed. Optimism was positively associated with consumption of fruit and vegetables, seafood, whole-grain food, fats, dairy product and meat substitutes, legumes, appetizers, non-salted oleaginous fruits and alcoholic beverages, and negatively associated with consumption of meat and poultry, dairy products, milk-based desserts and sugars and confectionery. In addition, optimism was negatively associated with snacking (OR (95% CI) = 0.89 (0.84, 0.95). Optimism was associated with a better diet quality overall and less snacking. It was also associated with consumption of healthy food groups as well as unhealthy food groups typically consumed at social eating occasions. These findings suggest that optimism could be taken into account in the promotion of a healthy eating behavior.

Evidence suggests that dietary intake of UK children is currently suboptimal. It is therefore imperative to identify effective and sustainable methods of improving dietary habits and knowledge in this population, whilst also promoting the value of healthiness of food products beyond price. Schools are ideally placed to influence children's knowledge and health, and Project Daire, in partnership with schools, food industry partners and stakeholders, aims to improve children's knowledge of, and interest in, food to improve health, wellbeing and educational attainment.

Daire is a randomised-controlled, factorial design trial evaluating two interventions. In total, n = 880 Key Stage (KS) 1 and 2 pupils have been recruited from 18 primary schools in the North West of Northern Ireland and will be randomised to one of four 6-month intervention arms: i) ‘Engage’, ii) ‘Nourish’, iii) ‘Engage’ and ‘Nourish’ and iv) Delayed. ‘Engage’ is an age-appropriate, cross-curricular educational intervention on food, agriculture, science and careers linked to the current curriculum. ‘Nourish’ is an intervention aiming to alter schools’ food environments and increase exposure to local foods. Study outcomes include food knowledge, attitudes, trust, diet, behaviour, health and wellbeing and will be collected at baseline and six months. Qualitative data on teacher/pupil opinions will also be collected. The intervention phase is currently ongoing. We present baseline results from our involvement and food attitudes measure from all participating schools. Results were compared by Key Stage and sex using Pearson Chi-Squared test.

Baseline results from our food involvement and attitudes measure are presented for n = 880 KS1 (n = 454) and KS2 (n = 426) pupils. KS1 pupils were more likely to always or sometimes help with food shopping (89.0%) whilst KS2 pupils were more likely to always or sometimes help with food preparation (69.0%). A higher proportion of KS1 pupils reported liking to try new foods (66.1%) and that it was important that food looked (64.5%), tasted (71.1%) and smelled good (60.6%) compared with KS2 children (P < 0.01). Girls were more likely to always or sometimes help with food shopping (96.2%) and preparation (73%) when compared with boys; whilst a higher proportion of girls reported they liked to try new foods (48.2%) and that it was important that food looked (68%) smelled (50.5%) and tasted (71.8%) good compared with boys (P < 0.01).

Results suggest that involvement in food preparation and shopping, willingness to try new foods and attitudes towards food presentation varied by KS and sex in this cohort.

Our world is transitioning into a new generation of governance with much greater emphasis on targeted actions and mission mode programmes to achieve global sustainable goals (SDG). India with its Twenty-point programme which directly maps national and state programmes to global SDGs has been pacing up for 2030 targets. One of the major programmes that has been the prime focus is Integrated Child Development Services Scheme. India ranked 103rd among 119 countries on global hunger index, 2018. Significant reduction in malnutrition was seen among children below 6 years but the pace of reduction has been slow over the past decade. The path of malnutrition reduction of central belt states (tribal population dominant) deviates from rest of the country.

Our analysis of National Family Health Survey-4 (NFHS) found that 42% of tribal children are underweight (i.e. 1.5 times higher than non-tribal children), over 50% of prevalence of malnutrition is in tribal population. 100% Mother & Child Protection registration do not reciprocate to 100% all Anti-Natal Care visits showing faults in monitoring system indicating that the investment by government in all fronts, economic development has not translated into desired reduction in malnutrition. Their 8.6% population accounts to 30% cases of malaria translating to 50% malarial deaths indicative of higher disease burden. Malnutrition crisis among tribals begins way early manifesting in higher rates of Low Birth Weight deliveries (LBW) which is 3–4% higher compared to non-tribal population. This is due to low nutrient diet, laborious work during gestational period and high disease burden.

The focus of Maternal nutrition enhancement projects by Tribal Welfare Depts in these states should include nutrition sensitive along with nutrition specific interventions targeting the population under risk as well as entering risk. Now with district level data (NFHS) available every 4 years can aid in district level planning, shifting focus from population based to prevalence and exclusive planning for tribals. Our study involves developing a robust framework to enhance maternal nutrition through strong community mobilization and partnership. It also addresses the convergence issue being faced in the current system and paves a way forward for convergence among inter departmental schemes for larger participation by people and greater coverage of the scheme and its benefits.

Human breast milk is a high value biological substance that grants numerous benefits both to mother and child. Many aspects can produce changes in the milk composition; among them, the pre-conception body mass index (Pre-conception BMI) which is included as a factor that can influence the fat levels and therefore, the milk's energy density. To identify if there is a relation between the breast milk energy density from a human milk bank and Preconception BMI. It is a retrospective study that used information from donations registered in the human milk database at Hospital de Kennedy during 2016. The dependent variable is the energy density from 3 kinds of milk: colostrum, mature and transition milk. As independent variable, Preconception BMI was taken. The R free program version 3.3.0 was used for statistical analysis. The energy density average found for the 3 kinds of milk were: 20.59 + /- 2.3 kcal/oz, 20.51 + /- 2.17 kcal/oz y 19.21 + /- 2.53 for colostrum, transition milk and mature milk respectively. The Preconception BMI average from the donors was 23.56 Kg/m2 for colostrum, 23.9 Kg/m2 for transition milk and 23.1 Kg/m2 for mature milk. No relation between Preconception BMI and energy density of colostrum was found. However, for transition milk and Preconception BMI a directly proportional relation was found (p < 0.01), and for mature milk and Preconception BMI an inversely proportional relation was determined (p = 0.0387). There are internal and external factors than can affect the breast milk lipid content, such as movements of reserves through the organism to protect the milk production, hormonal action, dietary intake, physical activity and socio-economic and cultural aspects; that is why it is not possible to analyze the preconception BMI as a unique predictor of breast milk energy density in an isolated manner. Preconception BMI is related to human breast transition and mature milk energy density in donations registered in 2016 at Kennedy Hospital.

The European Commission requested the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to update the dietary reference values (DRVs) for the European Union (EU) previously set by the Scientific Committee on Food (1993). DRVs are science-based reference values for nutrient intake of healthy people. The work on energy, water, macronutrients and vitamins has been completed (2017); that on minerals has continued (2019). We present the derivation of DRVs for 14 vitamins for adults.

To set DRVs for adults, EFSA either used biomarkers of status, a factorial approach, data on health outcomes, or updated EU intake estimates. The latter were initially taken from publications. EFSA then compiled its own food composition database and calculated intake estimates combining it with individual data from representative national surveys from the EFSA Comprehensive European Food Consumption Database.

EFSA set adequate intakes (AIs) for 7 vitamins, and population reference intakes (PRIs) for 7 others, for adults. Based on its review of biomarkers, health outcomes and intake, EFSA confirmed previous DRVs for vitamin K (per kg of body weight), niacin and thiamin (per MJ). Distinct updated values for women and men were derived for vitamins A, B6, C and E. DRVs for vitamins B6 and E were changed to daily amounts (instead of per g of protein or PUFA intake, respectively). Vitamin E was defined as alpha-tocopherol only (instead of alpha-tocopherol equivalents), and the DRV for folate was expressed in μg of dietary folate equivalents (instead of μg). DRV for cobalamin became an AI with an increased value compared to the previous PRI. Using updated intake estimates for biotin and pantothenic acid, and intake-status relationship for vitamin D, EFSA set AIs instead of previous acceptable ranges of intake. EFSA increased the PRI for folate, and that for riboflavin for women, considering data on biomarkers, and also those for vitamins A and C following a factorial approach. For the first time, a DRV for choline for the EU population was set, based on observed intakes and data on correction of deficiency symptoms.

This review of available evidence led to a substantial update of the previous DRVs for vitamins. It also showed the need for more studies specifically designed to assess nutritional requirements, or to measure food composition (e.g. vitamin K, choline). There is also a need for the development and improvement of biomarkers of intake or status and relevant analytical methods for their use in setting DRVs.

Malnutrition is one of the most frequent geriatric syndromes and a key contributor to frailty. Ageing is commonly associated with modifications in eating habits with changes in appetite and food intake. Malnutrition is not only a sign of illness, but its presence increases morbidity, hospital stay, institutionalization, poor quality of life, in-hospital complications, expenses, and mortality. Hospitalized patients have increased calorie requirements to overcome the increased energy expenditure due to acute disease. We aimed to evaluate the actual consumption of the food offered to a sample of hospitalized older adults. Sixty hospitalized patients (women/men = 23/37) were recruited sequentially. After participants signed an informed consent, we evaluated their mean actual intake of macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, and fats) at lunch during three consecutive days, calculated with a nutrition analysis software from the weighted food (first course, second course, side dishes) measured before and after consumption. Other parameters assessed included self-sufficiency by the capacity to perform basic and instrumental activities of daily living (ADL, IADL), cognitive performance with Mini Mental State Evaluation (MMSE), Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), physical performance with the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and handgrip dynamometry, EAT-10 test for the assessment of swallowing capacity, and anthropometric parameters. Mean ± SD of the main parameters assessed were as follows: age 77.8 ± 9.3 years, BMI 27.1 ± 8.7 Kg/m2, ADL 3.8 ± 2.0, IADL 4.1 ± 2.8 (indicative of compromise self-efficacy), MMSE 21.8 ± 5.9, SSPB 5.3 ± 3.1, handgrip dynamometry 16.5 ± 7.8 Kg (indicative of mild to moderate cognitive and physical impairment). The mean intake of macronutrients for the 3-day assessment was 65.7 ± 20.6% of carbohydrates, 74.3 ± 30.4% of proteins, and 47.4 ± 38.1% of fats of the total amount offered at lunch. Older patients tended to have lower intakes of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, while participants with higher SPPB had higher intakes of carbohydrates and proteins. The results of the present study show that hospitalized older adults, with compromised autonomy, physical and cognitive performance, had lower consumption compared to what is offered to them in the hospital despite their elevated nutritional needs due to the acute illness leading to hospitalization. Undernutrition and weight-loss are key factors associated with increased mortality and morbidity. Therefore, it is crucial to set appropriate nutritional interventions in hospitalized patients, particularly those with disability and cognitive decline. Early recognition and treatment of malnutrition are essential preventive measures to improve the quality of care, quality of life, and decrease mortality risk in hospitalized older adults.

Potato (Solanum tuberosum spp.) is worldwide consumed mostly as table potato, but due to lifestyle changes, production of minimally processed potato (MPP) became an important sector of the food industry. From the health point of view, phenolic compounds as potatoes constituents are desirable, but also responsible for undesirable browning of peeled and sliced potato. The most abundant are phenolic acids such as chlorogenic acid, which is a substrate for enzymatic oxidation in the presence of phenolase and is responsible for browning processes. Its concentration in tubers depends on cultivar type as well as storage, and thereby can influence on shelf life of MPP. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of two potato cultivars of different tuber age on the phenolic content of MPP during 8 days of storage followed by thermal treatment. Cultivars Birgit and Lady Claire were selected and stored for 1 and 4 months in warehouse (8 °C/RH 95 %). Potatoes were washed, peeled, sliced and treated with 2 % sodium ascorbate solution for 3 minutes. After draining, MPP samples were vacuum packed in PE/PA bags and stored for 1, 5 and 8 days at 10 °C. After storage, samples of raw, boiled and fried MPP were freeze dried and phenolic content was determined by UPLC MS/MS. In all potato samples chlorogenic acid, catechin and epicatechin were determined, where chlorogenic acid predominated (almost 97 %).

Generally, lower phenolic content was determined in cv. Birgit samples. Comparing cultivars upon tubers age, total phenolic content (as sum of all determined polyphenols) was lower after 4 months storage and ranged from 3.33 mg/100 g freeze dried sample (raw cv. Birgit/1st day) to 7.27 mg/100 g (raw cv. Lady Claire/8th day). MPP's phenolic content in raw potatoes increased over the storage time, except in cv. Lady Claire potatoes stored for 1 month. Influence of thermal treatments on the MPP phenolic content showed decrease in boiled and fried MPP prepared from 1 month stored potato, while in MPP samples prepared from 4 months stored potato did not follow a clear trend. Phenolic content was lower in boiled potatoes compared to fried potatoes, regardless cultivar type, probably because phenolics are lost by cooking in water. The current study demonstrates that cv. Birgit is more suitable in minimal processing than cv. Lady Claire according to lower phenolic content.

A lower dietary protein intake has been associated with muscle mass loss, a decline in physical performance and more mobility limitations over time in old age. Current guidelines for protein intake advise ≥ 0.8 g/kg body weight (BW)/d, while experts propose a higher intake for older adults (1.0–1.2 g/kg BW/d), irrespective of sex. It is unknown whether the association between protein intake and loss of muscle mass is different for men and women, and whether there is an optimal protein intake to prevent this loss. Therefore, we investigated the shape of the association between protein intake and change in appendicular lean mass (aLM) over 3 years in community-dwelling older adults, separately for men and women. Data of men (n = 935) and women (n = 1061) aged 70–81 years and participating in the Health, Aging and Body Composition study were used. Dietary protein intake, measured in 1998/1999 using a food frequency questionnaire, was expressed in daily grams of protein per kg adjusted BW (g/kg aBW/d) by using healthy instead of actual BW. aLM was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at baseline and after 3 years. Restricted cubic spline functions with 3 knots in linear regression models were used as well as linear regression analyses. The fit of both models was compared using the likelihood ratio test. All analyses were stratified by sex and adjusted for demographics, lifestyle factors, chronic conditions, height and baseline aLM. Mean (SD) protein intake was 70.8 (26.2) g in men and 61.0 (22.5) g in women, or 0.93 (0.36) and 0.95 (0.36) g/kg aBW/d, respectively. Over 3 years, mean loss of aLM was 0.61 (1.16) kg in men and 0.35 (0.95) kg in women. In both men and women, the likelihood ratio was not significant (P = 0.57 and 0.67, respectively), indicating that the spline regression model did not fit the data better than the linear regression model. In men, the linear model showed no association between protein intake and change in aLM (adjusted B per 0.1 g/kg aBW/d = 18.1, P = 0.34). In women, a higher protein intake was associated with a smaller loss of aLM (adjusted B per 0.1 g/kg aBW/d = 34.5, P = 0.017). This study suggests a linear association between protein intake and 3-year loss of aLM in older women; however, no association was found in older men. Future studies into sex differences in associations with other physical outcomes are needed. For both sexes, an optimal protein intake could not be detected.

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) isomers have been shown to possess anti-atherosclerotic properties, which may be related to the downregulation of inflammatory pathways. Whether low concentrations of CLAs are able to affect basal, unstimulated endothelial cell (EC) responses is not clear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of two CLAs (cis-9, trans-11 and trans-10, cis-12) on basal inflammatory responses by ECs.

EA.hy926 cells (HUVEC lineage) were cultured under standard conditions and exposed to CLAs (1 and 10 μM) for 48 hours. MTT assay was performed to determine cell viability; incorporation of FA was confirmed by gas chromatography; inflammatory mediators were assessed by multiplex immunoassay; the relative expression of genes encoding transcription factors and inflammatory cytokines was assessed through real-time PCR and static adhesion assay was used to evaluate monocyte attachment to the EC monolayer.

CLAs were incorporated into ECs in a dose-dependent manner. Pre-treatment with CLA9,11 (1 uM) significantly reduced unstimulated, basal concentrations of MCP-1 (p < 0.05), and CLA10,12 at 10 uM had the same effect (p < 0.05). Both CLAs at 10 uM increased the relative expression of NFκβ (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively), while decreasing the relative expression of PPARα (p < 0.0001), COX-2 (p < 0.0001) and IL-6 (p < 0.0001). In contrast, no effect was observed in the adhesion assay for either CLA.

These results suggest that both CLAs at a low concentration have a neutral or modest anti-inflammatory effect in basal conditions, which may influence endothelial function and risk of vascular disease. Interestingly, at these low CLA concentrations some pro-inflammatory genes are upregulated while others are down regulated. This suggests complex effects of CLAs on inflammatory pathways.