Globally, more than 13 % of adolescents have clinically significant mental health problems, with anxiety and depression comprising over 40 % of cases. Despite the high prevalence of anxiety disorders among youth, dietary research has been focused on youth with depression, resulting in a significant knowledge gap regarding the impact of anxiety on adolescent diet quality. Adolescents with diagnosed anxiety disorders and healthy controls were included in this study. Anxiety symptoms were measured using the Screen for Child Anxiety-Related Disorders. Diagnosis of anxiety disorder was determined using the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia interview. Five diet quality indices were scored from FFQ. Diet quality indices associated with anxiety symptoms in the correlation matrix were interrogated using multiple linear regression modelling. All models were adjusted for depression. One hundred and twenty-eight adolescents (mean age 14·8 years (sd: 2·1); 66·4 % female) were included in this cross-sectional analysis. Although healthy controls and outpatient participants had similar unhealthy dietary index subscale scores, outpatient participants had lower healthy index scores. Higher anxiety symptoms were associated with lower healthy dietary indices in univariate analysis; after adjusting for comorbid depression; however, anxiety symptoms were no longer associated with dietary indices following adjustment for multiple testing (P = 0·038 to P = 0·077). The association between anxiety symptoms and a poor diet is attenuated by depression. The results of this study support the need for an integrated approach to the assessment of mental and physical well-being and further research aimed at understanding the unique contribution of depression to healthy dietary patterns.

While dietary transitions towards more plant-based diets are urgently needed, few studies have investigated current diet trajectories, based on observed longitudinal data. This study investigated current dietary transitions of French adults over an 8 years period (2014-2022), while assessing the diet quality and the role of diverse socio-economic factors.

Consumption data from 17,187 NutriNet-Santé cohort participants weighted for the French Census were collected using a food frequency questionnaire in 2014, 2018, and 2022. Adopting a gender-specific approach, consumption changes in 23 food groups were assessed over time. The diet quality was evaluated using the Comprehensive Diet Quality Index (cDQI) score, categorizing foods into “healthy” and “unhealthy”. The socioeconomic analysis targeted four food groups (red meat (including fresh beef, pork, offal, and lamb), processed meat (e.g. sausages, ham, and bacon), legumes, and wholegrain products), strongly linked to mortality risk and recognized as significant markers of the sustainable diet transition. All analyses were conducted using multi-adjusted mixed-effects models.

Consumption of some healthy plant-based foods (nuts +59 %, legumes +22%, wholegrain products +7%) significantly increased over time; while consumption of some unhealthy foods (red meat -19%, refined cereals -18%, sweetened drinks -15%) decreased. Conversely, consumption of prepared and mixed dishes (+16%), and processed meat (+35%) increased. These changes differed in magnitude between genders and translated into an improved diet quality score (cDQI). Occupational status was linked to longitudinal changes in food consumption, showing increased consumption of plant-based foods among students and higher socio-professional categories.

Our findings provide accurate data on trends and factors for targeted initiatives, guiding strategic interventions for a sustainable dietary transition.

The aim of this study was to explore the associations between diet quality, socio-demographic measures, smoking, and weight status in a large, cross-sectional cohort of adults living in Yorkshire and Humber, UK. Data from 43, 023 participants aged over 16 years in the Yorkshire Health Survey, 2nd wave (2013–2015) were collected on diet quality, socio-demographic measures, smoking, and weight status. Diet quality was assessed using a brief, validated tool. Associations between these variables were assessed using multiple regression methods. Split-sample cross-validation was utilised to establish model portability. Observed patterns in the sample showed that the greatest substantive differences in diet quality were between females and males (3.94 points; P < 0.001) and non-smokers vs smokers (4.24 points; P < 0.001), with higher diet quality scores observed in females and non-smokers. Deprivation, employment status, age, and weight status categories were also associated with diet quality. Greater diet quality scores were observed in those with lower levels of deprivation, those engaged in sedentary occupations, older people, and those in a healthy weight category. Cross-validation procedures revealed that the model exhibited good transferability properties. Inequalities in patterns of diet quality in the cohort were consistent with those indicated by the findings of other observational studies. The findings indicate population subgroups that are at higher risk of dietary-related ill health due to poor quality diet and provide evidence for the design of targeted national policy and interventions to prevent dietary-related ill health in these groups. The findings support further research exploring inequalities in diet quality in the population.

Previous investigations on protein associations with diet quality and obesity still have inconclusive findings, possibly due to how protein intake was expressed. This study aimed to compare how different ways of expressing total protein intake may influence its relationships with diet quality and obesity. Usual protein intake was estimated from the 2011–12 Australian National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey (n = 7637 adults, ≥19 years), expressed in grams (g/d), percent energy (%EI), and grams per actual kilogram body weight (g/kgBW/d). Diet quality was assessed using the 2013 Dietary Guidelines Index, and obesity measures included Body Mass Index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC). Sex-stratified multiple linear and logistic regressions were performed and adjusted for potential confounders. Total protein (g/d) was directly associated with diet quality (males, β = 0.15 (95% CI 0.12, 0.19); females, β = 0.25 (0.22, 0.29)), and this association was consistent across units. Protein intake (g/d) was directly associated with BMI (males, β = 0.07% (0.04%, 0.11%); females, β = 0.09% (0.04%, 0.15%)), and WC (males, β = 0.04 (0.01, 0.06); females, β = 0.05 (0.00, 0.09)). While in males, protein as %EI was associated with higher WC, no association was found in females. Adults with higher protein intake (g/d) had higher odds of overweight/obesity (males, OR = 1.01 (1.00, 1.01); females, OR = 1.01 (1.00, 1.01)), and central overweight/obesity (females, OR = 1.01 (1.00, 1.01)), but no significant association with females odds of overweight/obesity when protein was expressed in %EI. In conclusion, protein intake was positively associated with diet quality and obesity, yet these associations were stronger for women. The effect sizes also varied by measurement unit due to the different scales of those units.

Sleep apnoea is a known risk factor for cardiometabolic diseases (CMD), but it is unknown whether sleep apnoea or its symptoms contribute to increased CMD through an association with diet quality. This study assessed the association between sleep apnoea symptoms on future diet quality in the Bogalusa Heart Study (BHS). This prospective study included 445 participants who completed a sleep apnoea questionnaire in 2007–2010 and a FFQ in 2013–2016 (mean follow-up: 5·8 years; age 43·5 years; 34 % male; 71 % White/29 % Black persons). Diet quality was measured with the Alternate Healthy Eating Index (AHEI) 2010, the Healthy Eating Index (HEI) 2015 and the alternate Mediterranean diet score. Adjusted mean differences in dietary patterns by sleep apnoea risk, excessive snoring and daytime sleepiness were estimated with multivariable linear regression. Models included multi-level socio-economic factors, lifestyle and health characteristics including BMI, physical activity and depressive symptoms. Those with high sleep apnoea risk, compared with low, had lower diet quality 5·8 years later (percentage difference in AHEI (95 % CI −2·1 % (–3·5 %, −0·7 %)). Daytime sleepiness was associated with lower diet quality. After adjusting for dietary pattern scores from 2001 to 2002, having high sleep apnoea risk and excessive sleepiness were associated with 1·5 % (P < 0·05) and 3·1 % (P < 0·001) lower future AHEI scores, respectively. These findings suggest that individuals with sleep apnea or excessive sleepiness should be monitored for diet quality and targeted for dietary interventions to improve CMD risk.

The primary aim of this study was to examine the association between snack nutritional quality, overall diet quality and adiposity among Australian adolescents. The secondary aim was to assess the distribution of discretionary foods (i.e. energy-dense and nutrient-poor foods and beverages) and intakes from the five food groups at different levels of snack nutritional quality. Dietary data collected from nationally representative adolescents (12–18 years old) during a 24-h dietary recall in the National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey were analysed (n 784). Snacks were defined based on participant-identified eating occasions. Snack nutritional quality was assessed using the Nutrient Profiling Scoring Criterion (NPSC), whereas diet quality was evaluated using the Dietary Guideline Index for Children and Adolescents. Adiposity was assessed through BMI Z-score waist circumference and waist:height ratio (WHtR). Higher nutritional quality of snacks, as assessed by the NPSC, has been associated with higher diet quality among both boys and girls (P < 0·001). However, there is no association between snacks nutritional quality with BMI Z-score, waist circumference and WHtR. Among both boys and girls, the consumption of fruits, vegetables and legumes/beans at snacks increased with improvement in snack nutritional quality. Conversely, the consumption of discretionary foods at snack decreased with improvement in snack nutritional quality. In conclusion, improved snack quality was associated with better diet quality in adolescents. However, there was no association between snack nutritional quality and adiposity. Future, snack nutrition quality indices should consider optimum snack characteristics related with adiposity and diet quality.

Children’s eating habits are established early in life and parents play a major role therein. Pregnancy is a teachable moment for the promotion of healthy eating because many women are concerned about their babies’ health and have frequent contact with healthcare providers. We aimed to investigate the association between diet quality during pregnancy and the offspring. A total of 691 sets of data on pregnant mothers and their 3-year-old offspring were obtained from the Seiiku Boshi cohort study. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire for mothers in mid-to-late pregnancy and a validated diet history questionnaire for Japanese preschool children at the 36-month checkup. Diet quality was scored using the Japanese Food Guide Spinning Top. Maternal diet quality score was categorised into quartiles, and the association between offspring and maternal diet quality score, adjusted for socioeconomic factors, was assessed using multiple linear regression. The total offspring diet quality score showed a linear trend with the maternal diet quality score (the mean increments (confidential intervals) for each quartile were –0.12 (–1.32–1.08), 1.54 (0.34–2.73), and 1.22 (0.03–2.42)). In particular, offspring vegetable dishes scored higher in all quartiles of maternal vegetable dish scores than in the lowest quartile (0.69 (0.21–1.17), 0.97 (0.50–1.45), and 1.36 (0.88–1.83)). A high diet quality score during pregnancy was positively associated with that of offspring, suggesting the importance of nutritional education in pregnant women to improve their diet quality.

There is an increasing need for valid, rapid diet screening tools. A significant association between the Prime Diet Quality Score (PDQS) and reduced risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been demonstrated in the US but evidence of its use in Europe is lacking. The aim of this study was to amend the PDQS for a UK/Irish population and determine validity and reliability in those at risk of CVD. Participants were recruited via online adverts across the island of Ireland. The PDQS was amended for a UK/Irish population and participants completed PDQS and reference measure (4-day food diary (FD)) on two occasions. PDQS score was calculated directly from PDQS and indirectly from FDs. Validity was determined using Spearman correlation coefficients (SCCs) (r), intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and weighted kappa. Reliability was determined using SCCs (r), ICCs, weighted kappa and coefficient of variation.

‘Data were available for n = 115 (Month 0) and n = 108 (Month 3) participants for validity and n = 110 for reliability assessment (PDQS completed at both timepoints)’. PDQS score from PDQS was significantly correlated with PDQS score from FDs at months 0 (r = 0.59, P < 0.01) and 3 (r = 0.65, P < 0.01), with similar associations observed via ICCs. Weighted kappa indicated moderate agreement. PDQS score at month 0 was significantly correlated with PDQS score at month 3 (r = 0.78, P < 0.01), with similar associations observed via ICCs. Weighted kappa indicated moderate agreement. Results indicate that the amended PDQS is a valid and reliable tool to determine diet quality in a UK/Irish population at risk of CVD.

Multimorbidity, the existence of two or more concurrent chronic conditions in a single individual, represents a major global health challenge. The Nutrition Society’s 2023 Winter Conference at the Royal Society, London focused on the topic of ‘Diet and lifestyle strategies for prevention and management of multimorbidity’, with symposia designed to explore pathways for prevention of multimorbidity across the lifecourse, the role of ageing, the gut-brain-heart connection and lifestyle strategies for prevention and management of multimorbidity. It also considered machine learning and precision nutrition approaches for addressing research challenges in multimorbidity. The opening plenary lecture discussed advancing diet and lifestyle research to address the increasing burden and complexity of multimorbidity. The two-day programme concluded with a plenary which addressed the key dietary risk factors and policies in multimorbidity prevention.

Bitter taste perception plays a dual role in human nutrition and evolutionary biology; being identifiable in nutrient-dense foods such as cruciferous vegetables and historically signalled toxic compounds. The TAS2R38 gene, part of the taste 2 receptor family, is central to individual differences in bitter taste perception(1). While genetic variations are influential, dietary habits and food preparation also impact taste perception. However, research investigating the interplay between these factors and genetic variations in influencing bitter taste sensitivity and food intake is limited. This study aimed to elucidate the relationship between bitter taste sensitivity and TAS2R38 haplotype variations in the context of bitter food consumption among Australian adults. A cross-sectional, mixed-methods study was conducted. Healthy adults who had maintained a stable diet for at least three months were eligible. Data collection was via an online survey (REDCap), capturing self-reported demographics, dietary patterns specific to bitter foods including metrics of bitter food avoidance, frequency, liking and perceived healthfulness, alongside a Dietary Quality Index (DQI) derived from a food frequency questionnaire(2). Bitter taste sensitivity was assessed using self-reported intensity perceptions of 6-n-propylthiouracil (PROP) taste strips(3). Genotyping was conducted via TaqMan qPCR assays on DNA extracted from buccal swabs to ascertain TAS2R38 haplotypes. Data analysis utilised Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) and regression models, with all tests adjusted for confounding variables such as gender, age, and smoking status. A total of 222 participants (47.5 ± 17.7 years; 86% female; BMI 27.3 ± 7.1 kg/m2) completed the study. PROP sensitivity was strongly correlated with TAS2R38 haplotype, with supertasters predominantly having PAV/PAV, medium tasters with PAV/AVI, and non-tasters with AVI/AVI (p = 0.002). However, no relationship was observed between PROP sensitivity and either the frequency, liking, or avoidance of bitter foods (p>0.05). DQI was significantly related to bitter food consumption; individuals in the lowest DQI quintile consumed bitter foods more frequently than those in the third (p = 0.007) and top quintiles (p = 0.001). The perceived healthfulness of bitter foods was significantly higher in those with AVI/AVI haplotypes (non-tasters) compared to those with PAV/AVI (medium tasters) (p = 0.001). Counterintuitively, participants who reported greater enjoyment of bitter tastes consumed bitter foods less frequently (p<0.001). Our study confirms that TAS2R38 variants are predictive of PROP taste sensitivity, consistent with literature that identifies PAV/PAV individuals as supertasters. However, neither PROP sensitivity nor TAS2R38 haplotype influenced bitter food frequency or preference consumption patterns. Interestingly, those with lower Dietary Quality Index scores and less enjoyment of bitter taste consumed bitter foods more often. These observations highlight the need to investigate other factors influencing bitter food intake, such as additional sensory characteristics or psychological and behavioural aspects.

Food insecurity, the inadequate or insecure access to food due to financial constraints, is a growing concern in high-income countries like Australia(1). Food insecure adults may have reduced diet quality due to constraints on food purchasing and consumption(2) but further research is needed to understand how the severity of food insecurity impacts diet quality in an Australian setting. This study aimed to examine the relationship between diet quality and increasing severity of household food insecurity using validated measurement tools. A cross-sectional, online survey of Australian adults (aged 18 years+) used the USDA Household Food Security Six-item Short Form to classify respondents as food secure or marginally, moderately, or severely food insecure. The Australian Recommended Food Score (ARFS; score between 0–73) determined diet quality (ARFS total) and sub-scale scores for eight food groups(3), with higher scores indicating higher diet quality. Diet quality score results are further categorised as “needs work” (<33), “getting there” (33-38), “excellent” (39-46) or “outstanding” (47+). Survey-weighted linear regression (adjusted for age, sex, income, education, location, household composition) analyses indicate that 45% of participants were living in households that experienced food insecurity, comprising 7% marginally, 18% moderately and 20% severely food insecure households. The ARFS total survey-weighted mean score for the whole sample (n = 804) was 32.4 (SD = 9.8). As the severity of household food insecurity increased, ARFS scores decreased. Marginally food insecure respondents reported a mean ARFS score three points lower than food-secure adults (B=-2.7; 95%CI [−5.11, −0.34]; p = 0.03), and scores reduced by six points for moderately (B=-5.6; 95%CI [−7.26, −3.90]; p<0.001) and twelve points for severely food insecure respondents (B=-11.5; 95%CI [−13.21, −9.78]; p<0.001). Marginally food insecure respondents had significantly lower vegetable sub-scale scores, moderately food insecure respondents had significantly lower sub-scale scores for all food groups except dairy, severely food insecure respondents had significantly lower scores for all sub-scale scores. Poorer diet quality is evident in adults living with any food insecurity but gets progressively worse as the severity of food insecurity increases. Interventions to reduce food insecurity and increase diet quality are required to prevent adverse nutrition-related health outcomes in food-insecure populations in Australia and beyond.

Chronic pain affects 20-30% of people worldwide(1). While the impact of nutrition and dietary patterns on bodily pain has gained attention in recent years, the underlying linking mechanisms remain poorly understood; it is possible that body weight, specifically adiposity, may be a mediating factor(2). Thus, the primary aim of this study was to explore whether adiposity mediates the relationship between diet quality and bodily pain. This cross-sectional analysis included 654 adults (57% women, mean age 50.4 ± 1.1 years, BMI 29.0 ± 6.2 kg/m2) with complete diet, adiposity, and pain measures from the Whyalla Intergenerational Study of Health (2008-09). Diet quality was calculated using the Dietary Guideline Index (DGI total score, core and non-core scores)(3), and pain assessed via the Short Form-36 bodily pain scale (SF36-BPS) transformed percent score. Adiposity was determined from body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and body fat percent (BF, via dual energy x-ray absorptiometry). Mediation analyses determined the role of adiposity in the direct and indirect relationships between diet quality and pain in the whole population, then stratified by sex (self-report). There were no significant indirect or direct effects between DGI total scores and SF36-BPS, for any measure of adiposity. Direct effects were observed for DGI core-food scores on SF36-BPS for each measure of adiposity (BMI, β = 0.258, 95% CI 0.048, 0.467; WC β = 0.246, 95% CI 0.037, 0.455; BF β = 0.247, 95% CI 0.040, 0.454; all p<0.05). Each measure of adiposity accounted for <10% of the relationship between diet quality and pain, with a better-quality diet associated with less bodily pain (higher SF36-BPS). Relationships differed by sex; with no direct or indirect effects seen between DGI scores and SF36-BPS for men while, in women, there was non-mediation with direct positive effects between DGI total score and SF36-BPS for each measure of adiposity (BMI, β = 0.362, 95% CI 0.132, 0.591; WC β = 0.345, 95% CI 0.116, 0.574; BF β = 0.357, 95% CI 0.130, 0.584; all p<0.05). Also in women, body fat mediated 85% of the relationship between DGI non-core scores on bodily pain (indirect effect β=-0.242, 95% CI −0.358, −0.126, p <0.05). While adiposity did not mediate the relationship between diet quality and pain, this study highlights that diet quality plays a role in the pain experience with higher consumption of core foods showing direct associations with lower levels of bodily pain. Moreover, sex differences were observed, with less bodily pain in women associated with higher overall diet quality. Interestingly, body fat drove the relationship between higher pain scores and greater consumption of non-core foods (discretionary), but body fat alone was associated with consumption of fewer discretionary foods. This anomaly requires further investigation.

Snacking is a common eating behaviour among adolescents accounting for more than a quarter of their total energy intake but the relationship between snacks and overall diet quality remains unclear(1). Hence, the aim of this study was to examine characteristics of snacks among Australian adolescents (12-18 years) according to their level of diet quality. This secondary analysis uses one day of 24-hour dietary recall data from the 2011 - 2012 National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey (n = 935). Snacks were defined based on participant-identified eating occasions(2). The Dietary Guideline Index for Children and Adolescents (DGI-CA) was used to assessed adherence to the Australian Dietary Guidelines(3), with the highest tertile of the DGI-CA score indicating high adherence. The means (95% confidence intervals [CI]) for daily snack frequency and snack energy density (ED; kJ/g) were estimated for boys and girls, using linear regression, adjusted for age, area-level disadvantage, and energy misreporting. The differences in means and proportions across tertiles of DGI-CA scores were tested by using F- and Chi square-tests, respectively. The results show no significant differences in the mean frequency of snacks across tertiles of DGI-CA scores in either boys (lowest tertile mean = 2.2, 95% CI [2.0, 2.4] snacks/day, highest tertile = 2.1 [1.9, 2.3]) or girls (lowest tertile = 1.9 [1.7, 2.1] snacks/day, highest tertile = 2.2 [1.9, 2.4]). The mean ED of snacks decreased as DGI-CA scores increased in both boys (lowest tertile = 8.42, 95% CI [7.1, 10] kJ/g, highest tertile = 6.32 [5.4, 7.4] kJ/g) and girls (lowest tertile = 8.99 [7.8, 10.3] kJ/g, highest tertile = 5.92 [5.1, 6.9] kJ/g). As DGI-CA scores increased, the proportion of both boys and girls consuming discretionary foods at snacks (such as soft drinks) decreased, while foods from the five food groups (such as apples) increased (p-values < 0.05). In conclusion, snack ED, but not frequency, and the types of foods consumed by adolescents at snacks varied by a level of diet quality. Snack ED decreased with increasing diet quality and adolescents with higher diet quality had higher intakes of foods from the five food groups and lower intakes of discretionary foods at snacks. Encouraging the consumption of lower-ED foods from the five food groups at snacks presents an opportunity to enhance adolescent diet quality. Future studies should explore snack-specific strategies to improve overall diet quality of adolescents.

Restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis is the surgical treatment of choice for patients with medically-refractory ulcerative colitis (UC) and familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). Whilst quality of life is generally good, as many as 83% of patients associate dietary factors with the onset of symptoms(1) and around two-thirds employ some form of dietary restriction post-pouch creation(2,3). There is growing interest to understand the role of diet (as a whole) on pouch function and how it can be used therapeutically. It is imperative that we know the dietary characteristics of pouch patients before attempting to introduce strategies altering their food choice. Since there is good rationale to assess overall diet quality to identify potential avenues for targeting dietary strategies, this study aimed to examine the frequency of perceived food intolerances and diet quality in patients with an ileoanal pouch and the relationship between these two indices. In this cross-sectional study, patients with an ileoanal pouch completed a food intolerance questionnaire and a validated 297-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (Monash Comprehensive Nutritional Assessment Questionnaire). Dietary data was used to score diet quality using the 2013 Dietary Guidelines Index (DGI), a scoring system which compares how closely an individual’s dietary intake aligns with the Australian Dietary Guidelines (ADG). The DGI also comprises of 11 subcomponents (scored out of 10 respectively) based on each of the ADG guidelines and provides a total score of 110, with higher scores reflecting greater compliance to the ADG. In order to determine if perceived dietary intolerances was negatively associated with the intake of specific dietary factors, univariable and multivariable linear regression analysis of the correlation of intolerance and diet quality was performed. Of the 58 (10 FAP and 48 UC) patients studied, 81% of UC and 80% of FAP patients reported dietary intolerances. Mean total DGI score was 78 (95% CI: 74-80) of 110 in the overall pouch cohort with no differences across pouch sub-groups. However, only 5% of patients achieved a full score for food variety. Both uni- [OR −0.94 (−1.7,-0.10); p = 0.02] and multivariable analysis (adjusting for age and sex) showed that only intolerances to dairy products were associated with reduced intake of lactose-containing dairy [OR −0.29 (−1.8,-0.08); p=0.03]. No other significant correlations were found for overall or subcomponents of DGI scores. High rates of perceived food intolerances were observed in patients with an ileoanal pouch. However, only those with perceived dairy intolerances restricted their intake of lactose-containing dairy products. Additionally, patients with ileoanal pouch scored highly for overall diet quality but specific gaps in achieving better diet quality, particularly for diet variety were observed. These results provide some starting points for targeted dietary counselling to optimise nutritional health and potentially to improve pouch function these patients.

Dietary strategies for weight loss typically place an emphasis on achieving a prescribed energy intake. Depending on the approach taken, this may be achieved by restricting certain nutrients or food groups, which may lower overall diet quality. Various studies have shown that a higher quality diet is associated with better cardiovascular (CV) health outcomes1. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of an energy restricted diet on diet quality, and associated changes in cardiovascular risk factors. One hundred and forty adults (42 M:98 F, 47.5 ± 10.8 years, BMI 30.7 ± 2.3 kg/m2) underwent an energy restricted diet (30% reduction) with dietary counselling for 3 months, followed by 6 months of weight maintenance. Four-day weighed food diaries captured dietary data at baseline, 3 and 9 months and were analysed using a novel algorithm to score diet quality (based on the Dietary Guideline Index, DGI)2. Total DGI scores ranged from 0-120, with sub scores for consumption of core (0-70) and non-core foods (0-50). For all scores, a higher score or increase reflects better diet quality. The CV risk factors assessed included blood pressure (SBP and DBP) and fasting lipids (total (TC), high and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C, LDL-C) and triglycerides (TAG). Mixed model analyses were used to determine changes over time (reported as mean ± standard error), and Spearman rho (rs) evaluated associations between DGI score and CV risk factors. Dietary energy intake was significantly restricted at 3 months (−3222 ± 159 kJ, P<0.001, n = 114) and 9 months (−2410 ± 167 kJ, P<0.001, n = 100) resulting in significant weight loss (3 months −7.0 ± 0.4 kg, P<0.001; 9 months −8.2 ± 0.4 kg, P<0.001). Clinically meaningful weight loss (>5% body mass) was achieved by 81% of participants by 3 months. Diet quality scores were low at baseline (scoring 49.2 ± 1.5), but improved significantly by 3 months (74.7 ± 1.6, P<0.000) primarily due to reductions in the consumption of non-core i.e. discretionary foods (Core sub-score +4.0. ± 0.7, Non-core sub-score +21.3.1 ± 1.6, both P<0.001). These improvements were maintained at 9 months (Total score 71.6 ± 1.7, P<0.000; Core sub-score +4.4 ± 0.7 from baseline, P<0.000; Non-core sub-score +17.9 ± 1.6 from baseline, P<0.000). There were significant inverse relationships between changes in Total DGI score and changes in DBP (rs = −0.268, P = 0.009), TC (rs = −0.298, P = 0.004), LDL-C (rs = −0.224, P = 0.032) and HDL-C (rs = −0.299, P = 0.004) but not SBP and TG at 3 months. These data emphasise the importance of including diet quality as a key component when planning energy restricted diets. Automated approaches will enable researchers to evaluate subtle changes in diet quality and their effect on health outcomes.

Breastfeeding is vital to infants’ health and development during their first year. The quality and quantity of breastmilk are closely linked to the mother’s nutrition [1]. However, for migrant women who become new mothers, various social, economic, and family factors can pose challenges that negatively affect their dietary and breastfeeding practices. Due to the limited research evidence, this study aimed to investigate the factors associated with breastfeeding duration in migrant women. The study sample was drawn from the Filipino Women’s Diet and Health Study (FiLWHEL). These women migrated to South Korea through marriage. At baseline (2014-2016), 504 women provided survey data, including demographic characteristics such as age, marital status, education, employment, income, and language proficiency. Anthropometric measures such as body mass index (BMI) and lifestyle factors were also recorded. Dietary intake of each food group was assessed using 24-hour recalls. We derived the Minimum Dietary Diversity for Women (MDD-W) from the ten food groups [2]. Breastfeeding (any) duration was defined as the average length in months per child. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate the associations between participants’ characteristics and breastfeeding duration, with a cut-off of 12 months (<12 months; > = 12 months). Linear regression analysis was used to assess the relationship between each of these factors and breastfeeding duration in months. Out of the initial 504 women, 271 met the eligibility criteria, with the median age of 35 [interquartile range (IQR): 30,40] years, median breastfeeding duration of 4 [IQR: 1, 10] months, mean BMI of 23.8kg/m2, median (IQR) o fruits, vegetables, and legumes of 162.2 [76.9, 265.9] grams/day, and median of MDD-W score of 5 [IQR:4, 6]. Over 50% of the sample held a university degree or higher, but only 47.8% were employed. Most women were married (90%) and earned less than 20 million won (~AU$23,114.58) per year (65%). Over half had a good understanding of the Korean language. The cross-sectional regression analysis found no associations for breastfeeding length, except for the total fruit, vegetable, and legume intake. Women in the highest tertile of this consumption had a two-fold likelihood of breastfeeding for 12 months or longer [adj.OR (95% CI): 2.15 (0.99-4.68)]. While the MDD-W score had a positive association with breastfeeding for at least 12 months, it did not reach statistical significance [adj.OR: 1.11 (0.92-1.34)]. In the linear regression analysis, only vegetable consumption (per gram increase) was positively related to the length of breastfeeding (beta-coefficient: 0.016; SE: 0.006; p = 0.01). This study among Filipino migrant women in Korea suggests that higher consumption of fruit, vegetables, and legumes positively linked to breastfeeding for at least 12 months. Given the study’s small sample size, interpreting these results should be cautious and warrants further validation in other studies.

The role of protein in decreasing the risk of cardiometabolic diseases has been proposed, yet the findings are inconsistent, possibly due to how protein intake was expressed(1). This study aimed to examine how different ways of expressing protein intake may influence its relationships with diet quality and obesity. This study used data from the Australian National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey (NNPAS) 2011-12, focusing on adults aged ≥19 years, excluding those who were pregnant or lactating, and had both anthropometric and dietary data (n = 7637). Total protein intake was assessed by up to two 24-hour dietary recalls and reported in two measurement units, namely g/day and % of energy intake. Usual protein (g) and energy intakes (kJ) were modelled using the Multiple Source Method(2). Diet quality was assessed using the Dietary Guidelines Index (DGI)(3). Body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference were used as measures of obesity. Multiple linear regressions were performed stratified by sex, and adjusting for age, country of birth, Socio-economic Indexes for Areas, physical activity level, energy misreporting, usual energy intake (for diet quality), and non-protein energy intake (for obesity). Positive associations between protein intake and diet quality were confirmed across measurement units. Protein intake expressed in % of energy intake (β-coefficient: men = 0.97; women = 1.21, p<0.001) had a higher β-coefficient than those reported in g/day (β-coefficient: men = 0.19; women = 0.30, p<0.001). Linear regression models showed a positive association between protein intake and BMI for men and women, either expressed in g/day (β-coefficient: men = 0.02, p<0.001; women = 0.03, p = 0.001) or % of energy intake (β-coefficient: men = 0.14, p<0.001; women = 0.12, p = 0.002). The relationship between protein intake expressed in g/day and waist circumference was also statistically significant (β-coefficient: men = 0.04, p = 0.004; women = 0.05, p = 0.035). However, protein intake expressed as % of energy intake was correlated with waist circumference for men only (β-coefficient: men = 0.26, p = 0.001; women = 0.19, p = 0.075). The consistent findings across measurement units suggested that the unit of g/day and % of energy intake can be used for examining associations between protein intake and diet quality. However, associations between protein intake and measures of obesity varied between protein units and sex. These findings suggest that the selection of protein measurement units in relation to obesity outcomes might need to consider the characteristics of study population (e.g., sex, energy intake). Overall, the outcomes of this study suggest that how protein is expressed may impact the associations between protein intake, diet quality, and obesity, and therefore require further considerations when examining the role of protein in cardiometabolic health.