The n-3 index has been proposed as a risk factor for CVD endpoints. However, the association of the O3I defined with different cut-offs and cardiometabolic risk factors has been less studied. This study aimed to investigate the association between two cut-off points of the O3I and cardiometabolic risk factors in Brazilian and Puerto Rican adults. This cross-sectional analysis included 249 Brazilians and 1261 Puerto Ricans, aged 45–75 years. Fatty acids composition was quantified in erythrocyte membranes using GC with a flame ionisation detector. The O3I was categorised as ≤ 4 % (low), > 4–8 % (intermediate) and ≥ 8 % (desirable), and as ≤ 4 % (very low), > 4–6 % (low), > 6–8 % (moderate) and > 8 % (high) in the second cut-off classification. Serum lipids, waist circumference and insulin resistance were measured from standardised protocols. Multivariable-adjusted linear models tested the association between the O3I and cardiometabolic factors. Brazilians had a mean (sd) O3I of 4·65 % (1·19 %) v. 4·43 % (1·14 %) in Puerto Ricans (P = 0·033), with only 1·6 % of Brazilians and 1·2 % of Puerto Ricans presenting a desirable/high O3I. The O3I, as continuous or for > 4 % (v. ≤ 4 %), was inversely associated with TAG, VLDL and TAG/HDL-cholesterol ratio in Puerto Ricans. In Brazilians, an O3I > 6 % (v. ≤ 6 %) was associated with higher total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and non-HDL-cholesterol. Both populations presented O3I below the desirable levels, and the magnitude and direction of associations with cardiometabolic factors varied by study and cut-offs, reinforcing the importance of expanding these investigations to more diverse populations.

This study compared red meat, white meat and vegetable consumption before, during and after COVID-19 pandemic among older adults in regional China. Data were collected from urban individuals aged 60+ years in Nanjing municipality in 2018, 2021 and 2023. Differences in food intake frequencies between participants and survey years were examined. Logistic regression models were employed to identify influencing factors of meat, and vegetable consumption. Totally, 13 792 participants were analysed, with 4355, 4622 and 4815 from 2018, 2021 and 2023 surveys, respectively. The mean weekly intake frequency (sd) in 2018, 2021 and 2023 was, separately, 3·85 (sd 2·83), 3·21 (sd 2·90) and 4·71 (sd 3·94) for red meat; 1·38 (sd 1·21), 2·08 (sd 1·90) and 2·73 (sd 2·55) for white meat; and 10·98 (sd 4·84), 10·00 (sd 5·04) and 10·34 (sd 5·04) for vegetable. Moreover, 23·2, 32·6 and 52·3 % of participants met the recommendation for meat intake, while 53·7, 46·8 and 49·6 % reached vegetable intake recommendation before, during and after COVID-19 pandemic, respectively. Meat intake was positively associated with education, marital status and drinking, but negatively associated with age. Additionally, education and marital status were in negative relation to vegetable consumption, while smoking and drinking were positively associated with vegetable intake. The older residents consumed less red meat and vegetable but more white meat during COVID-19 pandemic, and their consumption levels of meat and vegetable went up after the pandemic. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to support older adults’ dietary habits during emergency events.

Previous studies demonstrated that ultra-processed foods (UPF) affect overall diet quality. However, none have yet examined this relation across different age groups in Brazil. This study assessed the relationship between diet quality and the consumption of UPF in a Brazilian population according to age groups. This was a cross-sectional study that analysed food consumption data from 46 164 Brazilians aged ≥10 years who participated in the 2017–2018 National Dietary Survey. Food and beverages consumed were recorded by two 24-h recalls. All food items were classified as UPF or non-UPF according to the Nova system. Diet quality was evaluated using nutritional density and the prevalence of inadequate nutrient consumption, according to the quintiles of energy contribution of UPF. The association between diet quality and UPF consumption was evaluated by linear and Poisson regressions, with adjustment for sociodemographic variables, stratified by age groups (adolescents, adults and older adults). The consumption of UPF increased the densities of carbohydrates, free sugar, saturated fat and Na and decreased the densities of proteins, fibres and potassium in three age groups. Higher prevalence ratios (PR) of inadequate consumption of free sugar and fibre among the lower and higher quintiles of energy contribution of UPF among adolescents (PR = 2·02, 95 % CI = 1·82, 2·25; PR = 1·88, 95 % CI = 1·68, 2·10), adults (PR = 1·86, 95 % CI = 1·75, 1·98; PR = 1·70, 95 % CI = 1·60, 1·80) and older adults (PR = 1·48, 95 % CI = 1·30, 1·69; PR = 1·24, 95 % CI = 1·09, 1·40). UPF consumption was negatively associated with diet quality across different age groups. Thus, interventions targeting UPF consumption should be implemented across life stages to improve overall diet quality.

The study aimed to translate the Eating-Related Eco-Concern (EREC) questionnaire into Turkish, adapt it cross-culturally, and evaluate its psychometric properties. EREC is a ten-item scale measuring how adults consider ecological impact in food choices due to climate change concerns. The study was conducted in Mersin between November 2023 and February 2024 with 442 adults (18–65 years) through face-to-face interviews. The Turkish version was adapted using the Translation–Back Translation method, and language validity was ensured. Face validity was evaluated through a pilot study with forty participants. Construct validity was initially assessed using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) with data from 200 participants, followed by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) conducted on an independent sample of 242 participants to verify the factor structure. The reliability of the scale was assessed by test-retest analysis with 106 participants from the main sample (n 442), and consistency was measured by the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). The factor structure and model fit were evaluated using indices such as Comparative Fit Index (CFI), Goodness-of-Fit Index (GFI) and root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA). 68·3 % of the participants were female, whereas 31·7 % were male. The group’s median BMI value was 24·3 (21·6–27·1), with 52·9 % classified as ‘normal’ according to the BMI classification. Factor 2 had a low score, but it was found to be adequate for other factors and the total scale score. The Turkish adaptation of the EREC questionnaire has been found to be a valid and reliable scale, as confirmed by comprehensive evaluations.

Hospital food services and the resulting food waste impact patient satisfaction, health outcomes, healthcare costs, and the environment. This cross-sectional study assessed food waste and patient satisfaction in five public hospitals in Cyprus, involving 844 inpatients. Patient characteristics and responses to the 21-item Acute Care Hospital Foodservice Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire (ACHFPSQ) were recorded. Plate waste was evaluated using photographs and a five-point visual scale (0 to 1) to estimate food consumption. Hunger and overall satisfaction were also assessed. While 77.8% rated food services as good or very good, food quality received the most negative feedback. Only 31.2% finished their main dish entirely; 29.5% and 26.3% left ¼ and ½, respectively. For dessert, 48.2% finished it, while 13.3% left it untouched. These findings reveal a gap between general satisfaction and perceived food quality, underscoring the need for targeted public health strategies to enhance food quality and reduce waste in hospitals.

To evaluate changes in dietary consumption and weight status of Brazilian adolescents. Data from the Brazilian National Dietary Survey of 2008–2009 and 2017–2018 were analysed, including food consumption and anthropometric data from 7425 adolescents (ages 10–19) in 2008–2009 and 8264 in 2017–2018. Foods were categorised into seventeen groups. Weight status was estimated using BMI-for-age-and-sex classification. Differences in mean consumption were assessed using linear regression adjusted for caloric intake and sex. Consumption was analysed by sex and income level, with analyses conducted in SAS, accounting for the sample design. Among boys aged 10–14, underweight rose from 2·3 to 4·5 %, obesity from 7·4 to 15·1 % and severe obesity from 0·7 to 2·1 %; normal weight fell from 67·4 to 50·7 %. Among girls, overweight increased (19·7–28·0 %), and normal weight decreased (69·5–57·5 %). Rice intake declined in all groups (e.g. –66 g/d in older boys). In younger boys, fruit (–18 g/d), coffee (–34 ml/d) and sweets (–21 g/d) decreased. Older boys showed reduced dairy products (–55 g/d) and increased fast food (+22 g/d). In older girls, fruit (–20 g/d), dairy products (–59 g/d) and sugary drinks (–90 ml/d) declined. Fast food rose only among those earning ≤ 0·5 minimum wage (+17 g/d). Over the decade, dietary quality worsened, and anthropometric indicators deteriorated. Income influenced consumption shifts, notably among low-income adolescents. Policies should promote healthy eating and limit ultra-processed food, especially for lower-income groups and boys.

Inlight of varying outcomes from prior research concerning the relationship between different food groups and the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD), this study was conducted to examine the relationship between the consumption of various food groups and CKD risk via a dose–dependent meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies. Searches were conducted in the Web of Science, PubMed and Google Scholar databases through January 2025. Out of 6460 publications, twenty-one studies were selected for final analysis. The results revealed that red meat consumption is associated with an increased risk of CKD (RR: 1·39; 95 % CI: 1·13, 1·71). Conversely, consumption of fish (RR: 0·88; 95 % CI: 0·80, 0·97), grains (RR: 0·87; 95 % CI: 0·77, 0·99) and legumes (RR: 0·83; 95 % CI: 0·72, 0·92) showed a protective effect against CKD. The linear dose–response analysis indicated that for every 100 g/d increment in red meat and total meat consumption, the risk of CKD escalated by 34 and 2 %, respectively. Furthermore, an increase of 15 g/d in dietary fish, 28 g/d in nuts and 50 g/d in legumes was associated with a 6, 21 and 13 % decreased risk of CKD, respectively. Overall, higher red meat intake correlates with a heightened CKD risk, whereas the consumption of fish, grains and legumes is associated with a lowered risk. Further longitudinal cohort studies with extended follow-up are recommended to validate our findings.

Adherence to healthy dietary patterns, including fruits, vegetables and whole grains, is linked to improved health outcomes. However, limited research has explored this association in Latin American populations. This study aimed to investigate the association between adherence to a healthy eating score (unweighted and weighted) and all-cause mortality risk in a Chilean population. This longitudinal study included 5336 Chilean participants from the Chilean National Health Survey 2016 and 2017. Six healthy eating habits were considered to produce the healthy eating score (range: 0–12): consumption of seafood, whole grains, dairy products, fruits, vegetables and legumes. A weighted score was also developed. Participants were categorised into quartiles based on their final scores, with the healthiest quartile used as the reference group. Associations between healthy eating score and all-cause mortality were performed using Cox proportional hazard models adjusted for confounders. After a median follow-up of 5·1 years, 276 (5·2 %) participants died. In the fully adjusted model, compared with participants in the healthiest quartile of the score (Q4), those in the unhealthiest quartile (Q1) had 1·61 (95 % CI: 1·14, 2·27) times higher all-cause mortality risk. A similar association was observed for the weighted healthy eating score (1·52 (95 % CI: 1·03, 2·23)). An inverse trend was observed for both scores (P < 0·05). Sensitivity analyses excluding participants who died within the first 2 years showed consistent results 1·63 (95 % CI: 1·09, 2·42). Individuals with the lowest healthy eating score (unweighted or weighted) had a higher mortality risk compared with their counterparts. A healthy eating score is associated with mortality risk in the Chilean population.

L-theanine, an amino acid found in tea, and caffeine, found in tea and coffee, are claimed to enhance attention. We conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled, counterbalanced, two-way crossover trial to determine the acute effects of a high-dose L-theanine–caffeine combination on neurobehavioural (reaction time) and neurophysiological (P3b cognitive event-related potential (ERP)) measures of selective attention in acutely sleep-deprived healthy adults. Thirty-seven overnight sleep-deprived healthy adults (aged 22–30 years, twenty-one men) completed a computerised traffic-scene-related visual stimulus discrimination task before and 50 min after ingesting 200 mg L-theanine–160 mg caffeine combination or a placebo. The task involved selectively responding to imminent accident scenes (20 % probability) while ignoring randomly intermixed, more frequent safe scenes (80 % probability). A 32-channel electroencephalogram was recorded concurrently to derive ERP. The L-theanine–caffeine combination significantly improved the hit rate (P = 0·02) and target-distractor discriminability (P = 0·047), compared with the placebo. Although both L-theanine–caffeine combination (△ = 52·08 ms, P < 0·0001) and placebo (△ = 13·97 ms, P = 0·024) improved reaction time to accident scenes, the pre-post-dose reaction time improvement of the L-theanine–caffeine combination was significantly greater than that of placebo (△ = 38·1 ms, P = 0·003). Compared with the placebo, the L-theanine–caffeine combination significantly increased the amplitudes and reduced the latencies of P3b ERP component. Our findings suggest that L-theanine–caffeine combination improves the accuracy and speed of deploying selective attention to traffic scenarios in sleep-deprived individuals. This improvement is brought about by greater and faster neural resource allocation in the attentional networks of the brain.