To examine how aligned the UK food supply is with the Eatwell Guide and identify discrepancies that should be addressed to support the availability of healthy diets for the population.

A dietary gap assessment was carried out on the 2022 UK food supply with FAOSTAT Food Balance Sheets (FAO-FBS) data, including domestic production, imports and exports and excluding animal feed, seeds and non-food uses. Foods were grouped into potatoes and cereals, oils and spreads, dairy products, protein, fruit and vegetables and sugar. The percentage contribution of each food group to the food supply was compared with the Eatwell Guide. An overview of the food supply from 2010 to 2022 was also created. To triangulate the data, FAO-FBS data were compared with the 2022 data from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

UK, 2010–2022

N/A

The proportion of fruit and vegetables, potatoes and cereals in the UK food supply was lower than the Eatwell Guide, while dairy products and oil were higher. Only 7 % of the food produced in the UK in 2022 was fruit and vegetables. This was the second smallest proportion, after oils and spreads (6 %), and about half the amount of sugar beet produced (13 %).

Although the relationship between food supply and consumption is complex, taking a more coherent approach by integrating dietary recommendations with the food supply could help increase the availability of the recommended healthy diet. Going forward, DEFRA should include dietary gap assessments in future Food Security Reports.

To investigate associations between dietary intake and patterns of food preparation by age group.

This cross-sectional study analysed dietary intake data from the most recent Portuguese National Food, Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey. Cluster analysis categorised dietary intake based on the source of food preparation. Regression models were used to study the association between dietary daily intake, Healthy Eating Score (HES) and patterns of food preparation.

Portugal, using data representative of the Portuguese population.

A total of 5005 Portuguese residents aged 3–84 years were included in the analysis. Dietary intake and food preparation patterns were examined by age group.

The predominant pattern of food preparation was food prepared by restaurants, canteens and other away-from-home establishments (45·9 %, 95 % CI = 43·8, 48·1). Children and adolescents in this pattern had significantly higher intakes of energy and carbohydrates but lower protein intake compared with those consuming predominantly home-prepared foods. Among adults and the elderly, this pattern was associated with higher intakes of energy, saturated fats, trans fats and free sugars and lower fibre intake. Additionally, children and adolescents whose diets predominantly included food prepared away-from-home showed a decrease in HES (β = –0·7, 95 % CI = –1·3, –0·2), and adults experienced a greater reduction (β = –1·2, 95 % CI = –1·5, –0·9).

In Portugal, consuming food prepared away from home is associated with poorer dietary quality, with higher energy and unhealthy nutrient intake and lower HES, suggesting a need for interventions focused on promoting healthier food preparation practices.

To explore the perceptions, drivers and potential solutions to the consumption of unhealthy, ultra-processed foods (UPF) and foods high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) and their contribution to the double burden of malnutrition among adolescents living in urban slums, Kenya.

Qualitative participatory research, through Photovoice, group discussions and community dialogues. Inductive, thematic analysis was undertaken.

Three major slums, Nairobi.

Adolescents 10–19 years (n 102: 51 boys, 51 girls) and adults (n 62).

UPF/HFSS consumption emerged as a predominant theme on foods commonly consumed by adolescents, and the causes of undernutrition and overweight/obesity. Adolescents described UPF/HFSS as junk, oily, sugary or foods with chemicals and associated UPF/HFSS consumption with undernutrition, obesity and non-communicable diseases. They perceived UPF/HFSS as modern, urban, classy and appealing to young people and minimally processed foods as boring and primitive, for older people, and those in rural areas. Individual-level drivers of UPF/HFSS consumption were organoleptic attributes (taste/aroma), body size/shape, illicit drug use, convenience and adolescents’ autonomy. Social environment drivers were peer pressure and social status/aspirations. Physical environment drivers were UPF/HFSS availability and accessibility in the slums. Education on healthy eating and the adverse effects of consuming UPF/HFSS, through existing structures (youth groups, school, community health strategy), was proposed as a potential solution to UPF/HFSS consumption.

UPF/HFSS were perceived as associated with poor nutrition and health, yet were preferred over unprocessed/minimally processed foods. Interventions to promote healthy diets beyond raising awareness are important, while addressing the underlying perceptions and drivers of UPF/HFSS consumption at the individual level and in the social and physical food environments.

This study aims to explore the perspectives of urban and regional living Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults and children regarding Bush Foods, nutrition and health to advocate for future culturally informed programmes and policy.

The qualitative study conducted nine Yarning sessions, which were recorded and transcribed verbatim. An inductive, reflexive thematic analysis using a codebook was employed to analyse the data.

All Yarns were conducted face-to-face in various locations across Southeast Queensland.

Yarning sessions were conducted with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants (n 20), including ten adults and ten children. Participants resided in areas classified as inner regional, outer regional and major cities.

Five interconnected themes were generated concerning participants’ perspectives on Bush Foods, nutrition and health. These themes included the effects of colonisation and bureaucratic impositions, socio-environmental factors influencing food provision, the significance of Bush Foods in cultural connection and nutritional health, the importance of reciprocity in communities and the nuanced role of agency influenced by education.

The findings were synthesised into two overarching concepts: the role of family, kin and culture at the individual and community level, aligning with cultural determinants of Indigenous health, and the broader socio-political influences of colonialism, capitalism and power imbalances, reflecting social determinants of Indigenous health. This research highlights a need for culturally informed health policies guided by consideration of cultural, social and commercial determinants that support an Indigenised food system and Bush Food reintegration for urban-living Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults and children.

To present a tool and examine the minimum cost of a healthy and diverse diet that meets the daily requirements of essential nutrients for the people of India, using interactive web-based tools.

Linear-programming algorithms were adapted into two web-based tools: a Food Optimisation for Population (FOP) tool and a Diet Optimisation Tool (DOT). The FOP optimises daily food choices at a population level, considering local food consumption patterns. The DOT focuses on household or individual food selection.

India, with consideration of locally produced and consumed foods.

The two optimisation tools are demonstrated for the state of Bihar: the FOP tool at the population level, exemplified by diet optimisation for children aged 1–3 years, and DOT at the household level, demonstrated through diet optimisation for a household of four members.

Both tools provide cost-effective, optimised food plans, respecting cultural preferences. Based on food prices from June 2022, the FOP tool generated optimised diets for 1–3-year-old Bihari children priced at INR 26·8 (USD 0·32 converted as of January 2024 rate)/child/day. By applying a milk subsidy, this cost could drop to INR 23·7 (USD 0·28). The DOT was able to formulate a vegetarian diet for a family of four at INR 204 (USD 2·45)/day.

These web-based tools offer diet plans optimised to meet macro- and micronutrient requirements at population and/or individual/household levels, at minimum cost. This tool can be used by policymakers to design food-focused strategies that can meet nutritional needs at local price points, while considering food preferences.

Governments are increasingly implementing policies to improve population diets, despite food industry resistance to regulation that may reduce their profits from sales of unhealthy foods. However, retail food environments remain an important target for policy action. This study analysed publicly available responses of industry actors to two public consultations on regulatory options for restricting unhealthy food price and placement promotions in retail outlets in Scotland.

We conducted a qualitative content analysis guided by the Policy Dystopia Model to identify the discursive (argument-based) and instrumental (tactic-based) strategies used by industry actors to counter the proposed food retail policies.

Scotland, UK, 2017–2019.

N/A.

Most food and retail industry responses opposed the policy proposals. Discursive strategies employed by these actors commonly highlighted the potential costs to the economy, their industries and the public in the context of a financial crisis and disputed the potential health benefits of the proposals. They claimed that existing efforts to improve population diets, such as nutritional reformulation, would be undermined. Instrumental strategies included using unsubstantiated and misleading claims, building a coordinated narrative focused on key opposing arguments and seeking further involvement in policy decision-making.

These findings can be used by public health actors to anticipate and prepare for industry opposition when developing policies targeted at reducing the promotion of unhealthy food in retail settings. Government action should ensure robust management of conflicts of interest and establishment of guidance for the use of supporting evidence as part of the public health policy process.

This systematic review aimed to explore the impact of food voucher schemes during pregnancy and early life on fruit and vegetable (F&V) consumption and explore experiences of schemes.

Six electronic databases and grey literature sources were searched. Interventional, observational, qualitative and mixed methods studies published from January 2000 to April 2024 in English were included.

Food voucher interventions targeting F&V intake.

Low-income pregnant women and families with young children (aged under 5 years).

7344 peer reviewed records and 103 grey literature documents were screened. Sixteen peer reviewed studies (across eighteen reports) and eight grey literature documents met the inclusion criteria. All studies took place in the UK or the USA. There was a lack of consistency across primary quantitative outcomes. Overall, F&V voucher schemes did appear to increase fruit and/or vegetable consumption, but confidence in this finding was low. Qualitative data were more consistent. F&V vouchers were used in three main ways; as a financial benefit to subsidise food already being purchased, to increase the quantity or variety of F&V purchased, or as a safety net, to be used to ensure that the family had something to eat.

F&V vouchers may increase F&V intake and are positively received by recipients. This review also highlights some of the difficulties that researchers face in evaluating the impact of public health measures to improve population health. It is clear that more high-quality research is required to better understand the impacts of F&V vouchers on individual outcomes.

This study assessed macronutrient intake and associated factors among school adolescent girls in Meshenti, Northwest Ethiopia, 2020.

A cross-sectional study was conducted from 7 to 23 February 2020, among 401 randomly selected adolescent girls. Macronutrient intake was assessed using a 24-h dietary recall with portion size estimation. Nutrient data were analysed with Elizabeth Stewart Hands and Associates FOOD PROCESSOR software and compared with WHO/FAO recommendations – 2200 kcal for energy and 34–46 g for protein. Factors associated with inadequate macronutrient intake were identified using multivariable logistic regression.

The study was conducted in an institutional setting.

This study was conducted among school adolescent girls.

The median (IQR) energy intake was 2040·23 (1648·24–2744·51), and the mean (sd) protein intake was 63·88 (20·99). About 57·6 % (95 % CI: 52·9, 62·8 %) had inadequate energy intake, and 18·5 % (95 % CI: 14·7, 22·2 %) had inadequate protein intake. Inadequate energy intake was associated with dietary diversity (AOR = 4·31, 95 % CI: 2·20, 8·47), knowledge (AOR = 2·10, 95 % CI: 1·34, 3·28) and meal frequency (AOR = 2·5, 95 % CI: 1·06, 5·95). Factors linked to inadequate protein intake included early adolescence (AOR = 1·89, 95 % CI: 1·08, 3·31), residency (AOR = 0·27, 95 % CI: 0·15, 0·48), dietary diversity (AOR = 3·28, 95 % CI: 1·08, 9·98), knowledge (AOR = 1·82, 95 % CI: 1·04, 3·19) and meal frequency (AOR = 2·94, 95 % CI: 1·35, 6·37).

This study revealed high inadequate energy and protein intake. Contributing factors included dietary diversity, knowledge and meal frequency, with age and residence affecting protein intake. Emphasis is needed on early adolescent girls’ nutrition education.

To investigate the association of dietary patterns (DP) with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes (T2D) among Tibetan adults, first to identify DP associated with abdominal obesity and examine their relationships with prediabetes and T2D. Additionally, the study aims to investigate the mediating effects of body fat distribution and altitude on the associations between these DP and the prevalence of prediabetes and T2D.

An open cohort among Tibetans.

Community-based.

The survey recruited 1003 participants registered for health check-ups from November to December 2018 and 1611 participants from December 2021 to May 2022. During the baseline and follow-up data collection, 1818 individuals participated in at least one of the two surveys, with 515 of them participating in both.

Two DP were identified by reduced rank regression. DP1 had high consumption of beef and mutton, non-caloric drink and offal and low intake in tubers and roots, salty snacks, onion and spring onion, fresh fruits, desserts and nuts and seeds; DP2 had high intake of whole grains, Tibetan cheese, light-coloured vegetables and pork and low intake of sugar-sweetened beverages, whole-fat dairy products and poultry. Individuals in the highest tertile of DP1 showed higher risks of prediabetes (OR 95 % CI) 1·35 (1·05, 1·73) and T2D 1·36 (1·05, 1·76). The highest tertile of DP2 exhibited an elevated risk of T2D 1·63 (1·11, 2·40) in full adjustment.

Abdominal adiposity-related DP are positively associated with T2D. Promoting healthy eating should be considered to prevent T2D among Tibetan adults.

This study aimed to adapt and validate a Food Retail Environment Analysis Protocol in Shiraz, Iran.

The protocol was developed by integrating the Nutrition Environment Measurement Survey in Stores with the food retail module from the International Network for Food and Obesity/Non-communicable Diseases Research, Monitoring, and Action Support. After translating, synthesising and back-translating the protocol, a panel of experts reviewed and refined it to ensure cultural and contextual appropriateness. Its validity was assessed through expert evaluation, and the pre-final version was field-tested to assess reliability across different food retail environments.

Shiraz City, a metropolis in Iran

Nine food retail stores, including kiosks, small- and medium-sized food retailers (comparable to convenience stores) and large food retailers (comparable to grocery stores).

Content and face validity were assessed using the content validity ratio (0·64–1), content validity index (0·78–1) and item impact score (2·84–4·83). Reliability testing by two researchers showed a 93·77 % agreement and an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0·89–1. The protocol includes fourteen food groups, most of which are categorised as either healthy or unhealthy. It evaluates product availability, prominence, quality, pricing and both in-store and out-of-store food promotions.

The validated protocol effectively assesses diverse retail food environments, offering essential data for evaluating policies and guiding interventions to improve healthy food access. It is adaptable for broader regional or international application in public health and food policy contexts.