Knowledge, practices and perceptions of energy labelling of nut products among Australian consumers and stakeholders: an online survey.

Background: Nut consumption in Australia is low, perhaps due to concerns with weight gain. However, nut consumption is not associated with increased weight, in part because of their lower metabolisable energy. Current energy labelling for nuts use Atwater factors, which over-represent the available energy from nuts.

Efficacy of Probiotics Compared With Pharmacological Treatments for Maintenance Therapy for Functional Constipation in Children: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis.

Context: There has been an increase in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing probiotics with various maintenance therapies, such as polyethylene glycol, lactulose, and mineral oil, to treat functional constipation in children.

Objective: The aim was to compare probiotics with all other oral maintenance therapies for functional constipation in children and rank all treatments in terms of effectiveness in a network meta-analysis.

Methods: RCTs were identified through systematically searching the MEDLINE, Scopus, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases, trial registries, and forward and backward citation searching.

The effect of oral synbiotics on the gut microbiota and inflammatory biomarkers in healthy adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Context: Prior research has explored the effect of synbiotics, the combination of probiotics and prebiotics, on the gut microbiota in clinical populations. However, evidence related to the effect of synbiotics on the gut microbiota in healthy adults has not been reviewed to date.

Objective: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to comprehensively investigate the effect of synbiotics on the gut microbiota and inflammatory markers in populations of healthy adults.

Avocado intake and cardiometabolic risk factors in a representative survey of Australians: a secondary analysis of the 2011-2012 national nutrition and physical activity survey.

Background: Avocados are a rich source of nutrients including monounsaturated fats, dietary fibre and phytochemicals. Higher dietary quality is reported in studies of consumers with higher avocado intakes. The present study aimed to examine avocado consumption and cardiometabolic risk measures in a representative sample of Australian adults.

Metabolisable energy from nuts and patterns of nut consumption in the Australian population: a secondary analysis of the 2011-12 National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey.

Background: Nut intake is not associated with increased body weight, which may be explained by their metabolisable energy, among other factors. Therefore, total energy intake may be overestimated among nut consumers. This study aimed to describe the metabolisable energy from nuts and nut consumption patterns in the Australian population.

Consumer perceptions of nutrient content claims in Australia: A qualitative study.

Background: Nutrition and health claims influence consumer purchasing. Claims include content claims, which refer to the amount of a nutrient contained in a product, and health claims, which refer to health benefits of foods or nutrients in a product. Products that display a health claim must meet the Nutrient Profiling Scoring Criterion (NPSC).

Lifestyle Interventions, Kidney Disease Progression, and Quality of Life: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Rationale & Objective: Poor dietary patterns and low physical activity levels are important lifestyle-related factors that contribute to negative health outcomes in individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Previous systematic reviews have not explicitly focused on these lifestyle factors, nor undertaken meta-analyses of any effects. We aimed to evaluate the effect of lifestyle interventions (such as diet, exercise, and other lifestyle-related interventions) on the risk factors for and progression of CKD and the quality of life.

Tree Nut and Peanut Consumption and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death globally. Habitual consumption of tree nuts and peanuts is associated with cardioprotective benefits. Food-based dietary guidelines globally recommend nuts as a key component of a healthy diet.

A comparison of diet quality and cardiovascular and inflammatory responses between aerobically trained male adults following either a long-term vegan or omnivorous dietary pattern.

Vegan dietary patterns are increasingly being adopted by endurance athletes, yet research examining the influence of this dietary pattern on exercise-related physiology is limited. This pilot study, therefore, aimed to explore nutrient status, diet quality and cardiovascular and inflammatory responses in aerobically trained adult males following vegan and omnivorous dietary patterns during aerobic exercise. An incremental ramp running test was used to assess peak oxygen consumption (VO ) in males aged 18-55 years, engaging in >4 h training/week.

The Effect of Non-Oil Seed Legume Intake on Blood Pressure: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Hypertension is a primary modifiable risk factor for CVD, whereby even small reductions in blood pressure (BP) can decrease risk for CVD events. Modification of dietary patterns is an established, nonpharmacologic approach for the prevention and management of hypertension. Legumes are a prevailing component of dietary patterns associated with lower BP in observational research, but there is a need to understand the effects of legume consumption on BP.

The Metabolizable Energy and Lipid Bioaccessibility of Tree Nuts and Peanuts: A Systematic Review with Narrative Synthesis of Human and In Vitro Studies.

Nuts are an energy-dense food, yet regular consumption is not associated with weight gain. A proportion of the fats found within nuts remains encapsulated within cell walls and cannot be digested. Metabolizable energy (ME) can be explored by measuring fecal fat excretion in human studies and fat release among in vitro studies.

Novel Lines of Research on the Environmental and Human Health Impacts of Nut Consumption.

Nuts have formed part of human diets throughout the ages. In recent decades, research has shown they are key foods in dietary patterns associated with lower chronic disease risk. The current state of climate change, however, has introduced an imperative to review the impact of dietary patterns on the environment with a shift to plant-based diets.

The Effects of Tree Nut and Peanut Consumption on Energy Compensation and Energy Expenditure: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Nut consumption is not associated with a higher body weight, and potential energy-regulating mechanisms may include a reduced subsequent energy intake and increased EE. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of tree nut and peanut consumption on energy intake, compensation, and expenditure. PubMed, MEDLINE, CINAHL, Cochrane, and Embase databases were searched from inception to June 2, 2021.

Supports and Barriers to Lifestyle Interventions in Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in Australia: A National Online Survey.

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) affects approximately one in six pregnancies, causing a significant burden on maternal and infant health. Lifestyle interventions are first-line therapies to manage blood glucose levels (BGLs) and prevent future cardiometabolic complications. However, women with GDM experience considerable barriers to lifestyle interventions; thus, the aim of this study was to determine how women with GDM manage their condition and to identify the primary supports and barriers to lifestyle intervention participation.

Identifying usual food choices with avocados in a clinical trial cohort of overweight and obese adults in Australia.

Background: Consumption of avocados has been suggested to be beneficial for weight control, however, limited research is available about the related food choices. Understanding the food choices associated with avocados at meal occasions may further aid behavioural strategies to lose weight. The present study used a systematic approach to develop an avocado-specific food database, with the aim to explore food choices related to avocados at meal occasions as reported by overweight and obese volunteers in weight loss clinical trials.

Examining dietary behaviours, diet quality, motives and supplementation use in physically active individuals following vegetarian-based eating patterns.

The adoption of vegetarian-based dietary patterns among athletes has been gaining popularity. However, limited research examines the dietary behaviours within this group. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine self-reported dietary behaviours in a cohort of physically active individuals following vegetarian-based dietary patterns, recruited via social media.

Knowledge, Messaging, and Selection of Whole-Grain Foods: Consumer and Food Industry Perspectives.

Objective: To explore whole-grain food definitions in labeling and relevance to consumers and the food industry.

Design: Semistructured focus groups and interviews.

Setting: Online.

Systematic literature review: should a bedtime snack be used to treat hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes?

Background: Consuming a bedtime snack is often recommended for people with type 2 diabetes.

Objective: This systematic review aims to evaluate the evidence from intervention studies to determine whether consuming a bedtime snack improves fasting hyperglycemia and/or overall glycemic control in individuals with type 2 diabetes.

Methods: PubMed, Medline (EBSCO), Cochrane Library, and CINAHL Plus (EBSCO) databases were searched until 20 July, 2022.

Investigating the prevalence of nutritional abnormalities in patients prior to and following bariatric surgery.

Aims: Bariatric surgery remains an effective treatment for the condition of obesity. However it predisposes patients to nutritional deficiencies and related complications. The aim of this study was to identify nutritional abnormalities, weight loss, adherence to supplements, and presence of gastrointestinal symptoms in a cohort of bariatric surgical patients.

Nutrition and Health Claims: Consumer Use and Evolving Regulation.

Purpose Of Review: The value of nutrition and health claims (N&HC) depends on how consumers use them and the regulatory framework that enables them. This paper aims to explore the impact of claims on consumer behaviour and identify evolving regulatory challenges, using the Australian experience as a reference point.

Recent Findings: N&HC can influence consumer food purchasing and consumption, but how consumers interpret and act on specific claims is less well understood, and regulatory frameworks are evolving.

Perceptions of Nut Consumption amongst Australian Nutrition and Health Professionals: An Online Survey.

Habitual nut consumption is associated with reduced risk of chronic diseases; however, consumption levels in Australia are below recommendations. This study examined perceptions and knowledge regarding nut consumption among Australian healthcare professionals and their provision of nut consumption recommendations. A cross-sectional online survey of Australian health professionals was conducted in February-April 2020.

Consumption of avocado and associations with nutrient, food and anthropometric measures in a representative survey of Australians: a secondary analysis of the 2011-2012 National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey.

Avocados are a rich source of nutrients including monounsaturated fats, dietary fibre, potassium and Mg, as well as phytochemicals. However, no epidemiological analysis for the associations between avocado consumption and participant anthropometric measures has been conducted in Australia. The present study aimed to perform a secondary analysis of the 2011-2012 National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey (NNPAS) to quantify avocado consumption in the Australian population and explore the associations between avocado intakes, consumption of nutrients and food groups based on the Australian Dietary Guidelines and anthropometric measurements.

Impact of missing outcome data in meta-analyses of lifestyle interventions during pregnancy to reduce postpartum weight retention: An overview of systematic reviews with meta-analyses and additional sensitivity analyses.

High risk of bias associated with missing outcome data (MOD) in meta-analyses (MAs) of the effects of lifestyle interventions during pregnancy on postpartum weight retention (PPWR) casts doubt on whether such interventions can be relied upon as truly effective. This systematic overview of three MAs (19 RCTs), each with high MOD rates in the subset of RCTs included, examined how MOD were addressed in the estimation of summary intervention effects. All MAs reported beneficial and statistically significant intervention effects estimated based on complete case analyses, deemed valid if MOD was missing at random (MAR).