A qualitative study to explore and identify reasons for dairy consumption and non-consumption among young adults (18-30 years old) in the UK and France.

The aim of this study was to explore and identify why young adults aged between 18 and 30 years in the UK and France do or do not consume dairy products. Several studies have associated dairy products with a healthy diet, and the production of soft dairy, i.e.

Effects of a six-day, whole-diet sweet taste intervention on pleasantness, desire for and intakes of sweet foods: a randomised controlled trial.

Reduced exposure to sweet taste has been proposed to reduce sweet food preferences and intakes, but the evidence to support these associations is limited. This randomised controlled trial investigated the effects of a whole-diet sweet taste intervention for 6 d, on subsequent pleasantness, desire for and sweet food intakes. Participants ( 104) were randomised to increase ( 40), decrease ( 43) or make no change to ( 21) their consumption of sweet-tasting foods and beverages for 6 consecutive days.

Liking for Sweet Taste, Sweet Food Intakes, and Sugar Intakes.

Background/objectives: Sweet taste preferences are currently targeted to aid with reducing free sugar intakes, but associations between sweet taste liking, sweet food intakes, and sugar intakes are not well established.

Methods: UK consumers (n = 179) who were consuming >5% of total energy intakes from free sugars provided several laboratory measures of sweet taste liking, laboratory test meal measures of sweet food choice and sugar intakes, and 3-day food diary measures of free-living free sugar and total sugar intakes. Liking measures included liking for a 1 M sucrose solution, and pleasantness, desire to eat, and sweet taste intensity ratings for seven foods of a range of sweet taste intensities in a taste test.

The Wisdom of Old Age: Placing the older adult at the heart of healthy eating.

Poor diet and inadequate nutrient consumption are known to be causal in the development of chronic health conditions, many of which increase with age. Older adults also typically have reduced appetite and consequently are often not meeting dietary and nutrient requirements. The causes of reduced appetite are known to be multifactorial but mechanistically are not well understood.

Striving for the perfect diet? The mediating role of perfectionism in the relationship between obsessive compulsive symptoms and traits of Orthorexia Nervosa.

Background: Orthorexia Nervosa (ON) is a disordered eating style involving an unhealthy obsession with 'healthy' or 'clean' eating. Its aetiology is still poorly understood and is not yet recognised in diagnostic manuals. While ON has been associated with Obsessive Compulsive (OC) symptoms and perfectionism, no study to date has looked at the relationship between OC symptoms and ON tendencies via perfectionism, or the influence of two facets of perfectionism in this relationship, namely evaluative concern and achievement striving.

The importance of enjoyment, sensory properties and perceived cooking abilities in legume and pulse consumption: a questionnaire study.

Objective: Legume and pulse consumption is currently recommended for health and sustainability purposes, but barriers to consumption can include low enjoyment and poor sensory properties. This work aimed to investigate the relative importance of a number of barriers and facilitators towards legume, including pulse, consumption with a specific focus on enjoyment, sensory properties and a possible role for perceived cooking abilities in these relationships.

Design: A cross-sectional questionnaire study assessed legume and pulse consumption, agreement and disagreement with statements relating to enjoyment, sensory properties, cooking abilities, practical aspects, healthiness, upbringing, social influences and quality issues, and four demographic characteristics.

Select dietary changes towards sustainability: Impacts on dietary profiles, environmental footprint, and cost.

Healthy sustainable diets have the power to improve dietary intakes and environmental resource use. However, recommendations for improving food choices need to consider the effects of any changes across multiple dimensions of health, environmental sustainability, and dietary cost to promote long-lasting behaviour change. The aim of this study was to identify differences between original diets, and the diets that can be achieved through the implementation of select small dietary changes towards sustainability.

Associations between attitudes towards and reported intakes of sugars, low/no-calorie sweeteners, and sweet-tasting foods in a UK sample.

Public health initiatives are currently aiming to lower free sugar intakes for health benefits, but attitudes towards sugars, their alternatives such as low/no-calorie sweeteners (LNCS), and towards sweet-tasting foods may be hampering efforts. This work investigated associations between attitudes towards and the reported intakes of sugars, LNCS and sweet-tasting foods, and identified latent attitude profiles in subpopulations of adults in the United Kingdom. A total of 581 adults completed a questionnaire assessing their usual intake of sugars, LNCS and sweet-tasting foods, attitudes towards these foods and various demographic characteristics.

Does fruit and vegetable consumption impact mental health? Systematic review and meta-analyses of published controlled intervention studies.

Associations between fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption and mental health are suggested, largely from observational studies. This systematic review aimed to identify and summarise all published controlled intervention studies investigating the effects of FV consumption on mental health in adults. Four academic databases (Medline, PsycINFO, PubMed, Web of Science) were searched on 16 September 2022, over all years, for studies that used an intervention design; included FV consumption; included an appropriate non-FV-consumption control; used a validated measure of mental health and were conducted in healthy adults or adults with solely a depressive or anxiety-related condition.

The Role of Aesthetics in Intentions to Use Digital Health Interventions.

Digital interventions are increasingly recognised as cost-effective treatment solutions for a number of health concerns, but adoption and use of these interventions can be low, affecting outcomes. This research sought to identify how individual aesthetic facets and perceived trust may influence perceptions toward and intentions to use an online health intervention by building on the Technology Acceptance Model, where perceived attractiveness, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use and perceived enjoyment are thought to predict behavioural intentions towards a website. An online questionnaire study assessed perceptions of nine stimuli varying in four aesthetic facets (simplicity, diversity, colour & craftsmanship), utilising a quasi-experimental within-subjects design with a repetition among three different groups: individuals from the general population who were shown stimuli referring to general health (GP-H) (N = 257); individuals experiencing an eating disorder and shown stimuli referring to eating disorders (ED-ED) (N = 109); and individuals from the general population who were shown stimuli referring to eating disorders (GP-ED) (N = 235).

A role for enjoyment for encouraging fruit consumption.

This work investigated the value of highlighting the enjoyment conferred by fruit for encouraging fruit consumption. Study 1 investigated the effects on fruit consumption of visualizing eating fruit that was either enjoyable, not enjoyable, or was unassociated with enjoyment. Study 2 investigated the effects on fruit consumption of health promotion posters that featured either enjoyable or less enjoyable fruit.

A peer support dietary change intervention for encouraging adoption and maintenance of the Mediterranean diet in a non-Mediterranean population (TEAM-MED): lessons learned and suggested improvements.

Peer support interventions for dietary change may offer cost-effective alternatives to interventions led by health professionals. This process evaluation of a trial to encourage the adoption and maintenance of a Mediterranean diet in a Northern European population at high CVD risk (TEAM-MED) aimed to investigate the feasibility of implementing a group-based peer support intervention for dietary change, positive elements of the intervention and aspects that could be improved. Data on training and support for the peer supporters; intervention fidelity and acceptability; acceptability of data collection processes for the trial and reasons for withdrawal from the trial were considered.

Barriers to and Facilitators of the Consumption of Animal-Based Protein-Rich Foods in Older Adults: Re-Analysis with a Focus on Sustainability.

Older adults may gain health benefits from the consumption of animal-based protein-rich foods, but environmental pressures suggest advocating some meat and dairy foods over others, and understanding the barriers and facilitators for consuming these different foods would be of value. Existing data on the barriers to and facilitators of the consumption of meat and dairy products were re-analysed for differing effects for white, red, and processed meat consumption and for yoghurt, soft cheese, and hard cheese consumption. White meat consumption was associated with fewer concerns over spoilage and waste and stronger perceptions that meat is convenient (smallest Beta = 0.

Study protocol of the sweet tooth study, randomized controlled trial with partial food provision on the effect of low, regular and high dietary sweetness exposure on sweetness preferences in Dutch adults.

Background: Several health organizations recommend lowering the consumption of sweet-tasting foods. The rationale behind this recommendation is that a lower exposure to sweet foods may reduce preferences for sweet tasting foods, thus lowering sugar and energy intake, and in turn aiding in obesity prevention. However, empirical data supporting this narrative are lacking.

Barriers and Facilitators Associated with the Adoption of and Adherence to a Mediterranean Style Diet in Adults: A Systematic Review of Published Observational and Qualitative Studies.

The Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) has been linked with physical and mental health benefits. Previous research, however, suggests that adoption and adherence to a Mediterranean diet might be difficult for people who live outside of the Mediterranean region. The aim of this systematic review was to investigate the factors that influence adoption and adherence to a Mediterranean style diet in adults aged 18 years old and over, as identified in published observational and qualitative studies.

Scoping Review and Evidence Map of the Relation between Exposure to Dietary Sweetness and Body Weight-Related Outcomes in Adults.

Numerous governmental and health organizations recommend reduced intake of added sugars due to the health risks associated with excess intake, including the risk of obesity. Some organizations further recommend avoiding dietary sweetness, regardless of the source. A scoping review and evidence map were completed to characterize the research that investigated associations between dietary sweetness and body weight.

Protocol: The effects of nutrient- vs food- vs food-substitution-based dietary recommendations for reducing free sugar intakes, on free sugar intakes, dietary profiles and sweet taste outcomes: A randomised controlled trial.

Background: Dietary guidelines are intended to inform and aid the general public, with the aim of improving healthy diets and reducing health risk. The effectiveness of these guidelines, however, is rarely investigated.

Aim: This work investigates the effects of three different types of dietary recommendations for reducing free sugars, on free sugar intakes over 12 weeks.

Incorporating the Dietary Guidelines for Americans Vegetable Recommendations into the Diet Alters Dietary Intake Patterns of Other Foods and Improves Diet Quality in Adults with Overweight and Obesity.

Background: Understanding how vegetables are incorporated into the diet, especially in the types and amounts recommended by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, and how this alters dietary intake patterns is vital for developing targeted behavior change interventions.

Objective: To determine how a provision of vegetables was incorporated into the diet of adults with overweight and obesity; whether or not the provided vegetables displaced other foods; and what, if any, effect this had on diet quality and body weight and composition.

Design: This study investigated secondary outcomes from the Motivating Value of Vegetables Study, a community-based, randomized, parallel, nonblinded controlled trial.

Adding Flavours: Use of and Attitudes towards Sauces and Seasonings in a Sample of Community-Dwelling UK Older Adults.

Adding flavours can encourage food intake in older adults for health benefits. The use and attitudes of 22 community-dwelling UK older adults (15 females, aged 65-83 years) towards foods and products that add flavour, e.g.

Omega-3 fatty acids for depression in adults.

Background: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is highly debilitating, difficult to treat, has a high rate of recurrence, and negatively impacts the individual and society as a whole. One potential treatment for MDD is n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3PUFAs), also known as omega-3 oils, naturally found in fatty fish, some other seafood, and some nuts and seeds. Various lines of evidence suggest a role for n-3PUFAs in MDD, but the evidence is far from conclusive.

Trial to Encourage Adoption and Maintenance of a MEditerranean Diet (TEAM-MED): a randomised pilot trial of a peer support intervention for dietary behaviour change in adults from a Northern European population at high CVD risk.

Adhering to a Mediterranean diet (MD) is associated with reduced CVD risk. This study aimed to explore methods of increasing MD adoption in a non-Mediterranean population at high risk of CVD, including assessing the feasibility of a developed peer support intervention. The Trial to Encourage Adoption and Maintenance of a MEditerranean Diet was a 12-month pilot parallel group RCT involving individuals aged ≥ 40 year, with low MD adherence, who were overweight, and had an estimated CVD risk ≥ 20 % over ten years.

No effects of sweet taste exposure at breakfast for 3 weeks on pleasantness, desire for, sweetness or intake of other sweet foods: a randomised controlled trial.

This work investigated the effects of repeated sweet taste exposure at breakfast on perceptions and intakes of other sweet foods, while also examining the effects due to duration of exposure (1/3 weeks), test context (breakfast/lunch) and associations between taste perceptions and intakes. Using a randomised controlled parallel-group design, participants (n 54, 18 male, mean age: 23·9 (sd 5·8) years, mean BMI: 23·6 (sd 3·5) kg/m2) were randomised to consume either a sweet breakfast (cereal with sucralose) (n 27) or an equienergetic non-sweet breakfast (plain cereal) (n 27) for 3 weeks. On days 0 (baseline), 7 and 21, pleasantness, desire to eat and sweetness were rated for other sweet and non-sweet foods and sweet food consumption was assessed in an ad libitum meal at breakfast and lunch.

Sweet Talk: A Qualitative Study Exploring Attitudes towards Sugar, Sweeteners and Sweet-Tasting Foods in the United Kingdom.

Worldwide initiatives currently aim to reduce free sugar intakes, but success will depend on consumer attitudes towards sugar and the alternatives. This work aimed to explore attitudes towards sugar, sweeteners and sweet-tasting foods, towards consumption and related policies, in a sample of the general public of the UK. Focus groups and interviews were conducted with 34 adults (7 males, ages: 18-65 years).

Consumption of a Variety of Vegetables to Meet Dietary Guidelines for Americans' Recommendations Does Not Induce Sensitization of Vegetable Reinforcement Among Adults with Overweight and Obesity: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Food reinforcement, or the motivation to obtain food, can predict choice and consumption. Vegetable consumption is well below recommended amounts for adults, so understanding how to increase vegetable reinforcement could provide valuable insight into how to increase consumption.

Objectives: We sought to determine whether daily consumption of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) recommendations for vegetable intake induces sensitization of vegetable reinforcement in adults with overweight and obesity.