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Taurine is a conditionally essential micronutrient and one of the most abundant amino acids in humans1-3. In endogenous taurine metabolism, dedicated enzymes are involved in the biosynthesis of taurine from cysteine and in the downstream metabolism of secondary taurine metabolites4,5. One taurine metabolite is N-acetyltaurine6. Levels of N-acetyltaurine are dynamically regulated by stimuli that alter taurine or acetate flux, including endurance exercise7, dietary taurine supplementation8 and alcohol consumption6,9. So far, the identities of the enzymes involved in N-acetyltaurine metabolism, and the potential functions of N-acetyltaurine itself, have remained unknown. Here we show that the body mass index associated orphan enzyme phosphotriesterase-related (PTER)10 is a physiological N-acetyltaurine hydrolase. In vitro, PTER catalyses the hydrolysis of N-acetyltaurine to taurine and acetate. In mice, PTER is expressed in the kidney, liver and brainstem. Genetic ablation of Pter in mice results in complete loss of tissue N-acetyltaurine hydrolysis activity and a systemic increase in N-acetyltaurine levels. After stimuli that increase taurine levels, Pter knockout mice exhibit reduced food intake, resistance to diet-induced obesity and improved glucose homeostasis. Administration of N-acetyltaurine to obese wild-type mice also reduces food intake and body weight in a GFRAL-dependent manner. These data place PTER into a central enzymatic node of secondary taurine metabolism and uncover a role for PTER and N-acetyltaurine in body weight control and energy balance.

The brain bidirectionally communicates with the gut to control food intake and energy balance, which becomes dysregulated in obesity. For example, endocannabinoid (eCB) signaling in the small-intestinal (SI) epithelium is upregulated in diet-induced obese (DIO) mice and promotes overeating by a mechanism that includes inhibiting gut-brain satiation signaling. Upstream neural and molecular mechanism(s) involved in overproduction of orexigenic gut eCBs in DIO, however, are unknown. We tested the hypothesis that overactive parasympathetic signaling at the muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs) in the SI increases biosynthesis of the eCB, 2-arachidonoyl-sn-glycerol (2-AG), which drives hyperphagia via local CB1Rs in DIO. Male mice were maintained on a high-fat/high-sucrose Western-style diet for 60 d, then administered several mAChR antagonists 30 min prior to tissue harvest or a food intake test. Levels of 2-AG and the activity of its metabolic enzymes in the SI were quantitated. DIO mice, when compared to those fed a low-fat/no-sucrose diet, displayed increased expression of cFos protein in the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus, which suggests an increased activity of efferent cholinergic neurotransmission. These mice exhibited elevated levels of 2-AG biosynthesis in the SI, that was reduced to control levels by mAChR antagonists. Moreover, the peripherally restricted mAChR antagonist, methylhomatropine bromide, and the peripherally restricted CB1R antagonist, AM6545, reduced food intake in DIO mice for up to 24 h but had no effect in mice conditionally deficient in SI CB1Rs. These results suggest that hyperactivity at mAChRs in the periphery increases formation of 2-AG in the SI and activates local CB1Rs, which drives hyperphagia in DIO.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies suggest that dietary vitamin C is inversely associated with gastric cancer (GC), but most of them did not consider intake of fruit and vegetables. Thus, we aimed to evaluate this association within the Stomach cancer Pooling (StoP) Project, a consortium of epidemiological studies on GC. METHODS: Fourteen case-control studies were included in the analysis (5362 cases, 11,497 controls). We estimated odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between dietary intake of vitamin C and GC, adjusted for relevant confounders and for intake of fruit and vegetables. The dose-response relationship was evaluated using mixed-effects logistic models with second-order fractional polynomials. RESULTS: Individuals in the highest quartile of dietary vitamin C intake had reduced odds of GC compared with those in the lowest quartile (OR: 0.64; 95% CI: 0.58, 0.72). Additional adjustment for fruit and vegetables intake led to an OR of 0.85 (95% CI: 0.73, 0.98). A significant inverse association was observed for noncardia GC, as well as for both intestinal and diffuse types of the disease. The results of the dose-response analysis showed decreasing ORs of GC up to 150-200 mg/day of vitamin C (OR: 0.54; 95% CI: 0.41, 0.71), whereas ORs for higher intakes were close to 1.0. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of our pooled study suggest that vitamin C is inversely associated with GC, with a potentially beneficial effect also for intakes above the currently recommended daily intake (90 mg for men and 75 mg for women).

Chronic use of nicotine is known to dysregulate metabolic signaling through altering circulating levels of feeding-related hormones, contributing to the onset of disorders like type 2 diabetes. However, little is known about the acute effects of nicotine on hormonal signaling. We previously identified an acute increase in food intake following acute nicotine, and we sought to determine whether this behavior was due to a change in hormone levels. We first identified that acute nicotine injection produces an increase in feeding behavior in dependent rats, but not nondependent rats. We confirmed that chronic nicotine use increases circulating levels of insulin, leptin, and ghrelin, and these correlate with rats' body weight and food intake. Acute nicotine injection in dependent animals decreased circulating GLP-1 and glucagon levels, and administration of glucagon prior to acute nicotine injection prevented the acute increase in feeding behavior. Thus, acute nicotine injection increases feeding behavior in dependent rats by decreasing glucagon signaling.

This study investigated how broader parental factors including parental happiness, parental play engagement, and parenting stress are related to Korean childrens happiness and weight status across three years via indirect pathways through the childrens energy-related behaviors of healthy and unhealthy food intake, physical activity, and screen time. Data from 1551 Korean parent pairs and 7-year-old children in the Panel Study on Korean Children were analyzed. A path analysis and gender-based multi-group analysis were conducted. Maternal happiness was negatively related to child screen time. Maternal play engagement showed positive concurrent associations with child healthy food intake and physical activity and negative associations with screen time. Maternal parenting stress was negatively related to child healthy eating. There was one significant finding related to fathers role on childrens energy-related behaviors, happiness, and weight status: the positive association between parental happiness and boys unhealthy food intake. Child screen time was positively related to child weight status and negatively to child happiness at each age. Broader maternal parenting factors can serve as a protective factor for childhood happiness and weight status in 7-to-9-year-olds through being associated with a reduction in child screen time.

Opioids are generally known to promote hedonic food consumption. Although much of the existing evidence is primarily based on studies of the mesolimbic pathway, endogenous opioids and their receptors are widely expressed in hypothalamic appetite circuits as well; however, their role in homeostatic feeding remains unclear. Using a fluorescent opioid sensor, deltaLight, here we report that mediobasal hypothalamic opioid levels increase by feeding, which directly and indirectly inhibits agouti-related protein (AgRP)-expressing neurons through the μ-opioid receptor (MOR). AgRP-specific MOR expression increases by energy surfeit and contributes to opioid-induced suppression of appetite. Conversely, its antagonists diminish suppression of AgRP neuron activity by food and satiety hormones. Mice with AgRP neuron-specific ablation of MOR expression have increased fat preference without increased motivation. These results suggest that post-ingestion release of endogenous opioids contributes to AgRP neuron inhibition to shape food choice through MOR signaling.

The psychological states of hunger and satiety play an important role in regulating human food intake. Several lines of evidence suggest that these states rely upon declarative learning and memory processes, which are based primarily in the medial temporal lobes (MTL). The MTL, and particularly the hippocampus, is unusual in that it is especially vulnerable to insult. Consequently, we examine here the impact on hunger and satiety of conditions that: (1) are central to ingestive behaviour and where there is evidence of MTL pathology (i.e., habitual consumption of a Western-style diet, obesity, and anorexia nervosa); and (2) where there is overwhelming evidence of MTL pathology, but where ingestive behaviour is not thought central (i.e., temporal lobe epilepsy and post-traumatic stress disorder). While for some of these conditions the evidence base is currently limited, the general conclusion is that MTL impairment is linked, sometimes strongly, to dysfunctional hunger and satiety. This focus on the MTL, and declarative learning and memory processes, has implications for the development of alternative treatment approaches for the regulation of appetite.

The orexin (also known as hypocretin) system, consisting of neuropeptides orexin‐A and orexin‐B, was discovered over 25 years ago and was immediately identified as a central regulator of sleep and wakefulness. These peptides interact with two G‐protein coupled receptors, orexin 1 (OX1) and orexin 2 (OX2) receptors which are capable of coupling to all heterotrimeric G‐protein subfamilies, but primarily transduce increases in calcium signalling. Orexin neurons are regulated by a variety of transmitter systems and environmental stimuli that signal reward availability, including food and drug related cues. Orexin neurons are also activated by anticipation, stress, cues predicting motivationally relevant information, including those predicting drugs of abuse, and engage neuromodulatory systems, including dopamine neurons of the ventral tegmental area (VTA) to respond to these signals. As such, orexin neurons have been characterized as motivational activators that coordinate a range of functions, including feeding and arousal, that allow the individual to respond to motivationally relevant information, critical for survival. This review focuses on the role of orexins in appetitive motivation and highlights a role for these neuropeptides in pathologies characterized by inappropriately high levels of motivated arousal (overeating, anxiety and substance use disorders) versus those in which motivation is impaired (depression). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated food preferences and eating behaviors of individuals with Dravet syndrome. Patients diagnosed with Dravet syndrome were recruited, as well as a control group composed of siblings of patients with epilepsy (any form). The Food Preference Questionnaire and the Child Eating Behavior Questionnaire were completed by caregivers along with two open‐ended questions regarding eating challenges. Seventy‐eight participants (45 with Dravet syndrome and 33 controls) were included. Compared to controls, mean scores for food preference were lower for fruits (p = .000099), meats and fish (p = .00094), and snacks (p = .000027) in Dravet syndrome. People with Dravet syndrome also had less emotional overeating (p = .0085) and food enjoyment (p = .0012), but more slowness in eating (p = .00021) and food fussiness (p = .0064). In a subgroup analysis of only pediatric (age <18 years) patients, similar results were observed for both food preferences and eating habits. In qualitative data, caregivers most commonly reported difficulties with fixation on specific foods. This study demonstrates specific food preferences and challenging eating behaviors in individuals with Dravet syndrome. These data provide potential avenues for nutritional interventions and behavioral therapies to increase the quality of life of patients and their families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To orchestrate behaviors for survival, multiple psychological components have evolved. The current theories do not clearly distinguish the distinct components. In this article, we provide a unified theoretical framework. To optimize survival, there should be four components; (1) "need", an alarm based on a predicted deficiency. (2) "motivation", a direct behavior driver. (3) "pleasure", a teacher based on immediate outcomes. (4) "utility", a teacher based on final delayed outcomes. For behavior stability, need should be accumulated into motivation to drive behavior. Based on the immediate outcome of the behavior, the pleasure should teach whether to continue the current behavior. Based on the final delay outcome, the utility should teach whether to increase future behavior by reshaping the other three components. We provide several neural substrate candidates in the food context. The proposed theoretical framework, in combination with appropriate experiments, will unravel the neural components responsible for each theoretical component. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: Sleep health has been associated with diet quality, but the relationship between chrononutrition patterns and multidimensional sleep health is unclear. This study identifies chrononutrition patterns among U.S. adults and examines their associations with multidimensional sleep health. Methods: This cross-sectional analysis used data from the 2017–2020 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Chrononutrition behaviors were assessed using two 24 h dietary recalls. Latent profile analysis was used to identify chrononutrition profiles. Multivariable survey regression models determined the associations between chrononutrition patterns and sleep health dimensions. Results: The sample included 5228 subjects with a median age of 49 years. Of the sample, 52% of the participants were female, and 65% were White. In adjusted models, each additional hour between wake time and first instance of eating was associated with a 19% increase in the odds of poor timing (sleep midpoint < 2:00 a.m. or >4:00 a.m.; 95% CI: 1.07–1.33) and a 21% increase in poor duration (<7 or >9 h/night; 95% CI: 1.09–1.33). Each additional hour between last eating and bedtime was associated with 9% higher odds of poor duration (95% CI: 1.03–1.16). A one-hour longer eating window was associated with 10% lower odds of poor timing (95% CI: 0.84–0.98). We identified five chrononutrition profiles: Typical Eating (reference), Early Finished Eating, Later Heavy Eating, Extended Window Eating, and Restricted Window Eating. The Later Heavy Eating profile exhibited 96% higher odds of poor timing (95% CI: 1.09–3.51) and the Restricted Window Eating profile had 94% higher odds of poor duration (95% CI: 1.10–3.43). Conclusions: These findings highlight the importance of unique chrononutrition patterns in relation to multidimensional sleep health. We provide a framework for future studies to identify personalized chrononutrition interventions and their role in improving sleep health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Working in healthcare often involves stressful situations and a high workload, and many healthcare workers experience burnout complaints or suffer from mental or physical problems. This also affects the overall quality of health care. Many previous workplace interventions focused on knowledge exchange instead of other health cognitions, and were not particularly effective. Multicomponent lifestyle interventions may offer the potential in improving lifestyle and well-being of healthcare professionals. This study aims to evaluate the impact of a multicomponent lifestyle intervention “Healthy and Vital” for healthcare professionals on several health-related outcomes. Methods: A pre- (multiple) post-pilot study has been conducted using data from 2012 to 2018 to evaluate the lifestyle intervention in 126 female healthcare professionals. Measurements were conducted before, directly after the intervention (at 3 months), and 6 months after finishing the intervention (at 9 months). Participants filled out questionnaires and anthropometrics measurements were conducted by a dietitian. The intervention is based on the ASE-model, theory of planned behavior, and motivational interviewing techniques. The intervention included workshops related to stress, eating, sleep, and individual meetings with a dietitian. Multilevel linear mixed models with a random intercept and fixed slope were used to evaluate the impact on lifestyle self-efficacy, eating behavior, anthropometric outcomes and quality of life. Results: Improvements were observed for lifestyle self-efficacy (total: beta= 1.32 95%CI 0.94;1.48, I know: beta= 1.19 95%CI 0.92;1.46, and I can: beta= 1.46 95%CI 1.19;1.73), eating behavior (emotional eating: beta=-0.33 95%CI-0.44;-0.23, external eating: beta=-0.35 95%CI -0.44;-0.26, and diet/restrictive behavior: beta= 0.41 95%CI 0.30;0.51), anthropometric outcomes (weight: beta=-5.03 95%CI -5.93;-4.12, BMI: beta=-1.873 95%CI -2.06;-1.41, waist circumference: beta=-6.83 95%CI -8.00;-5.65, and body fat percentage: beta=-1.80 95%CI -2.48;-1.17) and multiple outcomes of quality of life (physical functioning: beta= 4.43 95%CI 1.98;6.88, vitality: beta= 7.58 95%CI 4.74;10.42, pain: beta=4.59 95%CI 0.91;1.827, general health perception: beta= 7.43 95%CI 4.79;10.07, and health change: beta= 21.60 95%CI 16.41;28.80) directly after the intervention. The improvements remained after a six-month follow-up. Conclusions: Multicomponent interventions such as “Healthy and Vital” for healthcare professionals may be useful for improving the health of healthcare workers. More research using other designs with a control group, such as a stepped-wedge or RCT, is needed to verify our findings. Trial registration: Retrospectively registered on May 1 2024 at the Open Science Framework Registries (). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Many studies have reported on the relationship between cognitive and masticatory functions. However, it remains unclear how the mandibular movements change during chewing in facility residents as dementia progresses. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between a kinematic analysis of mandibular movement during mastication and cognitive function in facility residents. Methods: Sixty-three participants were included from two long-term care facilities. The primary outcome variable was the kinematic data of mandibular movement during mastication. The participants chewed rice crackers, and their faces were recorded during this motion. The partial correlation coefficient between kinematic data and cognitive function was calculated. Furthermore, group comparisons were performed after dividing the participants into three groups based on their cognitive function. Results: Circular motion frequency was significantly correlated with the ABC dementia scale, even after adjusting for the appendicular skeletal muscle index, Eichner index, and short-form mini-nutritional assessment. The cycle and circular motion frequencies were markedly lower in the severe dementia group than in the mild dementia group. Conclusions: With declining cognitive function, mandibular movements during mastication decrease in circular motion and increase in linear motion. Additionally, our results suggested that residents with severe cognitive impairment had more linear mandibular motions during mastication than those with mild cognitive impairment. This may make it more difficult for residents with cognitive decline to ingest normal solid foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Impulsivity is the propensity to make judgments and take action without sufficient planning or foreseeing consequences. Impulsivity is one of the main symptoms of several mental disorders. Studies supporting the association between inflammation and impulsivity are increasing in number. This study aimed to assess the association between impulsivity, inflammation and rheumatoid factor (RF) in rheumatoid arthritis, a systemic inflammatory disease. Methods: Thirty rheumatoid arthritis patients with RF+ and 22 rheumatoid arthritis patients with RFwere enrolled in this study. Impulsivity was measured with the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS). The Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS), and Intuitive Eating Scale-2 (IES-2) was applied to assess the potential clinical effects of impulsivity. In addition, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), and Disease Activity Score-28 (DAS-28) were used to evaluate the individuals’ clinical features. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were used as inflammation biomarkers. Results: In this study, patients with RF+ had higher BIS total scores than those with RF- (p = .039). In addition, smoking rates, which may be associated with impulsive behavior, were higher in the RF+ group than in the RF- group (p = .033). Moreover, there was a significant positive correlation between the attentional impulsivity dimension of BIS and CRP levels in the RF+ group (p = .023). Regarding MMAS, BAI, BDI, and IES-2, there was no significant difference between RF+ and RFgroups. Conclusions: These results indicate that RF seropositivity in rheumatoid arthritis is associated with impulsivity. The high impulsivity detected in RF+ patients may be the reason why risky behaviors such as smoking are seen more frequently in this group. Moreover, it has also been shown that increased attentional impulsivity in RF+ group is associated with inflammation. Further studies evaluating the effect of inflammatory processes on impulsivity in RF+ patients are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Joaquín les gusta is the Spanish phrase that animates this article. It forms our entrance into human-animal relations in a small village in Galicia, in the north of Spain. Here, we explore a particular kind of love for animals that is condensed in the Spanish word gustar. The gut-level love implied stretches all the way from the attentive care for a beloved animal, to its slaughtering, its dedicated cooking, and the savouring of its meat during a festive meal. We did not borrow the term gustar from scholarly literature to take to our fieldsite, but worked the other way around and distilled it from our fieldwork. Our hope is that this term might help other scholars to ask if, in the sites and situations with which they are confronted, some form of gustar might also flow between animals and humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, I explore the relationship between food and eating in two Abrahamic faiths, viz. Islam and Christianity. I show how these religions create provisions that entreat followers to consume in an ecologically conscientious manner that is not only good for the consumers but for the society and planet as well. In effect, traditional symbolic systems such as religions that provide "magical solutions" can also provide modern solutions to modern crises confronting modern societies in today's world. I argue that Islam and Christianity are highly relevant in today's world where they provide for safe, healthy, and socially conscientious living. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Wearing complete denture in one or both arches can impact enjoyment of eating and affect quality of life compared with being dentate. Clinicians focus on issuing technically sound dentures but ignore the impact of wearing dentures on the eating‐related quality of life which affects the success of treatment. Objectives: The aim of this research was to qualitatively explore ERQoL in Australian adults wearing complete dentures using a validated questionnaire and through focus groups. Methods: Complete denture wearers (n = 44) were recruited from dental clinics and invited to complete the self‐administered Emotional and Social Issues Related to Eating questionnaire. Responses were categorised under the six questionnaire domains. A subsample of 20 participants who completed the questionnaire were invited to participate in focus groups to identify emerging themes. Results: Twenty‐three participants (52.3%) completed the questionnaire. Most participants expressed a decline in enjoyment of eating due to reduced ability to eat, longer chewing times and the need to frequently clean dentures while eating. Focus groups (n = 2 × 4 participants) indicated educational materials on eating with dentures would increase recognition of eating problems with dentures and reduce trial and error approaches to dealing with these. Conclusion: ERQoL is adversely affected by wearing complete dentures due to functional limitations, restricted food choices and adaptive eating behaviours. Patient support for eating well with a complete denture/s wearers is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The English workday lunch receives heavy criticism. Given this, why do people eat the way that they do? Using in-depth interview data, findings represent an 'instruction manual' to the meal detailing (1) variation in the organisation of the workday lunch and standards for competent performance; (2) shared understandings of the meal; and (3) the guiding principle or meaning of the practice. The workday lunch takes much of its meaning from the practice of work. In conclusion, the workday lunch does not simply reflect weakening rules for a 'proper' meal, but contradictory orders sustaining the practices of eating and working. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aimed to determine the initial content validity and clinical utility of Mealtime Screening for School (MEALSS), a new screening tool that measures mealtime participation in students with intellectual and developmental disabilities 5 to 10 years of age. Methods: To determine the content validity of MEALSS, the researchers recruited five participants identified as pediatric occupational therapists and/or feeding experts to review the MEALSS. Item level content validity index (I-CVI) and scale level validity (S-CVI) were calculated, as well as modified kappa indices to reduce the probability of chance agreement. MEALSS was then revised based on feedback from the content experts. To determine the clinical utility of MEALSS, 20 school-based occupational therapists were recruited to assess the clinical usage of the revised version of the tool. The responses were thematized and analyzed. Results: Content experts rated 17 out of the 18 MEALSS items essential in assessing mealtime participation in the school setting. The majority of the clinician participants indicated a favorable response to the clinical utility of the tool, ease of use, and accuracy in identifying and measuring mealtime challenges in the school setting. Conclusion: The study provided useful perspectives on how the tool can be further improved to measure mealtime participation in school-aged children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The objectives of this work were as follows: (1) to develop holistic recommendations for physical activity, sleep, sedentary behaviours and eating habits adapted to children and adolescent life stage (5–17 years) and targeting optimal metabolic cycle and achieving energy balance; (2) to provide evidence-based information that can be used by the government, policy makers, healthcare professionals, community, schools as well as families to endorse active, healthy, living in apparently healthy children and youth aged 5–17 years, and as a base for monitoring the activities, particularly the physical ones, on the people level. The Egyptian Academy of Bone and Muscle Health followed an established guideline development process to create the Egyptian 24-h movement clinical guideline for children and adolescents. Online databases (PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library) were searched for relevant peer-reviewed studies that met the a priori inclusion criteria. Results: A total of 41 studies met the inclusion criteria. Leveraging evidence from the review of the literature led to the development of 11 key questions covering 8 domains. Fifteen statements focus on the overall identified targets through integration of the movement activities and eating behaviour. Results revealed a major change in the previous basic understandings as it shifts away from segregated into integrated movement behaviour and dietary habit paradigm. Based on this, the final guideline was developed providing evidence-based recommendations for a "Healthy 24-h day", for Egyptian children and adolescents. Conclusion: The 24-h composition of movement behaviours has principal implications for health at all ages. The developed guideline provides an up-to-date evidence-based recommendation towards a holistic approach for favourable daily life activities and adopts a feasible perspective by outlining these activities within a 24-h period. In addition, eating and dietary elements have been included to complete the energy cycle. Children and adolescents who meet the 24-h movement guidelines generally report more favourable health indicators than those who do not. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mukbang, an internet-based audiovisual presentation wherein a host engages with the audience while consuming a diverse array of foods, has surfaced as a notable contributor to social media users' diets. Some users display an inordinate craving for watching these eating shows, a phenomenon known as problematic mukbang watching. Given the high prevalence of eating disorders among Iranians, this study aimed to explore whether excessive mukbang watching could serve as a media-related risk factor for Iranian users' dysfunctional eating. The Mukbang Addiction Scale (MAS), serving as the primary measure of excessive mukbang consumption, was translated and validated for this study. A convenience sample of 535 Iranian social media users completed the Persian version of MAS (MAS-P) and measures of mindful eating, disordered eating patterns, and food neophobia. The MAS-P was corroborated as unidimensional with quality internal consistency. Problematic mukbang watching was found to be negatively associated with mindful eating and eating self-efficacy, and positively linked with eating disorder symptom severity, food addiction, and grazing. Weekly unhealthy snacking frequency and weekly non-home food consumption frequency were significantly predicted by problematic mukbang watching. There was no significant association between problematic mukbang watching and food neophobia. The findings indicate that problematic mukbang watching may represent an online manifestation of dysfunctional eating patterns and seems to play a role in shaping maladaptive nutritional choices and habits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractBackgroundMethodResultsConclusionThe Cannabis Eating Experience Questionnaire (CEEQ) was developed and validated with a two-factor structure for the assessment of cannabis effects on both the appetitive factors that initiate eating and the hedonic factors that maintain an eating episode. The relationship between the CEEQ and cannabis use motives has not yet been considered. The study aimed to confirm the two-factor structure of the CEEQ and explore associations with the five-factor Marijuana Motives Questionnaire (MMQ).Cannabis users (N = 546) completed the CEEQ alongside the MMQ in an online survey.Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) confirmed the two-factor structure of the CEEQ and the five-factor structure of the MMQ. Structural equation modeling (SEM) tested associations between each factor of the CEEQ and cannabis use motives. Cannabis use motives of “enhancement” and “conformity” were both positively associated with “hedonic” and “appetitive” subscales of the CEEQ, and “coping” was associated with increased “appetitive” scores. The “social” cannabis use motive was negatively associated with both “hedonic” and “appetitive” subscales on CEEQ, and “expansion” was negatively associated with the “appetitive” subscale.We provide further support for the construct validity of the CEEQ that provides a useful assessment of cannabis effects on hedonic and appetitive aspects of eating and show for the first time that cannabis use motives influence eating experiences in distinct ways. Further understanding of the relationship between cannabis use motives and the effects of cannabis on appetite may prove a useful for informing therapeutic applications of cannabis stimulating appetite or promoting weight gain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Weight stigma refers to the social rejection, discrimination, and ideological devaluation of individuals because of body size and is a direct result of weight bias and anti-fat attitudes. Individuals with higher weight may be less likely to seek healthcare due to weight stigma, and if or when they do present for care, medical providers with weight bias may fail to provide high quality care. Little, however, is known about the intersectionality of weight stigma and perceptions of healthcare interactions as experienced by individuals who also binge eat. Methods: Community-based adults completed online self-report questionnaires regarding generalized weight stigma (Attitudes Towards Obese Persons1), healthcare interaction quality (Patient Perceptions of Healthcare Provider Interaction Quality; PPH), and disordered eating (Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire) via Amazon's Mechanical Turk platform. For this cross-sectional study, participants were categorized by the presence and absence of regular binge episodes. Pearson's correlations, T-tests, ANOVA/ANCOVA, and a multivariate regression were used to examine relationships among demographic variables, weight stigma, disordered eating, and the PPH. Results: Participants (N = 648) primarily identified as female (65.4%) and White, non-Hispanic (72.7%). Participants' average age and body mass index (BMI) were 37.5 (SD = 12.3) years old and 27.3 (SD = 6.9) kg/m2, respectively. Higher healthcare provider interaction quality ratings (PPH) were significantly related to lower BMI (r(648)=-0.098,p = 0.012), less weight stigma (r(648) = 0.149,p < 0.001), and identifying as a woman (t(514) = 2.09, p = 0.037, Cohen's d = 0.165) or White, non-Hispanic (t(646)=-2.73, p = 0.007, Cohen's d=-0.240). Participants reporting regular binge eating endorsed significantly worse perceptions of healthcare provider quality than those who did not, even after accounting for BMI, F(1, 645) = 8.42, p = 0.004, η2 = 0.013. A multivariate linear regression examining the PPH as dependent, and weight stigma and binge eating as independent, variable/s, was significant even after accounting for covariates (sex, race, BMI), F(95, 640) = 7.13,p < 0.001, R2 = 0.053 (small effect). Conclusions: More negative experiences with healthcare providers was associated with worse weight stigma, higher BMI, regular binge eating and overall disordered eating, and for participants identifying as male or a Person of Color. These data have implications for non-clinical community populations and are particularly important as experiencing poorer quality of interactions with healthcare providers may decrease individuals' likelihood of seeking needed care for both disordered eating and health-related concerns. Trial Registration: N/A. Plain English summary: Weight stigma refers to the discrimination towards individuals because of body size. Individuals who identify as a Person of Color and who experience binge eating may experience additional discrimination, resulting in barriers to receiving healthcare. To examine these relationships, a community-based sample (N = 648) completed health- and eating-related questionnaires online. Participants who had higher weight rated their perceptions of their interactions with healthcare providers as lower quality. People of Color and men reported lower quality of perceptions of their healthcare provider interactions compared to White, non-Hispanic and female participants, respectively. Participants reporting less weight stigma also reported more positive interactions with their healthcare providers. Participants who reported regular binge eating episodes reported worse quality of interactions with their healthcare providers compared to those who did not report regular binge eating, regardless of their weight. Participants endorsing more stigmatizing views of individuals with higher weight and those reporting regular binge eating were more likely to report poorer perceived quality of interactions with healthcare providers, regardless of their weight, race/ethnicity, or sex. These findings are of particular importance as experiencing poor quality interactions with healthcare providers may be a barrier to receiving needed healthcare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aim: obesity is a very important problem in individuals with bipolar disorder. The study was aimed to determine the prevalence of obesity in individuals with bipolar disorder and to evaluate the effects of factors affecting eating behavior such as mindful eating, impulsivity and eating disorders on the development of obesity in these individuals. Methods: this study is a cross-sectional study. A total of 109 individuals (52 female; 57 male) with bipolar disorder who were in a euthymic state at the time of the interview and underwent outpatient follow-up, treatment and monitorization, and 109 age- and sex-matched healthy individuals as the control group were included in the study. The Mindful Eating Questionnaire-30 (MEQ-30), Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ-21), Barratt Impulsiveness Scale 11-Short Form (BIS-11-SF), and Eating Attitude Test-26 (EAT-26) were used, and anthropometric measurements (height, bodyweight, etc.) were taken. Results: the obesity rate was 50.4 % among the cases and 24.8 % in the control group. Moreover, disinhibition (3.4 ± 0.93), emotional eating (3.5 ± 1.13), and mindfulness (2.6 ± 0.54) scores of individuals with BD were significantly lower than for healthy individuals (3.7 ± 0.82, 4.0 ± 0.93, 2.8 ± 0.55, respectively). The risk of obesity was 5.19 times higher in cases compared to the age- and gender-matched controls (OR = 5.19, 95 % CI (2.01-13.37), p = 0.001). The risk of obesity was 2.76 times higher in those with low mindful eating level (OR = 2.76, 95 % CI (1.07-5.47), p = 0.014) and 4.29 times higher in those using antipsyhotics/mood stabilizers (OR = 4.29, 95 % CI (1.12-12.24), p < 0.001). Conclusion: a comprehensive education program on mindful eating and healthy eating would be helpful in elucidating the mechanisms of the possible relationships between bipolar disorder-specific risk factors and mindful eating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cow behavior is a crucial indicator for monitoring health, reproductive status, and welfare in livestock management. However, methods that rely on wearable devices often face significant challenges, including high costs, maintenance difficulties, and potential impacts on animal welfare. To address these limitations, this study explored the potential of using YOLOv8, a cutting-edge computer vision model, for noninvasive monitoring of cow behavior. The research methodology involved four key steps: data collection, preliminary data processing, model training, and validation. The findings reveal that YOLOv8 can accurately detect and localize key cow behaviors--lying, standing, eating, and ruminating--achieving a mean average precision of 0.778 at a 0.5 intersection over union threshold. Despite the promising results, the model's performance is notably affected by occlusion, which remains a primary challenge. Nevertheless, the outcomes indicate that YOLOv8 is a viable tool for recognizing cow behavior, offering a significant step forward in precision livestock farming and addressing the growing need for efficient and welfare-oriented livestock management practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cognitive control and reward-related abnormalities are centrally implicated in addiction. However, findings from longitudinal studies addressing neurocognitive predictors of addictive behaviors are mixed. Further, little work has been conducted predicting non-substance-related addictive behaviors. Our study aimed to assess predictors of substance and non-substance addictive behaviors in a community sample, systematically evaluating each neurocognitive function's independent influence on addictive behavior. Australians (N = 294; 51.7% female; M[SD] age = 24.8[4.7] years) completed online neurocognitive tasks and surveys at baseline and 3-month follow-up. Self-report scales assessed problematic alcohol use, addictive eating (AE), problematic pornography use (PPU), and problematic internet use (PUI) at 3- and 6-month follow-ups. Linear regressions with bootstrapping assessed neurocognitive predictors for each addictive behavior across a 6-month period. Neurocognition at baseline did not predict AE or PUI severity at 6-month follow-up. Less delay discounting at baseline predicted higher PPU at 6-month follow-up (β = −0.16, p = 0.005). Poorer performance monitoring at baseline predicted higher AE at 3-month follow-up (β = −0.16, p = 0.004), and more reward-related attentional capture at 3-months predicted higher AE at 6-month follow-up (β = 0.14, p = 0.033). Less reward-related attentional capture (β = −0.14, p = 0.003) and less risk-taking under ambiguity (β = −0.11, p = 0.029) at baseline predicted higher PUI at 3-month follow-up. All findings were of small effect size. None of the neurocognitive variables predicted problematic alcohol use. We were unable to identify a core set of specific neurocognitive functions that reliably predict multiple addictive behavior types. However, our findings indicate both cognitive control and reward-related functions predict non-substance addictive behaviors in different ways. Findings suggest that there may be partially distinct neurocognitive mechanisms contributing to addiction depending on the specific addictive behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines observers' perceptions of employees eating during virtual work meetings. Using a 2 × 3 experimental design, participants (N = 842) were randomly assigned to one of three eating conditions including no one eating, target eating, and everyone eating where they rated either a male or female target. While existing research has demonstrated positive consequences of sharing food in the traditional workplace, our findings demonstrate that individuals who eat during virtual work meetings are perceived as less professional, less competent, and less likely to experience career success. Observers' perceptions of the eater's professionalism are negatively impacted, regardless of whether the target is the only one eating or whether everyone is eating. We offer practical suggestions for HRM professionals working to help managers and employees understand the nuances of videoconferencing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction The Weight Loss Readiness Test (WLRT) was developed to encourage consideration of factors influencing readiness to engage in weight loss. The WLRT is used clinically, most notably to assess motivation before initiating Navy weight management programs, yet little is known about its psychometric properties. Materials and Methods This study examined the reliability, convergent and predictive validity, and factor structure of the WLRT in a sample of active duty service members enrolling in a Navy-based weight management program (N  = 178, identified as female = 61%, mean age = 29.7 years, mean baseline body mass index = 33.1 kg/m2). All procedures were approved by the respective Institutional Review Boards and research committees. Results Exploratory factor analysis revealed a 5-factor structure explaining 52% of the variance that best fit the data with low to moderate correlations between factors: (1) Motivation, (2) Exercise-Related Confidence, (3) Non-Exercise Confidence, (4) Cues, and (5) Anticipated Satisfaction. Internal reliability of subscales was acceptable to good (α  = 0.755-0.903). Generally, convergent validity was found between the identified subscales and other measures of motivation, confidence, and disinhibited eating in expected directions. No relationships were found between the subscales and predictive validity outcomes (weight change, program attendance). Conclusions Results indicate adequate structural and convergent validity in the WLRT, but that weight loss readiness, as measured by the WLRT, does not provide predictive validity regarding weight loss or attendance outcomes in this sample. Nonetheless, this measure offers clinical utility in fostering thoughtful conversations about weight loss. The WLRT uniquely focuses on long-term maintenance of behavior change and differentiates between exercise-related and non-exercise confidence. Future studies should further probe the utility of this measure in other populations and the contexts in which it is being used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food and life are intimately entangled. To grasp the underlying complexity of this seemingly simple statement, this article first introduces the approach to food/eating as an assemblage enacted by various heterogeneous components, and further develops it by engaging with actor network theory and material semiotics. Thereafter the focus turns to 'entanglement', as inspired by quantum physics, to elicit the basic dynamics of the entanglement of food and more-than-human beings, conceived of as involving mutual and differential becomings within and among assemblages. The article illustrates these entangled becomings by drawing upon examples from Sri Lanka, which in an intercultural philosophical fashion serve to establish an articulation (in the sense of a connection) between the proposed abstract approach to food and some basic premises of Buddhism and Ayurveda, a South Asian health system. Overall, the article crafts a conceptual toolbox and performs ontological groundwork wherein food and human beings as entangled assemblages provide a productive, refined, and sensitive research apparatus for the intimate study of more-than-human life and organization while also spurring novel theorizations through food/eating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: A healthy diet is essential for preventing chronic disease and promoting overall health. Translating one's intention to eat healthy into actual behaviour has, however, proven difficult with a range of internal and contextual factors identified as driving eating behaviour. Design: We leverage Temporal Self‐Regulation Theory to examine these momentary determinants' direct and moderating effects on the intention–behaviour relation with Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA). Methods: Eighty‐seven healthy participants (mage = 24.1 years; 59 women, 28 men) reported, 5 times daily for 10 weekdays, their intentions to stick to a self‐set dietary restriction goal for the next 3 hr, the goal congruency of their eating behaviour in the past 3 hr, and a range of factors potentially influencing food intake, such as stress, emotions and environmental eating cues. Results: Two‐part multilevel modelling revealed that craving, availability of goal‐incongruent foods, social eating cues, giving in to other temptations and weaker momentary intentions directly increased the risk and severity of goal‐incongruent intake within the next 3 hr. Social cues, stress and craving further influence behaviour through altering intention implementation. Conclusions: Results imply that people regularly fail to implement intentions for 3‐hr periods and that a range of factors influences this, both directly and by disrupting intentional processes. While for some barriers, fostering strong intentions throughout the day could be beneficial, others require different strategies for dietary adherence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The termination of a meal is controlled by dedicated neural circuits in the caudal brainstem. A key challenge is to understand how these circuits transform the sensory signals generated during feeding into dynamic control of behaviour. The caudal nucleus of the solitary tract (cNTS) is the first site in the brain where many meal-related signals are sensed and integrated1-4, but how the cNTS processes ingestive feedback during behaviour is unknown. Here we describe how prolactin-releasing hormone (PRLH) and GCG neurons, two principal cNTS cell types that promote non-aversive satiety, are regulated during ingestion. PRLH neurons showed sustained activation by visceral feedback when nutrients were infused into the stomach, but these sustained responses were substantially reduced during oral consumption. Instead, PRLH neurons shifted to a phasic activity pattern that was time-locked to ingestion and linked to the taste of food. Optogenetic manipulations revealed that PRLH neurons control the duration of seconds-timescale feeding bursts, revealing a mechanism by which orosensory signals feed back to restrain the pace of ingestion. By contrast, GCG neurons were activated by mechanical feedback from the gut, tracked the amount of food consumed and promoted satiety that lasted for tens of minutes. These findings reveal that sequential negative feedback signals from the mouth and gut engage distinct circuits in the caudal brainstem, which in turn control elements of feeding behaviour operating on short and long timescales.

Abstract Background Working in healthcare often involves stressful situations and a high workload, and many healthcare workers experience burnout complaints or suffer from mental or physical problems. This also affects the overall quality of health care. Many previous workplace interventions focused on knowledge exchange instead of other health cognitions, and were not particularly effective. Multicomponent lifestyle interventions may offer the potential in improving lifestyle and well-being of healthcare professionals. This study aims to evaluate the impact of a multicomponent lifestyle intervention “Healthy and Vital” for healthcare professionals on several health-related outcomes. Methods A pre- (multiple) post-pilot study has been conducted using data from 2012 to 2018 to evaluate the lifestyle intervention in 126 female healthcare professionals. Measurements were conducted before, directly after the intervention (at 3 months), and 6 months after finishing the intervention (at 9 months). Participants filled out questionnaires and anthropometrics measurements were conducted by a dietitian. The intervention is based on the ASE-model, theory of planned behavior, and motivational interviewing techniques. The intervention included workshops related to stress, eating, sleep, and individual meetings with a dietitian. Multilevel linear mixed models with a random intercept and fixed slope were used to evaluate the impact on lifestyle self-efficacy, eating behavior, anthropometric outcomes and quality of life. Results Improvements were observed for lifestyle self-efficacy (total: beta= 1.32 95%CI 0.94;1.48, I know: beta= 1.19 95%CI 0.92;1.46, and I can: beta= 1.46 95%CI 1.19;1.73), eating behavior (emotional eating: beta=-0.33 95%CI-0.44;-0.23, external eating: beta=-0.35 95%CI -0.44;-0.26, and diet/restrictive behavior: beta= 0.41 95%CI 0.30;0.51), anthropometric outcomes (weight: beta=-5.03 95%CI -5.93;-4.12, BMI: beta=-1.873 95%CI -2.06;-1.41, waist circumference: beta=-6.83 95%CI -8.00;-5.65, and body fat percentage: beta=-1.80 95%CI -2.48;-1.17) and multiple outcomes of quality of life (physical functioning: beta= 4.43 95%CI 1.98;6.88, vitality: beta= 7.58 95%CI 4.74;10.42, pain: beta=4.59 95%CI 0.91;1.827, general health perception: beta= 7.43 95%CI 4.79;10.07, and health change: beta= 21.60 95%CI 16.41;28.80) directly after the intervention. The improvements remained after a six-month follow-up. Conclusions Multicomponent interventions such as “Healthy and Vital” for healthcare professionals may be useful for improving the health of healthcare workers. More research using other designs with a control group, such as a stepped-wedge or RCT, is needed to verify our findings. Trial registration Retrospectively registered on May 1 2024 at the Open Science Framework Registries ( https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/Z9VU5 ).

Abstract Background Weight stigma refers to the social rejection, discrimination, and ideological devaluation of individuals because of body size and is a direct result of weight bias and anti-fat attitudes. Individuals with higher weight may be less likely to seek healthcare due to weight stigma, and if or when they do present for care, medical providers with weight bias may fail to provide high quality care. Little, however, is known about the intersectionality of weight stigma and perceptions of healthcare interactions as experienced by individuals who also binge eat. Methods Community-based adults completed online self-report questionnaires regarding generalized weight stigma (Attitudes Towards Obese Persons1), healthcare interaction quality (Patient Perceptions of Healthcare Provider Interaction Quality; PPH), and disordered eating (Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire) via Amazon’s Mechanical Turk platform. For this cross-sectional study, participants were categorized by the presence and absence of regular binge episodes. Pearson’s correlations, T-tests, ANOVA/ANCOVA, and a multivariate regression were used to examine relationships among demographic variables, weight stigma, disordered eating, and the PPH. Results Participants (N = 648) primarily identified as female (65.4%) and White, non-Hispanic (72.7%). Participants’ average age and body mass index (BMI) were 37.5 (SD = 12.3) years old and 27.3 (SD = 6.9) kg/m2, respectively. Higher healthcare provider interaction quality ratings (PPH) were significantly related to lower BMI (r(648)=-0.098,p = 0.012), less weight stigma (r(648) = 0.149,p

COVID-19 disrupted food access, potentially increasing nutritional risk and health inequities. This study aimed to describe and assess associations between changes in food/meal acquisition behaviors and relative changes in dietary intake and bodyweight from before to during the pandemic. Low-income parents (n = 1090) reported these changes by online survey in April-August 2021. Associations were assessed by multinomial logistic regression. Compared to those with no change, those who decreased supermarket shopping had greater odds of decreased fruit and vegetable (FV; OR[95%CI] = 2.4[1.4-4.1]) and increased salty snack intakes (OR[95%CI] = 1.7[1.0-2.8]). Those who decreased farmers market shopping had greater odds of decreased FV intake (OR[95%CI] = 1.8[1.0-3.1]), increased bodyweight (OR[95%CI] = 1.7[1.1-2.6]), and increased SSB (OR[95%CI] = 1.9[1.1-3.2]) and sweets intakes (OR[95%CI] = 1.8[1.1-2.9]). Those who increased online food ordering had greater odds of increased sweets (OR[95%CI] = 1.7[1.1-2.8]), salty snacks (OR[95%CI] = 1.9[1.2-3.2]), and fast food (OR[95%CI] = 2.0[1.2-3.5]) intakes and bodyweight (OR[95%CI] = 1.8[1.1-2.9]). Those who increased healthy meal preparation had greater odds of increased FV intake (OR[95%CI] = 4.0[2.5-6.5]), decreased SSB (OR[95%CI] = 3.7[2.3-6.0]), sweets (OR[95%CI] = 2.7[1.6-4.4]), salty snacks (OR[95%CI] = 3.0[1.8-5]) and fast food intakes (OR[95%CI] = 2.8[1.7-4.6]) and bodyweight (OR[95%CI] = 2.2[1.2-4.0]). Interventions to address the potentially negative impacts of online food/meal shopping and support healthy home cooking may be needed to improve nutrition-related outcomes and reduce health disparities in the aftermath of the current pandemic and during future emergencies requiring similar restrictions.

ObjectiveDespite great advances in obesity therapeutics in recent years, there is still a need to identify additional therapeutic targets for the treatment of this disease. We previously discovered a signature of genes, including Chloride intracellular channel 1 (Clic1), whose expression was associated with drug-induced weight gain, and in these studies, we assess the effect of Clic1 inhibition on food intake and body weight in mice.MethodsWe studied the impact of Clic1 inhibition in mouse models of binge-eating, diet-induced obese mice and genetic models of obesity (Magel2 KO mice).ResultsClic1 knockout (KO) mice ate significantly less and had a lower body weight than WT littermates when either fed chow or high fat diet. Furthermore, pharmacological inhibition of Clic1 in diet-induced obese mice resulted in suppression of food intake and promoted highly efficacious weight loss. Clic1 inhibition also reduced food intake in binge-eating models and hyperphagic Magel2 KO mice. We observed that chronic obesity resulted in a significant change in subcellular localization of Clic1 with an increased ratio of Clic1 in the membrane in the obese state. These observations provide a novel therapeutic strategy to block Clic1 translocation as a potential mechanism to reduce food intake and lower body weight.ConclusionsThese studies attribute a novel role of Clic1 as a driver of food intake and overconsumption. In summary, we have identified hypothalamic expression of Clic1 plays a key role in food intake, providing a novel therapeutic target to treat overconsumption that is the root cause of modern obesity.

The Maillard reaction, a chemical reaction between amino acids and sugars, is exploited to produce flavorful food ubiquitously, from the baking industry to our everyday lives. However, the Maillard reaction also occurs in all cells, from prokaryotes to eukaryotes, forming advanced glycation end-products (AGEs). AGEs are a heterogeneous group of compounds resulting from the irreversible reaction between biomolecules and α-dicarbonyls (α-DCs), including methylglyoxal (MGO), an unavoidable byproduct of anaerobic glycolysis and lipid peroxidation. We previously demonstrated that Caenorhabditis elegans mutants lacking the glod-4 glyoxalase enzyme displayed enhanced accumulation of α-DCs, reduced lifespan, increased neuronal damage, and touch hypersensitivity. Here, we demonstrate that glod-4 mutation increased food intake and identify that MGO-derived hydroimidazolone, MG-H1, is a mediator of the observed increase in food intake. RNAseq analysis in glod-4 knockdown worms identified upregulation of several neurotransmitters and feeding genes. Suppressor screening of the overfeeding phenotype identified the tdc-1-tyramine-tyra-2/ser-2 signaling as an essential pathway mediating AGE (MG-H1)-induced feeding in glod-4 mutants. We also identified the elt-3 GATA transcription factor as an essential upstream regulator for increased feeding upon accumulation of AGEs by partially controlling the expression of tdc-1 gene. Furthermore, the lack of either tdc-1 or tyra-2/ser-2 receptors suppresses the reduced lifespan and rescues neuronal damage observed in glod-4 mutants. Thus, in C. elegans, we identified an elt-3 regulated tyramine-dependent pathway mediating the toxic effects of MG-H1 AGE. Understanding this signaling pathway may help understand hedonistic overfeeding behavior observed due to modern AGE-rich diets.

(1) Background: A low socioeconomic status significantly increases the risk of hypertension and its associated cardiovascular diseases due to limited access to healthcare and may be even more accentuated by the presence of unhealthy lifestyle habits. The aim of the present research was to study if associations exist between having a family income under the poverty threshold and having an unhealthy diet, being physically inactive, being an alcohol drinker, perceiving one’s own health as bad, and suffering from congestive heart failure, coronary heart disease, angina pectoris, heart attack, or stroke. Additionally, the odds ratios of having these unhealthy habits and of suffering from the abovementioned cardiac complications of participants under the poverty threshold were calculated. (2) Methods: This cross-sectional study was based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011–2020. The sample comprised 6120 adults with hypertension (3188 males and 2932 females). A descriptive analysis and non-parametric chi-squared tests were used to study the associations. A binary logistic regression model and backward LR method were used to calculate the odds ratios, normalized by age and sex. (3) Results: The chi-squared test showed associations between having a family income under the poverty threshold and being physically inactive (p < 0.001), having an unhealthy diet (p < 0.001), being an alcohol drinker (p < 0.001), perceiving one’s own health as bad (p < 0.001), and suffering from congestive heart failure (p = 0.002), heart attack (p = 0.001), or stroke (p = 0.02). A significantly increased odds ratio for these unhealthy habits and cardiac complications, and also for having coronary heart disease and angina pectoris, were found for hypertension sufferers under the poverty threshold. (4) Conclusions: It was confirmed that having a family income under the poverty threshold is associated with perceiving one’s own health as bad, having a series of negative habits in terms of physical activity, diet, and alcohol consumption, and with suffering from congestive heart failure, heart attack, or stroke. Increased odds ratios for these unhealthy habits and these conditions, plus coronary heart disease and angina pectoris, were found for hypertension sufferers under the poverty threshold.

Abstract Background Obesity causes many physical and mental illnesses. This study compares mindfulness-based eating awareness training (MB-EAT) versus MB-EAT plus implementation intention model for effectiveness on body mass index (BMI), weight self-efficacy, and physical activity in obese women with BMIs ≤ 25 (n = 52). Methods In this randomized clinical trial, the participants were selected by the simple random sampling method and randomly divided into three groups. A 12-session MB-EAT of 150 min per session was performed for experimental group I. The experimental group II received MB-EAT alone for physical activity planning and MB-EAT plus implementation intention; also, both groups were compared to the control group. Data were measured by the scales, a questionnaire, and a checklist, and the P-values are based on the results of the generalized estimating equation (GEE) test. P

Summary: Background & aims: Olfactory disorders impact mental health, with adverse effects on quality of life, particularly in the area of eating. Despite their high prevalence in the population, olfactory disorders are poorly managed, with patients still lacking easy access to rapid diagnosis and treatment. In this context, the present study offers a new screening tool and compares the efficiency of different olfactory training protocols. Methods: A screening test was set up and different olfactory training paradigms were compared for their effect on the recovery of the sense of smell on the one hand, and quality of life on the other. The study population was composed of post-COVID-19 dysosmic patients (with a loss of more than 6 weeks). Three training protocols were used, differing in terms of number of odors and in format (either lab-supplied odorant kits, or the use of odorants found at home). All three protocols were implemented over a 12-week period. Results: The screening test distinguished dysosmics from normosmics with an accuracy of 73%. During training, 69% of patients completed the evaluation protocol and 77% of them performed more than half of the training sessions, resulting in a 53% completion rate. Olfactory performances improved significantly after training, irrespective of the training paradigm and 59% of patients displayed a clinically significant improvement of their sense of smell. These improvements were positively associated with assiduity along training. Finally, olfactory disorders negatively affected quality of life. After olfactory training, this overall negative impact on quality of life was reduced, especially with regard to the pleasure of eating. Conclusion: This study introduces a new screening tool for olfactory deficits. It also provides important insights into the optimization of olfactory training protocols and their effects on quality of life, and on eating behavior in particular.

Up until recently, the bilingual tales of Danish author Isak Dinesen have been critically appreciated and discussed mostly in relation to their narrative complexity and dramatic theatricality. Focusing on her well-known story “Babette’s Feast”, this essay draws on Jacques Derrida’s understanding of supplementarity, on feminist insights into embodiment and recent new materialist theories to address, instead, the place of enfleshed materiality in her revisionist articulations of gender and community. It calls attention to how food, as live matter, impacts through the organic process of eating, the subject’s movement in and perception of physical, social and gender spaces, contributing thus to recent scholarly engagement with the significance of corporeality and material agency for her fictions’ sexual and cultural politics. Implicit in her re-assertion of the material, as it is argued, is Dinesen’s sharp critique of the Protestant valorisation of spirit over matter and the masculinist assumptions built into this spatial configuration.

Abstract Background The nutritional status and growth of children with Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is influenced significantly by two factors; food selectivity behaviors due to their consumption of a limited variety of food and the high incidence of gastrointestinal (GIT) disorders. Aim This study aimed to assess the nutritional adequacy and growth pattern of ASD children aged three to twelve years compared to their healthy developing peers. Methods A national comparative, facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted in eight Egyptian governorates on 285 Egyptian children diagnosed with ASD and 224 children who are their relatives as healthy developing peers. Anthropometric measurements were obtained, including weight, height, head circumference, and mid-upper arm circumference. Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated and all numbers were plotted on WHO growth charts. Assessment of food preferences, and nutrient intake adequacy of children was done using the Food preference questionnaire, and the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) of Egyptian children. Results Calorie-dense food and sugar intake were higher among ASD children than their healthy developing peers. ASD children omit some important protein sources such as dairy (COR = 5.2, 95% CI:2.7–9.9), meat, and poultry (COR = 2.7, 95% CI: 1.6–4.7), and a lower intake of fruits and vegetables than their healthy developing peers. For children with ASD in all age groups, a deficiency in the range of 50–60% was detected for vitamins (C, D, B6, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin) and minerals (iron). A deficiency in the range of 60–70% was detected for folate and calcium. A deficiency of vitamin C calcium and iron was also detected for both children with ASD and their healthy developing relatives aged 6 to 12 years. GIT disorders were common among ASD children compared to healthy developing peers (COR = 2.8 to 10.3). Children with ASD had four-fold higher odds of stunting (COR = 4.1, CI: 1.7–10.1), threefold higher odds of being overweight (COR = 3.3, CI: 1.48–7.32), and nearly eleven-fold higher odds of obesity (COR = 11.4, CI: 4.05–32.17) compared to their healthy developing peers. Conclusion ASD children are prone to overweight and protein malnutrition. Their intake of fruits and vegetables is inadequate and hence their intake of vitamins and minerals is insufficient, contributing to stunting.

Background: Obesity causes many physical and mental illnesses. This study compares mindfulness-based eating awareness training (MB-EAT) versus MB-EAT plus implementation intention model for effectiveness on body mass index (BMI), weight self-efficacy, and physical activity in obese women with BMIs ≤ 25 (n = 52). Methods: In this randomized clinical trial, the participants were selected by the simple random sampling method and randomly divided into three groups. A 12-session MB-EAT of 150 min per session was performed for experimental group I. The experimental group II received MB-EAT alone for physical activity planning and MB-EAT plus implementation intention; also, both groups were compared to the control group. Data were measured by the scales, a questionnaire, and a checklist, and the P-values are based on the results of the generalized estimating equation (GEE) test. P < 0.001 were considered the significance level. Results: The MB-EAT and MB-EAT + implementation intention effectiveness on the two experimental groups' BMI, weight self-efficacy, and physical activity was significantly different from the control group. In the integrated group versus the MB-EAT group, BMI, physical activity, and physical discomfort, were more effective than the weight self-efficacy subscales. Both intervention groups were effective on BMI, weight self-efficacy, and physical activity, but the integrated group's effectiveness was more. Conclusions: The MB-EAT effectiveness trial is theory-based, reducing weight and the psychological and behavioral consequences of overweight and obese adults. The MB-EAT + the Implementation intention model is to plan regular and daily exercise according to each individual's specific circumstances. Trial registration: The trial registration number: (IRCT20200919048767N1). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Saudi Arabia's obesity prevalence is 19.2% among men and 21.4% among women. Treatment includes lifestyle modifications, medication, and bariatric surgery. Procedures reach up to 1200 annually in our center. Porto-mesenteric venous thrombosis associated with venous mesenteric ischemia and bowel necrosis is a rare complication that necessitates an early workup and management. A 29-year-old Saudi male underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. Post-surgery, he experienced abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting, exacerbated by eating and smoking. Abdomen computed tomography scans revealed engorged portal veins, congested mesenteric veins, and small bowel thickening. He underwent exploratory laparoscopy shifted to laparotomy with resection of an infarcted omentum and 1 m of jejunal small bowel loop, and was discharged postoperatively after 7 days. Porto-mesenteric venous thrombosis is a rare complication after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, requiring early diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Patients present with non-specific symptoms, necessitating high suspicion for computed tomography recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children in rural communities consume more energy-dense foods relative to their urban peers. Identifying effective interventions for improving energy intake patterns are needed to address these geographic disparities. The primary aim of this study was to harness the benefits of physical activity on children's executive functioning to see if these improvements lead to acute changes in eating behaviors. In a randomized crossover design, 91 preadolescent (8-10y; M age = 9.48 ± 0.85; 50.5% female; 85.7% White, 9.9% Multiracial, 9.9% Hispanic) children (86% rural) completed a 20-minute physical activity condition (moderate intensity walking) and time-matched sedentary condition (reading and/or coloring) ~ 14 days apart. Immediately following each condition, participants completed a behavioral inhibition task and then eating behaviors (total energy intake, relative energy intake, snack intake) were measured during a multi-array buffet test meal. After adjusting for period and order effects, body fat (measured via DXA), and depressive symptoms, participants experienced significant small improvements in their behavioral inhibition following the physical activity versus sedentary condition (p = 0.04, Hedge's g = 0.198). Eating behaviors did not vary by condition, nor did improvements in behavioral inhibition function as a mediator (ps > 0.09). Thus, in preadolescent children, small improvements in behavioral inhibition from physical activity do not produce acute improvements in energy intake. Additional research is needed to clarify whether the duration and/or intensity of physical activity sessions would produce different results in this age group, and whether intervention approaches and corresponding mechanisms of change vary by individual factors, like age and degree of food cue responsivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: A low socioeconomic status significantly increases the risk of hypertension and its associated cardiovascular diseases due to limited access to healthcare and may be even more accentuated by the presence of unhealthy lifestyle habits. The aim of the present research was to study if associations exist between having a family income under the poverty threshold and having an unhealthy diet, being physically inactive, being an alcohol drinker, perceiving one's own health as bad, and suffering from congestive heart failure, coronary heart disease, angina pectoris, heart attack, or stroke. Additionally, the odds ratios of having these unhealthy habits and of suffering from the abovementioned cardiac complications of participants under the poverty threshold were calculated. (2) Methods: This cross-sectional study was based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011–2020. The sample comprised 6120 adults with hypertension (3188 males and 2932 females). A descriptive analysis and non-parametric chi-squared tests were used to study the associations. A binary logistic regression model and backward LR method were used to calculate the odds ratios, normalized by age and sex. (3) Results: The chi-squared test showed associations between having a family income under the poverty threshold and being physically inactive (p < 0.001), having an unhealthy diet (p < 0.001), being an alcohol drinker (p < 0.001), perceiving one's own health as bad (p < 0.001), and suffering from congestive heart failure (p = 0.002), heart attack (p = 0.001), or stroke (p = 0.02). A significantly increased odds ratio for these unhealthy habits and cardiac complications, and also for having coronary heart disease and angina pectoris, were found for hypertension sufferers under the poverty threshold. (4) Conclusions: It was confirmed that having a family income under the poverty threshold is associated with perceiving one's own health as bad, having a series of negative habits in terms of physical activity, diet, and alcohol consumption, and with suffering from congestive heart failure, heart attack, or stroke. Increased odds ratios for these unhealthy habits and these conditions, plus coronary heart disease and angina pectoris, were found for hypertension sufferers under the poverty threshold. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Feeding difficulties are prevalent among individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Nevertheless, the knowledge about the association between feeding-related early signs and child development remains limited. This review aimed to describe the signs and symptoms related to feeding during child development and to explore their relevance to the diagnosis of ASD. Specialists in nutrition and/or ASD conducted a search of MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and Web of Science databases. Although studies in typically developing children demonstrate age-related variations in hunger and satiety cues, the literature about early feeding indicators in ASD is scarce. Challenges such as shortened breastfeeding duration, difficulties in introducing solid foods, and atypical mealtime behaviors are frequently observed in children with ASD. The eating difficulties experienced during childhood raise concerns for caregivers who base their feeding practices on their perceptions of food acceptance or refusal. Considering the observed associations between feeding difficulties and ASD, the importance of recognizing feeding-related signs according to developmental milestones is emphasized to alert medical professionals that deviation in the formation of feeding habits and skills could indicate the need for ASD diagnostic investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The nutritional status and growth of children with Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is influenced significantly by two factors; food selectivity behaviors due to their consumption of a limited variety of food and the high incidence of gastrointestinal (GIT) disorders. Aim: This study aimed to assess the nutritional adequacy and growth pattern of ASD children aged three to twelve years compared to their healthy developing peers. Methods: A national comparative, facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted in eight Egyptian governorates on 285 Egyptian children diagnosed with ASD and 224 children who are their relatives as healthy developing peers. Anthropometric measurements were obtained, including weight, height, head circumference, and mid-upper arm circumference. Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated and all numbers were plotted on WHO growth charts. Assessment of food preferences, and nutrient intake adequacy of children was done using the Food preference questionnaire, and the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) of Egyptian children. Results: Calorie-dense food and sugar intake were higher among ASD children than their healthy developing peers. ASD children omit some important protein sources such as dairy (COR = 5.2, 95% CI:2.7–9.9), meat, and poultry (COR = 2.7, 95% CI: 1.6–4.7), and a lower intake of fruits and vegetables than their healthy developing peers. For children with ASD in all age groups, a deficiency in the range of 50–60% was detected for vitamins (C, D, B6, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin) and minerals (iron). A deficiency in the range of 60–70% was detected for folate and calcium. A deficiency of vitamin C calcium and iron was also detected for both children with ASD and their healthy developing relatives aged 6 to 12 years. GIT disorders were common among ASD children compared to healthy developing peers (COR = 2.8 to 10.3). Children with ASD had four-fold higher odds of stunting (COR = 4.1, CI: 1.7–10.1), threefold higher odds of being overweight (COR = 3.3, CI: 1.48–7.32), and nearly eleven-fold higher odds of obesity (COR = 11.4, CI: 4.05–32.17) compared to their healthy developing peers. Conclusion: ASD children are prone to overweight and protein malnutrition. Their intake of fruits and vegetables is inadequate and hence their intake of vitamins and minerals is insufficient, contributing to stunting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]