bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The implementation and evaluation of a recipe box scheme to help ease the cost-of-living crisis in university students
Authors: Bhakta D , Aghili A , Illingworth S , Marsh K , Mulrooney H , Shu J , Wood P , Kwan C. Y , Ranta R , Nancheva N , Dawson R , Dawson N 
Published: December 2024

The recent ONS survey reported that 92% of students had been affected by the cost-of-living crisis with 46% revealing their overall mental health and well-being had worsened(1). London Metropolitan University has a unique diverse student population: in 2020-21, 82% of students were mature, 64% of students identified as female, 55% of students were from a minoritised background and 13% had a known disability(2). Furthermore, at least 50% of our students, many of whom have caring responsibilities, reside in the most deprived wards of Islington or other impoverished London boroughs. It has been documented that those students with families, who come from a low income and a minority background are more vulnerable(3) and are more likely to be disproportionately affected by the cost-of-living crisis and at risk of food insecurity. We sought to ease the burden of the cost-of-living crisis with a recipe box scheme, BRITE Box (4) and evaluate its acceptance.BRITE Box provides a complete set of pre-weighed ingredients for a healthy nutritious meal with an easy-to-follow recipe guide. Each box typically contains two servings of vegetables, meat, bread and dairy, as well as spices, dried and tinned goods to feed a family of five people. We distributed 300 boxes over a period of five months to students primarily with families who had accessed the university hardship fund. Student volunteers and the academic staff pre-weighed the ingredients, prepared and distributed the boxes. The scheme was advertised through Student Services who administer the hardship fund, the Student Union and the intranet. The recipients of the boxes were provided with a QR code linking to a 20-item online survey on demographic characteristics, number of children, acceptability of the box and perceived advantages and disadvantages of the scheme. Ethics was approved by London Metropolitan University.Thirty-three participants completed the survey, 42% of the recipients identified as female, 55% were from a minority background and 30% had children. The responses showed that students agreed and strongly agreed that the recipe box introduced them to new flavours (52%), and new foods (42%). The majority followed the recipe and will use again (67%). Most importantly, 73% students agreed and or strongly agreed that it helped with the food budget and helped foster a sense of belonging to the university (85%).The scheme has proved to be popular among the students: “a really cool concept”, “it helped me cook”, “the box provided food for 3 days” and created a buzz around campus on distribution days. It has enhanced the feeling of community and belonging within the university, whilst also alleviating food insecurity and tackling the cost-of-living crisis.
Building community and offering food support to university students: the KingsGate Student Pantry
Authors: Sumpter S. , Clay S. , Harper P. , Schwikkard S. , Mulrooney H. 
Published: December 2024

University students have high risk of food insecurity (FI)(1). Largely comprising young adults, they often have poor diets(2), important given the potential for this life stage to embed healthful eating behaviours(3). Having established high levels of concern about their food security among students at a post-92 university(4), the KingsGate Student Pantry was established in November 2023 as a partnership between university staff and student volunteers, a local food charity and a local church. It includes a weekly social space with free refreshments to encourage belonging, signposting to support, cookery demonstrations and access to a range of food, household and personal hygiene items, including bread, fresh fruit and vegetables. For a weekly payment of £5, customers receive £20-35 of items (estimated). An evaluation of the Pantry to understand its impact on customers and volunteers was carried out.Bespoke questionnaires for each group collected qualitative & quantitative data about experiences of FI, reasons for coming (or volunteering) and impact of the Pantry on nutrition and belonging. These were administered at the Pantry using QR codes. Optional telephone interviews were held. Qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis to identify key themes, while quantitative data were used to generate descriptive statistics. The impact of demographics on responses was explored using Kruskal Wallis tests.This ongoing evaluation currently includes 112 customer and 14 volunteer questionnaires, as well as 3 customer and 5 volunteer interviews. Preliminary results suggest that finances and social reasons are major drivers for customer attendance. Key food items required at the Pantry are vegetables and fruit; cereals, pasta and rice; and milk and dairy products – basic staple foods now expensive largely due to cost-of-living pressures. High levels of satisfaction among both customers and volunteers are apparent, not limited to the goods on offer although levels of satisfaction with these are high. Goods are largely surplus, supplemented with additional items specifically purchased using the £5 weekly customer fee. This ensures a high quality offer in addition to contributing to sustainability of the Pantry. Satisfaction also extends to opportunities to build relationships, including between community and university volunteers and customers, groups otherwise unlikely to meet. The social space and welcome received are highly valued:‘Doesn’t feel like support, feels like going out shopping with friends’ [customer interview]‘Happy place to be’ [volunteer interview]The Pantry therefore represents a pathway to developing a shared understanding of the meaning of community between diverse groups, to their shared benefit. Built using existing relationships and partnerships, it exemplifies how universities can utilise the skills and expertise of their community stakeholders to mutual benefit.
Exploring dietetic attitudes and experience of recommending tube feeds containing real food ingredients to paediatric patients
Authors: Gallagher E. , Randles G. , Hovey J. , O’Neill J.L. , Wilkinson S. 
Published: December 2024

Blended tube feeding for patients requiring enteral nutrition involves the provision of pureed food administered via a gastronomy tube(1). It is relatively new in dietary practice, with several clinical and perceived benefits, which was partly driven by the large prevalence of enteral nutrition intolerance in paediatric patients(2). In response to patient and dietitian preferences, as well as challenges of blended diets, medical nutrition manufacturers have developed commercial tube feed products containing real food ingredients (RFI). There is very limited published literature on these types of tube feeds.The aim of this study was to understand the attitudes and awareness of dietitians towards recommending tube feeds containing RFI. This was done through investigating the indications behind recommending this type of product, what conditions they are recommended for, and the main barriers and benefits of recommending tube feeds containing RFI to paediatric patients.A twelve-item online survey was distributed via Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute (INDI) and Irish Nutrition Jobs Facebook group to collect data from registered dietitians over six-weeks. Frequencies and Cross-tabulations were performed to analyse categorical variables using IBM SPSS V29.From the total sample of 23 paediatric dietitians, those who currently recommend tube feeds containing RFI (n = 14) reported that the two main disorders to use this product are, gastrointestinal disorders (n = 13, 93%) or neurological disorders (n = 12, 86%). A primary indication for recommending these products is to improve tolerance (n = 12, 86%), with the main feeding method being bolus pump (n = 13, 93%). Key benefits reported are improvements to GI symptoms (n = 13, 93%) and improved weight gain (n = 5, 36%). Of the total sample, prime barriers found to recommending this type of feed is the low energy dense profile (n = 7, 30%) and insufficient amount of natural ingredients (n = 3, 13%).This study shows a positive response towards tube feeds containing RFI and gives an insight into the potential benefits that using these innovative tube feeds can have for patients and carers. More case studies using these products are required, for dietitians to fully understand the main benefits and drawbacks of recommending these feeds to their paediatric patients.
Exploring the school environment in relation to healthy eating and physical activity in female high schools in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Aldukair Sarah , Woodside Jayne V. , McGowan Laura , Almutairi Khalid 
Published: December 2024

In Saudi Arabia, adolescent health is suboptimal; among those aged 15-29 years, 79% have insufficient levels of physical activity levels, 30% are living with overweight or obesity, and 10% of them have pre-diabetes(1).The Saudi Guidelines for the Prevention and Management of Obesity recommend implementing school-based interventions to prevent obesity among adolescents(2). Understanding the school setting through a school-based environmental audit can provide insight into the barriers and enablers of obesity prevention strategies in schools (3), which can inform the design of schoolbased interventions. One such tool, the International Study of Childhood Obesity, Lifestyle and the Environment (ISCOLE) tool, assesses the school environment in relation to healthy eating (HE) and physical activity (PA). The reliability and feasibility of this tool has been tested across 256 schools in 12 different countries. Therefore, the ISCOLE tool can be used to conduct reliable environmental audits across international school settings(3). The ISCOLE tool(3) was used along with the Saudi Ministry of Education (MOE) canteen policy checklist to examine the school environment in relation to HE and PA.The Saudi MOE canteen policy is a checklist of banned and recommended food and drink items sold to students. Three female high schools were selected from differing economic deprivation levels (high, medium, and low deprivation) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The ISCOLE tool covers the domains of HE and PA provisions, school facilities and policies, and was completed by the researcher in conjunction with a senior school staff member. The researcher accessed the school canteens and examined the items present. Checklists were completed and pictures taken for documentation. Ethical approval was granted from the Saudi MOE, Princess Noura University’s Institutional Review Board, and affirmed by Queen’s University Belfast.There were notable differences between the three high schools sampled. Middle and low deprivation schools had PA and HE policies under development, a specific time allocated for PA, HE promotion and a school shop; the high deprivation school did not have any of these. The results of the MOE canteen checklist illustrated that many ‘banned’ food items were available in the middle and low deprivation schools, including nectar juices, pre-packaged croissants, chocolates, and popcorn. Regarding ‘recommended’ food items, both schools offered sandwiches and bottled water. None of the schools offered healthy food at subsidized prices and only the low deprivation school had access to a small outdoor soccer area.In Saudi Arabia, female high schools face significant challenges regarding a school environment that supports both HE and PA. These challenges include the absence of HE provision and lack of suitable PA facilities. Understanding the school context will help support the development of a future school-based obesity prevention intervention.
Enhancing dietary assessment in Nigeria using myfood24: a pilot study of diets among Nigerian adults
Authors: Uzokwe C.A. , Nkwoala C.C. , Ebenso B.E. , Opara C.G. , Cade J.E. 
Published: December 2024

With the rising rates of non-communicable diseases in Nigeria, there is need to understand the links between diet and health using an accurate and efficient dietary assessment method. The new online dietary assessment tool comprising a database of local Nigerian and West African diets, myfood24 West Africa (1), was piloted in a healthy adult population in Nigeria.Participants were staff of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, Abia State in southeast Nigeria, at least 18 years, not pregnant, not had childbirth in the last 3 months, and not diagnosed with diabetes. A pre-recorded video demonstration of food recording with myfood24 was sent to participants. One-day 24-hour recall was self-recorded by either participants or by the researcher on behalf of the participants. Participants who used myfood24 on their own completed the usability questionnaire to rate their agreement with system usability statements and provided feedback on the system.179 adults were recruited for the study and a total of 1345 food/drink entries were made with a median number of 7 (IQR: 5, 9) food/drink entry per day per participant. Foods from our new West African food database contributed to 60-82% of the energy and nutrient intake. Mean energy intake was 1844 (SD 781) kcal; with energy coming from 28% fat, 63% CHO, and 9% protein. 53 (30%) participants used myfood24 on their own, with a mean age of 38.5 ± 8.7 years. There was no significant difference in the energy intake (p = 0.67) and body mass index (p = 0.82) of participants who used myfood24 on their own and those who did not. 39 out of 53 participants completed the user questionnaire. The mean system usability score was 74 (95% CI 65, 83), indicating a good usability. Participants found the tool easy to use and estimate portion sizes of local foods; it was educative showing levels of macronutrient consumed; and more efficient than manual recording of foods but some participants commented that a few local foods were missing.myfood24 will support research investigation of relationships between diets and health in Nigeria. There is also now an offline function removing reliance on WiFi. Feedback from participants will inform future updates of the database.
Estimating the nutrient supply from agriculture in Scotland
Authors: McCormick B.J.J. , Macdiarmid J.I. 
Published: December 2024

Responses to the Scottish Government commitment to Net Zero(1) will increase the demand for land from multiple sectors in Scotland and potentially take land out of food production. Choices about where and what foods are produced is important for nutritional security, but has rippling consequences for land use, rural populations and across the food system. To support choices about where and what might be produced, we present an estimate of the nutritional value of agricultural commodities produced in Scotland.Building on a Scottish Government-built model, annual agricultural census data were used to identify commodities for human consumption, which were matched to the minimally processed foods from each commodity. We focused on the value of the least processed form of each commodity, before food processing and ingredients from elsewhere are incorporated. For example, wholewheat flour and hulled barley. Nutrient data for each food were drawn from the UK Composition of Foods Integrated Dataset(2) and the energy and 27 macro and micronutrients were extracted for each food item. Using average yield and production data, the supply of nutrients was estimated.Cereals could provide many nutrients, but are mostly used for non-food products (approximately 1% of barley and 12.5% of wheat are for human consumption(3)) so their realised contribution is attenuated. Vegetables are an important source of nutrients despite relatively little hectarage, however, their contribution to the nutrient supply is largely driven by large yields of potato and carrot (particularly for vitamin A). Given the quantity produced, milk is the largest source of nutrients, but livestock meat, which uses a significant proportion of agricultural land (including fodder crops, animal feed and grazing) has a disproportionately small contribution to nutrient supply. However, recognising nutrients vary between products which needs to be considered. Energy (71% of population needs), fibre (64.1%), iron (68.5%), selenium (59.7%), niacin (90.5%) and vitamins D (21.1%) and E (55.8%) all have a low supply from Scottish land.These results are based on a nutrient supply from production of commodities on the land in Scotland, and the supply from primary production is not always what consumers have access to and the supply of nutrients often changes in food processing along the whole food chain. The supply of nutrients for human consumption is not only from domestic production and about half of the diet in Scotland is from imported foods (especially fruit and vegetables)(4). However, the aim of this study was to estimate the potential of supply from current agricultural production. Understanding the potential and realised nutrient supply from domestic agricultural production helps to evidence a discussion about how agriculture is valued, the opportunities to reimagine food production to maximise the supply of nutrients across Scotland and consider uses of land.
Benchmarking the sugar and caffeine content of carbonated sugar–sweetened beverages and energy drinks on the Irish market in 2023
Authors: McCann A. , Dunne C. , O’Shaughnessy G. , O’Mahony S. 
Published: December 2024

Over consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) is associated with an increased risk of weight gain and dietary related noncommunicable diseases.(1) Consumption of energy drinks (EDs) by children and adolescents is linked to poor health and social outcomes.(2) To address high sugar content in beverages in Ireland, the Sugar Sweetened Drinks Tax (SSDT) was introduced in 2018 and applies to SSBs, including EDs, with a sugar content of 5 g/100 ml or more.(3) SSBs and EDs are also prioritised for sugar reduction in the Irish reformulation strategy.(4)The aim of this study was to examine the mean analysed sugar (g) content of carbonated SSBs and EDs on the Irish market in 2023 against the Irish SSDT differential rate thresholds. A secondary aim was to determine a 2023 benchmark for the mean labelled caffeine (mg) content of EDs.A convenience sample of SSBs (n = 67) and EDs (n = 28) were collected from Dublin-based supermarkets in 2023. Samples were sent to the Public Analyst Laboratory, Galway for sugar analysis, using high–performance anion-exchange chromatography/pulsed amperometric detection. The mean, standard deviation (SD), minimum and maximum (min-max) analysed sugar (g) per 100 ml and per suggested serving size were determined and assessed against the SSDT lower rate of 5–7.99 g/100 ml and upper rate of >8 g/100 ml. The mean, SD and min-max labelled caffeine (mg) content per serving of EDs containing caffeine (n = 18) was determined. Statistical analysis was completed using RStudio v4.3.0.The mean analysed sugar (g) of SSBs (n = 67) and EDs (n = 28) was 4.48 g/100 ml (SD 1.53; min-max 1.6 g–10.7 g) and 6.56 g/100 ml (SD 3.31; min-max 1.5 g–14 g), respectively. In SSBs (n = 54) and EDs (n = 22) that provided a suggested serving size, the mean analysed sugar (g) was 11.17 g per serving (SD 3.75; min-max 4 g–26.75 g) and 25.93 g per serving (SD 18.17; min-max 9.75 g–70 g), respectively. In this sample 31% (n = 21) of SSBs and 50% (n = 14) of EDs had a sugar (g) content above the taxable rate. Of these, 10% (n = 2) of SSBs and 64% (n = 9) of EDs were above the SSDT upper taxable rate. Caffeine containing EDs (n = 18) had a mean labelled caffeine (mg) content of 129.17 mg per serving (SD 39.38; min-max 70 mg–160 mg).The majority of carbonated SSBs in this sample were below the SSDT lower differential threshold.However, the majority of EDs had a high sugar content and were liable for SSDT at the higher rate. These findings agree with a 2019 study and show EDs remain high in sugar and caffeine.(5) Given their association with poor health outcomes in children and adolescents, EDs on the Irish market require additional reformulation to meet sugar reduction targets.(2)
Triangulating the associations of different types of childhood adversity and first-episode psychosis with cortical thickness across brain regions
Authors: Fares-Otero Natalia E. , Verdolini Norma , Melero Helena , Andrés-Camazón Pablo , Vilajosana Enric , Cavone Vito , García-Bueno Borja , Rapado-Castro Marta , Izquierdo Ana , Martín-Hernández David , Mola Cárdenes Pablo , Leal Itziar , Dompablo Monica , Ortiz-Tallo Ana , Martinez-Gras Isabel , Muñoz-Sanjose Ainoa , Loeck de Lapuerta Carmen , Rodriguez-Jimenez Roberto , Díaz Marsá Marina , Bravo-Ortiz Maria-Fe , Ibañez Angela , Baca-García Enrique , Vieta Eduard , Ayuso-Mateos J. L. , Malpica Norberto , Arango Celso , Díaz-Caneja Covadonga M. , Radua Joaquim 
Published: December 2024

AbstractBackgroundBoth childhood adversity (CA) and first-episode psychosis (FEP) have been linked to alterations in cortical thickness (CT). The interactive effects between different types of CAs and FEP on CT remain understudied.MethodsOne-hundred sixteen individuals with FEP (mean age = 23.8 ± 6.9 years, 34% females, 80.2% non-affective FEP) and 98 healthy controls (HCs) (mean age = 24.4 ± 6.2 years, 43% females) reported the presence/absence of CA <17 years using an adapted version of the Childhood Experience of Care and Abuse (CECA.Q) and the Retrospective Bullying Questionnaire (RBQ) and underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. Correlation analyses were used to assess associations between brain maps of CA and FEP effects. General linear models (GLMs) were performed to assess the interaction effects of CA and FEP on CT.ResultsEighty-three individuals with FEP and 83 HCs reported exposure to at least one CA. CT alterations in FEP were similar to those found in participants exposed to separation from parents, bullying, parental discord, household poverty, and sexual abuse (r = 0.50 to 0.25). Exposure to neglect (β = −0.24, 95% CI [−0.37 to −0.12], p = 0.016) and overall maltreatment (β = −0.13, 95% CI [−0.20 to −0.06], p = 0.043) were associated with cortical thinning in the right medial orbitofrontal region.ConclusionsCortical alterations in individuals with FEP are similar to those observed in the context of socio-environmental adversity. Neglect and maltreatment may contribute to CT reductions in FEP. Our findings provide new insights into the specific neurobiological effects of CA in early psychosis.