bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Healthy dietary patterns and cognitive status in Mild Cognitive Impairment subjects
Authors: Urbano T , Filippini T , Carbone C , Malavolti M , Marti A , Agnoli C , Sieri S , Chiari A , Zamboni G , Vinceti M 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) may be a prodromal condition of clinically overt dementia. Several risk factors have been investigated for their possible role in dementia etiology. Among these, higher adherence to healthy dietary habits, such as the Mediterranean-type diets, has been hypothesized to decrease dementia risk. Our objective was to study the associations between adherence to four dietary patterns (Dietary Approach to Stopping Hypertension-DASH, Mediterranean and Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay-MIND) with cognitive impairment status of MCI subjects. In 2019-2023, 144 MCI subjects were recruited at Neurology Memory Clinics at Modena and Reggio Emilia Hospitals and completed a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) developed within the EPIC project. Through the EPIC-FFQ, we estimated adherence to the DASH diet (range 8-40), the Greek Mediterranean Index-GMI (range 0-9), the Italian Mediterranean Index-IMI (range 0-11), and the MIND diet (range 0-15), the higher scores indicating higher adherence. Participants’ global cognitive status was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Muti-adjusted spline regression analyses were performed to assess non-linear associations between the variables. Median and interquartile range (IQR) levels of adherence were 24 (21-27) for the DASH diet, 4 (3-6) for the GMI, 4 (3-5) for the IMI and 7 (6.5-8.5) for the MIND diet. A U-shaped relation was observed for the DASH and Mediterranean diets with MMSE score. At levels of adherence below the median, the association was negative, while it became positive at higher adherence scores (&gt; 25 for the DASH diet and &gt;5 for the GMI and IMI). A positive and almost linear relation emerged between the MIND diet and MMSE. These findings suggest that higher adherence to healthy dietary patterns, particularly the MIND diet, is related to better global cognitive status in MCI subjects.

Key messages
• Healthy dietary patterns are positively associated with higher global cognitive status.
• Higher MIND diet scores are associated with better global cognitive status.
Economic impacts and mitigation strategies of African Swine Fever in China: a systematic review
Authors: Wu Z , Zhang Y 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Background
African Swine Fever (ASF) and food safety issues present significant challenges to the global food industry. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) notes that food safety issues can result in economic losses in the food industry. The impact of ASF has been particularly harsh, affecting over half of China's provinces. However, few study has examined its specific economic impact on China. This study aims to explore ASF's economic impacts from 2018 to 2022 and analyze existing mitigation strategies in China.

Methods
This study used a systematic review methodology to synthesize journal articles published in English between 2018 and 2022 from four databases (Pubmed, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase). Journals are included in the study if they discuss the economic impact of ASF in China or provide strategies for mitigation.

Results
Our search yielded 49 results, with 11 papers included in the final review. On average, ASF causes about 108 billion losses in 2018, and this figure is increasing to 127 billion in 2019. Current interventions are divided into three types: reforming food manufacturing companies (n = 5), promoting advanced agricultural techniques like vertical farming (n = 4), and adopting a new food supervision system (n = 2). Although these strategies have provided relief, the effectiveness of these strategies remain to be investigated in the future.

Conclusions
ASF's economic loss is substantial and increasing. The study concludes three main strategies for addressing food safety concerns: reforming food manufacturing companies, promoting advanced agricultural techniques like vertical farming, and adopting a new food supervision system. However, future studies should focus on the effectiveness analysis regarding these strategies.

Key messages
• This study highlights the need for a comprehensive approach to address global food safety issues.
• Implementing the proposed strategies can promote a healthier and more sustainable food system.
Nutrition knowledge and practices in children under two years of age in Huila, Angola
Authors: Veloso-Fraigola M , Martín-Cañavate R , Aguado I , Ramirez-Viaplana F , Faria M L , Da Silva Gerardo A , Iraizoz E , Trigo E , Custodio E , Romay-Barja M 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Background
The 2021 UN report indicated 149 million children under 5 years suffering malnutrition. African continent has the highest prevalence of stunting. Angola has a persistent nutritional crisis. Improving child-feeding practices is essential to ensure good nutrition. This is the preliminary analysis of baseline data of MuCCUA trial aimed to study household Caregiver's (C) knowledge and practices regarding nutrition of children under two years of age in two communes of Huila, Jamba and Libongue. 381 caregivers were interviewed. A bivariate analysis of the sociodemographic variables was carried out and differences between communes were evaluated with a Chi-square test. To identify socioeconomic factors associated with good knowledge and practices we did forward logistic regressions. Poisson regressions with robust variance were performed to calculate the incidence ratio and 95% confidence intervals.

Results
98.2% C. were women, 69.6% were 20-39 years old and 45% had no education. In Libongue the caregivers had a lower educational level (p &lt; 0.05) and a lower socioeconomic level (p &lt; 0.05) compared to Jamba. Only 27% of households had a drinking water tap and only 20% had latrine. 36.2% had high nutrition knowledge and 37% had good practices. 50% caregivers considered important to breastfeed immediately after birth but only 36% breastfed immediately after birth. In Jamba, 48% of the children stopped being breastfed within a year, vs 23% in Libongue (p &lt; 0.05). The number of people in the house (RI 1.167 CI: 1.167-1.276) and high level of knowledge (RI 2.02 CI: 1.3-3.1) were factors associated with good practices.

Conclusions
The percentages of good knowledge and practices in nutrition have been low. However, Knowledge was a predictor of good practices in these communes. It is necessary to improve caregiver nutrition knowledge if we want to improve child-feeding practices in Huila, Angola.

Key messages
• The percentages of good knowledge and good practices in nutrition have been low.
• Knowledge was a predictor of good practices in these communes. It is necessary to improve caregiver nutrition knowledge if we want to improve child-feeding practices in Huila, Angola.
Impact of universal free school meals on health and equity: international policy scoping review
Authors: Silva L , Malcolm A , Cooklin Urbano S , Couzens L , Clark E , Dyakova M 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Issue
Every child should have access to healthy foods, engagement with peers, and thrive in educational environments. Universal free school meal policies can address health inequalities and the wider determinants of health. Such policies can impact economic development, community well-being, gender equity, and environmental sustainability.

Description
The World Health Organization Collaborating Centre on Investment for Health and Well-being undertook an international scoping policy review to identify examples of universal free school meals policy and practice. Resources, including government, public health, and non-governmental organisational websites, were reviewed. Data were extracted on delivery models and outcomes including health, equity, sustainability, and economic well-being. Best practices were summarised. The findings were shared with key Government stakeholders to provide high level overview of the impact of school food programmes and procurement practices on health and wellbeing, wider determinants and social outcomes to inform local policy and practice decisions.

Results
The report provides evidence on the impacts of universal free school meal programmes as well as promising practices to improve health, equity and well-being. Outcomes explored within the report include inter alia: health and well-being (nutrition, physical health), wider determinants (inequities, educational attainment, poverty, food insecurity) and social outcomes (stigma, social skills, uptake of school food programmes). Taking a global perspective, the report summarises international evidence to support inclusive, sustainable, and equitable solutions, such as improving economic well-being, promoting sustainable procurement practices, and maximising social return on investment.

Lessons
Mobilising and sharing international evidence and best practice supports equitable, long-term action to improve the health and well-being of children, local economies, and the climate.

Key messages
• International learning provides key insights to support innovative, equitable and effective policies.
• Sustainable policies should address health and social outcomes, and support children and the environment.
Knowledge, attitudes, and barriers of dietitians toward screening patients for food insecurity
Authors: Kaufman-Shriqui V , Factor H , Perets O 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Background
Global food insecurity (FI) prevalence in 2020 was 30.4%. In Israel, in 2021, it was 16.2%. FI is associated with a high prevalence of chronic diseases, more hospital admissions and visits, and a shorter lifespan. Screening for FI in the health setting is less common, despite recommendations.

Methods
Between July 2022 - February 2023, a mixed-methods study distributed an online survey and a request for qualitative interviews among a convenience sample of registered dietitians (RDs). The survey obtained sociodemographic characteristics and information on work experience, knowledge, attitudes, and barriers toward screening for FI. Sixty-one questions were modified from existing questionnaires. An expert committee reviewed the questions. Later, the questionnaire was pilot-tested by ten RDs and amended according to their comments on the clarity.

Results
Overall, 140 RDs were surveyed, and 7 RDs were interviewed. 96.7% of the participants were female, with a mean of 13.36±9.9 years of experience. 97% of RDs didn't screen for FI. 65.5% didn't know the percentage of households living with FI in Israel, and 72.1% of RDs didn't know where to refer food-insecure patients for additional assistance. Positive attitudes toward screening and treating FI were documented. About 80% of RDs indicated that FI is relevant to their patients and are willing to screen for FI. Religious and traditional RDs had 10.08 times and 4.46 times, respectively, greater odds of having positive attitudes toward screening and treating food-insecure patients. The main barriers identified were a lack of time, knowledge of screening tools, and missing information on appropriate treatment and referral.

Conclusions
Further education and training in screening FI should be implemented among RDs. System barriers should be addressed to allow RDs routine screening for FI. Additional research is needed to explore healthcare providers’ attitudes and barriers toward screening and treating FI.

Key messages
• Most registered dietitians had a low level of knowledge and did not screen routinely for food insecurity.
• The majority were positive towards screening, highlighting system and training barriers.
Member States’ preparedness in joining the European Health Data Space
Authors: Kesisoglou I , Abboud L 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
The third presentation will focus on the findings of the TEHDAS country visits carried out between December 2021-December 2022, which mapped 12 countries’ health data management systems and preparedness to join the European Health Data Space (EHDS) for secondary use (for research and policy making). The presentation will cover the methodology used, based on the WHO tool for health information system assessment, adapted to the specific focus of secondary use of health data. The presentation will outline the key findings from the TEHDAS country visits. In general, countries recognise the benefits of the EHDS and the potential it provides for improvements at national level. The presentation will focus on overarching findings across countries, with a particular focus on preparedness for the EHDS, and the needs and concerns raised by countries.
Piloting a branded food database for reformulation monitoring in Ireland
Authors: O'Mahony S , Pravst I , Hribar M , Collins N , Doyle G , Gibney E R 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Branded food databases (BFDs) are used to monitor changes in nutrition composition as a result of reformulation and innovation of pre-packed foods. There is no established BFD with market wide coverage of pre-packed foods within and across food categories in Ireland. To address this gap, we aimed to pilot a BFD for reformulation monitoring in Ireland. In 2020, a review of existing BFDs was complete and the Nutrition Composition and Labelling Information System (CLAS) developed by the Nutrition Institute in Ljubljana, Slovenia was identified and a partnership established. The CLAS tool and data collection methodology were translated, tested and adopted for use. CLAS-IRE was deployed to collect nutrition composition of seven food categories in December 2021-February 2022. The mean (SD) nutrition composition per food category (100g) was calculated using IBM SPSS V27 and sugar is presented here as an example. The review identified BFDs using different methods to collect nutrition composition of foods e.g. in-store, web-scraping and crowd-sourcing. A tool for instore collection was selected as 40% (n = 2) of Irish grocery retailers had online stores in 2020. CLAS-IRE was used to collect n = 2256 food products (biscuits n = 181, breakfast cereal n = 188, yogurt n = 297, carbonated sugar-sweetened beverages n = 132, confectionary n = 980, cakes n = 180 and savoury snacks n = 298). The average sugar content per food category was: biscuits 31.7g (9.4), breakfast cereals 15.8g (8.9), yogurt 9g (4), carbonated sugar-sweetened beverages 6.8 (3.6), confectionary 51.58g (10.7), cakes 33.5g (13.8) and savoury snacks 4.9g (9.3). Taking a partnership approach to piloting a branded food database for reformulation monitoring in Ireland allowed for a fast and cost-effective solution. This approach will enable cross country comparative analysis of nutrition composition of food products sold in both countries. The CLAS - IRE tool is established and available for nutrition research in Ireland.

Key messages
• Pre-packed foods are widely available in Ireland. The CLAS – IRE tool is established and available for nutrition research on pre-packed foods.
• A branded food database can support the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of nutrition related policies and strategies in Ireland, including food reformulation.
Food for thought: a look at the food industry’s corporate political activity in Portugal
Authors: Baptista A C , Ramalho C M , Lopes D C , Valente F P , Pereira S C 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Background
Corporate political activity (CPA) stands for the strategies used by industries to attempt at influencing government policymaking in ways that are beneficial to the company. In the food industry context, these often collide with public health concerns, constituting a major barrier to noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) prevention efforts. This study aimed to characterise the CPA activity of the food industry in the Portuguese context.

Methods
The methodology conceptualised by Mialon et al. (2015) to identify and monitor the CPA activity of the food industry concerning public health was used in this study. Prominent food industry actors were selected, including processed food and non-alcoholic beverage manufacturers, fast food companies, and food retailers. To depict current practices, publicly available information from 2019 onwards was collected from the 7 selected food industry actors’ websites. A thematic qualitative analysis was performed by classifying the retrieved content according to the 6 CPA framework categories and subcategories.

Results
Collected data indicate that out of the 151 analysed written records, nearly half were information and messaging CPA strategies that mostly frame the debate on diet and public health-related issues. Constituency building through seeking community involvement was the second most represented category. Policy substitution was barely present, whereas financial incentive, legal, and opposition fragmentation and destabilisation strategies were not identified. Most of the coded content was retrieved from McDonald's and the Dairy Industry National Association websites.

Conclusions
Recognising the CPA strategies used by the food industry will enable more targeted and informed decisions at the public health intervention and policy levels. Notably, more attention should be paid to the way the food industry frames the diet and public health debate to avoid misinformation among consumers.

Key messages
• Addressing the global burden of noncommunicable diseases implies recognising corporate political activity strategies used by the food industry that counteract NCDs prevention efforts.
• The way the food industry frames the diet and public health debate should be of concern to public health professionals and policymakers to prevent misinformation among consumers.
Social gastronomy initiatives in Copenhagen, Denmark for food security, sustainability and health
Authors: Siiger C 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Issue/problem
Social gastronomy addresses the inclusion of socially marginalized communities in using food-related activities to improve the food system and nutrition. In Denmark, the project Green Sustainable Communities in a housing area in Copenhagen, aimed to develop social gastronomy methods, promote sustainable meals while empowering lower socio-economic households with sustainable, healthy, and affordable cooking practices. Interventions included community-based solutions e.g. meals, gardening, and food courses.

Description of the problem
Promoting sustainable diets with a low environmental impact contribute to food security and health for present and future generations (FAO, 2010). More households in affluent countries like Denmark are faced with food security challenges due to poverty and increasing expenses. Diabetes and marginalization are prevalent. The project engaged residents in food related activities to promote social wellbeing and sustainable meals. The project addressed food and garden activities relevant for specific groups of residents and ways of integrating sustainable cooking practices into community food practices.

Results
Solutions were local food initiatives to promote affordable, climate friendly and healthy diets using surplus food from retailers specifically fruits and vegetables combined with affordable legumes. Initiatives integrated community meals, food courses and urban gardening, increasing social wellbeing and improving nutrition.

Lessons
Combining people's own recipes with sustainable ones empowers and recognizes food cultures and skills related to sustainable meals. We used innovative collaboration between a housing organization and a nutrition education, where students collaborated with residents to create sustainable food practices.

Key messages
• Social gastronomy activities can inspire and increase access to healthy, sustainable, and affordable meals amongst low-income households.
• Combining different food initiatives appeal to different target groups and inspire more sustainable and nutritious meals.
Inadequate WASH access and risk for non-partner sexual violence in low- and middle-income countries
Authors: Chi H 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Background
Globally, 6% of women and girls have ever experienced non-partner sexual violence (NPSV) at least once in their lifetime. Prior literature suggests that inadequate access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities can exacerbate the vulnerability to NPSV against women and girls, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Nevertheless, quantitative evidence on the association between NPSV and inadequate WASH access is still limited.

Methods
Demographic and Health Surveys from 27 LMICs were used for the analysis of 237,324 women aged 15-49 years. Experience of NPSV was defined as an event within 12 months preceding the survey. Explanatory variables included type of sources for drinking water (private, public, and open source) and toilet facilities (private, shared, and open type). Multivariable three-level random effects logistic regressions were conducted.

Results
Overall, 6.6% of women were getting water from open sources such as river and 19.9% were openly defecating. 0.5% of the study sample had recent experience of NPSV. After adjusting for demographic and socioeconomic covariates, having to use public or open source for drinking water was associated with 26% and 37% greater likelihood of experiencing NPSV, respectively (OR: 1.26, 95% CI: 1.04-1.51 for public; OR: 1.37, 95% CI: 1.01-1.84). Using shared toilets and practicing open defecation were also associated with 16% and 39% greater risk for NPSV (OR: 1.16, 95% CI: 1.00-1.34 for shared; OR: 1.39, 95% CI: 1.16-1.68 for open).

Conclusions
To prevent the victimization of women with disadvantaged WASH infrastructures and achieve Target 5 from the Sustainable Development Goals, which envisions to eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls by 2030, it is essential to secure private water sources and toilet facilities via multinational official development assistance as well as country-level policies alongside with ensuring gender equality.

Key messages
• One out of 200 women in low- and middle-income countries has experienced non-partner sexual violence within a year.
• Risk for such non-partner sexual violence was positively associated with inadequate access to water and sanitation facilities, particularly in low-resource settings.
Canadian Adolescents Perceptions of Survey Questions about Climate Emotions and Coping Strategies
Authors: Cosma A , Roswell T , Treble M , Martin G 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Background
Globally, there is increased research and media attention about how young people are experiencing climate change. Much of this attention is about the worry and concern young people feel about climate change, with recent survey research finding that the majority of young people are at least moderately worried about climate change.

Objectives
To examine the perceptions that Canadian adolescents have about survey measures that have been used to study climate emotions and the coping strategies they use.

Methods
Seven online focus groups occurred in December 2022 with Canadian adolescents aged 15-18. The focus groups began with a brainstorming activity followed by a semi-structured discussion about climate emotion survey questions that have been used in previous surveys. Data were analyzed using rapid thematic analysis.

Results
Overall, Canadian adolescents showed a preference for questions that allowed for more nuance in their response. Questions that were seen to allow for a variety of perspectives were also favored.

Conclusions
Findings from this study can be used to guide survey item development/adaptation in this emerging field of inquiry.

Key messages
• Participants indicated a preference for multi-item questions in relation to climate emotions.
• Focusing on coping items was deemed a priority.