International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Research

21 pages, 389 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Examining Factors Associated with the Use of Community Food Resources: An Application of the Andersen Model to Inform Future Interventions

by Abiodun T. Atoloye, Oluyemisi Akinsola and Melissa Murillo

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(1), 76; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21010076 - 9 Jan 2024

Viewed by 2156

Abstract

The role of the food environment in shaping nutrition and health has gained substantial attention from policymakers, public health researchers, and advocacy groups. To promote equities in food access and nutrition outcomes, understanding factors linked with the utilization of local community food resources [...] Read more.

The role of the food environment in shaping nutrition and health has gained substantial attention from policymakers, public health researchers, and advocacy groups. To promote equities in food access and nutrition outcomes, understanding factors linked with the utilization of local community food resources is crucial. Using Andersen’s service utilization model, we explained how adults use their neighborhood food resources. In a cross-sectional study design, an online survey was conducted in REDCap Version 13.4.0 via the Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk) involving 1830 adults with a mean age of 37.9 ± 12.1 years. Participants answered questions on predisposing, enabling, and need factors that influence their use of different community food resources. The predisposing factors that were statistically significant included age, family size, marital status, race, and ethnicity. The enabling factors included travel time, travel mode, income, and shopping decision motivators (such as being able to use Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) vouchers, delivery services, great sales, and coupons). Food security and community food resources need for lower food price were the significant need factors. However, these factors vary by the types of food resources. In conclusion, enhancing the utilization of community-based food access initiatives and programs among underserved families requires consideration of family composition, racial and ethnic diversity, and transportation access. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diet Quality and Diet-Environment Interactions on Human Health and Disease)

11 pages, 910 KiB

Open AccessArticle

African American Females Are Less Metabolically Flexible Compared with Caucasian American Females following a Single High-Fat Meal: A Pilot Study

by Alyssa A. Olenick, Regis C. Pearson, Nuha Shaker, Maire M. Blankenship, Rachel A. Tinius, Lee J. Winchester, Evie Oregon and Jill M. Maples

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(19), 12913; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191912913 - 9 Oct 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3922

Abstract

The relationship between metabolic flexibility (MF) and components of metabolic disease has not been well-studied among African American (AA) females and may play a role in the higher incidence of chronic disease among them compared with Caucasian American (CA) females. This pilot study [...] Read more.

The relationship between metabolic flexibility (MF) and components of metabolic disease has not been well-studied among African American (AA) females and may play a role in the higher incidence of chronic disease among them compared with Caucasian American (CA) females. This pilot study aimed to compare the metabolic response of AA and CA females after a high-fat meal. Eleven AA (25.6 (5.6) y, 27.2 (6.0) kg/m², 27.5 (9.7) % body fat) and twelve CA (26.5 (1.5) y, 25.7 (5.3) kg/m², 25.0 (7.4) % body fat) women free of cardiovascular and metabolic disease and underwent a high-fat meal challenge (55.9% fat). Lipid oxidation, insulin, glucose, and interleukin (IL)-8 were measured fasted, 2 and 4 h postprandial. AA females had a significantly lower increase in lipid oxidation from baseline to 2 h postprandial (p = 0.022), and trended lower at 4 h postprandial (p = 0.081) compared with CA females, indicating worse MF. No group differences in insulin, glucose or HOMA-IR were detected. IL-8 was significantly higher in AA females compared with CA females at 2 and 4 h postprandial (p = 0.016 and p = 0.015, respectively). These findings provide evidence of metabolic and inflammatory disparities among AA females compared with CA females that could serve as a predictor of chronic disease in individuals with a disproportionately higher risk of development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diet Quality and Diet-Environment Interactions on Human Health and Disease)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

10 pages, 993 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessment of Dietary Folate Intake and Pill Burden among Saudi Patients on Maintenance Hemodialysis

by Ibrahim Sales, Ghada Bawazeer, Ahmad R. Tarakji, Feriel K. Ben Salha, Nourah H. Al-Deaiji, Marwah Saeed, Rawan S. Idris, Mohammad H. Aljawadi, Majidah A. Aljohani, Mansour Adam Mahmoud and Wajid Syed

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(23), 12710; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182312710 - 2 Dec 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2433

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the adequacy of dietary folate intake and perceptions of pill burden among Saudi patients on maintenance hemodialysis (MHD). This was a cross-sectional study of adults (>18 years) on MHD (>3 months) attending the dialysis unit [...] Read more.

The aim of this study was to assess the adequacy of dietary folate intake and perceptions of pill burden among Saudi patients on maintenance hemodialysis (MHD). This was a cross-sectional study of adults (>18 years) on MHD (>3 months) attending the dialysis unit at King Saud University Medical City. Patient demographics, dietary folic acid intake, and perceptions of pill burden were collected. Fifty-four patients met the eligibility criteria, with a mean age of 57 ± 15.5 years. The majority were females (63%), and the most prevalent comorbidities were diabetes (43%) and hypertension (76%). The average number of medications/patients was 11 ± 2.9, and most patients were receiving folate supplementation (68.5%). The average dietary folate intake was 823 ± 530 mcg/day. Pill burden was bothersome, primarily due to taking too many medications (57%) while taking medications at the workplace was the least bothersome burden (17%). The reported high pill burden and adequate dietary folate intake by Saudi patients on MHD indicates that the omission of folate supplementation may be advantageous for this special population. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diet Quality and Diet-Environment Interactions on Human Health and Disease)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 350 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparison of Whey Versus Almond Protein Powder on Nitrogen Balance in Female College Students; The California Almond Protein Powder Project (CAlmond-P³)

by Adeline Maykish, Morgan M. Nishisaka, Courtney K. Talbott, Scott K. Reaves, Aleksandra S. Kristo and Angelos K. Sikalidis

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(22), 11939; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182211939 - 13 Nov 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 4957

Abstract

Plant-based diets have become increasingly popular in the past decade, with approximately 11% of Americans self-identifying as vegan or vegetarian and many others trying to reduce meat consumption. Due to increasing interest, the plant-based food market has significantly expanded, with several innovative products [...] Read more.

Plant-based diets have become increasingly popular in the past decade, with approximately 11% of Americans self-identifying as vegan or vegetarian and many others trying to reduce meat consumption. Due to increasing interest, the plant-based food market has significantly expanded, with several innovative products serving as alternatives to animal-based products. One such example is almond protein powder, a new protein supplement created as an alternative to whey protein. Due to the novelty of almond protein products, little is known regarding how well the protein supplement supports nitrogen metabolism. The effects of both an almond-based protein beverage and a whey-based protein beverage on nitrogen balance are investigated in the work presented herein. Twenty female college students aged 20–25 years were randomly assigned to consume either an almond- or whey-based protein drink twice daily for one week; 24-h urine collection was performed at the baseline and endpoint of the 7-day treatment period and nitrogen balance was assessed. Body composition and hydration status were also assessed. Both protein sources (almond and whey) were able to notably improve nitrogen balance, thus indicating that almond protein powder may be a functional plant-based alternative to whey protein powder and may be of interest in future research regarding muscle mass and body composition improvement. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diet Quality and Diet-Environment Interactions on Human Health and Disease)

Review

Jump to: Research, Other

20 pages, 425 KiB

Open AccessReview

Effects of Dietary Red Raspberry Consumption on Pre-Diabetes and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Parameters

by Stefani A. Derrick, Aleksandra S. Kristo, Scott K. Reaves and Angelos K. Sikalidis

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(17), 9364; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18179364 - 4 Sep 2021

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 6030

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic condition characterized by glucose clearance abnormalities and insufficient insulin response. Left uncontrolled, T2DM can result in serious complications and death. With no cure available currently and the prevalence of major risk factors such as [...] Read more.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic condition characterized by glucose clearance abnormalities and insufficient insulin response. Left uncontrolled, T2DM can result in serious complications and death. With no cure available currently and the prevalence of major risk factors such as pre-diabetes and the metabolic syndrome continuously increasing, there is an urgent need for effective treatments with limited or no side effects. Red raspberries (RR) contain various phytonutrients with potential for modulating insulin function, glucose, and lipid metabolism. The objective of this literature review was to investigate the potential metabolic benefits of dietary RR in individuals with T2DM and pre-diabetes. A search of major scientific databases was employed to identify peer-reviewed, in vivo, or human studies that utilized whole RR or its functional constituents as treatment. The studies examined provide evidence that RR may offer clinically beneficial effects for the prevention and management of chronic diseases through improvements in glucose handling and insulin sensitivity, adiposity, lipid profiles, ectopic lipid accumulation, inflammation, oxidative stress, and cardiac health. More human trials and in vivo studies are needed to confirm the benefits of dietary RR in T2DM and pre-diabetes and to explore the dose-dependent relationships, optimal duration, and treatment modality. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diet Quality and Diet-Environment Interactions on Human Health and Disease)

26 pages, 1349 KiB

Open AccessReview

Food Waste and Nutrition Quality in the Context of Public Health: A Scoping Review

by Aoife Brennan and Sarah Browne

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(10), 5379; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18105379 - 18 May 2021

Cited by 43 | Viewed by 9236

Abstract

Food waste and nutrition are intrinsically linked in terms of environmental health and public health. Despite this, it is unknown whether these topics have been previously synthesized into a review. The aim was to identify the interdisciplinary parameters that exist in public health [...] Read more.

Food waste and nutrition are intrinsically linked in terms of environmental health and public health. Despite this, it is unknown whether these topics have been previously synthesized into a review. The aim was to identify the interdisciplinary parameters that exist in public health and nutrition literature in terms of food waste and plastic waste associated with food, and to identify how these parameters currently contribute to food sustainability messaging and interventions. A rapid scoping review was conducted. Data were mapped into concepts and synthesized in a narrative review. Four main concepts were identified: (1) food waste and diet quality, nutrient losses, and environmental health, (2) food waste reduction interventions and diet quality, (3) food banks/pantries and diet/nutritional quality, and (4) food and plastic waste messaging in nutrition or dietary guidelines. Food waste is associated with nutrient wastage, and interventions to reduce food waste can successfully address food sustainability and nutrition quality. Food redistribution systems do not currently address access to sustainably sourced foods that are also nutrient-dense for lower-income communities. Opportunities for future research and practice include aligning food waste, plastic waste, and nutrition priorities together and developing better food redistribution systems to limit wastage of high-quality foods. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diet Quality and Diet-Environment Interactions on Human Health and Disease)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Other

Jump to: Research, Review

22 pages, 800 KiB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Diet and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE): From Supplementation to Intervention

by Hanxiao Jiao, Gizem Acar, George A. Robinson, Coziana Ciurtin, Elizabeth C. Jury and Anastasia Z. Kalea

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(19), 11895; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191911895 - 20 Sep 2022

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 8765

Abstract

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease characterised by immune dysregulation affecting multiple organs. Current anti-inflammatory treatments used in SLE are associated with unwanted side-effects. Dietary supplementation has been suggested as a safe and effective addition to conventional treatment, [...] Read more.

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease characterised by immune dysregulation affecting multiple organs. Current anti-inflammatory treatments used in SLE are associated with unwanted side-effects. Dietary supplementation has been suggested as a safe and effective addition to conventional treatment, but evidence of efficacy in SLE or preventing associated comorbidities is uncertain. Methods: We identified literature on clinical trials focused on nutritional interventions in SLE aiming to improve inflammation and comorbidities. A systematic-type search on Embase, Medline, and the Cochrane Library, was conducted to identify nutritional interventions among SLE patients in the past 15 years that met our inclusion criteria. Results: We identified 2754 articles, of which 14 were eligible for inclusion based on our set criteria and were subsequently quality assessed. Vitamin D or E supplementation was associated with respective improvement of inflammatory markers or antibody production, but not disease activity scores in most studies. Despite their expected synergistic actions, the addition of curcumin on vitamin D supplementation had no additional effects on disease activity or inflammatory markers. Trials of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation presented significant reductions in ESR, CRP, disease activity, inflammatory markers, and oxidative stress, and improved lipid levels and endothelial function, while a low glycaemic index (GI) diet showed evidence of reduced weight and improved fatigue in patients. Conclusions: Different dietary guidelines can therefore be implicated to target specific SLE symptoms or therapeutic side-effects. This systematic review highlights the scarcity of larger and longer in duration trials with homogenous methodologies and verifiable outcomes to assess disease progression. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diet Quality and Diet-Environment Interactions on Human Health and Disease)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

11 pages, 745 KiB

Open AccessStudy Protocol

Effect of Dietary Intervention Designed with Behavior Change Wheel on Compliance with Dietary Control in Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

by Jingqi Xu, Yuanyuan Wu, Zhijie Zou and Xiaoli Chen

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(17), 10726; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191710726 - 28 Aug 2022

Viewed by 2566

Abstract

Background and Purpose: Previous studies have shown that women with GDM can benefit from following dietary recommendations, which are based on food exchange serving (FES) and glycemic load (GL), but compliance with dietary recommendations in women with GDM is not ideal. Therefore, the [...] Read more.

Background and Purpose: Previous studies have shown that women with GDM can benefit from following dietary recommendations, which are based on food exchange serving (FES) and glycemic load (GL), but compliance with dietary recommendations in women with GDM is not ideal. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to design a dietary intervention program based on behavior change wheel (BCW) to affect GDM women’s compliance with FES based on GL, and to compare the effects of this dietary intervention program versus general dietary management on compliance with dietary recommendations, improving maternal glucose metabolism, and reducing adverse pregnancy outcomes in women with GDM. Methods: This paper is a methodological description of a two-arm randomized controlled trial. In this study, eligible women with GDM will be recruited and divided into the control group (n = 30) and the intervention group (n = 30). Women with GDM will respectively receive general dietary management (control group) and dietary intervention designed with BCW (intervention group) until after delivery. Information about pregnant women will be collected through questionnaires or prenatal and delivery records. Conclusion: This randomized controlled trial is designed specifically for women with GDM to achieve effective blood glucose control by strengthening GDM women’s compliance with dietary recommendations. If this dietary intervention designed with BCW proves to be effective, then BCW may deserve to be applied to more areas of self-management in women with GDM. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diet Quality and Diet-Environment Interactions on Human Health and Disease)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Diet Quality and Diet-Environment Interactions on Human Health and Disease

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

Published Papers (8 papers)

Research

Review

Other

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI