Scientific news – February

A recent study analysed berry consumption levels among adults and examined the possible associations with diet quality and cardiometabolic risk factors. Dietary data from 33,082 adults from the U.S National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were collected. According to the results, 25% of American adults consume berry, with an average strawberry consumption higher than that of other berries. Berry eaters had a significantly higher healthy eating score and better cardiometabolic factors than non-consumers. This work suggests that berries play a positive role in diet quality and cardiometabolic health.

A study examined reactions to messages encouraging healthy, sustainable dietary substitutions among emerging adults ages 18-25. To this end, 4 online focus groups were set up with young Americans. Each group was exposed to 3 types of messages encouraging changes in their eating habits. According to this work, participants perceived messages to be most effective at encouraging the target dietary substitutions when the messages were short, relevant, and encouraged specific, achievable dietary changes; linked these dietary changes to clear consequences. The topics that elicited the most response were those that emphasized that the smallest changes could have significant impacts on health and the environment, and that addressed the potential adverse effects of food choices.

Since 2011, the US government has supported 2 approaches aimed at improving the body fat composition of the population. A recent study sought to compare the effects of these approaches on satiety and body composition amongst 261 modest-income adults. Over a 12-month follow-up, participants attended 11 health education sessions featuring messages from the MyPlate program or the diabetes prevention program. Results showed that satiety scores increased for all participants, although no significant weight loss was reported. Only the MyPlate intervention group reduced their waist circumference by 2 cm after the intervention. At the end, both groups reported an increase in fruit and vegetable intake and a reduction in the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages. This work demonstrates the potential of health education interventions to promote better eating habits and improve anthropometric parameters.

Faced with the increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity in Mexico, public authorities have designed several strategies to improve food environments and promote healthy behaviors. A recent study aims to present these strategies and to assess their efficacity in promoting healthy behaviours. These measures include taxes, front-of-pack labelling, a framework for food marketing, and dietary guidelines. This study underlines the importance of deploying such strategies in regions where socio-economic inequalities are pronounced, and healthy food choices limited. Mexico’s experience in designing, implementing and evaluating public policies may be useful to other countries facing similar challenges.

Vegetables consumption among British children could be greatly improved. A recent study gathered parents’ perceptions and experiences of offering vegetables to their children during breakfast. While parents were largely supportive of the idea, they identified barriers such as social/behavioural norms, practical constraints and the fact that vegetables are commonly disliked by children. Among the levers, parents point to the fact that children have not yet developed social norms regarding food. They also suggest practical solutions and find it necessary to conduct information/awareness campaigns to understand how and why vegetables should be included in children’s breakfasts.