2026-04-02
Zimeng Han, Zefang Li, Wenqi Liu, Xueqiang Wu, Yuan Tian
ObjectivePoor sleep quality is common among university students, yet its association with overall dietary patterns remains unclear. This research investigated how dietary patterns relate to poor sleep quality in a population of Chinese university students, using a cross-sectional design.MethodsFrom September to December 2024, we conducted a cross-sectional study at two universities in Jinan, Shandong Province, China. A total of 1,497 students were recruited using cluster sampling. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) covering 12 major food groups. Dietary patterns were derived using principal component analysis (PCA). Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine associations between dietary pattern scores and poor sleep quality.ResultsThree dietary patterns were identified. In fully adjusted models, each 1-SD increase in the PCA3 score was associated with lower odds of poor sleep quality OR = 0.81 (95% CI: 0.70 to 0.93). A significant dose-response trend was observed across PCA3 quintiles (P for trend = 0.001), and associations were generally consistent across demographic and mental health subgroups. No significant associations were observed for the PCA1 or the PCA2.ConclusionHigher adherence to the PCA3-characterized by higher intakes of fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, and dairy products-was associated with lower odds of poor sleep quality among Chinese university students.
DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2026.17973722026-04-02
Anderson Junger Teodoro, Orquidea Vasconcelos dos Santos, Rita Carneiro Alves, Fozia Kamran, Barbara Elisabeth Teixeira-Costa
DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2026.18330262026-04-01
Xiaoqin Luo, Xiaoxiao Guo, Haige Cao, Dan Cao, Guohua Li, Xinyue Wang, Jun Liu, Yimei Du, Yuexin Yang
BackgroundLifestyle interventions can prevent and manage non-communicable diseases (NCDs); however, they are not easy to implement in daily life. Nutrition policy-based interventions with both high impact and feasibility are needed for NCD prevention and control.MethodsThis single-group before–after study was conducted for 12 weeks in a collective catering setting, where the construction of a nutrition and health canteen, proposed by the Reasonable Diet Action, is currently underway in China. The intervention for participants comprised a multifaceted approach featuring rich food diversity, a reduced supply of salt/sugar/oil, and structured health education on both diet and physical activity. The primary outcome was the change in body weight after the intervention. Demographic data, food frequency questionnaire results, and anthropometric data were also collected. Blood biochemical indicators and inflammatory biomarkers were also measured.ResultsA total of 97 participants (33 women) were included in this study. Of the 43 individuals (44.3%) who were overweight, 8 (8.4%) were obese. After the intervention, the body weight of participants significantly decreased [74.00 (61.05–81.6) kg vs. 72.35 (58.83–80.15) kg, p < 0.001]. The secondary outcomes also showed a trend toward benefit, including body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio (p < 0.05). In particular, indicators of lipid metabolism, such as triglycerides [1.17 (0.78–1.70) mmol/L vs. 1.12 (0.74–1.87) mmol/L, pFDR = 0.047], low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C, 2.76 ± 0.70 mmol/L vs. 2.58 ± 0.62 mmol/L, pFDR = 0.041), and apolipoprotein B (0.83 ± 0.20 g/L vs. 0.78 ± 0.18 g/L, pFDR = 0.045) slightly decreased, whereas HDL cholesterol (1.32 ± 0.33 mmol/L vs. 1.37 ± 0.34 mmol/L, pFDR = 0.044) increased. However, total cholesterol, blood pressure, insulin, glucose, and HOMA-IR did not differ after the intervention. Notably, the levels of inflammatory biomarkers, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, and hs-CRP decreased markedly after the intervention.ConclusionThe nutrition and health canteen strategy may be a feasible approach for implementing lifestyle interventions to promote body weight control, improve lipid metabolism, and reduce inflammation in middle-aged adults. Further studies, especially randomized controlled trials with longer terms, are warranted.
DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2026.17546472026-04-01
Weiqing Zhang, Yi Li, Wei Li, Xianju Feng, Mingxia Wen, Tianyu Wang, Bei Huang, Mei Lin
To elucidate the under-characterized phytochemical diversity of regionally important citrus germplasm, this study performed a comparative analysis of phenolic profiles and antioxidant activities in seven cultivars from Zhejiang Province, including commercial, locally adapted and emerging varieties. Using UPLC-MS/MS, 17 flavonoids and 11 phenolic acids were quantified in peel and pulp tissues, revealing significant metabolite differentiation among varieties. The hybrid variety Gaocheng (pomelo × orange) displayed a distinct intermediate chemotype. It was characterized by the concurrent accumulation of naringin, and hesperidin. Notably, the peels of Ponkan, Bendizao, Gaocheng, and Miyagawa wase were identified as rich sources of bioactive PMFs. All peel extracts exhibited strong antioxidant activity, with Gaocheng showing the highest comprehensive antioxidant capacity. PCA and HCA revealed that phenolic composition was strongly associated with genetic background, classifying the varieties into three distinct groups. Collectively, these findings provide a foundation for the utilization of citrus by-products, cultivar authentication, and breeding strategies for enhanced bioactivity.
DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2026.17991702026-04-01
Nicole Cunningham, Adeyemi Ayotunde Adeyanju, Oluwafemi Ayodeji Adebo
As 3D food printing continues to emerge as a transformative food technology, understanding consumer acceptance across generational divides is critical for its successful adoption. However, existing research on 3D-printed food has largely assumed homogeneous behavioral mechanisms across age groups, offering limited theoretical insight into how generational context moderates consumer acceptance of this emerging food technology. This study examines the intention to consume 3D-printed food among the 30- to 59-year-old South African demographic, with a focus on the generational spans of Generation X and Generation Y. A quantitative, descripto-explanatory approach was employed, involving participants with some knowledge of 3D-printed food. Data was gathered through a self-administered online questionnaire, and a total of 355 complete responses were collected. Survey constructs were based on validated scales and included awareness, perceived benefits, food neophobia, food familiarity, attitude, health consciousness, social norms, convenience orientation, capacity, autonomy, and intention. The reliability and validity of the measurement model were evaluated using SmartPLS. Reliability and validity tests confirmed strong internal consistency and construct validity. Comparisons across generations indicated that awareness, perceived benefits, and attitude were important predictors of intention in both groups. Food neophobia had a negative effect on both groups, and social norms affected intention only in Generation Y. Health consciousness was a significant predictor of attitude for Generation X, but not for Generation Y. More traditional drivers of food choice, like familiarity, convenience, capacity, and autonomy, showed very weak effects. Finally, attitude was the strongest predictor of intention across both generations. Additionally, these results highlight significant differences between generations and offer valuable insights for developing targeted communication strategies to facilitate the dissemination of 3D-printed food technologies.
DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2026.17319672026-04-01
Wenjing Zhang, Kangting Tang, Li Zhou, Xianghua Ma, Yan Zhao
ObjectiveTo investigate the prevalence of borderline elevated total cholesterol (TC) and elevated cholesterol, and to examine TC levels across different population groups among new adult inpatients in Jiangsu Province.MethodsA multi-center cluster sampling method was employed to randomly select 23 hospitals from 12 cities in Jiangsu Province between October 2020 and June 2021, with 200 patients randomly selected from each hospital. Serum TC concentrations were determined using the homogeneous method.ResultsA total of 4503 patients participated in the survey. The overall prevalence of borderline elevated TC and elevated cholesterol was 24.9%. The prevalence was 22.1% in males, significantly lower than the 28.7% observed in females. Age-specific prevalence followed an inverted U-shape, ranging from 11.2% (80–99 years) to a peak of 31.6% (45–49 years), with intermediate rates such as 15.7% (18–24) and 29.9% (60–64). Females and residents of Southern, Central, and Northern Jiangsu had respective risks 1.37, 1.57, 1.45, and 1.54 times higher for developing borderline elevated TC and elevated cholesterol. Patients with neurological and circulatory diseases had a 42% and 19% lower risk of developing borderline elevated TC and elevated cholesterol, respectively, with all P-values < 0.05.ConclusionThe study found that among newly hospitalized adult patients in Jiangsu Province, the prevalence of borderline-high and high TC followed an inverted U-shaped pattern with age—rising at first and then falling—and was lower than the national levels reported. The prevalence of borderline-high and high TC was significantly associated with sex, region, and comorbid neurological and circulatory system diseases.
DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2026.18008532026-03-31
Alessandro Iellamo, Olena Rozhenko, Yuliia Strelchenko-Yankovska, Nataliia Kalashnyk, Inna Burta, Celestine Ekwuluo, Yelyzaveta Hryshyna, Oleksandra Firsova, Vitalii Sheremet
BackgroundThe war in Ukraine has disrupted access to maternal and infant nutrition services, intensified commercial milk formula marketing risks, and increased demand for accessible, evidence-based breastfeeding support. To respond, FHI 360 and UNICEF Ukraine deployed Harmony of Parenthood, a closed-domain, ethically governed Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enabled breastfeeding and Infant and Young Child Feeding in Emergencies (IYCF-E) support system, integrated with facility-based counseling and a national mentorship programme for lactation counselors.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, safety, acceptability, and operational contribution of an AI-enabled hybrid counseling model to continuity and quality of Infant and Young Child Feeding in Emergencies services during protracted conflict, including its integration with facility-based counseling and mentorship systems and its potential influence on caregiver feeding practices and counseling quality.MethodsA convergent mixed-methods approach triangulated: (1) chatbot analytics (user characteristics, interaction volume, response quality); (2) facility counseling data from four conflict-affected oblasts; (3) structured competency assessments following >600 mentorship visits; and (4) qualitative feedback from caregivers and health workers. Governance, safety, and Code-compliance safeguards were assessed against the World Health Organization (WHO) AI ethics guidance, the Operational Guidance on Infant and Young Child Feeding in Emergencies (OG-IFE), and Ukraine's breastfeeding policies.ResultsBetween November 2024 and October 2025, 2,066 caregivers generated more than 38,000 chatbot interactions. Ninety-eight percent of answers met accuracy and safety criteria; one hallucination event was detected and corrected through real-time review. Caregivers used the system predominantly during periods of insecurity or when services were inaccessible, valuing its 24-h availability, emotional reassurance, and escalation to human counselors. In parallel, facility data showed improved quality of counseling, strengthened referral pathways, and increases in early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding among women receiving repeated support. Mentorship visits demonstrated competency gains among lactation counselors, enhanced adherence to the Code, and more consistent use of MoH-aligned counseling tools.ConclusionAn AI-enabled, human-supervised hybrid model is feasible, acceptable, and safe for sustaining breastfeeding and IYCF-E support during active conflict. When anchored in authoritative guidance and embedded within national systems, AI tools can complement skilled counselors, strengthen continuity of care, and uphold Code-compliant, evidence-based support for mothers and infants. To our knowledge, this is the first documented evaluation of an AI-enabled IYCF-E intervention implemented during an active conflict.
DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2026.17456092026-03-31
Marta Buso, Sanchayan Banerjee, Thales A. P. West
The current food system accounts for approximately a third of the global greenhouse gas emissions, necessitating an urgent shift toward low-carbon food production and consumption practices. Carbon pricing can help internalize the negative externalities of deriving animal-based protein. There have been suggestions to complement meat and dairy taxes with softer policy tools, such as behavioral nudges, that instead encourage people to adopt plant-based diets. Nonetheless, both hard and soft tools have limitations when applied in isolation—taxation is perceived to be unpopular, while softer tools might be ineffective. In this perspective, we argue that innovations to this policy toolkit are key for a food systems transformation. Our proposition includes novel hard policy tools, such as the Emission Trading System (ETS), and seemingly softer policy tools, such as Voluntary Carbon Offsetting (VCO), both of which can be combined with softer tools like nudge and nudge+ interventions. We argue that policy innovations, as well as sequencing soft and hard tools, could enhance existing food policies, by creating a more socially acceptable pathway toward the urgently needed transition to a sustainable food system, thereby improving the effectiveness of these policies.
DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2026.17666092026-03-31
Dhoha Dhieb, Kholoud Bastaki
Psychotropic medications remain central to psychiatric treatment, yet their use is frequently accompanied by a substantial metabolic burden. Metabolic adverse effects, including weight gain, insulin resistance, dysglycemia, dyslipidemia, and hypertension, complicated clinical management and undermine long-term adherence. Although evidence-based monitoring and mitigation approaches exist, the molecular determinants of individual susceptibility and the drivers of interindividual variability in metabolic outcomes remain insufficiently defined. Emerging evidence identifies the gut-brain-metabolic axis as a key mechanistic interface, with psychotropic medications altering gut microbiota and associated metabolic pathways that contribute to metabolic complications. Multi-omics strategies are beginning to illuminate the complex molecular networks underlying these adverse effects; however, most findings still arise from isolated omics layers, limiting mechanistic resolution and translational utility. Integrative analytical frameworks, including artificial intelligence, now enable the synthesis of molecular, clinical, environmental, lifestyle, and dietary factors to support more precise and individualized intervention. In this narrative review, we synthesize current clinical and mechanistic advances in understanding psychotropic-induced metabolic dysfunction, with a focus on insulin resistance and the gut–brain–metabolic axis and highlight how multi-omics, environmental factors and computational strategies may advance future precision approaches in psychiatric care.
DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2026.1778794