DSpace Collection:

Risk communication and policymaking: examining participation context, digital media, and scientific evidence

2026-08-05T06:58:54Z

Title: Risk communication and policymaking: examining participation context, digital media, and scientific evidence Abstract: Risk communication may shape how risks are defined and addressed by policy. This study examines stakeholders' risk communication practices within participatory approaches to policymaking through a multiple-case study design, covering both top-down and bottom-up pathways. The study pursues three interrelated objectives: to examine the forms of knowledge through which stakeholders communicate risk, including lived experience, situated accounts of perceived risk, and judgments of policy feasibility; to analyze how digital media supports and shapes risk communication; to assess how scientific evidence underpins stakeholders' risk communication. Findings show that stakeholder risk communication varies across contexts, broadening the policy debates by introducing new topics and policy proposals. The study evidences that, beyond facilitating physical and temporal barriers, digital media enabled coordinated actions, such as the replication of submissions intended to amplify specific narratives and simulate consensus. Nonetheless, stakeholders also faced difficulties in sustaining participation. Marginalized groups struggled to maintain visibility and influence, raising questions about inclusivity, legitimacy, and representation in participatory policymaking. Building on Bennett and Segerberg's connective action framework, the article introduces the concept of institutionalized connective action to describe hybrid forms of participation in which decentralized actors engage formal decision-making arenas through legally recognized instruments. Stakeholders consistently mobilized scientific evidence as a persuasive resource to legitimize or discredit policy claims.

Microplastics and Antimicrobial Resistance Genes in Surface Waters Under European Union Regulatory Progress

2026-08-03T06:59:02Z

Title: Microplastics and Antimicrobial Resistance Genes in Surface Waters Under European Union Regulatory Progress Abstract: Microplastics (MPs) and antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs), emerging pollutants in surface waters, are viewed as a serious risk to freshwater ecosystems and public health. This review synthesizes current scientific knowledge, regulatory approaches, and monitoring methodologies on the presence and impact of these contaminants following a drivers-pressures-state-impact-response (DPSIR) framework. Major anthropogenic factors, such as pharmaceutical consumption and agricultural intensification, are putting pressure on water bodies through industrial discharges, agricultural runoff, and untreated or inadequately treated wastewaters. In order to gauge the current environmental state and discuss the impact on human and ecosystem health within a One Health framework, it is necessary to generate monitoring data and identify methodological gaps in the interaction between MPs and ARGs. Despite recent European Union (EU) regulatory progress, such as the Drinking Water Directive and the Water Framework Directive, substantial gaps remain in methodology standardization as well as practical implementation. This review underscores the need to establish enforceable thresholds and standardize monitoring protocols to effectively mitigate the growing prevalence and consequences of these contaminants.

Influence of apple pomace and asparaginase on acrylamide levels in cookies and behavior during simulated gastric digestion: risk assessment perspectives

2026-08-03T06:58:23Z

Title: Influence of apple pomace and asparaginase on acrylamide levels in cookies and behavior during simulated gastric digestion: risk assessment perspectives Abstract: Cookies are widely consumed baked products; however, their contribution to dietary acrylamide (ACR) intake raises increasing health concerns. This study investigated the effects of apple pomace addition and asparaginase treatment on ACR levels in cookies, the fate of ACR during simulated gastric digestion using the INFOGEST semi-dynamic model, and the associated health risks of ACR exposure from cookie consumption. Risk assessment was conducted for adults (18-65 years) and children (3-10 years) using Monte Carlo simulation. Three formulations were evaluated: a control cookie, a cookie in which wheat flour was partially replaced with apple pomace, and a cookie containing asparaginase. Cookies formulated with apple pomace contained significantly lower ACR levels than the control (132 +/- 8 mu g/kg vs. 215 +/- 11 mu g/kg; p < 0.05), although the reduction was less pronounced than in cookies containing asparaginase (65 +/- 14 mu g/kg). During gastric digestion, ACR exhibited formulation-dependent release kinetics. Nevertheless, the total ACR released at the end of digestion was similar for control and pomace cookies, likely due to additional ACR formation in the stomach, despite differences in release patterns throughout digestion. Margin of Exposure (MOE) values for children remained well below 10,000, indicating a potential carcinogenic risk, although reductions of up to 59% were observed for control and pomace cookies after digestion. Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) values showed a slight increase after digestion in both age groups but remained below 1, suggesting no concern for chronic toxicity. Control cookies indicated a potential carcinogenic risk for children (ILCR = 1.56 & times; 10(-4)), whereas pomace and asparaginase formulations reduced this risk (ILCR = 9.59 & times; 10(-5) and 4.72 & times; 10(-5), respectively). However, simulated gastric digestion increased ILCR values for both control and pomace cookies (2.24 & times; 10(-4) and 2.33 & times; 10(-4), respectively). These findings indicate that dietary exposure to ACR cannot be assessed solely based on its concentration in food, and that digestive kinetics should be incorporated into health risk assessment.

Investigation of EU-priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in wheat flour and baked products: Implications for food safety

2026-08-03T07:02:36Z

Title: Investigation of EU-priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in wheat flour and baked products: Implications for food safety Abstract: Wheat flour and baked products are widely consumed foods that may contain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which can promote carcinogenic effects. This study analyzed four priority PAHs (benzo[a]pyrene, benz [a]anthracene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, and chrysene) in 74 wheat flour, bread, and biscuit samples using highperformance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Benz[a]anthracene and chrysene were the most frequently identified contaminants in all the samples. Whole-wheat flour samples showed higher levels of PAHs than white flour, with many samples exceeding the limits set for PAHs by the European Commission (1 mu g/kg for benzo[a]pyrene and the sum of 4 PAHs). For Sigma 4 PAHs, 41% of bread and 81% of biscuit samples exceeded the safety limits, and the highest concentration was found in a one cornstarch biscuit sample (6.65 mu g/kg). Despite biscuits showed the highest concentrations of PAHs, white bread was the main contributor to dietary exposure assessments (0.52 to 15.28 ng/day) due to its high daily intake in Brazil (49.4 g/day). Consequently, the highest incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) and the lowest margin of exposure (MOE) values were observed for white breads, with prevalence among adults, especially in male individuals.

Early childhood asthma and adiposity until adolescence: A prospective birth cohort study using body fat percentage

2026-08-03T07:02:36Z

Title: Early childhood asthma and adiposity until adolescence: A prospective birth cohort study using body fat percentage Abstract: Background Asthma and obesity frequently coexist in childhood, yet whether asthma predisposes to later adiposity remains underexplored, particularly using measures beyond body mass index (BMI). Considering this, we aimed to examine the association between asthma in early childhood and subsequent adiposity through adolescence, assessed using BMI and body fat percentage, and to evaluate sex-specific effects.Methods This prospective study included 4717 participants from the Portuguese population-based Generation XXI birth cohort. Physician-diagnosed asthma at age 4 years was the exposure. Incident obesity and overweight/obesity were assessed at ages 7-, 10-, and 13-years using BMI and body fat percentage estimated by bioelectrical impedance analysis and classified according to age- and sex-specific percentiles. Children who were already overweight or obese at age 4 were excluded from the respective analysis. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI), adjusting for confounders. Effect modification by sex was tested, and sex-stratified analyses were performed.Results Asthma was associated with a higher risk of incident obesity defined by body fat percentage in adjusted analyses (aHR = 1.91, 95% CI: 1.16-3.16), whereas associations with BMI-defined obesity were not statistically significant. Sex-stratified analyses showed that these associations were confined to girls, who had increased risk of obesity (aHR = 1.97, 95% CI: 1.19-3.26) and overweight/obesity (aHR = 1.75, 95% CI: 1.02-3.01) defined by body fat percentage. No significant associations were observed among boys.Conclusions Asthma in early childhood was associated with increased adiposity in adolescence assessed by body fat percentage, particularly among girls. These findings suggest that children with asthma may develop excess fat accumulation not fully captured by BMI and support the integration of body composition and metabolic risk assessment into pediatric asthma care.

Discrepancies between caliper and portable A-mode ultrasound estimates of subcutaneous fat in older adults

2026-08-03T06:59:14Z

Title: Discrepancies between caliper and portable A-mode ultrasound estimates of subcutaneous fat in older adults Abstract: It has been proposed that subcutaneous fat thickness measured by ultrasound corresponds to half of the skinfold thickness measured with calipers at the same anatomical site. This study compared portable A-mode ultrasound and caliper skinfold assessments in older adults. In a cross-sectional sample of 146 participants, fat thickness was measured at the biceps brachii, triceps brachii, subscapular, and suprailiac sites using a BodyMetrix (R) BX-2000 ultrasound device and a LipoWise PRO digital caliper. Agreement between methods varied markedly by site: Lin's concordance correlation coefficients were 0.21 (triceps), 0.02 (subscapular), and 0.33 (biceps, suprailiac), indicating poor to moderate concordance. The Bradley-Blackwood test showed differences between methods (p < 0.001). Skinfold/ultrasound mean ratios were 1.50 (triceps), 1.20 (biceps), 1.50 (suprailiac), and 2.90 (subscapular). Caliper skinfold measurements consistently overestimate subcutaneous fat thickness versus ultrasound, especially at the subscapular site, limiting interchangeability and potentially compromising clinical assessment accuracy in older adult populations.

Excessive gestational weight gain and risk of asthma, rhinitis and allergic sensitization: Results from a Portuguese birth cohort

2026-08-03T06:58:42Z

Title: Excessive gestational weight gain and risk of asthma, rhinitis and allergic sensitization: Results from a Portuguese birth cohort Abstract: Background Maternal body mass index (BMI) before pregnancy and gestational weight gain (GWG) have been implicated in offspring health, yet their specific impact on the development of allergic diseases remains unclear. We aimed to evaluate associations between pre-pregnancy BMI and GWG with asthma, rhinitis, eczema, food allergy, anaphylaxis, and allergic sensitization during childhood and adolescence.Methods We analyzed 7280 mother-child pairs from Generation XXI, a Portuguese population-based birth cohort. Maternal BMI was categorized per World Health Organization criteria and grouped into underweight/normal weight vs. overweight/obesity. GWG was considered using Institute of Medicine (IOM) guidelines and GWG z-scores. Allergic outcomes were assessed via parent-reported physician diagnosis at 4, 7, 10, and 13 years, and allergic sensitization was determined at 10 years using ImmunoCAP. Associations were analyzed using logistic regression models adjusted for confounders.Results Children of mothers with excessive GWG had increased odds of asthma at ages 7 and 13 (aOR = 1.30; 95% CI 1.01-1.66 and aOR = 1.29; 95% CI 1.01-1.65, respectively), and rhinitis at 4 (OR = 1.48; 95% CI 1.10-1.98). Higher GWG z-score group was associated with increased odds of asthma (aOR = 1.33; 95% CI 1.03-1.72), rhinitis (aOR = 1.54; 95% CI 1.13-2.09), and sensitization (aOR = 1.44; 95% CI 1.05-1.97). Lower GWG z-score group was associated to higher eczema odds at 13, while higher reduced eczema odds at age 4. Maternal overweight/obesity was associated with lower odds of eczema at age 13 (aOR = 0.73; 95% CI 0.60-0.88). Apart from eczema, maternal BMI showed no significant associations with others allergic diseases.Conclusion Higher GWG is associated with increased odds of childhood asthma, rhinitis, and sensitization. In contrast, maternal overweight/obesity is linked to lower odds of eczema, suggesting condition-specific effects of maternal weight on childhood allergy risk.

An analysis of diet sustainability among different dietary patterns in the Portuguese adult and elderly population

2026-08-03T06:58:35Z

Title: An analysis of diet sustainability among different dietary patterns in the Portuguese adult and elderly population Abstract: Purpose Dietary patterns influence human and environmental health. Shifts toward convenience and ready-to-eat ultra-processed foods have contributed to the rising prevalence of malnutrition, chronic disease, and ecological harm. This study examined the associations between dietary patterns and diet sustainability among Portuguese adults. Methods Data from 2287 individuals aged 18-84 years were obtained from the last National Food, Nutrition, and Physical Activity Survey (2015-2016). Three dietary patterns were identified based on food composition and processing: Traditional, Diet Concerns, and Unhealthy; while four dietary patterns were categorized according to food preparation location: At home by themselves, At home by relatives or friends, By food retail, and By restaurants/canteens. Diet sustainability was assessed using the Diet Sustainability Score (DSS), encompassing health-related nutritional, environmental, economic, and sociocultural dimensions. Linear regression models adjusted for sex, age, education and energy intake were used to estimate associations between dietary patterns and DSS.ResultsTraditional (beta = 1.27, p < 0.001) and Diet Concerns (beta = 1.60, p < 0.001) patterns were significantly associated with higher DSS compared to the Unhealthy pattern. In terms of food preparation location, only the By restaurants/canteens pattern was significantly associated with lower DSS (beta = - 0.76; p < 0.001) compared to the At home by themselves pattern. Younger, urban, and more educated individuals were more likely to follow the Unhealthy or the By restaurants/canteens patterns. Conclusion These findings underscore the need to consider what people eat, how and where food is prepared. Promoting traditional, minimally processed, and home-prepared meals may be essential to advancing sustainable diets, particularly among younger and urban populations.

Evaluation of 146 pesticides in peels, mesocarp, and seeds of thirty-five cultivars of apples (Malus domestica Borkh.) grown under the same edaphoclimatic region

2026-07-21T06:42:01Z

Title: Evaluation of 146 pesticides in peels, mesocarp, and seeds of thirty-five cultivars of apples (Malus domestica Borkh.) grown under the same edaphoclimatic region Abstract: In order to help optimize pesticide management and application strategies, we analyzed pesticide residues in thirty commercial and five regional apple cultivars from the same edaphoclimatic region in Portugal. Each sample was carefully divided into peel, pulp (mesocarp), and seeds. Analytical assessments were carried out utilizing a QuEChERS technique followed by LC-MS/MS, with 146 pesticide as targets. Regional cultivars tested confirmed for six different pesticide residues, ranging in concentrations from 0.01 to 1.46mg/kg. However, there were nineteen compounds in the commercial samples, with concentrations ranging from 0.01 to 0.212mg/kg. The comparison of 21 cultivars under controlled conditions improves the interpretation of residue data by establishing a clear correlation between the active substances sprayed and their presence in the fruit. Residues were predominantly concentrated in peel and seed fractions, while mesocarp tissues generally presented lower contamination levels, suggesting limited penetration of several compounds into the edible portion of the fruit. Differences in tissue distribution were associated with cultivar characteristics and physicochemical properties of the pesticides, particularly lipophilicity. The results obtained allow us to understand the distribution of pesticide residues in specific apple tissues and highlight the importance of residue monitoring systems to promote consumer safety and sustainable agricultural practices.

Identifying the most sustainable foods using two different approaches: a priori versus a posteriori

2026-07-21T06:41:42Z

Title: Identifying the most sustainable foods using two different approaches: a priori versus a posteriori Abstract: Objectives: To identify the most sustainable foods by using both an a priori sustainability score and a posteriori cluster analysis, comparing the results across key sustainability dimensions. Methods: Data were sourced from 2553 Portuguese adults (18+ years) who completed two non-consecutive 24-h recalls during the most recent National Food, Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey of 2015-2016. Culturally acceptable food items were selected for analysis (based on consumption frequency and quantity) and evaluated for health-related nutritional attributes (NOVA-classification and Nutrient-Rich Food Index 9.3), environmental impact (greenhouse-gas emissions and land use from the SHARP-Indicators Database) and cost (retail prices). The a priori approach used a sustainability score, while the a posteriori approach employed cluster analysis. Results: A total of 366 food items were selected as culturally acceptable (covering 75% of total daily energy intake). Both methods identified sustainable foods as those that combine high nutrient-density and low processing levels with low environmental impact and cost. The a priori approach identified 96 items as sustainable, while the a posteriori analysis revealed 144 items, showing variations in food categories. Unprocessed and minimally processed foods were prevalent in both methods, but the a posteriori approach yielded a higher proportion. Nutrient-richness, environmental impact and cost were significantly better for the most sustainable foods in both approaches. Conclusion: These findings underscore the importance of using multiple methods to capture the complexity of food choices in the context of sustainability, offering insights for developing sustainable dietary guidelines that balance health-related nutritional, environmental and economic factors.

Finnish children's exposure to paid-for digital food advertising: the pilot study

2026-07-21T06:40:43Z

Title: Finnish children's exposure to paid-for digital food advertising: the pilot study Abstract: Objective: To test the 'Investigate Exposure' step of the WHO's CLICK framework and to investigate 12-16-year-old children's exposure to paid-for digital food advertising in Finland.Design: The DIGITUTKA pilot study was carried out as part of the EU Joint Action Best-ReMap project. Data on paid-for digital food advertising that children were exposed to via their phones over a two-week period were captured using the RealityMeter application, following the 'Investigate Exposure' step of the CLICK framework. Data were collected between April and June 2022 and analysed in Excel, following a protocol outlined by WHO Europe. The WHO Europe Nutrient Profile Model (v1, 2015) was used to determine marketing permission.Setting: Four schools in FinlandParticipants: 6th-9th grade students (n 34)Results: Out of the 17 820 captured advertisements, 2316 (13 %) were identified as food or beverage brands and products. The most commonly advertised products were ready-made and convenience foods and composite dishes (16 %, n 372) and energy drinks (9 %, n 202). The majority of the food and beverage advertisements (n 1291, 56 %) were not permitted to be marketed to children, with only one in ten (n 222, 9 %) permitted to be marketed to children. A third (35 %) of the food and beverage advertisements could not be identified due to missing information.Conclusions: Children were exposed to a large number of food and beverage advertisements, most of which were not permitted to be marketed to children. To protect children's health and prevent obesity, marketing restrictions should be combined with broader changes to the food environment and taxation.

Acrylamide daily dietary exposure and cardiometabolic outcomes: longitudinal approach from childhood to adolescence

2026-07-17T06:45:29Z

Title: Acrylamide daily dietary exposure and cardiometabolic outcomes: longitudinal approach from childhood to adolescence Abstract: Acrylamide is a food contaminant formed via the Maillard reaction that may impair cardiometabolic health. Considering its role in oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, and adipogenesis, acrylamide may compromise lipid and glucose profiles. The present study aims to assess acrylamide dietary exposure and test longitudinal associations with cardiometabolic outcomes from childhood to adolescence. From G21-birth-cohort, 3138 participants with at least 2 consecutive follow-ups from 4 to 13 years of age were included. Acrylamide dietary exposure was estimated using 3-day food diaries and occurrence data of acrylamide in food. Children presented a higher dietary acrylamide exposure than adolescents. The median exposure was, respectively, 0.79 & micro;g/kg/d at 4 years and 0.44 & micro;g/kg/d at 13 years. Both children (MOE = 215) and adolescents (MOE = 386) exposure levels presented health concerns regarding neoplastic effects. Cross-sectional and longitudinally, acrylamide dietary exposure was positively associated with blood glucose, waist circumference, and fat mass percentage. A negative association was found between dietary acrylamide exposure and z-BMI and cholesterol. This variability suggests that the effects of dietary acrylamide exposure on cardiometabolic health are complex and multifactorial. It was not possible to conclude, without uncertainty, that dietary acrylamide exposure is responsible for abnormalities in cardiometabolic outcomes from childhood to adolescence.

Potato protein-based meat analogues fortified with upcycled fruit flours: Functional, textural, and antioxidant insights

2026-07-17T06:45:22Z

Title: Potato protein-based meat analogues fortified with upcycled fruit flours: Functional, textural, and antioxidant insights Abstract: This study aims to evaluate potato protein (PP) as a substitute for egg white protein (EWP) in vegan formulations. Fruit flours, including orange peel, pineapple peel, and pineapple core, were incorporated to assess their effects on the techno-functional and textural properties, and on the antioxidant potential of plant-based products. Fruit flours improved the performance of PP-based emulsions. More negative zeta potential values and an increased emulsifying stability index were observed in flour-containing formulations. A significant increase in the hardness parameter of the PP-based formulations containing fruit flour was observed, correlated with the higher water-holding capacity. Although fruit flours increased the phenolic content, the enhancement of antioxidant activity was dependent on the fruit flour. Colorimetric analysis showed protein source- and flour-dependent effects, with lower CIELAB values in PP-based samples. Overall, this work highlights the potential of PP and fruit flours for developing functional and sustainable plant-based food products. (c) 2026 The Authors.

Understanding sugar-sweetened beverage tax implementation globally: a 34-year, population-based observational study in 183 countries

2026-07-17T06:45:09Z

Title: Understanding sugar-sweetened beverage tax implementation globally: a 34-year, population-based observational study in 183 countries Abstract: Background: Taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages can improve public health. We aimed to characterise the extent and types of sugar-sweetened beverage taxes implemented worldwide and the national characteristics predicting implementation, such as sugar-sweetened beverage intake amounts, disease rates, or economic development. Methods: This longitudinal analysis aggregated serial global datasets (including the Global Dietary Database, Non-Communicable Diseases Risk Factor Collaboration, Global Burden of Disease study, and World Bank data) from 1990 to 2024 in 183 countries to assess sugar-sweetened beverage tax characteristics and national predictors of policy adoption. Sugar-sweetened beverage taxes for public health purposes were identified and characterised, including amounts, fiscal instruments, structures, and covered beverages. Sugar-sweetened beverage consumption, obesity and diabetes prevalence, gross domestic product (GDP), and sociodemographic index (SDI) were assessed as predictors of tax implementation using Cox proportional hazards models with time-varying covariates. Findings: From 1990 to 2024, 64 countries implemented sugar-sweetened beverage taxes, accelerating over time and covering 3·5 billion people globally. South Asia led in adoption (50% of countries; median tax rate 7·5%), followed by southeast and east Asia (47·8%; 5·0%), the Middle East and North Africa (30·0%; 17·0%), and Latin America and the Caribbean (31·3%; 7·0%). Taxes were ad valorem (ie, based on price; 45%), volume-based (44%), sugar-content-based (5%), or mixed (6%), and 13% of countries earmarked revenue for public health. Multivariable-adjusted predictors of tax implementation included diabetes prevalence (hazard ratio [HR]=1·22 [95% CI 1·051·43]), obesity prevalence (1·14 [1·001·29]), GDP per capita (HR per $10000: 1·19 [1·061·34]), and SDI (0·70 [0·570·86]), but not sugar-sweetened beverage intake (0·77 [0·421·39]). Interpretation: Global adoption of sugar-sweetened beverage taxes has rapidly accelerated since 1990; however, there is important heterogeneity by region and tax structure, and the taxes are shaped by a country's economic capacity, social development, and health conditions. Funding: This work was supported by the National Institutes of Health (R01HL115189).

Associating Dietary Sustainability with Health: A Focus on General and Central Adiposity

2026-07-17T06:43:53Z

Title: Associating Dietary Sustainability with Health: A Focus on General and Central Adiposity Abstract: This study aims to explore the relationship between the Diet Sustainability Score (DSS) and health outcomes, specifically body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR). Using data from 2287 Portuguese adults in the National Food, Nutrition, and Physical Activity Survey (IAN-AF 20152016), DSS was calculated based on four dimensions: health-related nutritional attributes, environmental impact, economic affordability, and sociocultural acceptability. Logistic regression models were used to analyse associations between DSS and general adiposity (BMI classes: under/normal weight vs. overweight/obesity) and central adiposity (WHtR classes: healthy vs. unhealthy central adiposity). Models were adjusted for sex, age, education and physical activity level to control for potential confounders. Higher DSS is associated with reduced odds of overweight/obesity (OR = 0.91, 95%CI: 0.88, 0.94), and unhealthy central adiposity (OR = 0.91, 95%CI: 0.87, 0.95), suggesting that more sustainable dietary patterns are associated with more favourable adiposity profiles. This study highlights the importance of promoting sustainable diets as part of public health strategies aimed at addressing obesity and integrating health, environmental, economic, and sociocultural dimensions for more comprehensive, long-term population health improvements. (c) 2026 by the authors.

Tracking Changes in Body Composition in Athletes: Are Rapid Four-Compartment Models Valid?

2026-07-15T06:11:07Z

Title: Tracking Changes in Body Composition in Athletes: Are Rapid Four-Compartment Models Valid? Abstract: While rapid four-compartment (4C) models have demonstrated cross-sectional validity in diverse populations, including athletes, their longitudinal validity remains unverified. This study aims to evaluate the longitudinal validity of utilizing Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) derived estimates of body volume (BV) and bioelectrical impedance spectroscopy (BIS) derived total body water (TBW) in rapid 4C models in athletes. Criterion 4C used DXA for bone mineral content, air displacement plethysmography for BV, and deuterium dilution for TBW. Analyses of longitudinal changes in fat mass (FM), in both kilograms and percentage, were performed in participants who experienced changes greater than 1% (n = 60) and in a subgroup exceeding the least significant change (1.97 kg, n = 25). All alternative estimates underestimated changes relative to criterion 4C, with 4C TBWBIS providing the smaller mean difference (0.41 kg) and DXA the larger (0.94 kg). The mean differences for 4C BVSilvaTBWBIS and 4C BVHeymsfieldTBWBIS were 0.48 kg and 0.50 kg, respectively. Bland-Altman analyses showed wide limits of agreement (LOA) for all methods. Even the alternative with the smaller 95% LOA had a wide LOA (4C TBWBIS: -2.9% to 4.0%, n = 60). This investigation demonstrates that these rapid 4C models exhibit precision superior to or equivalent to DXA alone, while offering reduced assessment times and broader accessibility than the criterion 4C. Regarding accuracy for evaluating changes over time, despite acceptable results at the group level, interpretation should be careful at the individual level. (c) The Author(s), 2026. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of The Nutrition Society.

Reputation, Co-Regulation, and "Soft Capture": Corporate Political Activity of the Portuguese Food Industry

2026-07-14T06:43:13Z

Title: Reputation, Co-Regulation, and "Soft Capture": Corporate Political Activity of the Portuguese Food Industry Abstract: Background: Corporate political activity (CPA) refers to practices through which commercial actors seek to influence public policy and prioritise their commercial interests. While extensively documented internationally, little empirical evidence exists for Portugal. This study provides the first systematic analysis of the CPA of the food industry in Portugal. Methods: We conducted a systematic document analysis, following a protocol developed by INFORMAS (International Network for Food and Obesity/Non-Communicable Diseases Research, Monitoring and Action Support), a network that monitors food environments. This was triangulated with semi-structured interviews and illustrated through two policy examples. Twenty-five food industry actors were selected based on market share, trade association membership, and relevance to policy debates. Publicly available materials (January 2022December 2023) were collected and coded using Ulucanlars CPA framework, distinguishing framing and action strategies. Data were triangulated with 18 interviews conducted between July and December 2024 with informants from academia, government, industry, civil society, public health, and the media. Results: We identified 534 examples of framing and 799 examples of action strategies. Framing was dominated by portrayals of corporations as "good actors" aligned with health, sustainability, and national development. Action strategies focused on reputational management, corporate social responsibility (CSR), and the displacement of public health roles. Legal obstruction and overtly adversarial tactics were absent. Large multinational manufacturers and major retailers accounted for the highest number of coded CPA examples, with trade associations also represented among actors engaging in policy-related activities. Interviewees confirmed these patterns and expressed concerns over informal access to policy-makers, weak state capacity, and reliance on corporate-led initiatives. Conclusions: The food industry in Portugal primarily relies on reputational and co-regulatory strategies, with limited evidence of overtly confrontational tactics. These findings are consistent with a form of institutionalised influence in which corporate actors engage closely with public authorities and participate in governance processes in ways that may shape the direction and scope of public health policy.

Dietary intake and body composition of military in garrison: A systematic review

2026-07-14T06:19:11Z

Title: Dietary intake and body composition of military in garrison: A systematic review Abstract: Introduction: Despite the importance of military health, there is a notable lack of comprehensive research on its general health status. The nature of military life, with its structured mealtimes and reliance on institutional dining facilities, influences food consumption patterns among active duty members. This paper characterizes the dietary intake and body composition of military personnel in garrison, associating it with healthy lifestyle recommendations. Methods: This systematic review was conducted in accordance with the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement via three electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus) for searches. The study inclusion criteria were established using the Participants, Intervention, Comparator, and Outcome (PICO) framework. Results: A total of 25 studies (cross-sectional, longitudinal, and randomized trial) filled the inclusion criteria and were incorporated in the qualitative synthesis. The setting for data collection was generally through created questionnaires specific for that purpose, and anthropometric data were self-reported or assessed by examiners. Dietary outcomes were markedly different based on the scale used, but most measurement scales revealed moderate results similar to the general population. Discussion: There is a need to modify eating and habits patterns, such as increasing the consumption of fruit, vegetables, and whole grains, as well as improving daily physical activity for achieving a healthy weight and promoting health. More research should be done in order to improve the understanding of specific dietary intake associated with ability to meet high-performing standards in order to promote health and readiness of service members.

Front-of-pack nutrition labels on ready-to-eat meals

2026-07-14T06:47:47Z

Title: Front-of-pack nutrition labels on ready-to-eat meals Abstract: The consumption of ready-to-eat meals has been increasing in Europe, with relevant implications for public health, including in Portugal. In this context, front-of-pack nutrition labelling emerges as a widely recognized measure to empower consumers to make healthier and more informed food choices. However, there is still no consensus regarding the most effective labelling system, which raises challenges for its harmonized implementation. The present study aimed to evaluate the agreement between the classifications attributed by the systems - Nordic Keyhole and Nutri-Score - in ready-to-eat meals, based on the values declared on the label and the analytical values. The data related to 11 meals were collected between March and May, 2025, through the internal computer system of a national meal production unit. An agreement of 73% was found between the two systems based on the declared values and 64% based on the analytical values. In both cases, most of the discrepancies occurred in meals classified with Nutri-Score B but not eligible for the Keyhole.

Nutritional information approaches for consumers in menus: An exploratory study to understand consumer perceptions

2026-07-14T06:26:21Z

Title: Nutritional information approaches for consumers in menus: An exploratory study to understand consumer perceptions Abstract: Nutritional labelling, mandatory for pre-packed foods in the European Union, is one of public health's main tools to inform consumers and promote healthier choices. However, limited nutrition literacy remains a major barrier to its effectiveness, especially in food service settings where information is less standardised. To address this, Viegas and Rocha proposed an infographic (IFG) labelling format, which is designed according to the Mediterranean Diet and portion sizes of the Portuguese Food Guide. This study compared the IFG to the Nutritional Declaration (ND) among Portuguese adults using institutional food service. The ND scored higher in perceived meal balance and completeness. The IFG was also considered useful, and many respondents expressed interest in combining both formats. These findings suggest that the infographic format may serve as a promising complementary tool in food service settings and help policy makers to include a more effective labelling of food service menus to promote healthier choices.