Challenges for regulatory responses to ultra-processed foods
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Fiscal policies can provide important incentives for encouraging the dietary changes needed to achieve global policy targets. Across Europe, the foods relevant to health and the environment often incur reduced but non-zero value-added tax (VAT) rates at about half the maximum rates, which allows for providing both incentives and disincentives. Integrating economic, health and environmental modelling, we show that reforming VAT rates on foods, including increasing rates on meat and dairy, and reducing VAT rates on fruits and vegetables can improve diets and result in health, environmental and economic benefits in most European countries. The health improvements were primarily driven by reductions in VAT rates on fruits and vegetables, whereas most of the environmental and revenue benefits were driven by increased rates on meat and dairy. Our findings suggest that differentiating VAT rates based on health and environmental considerations can support changes towards healthier and more sustainable diets in Europe.
Differences between the normal and perceived appropriate portion sizes of discretionary foods
There are limited data on the amount of discretionary foods that people normally consume and consider as appropriate at one eating occasion. This study aimed to provide an overview of the range and assess differences of the ‘normal portion size’ and ‘perceived appropriate portion size’ of energy-dense nutrient-poor discretionary foods among consumers aged 18–65 years.
Microbiome-based interventions to modulate gut ecology and the immune system
The gut microbiome lies at the intersection between the environment and the host, with the ability to modify host responses to disease-relevant exposures and stimuli. This is evident in how enteric microbes interact with the immune system, e.g., supporting immune maturation in early life, affecting drug efficacy via modulation of immune responses, or influencing development of immune cell populations and their mediators. Many factors modulate gut ecosystem dynamics during daily life and we are just beginning to realise the therapeutic and prophylactic potential of microbiome-based interventions. These approaches vary in application, goal, and mechanisms of action. Some modify the entire community, such as nutritional approaches or faecal microbiota transplantation, while others, such as phage therapy, probiotics, and prebiotics, target specific taxa or strains. In this review, we assessed the experimental evidence for microbiome-based interventions, with a particular focus on their clinical relevance, ecological effects, and modulation of the immune system.
Moderate-to-vigorous and light-intensity aerobic exercise yield similar effects on food reward, appetitive responses, and energy intake in physically inactive adults
To examine the effect of acute aerobic exercise at moderate-to-vigorous and light intensity on food reward, appetite sensation, and energy intake (EI) in physically inactive adults.
Quantifying vitamin D intake among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia
Vitamin D deficiency (serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentration < 50 nmol/L) is prevalent among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia. Alternative to sun exposure (the primary source of vitamin D), vitamin D can also be obtained from food (e.g. fish, eggs, and meat) and supplements. However, the vitamin D intake of this population group is unknown. We aimed to provide the first quantification of vitamin D intake using nationally representative data from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
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