Health-environment efficiency of diets shows nonlinear trends over 1990-2011

Maternal consumption of urbanized diet compromises early-life health in association with gut microbiota

Urbanization has significantly transformed dietary habits worldwide, contributing to a globally increased burden of non-communicable diseases and altered gut microbiota landscape. However, it is often overlooked that the adverse effects of these dietary changes can be transmitted from the mother to offspring during early developmental stages, subsequently influencing the predisposition to various diseases later in life. This review aims to delineate the detrimental effects of maternal urban-lifestyle diet (urbanized diet) on early-life health and gut microbiota assembly, provide mechanistic insights on how urbanized diet mediates mother-to-offspring transfer of bioactive substances in both intrauterine and extrauterine and thus affects fetal and neonatal development. Moreover, we also further propose a framework for developing microbiome-targeted precision nutrition and diet strategies specifically for pregnant and lactating women. The establishment of such knowledge can help develop proactive preventive measures from the beginning of life, ultimately reducing the long-term risk of disease and improving public health outcomes.

Global, regional, and national burden of cardiovascular disease attributable to high body mass index from 1990 to 2021 and projection to 2045

Background

High body mass index (HBMI) is strongly associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD), but the global burden of CVD attributable to HBMI remains poorly defined. This study aims to elucidate the current burden and temporal trends of CVD attributable to HBMI.

Methods

We used data from the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) 2021 to estimate CVD deaths and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) attributable to HBMI. Our analysis examines trends in deaths and DALYs by age, gender, and Socio-demographic Index (SDI) across global, regional, and national levels from 1990 to 2021. We used health inequality and decomposition analyses to quantify the influencing factors of disease burden and a Bayesian age-period-cohort (BAPC) model to predict the potential trend of HBMI on CVD burden.

Results

In 2021, HBMI-related CVD resulted in approximately 1.9 million deaths and 45.43 million DALYs among urban and rural populations, with an age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) of 22.77 (95% UI, 12.87-34.24) and an age-standardized disability rate (ASDR) of 529.00 (95% UI, 277.28-808.64) per 100,000 people. Over the study period, the overall CVD burden attributable to HBMI decreased significantly, while the burden of atrial fibrillation and flutter increased. The disease burden was closely tied to socioeconomic development and was unevenly distributed, with middle SDI regions experiencing a heavier burden. The highest burden was observed in individuals aged 84 and older, with a significant increase in the 20-44 age group. Decomposition analysis revealed that the increase in DALYs was driven by population growth. Projections from the BAPC model suggest that by 2045, global DALYs of CVD attributable to HBMI may continue to increase.

Conclusions

This study provides a comprehensive epidemiological assessment of the CVD burden attributable to HBMI across various regions and populations, offering valuable insights for guiding policy and research efforts.

Sustainable HEalthy Diet practices: a cross-sectional analysis of an adult Greek sample

BACKGROUND

Sustainable nutrition is based on foods with a low environmental impact, accessible and affordable, ensuring protection of the biodiversity, while including the cultural elements of each geographical region. The present cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate adherence to a sustainable diet and the perceived environmental benefit of adopting a sustainable diet among adults in Greece.

METHODS

The Sustainable HEalthy Diet (SHED) questionnaire evaluated sustainable nutrition practices and awareness in a sample of 607 adult Greeks recruited through social media.

RESULTS

A positive association was revealed between healthy eating, a plant-based diet and organic awareness. Healthy eating was related to the consumption of low-salt and low-sugar products, avoiding added salt and ultra-processed foods (UPFs), as well as limiting sweets and soft drinks. Most participants (94.6%) were flexitarians, consuming meat instead of plant-based foods, although showing a preference for legumes over meat products. Most (86.8%) failed to meet the 5-a-day recommendations for fruit and vegetables, which were bought mainly from supermarket chains, with men resolving to electronic commerce purchases, while women preferring small, local grocery shops. Most responders consumed tap water (54.9%) and homemade meals daily (75.0%). Many participants (32.8%) reported separating and recycling food scraps at home, using neighborhood composters. When organic produce was selected, this involved mainly fruits and vegetables. Between men and women, the latter adopted a plant-based diet to a greater extent, consumed fewer soft drinks, were keener to consume local produce, limit meat intake and eat crops that are pesticide- and herbicide-free. Overall, Greek consumers show preference to local products. Most of them fail to compost and cut down on meat intake. The tool's internal consistency measured by Cronbach alpha was 0.702 and 0.736 for the healthy eating and sustainable eating domains respectively, 0.798 for the environmental domain, while the other domains had lower scores due to contradictory questions. Our Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) demonstrated a good fit (CFI = 0.896, TLI = 0.87) with strong positive relationships between healthy eating, a plant-based diet and organic awareness.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicate that adult Greeks more easily implement some aspects of sustainable nutrition (organic, local foods), while others appear more difficult (compost, reduce meat intake). Nonetheless, the results can be useful in designing interventions to increase dietary sustainability awareness among Greeks, including educational programs and improved infrastructures.

Low back pain trends attributable to high body mass index over the period 1990-2021 and projections up to 2036

Background

High body mass index (BMI) is a crucial determinant in low back pain (LBP) incidence and progression. However, the effect of increased BMI on LBP has been largely overlooked at the global, regional, and national levels. This research aimed to use data from the 2021 global burden of disease (GBD) study to determine trends associated with LBP due to high BMI from 1990 to 2021, thereby providing evidence for developing targeted policies.

Methods

Epidemiological data on the association between high BMI and LBP is obtained from the GBD 2021. Disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) attributable to high BMI-related LBP are stratified by year, age, country, and socio-demographic index (SDI). The estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) was calculated to evaluate the trends from 1990 to 2021. A Bayesian age-period cohort (BAPC) model was used to assess the corresponding trends from 2022 to 2036. Additionally, statistical models, such as decomposition analysis and frontier analysis, were used.

Results

According to the GBD 2021, the number of DALYs caused by LBP attributed to high BMI reached 8,363,759 in 2021, which is an increase of 170.97% since 1990. The age-standardized rate of disability-adjusted life years (ASDR) for LBP caused by high BMI has been increasing from 1990 to 2021, with an EAPC of 1.14%. Among the five SDI regions, ASDR has increased. High-income North Americans exhibited the highest risk of LBP caused by high BMI, with Hungary being the most affected. Frontier analysis highlights the urgent need for intervention in countries such as the Netherlands, Germany, and Canada. Finally, the burden of LBP related to high BMI will continue to rise from 2022 to 2036.

Conclusion

Between 1990 and 2021, there was a global increase in lower back pain due to high BMI, with a projected continuation of this trend. Monitoring BMI is crucial for developing region-specific and national strategies, and research emphasizes the urgency of reducing the health burden of high BMI and improving the quality of life for the global population.

Dietary therapies interlinking with gut microbes toward human health: Past, present, and future

Overview of personalized dietary therapies. This flow chart exhibits the future prospect for integrating human microbiome and bio-medical research to revolutionize the precise personalized dietary therapies. With the development of artificial intelligence (AI), incorporating database may achieve personalized dietary therapies with high precision.

Global, regional, and national burden of cancers attributable to particulate matter pollution from 1990 to 2019 and projection to 2050: Worsening or improving?

Particulate matter pollution (PMP) has been identified as a substantial contributor to cancer. However, accurately delineating the evolving trends in cancer burden attributable to PMP remains an ongoing challenge. The 1990-2019 disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) were used for cancers attributable to PMP from the Global Burden and Disease Study (GBD) 2019, including ambient particulate matter pollution (APMP) and household air pollution from solid fuels (HAP). The joinpoint regression and the Bayesian age-period-cohort (BAPC) model were employed to assess the corresponding trends over the periods 1990-2019 and 2020-2050, respectively. Additionally, statistical models such as frontier analysis and health inequality analysis were also utilized. During the 30-year period, cancer DALYs attributable to APMP increased globally, while those attributable to HAP and PMP decreased. Cancer DALYs attributable to APMP were positively correlated with socio-demographic index (SDI), while those attributable to PMP and HAP were negatively correlated with SDI. Frontier analysis identified the countries and regions requiring urgent action to mitigate PMP-attributable cancer. Finally, it was anticipated that the cancer burden attributable to APMP would increase during 2020 to 2050, while the burden attributable to HAP and PMP would decrease. This study conducted an epidemiological investigation of the burden of cancer attributable to APMP, HAP and PMP in various regions and populations worldwide, providing epidemiological insights into the global burden of cancer attributable to PMP and guiding policy and research directions.