C.H.S. Ruxton and E. Derbyshire
There is strong evidence that very long chain omega‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC3PUFA) are beneficial. The aim of this paper is to review the role of LC3PUFA in health and…
Abstract
Purpose
There is strong evidence that very long chain omega‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC3PUFA) are beneficial. The aim of this paper is to review the role of LC3PUFA in health and put this in context with habitual intakes and international recommendations.
Design/methodology/approach
A literature review was conducted to locate and summarise relevant published studies and reports.
Findings
There is good evidence that LC3PUFA help prevent cardiovascular disease, and may ameliorate inflammatory conditions and mental health issues, as well as supporting cognitive function throughout life. UK dietary surveys show that average fish intakes are well below the recommended two portions per week. Given that the majority of consumers do not eat oily fish, it is reasonable to consider the potential contribution of dietary supplements or fortified foods, although the latter must be sufficiently high in LC3PUFA to merit consideration.
Research limitations/implications
Information on LC3PUFA intakes in the UK is lacking. Future dietary surveys should remedy this and look at the relative contribution of different food groups, including supplements, to LC3PUFA intakes.
Originality/value
This paper gives a concise, up‐to‐date overview on LC3PUFA sources, intakes, recommendations and their impact upon health.
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D. Baldomir and C. Campoy
In this paper we present a variational method which fits very well in the wave behaviour of electrodynamics.
With the growing use of technology in second language learning (L2), many techniques of incorporating digital video in L2 learning and platforms of task implementation appear in…
Abstract
Purpose
With the growing use of technology in second language learning (L2), many techniques of incorporating digital video in L2 learning and platforms of task implementation appear in the field, however, with little, if any, research on how tasks can be designed and developed in these contexts. Based on Chapelle (2001, 2014) task design criteria, the current paper evaluates specifically the “interactivity” of task design interface and how it may contribute towards either dispersing or directing the learners' attention (Robinson, 2011) during the process of task completion in video-based L2 listening.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a qualitative approach – mainly focus groups and interviews – the current study evaluated a number of tasks that were used for computer-based L2 listening when digital video is the mode of presentation. The participants, i.e. English as a foreign language (EFL) teachers and learners, were presented with a number of task designs to try and evaluate.
Findings
The findings revealed that some task designs are perceived to be less interactive and can disperse the learner's attentional resources during the process of task completion. They also shed light on the importance of improving EFL teachers' current practices of task design in computer-based L2 listening.
Originality/value
This paper has contributed to our growing understanding of interactivity in relation to video-based learning and its task designs.
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Katie Elizabeth Lane and Emma Derbyshire
– The purpose of this paper is to review evidence from high-quality randomised controlled trials reporting links between omega-3 enriched functional foods and health.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to review evidence from high-quality randomised controlled trials reporting links between omega-3 enriched functional foods and health.
Design/methodology/approach
Using MEDLINE, a search was made for all randomised controlled trials published between 2002 and 2012 that met defined inclusion criteria. Studies had minimum durations of 28 days, clearly stated the food vehicle, dose and type of long chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC3PUFA) used, and did not include studies where participants only took LC3PUFA supplements.
Findings
A total of 11 studies were located, ten of which reported potential health benefits linked to omega-3 functional food consumption. Five studies reported significant improvements in markers of cardiovascular (CV) health, while ten bioavailability studies reported increases in omega-3 blood levels when doses of 460 mg or more were integrated into food vehicles.
Research limitations/implications
In the future a meta-analysis would be useful in terms of determining the dose of LC3PUFA associated with overall health benefits.
Practical implications
The present review concludes that omega-3 enriched functional foods are a useful way to improve LC3PUFA status and have been linked to improved health outcomes, namely markers of CV health. More work is now needed to determine whether particular population groups could benefit from consumption of these foods, for example vegetarians and children, in relation to a range of health outcomes, such as cognitive function.
Originality/value
This review provides evidence that integrating omega-3 enriched functional foods within the daily diet could be an effective strategy for helping to improve LC3PUFA status and attenuating CV disease risk.
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Nina Veflen Olsen, Themistoklis Altintzoglou, Valérie Lengard Almli, Margrethe Hersleth, Aase Skuland and Pirjo Honkanen
The purpose of this paper is to investigate how vegetable side components (carrot and broccoli) influence children’s associations and expected liking of two common Norwegian…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate how vegetable side components (carrot and broccoli) influence children’s associations and expected liking of two common Norwegian dishes (meatballs and salmon).
Design/methodology/approach
Children aged 11-12 years old were recruited to complete an adapted free association test (n=89). Each participant was exposed to four pictures of dishes that included combinations of the experimental food items served with potatoes and sauce. Participants stated their immediate associations and how much they liked each meal on a five-point smiley face scale for children. Evoked associations were coded and categorized before the relationship between the expected liking of the dishes and the associations were visualized based on correspondence analysis.
Findings
The authors found that the expected liking of the dishes was significantly affected by the composition of the dish, that the associations related to the meal changed when the vegetable component changed, and that children’s associations to food are quite similar to what previous studies have found for adults.
Originality/value
How children categorize complex dishes and how their mental representation explains expected liking has rarely been investigated before. By investigating how dishes with different components activate different associations and how these associations co-occur with children’s expected liking of the dishes, the authors gain knowledge that can help us develop strategies for improved dietary change.
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Cláudia Viegas, João Lima, Cláudia Afonso, András Jozsef Toth, Csaba Bálint Illés, András Bittsánszky, Zvonimir Šatalić, Sanja Vidaček Filipec, Valeria Fabijanic, Samuel Duran, Jairo Alonso Torres, Monica Spinelli, Andrea Matias, Ana Maria Souza Pinto and Ada Rocha
The aim of this study is to identify and characterize kids' menu offer in fast-food and traditional restaurants located in shopping centres in five different countries.
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this study is to identify and characterize kids' menu offer in fast-food and traditional restaurants located in shopping centres in five different countries.
Design/methodology/approach
An observational cross-sectional study is carried out, though a study was performed in all restaurants located in shopping centres from main cities, in five countries: Brazil, Chile, Croatia, Hungary and Portugal. A tool for assessing the quality of menus is used for the analysis (Kids Menu Healthy Score (KIMEHS)). Menu prices between countries were compared.
Findings
A total of 192 kids' menus were collected, 44 in Portugal, 57 in Brazil, 66 in Chile, 15 in Hungary and 10 in Croatia. All the countries have average negative KIMEHS values for the menus, indicating that the offer is generally poor in terms of healthy options. The cost of children's menus in European countries is generally low. In Brazil, the price is significantly more expensive, which may limit the accessibility by social economically deprived populations. No significant differences were found in the average cost of meals from different restaurants typology. Traditional/Western restaurants present the highest price.
Practical implications
Globally, kids' menus are composed by unhealthy food items, pointing to the need of improvements in food availability, aiming to promote healthy food habits among children.
Originality/value
This study presents innovative data on children's menus, allowing for characterization of meals offered to children and comparison between different countries.
Key points
Kids’ menus are composed by unhealthy food items.
Improvement of kids' menus quality will promote children food habits.
Healthier out-of-home food consumption will contribute to public health.
Kids’ menus are composed by unhealthy food items.
Improvement of kids' menus quality will promote children food habits.
Healthier out-of-home food consumption will contribute to public health.
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Rebecca K. Davidson, Wilson Antunes, Elisabeth H. Madslien, José Belenguer, Marco Gerevini, Tomas Torroba Perez and Raffaello Prugger
Consumer confidence in the European food industry has been shaken by a number of recent scandals due to food fraud and accidental contamination, reminding the authors that…
Abstract
Purpose
Consumer confidence in the European food industry has been shaken by a number of recent scandals due to food fraud and accidental contamination, reminding the authors that deliberate incidents can occur. Food defence methods aim to prevent or mitigate deliberate attacks on the food supply chain but are not a legal requirement. The purpose of this paper is to discuss how proactive and reactive food defence practices can help prevent or mitigate malicious attacks on the food chain and also food fraud, food crime and food safety. The authors look at how food defence differs from food safety and how it contributes to food supply chain integrity.
Design/methodology/approach
Food defence has been the focus of two different EU FP7 security projects, EDEN and SNIFFER. Food industry stakeholders participated in workshops and demonstrations on food defence and relevant technology was tested in different food production scenarios.
Findings
Food industry end-users reported a lack of knowledge regarding food defence practices. They wished for further guidelines and training on risk assessment as well as access to validated test methods. Novel detection tools and methods showed promise with authentication, identification, measurement, assessment and control at multiple levels of the food supply chain prior to distribution and retail.
Practical implications
The prevention of a contamination incident, prior to retail, costs less than dealing with a large foodborne disease outbreak. Food defence should therefore be integral to food supply chain integrity and not just an afterthought in the wake of an incident.
Originality/value
It is argued that food defence practices have a vital role to play across the board in unintentional and intentional food contamination incidents. The application of these methods can help ensure food supply chain integrity.
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Tainara Leal de Sousa, Jessyca Pinheiro da Silva, Ariadne Ribeiro Lodete, Daniele Silva Lima, Abner Alves Mesquita, Adrielle Borges de Almeida, Geovana Rocha Placido and Mariana Buranelo Egea
This study aims to analyze the levels of vitamin C, phenolic compounds and antioxidants in baby food. Providing nutritious food to the infants is essential for their growth and…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to analyze the levels of vitamin C, phenolic compounds and antioxidants in baby food. Providing nutritious food to the infants is essential for their growth and development. Baby foods are foods prepared from any suitable nutritive material and intended for feeding children after six months of age. The search for foods that meet the nutritional needs of children and that also promote aspects of health has increased on the part of parents.
Design/methodology/approach
A total of 17 different types of baby foods (2 brands) were purchased and the vitamin C content, total phenolic compounds (TPC) and antioxidant activity were determined. The authors also assessed the adequacy of labeling in accordance with regulatory parameters. Data was submitted to analysis of variance, and the means were compared by the Tukey test at 5% probability. Principal component analysis was performed to evaluate the results (phenolic compounds, vitamin C and antioxidant activity) from the multidimensional point of view.
Findings
In general, the labeling of baby foods proved to be within the legislation, but with confusing information for the consumer. BF7-AAPO (apple pulp and juice, papaya and orange juice), BF-BAO (banana, apple juice and oatmeal) and BF-AA (apple pulp and juice) showed the highest vitamin C content (20–28 mg/100 g; p < 0.001). BF-A (apple), BF-B (banana) and BF-AA showed the highest TPC (7–8.2 mg/100 g; p < 0.001). BF-CP (cassava-parsley), BF-PCBCP (potato, carrot, beef and cassava-parsley) and BF-PCBB (potato, carrot, beef and broccoli) showed the highest antioxidant activity (44–48%; p < 0.001). High value of TPC was related to high value of antioxidant activity in baby foods. In conclusion, vitamin C content in the baby foods was different from those reported on the labels and there was a direct relationship between the content of TPC and the antioxidant capability.
Originality/value
The objective of this work was to evaluate bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity in baby foods. So far, few papers have reported on the subject as the authors seek to know about essential nutrients. However, this knowledge is important because these compounds can decrease and/or prevent inflammatory processes in the body.
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Hawra Alshula, Kawther Alawami, Hawra Abdullatif, Zahra Alhamood, Zainab Alshaikh, Jumanah Alawfi, Tunny Purayidathil, Omar Abuzaid, Yassmin Algindan and Rabie Khattab
This study aims to explore the link between prevalent risk factors for early childhood diarrhea, including hygiene, feeding, weaning practices and maternal education and the…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore the link between prevalent risk factors for early childhood diarrhea, including hygiene, feeding, weaning practices and maternal education and the occurrence and severity of early childhood diarrhea in Saudi Arabia.
Design/methodology/approach
A case-control study was conducted, involving 98 mothers from the Eastern Region of Saudi Arabia (51 cases and 47 controls). Data were collected from both hospital and community sources. The collected data were statistically analyzed and depicted using descriptive statistics and frequency tables.
Findings
Demographic data revealed that 60% of mothers were housewives, 75% had normal deliveries and all babies were full term. In the study cohort, 44% of children aged one to two years. Four domains were compared: diarrheal management, hygiene, weaning and feeding practices. Diarrheal management was suboptimal in some cases: 29% increased fluid intake, 10% maintained adequate food intake, 50% sought medical advice, 58% were familiar with oral rehydration solutions and only 37% used them. Hygiene practices were deficient, with 35% using wipes or sanitizers, 64% handwashing before feeding and 52% adhering to the recommended 10-s duration. Controls exhibited better hygiene practices. Weaning practices were generally similar, with no significant differences between the two groups.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to collectively report on the risk factors linked to early childhood diarrhea in Saudi Arabia. This study yields significant insights, highlighting the crucial role of managing diarrhea, educating mothers and implementing proper household practices in impacting the occurrence and severity of this perilous ailment.
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The residents of Ambridge enjoy a varied and mostly nutritious diet ranging from a ploughman’s at The Bull to Jennifer Aldridge’s roast venison, with the occasional tofu and…
Abstract
The residents of Ambridge enjoy a varied and mostly nutritious diet ranging from a ploughman’s at The Bull to Jennifer Aldridge’s roast venison, with the occasional tofu and quinoa paella from Kate Madikane. For Helen Titchener (née Archer) an abrupt change in circumstances will have led to changes in her diet that could have endangered her health and that of her unborn baby. Helen was imprisoned from about eight months of pregnancy to about four months postpartum, encompassing a critical period in development of her baby. This chapter focusses on the case of Helen and her baby son Jack to explore the dietary requirements for pregnancy and breastfeeding and how these relate to diet in Ambridge and in prison.