Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism

Food literacy is increasingly recognized as an important determinant of healthy aging; however, its relationship with adherence to the Mediterranean diet and successful aging remains insufficiently explored, particularly among older adults participating in lifelong learning programs. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between food literacy, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, and successful aging among University of the Third Age (U3A) students.

This cross-sectional study was conducted between November 2024 and February 2025 with 120 individuals aged ≥ 60 years attending the U3A at Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a questionnaire including sociodemographic characteristics and dietary habits, the Self-Perceived Food Literacy Scale (SPFL), the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS), and the Successful Aging Scale (SAS). Linear regression analyses were performed.

Adherence to the Mediterranean diet was positively associated with food literacy in the simple model (β = 0.202, p = 0.027). Successful aging showed a stronger association (β = 0.485, p < 0.001). In the multiple model, successful aging remained significant (β = 0.452, p < 0.001), while BMI was negatively associated (β = −214, p = 0.007). The association between MEDAS and food literacy was not significant after adjustment.

Successful aging was more strongly associated with food literacy than with adherence to the Mediterranean diet. While MEDAS showed a significant association in the unadjusted model, this association did not remain after adjustment. These findings suggest the potential importance of multidimensional approaches to promoting healthy aging.

Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency in infants, with varying prevalence across countries.

The objectives of this study were firstly to compare hematological, biochemical, and dietary parameters between iron-deficient (ID) and non-iron-deficient (NID) infants; and secondly to identify dietary components associated with iron deficiency.

Infants (n = 130, Girls/Boys 59/71) aged 18 to 24 months, were recruited from pediatric center in Oran. Fresh blood count, plasma ferritin, and soluble receptors of transferrin (RsTf) were measured. Dietary consumption by the 24-h recall followed by 3 days record was evaluated.

Among the 130 infants recruited, 71 had iron deficiency, representing a prevalence of 54.6%. Hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), and ferritin levels lowered in ID compared to NID group (p < 0.05), while RsTf levels increased by 10%, confirming iron-deficient erythropoiesis. Despite comparable total energy and macronutrient intakes between the both groups, animal proteins consumption was 1.41-fold lower and vegetable proteins was 1.34-fold higher in ID group compared to NID (p < 0.001). Micronutrient analysis revealed significant low dietary iron, retinol (vitamin A), zinc, and vitamin B1 in ID group (p < 0.05). Notably, growth milk consumption was reduced by 64% in ID infants suggesting a potential link between fortified milk intake and iron status.

This study highlights key differences in hematological, biochemical, and dietary parameters between ID and NID groups, thus underscoring the importance of dietary quality, particularly bioavailable iron, and animal protein sources, to prevent iron deficiency, and to reinforce the role of fortified foods in pediatric nutrition.

Lignan supplementation may be associated with blood lipids improvement; however, the current evidence from clinical trials is inconsistent. The present study aimed to systematically review and analyze clinical trials assessing the effects of lignan supplementation on blood lipids.

We searched the databases SCOPUS, PubMed, ISI Web of Science, and Google Scholar until August 10^th, 2025. The effect sizes were expressed as weighted mean difference (WMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

A total of 10 eligible trials (13 effect sizes) with a total sample size of 448 participants were included in this meta-analysis. Lignans used in these trials were secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG), sesamin, sesamolin, and flaxseed-derived lignan. Our analysis showed that lignan supplementation significantly decreased serum total cholesterol (TC) (WMD: −11.01 mg/dL, 95% CI: −18.67, −3.35, P = 0.005) and LDL cholesterol (LDL-c) (WMD: −8.71 mg/dL, 95% CI: −14.49 to −2.94, P = 0.003), with no significant effect on triglycerides (TG) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) levels. Subgroup analyses showed that lignan administration with dosage less than 500 mg/day, intervention periods less than 10 weeks, BMI less than 25 and 25–29 kg/m² and in hypercholesterolemic subjects was more likely to decrease TC and LDL-c.

Evidence suggests that lignan supplementation is associated with reductions in TC and LDL-c in adults. Therefore, lignan may play a significant role in reducing the risk of dyslipidemia/hyperlipidemia.

Chemotherapy is often associated with metabolic and functional disorders that may affect treatment outcomes in cancer patients. This study aimed to assess chemotherapy-induced changes in weight, body composition, nutritional status, biochemical parameters, and physical activity levels in Moroccan cancer patients.

This prospective cohort study involved 422 cancer patients treated by chemotherapy. Anthropometric measurements and bioelectrical impedance analysis were used to assess weight status and body composition. Nutritional status was evaluated using the Nutritional Risk Index, and biochemical parameters were obtained from the hospital's database. Physical activity levels were assessed by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire.

After chemotherapy, there were significant reduction in fat-free mass and increase in body fat percentage (P < 0.001). The proportion of patients with moderate/severe malnutrition, sarcopenic obesity, and low muscle mass increased from 34.2%, 29.1%, and 49.1% pre-treatment to 50.0%, 39.3%, and 57.8% post-treatment, respectively. There was a significant decrease in total protein levels (P = 0.034). Physical activity and total energy expenditure decreased after chemotherapy (P < 0.001). Younger age (<60 years), low/moderate physical activity levels, and excessive body fat were independently associated with weight gain. Short disease duration (<12 months) and normal nutritional status were protective against moderate/severe weight loss, while non-excessive body fat increased such weight alteration. Non-malnourished patients and those without excess body fat had higher odds for low muscle mass.

Chemotherapy induced significant alterations in weight, nutritional status, body composition, and physical activity. Early implementation of nutritional and lifestyle interventions is needed in oncological care to prevent treatment-related malnutrition and adverse outcomes in cancer patients.

This study analyzed the associations between adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) and attentional and executive processes in university students.

An observational study was conducted involving seventy-three first-year physiotherapy students (mean age = 18.41 ± 0.78 years). MedDiet adherence was assessed using the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS), while cognitive performance was evaluated through the Global and Local Attention Test (AGL), Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT), and Trail Making Test (TMT) A and B. Comparisons of cognitive performance between participants with low and medium-to-high MEDAS scores were performed using the Mann-U Whitney and student's t test. Also, correlations between cognitive performance and MEDAS score were analyzed using Pearson's or Spearman's correlation coefficients.

Adherence to MedDiet showed a positive correlation with TMT-A percentile (ρ = 0.264; p = 0.024). No other significant associations were observed between the MEDAS score and cognitive tests.

A modest association was found between MedDiet adherence and cognitive performance, particularly in processing speed, as measured by TMT-A. However, the absence of significant effects in the other cognitive tests underscores the multifactorial nature of the relationship between diet and cognition, highlighting the need for further research to clarify these associations in young adult populations.

Dietary habits significantly affect not only individuals’ health but also environmental sustainability indicators such as carbon emissions and water usage. This study aimed to evaluate diet quality and environmental effects in vegan, vegetarian and omnivorous adults.

This cross-sectional study included 77 vegans, 28 vegetarians and 72 omnivores. Healthy eating index (HEI) was used to determine the diet quality of individuals. Carbon and water footprint values were calculated.

In HEI scores, it was determined that vegans and vegetarians had higher scores than omnivores in whole fruits, total vegetables, greens and beans and seafood and plant protein scores (p < 0.05). Omnivores had highest values ​​in carbon footprint and vegans had lowest values, while omnivores had the highest values in water footprint and vegetarians had the lowest values ​​(p < 0.05). Carbon footprint values ​​had a negative relationship with whole fruits scores, total vegetables scores, greens and beans scores, whole grains scores, seafood and plant protein scores and fatty acids scores; and a positive relationship with dairy scores, total protein scores, refined grains scores, added sugars scores and saturation fats scores (p < 0.05), while water footprint values ​​had a negative relationship with whole fruits scores, total vegetables scores, whole grains scores and saturation fats scores; and a positive relationship with dairy scores, total protein scores, refined grains scores, added sugars scores and saturation fats scores (p < 0.05).

These study findings showed that diet quality and diet type are determinants of carbon and water footprint values.