There is a research gap in understanding the relationship between nutrient deficiency and food insecurity among adolescent girls in Afghanistan. The objective of this study was to investigate the associations between nutrient deficiencies and food insecurity among middle and high school-aged girls in Kabul. We conducted a cross-sectional study of 380 randomly selected 11-18-year-old girls attending public schools in grades 6-12. We assessed girls\' food insecurity, food and nutrient intake, socioeconomic status, and physical activity. Nutrient consumption was calculated using Nutritionist IV software. Statistical analyses, including one-way analysis of variance, Chi-square tests, and t-tests, were used to assess the association between dietary intake and food insecurity. More than half (52.9%) of the participants were food insecure, with 35.8% experiencing hunger and 17.1% without hunger. Vitamin B3, C, selenium, and iron had the highest sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy and were the best indicators of food insecurity with and without hunger. The most prevalent nutrient deficiencies were vitamin B9 and E, calcium, magnesium, and zinc inadequacies. Food security was positively associated with fruit, vitamins E and K, dairy products (e.g., milk, yogurt, and cheese), meat products (e.g., chicken, meat, red meat, and egg), and nut intake. Our findings suggest that adolescent girls in Kabul may benefit from food programs that enrich nutrients such as B9 and E, calcium, magnesium, and zinc, which were found to be the most prevalent nutrient deficiencies. These findings highlight the importance of addressing food insecurity and nutrient deficiencies among adolescent girls in Afghanistan.

Cereals are an important source of nutrients, especially used in complementary feeding. The objective of this study is to review the nutritional composition of cereal-based foods for infants from 4 months and toddlers that are offered in Spain and Ecuador, countries selected because of the opportunity to work in them, and due to their socio-economic differences (industrialized and developing countries, respectively). The number of these products was 105 cereals in Spain and 22 in Ecuador. The products were classified as gluten-free cereals, five cereals, eight cereals, multigrain cereals, and cookies. A 25 g serving was used to determine the percentage in which the samples analyzed can cover the Reference Nutrient Intake (RNI) for micronutrients in infants from 7 months and toddlers according to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Nutritional information per 100 g of dry product was collected according to medium, minimum, and maximum units, and nutrient density was calculated. The age range in which these products are recommended is different in both countries. The nutritional composition presents some differences; Spanish cereals show a lower content of sodium, added sugars, hydrolyzed cereals, and maltodextrin than Ecuadorian cereals. Commercialized cereals could contribute to satisfying the nutritional needs of infants and toddlers; however, they can also be a source of non-recommended components.

BACKGROUND: The SI.Menu study offers the latest data on the dietary intake of Slovenian adolescents aged 10 to 17. The purpose of this study is to comprehensively assess their dietary intake (energy and nutrients) and compare their food intakes with dietary recommendations for healthy and sustainable diets.
METHODS: The cross-sectional epidemiological dietary study SI.Menu (March 2017-April 2018) was conducted on a representative sample of Slovenian adolescents aged 10 to 17 years (n = 468) (230 males and 238 females). Data on dietary intake were gathered through two non-consecutive 24 h recalls, in line with the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) EU Menu methodology. The repeated 24 h Dietary Recall (HDR) and Food Propensity Questionnaire (FPQ) data were combined to determine the usual intakes of nutrients and food groups, using the Multiple Source Method (MSM) program.
RESULTS: Adolescents\' diets significantly deviate from dietary recommendations, lacking vegetables, milk and dairy products, nuts and seeds, legumes, and water, while containing excessive meat (especially red meat) and high-sugar foods. This results in insufficient intake of dietary fibre, and nutrients such as vitamin D, folate, and calcium.
CONCLUSIONS: The dietary intake of Slovenian adolescents does not meet healthy and sustainable diet recommendations. This study provides an important insight into the dietary habits of Slovenian adolescents that could be useful for future public health strategies.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the relationship between the nutrient limit in new national standard Infant Formula(GB 10765-2021)(New GB)and the corresponding nutrients in Dietary Reference Intakes for China 2023(DRIs 2023), to determine the scientific and reasonable base of each nutrient in New GB, and provide supports for future revision of it.
METHODS: Using a data conversion method, the adequate intake(AI) of each nutrient recommended by DRIs 2023 for infants aged 0-6 months and the nutrient limit in the New GB were input into the Excel table. Based on authoritative data on the representative weight of 0-6 month infants and the recommended energy values, the conversion was done, the ratio of the lower limit of each nutrient in New GB and the AI of corresponding nutrient, as well as the ratio of the upper limit of nutrients in New GB and their tolerable upper intake level(UL) were calculated.
RESULTS: For most nutrients in New GB for infant formula, the ratio of the lower limit to their AI is close to 1. For those nutrients with a large ratio of the lower limit to AI, or with a ratio of the upper limit to UL were greater than 1, detail analysis was conducted.
CONCLUSIONS: Based on DRIs 2023, the nutrient limit for each nutrient in New GB for infant formula was scientific and reasonable. For some nutrients with a large ratio, more studies should be done in the future to determine whether the limit in National Standard need to be adjusted.

Skeletal muscle mass is determined predominantly by feeding-induced and activity-induced fluctuations in muscle protein synthesis (MPS). Older individuals display a diminished MPS response to protein ingestion, referred to as age-related anabolic resistance, which contributes to the progression of age-related muscle loss known as sarcopenia.
We aimed to determine the impact of consuming higher-quality compared with lower-quality protein supplements above the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) on integrated MPS rates. We hypothesized that increasing total protein intake above the RDA, regardless of the source, would support higher integrated rates of myofibrillar protein synthesis.
Thirty-one healthy older males (72 ± 4 y) consumed a controlled diet with protein intake set at the RDA: control phase (days 1-7). In a double-blind, randomized controlled fashion, participants were assigned to consume an additional 50 g (2 × 25g) of whey (n = 10), pea (n = 11), or collagen (n = 10) protein each day (25 g at breakfast and lunch) during the supplemental phase (days 8-15). Deuterated water ingestion and muscle biopsies assessed integrated MPS and acute anabolic signaling. Postprandial blood samples were collected to determine feeding-induced aminoacidemia.
Integrated MPS was increased during supplemental with whey (1.59 ± 0.11 %/d; P < 0.001) and pea (1.59 ± 0.14 %/d; P < 0.001) when compared with RDA (1.46 ± 0.09 %/d for the whey group; 1.46 ± 0.10 %/d for the pea group); however, it remained unchanged with collagen. Supplemental protein was sufficient to overcome anabolic signaling deficits (mTORC1 and rpS6), corroborating the greater postprandial aminoacidemia.
Our findings demonstrate that supplemental protein provided at breakfast and lunch over the current RDA enhanced anabolic signaling and integrated MPS in older males; however, the source of additional protein may be an important consideration in overcoming age-related anabolic resistance. This trial was registered clinicaltrials.gov as NCT04026607.

There is concern that during a low-risk pregnancy, women are consuming more than recommended (400 µg/day) supplemental folic acid and may not meet recommendations for other nutrients. The objective of this study was to determine folic acid supplement use and dietary folate intakes in the second trimester (week 18) of pregnancy in women (n = 2996) in the Canadian CHILD cohort study. Vitamin B12 and choline intakes were also assessed because they are metabolically related to folate. The majority of participants (71.6%) were consuming a daily prenatal supplement. Twenty-eight percent of women (n = 847) reported consuming a folic acid supplement and of these women, 45.3% had daily supplemental folic acid intakes above the upper intake level (UL; 1000 µg/day). Daily dietary folate intakes were (mean (SD)) 575 (235) DFE µg/day. In contrast, only 24.8% of women met the dietary choline adequate intake (AI) recommendation (AI ≥ 450 mg/day) with a mean (SD) intake of 375 (151) mg/day. Further understanding of the impact of supplemental folic acid intake above the UL and low choline intake during pregnancy requires further investigation.

This report aimed to describe the results of total daily energy expenditure (TDEE) assessed by doubly labeled water (DLWTDEE) and the adequacy of the dietary reference intakes (DRI) equations to estimate energy requirements (DRIER).
A cross-sectional and observational study in a convenience sample of 40 healthy Brazilian adults (≥20 years; 21 women) living in a tropical urban region. Basal metabolic rate (BMR) was measured by indirect calorimetry, DLWTDEE was compared with DRIER using individual calculated physical activity level (PAL = DLWTDEE/BMR) in its estimation.
BMR (5043 ± 548 kJ/day in women and 6213 ± 656 kJ/day in men), DLWTDEE (8372 ± 1324 kJ/day and 11 453 ± 1834 kJ/day), and PAL (1.66 ± 0.17 and 1.85 ± 0.30, respectively) were significantly higher in men. The DRIER significantly overestimated DLWTDEE by 13.7 ± 8.3% and 12.7 ± 10.7% in women and men, respectively.
In the present sample of relatively active urban Brazilian subjects, the DRIER yielded inaccurate estimation of DLWTDEE. More data from low- and moderate-income countries are necessary to develop accurate estimates of TDEE.

OBJECTIVE: \"Pocket formulas\" are practical alternatives for calculating an individual\'s total energy expenditure (TEE). Typically, more sophisticated predictive equations are used, such as the new equations proposed in the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI). Nevertheless, these new equations necessitate estimating physical activity levels (PALs). The aim of this study was to compare the use of pocket formulas (kcal/kg of body weight) with the new predictive equations for energy expenditure proposed by the DRI (2023) in healthy women and with the doubly labeled water (DLW) method to predict TEE.
METHODS: The TEEs of healthy adult women were measured by DLW and calculated using the pocket formulas (× 20, × 25, × 30, and × 35 kcal/kg of body weight) and the new DRI equation. PALs by triaxial accelerometers were also collected.
RESULTS: The study included 55 women. For the entire sample, the × 30 pocket formula had the lowest bias (-6%; limits of agreement [LOAs]: -39.8; 27.5; root mean square error: 373.4) and the highest precision (42%). The pocket formulas showed reasonable agreement in the different body mass index categories compared with the results found by the 2023 DRI proposal. For individuals with normal weight, the agreement was × 35 kcal/kg: bias (%) = -4.8; LoA = -41.5; 31.8, with overweight, it was × 30 kcal/kg: bias (%) = -2.2; LoA = -25.1; 20.6, and with obesity, it was × 30 kcal/kg: bias (%) = 4.2; LoA = -21.1; 29.4.
CONCLUSIONS: Pocket formulas provide a reasonable agreement with TEE in healthy, sedentary, or low-active adult women, which may be a more simplistic strategy when there is no PAL data for calculating the DRI equations.

There is still controversy about optimal dietary iodine intake as the Universal Salt Iodization policy enforcement in China. A modified iodine balance study was thus conducted to explore the suitable iodine intake in Chinese adult males using the iodine overflow hypothesis. In this study, thirty-eight apparently healthy males (19·1 (sd 0·6) years) were recruited and provided with designed diets. After the 14-d iodine depletion, daily iodine intake gradually increased in the 30-d iodine supplementation, consisting of six stages and each of 5 d. All foods and excreta (urine, faeces) were collected to examine daily iodine intake, iodine excretion and the changes of iodine increment in relation to those values at stage 1. The dose-response associations of iodine intake increment with excretion increment were fitted by the mixed effects models, as well as with retention increment. Daily iodine intake and excretion were 16·3 and 54·3 μg/d at stage 1, and iodine intake increment increased from 11·2 μg/d at stage 2 to 118·0 μg/d at stage 6, while excretion increment elevated from 21·5 to 95·0 μg/d. A zero iodine balance was dynamically achieved as 48·0 μg/d of iodine intake. The estimated average requirement and recommended nutrient intake were severally 48·0 and 67·2 μg/d, which could be corresponded to a daily iodine intake of 0·74 and 1·04 μg/kg per d. The results of our study indicate that roughly half of current iodine intakes recommendation could be enough in Chinese adult males, which would be beneficial for the revision of dietary reference intakes.

With the western influence in our diets, food consumption has changed, and our magnesium (Mg) intake is no longer optimal. Serum Mg (S-Mg) level is currently used as an indicator of Mg deficiency and is strictly regulated via compensatory mechanisms. It is believed that a 24-h urine collection can be used to evaluate potential Mg deficiency. This study aimed to assess whether Mg deficiency state as found in urine Mg (U-Mg) excretion and improving such deficiency with a diet that meets the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) of Mg for 15 d. Healthy Japanese women were recruited for Study 1 (n=22) and Study 2 (n=10). Study 1 was 1-d balance test, where fasting blood and 24-h urine samples were collected. Study 2 was 15-d diet load test, where fasting blood (days 1, 7, and 15) and 24-h urine (odd days) were collected. All test meals were made certain to have met the RDA for Mg for women in their 20s. In Studies 1 and 2, S-Mg was within the normal range. In Study 1, U-Mg excretion was 67.7±17.0 mg/d, with a large dispersion. In Study 2, U-Mg excretion on days 7 and 15 was significantly higher than on day 1, but have no significant differences in U-Mg excretion between days 7-15. U-Mg excretion can be a valuable indicator to evaluate Mg state. In young women, improvements in Mg deficient state were observed after 7-15 d of taking meals that met the RDAs of Mg.