Dysregulated iron metabolism is associated with altered body composition and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD); however, mechanisms underlying this association remain undefined. We investigated this association in 117 women. Middle-aged women (≥45 years old (y)) were heavier and had lower serum iron, higher serum hepcidin, ferritin, and severe NAFLD incidence than young adult women (<45 y). Age-adjusted linear regression analysis revealed that young adult women with the highest serum iron:ferritin ratio (Tertile 3) had a 5.08-unit increased percentage of muscle mass [β = 5.08 (1.48–8.68), p < 0.001] and a 1.21-unit decreased percentage visceral fat mass [β = −1.21 (−2.03 to −0.39), p < 0.001] compared with those with the lowest serum iron:ferritin ratio (Tertile 1; reference). The iron:ferritin dietary pattern, characterized by high consumption of beef, lamb, dairy products, fruits, and whole grains, and low consumption of refined carbohydrates (rice, noodles, and bread and pastries), and deep- and stir-fried foods, predicted a 90% [odds ratio: 0.10, 95% confidence interval: 0.02–0.47, p < 0.001] reduced risk of mild vs. moderate and severe NAFLD in young adult women. Our findings suggest that the serum iron:ferritin ratio more accurately predicts body composition and reduced risk of severe fatty liver progression in young adult women compared to middle-aged women.

Elevated soluble cluster of differentiation 163 (sCD163) concentrations, a marker of macrophage activation, are associated with obesity. Weight reduction decreases circulating CD163 levels, and changes in sCD163 levels are associated with improved metabolic dysfunction. Currently, the relationship between sCD163 and diet remains unclear. This study investigated dietary patterns associated with sCD163 concentrations and its predictive effect on metabolic syndrome (MetS). Data on anthropometrics, blood biochemistry, and a food frequency questionnaire were collected from 166 Taiwanese adults. sCD163 levels independently predicted MetS (odds ratio (OR): 5.35; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.13~13.44, p < 0.001), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (OR: 2.19; 95% CI: 1.03~4.64, p < 0.001), and central obesity (OR: 3.90; 95% CI: 1.78~8.55, p < 0.001), after adjusting for age and sex. An adjusted linear regression analysis revealed strong correlations between levels of sCD163 and aspartate transaminase (AST) (β = 0.250 (0.023~0.477), p < 0.05) and red blood cell aggregation (β = 0.332 (0.035~0.628), p < 0.05). sCD163-associated dietary pattern scores (high frequencies of consuming noodles and desserts, and eating at home, and a low intake frequency of steamed/boiled/raw food, white/light-green-colored vegetables, orange/red/purple-colored vegetables, dairy products, seafood, dark-green leafy vegetables, and soy products) were positively correlated with MetS, liver injury biomarkers, and sCD163 levels (all p for trend < 0.05). Individuals with the highest dietary pattern scores (tertile 3) had a 2.37-fold [OR: 2.37; 95% CI: 1.04~5.37, p < 0.05] higher risk of MetS compared to those with the lowest scores (tertile 1). Overall, the study findings suggest the importance of a healthy dietary pattern in preventing elevated sCD163 levels and diet-related chronic disease such as MetS.

Food security, food sustainability, and malnutrition represent critical global challenges. Th urgency of comprehensive action is evident in the need for research collaboration between the food industry, agriculture, public health, and nutrition. This article highlights the role of philanthropy, of a non-profit organization, in supporting research and development and filling financial gaps. The article also explores the interplay of nutrition, agriculture, and government and policy, positioning philanthropy as a catalyst for transformative change and advocating for collaborative efforts to comprehensively address global food challenges. In addition, the discussion also underscores the ethical complexities surrounding charitable food aid, especially in terms of the dignity and autonomy of its recipients. The paper concludes by proposing future directions and implications, advocating for diversified intervention portfolios and collaborative efforts involving governments, businesses, and local communities. Apart from that, the importance of answering and alleviating ethical dilemmas related to food charity assistance needs to be a concern for future studies related to philanthropy because of the significant challenges faced by the contemporary food system, which include food security, health, and nutritional sustainability.

ABSTRAK Latar Belakang: Hubungan antara perilaku jajan dan status gizi belum dapat disimpulkan karena dapat disebabkan oleh perbedaan jumlah jajanan dan asupan natrium yang dikonsumsi.Tujuan: Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui hubungan kebiasaan jajan dan asupan natrium kaitannya dengan status gizi pada anak sekolah dasar.Metode: Survei cross-sectional terhadap 115 anak usia 8-12 tahun dilakukan di Jakarta Selatan, Indonesia. Asupan makanan dinilai menggunakan recall 24 jam dan pengukuran antropometri dilakukan. Status gizi subjek ditentukan dengan menggunakan indikator IMT/usia.Hasil: Anak-anak yang kurus mengkonsumsi makanan ringan dua kali lebih banyak daripada anak-anak yang gemuk, tetapi mengkonsumsi lebih sedikit energi yang bersumber dari makanan. Tidak ada perbedaan rata-rata konsumsi energi dari makanan dan dengan status gizi partisipan yang berbeda (p>0,05). Produk snack yang paling sering dikonsumsi oleh peserta adalah minuman manis, gorengan, dan snack ekstrudat. Rata-rata asupan natrium harian partisipan adalah 1620,11 ± 1129,780 mg dan meningkat secara signifikan dengan peningkatan asupan energi (p-tren<0,05). Tidak ada hubungan antara status gizi dengan konsumsi natrium pada penelitian ini.Kesimpulan: Meskipun kebiasaan jajan tidak berpengaruh pada status gizi, namun hal ini berkontribusi pada peningkatan asupan natrium. Temuan ini mungkin menyiratkan bahwa kandungan natrium dalam makanan ringan harus diatur lebih lanjut untuk mencegah perkembangan penyakit tidak menular. KATA KUNCI: asupan natrium; jajan; kebiasaan jajan; makanan ringan; status gizi ABSTRACTBackground: The associations between snacking behavior and nutritional status are inconclusive, which may be due to differences in snacking quantity and sodium intake.Objectives: This study aims to determine the association between snacking behavior and sodium intake and nutritional status in primary school children.Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 115 children aged 8-12 years old was conducted in South Jakarta, Indonesia. Dietary intake was assessed using 24-hour recalls and anthropometric measurements were collected. The nutritional status of subjects was determined using BMI-for-age indicator. Results: Thin children consume twice as many snacks as children who are obese but consume less energy at meals. The average energy consumption from meals and snacks was not significantly different between participants with varying nutritional status (p>0.05). Participants' snack products most frequently consumed were sugar-sweetened beverages, fried foods, and extruded snacks. The average daily sodium intake was 1620.11 ± 1129.780 mg and increased significantly with increased energy intake (p-trend<0.05). There was no association between nutritional status and sodium consumption in this study.Conclusions: While snacking have no effect on nutritional status, it contributes to increase sodium intake. This finding may imply that sodium content in snacks should be further regulated to prevent the development of non-communicable diseases. KEYWORD: nutritional status; snacks; snacking; snack behavior; sodium intake