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Food Choice, Nutrition, and Public Health: 2nd Edition
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Food Choice, Nutrition, and Public Health: 2nd Edition

A special issue of Foods (ISSN 2304-8158). This special issue belongs to the section "Food Nutrition".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 May 2025 | Viewed by 1863

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Ricardo Assunção

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Egas Moniz School of Health and Science, Campus Universitário–Quinta da Granja, Monte da Caparica, 2829-511 Caparica, Portugal
Interests: food toxicology; risk assessment; health impact of foods and diets; public health; healthy diets; sustainable diets; risk-benefit assessment of foods
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Mariana Santos

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Food and Nutrition, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge, I.P (INSA)., Av. Padre Cruz, 1649-016 Lisbon, Portugal
Interests: food chemistry; food science; nutritional quality; public health nutrition; healthy and sustainable diet
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Volume I of this Special Issue https://www.mdpi.com/journal/foods/special_issues/ZGT74MT4KJ received considerable attention and interest from scholars in relevant fields. We would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to all those who contributed to and supported this work. As interest in this topic continues to grow and it plays an increasingly influential role in the field, we look forward to the launch of Volume II. We hope Volume II will achieve similar success and continue to make a meaningful impact on the field.

Food and dietary choices are linked with the health and well-being of individuals. Over 11 million deaths and 255 million disability-adjusted life years were attributable to dietary risk factors. Human behaviour regarding food choices is complex and influenced by many biological, physiological, social and economic factors. Understanding the individual motives behind certain food choices is fundamental to changing consumption habits, modulating healthy behaviour and becoming more sustainable. Currently, dietary concerns address over-consumption of calories, added sugars and saturated fats and the insufficient consumption of whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Consumer demand for food is a key factor to be considered when formulating various agricultural and public health policies to promote healthier eating patterns.

This Special Issue, entitled “Food Choice, Nutrition, and Public Health: Volume II”, welcomes the submission of either original articles, systematic reviews, meta-analyses or reviews concerning classical or innovative approaches to the issues related to food choice, food composition, nutrition and public health. The issue also welcomes research papers on food choice behaviour and the impact that these choices have on nutritional status, dietary quality, health outcomes, food literacy and food preferences.

Prof. Dr. Ricardo Assunção
Dr. Mariana Santos
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Foods is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • diet
  • dietary recommendations
  • eating behaviour
  • food composition
  • food preferences
  • food choice
  • healthy eating
  • nutrition
  • health impact of foods

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

18 pages, 1868 KiB  
Article
Surveillance of Chemical Foodborne Disease Outbreaks in Zhejiang Province, China, 2011–2023
by Lili Chen, Jiang Chen, Jikai Wang, Xiaojuan Qi, Hexiang Zhang, Yue He and Ronghua Zhang
Foods 2025, 14(6), 936; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods14060936 (registering DOI) - 10 Mar 2025
Abstract
Foodborne diseases are a growing public health problem worldwide, and chemical foodborne disease outbreaks (FBDOs) often have serious consequences. This study aimed to explore the epidemiological characteristics of chemical FBDOs in Zhejiang Province, China, and propose targeted prevention and control measures. Descriptive statistical [...] Read more.
Foodborne diseases are a growing public health problem worldwide, and chemical foodborne disease outbreaks (FBDOs) often have serious consequences. This study aimed to explore the epidemiological characteristics of chemical FBDOs in Zhejiang Province, China, and propose targeted prevention and control measures. Descriptive statistical methods were used to analyze chemical FBDO data collected from the Foodborne Disease Outbreaks Surveillance System in Zhejiang Province from 2011 to 2023. From 2011 to 2023, 74 chemical FBDOs were reported in Zhejiang Province, resulting in 461 cases, 209 hospitalizations, and one death. In contrast to other types of FBDOs, the percentage of hospitalized cases in chemical FBDOs was the highest (45.34%) (chi-square = 1047.9, p < 0.001). Outbreaks caused by nitrite accounted for the largest percentage (56.76%), followed by lead (17.57%). Outbreaks caused by nitrite occurred mainly in households (27), followed by restaurants (6), street stalls (5), and work canteens (3). Among all nitrite-related outbreaks, 59.52% (25/42) were caused by cooking food where it was used as a common seasoning, 26.19% (11/42) by eating pickled vegetables, 7.14% (3/42) by eating cooked meat products, and 4.76% (2/42) by eating grain products. Outbreaks caused by the misuse of nitrite in cooking mainly occurred in households (68%, 17/25), street stalls (16%, 4/25), work canteens (8%, 2/25), and restaurants (8%, 2/25). Outbreaks caused by eating pickled vegetables occurred mainly in households (90.91%, 10/11), and one outbreak occurred in a work canteen. Outbreaks caused by lead (n = 13) occurred in households, and liquor was involved in 12 outbreaks where they were caused by residents consuming yellow rice wine stored in tin pots. In view of the frequent outbreaks of chemical foodborne diseases in our province from 2011 to 2023, a variety of prevention and control measures were proposed based on the research results of the temporal and regional distribution, food and food establishments involved, and the etiological agents of the chemical FBDOs. However, the effectiveness of these recommendations needs to be further verified and studied. In general, public health institutions should further strengthen the surveillance and health education of the population. Individuals should store toxic chemicals, such as nitrates, pesticides, and rodenticides correctly to avoid poisoning by ingestion. In view of the chemical FBDOs caused by food in the catering and distribution links, relevant departments should strengthen targeted supervision. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Choice, Nutrition, and Public Health: 2nd Edition)
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18 pages, 329 KiB  
Article
Associations of Sociodemographic Characteristics with Food Choice Motives’ Importance Among Mexican Adults: A Cross-Sectional Analysis
by Miguel Amaury Salas-García, María Fernanda Bernal-Orozco, Andrés Díaz-López, Alejandra Betancourt-Núñez, Pablo Alejandro Nava-Amante and Barbara Vizmanos
Foods 2025, 14(2), 158; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods14020158 - 7 Jan 2025
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Abstract
Several studies have explored food choice motives (FCMs), but their association with sociodemographic characteristics remains under-researched. This study aimed to examine the cross-sectional associations between sociodemographic factors and FCMs in a sample of Mexican adults. Sociodemographic data and eight FCMs’ importance (health and [...] Read more.
Several studies have explored food choice motives (FCMs), but their association with sociodemographic characteristics remains under-researched. This study aimed to examine the cross-sectional associations between sociodemographic factors and FCMs in a sample of Mexican adults. Sociodemographic data and eight FCMs’ importance (health and natural content, mood, convenience, sensory appeal, price, food identity, image, and environmental concern) measured with a 75-item Updated Food Choice Questionnaire were studied in 786 participants (70% women, mean age: 24.7 years). The adjusted estimates from multivariable linear regressions are reported. Higher relative importance of convenience, price, and image management (all, p < 0.05) were associated with men. Older participants (≥41 years) showed greater concern for environmental and wildlife awareness (EWA) (p = 0.04). Higher education was associated with higher appreciation of health and natural content and EWA (both, p < 0.05), and less of sensory appeal and mood (both, p < 0.05). Individuals in a relationship placed less importance on sensory appeal compared to singles (p = 0.008). Middle–low socioeconomic status was linked to higher importance of food identity (p = 0.039), while food insecurity was associated with higher concern for price and food identity (both, p < 0.05). Our findings highlight the influence of sociodemographic factors on FCMs that might act as barriers or drivers for adopting healthy diets. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Choice, Nutrition, and Public Health: 2nd Edition)
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17 pages, 316 KiB  
Article
Breastfeeding Practices and Food Consumption of Socially Vulnerable Children
by Natália A. Oliveira, Nathalia Pizato, Érika S. O. Patriota, Ariene S. do Carmo, Gabriela Buccini and Vivian S. S. Gonçalves
Foods 2025, 14(1), 138; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods14010138 - 6 Jan 2025
Viewed by 884
Abstract
Promoting child well-being and development requires a multidimensional approach, including the right to adequate food practices. Socially vulnerable children are more exposed to adverse experiences, such as inadequate food consumption due to poverty. In this context, home-visiting programs are an important strategy for [...] Read more.
Promoting child well-being and development requires a multidimensional approach, including the right to adequate food practices. Socially vulnerable children are more exposed to adverse experiences, such as inadequate food consumption due to poverty. In this context, home-visiting programs are an important strategy for nutritional and health care education to provide relevant guidelines. This study describes breastfeeding and food consumption of children aged 0 to 24 months assisted by the Happy Child Program (Programa Criança Feliz—PCF) and aimed to investigate their association with socioeconomic factors and adherence to the program. This is an observational study, with a cross-sectional design, carried out with children assisted by the PCF in the Federal District, Brazil. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify sociodemographic and income factors, and household visits characteristics associated with breastfeeding, dietary diversity, and the consumption of ultra-processed food. A total of 301 children were assessed, 51.16% of whom were female. In 58.99% of households, the reference person was the mother; 86.20% were unemployed, and 27.08% had a low education degree. About 62.65% of beneficiaries lived on up to USD 200.00 per month and the majority faced food insecurity. The child’s age, and the mother’s current work situation were independently associated with the current breastfeeding situation, especially higher among women who did not work (p = 0.015). The minimum dietary diversity among children over 6 months old was 62.21% and presented a positive association with adherence to the program (p = 0.005). On the other hand, the consumption of ultra-processed foods was 77.21% and was associated with a longer follow-up time within the program (p = 0.047). The associations observed revealed the need to integrate family food choices and nutritional education into public policies for early childhood. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Choice, Nutrition, and Public Health: 2nd Edition)
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