Image Resource Decreased risk of type 2 diabetes with high dairy intake This study entitled: “Dairy products and the risk of type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of cohort studies” takes another look at the evidence on the association between intake of dairy products and the risk of type 2 diabetes. Read
Image Resource Consumer food related behaviours that impact on sustainability This evidence review, commissioned by DEFRA and undertaken by the consultancy Best Foot Forward, critically assesses and summarises data around two key objectives: What are the ‘hotspots’ (i.e. points of greatest environmental impact) along the food consumer journey? What mechanisms are available and most effective for influencing consumer behaviour at those hotspots? Read
Image Resource Red meat and type two diabetes This study follows a cohort of around 100,000 people over the course of 20 years. It looks at the associations between changes in red meat consumption and the incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). All participants started out as red meat eaters. Read
Resource Paper: Consumer perceptions of usefulness of different labelling formats This study presents different ways of presenting information on food calories and assesses how useful consumers find them. It showed participants of 3 groups the calorie content of a ham sandwich, displaying this information in different formats as shown in the diagram below. Read
Resource Which country has the most confectionary aisles? Good to know the Brits are tops at something. To read the full story click here. Read
Image Resource Infographic: economic growth and health IFPRI has published an infographic showing the relationship between GDP and childhood stunting on the one hand; and between economic growth and overweight/obesity on the other. Read
Resource Sustainable healthy diets in Europe: Opportunities and barriers This report is a summary of the efforts of LiveWell for LIFE and the Network of European Food Stakeholders to find the most important social and economic barriers and opportunities for sustainable diets in Spain, France and Sweden and in the wider EU. Read
Image Resource Predictors and correlates of taste preferences in European children This is an interesting study which tests preferences for sugar, fat, salt and umami (savoury-ness) among children in a range of European countries. It finds that children’s liking for these tastes varies by country, suggesting that culture has a very strong part to play in influencing food preferences. While hardly a major revelation in itself, what I take from this study is that the very common assumptions we see about the ‘inevitability’ of growth in demand for high fat and high sugar foods, or for meat products, are open to challenge. Read
