The relationship between diet and acne is highly controversial. Several studies during the last decade have led dermatologists to reflect on a potential link between diet and acne. This article presents the latest findings on a potential impact that diet can have on pathogenesis of acne vulgaris. The association between diet and acne can no longer be dismissed. Compelling evidence shows that high glycemic load diets may exacerbate acne. Dairy ingestion appears to be weakly associated with acne and the roles of omega-3 fatty acids, dietary fiber, antioxidants, vitamin A, zinc and iodine remain to be elucidated. The question of what the impact of diet is on the course of acne vulgaris still remains unclear.

The dietary acid load in the Polish adult population was relatively low. There was no independent relationship between dietary acid load and cardiovascular disease and its risk factors in the population under study, except for the positive association between the PRAL value and diabetes prevalence in females.

BackgroundAdherence by diabetic patients to dietary recommendations is important for effective therapy. Considering patients’ expectations in case of diet is significant in this regard. The aim of this paper was to analyze the relationship between selected independent variables (eg, regular blood glucose testing) and patients’ adherence to dietary recommendations, bearing in mind that the degree of disease acceptance might play a mediation role.Subjects and methodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in 91 patients treated for type 2 diabetes mellitus in a public medical facility. Paper-and-pencil interviewing was administered ahead of the planned visit with a diabetes specialist. Two measures were applied in the study: the Acceptance and Action Diabetes Questionnaire and the Patient Diet Adherence in Diabetes Scale. Additionally, data related to sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle-related factors, and the course of the disease (management, incidence of complications, and dietician’s supervision) were also collected. The regression method was used in the analysis, and Cohen’s methodology was used to estimate partial mediation. Significance of the mediation effect was assessed by the Goodman test. P-values of <0.05 were considered statistically significant.ResultsPatients’ non-adherence to dietary recommendations was related to a low level of disease acceptance (standardized regression coefficient =−0.266; P=0.010). Moreover, failure to perform regular blood glucose testing was associated with a lack of disease acceptance (standardized regression coefficient =−0.455; P=0.000). However, the lack of regular blood glucose testing and low level of acceptance had only partially negative impacts on adherence to dietary recommendations (Goodman mediation test, Z=1.939; P=0.054). This dependence was not seen in patients treated with diet and concomitant oral medicines and/or insulin therapy.ConclusionEffective dietary education should include activities promoting a more positive attitude toward the disease. This may be obtained by individual counseling, respecting the patient’s needs, and focus on regular blood glucose testing.

A b s t r a c t Background and aim:The aim of the study was to assess the impact of individualised nutritional intervention based on the DASH diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) on the nutritional status, blood pressure, and selected biochemical parameters of obese/overweight patients with primary arterial hypertension. Methods:A total of 131 participants were randomised to the DASH intervention group (DIG; n = 69, 33 males) or the control group (CG; n = 62, 32 males). A three-month nutritional intervention was carried out in the DIG group, while the control group received only standard recommendations. Body weight, height, waist and hip circumference, body composition, blood pressure, serum glucose, and insulin and leptin concentrations were measured at the baseline and after the intervention.Results: Sixty-four (92.8%) participants in the intervention and 62 (100%) in the control group completed the study. In the DIG group a significant decrease in body mass, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, body fat content, fasting glucose, insulin, and leptin concentrations were observed in comparison to the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusions:The DASH dietary intervention provides significant benefits to overweight/obese patients with primary hypertension.

(1) Background: The COVID-19 pandemic exerts a negative influence on dietary behaviors, which may lead to health deterioration. Dietary behaviors may be determined by psychological characteristics, such as basic hope and resilience, which facilitate the effective adjustment to new difficult conditions. The professional literature includes no research on the role of basic hope and resilience in the context of undertaken dietary behaviors in the situations of mental load associated with pandemics. The study aimed at the description of the dietary behaviors of individuals with various intensities of the discussed psychological characteristics (basic hope and resilience); (2) The observational cross-sectional online questionnaire study was conducted with the participation of 1082 adult Polish inhabitants. Three psychological scales were used: PSS-10, the Brief Resilient Coping Scale (BRCS) and BHI-12 questionnaire. The assessment of the adherence to dietary recommendations was performed with the present authors’ Dietary Guidelines Adherence Index (DGA Index); (3) Results: The value of DGA Index was variable depending on the psychological profile of study participants. The highest adherence to the principles of appropriate nutrition was observed in individuals characterized by the ability to cope with difficult situations and those who quickly adapted to new changing circumstances. The DGA Index values became poorer with the deterioration of the coping ability as regards stress and mental load; (4) Conclusions: Nutritional education during pandemics should encompass the psychological profile of the patients. It requires the implementation of a different psychodietetic approach which will facilitate a more effective introduction of a well-balanced diet.

Impact of the shift system of nurses' work on their diet and physical activity Nurses' work in inpatient care often involves shift work. The shift system, especially working nights, disrupts habits and natural biological rhythms, is a hindrance to home and social life and has a detrimental effect on diet and physical activity. The aim of the study was to assess the influence of shift work on nurses' dietary intake and physical activity. Using a diagnostic survey, the behaviours of nurses in one-and two-shift systems were compared. The results were processed using the Microsoft Excel and Statistica 10.0 software. The dietary habits and types of exercise did not differ significantly between nurses in the one-shift and two-shift systems. However, a slightly healthier lifestyle in terms of nutrition and exercise was exhibited by nurses in the one-shift system. It seems necessary to introduce health education among professionally active nurses in order to minimise potential problems arising from the style of work.

Background/Aims: Benefits resulting from weight loss and dietary approaches to stop hypertension (DASH) diet in the treatment of arterial hypertension led to a search for a better therapy that would include psychological factors. The present study aimed to assess the relationship between the personality traits included in the Big Five personality traits and the effectiveness of treatment for weight loss in patients with essential hypertension and excessive body weight. Methods: The study involved 84 patients with essential hypertension, overweight or obesity, managed by a hypertensiologist. All patients underwent a 3-month diet treatment as part of the development process of an individualised eating plan that follows the principles of DASH diet and food education. Body mass index and DASH index were calculated before and after the therapy. NEO Five-Factor Inventory was applied to measure psychological variables. Results: The intervention led to a statistically significant increase of DASH index measured before and after treatment. There was a significant correlation between the increase of DASH index and gender. Patients presented higher intensity of openness to experience, extraversion, conscientiousness and lower levels of neuroticism and agreeableness compared to general population. Conclusion: The influence of psychological variables on the observed difference between men and women in DASH values and weight loss was not demonstrated.

Front-of-pack labelling (FOPL) systems, such as the Nutri-Score, play a crucial role in promoting healthy diets and raising consumer awareness. Our study aimed to gather the opinions of Polish experts on the Nutri-Score and its relation to an ideal information system. We conducted a Poland-wide expert opinion study using a cross-sectional design survey with 75 participants, who had an average of 18 ± 13 years of experience and were mainly employed at medical and agricultural universities. The data were collected with the CAWI method. The results showed that the most important features of an FOPL system were clarity, simplicity, consistency with healthy eating recommendations, and the ability to objectively compare products within the same group. While more than half of the respondents believed that the Nutri-Score provides an overall assessment of a product’s nutritional value and facilitates quick purchasing decisions, it falls short in helping consumers compose a balanced diet and cannot be applied to all product groups. The experts also expressed concerns about the system’s ability to account for a product’s degree of processing, full nutritional value and carbon footprint. In conclusion, Poland’s current labelling system needs expansion, but the Nutri-Score requires significant and detailed changes and validation against national guidelines and expert expectations before implementation.