Journal Browser

► Journal Browser

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Suboptimal diet is a major, yet preventable, risk factor for non-communicable diseases (NCDs). There is extensive scientific and epidemiological evidence to support the relationship between nutritional intake, food patterns and health. This evidence informs recommendations and dietary guidelines aimed at assisting dietary changes towards healthier practices that reduce risk and enhance well-being and quality of life.

In turn, the global food system is one of the main factors affecting climate change. There is therefore an urgency to address issues such as its negative environmental impact while meeting food supply needs for all. Furthermore, the concept of sustainability considers both territories and the people who inhabit them, their culture, and their food uses and traditions, which affect and contribute to food production and distribution at different levels, as well as food preparation and consumption.

This Special Issue of Nutrients encourages the submission of studies considering nutrition and environmental impact, including life-cycle assessment research. We also invite the submission of original qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods studies based on interventions, programs, practices, and policies aimed to strengthen healthier and more sustainable diets in different communities and population groups. Reviews and meta-analyses on healthier sustainable dietary patterns and food systems are also welcome.

Prof. Dr. Javier Aranceta-Bartrina
Prof. Dr. Carmen Pérez-Rodrigo
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. Nutrients 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

sustainable food systems
dietary patterns
optimal nutrition
healthy diet
environmental impact
life-cycle assessment

Published Papers (2 papers)

Download All Papers

Research

Jump to: Other

10 pages, 637 KiB

Open AccessArticle

What Is Quality Food? The Opinion of Key of the Brazilian Food System

by Thaíse Gomes, Suellen Secchi Martinelli, Panmela Soares and Suzi Barletto Cavalli

Nutrients 2024, 16(7), 948; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nu16070948 - 26 Mar 2024

Viewed by 629

Abstract

The aim of the study was to explore the concept of quality food in the opinion of key informants of the food system. This qualitative research included 208 key informants related to the food supply for Brazilian public food services. The participants were grouped into three groups according to their participation in the food system: 1. Food production; 2. Management and marketing; 3. Meal’s production process. Key informants answered the following question: “In your opinion, what is quality food?”. The answers were analysed through qualitative content analysis. The data analysis resulted in 52 codes grouped into eight categories, expressing the opinion of the study participants about what quality food is: nutritional, sustainable, sensory, hygienic–sanitary, care, regulatory, dependability and symbolic. Nutritional and sustainable dimensions were predominantly considered. The activities carried out in the food system seem to influence the opinion on food quality. The groups linked to food production put more emphasis on the sustainable dimension, followed by the nutritional dimension, while the groups linked to management and marketing and to the meals production process put more emphasis on the nutritional and sensory dimensions. These differences may indicate a difficulty in the transition towards a more sustainable and healthy food system. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Food Systems, Optimal Nutrition, and Health Promotion: Challenges in the 21st Century)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Other

Jump to: Research

14 pages, 1491 KiB

Open AccessOpinion

The Importance of Philanthropy Foundation for the Future Sustainability of Agriculture and Nutrition: An Opinion Study on Practical Applications, Policies, and Strategies

by Fahrul Nurkolis, Jodi Visnu, Nindy Sabrina, Hardinsyah Hardinsyah, Nurpudji Astuti Taslim, William Ben Gunawan, Melvin Junior Tanner, Nelly Mayulu, Mohammad Adib Khumaidi, Rony Abdi Syahputra, Mochammad Rizal, Raymond Rubianto Tjandrawinata, Trina Ekawati Tallei, Ray Wagiu Basrowi, Tonny Sundjaya and Lluis Serra-Majem

Nutrients 2024, 16(8), 1119; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nu16081119 - 10 Apr 2024

Viewed by 494

Abstract

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. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Food Systems, Optimal Nutrition, and Health Promotion: Challenges in the 21st Century)

► Show Figures