This is one of the first randomized controlled trials to show that healthy dietary changes are achievable and, supplemented with fish oil, can improve mental health in people with depression.

The transferability of a Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) in non-Mediterranean populations is appealing. However, little is known about the perceived enablers or barriers toward adherence, particularly in Australia. This study aimed to investigate the perceived beliefs, barriers, and enablers toward adherence to a MedDiet in Australian adults. Barriers and enablers were assessed using a self-administered online questionnaire, which included questions aligned with the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB). The survey was completed by n = 606 participants. Barriers and enablers toward adherence to MedDiet were grouped under the three core constructs of the TPB: attitudes (suitability, taste, restrictive, food waste); social norms (food culture); and perceived behavioural control (PBC) (motivation, affordability, time/effort, food access, knowledge, food outlets, natural conditions, cooking skills). PBC emerged as the most prominent construct influencing intention to follow a MedDiet. Perceived health benefits (n = 445; 76.5%) and improved diet quality (n = 224; 38.5%) were identified as major advantages. In contrast, dietary adherence (n = 147; 39.7%) was perceived as an important disadvantage. Future MedDiet interventions, in both research and clinical settings, should consider adopting strategies aimed at improving self-efficacy to reduce self-perceived barriers and facilitate dietary adherence.

we have developed and cross-validated novel anthropometric prediction equations against DEXA for the estimate of ASM designed for application in older orthopaedic patients. Our equation may be of use as an alternative to DEXA in the diagnosis of skeletal muscle wasting syndromes. Further validation studies are required to determine the clinical utility of our equation across other settings, including hip fracture patients admitted from residential care, and also with a longer-term follow-up.

Sarcopenia and physical frailty are associated with progressive disability and predictive of negative health outcomes. Dietary interventions are considered the cornerstone in the management of sarcopenic symptomology and physical frailty. However few studies have investigated preventative strategies. Moreover, most studies have focused on the efficacy of individual nutrients or supplements rather than dietary patterns. The Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet) is a dietary pattern that provides evidence for an association between diet quality, healthy ageing and disease prevention. The purpose of this paper was to examine, synthesise and develop a narrative review of the current literature, investigating the potential benefits associated with adherence to a MedDiet and attenuation of physical frailty and sarcopenic symptomology in older adults. We also explored the underlying mechanisms underpinning the potential benefits of the MedDiet on ameliorating physical frailty and sarcopenic symptomology. Synthesis of the reviewed literature is suggestive of a decreased risk of physical frailty and sarcopenic symptomology with greater adherence to a MedDiet. We identified the anti-inflammatory and high antioxidant components of the MedDiet as two potential biological mechanisms involved. Due to a lack of evidence from RCTs to support the proposed physiological mechanisms, we suggest investigating these observations in older adults with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) whom are vulnerable to physical frailty and disability. A number of biological mechanisms describing the pathway to disability in older adults with T2DM have been postulated with many of these mechanisms potentially mitigated with dietary interventions involving the MedDiet. Exploring these mechanisms with the use of well-designed, longer-term dietary intervention studies in older adults with an increased vulnerability to physical frailty and sarcopenia is warranted.

The findings of the present study show that sodium intake and excretion in individuals with T2DM is more than two-fold greater than the current recommendations for chronic disease prevention. B&Cs were the major dietary contributors of sodium intake, suggesting that they are primary targets for a reduction in their sodium content.