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Objective This study aimed to examine the intrapersonal, interpersonal, environmental and macrosystem influences on dietary behaviours among primary school children in Singapore. Design A qualitative interpretive approach was used in this study. Focus group discussions guided by the socio-ecological model (SEM), of which transcripts were analysed deductively using the SEM and inductively using thematic analysis to identify themes at each SEM level. Setting Two co-educational public primary schools in Singapore. Participants A total of 48 children (n=26 girls) took part in the semi-structured FGDs. Their mean age was 10.8 years (SD = 0.9, range 9-12 years) and the majority of the children were Chinese (n=36), along with some Indians (n=8) and Malays (n=4). Results Children’s knowledge of healthy eating did not necessarily translate into healthy dietary practices and concern for health was a low priority. Instead, food and taste preferences were pivotal influences in their food choices. Parents had a large influence on children with regards to their accessibility to food, their attitudes and values towards food. Parental food restriction led to some children eating in secrecy. Peer influence was not frequently reported by children. Competitions in school incentivised children to consume fruits and vegetables, but reinforcements from teachers were inconsistent. The proximity of fast-food chains in the neighbourhood provided children easy access to less healthy foods. Health advertisements on social media rather than posters worked better in drawing children’s attention. Conclusions Findings highlighted important factors that should be considered in future nutrition interventions targeting children.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a highly prevalent and disabling condition with a high disease burden. There are currently no validated biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment of MDD. This study assessed serum amino acid metabolite changes between MDD patients and healthy controls (HCs) and their association with disease severity and diagnostic utility. In total, 70 MDD patients and 70 HCs matched in age, gender, and ethnicity were recruited for the study. For amino acid profiling, serum samples were analysed and quantified by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to classify putative candidate biomarkers. MDD patients had significantly higher serum levels of glutamic acid, aspartic acid and glycine but lower levels of 3-Hydroxykynurenine; glutamic acid and phenylalanine levels also correlated with depression severity. Combining these four metabolites allowed for accurate discrimination of MDD patients and HCs, with 65.7% of depressed patients and 62.9% of HCs correctly classified. Glutamic acid, aspartic acid, glycine and 3-Hydroxykynurenine may serve as potential diagnostic biomarkers, whereas glutamic acid and phenylalanine may be markers for depression severity. To elucidate the association between these indicators and clinical features, it is necessary to conduct additional studies with larger sample sizes that involve a spectrum of depressive symptomatology.