Abstract Mental health conditions are one of the leading causes of disability worldwide, with affected individuals often experiencing poorer physical health and increased risk of comorbidities. Nutrition is increasingly recognised as a modifiable factor influencing mental health outcomes, and digital technologies offer opportunities to support dietary behaviour change in this population, though their potential remains underexplored. This systematic review synthesises evidence on digital interventions aimed at improving nutrition-related outcomes among adults with mental health conditions. A comprehensive search of PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Health Premium was conducted for studies published between January 2000 and August 2026. Two reviewers extracted data on study characteristics, participant demographics, mental health diagnoses, intervention type, digital technology, and nutrition-related outcomes. Outcomes included qualitative and quantitative measures of nutrition-related outcomes, feasibility, and acceptability. Twenty-six unique studies were included and categorised as: (i) lifestyle interventions with a digital component; (ii) fully digital lifestyle interventions; or (iii) digital nutrition-specific interventions. Findings were synthesised narratively due to heterogeneity. Across categories, digital interventions demonstrated mixed effects on dietary intake, diet quality, and weight management, with some improvements observed, although effects were not consistently significant. Interventions were generally feasible and acceptable, although recruitment, retention, and engagement varied. Challenges included technology access, adherence, and contextual barriers. The findings suggest that digital approaches are promising for supporting dietary behaviour change in adults with mental health conditions. Future research should prioritise high-quality, theory-driven, and co-designed digital nutrition interventions that address barriers to digital access and literacy and leverage digital tools to support sustainable nutritional change. Systematic Review Registration: PROSPERO registration CRD42025622881
Abstract Human milk is a dynamic, bioactive fluid that supports infant growth, development, and immune protection. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), characterised by glucose intolerance with onset during pregnancy, is associated with altered maternal metabolism that may persist postpartum and affect lactation and milk composition. To systematically evaluate and meta-analyse evidence on associations between maternal GDM and human milk composition across lactation, five electronic databases were searched for studies comparing human milk composition between mothers with and without GDM. Data were extracted for milk macronutrients, lipids, oligosaccharides, hormones and metabolic regulatory factors, immune and inflammatory factors, micronutrients and antioxidants, and multiomics across colostrum, transitional, and mature milk. Meta-analyses were conducted where possible. Fifty-two studies with 3233 mothers were included. Macronutrient content, total fat, and fatty acids were found to be similar between GDM and non-GDM milk. However, lactose concentrations were lower in GDM colostrum. In addition, mothers with GDM who were not taking docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplements had lower DHA concentrations than mothers without GDM. Appetite- and metabolism-related peptides were lower in colostrum, whereas other regulatory peptides were higher. Mothers with GDM had lower colostrum concentrations of human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), including 2′-fucosyllactose and 6′-sialyllactose, with partial normalisation in mature milk. Immune, metabolomic, and proteomic findings were heterogeneous but indicated stage-dependent remodelling. GDM is associated with selective, lactation-stage-specific alterations in the bioactive and functional components of human milk rather than the disruption of core nutritional composition. The stage-specific nature of these alterations suggests that human milk composition may adapt to maternal physiological changes during lactation.
Abstract Women in West Africa experience unique vulnerabilities to food insecurity due to structural and cultural drivers rooted in gendered social norms. We aimed to systematically review and synthesise available evidence describing the extent of food insecurity among women in West Africa, focusing on prevalence, drivers, and gender inequalities. Global Health, MEDLINE, Web of Science, Academic Search Complete, and Scopus were searched from year 2000 up until 2023 for quantitative and qualitative studies reporting data on the prevalence or drivers of food insecurity among women (independently of or in comparison to men) in West Africa. Thirty-two studies identified from four West African countries (Nigeria, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Benin) met the inclusion criteria. About 24% of women experienced food insecurity in Côte d’Ivoire, 33–52% in Ghana, and 23–75% in Nigeria. In Benin, a study using the Household Food Insecurity Experience Scale (HFIES) reported a mean score of 3.2. Female-headed households had a higher prevalence of food insecurity than male-headed households. Key drivers of food insecurity among women included age (mixed findings across studies), low education, larger households, women’s income level, adhering to traditional gender roles, being single or widowed, assets owned, access to and control over productive and agricultural resources (land, capital), and autonomy. Food insecurity among women in parts of West Africa is high in prevalence, with significant gender inequalities. Targeted interventions to improve women’s access to resources, education, and economic opportunities, while addressing restrictive gender norms, should be prioritised.
Abstract Different types of bariatric surgeries, such as malabsorptive and restrictive procedures, can impact nutrient absorption and metabolism. One of the concerns for reproductive-aged women and pregnancy-capable individuals undergoing bariatric surgery is the increased risk of nutritional deficiencies during pregnancy and breastfeeding. This review aimed to collate and synthesise available literature on nutritional status during pregnancy and breastfeeding post-bariatric surgery. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews framework was used. It included peer-reviewed primary research studies published in English that reported the nutritional status of women with histories of bariatric surgery during pregnancy and breastfeeding. There were no time restrictions for including studies. A narrative synthesis was performed to summarise and interpret the findings. Anaemia and micronutrient deficiencies were frequently reported during pregnancy after bariatric surgery. Malabsorptive procedures were associated with greater micronutrient deficiencies during pregnancy, while the surgery-to-conception interval showed no consistent association. Macronutrient intake during pregnancy was characterised by high fat intake, low carbohydrate and fibre intake, and adequate protein intake. There was limited evidence of altered breast milk macronutrient composition following bariatric surgery. Limited qualitative studies showed that women wanted more nutritional information and support during pregnancy and breastfeeding following bariatric surgery. These findings highlight the need for individualised nutritional care, regular biochemical monitoring, and multidisciplinary management for women and pregnancy-capable individuals during pregnancy and breastfeeding following bariatric surgery, particularly after malabsorptive procedures. Further research is required to address gaps in evidence regarding mothers’ experiences and breast milk composition after bariatric surgery.
Abstract Many adults report insufficient sleep duration and poor sleep quality. Interventions to improve sleep in adults are thus needed, and evidence suggests that diet could benefit sleep health. This review evaluates whether nutrients and bioactive compounds in pistachios could improve sleep. Pistachios are particularly rich in vitamin B6, magnesium, fibre, phenolic compounds, and phytomelatonin that could benefit sleep health. These nutrients are implicated in melatonin synthesis and gut–brain axis signalling of inhibitory neurons. Our evaluation of the literature indicates that pistachios could represent a promising wholefood intervention for improving sleep due to their favourable nutrient profile. However, human trials are needed to assess the direct effects of pistachio consumption on sleep outcomes.
