Lipoedema is a chronic disorder primarily affecting women. Often mistaken for obesity due to its characteristic build-up of fat cells in the legs and sometimes arms, lipoedema leaves women vulnerable to social stigma. This study investigated the role of fears of compassion and depressive symptoms in the context of weight stigma and internal weight bias in women with lipoedema. This study is not preregistered. Cross-sectional data from an international online survey with 843 women with lipoedema were analysed using structural equation modelling to assess the relationships between experienced weight stigma, internal weight bias, fears of compassion and depressive symptoms (PHQ-9). Greater experienced weight stigma and internal weight bias were linked to increased fears of compassion. Experienced weight stigma most strongly correlated with fears of compassion from others (p > 0.001), while internalised weight bias most strongly correlated with fears of self-compassion (p > 0.001). In turn, greater fears of compassion from the self (p > 0.001) and others (p > 0.001) but not fears of compassion for others (p = 0.566) were related to greater depressive symptom severity. Further, both experienced weight stigma and internalised weight bias were associated indirectly with depressive symptoms via fears of compassion (p = 0.001). In lipoedema, fears of compassion from others and the self may be exacerbated in the presence of experienced weight stigma and internalised weight bias, leading to increased severity of depressive symptoms. Targeting fears of compassion and addressing negative self-perceptions surrounding body weight through psychological interventions may therefore support psychological wellbeing and outcomes for women with lipoedema.

Binge eating disorder and loneliness have both been identified as risk factors for developing Type 2 Diabetes (T2DM), and thus require attention and intervention. The interpersonal model of binge eating proposes that interpersonal problems lead to binge eating via the mediating pathway of negative affect. However, it is unclear whether the interpersonal construct of loneliness may serve a similar function. The current study aimed to test a loneliness model of binge eating in a T2DM population. Study participants (n = 192; mean age = 48.68 ± 14.85; 52.1

Australian vegan men face unique societal pressures, cultural norms and expectations of masculinity. Using a phenomenological approach, this semi-structured interview study explored the dietary motivations of 27 Australian vegan men. Thematic template analysis revealed three themes: (i)Head and Heart Decisions: From Initial Motives to Deepened Ethical Commitment-clarity of motives to initiate versus clarity of values to adhere to veganism, (ii) Bridging Worlds: The Influence of Vegan and Non-Vegan Social Circles-the importance of social connection in initiation of a vegan diet and (iii) Resolving Cognitive Dissonance: Making a Difference, Promoting Kindness and Aligning Values-the desire to align values to live a kinder life. Personal, ethical and social factors shape vegan men's dietary choices. These findings highlight opportunities for health promotion initiatives to support vegan men by fostering inclusive environments, addressing identity-related barriers, and promoting dietary choices that align with both personal values and holistic wellbeing.

AIMS:We aim to explore the support needs of individuals living with type 2 diabetes and disordered eating behaviours. METHODS:We conducted semistructured interviews with adult participants living with type 2 diabetes and self-identified disordered eating behaviours recruited from an Australian allied health service. Data were analysed through reflective thematic analysis. RESULTS:Ten adults with type 2 diabetes (seven female, three male; mean age 66.3 ± 8.97, range: 52-80) were interviewed. Four themes are presented related to participants' support needs: (1) the need for increased information about the interactions between food, eating behaviours and diabetes and self-management; (2) a desire for increased time with knowledgeable health professionals who provide tailored person-centred diabetes care and support; (3) mental health services integrated into diabetes care are desired due to relationships between mental health, disordered eating behaviours and diabetes management; and (4) family, peers and community can offer invaluable support, but stigma can be a barrier to support seeking. CONCLUSIONS:Individuals living with T2DM and disordered eating behaviours report diverse support needs including tailored informational support and emotional support from health professionals, family and peers. Although further research is required to develop and evaluate the implementation of specific interventions and care pathways, health professionals should endeavour to provide adequate time and resources for personalised education, and to promote and facilitate appropriate mental health and peer supports.

Disordered eating is associated with negative physical and psychological outcomes for those with type 2 diabetes (T2DM), making it an important target for intervention. Theoretical modelling is recommended to inform interventions; however, it is unclear whether established disordered eating models are applicable to those with T2DM. We aimed to evaluate Stice's dual pathway model of disordered eating within a T2DM population. Participants included 192 adults living with T2DM, who completed a cross-sectional survey incorporating measures of body weight shame, dietary restraint, negative affect, binge eating and other disordered eating behaviours. Structural equation modelling was used to test the model. Results indicated that a dual pathway model demonstrated poor fit, with the restraint pathway not supported. Following removal of the restraint pathway, a revised model produced superior fit, with negative affect mediating the relationship between body weight shame and binge eating. Clinical implications for interventions and future research directions are discussed.

Objective Anxiety represents a global health concern, prompting interest in diet as a modifiable factor for symptom reduction. Although plant-rich dietary patterns have demonstrated benefits in reducing depression, the relationship between diet quality and anxiety in plant-predominant dietary consumers remains underexplored. Methods A secondary analysis of an online cross-sectional study examined diet quality and anxiety symptoms in adults (N = 268) who self-report lifelong vegetarian or vegan diet adherence from Western and Indian populations. Self-report measures included the Dietary Screening Tool (DST), Depression, Anxiety, Stress (DASS), Sleep Quality, and Social Connectedness (SCS) scales. Results Higher diet quality was associated with lower anxiety symptoms (r = -.24, p < .001), with participants in the lowest diet quality quartile reporting significantly higher anxiety (M = 13.76, SD = 8.59) than those in the medium (M = 7.10, SD = 7.93) and highest quartiles (M = 7.13, SD = 9.42). Based on hierarchical regression, diet quality did not independently predict anxiety symptoms across the total sample, though sleep quality was the strongest predictor (β = .38, t = 10.76, p < .001). Within-region analyses indicated that diet quality was a significant predictor of anxiety in the Indian population, whereas sleep quality was the primary predictor in the Western population. Anxiety severity levels were above the cutoff in the Indian sample and below the cutoff in the Western sample, indicating greater dietary influence when anxiety symptoms are present. Conclusion These exploratory findings are consistent with a biopsychosocial framework in which dietary adherence, diet quality, and sleep interact to influence anxiety.

Military veterans (ex-serving members of the Armed Services) experience unique physical and mental health challenges, with diet playing a critical role in chronic disease management and well-being. This review aimed to evaluate veterans' dietary intake against nutrient reference values (NRV) relevant to age and sex. A systematic search of CINAHL, MedLine, Scopus, PubMed and AMED (January 2024, updated March 2025) identified 1268 records; thirty-three studies (n 654 323) met inclusion criteria. Eligible designs included cross-sectional, cohort, quasi-experimental and randomised controlled trials. Data were extracted using the Joanna Briggs critical appraisal checklist, indicating low risk of bias. Across studies, veterans' intake of fibre, folate, vitamin D, Ca, potassium, fruits, vegetables, wholegrains and legumes was consistently inadequate, with overall diet quality rated poor to average. BMI ranged widely, and veterans reported high rates of mood disorders and low quality-of-life scores. These findings highlight key nutrients and dietary patterns that might be considered and targeted in dietary and lifestyle interventions for promoting the physical and mental health of veterans.

Objective While nutritional psychiatry offers a compelling evidence base for improving mental health outcomes, its translation into routine clinical care remains fragmented. This qualitative study explored how mental health practitioners in Australia and New Zealand perceive and integrate nutritional knowledge and practices into psychological care. Methods A qualitative study utilizing ten online focus groups and one online interview was conducted with 31 practitioners, including psychologists, counsellors, and social workers. Data were analysed using Kuckartz content analysis. Five overarching domains were identified: (i) knowledge, awareness, and confidence, (ii) practitioners’ experiences discussing nutrition with clients, (iii) drivers and barriers to implementation, (iv) scepticism and critical perspectives, and (v) future directions and perceived impact. Results While participants expressed strong motivation to deliver holistic, person-centred care, they were inhibited by systemic deficits, including lack of formal training, unclear professional scope, and insufficient system-level support. Regional contrasts revealed more flexible practice in New Zealand and greater regulatory caution in Australia. Conclusion Findings highlight widespread practitioner interest in nutritional psychiatry and underscore the need for structured education, clear ethical guidance, and interdisciplinary collaboration to embed nutrition within routine mental health care. Integrating dietetic expertise and evidence-based nutrition discussions into mental health services may enhance clinical practice implementation and client outcomes.

CONTEXT:Diets rich in plant foods are associated with reduced risk of depressive symptoms. However, previous studies have reported greater depressive symptomology in patients who follow a plant-predominant dietary pattern. Meta-analyses and systematic reviews of associations of plant- and meat-predominant diets and depression have highlighted conflicting results. OBJECTIVES:In this umbrella review we applied A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews 2 (AMSTAR2) to explore the state of evidence regarding possible associations of plant- and meat-predominant dietary patterns with depression. DATA SOURCES:Six databases were searched from the date of inception to January 2025: CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, Scopus, and Web of Science. DATA EXTRACTION:Data were extracted by 2 independent researchers using Covidence software. DATA ANALYSIS:The search revealed 104 studies, of which 9 met inclusion criteria. Data were synthesized and narratively grouped by plant-predominant and meat-predominant dietary patterns. CONCLUSIONS:Five articles reported associations between plant- and meat-predominant dietary patterns and depression, 4 reported that plant-predominant dietary patterns increased depression, and 5 found conflicting or no associations. Similar systematic search terms, overlap of primary studies, and short timeframes between reviews raise concerns about the validity and scientific contribution of repeated systematic review of this topic. To address these concerns, we highlight the need for greater awareness of methodological issues, including high reliance on observational studies, high levels of heterogeneity, imprecision of measurement tools, and lack of measurement of dietary adherence and composition.

INTRODUCTION:With the global rise of veganism, shifting dietary habits are reshaping the social roles and identities of Australian vegan men. Despite a predominance of research in female experiences of veganism, this topic remains underexplored for men. METHOD:Using the social identity theory framework, this phenomenological, semi-structured interview study explores how 27 Australian vegan men perceive and navigate their social identities within their social relationships. Using reflexive thematic analysis, we found four main themes. RESULTS:The first two illustrating out-group interactions: (i) masculinity and moral identity and (ii) navigating vegan identity: community and cultural integration and the final two illustrating within-group interactions, (iii) Negotiating dietary boundaries: whole-food and flexible veganism and (iv) close connections: strengthening personal bonds. CONCLUSION:Australian vegan men navigated their social identities through out-group dynamics involving masculinity, ethical commitments and community integration, and in-group dynamics marked by dietary boundary negotiation and solidarity with vegan communities. However, they also faced social isolation and strained relationships. SO WHAT?: Their experiences reflected identity negotiation processes shaped by moral values, subgroup tensions and the importance of supportive social relationships in sustaining vegan practices. We recommend awareness of vegan male experiences of stigma, false perceptions and struggles with masculine ideals versus masculine values.

BACKGROUND:Dietary patterns rich in plant foods have been broadly associated with a lower risk of depression due to the profile of bioactive components related to positive physical and neurological mechanisms of effect. Yet vegans and vegetarians are reported to experience higher depressive symptoms, a profile of psychological and physiological symptoms that indicate poor mental health. The role of eating behaviors within sociocultural contexts associated with dietary intake is one aspect of psychological functioning that has received limited attention. METHODS:We explored diet quality, social connectedness and depressive symptoms in 312 lifelong adult vegans (51 %) and vegetarians (49 %) from Western and Indian populations. RESULTS:Hierarchical linear regression revealed that higher diet quality was associated with lower depressive symptoms (β = -0.11, t = -2.86, p < .05). Those in the lowest diet quality quartile experienced significantly higher depressive symptoms (M = 18.7, SD = 9.56), than those in the medium (M = 12.3, SD = 12.13) and highest (M = 10.38, SD = 9.60) diet quality quartiles. But, when social connectedness was included in a within-populations analysis, diet quality was no longer a significant predictor for the Indian population. CONCLUSIONS:The results underscore the importance of considering socio-cultural dimensions to adherence to dietary patterns, the context of dietary quality and social connection when examining depressive symptoms.

INTRODUCTION:Surf lifesavers form a key part of Australia's first responder workforce. Patrolling members can start from 13 years old, with potential exposure to traumatic incidents. Protective factors may mitigate the trauma exposure. This study investigated protective factors associated with mental health outcomes among adolescent surf lifesavers (13-17 years), including in response to exposure to potentially traumatic events. METHODS:An online survey was developed to collect data from Australian surf lifesavers (13-17 years). Measures included demographic factors, stressful life events, post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), self-efficacy, social support, and attitudes toward mental health problems. Hierarchical regressions and moderation analyses explored the relationships between variables. RESULTS:There were 118 responses collected with overall mean age 15.4 years (SD = 1.3). PTSS was moderately to strongly positively correlated with all trauma domains. Higher self-efficacy and social support scores were correlated with lower PTSS. Hierarchical regressionshowed that Trauma within SLS, social support, self-efficacy and attitudes toward mental health were significantly associated with the outcome in the final regression model (F(5,110) = 17.87, p < 0.001), with the protective factors collectively explaining 28% of the variance in PTSS. Negative attitudes were positively associated with PTSS, while social support and self-efficacy scores were both negatively associated with PTSS. CONCLUSIONS:This study highlights the critical and protective interplay between social support, self-efficacy, mental health attitudes and trauma exposure among adolescent surf lifesavers. The findings will guide the development of targeted interventions to support younger patrolling members with an emphasis on supportive interventions to improve resilience and wellbeing in young emergency service personnel exposed to trauma. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS:This study highlights the importance of encouraging protective factors with young individuals in emergency service roles, with practical implications for mental health professionals, emergency service agencies, surf lifesaving organizations, and policymakers interested in promoting the wellbeing of adolescent emergency service personnel.

BACKGROUND:Depressive symptoms are experienced by >350 million people globally. Research suggests that a diet rich in plant foods could be protective against depressive symptoms, but vegans and vegetarians who eat a predominant plant-based diet are known to have higher depressive symptoms than omnivores. METHODS:This study aims to explore a secondary analysis of the association between diet quality and depressive symptoms in women born between 1973 and 1978 who follow vegan, vegetarian, and omnivore diets from the Australian Longitudinal Study of Women's Health at baseline (1996) and at three time points (2000, 2003 and 2009). RESULTS:After controlling for covarying factors, there was a significant association between diet quality and depressive symptoms in both the plant-based and omnivore groups at both time points F(9, 4851) = 106.90, p < .001. There was no significant difference between diet quality and depressive symptoms between diet type. CONCLUSIONS:Despite diet type (plant-based or omnivore), adhering to a high-quality diet may decrease depressive symptoms and a low-quality diet may increase depressive symptoms in Australian women. LIMITATIONS:Caution should be exercised when interpreting these results due to the small sample sizes and small resulting coefficients, there is uncertainty that coefficients this small can be associated with any meaningful change in an individual being treated for depressive symptoms in a clinical setting.

This study explored experienced weight stigma, internalised weight bias and depressive symptom severity in lipoedema, a chronic health condition that primarily affects women and involves painful and disproportionate adipose tissue. This study utilised an international cross-sectional online survey involving N = 1070 women over 18 years old (Mage = 48.9 years old) with self-reported diagnosed or suspected lipoedema. Participants completed measures of demographic and health characteristics, experienced weight stigma, internalised weight bias and depressive symptoms (PHQ-9). Chi-square analysis showed experienced weight stigma differed between those with stage 1 (n = 57), stage 2 (n = 311), Stage 3 (n = 664) and stage unknown (n = 38) lipoedema. Hierarchical linear regression determined the effects of weight stigma on depression and the mediating role of internalised weight bias. Experienced weight stigma (p < .001) and internalised weight bias (p < .001) were related to depressive symptoms beyond age and symptoms of lipoedema (BMI, lipoedema symptom severity and mobility). Internalised weight bias partially mediated the effect of experienced weight stigma on depression. Psychological attributes of experienced weight stigma and internalised weight bias uniquely contribute to depressive symptoms in lipoedema. Increased awareness of the psychological effects of weight stigma and the role of internalised weight bias in women's experience of lipoedema on depression is needed.

This article extends the entrepreneurship literature by presenting a multispecies lens that attends to the rights, agency, and welfare of nonhumans in the ecological and climate change crises. It responds to calls for rethinking entrepreneurship beyond anthropocentrism, integrating insights from multispecies studies and philosophical ethology. The multispecies lens framework amalgamates humans and nonhumans as equal partners in entrepreneurial endeavors. Based on seven years of field research, including over 200 interviews, participant observation, and archival data, the article uses meta-ethnographic analysis to synthesize findings from four related multispecies studies and develop a line-of-argument analysis. Three themes showcase how multispecies relations can be reconciled in theory and practice: 1) community engagement and environmental education, 2) the interdependency of species through One Welfare, and 3) organizing for intrinsic value over profit. These themes shape the multispecies lens in entrepreneurship framework, offering a foundation for scholars and practitioners to consider nonhumans as equal partners within capitalist endeavors. The article concludes with recommendations for fostering equitable multispecies partnerships in entrepreneurship, if it's not already too late given the dire circumstances of the Anthropocene.

Emergency service personnel experience high levels of psychological distress, with increasing evidence of associations with shame and trauma. Additionally, adolescence is a critical time in social and cognitive development, in which shame plays an important role. In Australia, adolescent volunteer surf lifesavers (SLS) are particularly vulnerable due to exposure to potentially traumatic experiences (PTEs) such as rescues and resuscitation of human lives. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between direct or indirect PTEs, and the relationship PTSS and shame may have in adolescent surf lifesavers. This cross-sectional study surveyed patrolling adolescent SLS, aged 13–17 years, recruited via internal communications and social media groups. Complete responses from patrolling adolescents (n = 118; 59

Objective: This study assessed whether polyphenolic rich supplement containing Bacopa monnieri (BM: 300 mg), Panax quinquefolius ginseng (PQ: 100 mg) and whole coffee fruit extract (WCFE: 100 mg) could enhance cognitive performance, affect and cerebral-cortical activation over 28-days of intervention. Method: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, between-group study of 52 healthy adults between 35 and 65 years (M = 50.20, SD = 9.37) was conducted. Measures of cognition, affect and brain activity were measured at three time points: baseline, 28 days post intervention and 14 days post washout. At each time point, haemodynamic response in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) was measured using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), and serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Results: The polyphenolic-rich supplement reliably improved positive affect and delayed recall compared to placebo following 28 days of supplementation. For the brain, those in the active condition showed greater PFC activation on performance of the 2-back tasks post supplementation compared to placebo (p < .05, d = 0.6). Discussion: This is the first report of a 28-day supplement intervention and 2-week follow-up study to assess changes in affect, cognition, cerebral haemodynamic response and BDNF in healthy middle-aged adults. The potential synergistic effects of polyphenolic compounds on neurocognitive function in middle-aged adults through emotional-cognitive processing and cognitive reserve are important for promoting brain and cognitive health.

Background: University students face multiple stressors that negatively impact their mental well-being. Effective emotional regulation and physical activity are crucial for mood management and overall health. This study explored the connection between physical activity, emotional regulation, and mental health symptoms (depression, anxiety, and stress) in Jordanian university students. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey involved 416 students (146 male and 270 female) from Jordanian universities. The survey covered demographics, physical activity (International Physical Activity Questionnaire), emotional regulation strategies (Emotion Regulation Questionnaire), and mental health symptoms (Depression Anxiety Stress Scales). Pearson’s correlations examined relationships, and ANOVA compared differences in ‘low’, ‘medium’, and ‘high’ physical activity groups. Results: Greater use of expressive suppression was correlated with increased anxiety symptom severity (p = 0.029). Although physical activity levels were not significantly related to emotional regulation, the ‘high’ physical activity group reported lower depression (p < 0.001) and anxiety symptom severity (p < 0.001) than the ‘low’ and ‘medium’ groups. Conclusions: Increased physical activity and emotional expression suppression are independently associated with improved mental well-being in Jordanian university students. This study underscores the importance of integrating physical activity and emotional expression strategies to support student well-being.