Adolescence is a critical time for nutritional health, given the rapid physical growth, hormonal changes, and neurodevelopmental shifts taking place. Yet diet quality is at its lowest during this pivotal life stage, which is compounded by unique physiological, social, and behavioral factors facing adolescents. In fact, public health guidance has noted that nutrient gaps among adolescents set the stage for a “constellation of potential nutritional risk factors.”¹ This public health challenge is exacerbated by the lack of scientific research and specific, evidence-based dietary guidance tailored to adolescents. To elevate awareness of this issue and identify research needs, the Arkansas Children’s Nutrition Center (ACNC) partnered with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, on behalf of the Beef Checkoff, to convene Nourish Now: A Science Dialogue on Improving Adolescent Health through Nutrition, including 50 leading nutrition scientists, previous Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee members, physicians, registered dietitians, and public health experts. Two manuscripts from this convening have now been published in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition: Proceedings from Nourish Now: A science dialogue on improving adolescent health through nutrition; and Call to action: the future of evidence-based, adolescent-focused dietary guidance.

A recent study in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior (JNEB), published by Elsevier, examined culinary skills and related barriers among adults with visual impairment. Researchers found that although all participants were classified as having medium or high culinary skills, many continued to experience challenges that limited their independence in the kitchen. Accessible tools and training can help bridge this gap.

University of Kansas researcher Tera Fazzino is investigating whether “hyperpalatable” foods marketed to Americans — foods formulated with artificially high amounts of fat, salt and carbohydrates — have traits commonly associated with addictive substances. She recently earned a $2.8 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to test the idea using experimental practices standard in the field of regulatory research.

The reappearance of Budapest's “Rock of Starvation” is a visible sign of a drought months in the making. IIASA researchers have traced its progression from missing rainfall and parched soils to exceptionally low flows across the Danube basin.