Parental beliefs, infant temperament, and marital quality: Associations with infant–mother and infant–father attachment.

The present research examined parental beliefs about the importance of the paternal caregiving role, mothers’ and fathers’ reports of infant temperament, and observed marital quality as predictors of infant-mother and infant-father attachment security, over and above the effects of parental sensitivity. Infants’ attachment security to mothers and fathers were observed in the Strange Situation at 12- and 13-months, respectively (N = 62 two-parent families). Hierarchical regression models revealed that mothers who viewed the paternal caregiving role as important were less likely to have securely attached infants, but only when infant fussiness was high. Additionally, fathers who viewed the paternal caregiving role as important were more likely to have securely attached infants, but only when infants’ fussiness or marital quality was high

The latent structure of the adult attachment interview: Large sample evidence from the collaboration on attachment transmission synthesis

The Adult Attachment Interview (AAI) is a widely used measure in developmental science that assesses adults’ current states of mind regarding early attachment-related experiences with their primary caregivers. The standard system for coding the AAI recommends classifying individuals categorically as having an autonomous, dismissing, preoccupied, or unresolved attachment state of mind. However, previous factor and taxometric analyses suggest that: (a) adults’ attachment states of mind are captured by two weakly correlated factors reflecting adults’ dismissing and preoccupied states of mind and (b) individual differences on these factors are continuously rather than categorically distributed. The current study revisited these suggestions about the latent structure of AAI scales by leveraging individual participant data from 40 studies (N = 3,218), with a particular focus on the controversial observation from prior factor analytic work that indicators of preoccupied states of mind and indicators of unresolved states of mind about loss and trauma loaded on a common factor. Confirmatory factor analyses indicated that: (a) a 2-factor model with weakly correlated dismissing and preoccupied factors and (b) a 3-factor model that further distinguished unresolved from preoccupied states of mind were both compatible with the data. The preoccupied and unresolved factors in the 3-factor model were highly correlated. Taxometric analyses suggested that individual differences in dismissing, preoccupied, and unresolved states of mind were more consistent with a continuous than a categorical model. The importance of additional tests of predictive validity of the various models is emphasized

Parents’ differential susceptibility to the effects of marital quality on sensitivity across the first year

The current investigation examined the differential susceptibility of parents to the effects of marital quality on changes in parenting. We predicted that parents who were high on the personality constructs Negative Affect and Constraint would be more susceptible to the effects of marital quality on their level of sensitivity. Sensitivity was assessed at 3.5 and 13 months for both mothers and fathers during a triadic interaction. Consistent with the differential susceptibility theory, results suggested that when mothers were high on Negative Affect and when fathers were high on Constraint, their marital quality was associated with changes in sensitivity. This investigation suggests that personality factors may create “vulnerabilities” in parents that make them differentially susceptible to the effects of the family environment on parentin

Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis Bi-07 contributes to increasing lactose digestion: evaluation of a health claim pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006

Following an application from DuPont Nutrition Biosciences ApS submitted for authorisation of a health claim pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 via the Competent Authority of Ireland, the EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA) was asked to deliver an opinion on the scientific substantiation of a health claim related to Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis Bi-07 (Bi-07) and contribution to increasing lactose digestion. The scope of the application was proposed to fall under a health claim based on newly developed scientific evidence. The food proposed by the applicant as the subject of the health claim is Bi-07. The Panel considers that Bi-07 is sufficiently characterised. The claimed effect proposed by the applicant is \u2018improvement of lactose digestion\u2019. The Panel considers that increasing lactose digestion is a beneficial physiological effect for individuals with lactose maldigestion provided that the symptoms of lactose maldigestion are improved. Two human intervention studies which investigated a single dose effect of Bi-07 on lactose digestion using the hydrogen breath test, as well as on gastrointestinal symptoms were submitted. These studies show that consumption of Bi-07 (1012 CFU) increases lactose digestion in individuals with lactose maldigestion and that Bi-07 exhibits lactase activity in vitro. However, these studies provide no evidence that increasing lactose digestion through the consumption of Bi-07 (1012 CFU) improves gastrointestinal symptoms of lactose maldigestion, which is considered a beneficial physiological effect. The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis Bi-07 and a beneficial physiological effect (i.e. the improvement of symptoms of lactose maldigestion) in individuals with lactose maldigestion

Isomaltulose and normal energy-yielding metabolism: evaluation of a health claim pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006

Following an application from BENEO GmbH submitted for authorisation of a health claim pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 via the Competent Authority of Germany, the EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA) was asked to deliver an opinion on the scientific substantiation of a health claim related to isomaltulose and normal energy-yielding metabolism. The scope of the application was proposed to fall under a health claim based on newly developed scientific evidence. The food proposed by the applicant as the subject of the health claim is isomaltulose. The Panel considers that isomaltulose is sufficiently characterised. The claimed effect proposed by the applicant is ‘normal energy-yielding metabolism’. The Panel considers that contribution to normal energy-yielding metabolism is a beneficial physiological effect. A number of human studies applying indirect calorimetry measurements or stable isotope methodologies have shown the postprandial metabolic utilisation of isomaltulose as energy source. However, all energy-containing macronutrients (i.e. carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids) supply the body with energy and this property is not specific to isomaltulose. The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has been established between the intake of isomaltulose and contribution to energy-yielding metabolism. The following wording reflects the scientific evidence: ‘isomaltulose contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism’. Since the contribution to energy-yielding metabolism is not specific to isomaltulose but applies to all energy containing macronutrients (i.e. carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids) that supply the body with metabolisable energy and any amount would contribute to the claimed effect, the Panel cannot set conditions of use for this claim. The applicant proposes that isomaltulose should replace other sugars in foods and/or beverages. The target population is the general population

Organic foods and contribution to the protection of body cells and molecules (lipids and DNA) from oxidative damage: evaluation of a health claim pursuant to Article 14 of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006

Following an application from Cyprus International Institute for Environmental and Public Health, Cyprus University of Technology, submitted for authorisation of a health claim pursuant to Article 14 of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 via the Competent Authority of Cyprus, the EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA) was asked to deliver an opinion on the scientific substantiation of a health claim related to organic foods and contribution to the protection of body cells and molecules (lipids and DNA) from oxidative damage. The scope of the application was proposed to fall under a health claim referring to children's development and health. The food proposed by the applicant as the subject of the health claim is ‘organic foods’. The applicant claimed that organic foods are characterised by their lower level of pesticides residues compared with foods not labelled as organic. The Panel notes, however, that in the application and the human studies submitted the nutritional composition and the pesticide concentration in ‘organic food’ are not reported. The Panel considers that organic foods which are the subject of the health claim, and the foods that they are intended to replace are not sufficiently characterised. Therefore, the Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship cannot be established between the consumption of organic foods and contribution to the protection of body cells and molecules (lipids and DNA) from oxidative damage

Scientific Opinion related to a notification from Lyckeby Starch AB on barley starch to be used in the manufacturing of several foods as ingredient, of the food additive modified starch and of glucose syrups pursuant to Article 21(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 – for permanent exemption from labelling

Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on barley starch to be used in the manufacturing of several foods as ingredient, of the food additive modified starch and of glucose syrups pursuant to Article 21(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, as notified by Lyckeby Starch AB. The applicant provided information on the manufacturing process and data on the content of total protein, gluten and allergenic proteins in barley starch. The applicant also performed IgE-binding in vitro tests, which were considered inconclusive by the Panel. No human intervention studies with barley starch or food products thereof were provided by the applicant, except for a DBPCFC with barley starch hydrolysate in cereal allergic individuals. The Panel notes that glucose syrups based on barley have been already exempted from allergen labelling as per Annex II of Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 and that the current application is for the exemption from labelling of all foods manufactured from barley starch. In all the scenarios considered for the anticipated intake, the calculated total protein intake from barley starch was above the MED/MOED for wheat (expressed in mg of wheat protein) in adults (10 mg) and children (2 mg). The Panel concludes that the data available are insufficient to conclude on the likelihood of adverse allergic reactions in cereal-allergic individuals upon consumption of barley starch under the conditions of use proposed by the applicant, and that the consumption of foodstuffs produced from barley starch as starting (raw) material or foodstuffs containing barley starch as an ingredient is unlikely to cause an adverse reaction in individuals with coeliac disease who are not allergic to cereals, provided that the value of gluten for ‘gluten-free’ foods (20 mg/kg) is not exceeded

Scientific advice related to nutrient profiling for the development of harmonised mandatory front-of-pack nutrition labelling and the setting of nutrient profiles for restricting nutrition and health claims on foods

Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA) was asked to deliver scientific advice related to nutrient profiling for the development of harmonised mandatory front-of-pack nutrition labelling and the setting of nutrient profiles for restricting nutrition and health claims on foods. This Opinion is based on systematic reviews and meta-analyses of human studies on nutritionally adequate diets, data from the Global Burden of Disease framework, clinical practice guidelines, previous EFSA opinions and the priorities set by EU Member States in the context of their Food-Based Dietary Guidelines and associated nutrient/food intake recommendations. Relevant publications were retrieved through comprehensive searches in PubMed. The nutrients included in the assessment are those likely to be consumed in excess or in inadequate amounts in a majority of European countries. Food groups with important roles in European diets have been considered. The Panel concludes that dietary intakes of saturated fatty acids (SFA), sodium and added/free sugars are above, and intakes of dietary fibre and potassium below, current dietary recommendations in a majority of European populations. As excess intakes of SFAs, sodium and added/free sugars and inadequate intakes of dietary fibre and potassium are associated with adverse health effects, they could be included in nutrient profiling models. Energy could be included because a reduction in energy intake is of public health importance for European populations. In food group/category-based nutrient profiling models, total fat could replace energy in most food groups owing to its high-energy density, while the energy density of food groups with low or no fat content may be well accounted for by the inclusion of (added/free) sugars. Some nutrients may be included in nutrient profiling models for reasons other than their public health importance, e.g. as a proxy for other nutrients of public health importance, or to allow for a better discrimination of foods within the same food category

Appropriate age range for introduction of complementary feeding into an infant's diet

Following a request from the European Commission, the Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA) revised its 2009 Opinion on the appropriate age for introduction of complementary feeding of infants. This age has been evaluated considering the effects on health outcomes, nutritional aspects and infant development, and depends on the individual’s characteristics and development. As long as foods have an age-appropriate texture, are nutritionally appropriate and prepared following good hygiene practices, there is no convincing evidence that at any age investigated in the included studies (< 1 to < 6 months), the introduction of complementary foods (CFs) is associated with adverse health effects or benefits (except for infants at risk of iron depletion). For nutritional reasons, the majority of infants need CFs from around 6 months of age. Infants at risk of iron depletion (exclusively breastfed infants born to mothers with low iron status, or with early umbilical cord clamping (< 1 min after birth), or born preterm, or born small-for-gestational age or with high growth velocity) may benefit from earlier introduction of CFs that are a source of iron. The earliest developmental skills relevant for consuming pureed CFs can be observed between 3 and 4 months of age. Skills for consuming finger foods can be observed in some infants at 4 months, but more commonly at 5–7 months. The fact that an infant may be ready from a neurodevelopmental perspective to progress to a more diversified diet before 6 months of age does not imply that there is a need to introduce CFs. There is no reason to postpone the introduction of potentially allergenic foods (egg, cereals, fish and peanut) to a later age than that of other CFs as far as the risk of developing atopic diseases is concerned. Regarding the risk of coeliac disease, gluten can be introduced with other CFs