Abstract Cronobacter spp. are opportunistic foodborne pathogens associated with infections in neonates and infants, particularly those that are premature or immunocompromised. Outbreaks of Cronobacter infections in infants have been epidemiologically linked to the consumption of contaminated powdered infant formulae. Since the designation of Enterobacter sakazakii (now Cronobacter spp.) as a unique species in 1980, a number of methods have been proposed for its detection and identification. The aim of the present study was to evaluate and compare different tools used for the identification of presumptive Cronobacter isolates. The bioMérieux API 20E biochemical bacterial identification kit (Omnimed (Pty), Randburg, Gauteng, South Africa) was shown not to be a reliable identification tool for the Cronobacter strains examined in the current study, since it gave false-positive results. The API 50CHE biochemical kit was shown to be more reliable giving similar results to the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection and DNA sequence data. The primer pair Esakf/Esakr proved to be the most reliable PCR identification tool.Additional differentiating traits and antibiotic patterns were demonstrated for Cronobacter species in the current study.

Within the Australian wet tropics bioregion, only 900 000 hectares of once continuous rainforest habitat between Townsville and Cooktown now remains. While on the Atherton Tableland, only 4% of the rainforest that once occurred there remains today with remnant vegetation now forming a matrix of rainforest dispersed within agricultural land (sugarcane, banana, orchard crops, townships and pastoral land). Some biologists have suggested that remnants often support both faunal and floral communities that differ significantly from remaining continuous forest. Australian tropical forests possess a relatively high diversity of native small mammal species particularly rodents, which unlike larger mammalian and avian frugivores elsewhere, have been shown to be resilient to the effects of fragmentation, patch isolation and reduction in patch size. While small mammals often become the dominant mammalian frugivores, in terms of their relative abundance, the relationship that exists between habitat diversity and structure, and the impacts of small mammal foraging within fragmented habitat patches in Australia, is still poorly understood. The relationship between foraging behaviour and demography of two small mammal species, Rattus fuscipes and Melomys cervinipes, and food resources in fragmented rainforest sites, were investigated in the current study. Population densities of both species were strongly related with overall density of seed resources in all rainforest fragments. The distribution of both mammal species however, was found to be independent of the distribution of seed resources. Seed utilisation trials indicated that M.cervinipes and R.fuscipes had less impact on seed resources (extent of seed harvesting) than did other rainforest frugivores. Experimental feeding trials demonstrated that in 85% of fruit species tested, rodent feeding increased seed germination by a factor of 3.5 suggesting that in Australian tropical rainforest remnants, small mammals may play a significant role in enhancing germination of large seeded fruits. This study has emphasised the role of small mammals in tropical rainforest systems in north eastern Australia, in particular, the role that they play within isolated forest fragments where larger frugivorous species may be absent.

2 pp. / Even dietary fiber is not considered a nutrient, health professionals agree that most Americans don't get nearly enough in their diet. So, why is fiber important? what does fiber do? This article answers the questions regarding diet fiber by providing information on the practical aspects of fiber in the diet as well as food sources and their dietary fiber content.

Revised; Originally Published: 2006 / 2 pp.

No description available.

CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeiÃoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior / Este trabalho foi conduzido com o objetivo de verificar o desempenho bioeconÃmico e adaptabilidade fisiolÃgica de ovinos alimentados com dietas contendo diferentes fontes protÃicas alternativas na raÃÃo concentrada em substituiÃÃo ao farelo de soja. Utilizaram-se trÃs diferentes fontes protÃicas alternativas na raÃÃo concentrada em substituiÃÃo ao farelo de soja: feno do folÃolo da leucena (FFL), urÃia (ambas substituindo 100% do farelo de soja) e torta de algodÃo (substituindo em 51,8%, com base na matÃria seca). Foi avaliado o peso final (kg), o ganho de peso total (GPT), ganho mÃdio diÃrio (GMD) e o nÃmero de dias para os borregos ganharem 12 kg (D12). Para uma avaliaÃÃo detalhada do desenvolvimento corporal dos ovinos, semanalmente foram feitas mediÃÃes morfomÃtricas nos animais, nas diferentes partes do corpo, como perÃmetro torÃcico (PT), altura da cernelha (AC), altura da garupa (AG), comprimento corpÃreo (CC), comprimento da garupa (CG) e escore de condiÃÃo corporal (ECC). A avaliaÃÃo comportamental foi realizada de modo instantÃneo a intervalos de 10 minutos (ingestÃo de raÃÃo, ruminaÃÃo, outras atividades, Ãcio acordado ou dormindo, durante as 24 horas). AlÃm disso, no intervalo entre duas observaÃÃes, foi acompanhada a freqÃÃncia de defecaÃÃo, micÃÃo e ingestÃo de Ãgua. Para a anÃlise das variÃveis bioclimatolÃgicas, durante o perÃodo experimental foram coletadas a cada hora, no intervalo de 7h Ãs 19h, temperatura e umidade relativa do ar, utilizando-se data logger. O consumo de matÃria natural do lote (CMN) foi calculado como sendo a diferenÃa entre o alimento fornecido e as sobras coletadas no dia seguinte para cada baia, o consumo de matÃria seca (CMS) foi obtido multiplicando o CMN pela respectiva matÃria seca da raÃÃo fornecida. A temperatura da superfÃcie do pelame dos borregos foi coletada em dois dias da semana, no perÃodo da manhà (07:30) e tarde (14:00), com auxÃlio de um termÃmetro de infravermelho. As anÃlises econÃmicas dos diferentes sistemas foram realizadas com base em simulaÃÃes utilizando um nÃmero de duzentos borregos por lote. Ao analisar a variÃvel peso final (kg), pode-se verificar que os borregos alimentados com a raÃÃo que utilizava a torta de algodÃo em substituiÃÃo parcial ao farelo de soja (51,8% da matÃria seca) foram os que obtiveram maiores peso final, ganhos de peso total e ganhos mÃdios diÃrios (g/d), aliado a um menor nÃmero de dias para um ganho de 12 kg (D12). No tocante as medidas morfomÃtricas, os borregos alimentados com a dieta que utilizava a torta de algodÃo obtiveram as melhores medidas tanto no perÃmetro torÃcico quanto no escore de condiÃÃo corporal. No que diz respeito ao comportamento animal, ao analisar as variÃveis contÃnuas em % total do dia, pode-se observar nas variÃveis ingerindo raÃÃo e Ãcio dormindo, que nÃo existiu diferenÃa (P>0,05) entre as diferentes fontes protÃicas alternativas analisadas, entretanto nas demais variÃveis houve diferenÃa (P<0,05) entre as diferentes fontes protÃicas. No que diz respeito Ãs atividades pontuais, pode-se verificar diferenÃa (P<0,05) entre as diferentes fontes protÃicas analisadas, nas atividades urinando e defecando, sendo as maiores frequÃncias observadas nos borregos alimentados com o farelo de soja e feno do folÃolo da leucena para as respectivas atividades. O CMN e CMS foram diretamente influenciados pela temperatura e umidade relativa da manhÃ, umidade relativa da tarde e do dia. O consumo de Ãgua foi influenciado pelas temperaturas da manhÃ, do perÃodo crÃtico, do perÃodo da tarde e da temperatura diÃria, bem como pelas umidades relativas do perÃodo crÃtico, do perÃodo da tarde e da umidade relativa diÃria. No tocante as temperaturas da superfÃcie do pelame, as mesmas foram influenciadas diretamente por todas as variÃveis climÃticas analisadas. A temperatura retal foi influenciada somente pelas temperaturas e umidades relativas do ar no perÃodo de mediÃÃo. A temperatura da bolsa escrotal nÃo foi influenciada pelas variÃveis climÃticas. O maior valor de manutenÃÃo da atividade foi observado no sistema onde os borregos foram alimentados com dieta contendo torta de algodÃo. No que diz respeito aos indicadores econÃmicos, o lucro da atividade em R$/kg PV foi maior no confinamento que utilizou a torta de algodÃo como fonte protÃica na raÃÃo concentrada (R$ 0,76/kg PV), seguido pelos que utilizaram farelo de soja (R$ 0,64/kg PV), urÃia (R$ 0,33/kg PV) e feno do folÃolo da leucena (R$ 0,21/kg PV). De acordo com as diferentes anÃlises econÃmicas e de investimentos realizadas, pode-se concluir que a torta de algodÃo substituindo o farelo de soja em 51,8% à a alternativa alimentar mais atrativa, pois permite uma maior oscilaÃÃo do preÃo de venda do quilograma do peso vivo do borrego em relaÃÃo Ãs demais fontes protÃicas analisadas, o que permite ao produtor se adequar a uma maior elasticidade do preÃo de venda deste produto no mercado sem causar prejuÃzos ao produtor / To verify the bioeconomic performance and physiological adaptability of sheep fed diets containing alternative protein sources in the concentrate as a replacement for soybean meal, this study was conducted. Were used three different alternative protein sources in concentrate in replacement of soybean meal: Leucaena leucocephala leaflet hay (HLL), urea (replacing both 100% of soybean meal) and cottonseed cake, replacing in 51.8% (on a dry matter basis). Was evaluated the finale weight (kg), the total weight gain, average daily gain and the number of days for the lamb gain 12 kg. For a detailed assessment of body development of sheep, weekly morphometric measurements were made in animals, in different parts of the body, as thoracic perimeter, back height, height of the croup, body length, length of the croup and body condition score. The behavioral assessment was conducted instantaneously at intervals of ten minutes (feed intake, rumination, other activities, leisure awake or sleeping, during 24 hours). Besides this, in the interval between two observations, was accompanied the frequency of defecation, urination and water intake. For the analysis of variables bioclimatology, during the experimental period were collected each hour, in the range of 7 a.m until 7 p.m, ambient temperature and relative humidity, using data logger. The natural matter intake of the lot (NMI) was calculated as the difference between the provided and collected the remains the next day for each bay, the dry matter intake (DMI) was obtained multiplying the NMI by their dry matter of feed. The surface temperature of the coat of lambs was collected in two days of the week, in the morning (07:30 a.m) and afternoon (02:00 p.m), with the aid of an infrared thermometer. The economic analyses of the different systems were conducted based on simulations using a number of two hundred animals per batch. When analyzing the finale weight (kg), can verify that the lambs that were fed with the ration which used cottonseed cake in partial replacement to soybean meal (51.8% of dry matter) were who obtained a higher finale weight, total weight gain and average daily gain, combined with a smaller number of days to gain total of 12 kg. Regarding the morphometric measurements, the lambs fed with the diet which used cottonseed cake obtained the best measures both the thoracic perimeter as body condition score. With regard to animal behavior, when looking at continuous variables in % of total days, can observe the variables ingesting food and leisure sleeping, that there was no difference (P>0.05) between different alternative protein sources analyzed, however there was a difference (P<0.05) in other variables between different protein sources. Regarding to punctual activities, can be verified difference (P<0.05) between different protein sources analyzed, in the activities urinating and defecating, and the higher frequency observed in lambs fed with soybean meal and hay of the leaflet of Leucaena for their respective activities. The NMI and DMI were directly influenced by temperature and relative humidity in the morning, and relative humidity in the afternoon and the day. Water consumption was influenced by temperatures in the morning, the critical period, in the afternoon and the daily temperature, as well as the relative humidity of critical period, of the afternoon and the daily relative humidity. Regarding the coat surface temperature, they were influenced directly for all climatic variables analyzed. Rectal temperature was influenced only by temperature and relative humidity in the measurement period. The temperature of the scrotum was not influenced by climatic variables. Regarding to economic indicators, the profit activity in R$/kg PV was higher in the confinement that used cottonseed meal showed as protein source in the concentrate (R$ 0.76/kg PV), followed by those who used soybean meal (R$ 0.64/kg PV), urea (R$ 0.33/kg PV) and hay of leaves of leucaena (R$ 0.21/kg PV). According to the different economic analysis and of investments conducted, can conclude that the cottonseed meal replacing soybean meal in 51.8% was the production system which was more attractive, it allows a greater swing of the selling price of kilograms of live weight of lamb compared to other protein sources studied, which allows the producer to suit a greater elasticity of sales price this product in the market without causing damages to producer.

Purpose: Due to the current climate crisis and the fact that the food industry accounts for a third of all greenhouse gas emissions, it is more important than ever that green initiatives in the food industry flourish. In recent years new food sources (NFS) have emerged as a consequence of trying to shift the world's consumption behaviours and making the food industry more sustainable. However, NFS companies are generally small companies with scarce resources and difficulties in expanding. Thus, the purpose of this report is to investigate which capabilities are necessary in order to succeed with a sustainable expansion within the New Food Sources industry, and to develop a framework that puts the capabilities in relation to different stages of sustainable expansion.  Method: In order to investigate these main areas, a multiple case study in the NFS sector has been conducted where several companies have been interviewed to enable the identification of success factors that enable a sustainable expansion. A total of 21 interviews were held with the case companies, people from the traditional source companies (e.g., traditional dairy corporations), and people with expertise within the field of NFS were interviewed. The interviews were later on analyzed through a thematic method.  Findings: The study resulted in identifying five stages of sustainability work that acts as drivers for sustainable expansion. Further, eight categories of capabilities were identified in order to reach the driver for sustainable expansion. The capabilities were then ranked in a gradual manner, from fundamental to gaining competitive advantage. Lastly, the five stages of sustainable expansion were linked to the capabilities, providing a roadmap for what capabilities that are necessary in each stage in order to proceed with a sustainable expansion.  Theoretical and managerial contributions: This study provides a sustainable perspective on expansions within NFS companies, meaning that the focus is not only economic growth but also how the company contributes to the society as a whole and how it affects the world. Furthermore, these insights have resulted in a roadmap that can be applied by managers in NFS- producing companies to get a better understanding of what capabilities that are essential in each stage of sustainability work. This will help managers in NFS companies to navigate through expansions and will help them understand what to focus on.

Title: The Weight losing nutrition in sporting This bachelor work is focused on questions of weight- reducing diet in regularly sporting women. The theoretical part is included, describing the principles of biochemical, physiological and metabolic aspects of human body. It explains the concept of active or healthy way of life and shows the manipulation techniques of mass media, having influence on the rational food selection of modern population. The practical part of work is dedicated to the evaluation of questionnaire, including observation and discussion with female probands taking part of the research. The mass media manipulation techniques analyses is included, as well as nourishment recommendations, which are in agreement with a rational nutrition and improve the weight reduction outcomes. Aims: To access the most common mistakes in weight reduction of sporting women, evaluate the quality and availability of nourishment information obtained from mass media and to find errors made by women affected by mass media manipulation. Methods and results: The research was performed in a form of the questionnaire. The pool of 100 female probands collected randomly in beauty studio and fitness centre, with age span of 18-50 years were asked to fill out the questionnaire. Most of them were actively...

Purpose - Macroalgae has sprung up and become one of the most promising new food sources. With its high nutritional value and sustainable cultivation process, it holds a crucial part in sustainable transformation. By examining the industry from a business perspective, the purpose of this report is to identify key success factors for companies seeking to construct or improve their business model. Method - Data were collected in four phases to provide answers to the purpose, where a qualitative exploratory approach was used to conduct the study. During the first phase, the previous literature was reviewed to formulate a theoretical background. This was followed by three steps of empirical data collection in the form of interviews. Findings - The findings provide seven overarching success factors related to the complete business model. The report provides a framework that aims to guide new entrants in their quest to capitalize on the immense potential of the macroalgae industry. It is developed upon the key success factors, which, to a large extent, are generic and can be transferred to other new food sources. Implications - This report contributes to the widening understanding of the macroalgae industry and how new food sources, in general, can develop competitive business models in emerging markets. The seven key success factors and the framework provide valuable insights for both new entrants and established companies. Additionally, this report serves as a stepping stone, providing a good overview of the industry and the challenges individual companies face. It intends to fill the previously identified gap between the business model and the macroalgae industry. Limitations and future research – The interviews were held in multiple languages. This was a source of uncertainty and might have impacted the findings negatively. Additionally, some respondents were reluctant to share certain information, which limited full transparency throughout the report. Lastly, future research is recommended to be conducted on the limitations of environmental laws e.g., permissions needed for macroalgae cultivation.

Les programmes communautaires d’assistance sociale sont des interventions qui visent à promouvoir la santé des personnes vivant dans la pauvreté et en proie à l’insécurité alimentaire, c’est-à-dire un accès incertain, insuffisant et/ou inadéquat à des aliments nutritifs en raison de contraintes financières. L’utilisation de ces programmes chez les demandeurs d’aide alimentaire varie en fonction de leurs besoins, de leurs contextes, de leurs capabilités, ainsi que des pratiques de promotion de la santé au sein des ménages. Dans un contexte où les besoins fondamentaux ne sont pas comblés, les pratiques de promotion de la santé au sein du ménage incluent des actions entreprises par un ménage pour réduire l’insécurité alimentaire. En réponse au manque de connaissances sur l’influence des différentes pratiques de promotion de la santé au sein des ménages sur l’utilisation des programmes communautaires d’assistance sociale, cette thèse de doctorat vise à mieux comprendre la manière dont les pratiques de promotion de la santé au sein des ménages influencent l’association entre l’utilisation des programmes communautaires d’assistance sociale et la réduction de l’insécurité alimentaire parmi les nouveaux demandeurs d’aide alimentaire. La thèse s’appuie sur des données tirées de l’Étude Parcours, il s’agit d’une étude de cohorte prospective menée de 2018 à 2022 auprès de 1001 demandeurs d’aide alimentaire récemment inscrits dans 106 organismes communautaires offrant des dons alimentaires dans des milieux urbains, semi-urbains et ruraux du Québec. La variable dépendante principale de cette thèse est la réduction de l’insécurité alimentaire. Cette dernière est définie comme toute réduction de la sévérité de l’insécurité alimentaire au cours de l’année suivant l’évaluation de base. La sévérité de l’insécurité alimentaire des ménages (c.-à-d. insécurité alimentaire sévère, insécurité alimentaire modérée, insécurité alimentaire marginale ou sécurité alimentaire) au cours des 12 derniers mois a été mesurée au début de l’étude et lors d’une rencontre de suivi un an après leur participation à l’étude, et ce, à l’aide des 18 questions du Module d’enquête sur la sécurité alimentaire des ménages. Les résultats sont présentés sous forme de trois articles (deux publiés et un en cours de révision). Le 1er article, publié dans le Journal of Hunger and Environnemental Nutrition, présente les résultats d’une étude transversale visant à identifier et caractériser les profils des pratiques de promotion de la santé en matière d’acquisition d’aliments des ménages parmi les demandeurs d’aide alimentaire récemment inscrits dans les banques alimentaires. À cette fin, des analyses de classe latente et des analyses de régression logistique multinomiale ont été effectuées en utilisant les données de la première vague de l’Étude Parcours. Nous avons identifié trois profils de pratiques de promotion de la santé liés à l’acquisition d’aliments des ménages (usagers exclusifs de dons alimentaires, usagers des marchés de fruits et légumes et usagers de dons alimentaires, et usagers de dons alimentaires et des marchés de fruits et légumes qui font du jardinage). Ces profils variaient selon les contextes et sont associés avec diverses caractéristiques sociodémographiques des demandeurs d’aide alimentaire. Le deuxième article, publié dans l’International Journal of Public Health, présente les résultats d’une analyse longitudinale à partir des données de la première et de la deuxième vague de suivi afin de caractériser les tendances dans l’utilisation des dons d’aliments et d’autres programmes communautaires d’assistance sociale liés à l’alimentation (c.-à-d. les cuisines collectives, les jardins collectifs, les groupes d’achats d’aliments, les services de vente d’aliments et les repas communautaires) au cours des 12 mois suivants à l’inscription des nouveaux demandeurs d’aide alimentaire dans un organisme communautaire offrant des dons alimentaires. Des modèles bayésiens hiérarchiques ont été utilisés pour caractériser les tendances dans l’utilisation de ces programmes. Nous avons trouvé que chaque profil de pratiques de promotion de la santé liées à l’acquisition d’aliments présente une tendance mensuelle distinctive dans l’utilisation des dons alimentaires au cours de l’année suivant l’inscription, mais l’utilisation d’autres programmes communautaires d’assistance sociale liés à l’alimentation n’a pas changé selon les profils. Le troisième article, soumis dans Annals of Epidemiology, visait à examiner la relation entre l’utilisation des programmes communautaires d’assistance sociale (c.-à-d. les dons d’aliments, programmes liés à la gestion des aliments et programmes non liés à l’alimentation) et la réduction de l’insécurité alimentaire. Il visait aussi à voir si cette relation est influencée par les profils des pratiques de promotion de la santé liées à l’acquisition d’aliments des demandeurs au moment où ils avaient commencé à accéder aux organismes communautaires offrant des dons alimentaires. Nous avons utilisé la méthode d’Estimation Longitudinale par Maximum de Vraisemblance Ciblée avec des Modèles Structurels Marginaux. Les résultats ont révélé que l’association entre l’utilisation des programmes communautaires d’assistance sociale et la réduction de l’insécurité alimentaire des ménages varie en fonction des profils de pratiques de promotion de la santé liées à l’acquisition d’aliments des ménages. Comparés aux usagers exclusifs des dons alimentaires n’ayant pas utilisé les programmes communautaires d’assistance sociale pendant l’étude, les usagers de plusieurs sources alimentaires alternatives utilisant les programmes communautaires d’assistance sociale ont une probabilité plus élevée de réduire le niveau d’insécurité alimentaire de leur ménage. Dans l’ensemble, les principaux résultats de cette thèse contribuent à mieux comprendre les pratiques de promotion de la santé des nouveaux demandeurs d’aide alimentaire. Ils éclairent davantage sur le rôle des programmes communautaires d’assistance sociale dans la réduction de l’insécurité alimentaire chez cette population. Ces résultats mettent en lumière la nécessité d’analyser l’utilisation de l’aide alimentaire comme pratique de promotion de la santé en matière d’acquisition d’aliments. Cette dernière varie selon la quantité et les caractéristiques des pratiques de promotion de la santé au sein des ménages, qu’elles soient liées ou non à l’alimentation, ainsi qu’en fonction des caractéristiques des demandeurs d’aide alimentaire et des facteurs contextuels. Ils démontrent de fait que les efforts pour réduire l’insécurité alimentaire doivent s’inscrire dans une approche intersectorielle qui prend en compte non seulement les besoins financiers, mais aussi les capabilités des ménages en situation d’insécurité alimentaire pour utiliser les ressources communautaires et institutionnelles disponibles, et ce, de manière complémentaire. De plus, ils soutiennent l’importance de l’intégration du contexte et des pratiques de promotion de la santé des demandeurs d’aide alimentaire lors de l’évaluation des effets et impacts de l’utilisation des programmes communautaires d’assistance sociale sur l’insécurité alimentaire des ménages. / Community-based social assistance programs are interventions aimed at promoting the health of people living in poverty and threatened by food insecurity (i.e., having uncertain, insufficient, or inadequate access to nutritious food due to financial constraints). The use of these programs by food-aid seekers varies based on their needs, context, capabilities, and household health-promoting practices. These practices involve actions undertaken by a household to reduce food insecurity. This doctoral dissertation aims to better understand how household health-promoting practices influence the association between the use of community-based social assistance programs and household food insecurity reduction among new food-aid seekers. Data were drawn from the Pathways Study, a prospective cohort study conducted from 2018 to 2022 with 1,001 newly registered food-aid seekers with Quebec’s food banks. Participants were recruited from 106 community organizations in urban, semi-urban, and rural settings. The main dependent variable of this dissertation is the reduction of household food insecurity, defined as any reduction in the severity of food insecurity over the year following the baseline assessment. The severity of household food security (i.e., food security, moderate food insecurity, and severe food insecurity) over the previous 12 months was measured at the start of the study and during a follow-up meeting one year after their participation in the study, using the 18 questions from the Household Food Security Survey Module. The results are presented in the form of three articles (two published and one under review). The first article, published in the Journal of Hunger and Environmental Nutrition, presents the results of a cross-sectional study aimed at identifying and characterizing profiles of household food-acquisition health-promoting practices among food-aid seekers recently enrolled in community organizations offering food donations. For this purpose, latent class analyses and multinomial logistic regression analyses were conducted using data from the first wave of the Pathways Study. We found three profiles of household food-acquisition health-promoting practices (FB-Exclusive users, FB-Fruit/Vegetable-Market-users , and Multiple—alternative food source [AFS] users). These profiles varied by context and were associated with various sociodemographic characteristics of the food-aid seekers. The second article, published in the International Journal of Public Health, presents the results of a longitudinal analysis using data from the first and second follow-up waves to characterize trends in the use of food donations and other community-based social assistance programs related to food management (e.g., collective kitchens, collective gardens, food buying groups, food sales services, and community meals) during the 12 months following the enrollment of new food-aid seekers in a community organization offering food donations. Bayesian hierarchical models were used to characterize trends in the use of these programs. We found that each profile of household food-acquisition health-promoting practices has a distinct monthly trend in the use of food donations during the first year following enrollment, but the use of other food-related community-based social assistance programs did not change according to the profiles. The third article, submitted to Annals of Epidemiology, aimed to examine the relationship between the use of community-based social assistance programs (e.g., food donations, food management programs, and non-food-related programs) and the reduction of food insecurity. It also aimed to see if this relationship is influenced by the profiles of household food-acquisition health-promoting practices of food-aid seekers at the time they began accessing community organizations offering food donations. We used the Targeted Maximum Likelihood Estimation method with Marginal Structural Models. The results revealed that the association between the use of community-based social assistance programs and the reduction of household food insecurity varies according to the profiles of household food-acquisition health-promoting practices. Compared to exclusive food donation users who did not use community-based social assistance programs during the study, users of multiple alternative food sources using community-based social assistance programs are more likely to reduce the level of food insecurity in their household. Overall, the main results of this dissertation contribute to a better understanding of the health-promoting practices of new food-aid seekers and shed light on the role of community-based social assistance programs in reducing food insecurity among this population. These results highlight the need to analyze the use of food aid as a health-promoting practice in food acquisition that varies according to the quantity and characteristics of household health-promoting practices, whether food-related or not, as well as the characteristics of food-aid seekers and contextual factors. It demonstrates that efforts to reduce food insecurity must take an intersectoral approach that considers not only financial needs but also the capabilities of households in food insecurity situations to use available complementary community-based and institutional resources. Additionally, it justifies the integration of the context and health-promoting practices of food-aid seekers when evaluating the effects of the use of community-based social assistance programs on household food insecurity.