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Dieters feast their eyes on digital food content to help curb cravings, study suggests

The study, led by the University of Bristol in the UK, challenges the belief that being shown visuals of tempting, unhealthy foods encourages people to indulge in eating them.

The research, in collaboration with the University at Buffalo School of Management, The State University of New York in the US, conducted three experiments involving a total of 840 participants aged between 19-77, combining two online surveys and a controlled laboratory study.

In one experiment, participants viewed short videos on social media depicting both high-calorie and low-calorie chocolate desserts. Dieters spent 30% longer viewing the indulgent option compared to non-dieters. But, when later given access to real chocolates presented in a bowl, dieters consumed significantly less chocolate than non-dieters, suggesting that prior visual exposure may have reduced their desire to indulge. 

Many UK adults want to avoid ultra-processed foods but struggle to define them clearly

In a recent study published in BMC Global and Public Health, researchers conducted a qualitative investigation looking at perceptions of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) in the United Kingdom. The study utilised thematic analysis on data from 30 UK adults with primary household food responsibilities.

Results demonstrated that study participants generally viewed UPFs as artificial and potentially unhealthy, yet they could not easily understand the Nova classification system or identify its boundaries.

It also found that while participants largely viewed industry-sponsored messaging with scepticism, they sometimes found personal testimonies from social media influencers relatable or helpful.

Notably, negative perceptions of UPFs didn't always translate into behavioural changes. This is likely due to cost, convenience, taste and family practices.

Worst-case scenario planning says UK could face food shortages by summer if the Iran war continues but price rises are more likely

A government source told the BBC it was planning for a worst-case scenario involving the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz and breakdowns in the supply of carbon dioxide, which is used in the slaughter of some animals and in food preservation. Foods that could face a shortage include chicken and pork.

A spokesperson from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs said it would continue to work closely with businesses to tackle the impacts of the war.

Food sector leaders echoed the government reaction, with some saying they were more concerned about price rises than shortages.

The British Retail Consortium said it expected the government to carry out contingency planning, adding that retailers were experienced in managing supply chain disruption.

Other industry groups, such as the Food and Drink Federation, forecast food inflation to reach 9% by December 2026.

UK GLP-1 usage almost doubles in nine months as availability and awareness continue to rise

New Institute of Grocery Distribution (IGD) research shows that the uptake of GLP-1 weight loss medications has almost doubled in the UK since June 2025, increasing from 3.1% then to 6% in March 2026.

Findings in the first quarterly report from the IGD Futures: GLP-1 insight programme also reveal that more affluent mid-life women are the main group driving GLP-1 usage, while people aged 18 to 24 or 65+ currently use GLP-1s the least.

In terms of awareness, it found that 94% of UK adults are aware of weight loss drugs (up from 88% in June) and 42% personally know someone who uses them (up from 24% in June).

Based on monthly polling of over 2,000 nationally representative UK shoppers, IGD attributes the acceleration in uptake to growing availability through online pharmacies and increased awareness.

IGD’s research identified three user types whose motivations shape their behaviour during and after GLP-1 usage.

UK Dietitians need to renew HCPC registration by 20 June 2026

The portal for dietitians to renew their registration with the HCPC opened on 1 April 2026. It's open for the next three months, closing 30 June 2026. Renewing as soon as possible is recommended.

Every two years, dietitians must update their renewal information, confirm they continue to meet the HCPC’s standards, submit equality monitoring information and pay the renewal fee. It's the professional responsibility of dietitians to complete their renewal by the deadline.

For 2.5% of dietitians, the HCPC will also require submission of a CPD portfolio alongside a personal statement demonstrating how they've met the HCPC standards of CPD.

Failure to renew registration will mean removal from the register and the inability to practise as a dietitian.

You can read more about renewing your registration on the BDA website or renew your registration using the button below.

Deep-fried food and high-sugar items first to be targeted in new government plans to overhaul school dinners

High-sugar and deep-fried foods are to be taken off the menu for students as a result of new government plans to overhaul school dinners. This comes amid the health crisis facing children, with the plans aiming to help tackle childhood obesity.

Millions of children should benefit from healthier meals at school as a result of the changes. The government shared its plans to overhaul the School Food Standards on 13th April 2026, marking the first time in over ten years.

The new standards were developed alongside nutritionists and public health experts and will apply to all breakfasts and lunches served. Schools will no longer be able to offer unhealthy ‘grab and go’ options daily, while deep-fried food will be banned. Fruit will need to be served instead of sugar-laden treats most of the week.

Men and women living with obesity face very different hidden health risks, according to new research

A research team from Dokuz Eylul University in Turkey has found that obesity affects men and women in surprisingly different ways.

The new research, which was presented at the European Congress on Obesity (ECO), shows men are more likely to develop harmful abdominal fat strongly linked to serious heart and metabolic conditions and signs of liver stress.

Meanwhile, women living with obesity were more likely to experience widespread inflammation and elevated cholesterol levels, both of which raise the risk of heart disease and type two diabetes.

These differences could help explain why health risks vary between sexes. Scientists say this could lead to more tailored treatments for obesity.

According to the researchers, these differences are likely influenced by hormones, immune system activity and how fat is distributed in the body.

Scientists have stabilised a highly reactive molecule in water for the first time, confirming theory about vitamin B1

Researchers have stabilised a notoriously unstable molecule in water, potentially confirming a 67-year-old theory about vitamin B1.

Researchers say this resolves a long-standing biochemical puzzle but also may point toward cleaner, more efficient methods for producing pharmaceuticals.

At the heart of the discovery is a form of carbon with just six valence electrons called a carbene. Under normal conditions, carbon atoms are most stable with eight electrons. With just six, carbenes are highly unstable and react almost instantly with their surroundings, typically breaking down right away in water.

For decades, scientists believed vitamin B1, known as thiamine, might briefly form a carbene-like structure inside cells to help drive essential biochemical reactions. However, due to its extreme instability, no one had been able to directly observe it in such conditions.