Dietary trans fatty acids (dTFA) are primarily synthetic compounds that have been introduced only recently; little is known about their behavioral effects. dTFA inhibit production of omega-3 fatty acids, which experimentally have been shown to reduce aggression. Potential behavioral effects of dTFA merit investigation. The researchers sought to determine whether dTFA are associated with aggression/irritability.

Added sweeteners pose dangers to health that justify controlling them like alcohol, argue Robert H. Lustig, Laura A. Schmidt and Claire D. Brindis.

There are a number of assumptions required to estimate actual calories consumed from expenditure data regarding calories contained in processed foods and meals eaten outside the household. Ideally, estimates of calorie consumption and the assessment of food security would be similar under a wide variety of assumptions, and the range of estimates would be quite small.