Adolescent Diet Research Articles

Determinants of Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet in Spanish Children and Adolescents: The PASOS Study.

A progressive shift away from traditional healthy dietary patterns, such as the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet), has been observed in recent decades. The aim of this study was to assess determinants of optimal adherence to the MedDiet in Spanish children and adolescents. A cross-sectional analysis was included in the PASOS nationwide representative study in Spain. Participants were 3607 children and adolescents; 8–16 years old. Primary and secondary outcome measures of weight and height were measured. Adherence to the MedDiet, physical activity, and sedentary behavior in children and adolescents, as well as parental physical activity and dietary habits, were assessed. Optimal adherence to the MedDiet was observed in 45.5% of primary school students and 34.8% of secondary school students (OR: 0.65; 95%CI: 0.56–0.75). Optimal adherence to the MedDiet was higher in children/adolescents meeting daily recommended moderate and vigorous physical activity (OR: 2.39, 95%CI: 1.97–2.89) and in those meeting daily recommended screen time on weekdays (OR: 2.05, 95%CI: 1.77–2.38) and weekends (OR: 1.76, 95%CI: 1.48–2.10). Participants with optimal adherence to the MedDiet were more likely to have mothers with a high-level education and high-tercile of SDQS, mothers who never smoked or were former smokers, and mothers who met the recommended physical activity and screen time. It can be concluded that a low prevalence of optimal adherence to the MedDiet was found among current Spanish children and adolescents. Optimal adherence to the MedDiet was associated with reaching the recommendations on physical activity and screen time, with the highest maternal educational level, and healthier maternal lifestyles.

An Analysis of the Links between Smoking and BMI in Adolescents: A Moving Average Approach to Establishing the Statistical Relationship between Quantitative and Dichotomous Variables.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of smoking on BMI in male adolescents and explore the relationship between smoking status and diet. Methods: A cross-sectional epidemiological study into the health and diet of adolescents was carried out based on a representative sample of 375 vocational school male students aged 16–17 in the city of Chelyabinsk (Russian Federation). The students and their parents filled out verified questionnaires on their socioeconomic status, diet, and smoking status. Students’ height and body weight were measured. A comparative analysis of diets was performed between groups of smokers and non-smokers (149 and 226 individuals, respectively), and the relationship between smoking, body mass index, and actual diet was estimated. The methods used included descriptive statistics, Student’s t-test, Mann–Whitney U test, comparison of proportions, and moving average. Results: Non-smoking adolescent boys tended to have excess body mass compared with smokers (19.0% and 12.1%, respectively). Smokers (adolescent boys) consumed less meat, cereals, beans, and cheeses and more sweet beverages, added sugar, coffee, and alcohol. The bulk of the smokers’ diet was composed of carbohydrates (p = 0.026) and, to a lesser extent, proteins (p = 0.006). Conclusions: Significant differences were discovered in the diet between smokers and non-smokers (among adolescent boys), and smoking was associated with several indicators of unhealthy diet patterns. This is an important conclusion for developing a future program that could additionally protect at-risk groups of adolescents.

Trends in Added Sugars Intake and Sources Among US Children, Adolescents, and Teens Using NHANES 2001–2018

BackgroundOver the past 2 decades, there has been an increased emphasis on added sugars intake in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA), which has been accompanied by policies and interventions aimed at reducing intake, particularly among children, adolescents, and teens. ObjectivesThe present study provides a comprehensive time-trends analysis of added sugars intakes and contributing sources in the diets of US children, adolescents, and teens (2–18 years) from 2001–2018, focusing on variations according to sociodemographic factors (age, sex, race and ethnicity, income), food assistance, and health-related factors (physical activity level, body weight status). MethodsData from 9 consecutive 2-year cycles of the NHANES were combined and regression analyses were conducted to test for trends in added sugars intake and sources from 2001–2018 for the overall age group (2–18 years) and for 2 age subgroups (2–8 and 9–18 years). Trends were also examined on subsamples stratified by sex, race and ethnicity (Hispanic, non-Hispanic Asian, non-Hispanic Black, non-Hispanic White), income (household poverty income ratio), food assistance, physical activity level, and body weight status. ResultsFrom 2001–2018, added sugars intakes decreased significantly (P < 0.01), from 15.6% to 12.6% kcal among children (2–8 years) and from 18.4% to 14.3% kcal among adolescents and teens (9–18 years), mainly due to significant declines in added sugars from sweetened beverages, which remained the top source. Declines in added sugars intakes were observed for all strata, albeit to varying degrees. ConclusionsDeclines in added sugars intakes were observed among children, adolescents, and teens from 2001–2018, regardless of sociodemographic factors, food assistance, physical activity level, or body weight status, but variations in the magnitudes of decline suggest persistent disparities related to race and ethnicity and to income. Despite these declines, intakes remain above the DGA recommendation; thus, continued monitoring is warranted.

Breath Stable Isotope Analysis Serves as a Non-invasive Analytical Tool to Demonstrate Dietary Changes in Adolescent Students Over Time.

Concern about adolescent diets, obesity, and the associated health risks have been growing in the United States. This inspired former First Lady Michelle Obama to spearhead the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act (HHFKA), which made changes to the national school lunch program by increasing servings of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Our study examined the variability of student carbohydrate sources throughout the day and before and after the implementation of HHFKA using a stable isotope dietary biomarker. This method uses carbon stable isotope values of exhaled CO2 breath (δ13Cbreath) and provides a quantitative, non-invasive measure. δ13Cbreath samples were collected throughout the day from students (n = 31) that attended a public high school in Salt Lake City, UT. δ13Cbreath measurements reflected the short-term carbohydrate inputs from the previous meal. Carbohydrate sources were not consistent throughout the day; most students had their lowest inputs of corn/sugar-based carbohydrates after lunch. We compared our results with an earlier study that had been conducted pre-HHFKA. After-lunch δ13Cbreath values decreased significantly between the two time points, suggesting an increase in whole grain, fruit, and vegetable carbohydrates in the lunch program. Our results demonstrated that δ13Cbreath measurements provide a valuable tool to examine carbohydrate sources in an individual's diet throughout the day. We believe that this tool could be beneficial to studies examining the relationship between sugar sweetened beverages, added sugars, and refined carbohydrates and health outcomes like diabetes and obesity in both adolescent and adult populations.

Associations Between Ultra-processed Foods Consumption and Indicators of Adiposity in US Adolescents: Cross-Sectional Analysis of the 2011-2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

BackgroundUltra-processed foods represent a considerable part of the diet of US children and adolescents, yet their association with total, abdominal, and visceral overweight/obesity remains understudied. ObjectiveTo examine associations between dietary contribution of ultra-processed foods and total, abdominal, and visceral overweight/obesity in a nationally representative sample of US adolescents. DesignCross-sectional analyses were performed on data collected from adolescents participating in the 2011-2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Participants/settingParticipants included 3587 adolescents aged 12 to 19 years, who had data from at least 1 day of valid 24-hour dietary recall data. Main outcome measuresTotal overweight/obesity, abdominal overweight/obesity, and visceral overweight/obesity data were collected. Statistical analyses performedAll food items (grams per day) recorded in the 24-hour recalls were classified according to Nova. Multiple logistic regressions were used to evaluate associations between the dietary contribution of ultra-processed foods (expressed in percentage of total grams per day) and outcomes. Multivariable models were adjusted for sociodemographic covariates, physical activity, total energy intake, whether the individual was following a special diet for weight loss, and indicators of the nutritional quality of the diet. ResultsIn multivariable analyses, the highest consumption of ultra-processed food was associated with 45%, 52%, and 63% higher odds of total, abdominal, and visceral overweight/obesity, respectively (odds ratio [OR] 1.45, 95% CI 1.03-2.06, P for linear trend = .040; OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.06-2.18, P for linear trend = .026; OR 1.63, 95% CI 1.19-2.24, P for linear trend = .005, respectively), compared with the lowest consumption. A 10% increment in the proportion of ultra-processed foods in the diet was associated with an increased risk of both abdominal overweight/obesity (OR 1.07; 95% CI 1.01-1.13) and visceral overweight/obesity (OR 1.07; 95% CI 1.02-1.13). ConclusionsStudy findings support the growing evidence of cross-sectional and prospective associations between ultra-processed foods and increased adiposity and also with metabolically unhealthy phenotypes of obesity in adolescence. Timely action to reduce the consumption of ultra-processed foods among adolescents is needed.

Revealing lost secrets about Yingpan Man and the Silk Road

Yingpan Man, is one of the most exquisitely preserved mummies found in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China. Here links between Yingpan Man and the Silk Road are explored through a detailed isotopic and bioarchaeological investigation of his life history. Analytical techniques of carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur stable isotope ratio analysis on hair, teeth, muscle and bones as well as associated animal and plant remains, radiocarbon dating and starch grain analysis of dental calculus are presented to visualize never before seen aspects of Yingpan Man’s life, including: environment, breastfeeding and weaning practices, adolescent and adult diet, disease and nutritional status as well as season of death. Furthermore, in combination with a detailed review of his associated grave goods, this research examines the social status and identity of Yingpan Man, and demonstrates the profound impact and cultural fusion that the Silk Road had upon the peoples of Xinjiang and Eurasia.

Examining adolescents' obesogenic behaviors on structured days: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The structured days hypothesis posits that 'structured days' (i.e., days with pre-planned, segmented, and adult-supervised environments) reduce youth obesogenic behaviors. Structured days may be especially important for adolescents', as adolescence (12-19 years) is a period of developmental milestones and increased autonomy. Therefore, the objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to evaluate the relationship between structured days and adolescents' obesogenic behaviors (i.e., physical activity, diet, screen time, and/or sleep). From February to April of 2020, four databases (i.e., Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, and PsychINfo) were searched for cross-sectional, longitudinal, and intervention (i.e., baseline data only) studies reporting obesogenic behaviors on more structured versus less structured days (i.e., weekday versus weekend or school year versus summer/holiday). A total of 42,878 unique titles and abstracts were screened with 2767 full-text articles retrieved. After review of full-text articles, 296 studies were identified (sleep k = 147, physical activity k = 88, screen time k = 81, diet k = 8). Most studies were conducted in North America, Europe & Central Asia, or East Asia & the Pacific used self-report measures and compared school days to weekend days. Meta-analyses indicated that adolescents' physical activity (standardized mean difference [SMD] = -0.25 [95%CI - 0.48, -0.03]) and screen time (SMD = -0.48 [95%CI - 0.66, -0.29]) were less healthy on less structured days. Differences did not reach statistical significance for sleep (SMD = -0.23 [95%CI - 0.48, 0.02]) and diet (SMD = -0.13 [95%CI - 0.77, 0.51]), however, sleep timing (SMD = -1.05 [95%CI - 1.31, -0.79]) and diet quantity (SMD = -0.29 [95%CI - 0.35, -0.23]) were less healthy on less structured days. The review identified studies with large heterogeneity. Findings indicate that adolescents' physical activity, screen time, sleep timing, and diet quantity are less healthy on less structured days. Interventions for adolescents to prevent and treat obesity may be more successful if they are designed to target times that are less structured.

An assessment of a nutritionally appropriate diet for adolescents’ nutrition

A modern human is exposed to numerous stresses associated with an intensive lifestyle, the impact of aggressive factors of man-made habitat, high rates of urbanization, etc. This led to the need to correct a considerable part of the lifestyle, as well as approaches to nutrition. It is especially topical for children and youth, since during this period all the body systems are initiated and formed, ensuring its normal operation throughout the rest of life. One of the key tasks of preserving and improving the health of the population, especially in childhood and adolescence, is the need for balanced nutrition in terms of the proportion of nutrients consumed. These include proteins, fats and carbohydrates, as well as the number of macro- and microelements, such as iron, copper, zinc, etc. We will present an example of calculating the optimal food ration from the point of view of material costs, satisfying the required balanced nutrition of children and adolescents. It is studied by algorithmic means from the standpoint of a statistical approach to the task of the initial physico-chemical data on the composition of the product.

Consumo alimentar de adolescentes de escolas públicas segundo grau de processamento industrial dos alimentos

ABSTRACT Objective To characterize food consumption, considering the degree of industrial food processing by public schools’ adolescents. Methods Cross-sectional study involving adolescents aged 14 to 19 years, of both genders, attending public schools in Juiz de Fora, MG. Food consumption was assessed using two 24-hour dietary recalls. Foods were classified into three groups according to the degree of industrial processing: (1) unprocessed foods or minimally processed foods, culinary ingredients and preparations based on these foods; (2) processed foods; (3) ultra-processed foods. In addition, weight and height information was collected, with subsequent calculation of body mass index/age to assess the individuals’ nutritional status according to the gender. Pearson’s chi-square, Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests were performed, adopting a value of p&lt;0.05. Results The sample consisted of 804 adolescents, with a predominance of females (57.5%). In the sample, 29.9% and 26.1%, of girls and boys, respectively, were overweight. There was a difference in the daily consumption of ready-made sweet-tasting foods, being higher in females (26.2%) when compared to males (18.1%), whereas the consumption of soft drinks (one to four times a week) was 47.2% and 55.6% in girls and boys, respectively (p&lt;0.05). Higher consumption of ultra-processed foods was observed in females (p=0.02) and processed foods in males (p=0.008). Conclusion There was a high contribution of ultra-processed foods in the diet of adolescents in public schools; a high prevalence of overweight was observed in both genders.

Analysis of the consumption of nutrients and minerals in the diets of children and adolescents

Analysis of the consumption of nutrients and minerals in the diets of children and adolescents

Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet in Children and Adolescents in the Mediterranean and Continental Regions of Croatia

Adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) has been found beneficial for the prevention and treatment of various chronic non-communicable diseases; however, adherence to MD is declining, especially in the Mediterranean countries. Croatia is characteristic for having both traditionally continental and Mediterranean regions, with distinct dietary features. The aim of this study was to compare difference in adherence to MD and overall dietary intake between children and adolescents from continental and Mediterranean part of Croatia. Participants were randomly recruited children and adolescents (n=838, mean age 9.96 ± 2.09 years) located in continental and Mediterranean parts of Croatia. Three different questionnaires were distributed and collected: general questionnaire (age and gender), the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index for children and adolescents (KIDMED) and 3-day food records (3DFR). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 260 (IBM Corporation, Chicago, Illinois, USA) statistical software. P values less than 0.05 were considered significant. Overall, low adherence to MD was evident in 23.1% of participants, while only 15.8% of children and adolescents had good compliance with MD. A significant difference in KIDMED score has been found between the continental (mean score 4.91 ± 2.33) and Mediterranean (mean score 5.57 ± 2.12) part of Croatia (p&amp;lt;0.001), as well as in the intake of energy and some nutrients. Moreover, participants from the Mediterranean part of Croatia had better compliance with D-A-CH recommendations for some nutrients compared to those from the continental part. Although children and adolescents from the Mediterranean part of Croatia had better adherence to MD than those from the continental part, overall, relatively poor adherence to MD was evident for both regions. Therefore, a healthy, balanced diet should be encouraged in both regions, preferably taking into account traditionally consumed and locally available foods.

Adolescent Self-Efficacy for Diet and Exercise Following a School-Based Multicomponent Lifestyle Intervention.

Self-efficacy is perhaps the most important parameter associated with behavioral changes. The main aim of this study was to provide insight into the diet and exercise self-efficacy of Greek adolescents and how they could be modified via a multilevel multicomponent school-based lifestyle intervention. Secondary aims were to study the associations of students’ dietary and exercise self-efficacy indices with their anthropometric and sociodemographic parameters. A representative sample of the adolescent population in Attica, consisting of 1610 adolescents aged 12–17 years, recruited from 23 public high schools in three municipalities of the Attica area in Greece, received a three-component lifestyle educational intervention for health promotion and underwent screening for characteristics of metabolic syndrome with the use of portable telemedicine. All assessments and anthropometric measurements were performed at baseline and after the 6-month intervention. Anthropometric measurements included body mass index, waist circumference (WC), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR). Assessment tools included the Self-efficacy for Diet and the Self-efficacy for Exercise questionnaires, as well as the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index in Children and Adolescents (KIDMED). Analysis included 1020 adolescent students (421 males and 599 females), who completed the self-efficacy questionnaires pre- and post-intervention. Overall, the dietary (p < 0.001) and exercise (p < 0.001) self-efficacy increased significantly post-intervention. Post-intervention, all adolescents decreased their abdominal obesity indices (WC, WHtR, WHR), and this improvement was even more pronounced and significant (p = 0.019, p = 0.019, p = 0.023 respectively) in the adolescents with overweight/obesity. Post-intervention, the proportion of adolescents with normal weight increased from 73.9% to 78.6%, whereas the proportion of adolescents with overweight and obesity decreased from 20.4% to 15.9% and from 5.7% to 5.5%, respectively. Abdominal obesity also decreased from 10.4% to 9.0%. Female adolescents achieved significantly (p = 0.010) higher changes in diet self-efficacy than males. Other sociodemographic characteristics such as family structure, parental age, parental educational level and family income showed non-significant differences. Adolescents with higher KIDMED scores manifested significantly higher dietary and exercise self-efficacy than those with lower KIDMED scores. Both adolescents with normal weight and overweight/obesity manifested a reciprocal relation between diet and exercise self-efficacy. Multicomponent lifestyle interventions in the school environment may provide a first step in students’ behavior changes and provide grounds for future prevention programs in youth.

Nourishing Hope? Changes in Malnutrition and Changes in Girls' Aspirations—Evidence From the Suaahara II Adolescent Girls Panel in Nepal

PurposeMalnutrition is a pressing public health challenge in South Asia with adverse consequences for adolescent girls' well-being and, potentially, aspirations as drivers of developmental progress. This study aimed to investigate associations between changes in malnutrition and changes in girls' aspirations in key life domains. MethodsWe analyzed two-period panel data from the Suaahara II Adolescent Girls Panel (10–19 years) in Nepal (2018–2019, n = 613). Height, weight, blood samples, 24-hour dietary recalls, and indicators of girls' educational, occupational, marital, and fertility aspirations were collected. Height-for-age z-scores, body mass index–for-age z-scores, hemoglobin concentration (Hb g/dL), and dietary diversity scores for women were calculated. Through cluster-robust fixed-effects regressions, we examined whether changes in thinness (body mass index–for-age z-scores < −2 standard deviation), anemia (Hb <115 g/L nonpregnant <11 years; Hb <120 g/L nonpregnant >12 years; Hb <110 g/L pregnant), and reaching minimum dietary diversity for women were associated with changes in educational, marital, or fertility aspirations. ResultsA change from thinness to no thinness increased girls' aspired ages of having a first child by 2.77 years (standard error [SE] 1.22, p = .025). A change from anemia to no anemia increased girls' aspired years of education by .54 (SE .27, p = .044). This association was stronger for postmenarche girls (b −.62, SE .29, p = .035). No associations were found between changes in minimum dietary diversity for women and any of the aspirations. ConclusionsThinness and anemia were negatively associated with adolescent girls' aspirations in domains of fertility and education. Multisectoral integrated policies and programs that improve adolescent nutritional status and diets have the potential to foster adolescent girls' aspirations and thereby increase their future potential.

Polyunsaturated fatty acids: omega-3 and omega-6 and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

The history of the study of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) began over 100 years ago. In 1909. P. Hartley isolated arachidonic acid. Later, 21 years later, Burr and Burr in 1930 showed its positive effect on the growth and development of rats. The important thing about this work was that after reintroduction of PUFAs into the diet of rodents, body functions began to recover. It took over 60 years from the time of the discovery of arachidonic acid to prove its effect on the cardiovascular system. Today, research into the effects of long-chain PUFAs on human health, intelligence, the immune system, neuronal connections, the course of pregnancy and infant health has led to recommendations for the widespread use of foods or supplements containing omega-3 PUFAs. Unbalanced diets in children and adolescents, selective appetite, and eating disorders lead to the development of deficit conditions, cognitive impairment, obesity, and metabolic syndrome with liver damage. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are asymptomatic in the early stages, but it is during this period that the prognosis in children can be changed. This article reviews international recommendations for the integrated use of long-chain PUFAs in the treatment of NAFLD and NASH in children. Supplementation of the diet with high-quality purified fish oil replenishes the requirement, improves disease prognosis, reduces insulin resistance and the level of liver fibrosis in patients with NAFLD and NASH.

Misreporting of Energy Intake From Food Records Completed by Adolescents: Associations With Sex, Body Image, Nutrient, and Food Group Intake.

Background and Objectives: A healthy diet during adolescence is important for growth and pubertal development. Assessing the diet of adolescents may be challenging as the behavioural factors and food habits which impact on what they eat may also affect how they report dietary intake. This study assesses factors associated with the misreporting of dietary intake.Methods: Adolescents (n = 4,844; average age 13.8 years) from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) completed a 3-day diet record. Misreporting was estimated using an individualised method, and adolescents were categorised by reporting status. Foods were categorised as core and noncore foods to evaluate diet quality. Body composition measurements were recorded at a research clinic. Information on dieting, weight concern, family socioeconomic status, and parental BMI were collected via questionnaires. Binary logistic regression was performed, in boys and girls separately, to investigate factors associated with underreporting of dietary intake.Results: Girls were much more likely than boys to be dissatisfied with their weight and to diet, but showed similar levels of underreporting (~67%). In adjusted regression analysis underreporters (UR) were more likely to be overweight or obese: OR in boys 2.8 (95% CI 1.7–4.8) and in girls 2.2 (95% CI 1.5–3.2). Dissatisfaction with weight and dieting were positively associated, and perception of being underweight negatively associated with underreporting in boys. Perception of being overweight, dieting, and exact age were positively associated with underreporting in girls. UR obtained a greater percentage of energy from protein and a smaller percentage of energy from fat; they reported greater intake of core foods and lower intakes of non-core foods than plausible reporters.Conclusion: A large proportion of adolescents underreported their dietary energy intake. This was associated with their body weight status and body image and had a differential effect on their estimated food and macronutrient intakes. Assessment of misreporting status is essential when collecting and interpreting dietary information from adolescents.

The effect of the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet on body composition, complete blood count, prothrombin time, inflammation and liver function in haemophilic adolescents.

There is no dietary strategy that has yet been specifically advocated for haemophilia. Therefore, we sought to assess the effect of the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet in adolescents with haemophilia. In this parallel trial, forty male adolescents with haemophilia were dichotomised into the DASH group or control group for 10 weeks. The serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein, IL-6, complete blood count (CBC), serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase, partial thromboplastin time (PTT), waist circumference (WC), percentage of body fat, fat-free mass and liver steatosis were measured at the beginning and end of the study. Serum vitamin C was measured as a biomarker of compliance with the DASH diet. The DASH diet was designed to include high amounts of whole grains, fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products, as well as low amounts of saturated fats, cholesterol, refined grains, sweets and red meat. Serum vitamin C in the DASH group was significantly increased compared with the control (P = 0·001). There was a significant reduction in WC (P = 0·005), fat mass (P = 0·006), hepatic fibrosis (P = 0·02) and PTT (P = 0·008) in the DASH group, compared with the control. However, there were no significant differences regarding other selected outcomes between groups. Patients in the DASH group had significantly greater increase in the levels of erythrocyte, Hb and haematocrit, as compared with the control. Adherence to the DASH diet in children with haemophilia yielded significant beneficial effects on body composition, CBC, inflammation and liver function.

Changes in Diet and Anthropometric Parameters in Children and Adolescents with Celiac Disease-One Year of Follow-Up.

Celiac disease (CD) may cause numerous nutrient deficiencies that a proper gluten-free diet (GFD) should compensate for. The study group consists of 40 children, aged 8.43 years (SD 3.5), on average, in whom CD was diagnosed on the basis of clinical symptoms, immunological and histopathological results. The patients’ height, weight, diet and biochemical tests were assessed three times: before diagnosis, after six months, and following one year of GFD. After one year, the patients’ weight and height increased but nutritional status (body mass index, BMI percentile) did not change significantly. The children’s diet before diagnosis was similar to that of the general Polish population: insufficient implementation of the dietary norm for energy, fiber, calcium, iodine, iron as well as folic acid, vitamins D, K, and E was observed. Over the year, the GFD of the children with CD did not change significantly for most of the above nutrients, or the changes were not significant for the overall assessment of the diet. Celiac patients following GFD may have a higher risk of iron, calcium and folate deficiencies. These results confirm the need for personalized nutritional education aimed at excluding gluten from the diet, as well as balancing the diet properly, in patients with CD.

Mediterranean diet and adiposity in children and adolescents: A systematic review.

Our aim was to summarize, through a systematic review, the current evidence from dietary intervention and observational studies on the impact of adherence to the Mediterranean diet on adiposity markers and obesity in children and adolescents. We searched Medline up to June 1, 2021 for the identification of intervention and observational studies meeting the inclusion criteria, following the PRISMA statement. We included 55 articles: 8 intervention studies and 47 observational studies. Three trials report a beneficial effect of the dietary intervention, whereas two did not, and three did not compare with a control. All observational studies were cross-sectional, and only five studies also included a longitudinal analysis. More than half of the cross-sectional studies found no significant association between adherence to Mediterranean diet and adiposity. Three out of the five longitudinal studies found a negative association. The majority of both observational and intervention studies was of low quality. Despite a large number of published studies, overall, there is only limited evidence of a beneficial effect of following a traditional Mediterranean diet to maintain a healthy body weight in childhood. More high-quality intervention and longitudinal data are needed to form the base of large-scale health programs to prevent childhood obesity.

A Pilot Study to Evaluate the Dietary Intake of Adults Attending a Food Allergy Clinic, and Compare the Results Against the Final Diagnostic Outcome

Background: The impact of poor diet on growth and development in children with a food allergy is well-recognized and researched. Food allergy is an increasing problem in adults, as are food intolerances. Another issue is the rising number of individuals adopting a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle. Studies evaluating the diet of adolescents and adults with food allergy against controls suggest their dietary intakes are similar. We wished to evaluate all patients attending a food allergy clinic to determine whether there were dietary and nutritional differences between those with a food allergy or a food intolerance.Methods: All adults newly referred to a secondary care food allergy clinic in a UK hospital, in a 1-month period, were included in the study. Prior to their appointment, those who consented to take part had their height and weight documented and an assessment made of their habitual food intake. Their subsequent diagnosis was reviewed, and results for those with a confirmed diagnosis of food allergy were compared to those with a food intolerance or where the cause of symptoms was unknown.Results: Thirty subjects were recruited, with full results available for 29 subjects, 15 of whom (52%) were diagnosed with a new/existing food allergy (FA). For the whole cohort, dietary intake was sufficient for protein, and most vitamins and minerals, whereas energy, carbohydrate, unsaturated fat and fiber intakes were well-below the reference range. Those with a FA had lower intakes of iron, zinc and vitamin B12 compared to those with no FA. In addition, iron and energy intakes were depleted in those avoiding nuts, and wheat avoidance was linked to a lower intake of riboflavin.Conclusion: The results from this small exploratory study suggest that whilst the majority of nutrients in the diet are sufficient in adults presenting to the food allergy clinic, intakes of energy and fiber may be below the reference range. Those with a food allergy are more likely to have a reduced intake of iron, zinc and vitamin B12. As others have demonstrated, the exclusion of specific food groups can also affect nutritional intakes.

Assessment of Eating Habits and Perceived Benefits of Physical Activity and Body Attractiveness among Adolescents from Northeastern Romania

The purpose of this paper was to present the results of the evaluation of 1320 adolescents from 4 high schools in Iaşi, Romania regarding their eating habits and perceived benefits of physical activity and body attractiveness after they completed an anonymous questionnaire. The data analysis was performed using IBM SPSS version 18. The analysis of the nutritional status showed that over 70% of adolescents were of a normal weight. Most of them (63.56%) consumed 3–4 meals/day, with breakfast being the most skipped meal (60.53%). Compared with the boys, the girls consumed fewer whole grains, dairy products, and meat, but the girls consumed fruits and vegetables in approximately the same percentage. The adolescents studied consumed more fruits than vegetables, but the servings of fruits and vegetables consumed were not sufficient in the diets of many adolescents (39.31%). Among the adolescents, 5.68% consumed at least 2 alcoholic drinks daily, and 37.87% consumed caffeine products one or more times per week. Among the boys, 95.20% practiced regular physical activity, and 97.20% of the girls considered that the right nutrition plays a role in the prevention of obesity. The study of the self-perception profile showed that 89.8% of boys and 79.5% of girls considered that they had attractive bodies. According to the BMI, 86.7% of normal-weight adolescents and 84.8% of underweight adolescents considered themselves as having attractive bodies, while this was only considered by 73.5% of overweight and 56.7% of obese adolescents. It is necessary to introduce nutritional education in schools for the improvement of eating habits in children and adolescents. More studies are needed to appreciate the social behaviors (e.g., food intake, physical activity, and recreation time) and then develop interventions and national health programs to promote a healthy lifestyle, particularly healthy eating habits.