Adolescent Diet Research Articles

Malnutrition among adolescents

Malnutrition among result from inappropriate eating behavior that leads to changes in body weight. Consuming excessive amounts of salt, sugar, carbonated drinks, alcohol or inactivity causes overweight or obesity. To prevent malnutrition, it is necessary to prevent nutrition and to motivate prohealth behaviors that should be targeted at a given group of society. Thanks to this, it may limit or even exclude the emergence of eating disorders, which intensify the increase in the incidence of civilization diseases. The aim of the article is an attempt to present selected elements of lifestyle. The survey was addressed to 3rd grade students from 2 public secondary schools (189 boys and 178 girls). A proprietary questionnaire entitled “My health – I care for them” was used for the study. The questionnaire included questions about the diet, forms of spending free time and participation in physical education classes at school. Watching TV is the most common form of spending free time (37% boys and 32% girls). Only 7% of girls and 18% of boys chose participation in sports as a form of spending their free time. 28% of boys and as much as 31% of girls admitted that they do not participate in physical education classes. The type of drinks consumed by students was significantly dependent on their gender. The sandwich is chosen by 31% of boys and 23% of girls. Fruit is declared by 28% of the surveyed girls and only 2% of boys. Research has shown that there are many abnormalities in the diet of adolescents. The widespread belief that a slim figure is an asset nowadays prompts many people to use many slimming diets or fasting, which when used excessively can pose a threat to the developing organism. The respondents also show insufficient physical activity. Students more and more often choose passive recreation, because physical activity does not give them as much satisfaction as playing on a computer.

Gluten-Free Product Contribution to Energy and Macronutrient Intakes in Spanish Children and Adolescents with Celiac Disease.

Gluten-free products (GFP) are a good choice for the replacement of cereals when following a gluten-free diet due to celiac disease (CD). However, commercial GFP are made with highly refined flours and may contain more fat, sugar, and salt, and less fiber and micronutrients than gluten-containing analogues, thus challenging the nutritional adequacy of the diet. The aim of this study is to assess the contribution of GFP to the diets of children and adolescents with CD. Food intakes were assessed in a cross-sectional study on 70 children and adolescents with CD (aged four to 18, 50% females), using three 24-h dietary records. GFP consumption reached 165 g a day and comprised mostly bread and fine bakery ware, followed by pasta. GFP contributed with a high percentage (>25%) to total energy, carbohydrates, fiber, and salt daily intakes and, to a lesser extent (<20%), to fat (including saturated fat), sugars and protein. Contribution of homemade products was testimonial. GFP contribution to total energy intake is significant and, consequently, relevant to the nutritional adequacy of the diet. Children and adolescents with CD could benefit from fat, saturated fat, and salt reduction, and fiber enrichment of processed GFP.

The Relationship Between Diet and Gastritis in Adolescents

Gastritis is a digestive tract problem that is most often found in daily life and a health problem that is often encountered. Habits of poor eating and consuming unhygienic food are risk factors for gastritis. Irregular eating patterns are caused by busy teenagers who are outside the home. The impact of gastritis can interfere with the patient's daily activities. Objective: This study aims to determine the relationship between diet and the incidence of gastritis in adolescents in the Work Area of the Cigugur Public Health Center, Pangandaran Regency in 2021. Methods: The research method used is a quantitative analysis using a cross-sectional approach. The population in this study were all adolescents aged 16-19 years in the Work Area of the Cigugur Health Center, Pangandaran Regency as many as 4,798 people. Samples were taken using the proportional random sampling technique to obtain a sample of 98 people. Results: The results of the study showed that the diet in adolescents, most of the respondents, namely 60 people (61.2%) had a bad diet, and the incidence of gastritis in adolescents, most of the respondents 56 people (57.1%) had gastritis and there was a relationship between the pattern of eating with the incidence of gastritis in adolescents because the value of &gt; value (0.05 &gt; 0.000) Conclusion: There is a significant relationship between diet and the incidence of gastritis in adolescents

Factors related to self-reported smartphone addiction among Brazilian adolescents in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic: A mixed-method study.

(1) To identify the factors associated with self-reported smartphone addiction (SRSA) among adolescents in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic; and (2) to analyze the adolescents' perception of these factors related to SRSA. A mixed-method study with a sequential explanatory design, carried out with Brazilian adolescents aged between 15 and 18 years old. The prevalence of SRSA was 56.37%, and the variables that remained in the final model of association were as follows: public schools; longer smartphone use during the COVID-19 pandemic; number of hours connected to the smartphone; preference for sleeping during the day; use of the device immediately after waking up, smartphone use after 9 p.m., amount of sleep less than 8 ha day; and smartphone use during meals. Sequentially, after analyzing the data obtained in the focus groups, it was possible to describe how adolescents perceive the intensification of smartphone uses, its repercussions, and activities carried out on it during the pandemic. The pandemic had repercussions on the behavior established with the smartphone, such as time and period of use, being associated with the SRSA. In addition, it was found that such conditions also affect the adolescents' sleep quality, diet, and studies.

KIDMED 2.0, An update of the KIDMED questionnaire: Evaluation of the psychometric properties in youth.

As children and adolescents' eating patterns have changed over the last few years, researchers have found inconsistencies in the current questionnaires. Therefore, this research aims to (i) update the 2019 KIDMED questionnaire; and (ii) test the psychometric properties of this new questionnaire. A study with 419 children and adolescents in southwestern Spain was conducted in 2021. The new version of the KIDMED 2.0 was tested, which measures adherence to the Mediterranean diet through 16 items, of which 12 are positive, and 4 are negative. Content validation involved consultation with nutritionists, experts, and adolescents to assess whether the questionnaire was reliable and valid regarding dietary patterns associated with the Mediterranean diet. The expert assessment provided content validity indices for the clarity and representativeness of the questionnaire. Construct validity and test-retest reliability involved 419 students (M age = 14.40 ± 2.00) from southwestern Spain. Students responded twice (one week apart) to the KIDMED developed in the previous stage and completed a 7-day dietary record. Regarding validity, results show a moderate agreement for 10 items (ranging between 0.21 and 0.47) of the KIDMED and the 7-day dietary record. Concerning Items 3, 4, 5, and 6, the agreement was slight (ranging between 0.08 and 0.17), whereas the agreement for Item 8 was low. Cohen's kappa showed that most items had moderate to substantial test-retest reliability. Also, kappa showed significant test-retest values for all items (p < 0.001). The new version of the KIDMED 2.0 was shown to be a reliable and valid instrument to measure adherence to the Mediterranean diet in children and adolescents.

Reduced Carbohydrate Diet Influence on Postprandial Glycemia-Results of a Short, CGM-Based, Interventional Study in Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes.

Therapy for type 1 diabetes (T1DM) focuses on maintaining optimal blood glucose levels, achieved with intensive insulin treatment, proper nutrition, and physical activity. The aim of this study was to investigate postprandial glycemic changes under low (30%) and standard (50%) carbohydrate diets in adolescents with T1DM. A single-center cross-over nutritional study was conducted, during which 26 adolescent patients provided 220 continuous glucose-monitored (CGM) meals data from the two consecutive 3-day nutritional plans. Overall, the 50% carbohydrate diet was associated with higher postprandial glucose variability in the small meals (afternoon snacks, second breakfast) and greater postprandial peaks for other meals (breakfast, dinner, supper). Nevertheless, after the adjustment of a patient's individual clinical variables (age, Tanner classification, glucose disposal rate), we observed that mean postprandial glucose was higher for afternoon snacks and lower for suppers in the 30% carbohydrate diet. Although a 30% carbohydrate diet seems to offer better postprandial glycemia, it requires additional attention from the physician and patient when it comes to modifying daily carbohydrate intake. Increased fat/protein content and size of the main meal lead to a prolonged postprandial glycemic response, which may affect the insulin treatment and result in suboptimal glycemic control.

Characteristics of Nutrition in Adolescent Patients Undergoing Orthodontic Treatment

Background: Organization of healthy and balanced nutrition for children undergoing orthodontic treatment should have a compensatory and preventive focus. Materials and methods: A 24-hour dietary recall was used to assess actual nutrition of 57 adolescents aged 13–14 years divided into two groups: cases wearing orthodontic bracket systems and controls having no dentoalveolar anomalies. A comparative analysis of qualitative and quantitative parameters of the diet was carried out based on current regulatory documents. Results: We observed an imbalance in the intake of macro- and micronutrients in the diets of all adolescents caused by an imbalanced food set and being more pronounced in those undergoing orthodontic treatment. The diet of the controls was noted for an adequate daily calorie intake (94.0 % of the recommended value) as opposed to the case group (78.1 %). The diets in the control group were deficient in total protein (94.6 %) and carbohydrates (89.4 %) but excessive in fats (104.6 %). In the case group, the dietary intake of macronutrients was, on the average, 78.3 % of the norm. Restrictions on consumption of certain foods in the diet of adolescents with braces led to a significant deficiency in meat consumption (66.3 % of the recommended value), fish and seafood (37.6 %), eggs (55.0 %), bakery products (45.6 %), potatoes (80.1 %), fruits (51.6 %), and vegetables (51.0 %). Conclusion: Braces used for orthodontic treatment of dentoalveolar anomalies in some patients become a risk factor for both malnutrition and demineralization of tooth enamel in adolescents. It is therefore necessary to develop recommendations for healthy nutrition of pediatric patients undergoing orthodontic treatment.

LBODP004 The Impact Of Covid-19 On Obesity And Ultra-processed Food Intake In Adolescents And Young Adults: Interim Analysis From The PIE Study

Abstract Introduction A 10% increase in the diet's proportion of ultra-processed foods is associated with a higher risk of abdominal obesity (OR 1. 07, 95% CI 1. 01 to 1.13) as well as visceral obesity (OR 1. 07, 95% CI 1. 02 to 1.13) (Neri, 2022). Given that ultra-processed food intake now comprises 67% of the adolescent diet (Wang, 2021), there is growing interest in the impact of COVID-19 on obesity and ultra-processed food intake in adolescents and young adults. Methods This paper presents an interim analysis of the Processed Intake Evaluation (PIE) study enrolling 1800 participants, aged 13-19 years, in the US. The interim data is presented for the first 452 participants in the PIE study. For these participants, we calculated a composite PIE score (Processed Intake Evaluation) score, a scale of 0-100) averaged for consumption of different ultra-processed foods (1) before COVID-19 prior to 2020 (2) during COVID-19 restrictions 2020-2021 (3) after easing of COVID-19 restrictions in 2022. Results The participants’ mean age was 16.6±1.1 years, with 53% females. The processed food intake (PIE score) decreased from 56.2 (before COVID-19) to 52.6 (during COVID-19 restrictions) to 48.1 (now with COVID-19 restrictions eased). The respective decrease was 57.9 to 55.5 to 49.1 in male participants and 54.1 to 50.6 to 47.4 in female participants. Next, the study analyzed a panel of 23 behavioral nutritional factors and identified that less processed food stocked at home and fewer opportunities to eat processed food with peers had the highest association with this decrease during COVID-19. Next, we analyzed participants in high/low-risk groups based on obesity and diabetes in the participant or family. The high-risk group showed a muted decrease in ultra-processed food consumption from 57.7 (prior COVID) to 53.3 (COVID restrictions) to 53. 0 (now). In contrast, the low-risk group showed a higher sustained decrease from 55.9 to 52.5 to 47.1. The differential decrease between the two groups was significant (-4.7 vs. -8.8 for the high/low-risk group, p&amp;lt;0. 01). Conclusion This study suggests that the ultra-processed food consumption in adolescents has decreased markedly during COVID-19. Further, the decrease has been sustainable and continued its downward trend even after easing pandemic restrictions. This downward trend related to COVID-19 will be confirmed in the final analysis of 1800 patients, however, this early data provides an encouraging signal that expanded research into COVID-19 impact on reduction in ultra-processed foods consumption and obesity may be warranted, and presents a window of opportunity to strengthen further nutritional and behavioral interventions targeted at adolescents and young adults for reducing obesity-related risk factors. Presentation: No date and time listed

Adolescent dietary patterns in relation to later prostate cancer risk and mortality in the NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study.

Although adolescent diet has been proposed to contribute to prostate cancer (PCa) development, no studies have investigated the relation between adolescent dietary patterns and PCa risk or mortality. Using data from 164,079 men in the NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study, we performed factor analysis to identify dietary patterns at ages 12-13 years and then used Cox proportional hazards regression to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of total (n = 17,861), non-advanced (n = 15,499), advanced (n = 2362), and fatal PCa (n = 832). Although not entirely consistent across analyses, a higher adolescent plant-based pattern (characterised by vegetables, fruits, and dark bread) score was associated with slightly reduced risks of total (fully adjusted HRQ5vs.Q1 = 0.93, 95% CI: 0.89-0.98, p trend=0.003) and non-advanced PCa (HR = 0.91, 95% CI: 0.87-0.96, p trend<0.001), whereas no associations were observed for advanced or fatal PCa, or for Western modern (characterised by sweets, processed meat, beef, cheese, and pizza) or Western traditional (characterised gravy, eggs, potatoes and white bread) patterns. We found evidence to support a modest, protective role for a plant-based dietary pattern during adolescence on PCa risk. If confirmed in future studies, our findings may help to inform the development of new, primary prevention strategies for PCa.

Diet Quality and Contextual Factors Influencing Food Choice among Adolescents with Food Security and Food Insecurity in Baltimore City.

This study evaluated differences in overall diet quality, diet quality components, and food-related contextual factors between adolescents with food security and those with food insecurity. Mixed methods analysis was conducted on data from three 24-h dietary recalls from 61 adolescents ages 14-19 years old living in Baltimore, Maryland, USA in 2020-2021. All adolescents were sampled from households eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in 2020. There were no significant differences in overall diet quality or components between adolescents with food security and those with food insecurity in this sample, except for seafood and plant proteins, which was higher for adolescents with food insecurity. Qualitative analysis found that adolescents were largely influenced by their parents and the home food environment, and that workplace environments enabled adolescents to eat foods high in refined grains, sugar, and saturated fat. These findings provide insight about the experiences of low-income adolescents during times when they are home for prolonged periods (i.e., emergency school closures, summer, and winter breaks). Programs and policies that aim to improve healthy food access may positively impact adolescent food security and diet quality, and it is important to ensure that healthy foods are available and accessible to adolescents in the places where they spend the most time. Multilevel interventions in the home, school, and workplace may be most effective in encouraging healthy eating behaviors among adolescents.

Living Lab: Design a digital health intervention for healthy diet of ethnic minority adolescents

Abstract Eating habits cultivated during adolescence continue through adulthood, and can widen the health gap in adulthood for vulnerable ethnic minority adolescents (EMA). Living Lab is a methodological approach through which stakeholders co-create innovations as citizen scientists in real-life settings. This study aimed to design a digital health intervention (DHI) for enhancing the heathy diet of EMA using the Living Lab approach. The DHI’s content and strategies were derived through literature reviews and focus group interviews. The Living Lab was structured by using 5 principles: real-life setting, user engagement, multi-stakeholder participation, multi-method, and co-creation. It has four activity phases of discovering problems, exploring solutions, solving problems, and disseminating solutions putting more emphasis on the use of digital device and multiple stakeholders such as peers and teachers in co-ideation. DHI participants were grouped into equal proportions of EMA and Korean-ethnic peers. The DHI operates for 2 hours once a week for 4 weeks, with orientation and wrap-up sessions before and after the DHI. Each activity of the co-working process is designed by applying behavior change techniques such as prompts/cues, framing/reframing, and credible sources in a digital educational environment: creating content using Google Jamboard and Padlet, and working on the metaverse platform ZEP. The responses and feedback from the participants are received through an online reflection diary weekly. Usability and acceptability of digital technology are assessed by an online survey on completion of the DHI. The efficacy of DHI is assessed through the change in dietary behavior and food literacy. This study was designed to enable EMA recognize the harmful effects of an unhealthy diet and co-create solutions through dynamic activities in a digital environment. Further, it may serve to change the cultural sensitivity of native peers that influence the health choices of EMA. Key messages • Digital-based intervention would be an effective way for vulnerable ethnic minority adolescents to engage in healthy diet. • The Living Lab approach was used as an essential strategy to develop a digital health intervention to improve the healthy diet of ethnic minority adolescents.

Application of The FODMAP Diet in a Paediatric Setting.

In adults, dietary management, particularly with the FODMAP diet, is a key evidence-based part of multimodal therapy for patients with disorders of the gut–brain interaction, particularly irritable bowel syndrome. This review aims to describe the evidence for the use of this diet and how to deliver it in paediatric practice. A literature review covering studies on the FODMAP diet in adult and paediatric settings was conducted. While the evidence for the efficacy and safety of a FODMAP diet delivered in three phases, restriction, rechallenge and personalisation, is considerable, there is a lack of good-quality clinical trials exploring the efficacy of the diet in children and adolescents. Likewise, there are limited data on safety concerns associated with a restrictive diet in paediatrics, including impacts on nutrition and growth, disordered eating behaviours, psychosocial and family issues and families and the gut microbiome. The evidence suggests that the implementation of a dietary program is enhanced by a skilled dietitian when navigating a young person (and family) through healthy eating strategies and/or FODMAP restrictions to ameliorate their symptoms. Since the FODMAP diet is being prescribed globally to children, a practical guide for clinicians used to optimise efficacy and safety is provided, including the less restrictive ‘FODMAP-gentle’ diet.

Positive parenting, adolescent adjustment, and quality of adolescent diet in nine countries.

We sought to understand the relation between positive parenting and adolescent diet, whether adolescents' internalizing and externalizing behaviors mediate relations between positive parenting and adolescent diet, and whether the same associations hold for both boys and girls and across cultural groups. Adolescents (N = 1334) in 12 cultural groups in nine countries were followed longitudinally from age 12 to 15. We estimated two sets of multiple group structural equation models, one by gender and one by cultural group. Modeling by gender, our findings suggest a direct effect of positive parenting at age 12 on a higher quality diet at age 15 for males (β = .140; 95% CI: 0.057, 0.229), but an indirect effect of positive parenting at age 12 on a higher quality diet at age 15 by decreasing externalizing behaviors at age 14 for females (β = .011; 95% CI: 0.002, 0.029). Modeling by cultural group, we found no significant direct effect of positive parenting at age 12 on the quality of adolescent diet at age 15. There was a significant negative effect of positive parenting at age 12 on internalizing (β = -.065; 95% CI: -0.119, -0.009) and externalizing at age 14 (β = -.033; 95% CI: -0.086, -0.018). We founder gender differences in the relations among positive parenting, adolescents' externalizing and internalizing behaviors, and adolescent diet. Our findings indicate that quality of parenting is important not only in promoting adolescent mental health but potentially also in promoting the quality of adolescents' diet.

A new perspective on meals as part of an Optimized Mixed Diet for children and adolescents.

ObjectivesTo show by the example of the Optimized Mixed Diet (OMD) for children and adolescents in Germany, how the different food and nutrient profiles of the traditional daily meals complement each other to achieve daily nutrient intakes that meet the Dietary References V.MethodsThe 7-day menu plan of the OMD with the usual 5 daily meals in Germany was used. The total nutrient intake from all meals was compared with the nutrient references. Then the composition of the meals was optimized.ResultsAlthough the cooked meal (lunch) provides only 25% of the daily energy intake, it is relatively rich (>25% of the daily intake) in most vitamins and minerals, which distinguishes it from the other meals. The cold main meals (breakfast, dinner) are rich in calcium and vitamin B2, due to the preferential use of milk in these meals. The two snacks each provide 12.5% of the daily energy intake.Discussion and conclusionPeople eat foods but not nutrients and they eat foods as meals; this holds especially true for children and adolescents. A well-calculated menu plan can assure the nutrient adequacy of an OMD where the different food and nutrient profiles of the meals complement each other in a modular system. Guidelines for meals could facilitate flexible coordination of family meals and meals in childcare centers and schools. Different meal types set varied stimulus patterns at different levels (neurocognition, emotion, digestion), which may open up long-term health benefits.

Is adherence to the 24-Hour Movement Guidelines associated with Mediterranean dietary patterns in adolescents?

BackgroundMultiple health-risk behaviours such as physical inactivity, excessive recreational screen time, and insufficient sleep have been independently and positively associated with poor adherence to the Mediterranean diet in adolescents. However, little is known about the combined association between 24-Hour Movement Guidelines (i.e., physical activity, screen time, and sleep duration) and adherence to the Mediterranean diet. ObjectiveThe aim of the present study was to examine whether adolescents who meet all three 24-Hour Movement Guidelines report greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet, and the different foods that comprise it, compared to those who do not meet the three recommendations. MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, 1391 Spanish adolescents (13.08 ± 0.85, 44.82% girls), aged 11–16 years, completed self-reported questionnaires on physical activity, recreational screen time, sleep duration and adherence to the Mediterranean diet. A binary logistic regression analysis was used to predict the likelihood of having an optimal adherence to the Mediterranean diet, as well as different food items, according to the meeting of the three 24-Hour Movement Guidelines. Covariates included were age, sex, socioeconomic status, and body mass index (z-score). ResultsAdolescents who met all three 24-Hour Movement Guidelines obtained higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet than those who did not meet with the three recommendations (β = 1.33, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.81, 1.85, p < 0.001). In addition, those who met all three 24-Hour Movement Guidelines were more likely to consume a fruit and vegetables once a day, consume fish regularly, and eat cereal or grains for breakfast (all, p < 0.05), and less likely to consume commercially baked goods or pastries for breakfast and to eat sweets and candies several times a day (all, p < 0.001), compared to those who did not comply with the three 24-Hour Movement Guidelines. ConclusionSince meeting the three 24-Hour Movement Guidelines seems to be associated with Mediterranean diet eating patterns in adolescents, it seems necessary to promote these movement behaviours from the early stages of life.

Dietary intake in children on the autism spectrum is altered and linked to differences in autistic traits and sensory processing styles.

Diets of children and adolescents on the autism spectrum often differ when compared to their non-autistic peers. Most dietary studies have been limited by small sample sizes and rarely assess the heterogeneity of autism. Addressing this gap, this study compared the anthropometrics, dietary composition, dietary quality, and food variety of 154 Australian children and adolescents on the spectrum and 213 non-autistic children (71 siblings and 142 unrelated controls). Beyond the case-control approach, within-group comparisons assessed the influence of autism clinical presentations and sensory processing styles on body mass index (BMI) and measures of dietary intake among those on the spectrum. In this word first study of diet that included between-group comparisons with non-autistic peers (siblings and an unrelated comparison group) and within-autism group comparisons, we found that children on the spectrum consumed limited variety and lower quality of food and non-autistic siblings also ate comparably higher levels of energy-dense, nutrient poor food, and less diary. This may be due to autistic traits influencing family's diets or shared sensory sensitivities driving dietary intake. Within the autism group, higher autistic traits were associated with lower BMIs and a specific dietary pattern higher in simple carbohydrates and lower in unprocessed protein. Contrastingly, greater sensitivity to sensory stimuli was associated with a healthier diet. Increased age was linked to more varied diets but also diets higher in saturated fats and energy-dense, nutrient poor foods. Overall, this research highlights that potential mediators of dietary intake, such as familial influences, autistic traits, sensory processing styles, age and sex, need to be considered when assessing diet in the autistic population. LAY SUMMARY: In this study of dietary differences linked to autism, children, and teenagers on the spectrum ate fewer different foods and were less likely to eat recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables when compared to non-autistic siblings and unrelated children and teenagers. There were also family differences, in that those on the spectrum and their siblings ate more unhealthy foods and less dairy. Among those on the spectrum, dietary differences were linked to age, sex, autistic traits and sensory processing styles.

Breakfast consumption and its relationship with diet quality and adherence to Mediterranean diet in European adolescents: the HELENA study.

The aim of the current study is to analyze the associations between breakfast consumption and adherence to diet quality index (DQI) and Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS) in European adolescents. A multinational cross-sectional study was carried out in 1804 adolescents aged 12.5-17.5 years. The Food Choices and Preferences questionnaire was used to ascertain breakfast consumption (consumers, occasional consumers and skippers), and two non-consecutive 24 h dietary recalls were used to estimate the total daily intake and to calculate the subsequent DQI and MDS. Mixed linear regression models were used to examine the relationship between breakfast consumption and DQI-A and MDS. Age, maternal education, BMI, country and total energy intake were included as covariates. In both sexes, significant differences were observed among the breakfast consumption categories. In both boys and girls, breakfast consumers had significantly higher DQI indices than those adolescents who skipped breakfast regularly (p < 0.001). Regarding total MDS, in both boys and girls, breakfast consumers had a higher total MDS than breakfast skippers (p < 0.001), however, no associations were shown between occasional breakfast consumers and DQI indices and MDS. Breakfast consumption has been linked with better dietary quality scores compared with those children who usually skip breakfast. Promotion of regular breakfast consumption in adolescents could be an effective strategy to improve the overall diet quality.

The Correlation Between Adherence to Mediterranean Diet and HOMA-IR in Children and Adolescents

The Correlation Between Adherence to Mediterranean Diet and HOMA-IR in Children and Adolescents

Bulk and amino acid isotope analyses of hair detail adult diets and infant feeding practices among pre- and post-maize populations of the northern Chilean coast of the Atacama Desert

This study investigates diet heterogeneity among Chinchorro and Inca adults and subadults living on the northern Chilean coast of the Atacama Desert before and after the introduction of maize cultivation. This is achieved by amino acid carbon isotope analysis and bulk carbon, nitrogen, and sulphur isotope analysis of 1-cm sequential segments of scalp hair from human remains deposited at the funerary sites of Morro 1 and 1–6 (Archaic Period) and Camarones 9 (Late Period).Results show that Chinchorro adults relied predominantly on marine resources and partially on wild plants. Inter-individual variability in diet was limited, indicating food redistribution between sexes. Childhood and adolescent diets were comparable to those of the adults. Partial breastfeeding was continued up to the age of 2–3 yrs. Subsequently, Inca adults relied on a combination of marine resources and maize. Intra- and inter-individual variability in diet was limited suggesting existence of a centralised system of food procurement and redistribution. Childhood and juvenile diets were comparable to those of the adults, except for two malnourished children being raised on maize.Amino acid δ13C analysis of hair keratin is proposed as a potential tool for reconstructing the nutritional status of an infant without population-specific maternal isotope baseline.

Effects of adherence to the Mediterranean diet in children and adolescents with irritable bowel syndrome.

BACKGROUNDIrritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a highly prevalent gastrointestinal disorder in children and adults, which increased over the past twenty years. The Mediterranean diet is a well-known diet full of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory ingredients. AIMTo evaluate the safety, tolerability, and effects of adherence to the Mediterranean diet on disease patterns in children and adolescents with IBS.METHODSThis prospective, cross-sectional case-controlled study included 100 consecutive IBS patients diagnosed according to Rome IV criteria, aged 12-18 years. Patients were subdivided into two groups (50 patients each); Group I received a Mediterranean diet, and Group II on their regular diet for six months. Besides IBS scores (IBS-SSS, IBS-QoL, and total score), different clinical and laboratory parameters were evaluated at the start and end of the study.RESULTSThe Mediterranean diet was safe and well-tolerated in IBS patients. IBS children and adolescents with good adherence to the Mediterranean diet (KIDMED Score ≥ 8 points); group I showed significant improvement in IBS scores. IBS-SSS in the Mediterranean diet group was 237.2 ± 65 at the beginning of the study and decreased to 163.2 ± 33.8 at the end of the study (P < 0.001). It did not show a significant improvement in the group with a regular diet (248.3 ± 71.1 at the beginning of the study compared to 228.5 ± 54.3 at the study end with P < 0.05). The mean IBS-SSS in the Mediterranean diet group significantly improved compared with the group with a regular diet. Mean IBS-QoL in group I improved from 57.3 ± 12.9 at the start of the study to 72.4 ± 11.2 at the study end (P < 0.001) and significantly improved when compared to its level in group II at the study end (59.2 ± 12.7 with P < 0.001), while group II showed no significant improvement in IBS-QoL at the study end when compared to the beginning of the study (59.2 ± 11.7 with P >0.05). The mean total IBS score in group I became 28.8 ± 11.2 at the end of our study compared to 24.1 ± 10.4 at the start (P < 0.05) and significantly improved when compared to its level in group II at the end of the study (22.1 ± 12.5 with P < 0.05), while in group II, non-significant improvement in the total score at the end of our study compared to its mean level at the start of the study (22.8 ± 13.5 with P > 0.05).CONCLUSIONThe Mediterranean diet was safe and associated with significant improvement in IBS scores in children and adolescent patients with IBS.