Food Intake In Adolescents Research Articles

Food Parenting Practices Mediate Relationships Between Parent Sex and Adolescent Food Intake During Independent Eating Occasions

Food Parenting Practices Mediate Relationships Between Parent Sex and Adolescent Food Intake During Independent Eating Occasions

Synthesis May Be Better than Singleness— A Cross-sectional Study on Physical Activity Environment, Food Environment and Adolescents' BMI

Objectives: To analyze the relationship between residential physical activity environment and food environment respectively and adolescent BMI level, the correlation between adolescent physical activity level and food intake behavior respectively and adolescent BMI level, as well as compare the difference of correlation between residential single physical activity environment or combined physical activity environment and adolescent BMI level, and the difference of correlation between food environment and adolescent BMI level. Methods: Based on the cross-sectional study design, a total of 1035 adolescents aged 11 to 17 years were surveyed in the urban area of Jinhua City. The final valid sample was 884 (including 411 males and 473 females) after screening, due to the methodological difficulties of the food intake frequency survey. The height and weight of the sample were measured, and the subjective perception evaluation of physical activity level, frequency of food intake, residential physical activity environment, and food environment were investigated. Results: (1) No significant difference exists in BMI between physical activity levels in the sample overall and among men, but a significant difference exists between physical activity levels among women (p<0.05). A significant difference exists in BMI between the frequencies of non-healthy food intake in the overall sample (p<0.05 or p<0.01). After differentiating by gender, there were significant differences in BMI among different frequencies of fried food, puffed food, and carbonated beverage intake among men (p<0.05 or p<0.01), and among women for different frequencies of puffed food, sugary drinks, and carbonated beverages (p<0.05 or p<0.01). (2) All indicators of physical activity environment in the residence were correlated with the physical activity level of adolescents and were significant (p<0.05 or p<0.01). The physical activity level of females compared to males was correlated with the safety of physical activity facilities and other environmental indicators in and around the residence and was significant after differentiating by gender. (3) Binary Logistic Regression results showed that when the independent variable was the combination of "physical activity and frequency of food intake", fried food (OR=1.771, p<0.05), puffed food (OR=1.762, p<0.05), and carbonated beverage intake frequency (OR=2.082, p<0.05) were risk factors for adolescent obesity. When the independent variable was a combination of "physical activity environment and food environment", fewer stray dogs roaming in and around the residence (OR=0.766, p<0.05), better physical activity venues/facilities (OR=0.661, p<0.05), and more free physical exercise areas (OR= 0.686, p < 0.01) were protective factors for adolescent obesity. Conclusion: The overall physical activity level of adolescents in Jinhua urban area was low and the frequency of unhealthy food intake was high. The differences between groups with different unhealthy food intake frequencies were significant. There were significant correlations between physical activity environment and physical activity level of adolescents, and food environment and frequency of unhealthy food intake of adolescents. A better physical activity environment and food environment in and around the residence contributed to adolescents showing relatively lower BMI levels. Female adolescents need to pay more attention to the combined effect of "physical activity environment and food environment" in obesity prevention and control, compared with male adolescents.

Knowledge and Consumption of Fruits and Vegetables of Selected Public and Private Senior High School Students in Imus City, Cavite.

The 2019 Expanded National Nutrition Survey results showed that the contribution of fruits and vegetables (FV) in the one-day food intake of adolescents only accounted for 2.6% and 5.9%, respectively. Numerous literatures also stated that insufficient intake of FV is associated with the development of most non-communicable diseases. This study was undertaken to compare the knowledge and consumption of FV between selected respondents from public and private SHS in Imus City. The study used a descriptive research design, and convenience sampling was done to gather respondents. A self-administered questionnaire was developed and the level of knowledge on FV was classified into low, fair, and good. In the evaluation of FV amount consumption, the Daily Nutrition Guide Pyramid for Teens was used. The data were reported in mean, mode, and percentages. More public SHS (49%) obtained a good level of knowledge on nutrient contents of FV, and consumed fruits (61%) more than the recommended daily serving. While more private SHS (96%) had a good level of knowledge of its health benefits but consumed vegetables (67%) less than the recommended daily serving. Their most consumed vegetables were dahon ng sili and garlic. The most consumed fruits were Indian mango and pear. Squash (47%) was the most liked vegetable by both groups. The majority of public SHS identified banana (37%) as their most liked fruit while it was mango (22%) for the majority of private SHS. Public SHS respondents were also recorded to have a lower average estimated family expenditure on FV. The study concluded that both public and private SHS do not consume adequate amounts of FV despite their good level of knowledge of its nutrients and health benefits.

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<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

Eating Behavior Associated with Food Intake in European Adolescents Participating in the HELENA Study.

Adolescence is recognized as a time of rapid physiological and behavioral change. In this transition, eating behavior is still being formed and remains an integral part of a person’s lifestyle throughout his or her life. This study aims to assess eating behavior and associations with food intake in European adolescents. We included 2194 adolescents (45.9% boys), aged 12.5 to 17.5 years, from the cross-sectional HELENA study, with two completed 24 h recalls and complete questionnaire data on their eating behavior (Eating Behavior and Weight Problems Inventory for Children- EWI-C). Three subscales of the EWI were evaluated; they measured Strength and motivation to eat (EWI 1), Importance and impact of eating (EWI 2), and Eating as a means of coping with emotional stress (EWI 3). Since these subscales were specially focused on eating behavior, participants were classified as either Low (≤P75) or High (>P75) on each of the subscales. Our results showed a higher consumption of different types of food, in the EWI 1 scales, linked to the hunger and interest in eating, and we observed a relationship with the consumption of energy-dense products. This result was repeated in EWI 3, the subscale linked to emotional eating, where we also found higher consumption of energy-dense products. This study suggests that special features of eating behavior are associated with food intake in adolescents.

Adolescent-Reported Latino Fathers' Food Parenting Practices and Family Meal Frequency Are Associated with Better Adolescent Dietary Intake.

Most studies of food-related parenting practices, parental meal involvement, and adolescent dietary intake have focused on maternal influences; studies of paternal influences, particularly among marginalized groups, are lacking. This study examined lower-income, Latino fathers’ food parenting practices and involvement in planning meals, buying/preparing foods, and family meal frequency, separately and in combination, to identify relationships with adolescent food intake. Baseline data were used from Latino adolescents (10–14 years, n = 191, 49% boys) participating with their fathers in a community-based overweight/obesity prevention intervention. Fathers reported sociodemographic characteristics. Adolescents reported frequency of fathers’ food parenting practices, fathers’ food/meal involvement, and family meals and participated in 24 h dietary recalls. The analysis included regression models using GLM (generalized linear mixed model) and PLM (post GLM processing) procedures. Most fathers were married, employed full-time, and had annual incomes below USD 50,000. Favorable fathers’ food parenting practices were associated with adolescent intake of more fruit and vegetables and fewer sugar-sweetened beverages, sweets/salty snacks, and less fast food (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01). No independent effects of family meal frequency or fathers’ food/meal involvement were observed on adolescent dietary outcomes. Additional analyses showed favorable food parenting practices in combination with frequent family meals were associated with adolescents having a higher intake of fruit (p = 0.011). Latino fathers can have an important positive influence on adolescent dietary intake.

Acute Daily Stress, Daily Food Consumption, and the Moderating Effect of Disordered Eating among Adolescents with Overweight/Obesity.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between acute daily stress dimensions (frequency, sum) and food intake in adolescents with overweight/obesity, and to explore the potential moderating effect of disordered eating behaviors on these associations. Methods: One hundred eighty-two adolescents with overweight/obesity (65% females; 68.7% non-white; 16.2 ± 1.8 years of age) were included in this analysis. Acute daily stress was measured using the Daily Stress Inventory, and daily caloric intake was measured using a food frequency questionnaire. Disordered eating behavior was assessed using the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26). Results: Acute daily stress frequency (B = 0.013 ± 0.003; p < 0.001) and acute daily stress sum (B = 0.003 ± 0.001; p < 0.001) were associated with greater daily caloric intake. Disordered eating behavior moderated the association between acute daily stress frequency and caloric intake (pinteraction = 0.039), with greater daily caloric intake among those with higher levels of disordered eating. Disordered eating behavior did not significantly moderate the association between acute daily stress sum and daily caloric intake (pinteraction = 0.053). Conclusions: These findings suggest that greater exposure to acute daily stressors may increase daily food intake in adolescents with overweight/obesity, with greater susceptibility among those engaging in high levels of disordered eating. Longitudinal research is warranted to elucidate the long-term effect of acute daily stressors and disordered eating on food intake among adolescents with overweight/obesity. The Health and Culture Project is registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov (No. NCT02938663).

Dietary Behaviours among Adolescent Girls in Pathanamthitta District, Kerala

Background: Adolescence is a time of rapid transition and complex experiences with society, defining the capacity of a person to reach adult life. Diet plays a crucial role in overall development of the child precisely female child as they will become the future mothers. The study objective is to assess the dietary pattern of the school adolescents in various region of the district. Methods: 869 school going adolescents 10-18 years from 20 schools in Pathanamthitta District, Kerala participated in this study and was distributed a questionnaire exploring the dietary habits using food frequency questionnaire along with socio demographic details. Result: Altogether, penurious diet patterns were observed, 64.6% were habituated to skip one meal in a day, 86.7% consumed junk food, 35.5% adolescents skipping breakfast, consumption of Green leafy vegetables was diminished, nearly two third of adolescents did not consumed any fruit once in a day. Most of the respondents depended on rice with one or two vegetables. Conclusion: Lack of variety food intake in adolescents may vary due to numerous factors like availability, socio-economic status, parent education, accessibility .Dietary diversity score and dietary assessment needs to be calculated and there is a need of in depth study of nutrient consumption.

Effect of a 10-month residential multidisciplinary weight loss intervention on food reward in adolescents with obesity

BackgroundWhile multidisciplinary weight loss (WL) programs have been suggested to improve the sensitivity of appetite control system, this study examined for the first time the effect of a specific multidisciplinary intervention on the hedonic aspects of food intake in adolescents with obesity. Study DesignTwenty-four adolescents (11–15 years) with obesity (mean BMI: 35.7 ± 4.5 kg/m2; BMI percentile: 98.7 ± 0.5) took part in a 10-month inpatient WL program, which included physical activity, nutritional education and psychological support. Height, weight, body composition, food reward (pre- and post-meal), ad libitum energy intake, appetite sensations and eating behavior traits were assessed at baseline, 5 months and at the end of the 10-month intervention. Analyses were conducted with linear mixed models and paired t-tests. ResultsThe mean WL was 8.9 ± 6.9 kg. Appetite sensations and pre-meal hedonic ratings of liking for all food categories (HF: high-fat; LF: low-fat; SA: savory; SW: sweet) increased after 5 months (fasting hunger, p = 0.02; fasting desire to eat, p = 0.01; daily hunger, p = 0.001; pre-meal liking for HFSA, p = 0.03; LFSA, p = 0.04; HFSW, p = 0.009; LFSW, p = 0.005). In contrast, appetite sensations (fasting and daily), emotional eating (p < 0.001), uncontrolled eating (p = 0.009), and pre-meal explicit liking (for all food categories) decreased between months 5 and 10. Post-meal liking for HFSA (p < 0.001), LFSA (p = 0.002), HFSW (p = 0.02) and LFSW (p < 0.001) decreased between baseline and month 5 and remained unchanged between months 5 and 10. ConclusionThese findings suggest that adaptive mechanisms to WL occurring in the short-to-medium term are attenuated in the longer term with the persistence of WL. These results indicate improvements in the reward response to food in adolescents with obesity and may contribute to the beneficial effect of multicomponent WL interventions in this population. Future studies are required to confirm these findings and elucidate underlying mechanisms.

Neural response to fast food commercials in adolescents predicts intake

Food advertising is a major contributor to obesity, and fast food (FF) restaurants are top advertisers. Research on the impact of food advertising in adolescents is lacking and no prior research has investigated neural predictors of food intake in adolescents. Neural systems implicated in reward could be key to understanding how food advertising drives food intake. To investigate how neural responses to both unhealthy and healthier FF commercials predict food intake in adolescents. A cross-sectional sample of 171 adolescents (aged 13-16 y) who ranged from normal weight to obese completed an fMRI paradigm where they viewed unhealthy and healthier FF and nonfood commercials. Adolescents then consumed a meal in a simulated FF restaurant where foods of varying nutritional profiles (unhealthy compared with healthier) were available. Greater neural activation in reward-related regions (nucleus accumbens, r=0.29; caudate nucleus, r= 0.27) to unhealthy FF commercials predicted greater total food intake. Greater responses to healthier FF relative to nonfood commercials in regions associated with reward (i.e., nucleus accumbens, r=0.24), memory (i.e., hippocampus, r=0.32), and sensorimotor processes (i.e., anterior cerebellum, r=0.33) predicted greater total food and unhealthier food intake, but not healthier food intake. Lower activation in neural regions associated with visual attention and salience (e.g., precuneus, r = -0.35) to unhealthy relative to healthier FF commercials predicted healthier food intake. These findings suggest that FF commercials contribute to overeating in adolescents through reward mechanisms. The addition of healthier commercials from FF restaurants is unlikely to encourage healthier food intake, but interventions that reduce the ability of unhealthy FF commercials to capture attention could be beneficial. However, an overall reduction in the amount of FF commercials exposure for adolescents is likely to be the most effective approach.

Association of frequent intake of fast foods, energy drinks, or convenience food with atopic dermatitis in adolescents.

Specific food consumption, besides food allergy, may aggravate atopic dermatitis (AD). However, previous reports on the association between AD and food intake in adolescents are scarce. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between AD and specific food consumption frequency in adolescents. A cross-sectional analysis using data from the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey 2017 was performed. The frequency of food consumption in the recent-diagnosed AD group (AD diagnosed within 12months) compared to those in the previous-diagnosed AD (AD diagnosed more than 12months ago) or control group were investigated. A total of 53,373 participants were eligible for this study. The weighted prevalence of the recent-diagnosed AD and the previous-diagnosed AD was 7.39% and 18.00%, respectively. When compared with subjects with the previous-diagnosed AD, those with the recent-diagnosed AD were significantly more likely to frequently consume fast foods (odds ratio OR 1.405; 95% CI 1.150-1.717), energy drinks (OR 1.457; 95% CI 1.175-1.807), or convenience food (OR 1.304; 95% CI 1.138-1.495). Patients of the recent-diagnosed AD were significantly more likely to frequently consume fast foods (OR 1.374; 95% CI 1.155-1.634) than the control group. The differences in the frequency of specific food consumption among groups were more pronounced in high school students than in middle school students. Frequent intake of fast foods, energy drinks, and convenience food was related to the recent-diagnosed AD in adolescents. Prospective cohort and interventional studies are needed to identify causal relationships.

Effect of MC4R gene polymorphism on food intake in adolescents with overweight and obesity

BACKGROUND: The melanocortin 4 receptor gene (MC4R) codes the receptor expressed in the hypothalamus and involved in the regulation of body mass and height. Data on the association of polymorphism MC4R rs17782313 with anthropometric parameters are contradictory.&#x0D; AIMS: to study the influence of the carrier of polymorphism MC4R rs17782313 on the anthropometric parameters in adolescents of different ethnic groups: caucasians and mongoloids living in the Siberia.&#x0D; MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 179 caucasian adolescents (by the example of russians, average age is 15.07 1.25 years) and 182 mongoloid adolescents (by the example of the buryats, the average age is 14.71 1.28 years), 89 and 92 adolescents were included in groups with overweight and obesity (standard deviation (SDS) BMI 1), in the control groups (SDS BMI from -1 to + 1) also 90 and 90 adolescents were included in the control groups (SDS BMI from -1 to + 1) (russian and buryat, respectively). Anthropometric measurements included height, weight with the calculation of BMI and SDS BMI, WC (waist circumference), HC (hip circumference ). Genotyping was performed by real-time PCR. Statistical analysis of the results of the study was carried out using the software STATISTICA 8.0.&#x0D; RESULTS: We showed no association of the risky C-allele of polymorphism rs17782313 with overweight and obesity in russian adolescents (22.5% vs 17.9% OR = 1.34 (p 0.05)) and in the buryat (29.8% vs 24.1%, OR = 1.43 (p 0.05)). It was revealed that adolescent carriers of the C-allele in buryat showed higher growth in both groups (control: 162.19 cm vs 157.26 cm (p = 0.019)), the main group: 165.24 cm vs 164.91 cm (p = 0.041)), as well as weight gain in the control group (52.29 kg vs 48.05 kg (p = 0.028)).&#x0D; CONCLUSIONS: Thus, the study revealed the relationship of MC4R rs17782313 polymorphism with height and weight in adolescents of buryat ethnic group.

Adiposity, inflammation and fat‐soluble vitamins in adolescents

ObjectiveEvaluate the association between inflammatory process, adiposity, and vitamins A, D, and E in adolescents, according to gender. MethodsCross‐sectional study with adolescents aged 12–19 years old of both genders attending public schools in Recife. A questionnaire was used to collect data on socioeconomic level, lifestyle, and food intake of adolescents. Then, an anthropometric evaluation and a blood sampling were performed to analyze serum concentrations of α‐1‐acid glycoprotein, retinol, β‐carotene, α‐tocopherol, and 25‐hydroxy‐vitamin D. ResultsThe levels of α‐1‐acid glycoprotein were higher for abdominal obesity in both genders. Male adolescents with insufficient serum α‐tocopherol levels had low levels of α‐1‐acid glycoprotein (p=0.03) and an increased risk of 25‐hydroxy‐vitamin D and β‐carotene deficiency in relation to total and abdominal fat; female adolescents had an increased risk of insufficient β‐carotene with abdominal obesity (PR: 1.33; 95% CI: 1.2–1.5). ConclusionAbdominal adiposity implies a higher risk of inflammation and causes different changes to the levels of fat‐soluble vitamins according to gender.

Barriers and Enablers That Influence Overweight/Obesity/Obesogenic Behavior in Adolescents From Lower-Middle Income Countries: A Systematic Review.

Overweight/obesity during adolescence in lower-middle income countries has become a public health problem with consequences in adulthood. Inadequate dietary habits, poor diet quality, sedentary behavior, and parental obesity have been reported. To describe management of obesity-like food habits and behavior of adolescents from lower-middle income countries with respect to what keeps them using this diet (barriers) and what helps them avoid it (enablers). Systematic review of the literature related to obesity and food intake of adolescents conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA). We classified 11 eligible studies describing the barriers to and enablers of the management of obesity-like food intake and obesity lifestyle. The dual burdens of malnutrition and increased urbanization have been observed. There is preference for processed food, dietary habits, and obesity-like food intake and sedentary behavior. Barriers to managing body weight gain included mostly consumption of fast-food and snack food, less vegetable and fruit intake, skipping meals, and sedentary behavior. Enablers of managing body weight gain included changes in nutritional habits, perception of the consumption of healthy food, physical activity, and engagement in programs to change lifestyle. The globalization of the fast food industry has provided an obesogenic environmental stimulus for adolescents in lower-middle income countries.

The role of family’s socio-economic status at stunting adolescences food intake in second growth spurt

Stunting is a chronic nutritional problem in various developing countries, including Indonesia. The purpose of this study was to analyze the socioeconomic role of families on macro and micro nutrient intake in adolescent stunting. This research is a quantitative study with cross sectional design on 52 adolescent stunting. Enforcement of a stunting diagnosis using WHO's anthroplus software. The data used are age, gender, and height with the results of Z score TB / U. Data analysis uses SPSS with chi-square test. The results of the descriptive analysis showed that the proportion of male stunting (46.2%) and female (53.8%) was almost the same. They consumed fat (44.2%) and protein (59.6%) excess but carbohydrate deficit (40.4%). While the amount of micronutrient intake is actually a deficit of both vitamin A (57.7%), Fe (92.3%), and Zn (86.5%). Parental education and work were not related to macronutrients and micronutrient adolescent intake of stunting (p> 0.05). The result of cross tabulation, the stunting of adolescents in socioeconomic status is not really getting good macro intake (60.7%). As for micro intake, at high socioeconomic status, less intake (79.2%). Parents pay more attention to the quality of adolescent food intake to maximize growth potential at the second growth acceleration.

Ramadan fasting alters food patterns, dietary diversity and body weight among Ghanaian adolescents

BackgroundRamadan is a monthlong fast for healthy adolescents and adult Muslims. The quality of foods eaten and eating patterns in Ramadan may be different from other months of the year. Food intake of adolescents is a concern as energy and nutrient requirements are higher and needed to support the growth spurt of this stage. The objective of the present study was to describe the food patterns, dietary diversity and body weight changes among adolescents during Ramadan.MethodsA prospective cohort study design with four measurement points (baseline, midline, endline and post endline) was conducted among 366 adolescents in Junior High Schools. Food pattern was assessed with a food frequency questionnaire, a 24-h dietary recall was used to assess dietary diversity and body weight was measured using an electronic scale. A repeated measures ANOVA was used to compare changes in dietary diversity scores (DDS) and weight of pupils.ResultsHalf of the pupils (50.3%) were female and average age was 15.9 ± 1.8 years. Pupils fasted for an average of 28.3 ± 4.0 days and 14.3 ± 0.5 h a day (dawn to dusk) during Ramadan. The number and types of dishes taken at meal times differed substantially between Ramadan periods and outside Ramadan. Consumption of vitamin A-rich fruits, other fruits, and milk and milk products increased markedly during Ramadan. However, fasting came with a reduction in consumption of foods from roots and tubers, legumes and nuts, and dark green leafy vegetables while other food groups remained unchanged. Mean DDS increased significantly during Ramadan (F (2.933, 1070.573) = 7.152, p < 0.001) while mean daily meal frequency decreased (F (2.936, 1071.623) = 51.653, p < 0.001). There was significant body weight loss (-1.5 kg (95% CI: -1.1 kg to -1.6 kg)) among adolescents (F (2.656, 958.95) = 304.90, p < 0.001). Weight loss was short-lived; regained one month after Ramadan.ConclusionIn this prospective cohort study among schooling Ghanaian adolescents who fast during Ramadan, fasting was characterised by marked changes in usual food patterns, increased dietary diversity and significant body weight loss.

Adiposity, inflammation and fat-soluble vitamins in adolescents

ObjectiveEvaluate the association between inflammatory process, adiposity, and vitamins A, D, and E in adolescents, according to gender. MethodsCross-sectional study with adolescents aged 12–19 years old of both genders attending public schools in Recife. A questionnaire was used to collect data on socioeconomic level, lifestyle, and food intake of adolescents. Then, an anthropometric evaluation and a blood sampling were performed to analyze serum concentrations of α-1-acid glycoprotein, retinol, β-carotene, α-tocopherol, and 25-hydroxy-vitamin D. ResultsThe levels of α-1-acid glycoprotein were higher for abdominal obesity in both genders. Male adolescents with insufficient serum α-tocopherol levels had low levels of α-1-acid glycoprotein (p=0.03) and an increased risk of 25-hydroxy-vitamin D and β-carotene deficiency in relation to total and abdominal fat; female adolescents had an increased risk of insufficient β-carotene with abdominal obesity (PR: 1.33; 95% CI: 1.2–1.5). ConclusionAbdominal adiposity implies a higher risk of inflammation and causes different changes to the levels of fat-soluble vitamins according to gender.

The relevance of restrained eating behavior for circadian eating patterns in adolescents.

BackgroundRestrained Eating, i.e. the tendency to restrict dietary intake to control body-weight, often emerges during adolescence and may result in changes in circadian eating patterns.ObjectiveThe objective of the present investigation was to determine the cross-sectional relevance of restrained eating for characteristics of circadian eating pattern in adolescents and whether changes in restrained eating are accompanied by concurrent changes in circadian eating pattern over the course of adolescence.MethodsTwo questionnaires assessing restrained eating (Score 0–30) with parallel 3-day weighed dietary records from two different time points were available from 209 (♂:101, ♀:108) 11–18 year old adolescents of the DONALD study. Mixed linear regression models were used to analyze whether restrained eating was associated with eating occasion frequency, snack frequency and morning and evening energy intake [in % of daily energy intake, %E]. Linear regression models were used to examine whether changes in restrained eating were associated with changes in the mentioned variables.ResultsAmong girls, greater restrained eating was cross-sectionally associated with higher morning energy intake (p = 0.03). Further, there was a tendency towards lower evening energy intake with higher levels of restrained eating for the whole sample (p = 0.06). No cross-sectional associations were found with eating occasion or snack frequency. Each one-point increase in restrained eating during adolescence was related to a concurrent decrease in eating occasion frequency by 0.04 (95% CI -0.08; -0.01, p = 0.02) and in evening energy intake by 0.36%E (95% CI -0.70; -0.03, p = 0.04). A tendency towards decreasing snack frequency with increasing restrained eating was observed (β = -0.03, 95% CI -0.07; 0.00, p = 0.07). No association was found between changes in restrained eating and concurrent changes in morning energy intake.ConclusionWe found indications for cross-sectional and prospective associations between restrained eating and chronobiological aspects of food intake in adolescents. Our results suggest that restrained eating should be considered a relevant determinant of circadian eating patterns.

Use of a Mobile Application for Self-Monitoring Dietary Intake: Feasibility Test and an Intervention Study.

Given the increasing social and economic burden of chronic disease and the need for efficient approaches to prevent and treat chronic disease, emphasis on the use of information and communication technology (ICT)-based health care has emerged. We aimed to test the feasibility of a mobile application, Diet-A, and examine whether Diet-A could be used to monitor dietary intake among adolescents. In a three-month pre–post intervention study, 9 male and 24 female high school students aged 16–18 years consented and participated in this study. Participants were instructed to record all foods and beverages consumed using voice or text mode input. Nutrient intake was measured using 24-h recalls pre- and post-intervention. We compared nutrient intake data assessed by Diet-A application with those assessed by 24-h recalls. Participants tended to underreport intakes of nutrients compared to those assessed by two 24-h recalls. There were significant decreases in sodium (p = 0.04) and calcium (p = 0.03) intake between pre- and post-intervention. Of participants who completed questionnaires of feasibility (n = 24), 61.9% reported that they were satisfied using the application to monitor their food intake, and 47.7% liked getting personal information about their dietary intake from the application. However, more than 70% of participants answered that it was burdensome to use the application or that they had trouble remembering to record their food intake. The mobile application Diet-A offers the opportunity to monitor dietary intake through real-time feedback. However, use of Diet-A may not provide accurate information on the food intake of adolescents, partly because of the recording burden.

Relationship between Perceived Parenting Style and Their Eating Behaviors in Korean Adolescents

Although the cultural and social environments affect parenting style, few studies have been conducted with Asians residing in their own countries. The objective of the present study was to examine parenting styles perceived by Korean adolescents and to determine the associations between parenting styles, adolescent food intake and body mass index. Two hundred sixty-four 8th graders were recruited from Cheongju City, Korea. A 17-item parenting style questionnaire was used to determine the adolescents’ perceived parenting style of involvement and strictness. A food frequency questionnaire was used to measure frequency and amount of food intake. 36% of adolescents rated their parents as either authoritative or neglectful while only 12% perceived their parents as authoritarian. Children who described their parents as authoritative reported more frequent family meals and less frequent snacking than those who described their parents as neglectful. In addition, 71.9% of adolescents who described their parents as authoritarian ate breakfast everyday compared with approximately 40% of those who described their parents as either indulgent or neglectful (p=0.004). Korean adolescents who described their parents as authoritative ate fruits, vegetables, and milk and dairy products more frequently than adolescents who described their parents as neglectful. In addition, boys and girls who perceived their parents as authoritative had lower body mass index than those who perceived their parents as indulgent and neglectful. The results of this study can be used to develop age-specific, effective strategies for nutrition education and counseling in order to improve adolescent health.