Consumption Of High-calorie Foods Research Articles

Comparative Characteristics of Eating Behavior, Habits, and Patterns of Normal and Overweight Children, Including Obese Children

Introduction: One of the reasons for the high prevalence of overweight and obesity among adults, and especially children and adolescents, is eating habits and eating behavior, which are formed by the rules of nutrition established in the family. Purpose of the Study: Conduct a comparative assessment of the nature of nutrition and eating habits of overweight schoolchildren, including obesity, and those with normal body weight to justify the development of measures aimed at preventing the formation of overweight and alimentary-related diseases. Materials and Methods: The materials for the study were the data of a survey of 2029 schoolchildren aged 7-17. The survey program included questions reflecting knowledge of the principles of healthy eating and adherence to its principles in family and school meals, the structure and mode of eating were studied. Statistical analysis was carried out using STATISTICA 10 and Microsoft Excel application packages. Parametric methods of analysis were used. Differences were considered statistically significant at p<0.05. Results: A high frequency of adherence to the consumption of high-calorie foods was established, which is typical both for respondents with overweight and obesity, and with normal body weight. In the group of children with overweight and obesity, a higher frequency of food intake was revealed both on weekends and on school days 75.4% versus 65.6% and in the group with normal body weight, respectively, 73.4% versus 60.8% (p≤0.05), which is largely due to the greater proportion of children in this group who eat according to the main diet at school (73.2% versus 59.3%, p≤0.05), as well as attending the canteen in addition to the main nutrition (78.6% vs. 14.3%, (p≤0.05), more often buying main meat and fish dishes (6.7% vs. 4.8%), cereals (1.8% vs. 7%), sausages or wieners (4.0% vs. 1.1%), less often - fruits (2.7% vs. 3.4%), which increases the energy value of the diet compared to children with normal body weight. Conclusion: The study made it possible to identify violations of eating behavior and eating habits in schoolchildren with different BMI indicators, which pose additional risks of overweight and obesity in schoolchildren. Habits in the group of children with overweight, which are the source of the formation of risk factors for diseases associated with overweight and obesity, as well as the peculiarities of eating habits in the group of children with normal body weight. The data obtained require the need to develop preventive measures aimed at creating positive motivation in children to reduce the consumption of critically important nutrients, develop healthy eating habits, and consume food that is balanced with regard to actual energy consumption and physiological need for food and biologically valuable substances.

Gardening-cooking based intervention for improving healthy eating habits in preschool children

Background Preschool children generally have inadequate fruit and vegetable intake, but a high intake of calories. Nutrition education taught from an early age might instill good eating habits and behavior, especially regarding fruit and vegetable consumption. Objectives To compare preschoolers’ fruit and vegetable preferences, fiber intake, and consumption of high-calorie food before and after a gardening-cooking intervention. Methods This study had a quasi-experimental, pre- and post-test design, as well as intervention and control groups. Subjects were preschool children aged 4-6, selected by purposive sampling, with 33 subjects in each group. The intervention group engaged in nutrition education, gardening, and cooking programs. While the control group was not given the programs, only given nutrition education at the end of data collection. Data were analyzed using independent T-test, paired T-Test, Wilcoxon, and Mann-Whitney tests. Results There were significant increases in attitude score, fruit and vegetable preference, and fiber intake, as well as decreased intake of high calorie foods (P<0.05 for all) before and after treatment in the intervention group. In contrast, there were no significant changes in the control group pre- and post-test. Conclusion Gardening-cooking based intervention for 9 sessions is effective in improving attitudes, fruit and vegetable preferences, and fiber intake, as well as reducing high-calorie food consumption in preschool children.

Effect of antorex, a new antagonist of orexin receptors, on binge eating in rats caused by weaning from the mother in early ontogenesis

BACKGROUND: Research on the elements of food addiction in animal models shows that its manifestations are attributed to intermittent consumption of high-calorie foods. Chronic stress in ontogenesis can cause episodes of binge eating or dietary restrictions such as anorexia. AIM: This study aimed to investigate the effect of a new orexin receptor antagonist antorex on binge eating in a rat model of maternal neglect. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mature male rats weaned from their mothers for 3 h after birth from days 2 to 12 received a high-carbohydrate diet every third day for 1 h for 45 days. Moreover, high-calorie food was placed within 5 cm of visual contact 15 min before feeding. Antorex, an orexin receptor antagonist, was administered intranasally at a dose of 1 µg/1µL for a total of 20 µL for 7 days. RESULTS: Intermittent consumption of high-calorie food products induced binge eating in rats. The frequency of the signs of binge eating increased after chronic weaning stress. The consumption of standard briquette feed was not altered. Intranasal administration of both the orexin receptor antagonist antorex reduced the manifestations of food addiction in rats after maternal deprivation under conditions of intermittent consumption of high-calorie food compared with controls. Standard food intake did not differ relative to the control group both before and after аntorex administration. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest new ways to study and synthesize peptide drugs based on orexin and its antagonists for the correction of food addiction caused by chronic stress in ontogenesis.

Correction of compulsive overeating in rats after maternal deprivation in early age using a new antagonist of OX1 receptors

Background. Compulsive overeating (bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder) is the basis of eating disorders and is included in ICD-11 and DSM-5 as a manifestation of a non-chemical form of addiction. It is a behavioral disorder of impulsivity and compulsivity. Obesity and eating disorders are characterized by compulsive food consumption, similar to the compulsive drug use of substance use disorders.
 Aim. Study of the effect of the OX1 receptor antagonist anthorex on compulsive overeating in animals in a model of maternal deprivation.
 Materials and methods. Sexually mature male rats, which were separated from their mother for 3 hours after birth from days 2 to 12, were fed a high-carbohydrate diet every third day for 1 hour for 45 days. In this case, high-calorie food was placed within 5 cm of reach with visual contact 15 minutes before feeding. Orexin receptor antagonist Anthorex was administered intranasally for 7 days at a dose of 1 µg/1 µl, 20 µl.
 Results. Intermittent consumption of high-calorie foods caused compulsive overeating in rats. Sexually mature animals that experienced deprivation from their mother in early ontogenesis showed increased signs of compulsive overeating of high-carbohydrate foods in our model relative to the control (p 0.001). At the same time, the consumption of standard briquetted feed did not change. Intranasal administration of the OX1 receptor antagonist anthorex reduced the manifestations of compulsive overeating in rats after weaning under conditions of intermittent consumption of high-calorie food compared to the control group (p 0.05). Consumption of standard food did not differ relative to the control group, both before and after the course of administration of the orexin antagonist.
 Conclusion. The work suggest new ways of studying and synthesizing peptide drugs based on orexin and its antagonists for the correction of compulsive overeating caused by chronic stress in ontogenesis.

EFFECT OF AMMONIUM PYRROLIDINEDITHIOCARBAMATE ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF OXIDATIVE STRESS IN BICEPS FEMORIS MUSCLES OF RATS DURING MODELLED METABOLIC SYNDROME

Excessive consumption of high-calorie food, a sedentary lifestyle and increased psycho-emotional stress are risk factors for the development of metabolic syndrome. These factors are especially relevant for residents of countries with highly developed economies. Metabolic syndrome is accompanied not only by metabolic disorders, but also leads to the development of a systemic inflammatory response, which is associated with excessive production and circulation of cytokines in the blood. As a rule, the activation of the transcription factor NF-κB leads to an increase in the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
 The aim of this work is to determine the effect of the NF-κB transcription factor activation inhibitor on the activity of antioxidant enzymes, the production of superoxide anion radical, the content of oxidatively modified proteins, and the concentration of malondialdehyde in the biceps femoris muscle of rats who underwent experimental metabolic syndrome.
 The study included 24 sexually mature male Wistar rats weighing 200-260 g. The animals were divided into 4 groups of 6 animals each. The first group was the control group; the second group involved the rats exposed to metabolic syndrome simulated by adding a 20% fructose solution as the only source of drinking water to the standard vivarium diet for 60 days; the third group involved the animals received ammonium pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate in a dose of 76 mg/kg intraperitoneally 3 times a week for 60 days; the fourth group was exposed to the combined effect of the ammonium pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate administration during modeled metabolic syndrome. In this study we investigated a 10% homogenate of the biceps femoris muscle with the research focus on several parameters: superoxide anion radical production, superoxide dismutase and catalase activity, malondialdehyde concentration, and the presence of oxidatively modified proteins.
 Simulation of the metabolic syndrome led to the development of oxidative stress in the biceps muscle of rats that was accompanied by an increase in the production of the superoxide anion radical and a decrease in the activity of antioxidant enzymes. The administration of ammonium pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate during modeled metabolic syndrome caused a decrease in the basic production of superoxide anion radical, production of superoxide anion radical by the microsomal electron transport chain and production of superoxide anion radical by the mitochondrial electron transport chain by 30.28%, 26.21 %, and 27.00%, respectively, compared to the rats in metabolic syndrome group. Superoxide dismutase activity increased by 78.81% and catalase activity grew by 144.74% compared to the metabolic syndrome group. The concentration of free malondialdehyde under the administration of ammonium pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate during metabolic syndrome reduced by 51.80%, and the content of oxidatively modified proteins decreased by 31.74% compared to the metabolic syndrome group.
 The administration of ammonium pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate, an NF-κB transcription factor activation inhibitor, effectively prevents the development of oxidative stress in the biceps femoris muscle of rats with modeled metabolic syndrome.
 This study is a part of the initiative research project No. 0124U000092 "High- and low-intensity phenotypes of systemic inflammatory response: molecular mechanisms and new medical technologies for their prevention and correction".

Pediatric obesity during COVID-19: the role of neighborhood social vulnerability and collective efficacy.

Childhood obesity increased in the first year of COVID-19 with significant disparities across race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. Social distancing led to fewer physical activity opportunities but increased screen time and high-calorie food consumption, all co-determined by neighborhood environments. This study aimed to test the moderation effects of neighborhood socioeconomic and built environments on obesity change during COVID-19. Using electronic health records from a large pediatric primary care network in 2018-2022, we cross-sectionally examined 163,042 well visits of 2-17-year-olds living in Philadelphia County in order to examine (1) the pandemic's effect on obesity prevalence and (2) moderation by census-tract-level neighborhood socioeconomic disadvantage, crime, food and physical activity-related environments using interrupted-time-series analysis, Poisson regression, and logistic regression. Weekly obesity prevalence increased by 4.9 percent points (pp) during the pandemic (January 2021-August 2022) compared to pre-pandemic (March 2018-March 2020) levels. This increase was pronounced across all age groups, racially/ethnically minoritized groups, and insurance types (ranging from 2.0 to 6.4 pp) except the Non-Hispanic-white group. The increase in obesity among children racially/ethnically minoritized groups was significantly larger in the neighborhoods with high social vulnerability (3.3 pp difference between high and low groups), and low collective efficacy (2.0 pp difference between high and low groups) after adjusting for age, sex, and insurance type. Racially/ethnically minoritized children experienced larger obesity increases during the pandemic, especially those in socioeconomically disadvantaged neighborhoods. However, the buffering effect of community collective efficacy on the disparities underscores the importance of environments in pediatric health.

Exploring the potential of chewing gums containing plant extracts (clove, saffron, and clove-mint) as a natural solution for controlling obesity and associated health issues

Background:Obesity is a global health concern resulting from an excessive accumulation of fat in the body, affecting individuals of all ages, including children. Modern lifestyles and the consumption of high-calorie foods have resulted in an increase in obesity prevalence. Cardiovascular disease, diabetes, blood pressure, and certain cancers are all serious health problems that obesity can lead to.Objectives: Medicinal properties in functional foods are gaining popularity in the food industry for controlling or inhibiting diseases. Given the growing concerns about obesity and its associated health risks, the need for natural compounds with controlling or inhibiting properties is paramount. This study aimed to explore natural plant extracts for their functional properties, particularly their ability to control obesity by inhibiting lipase enzyme. To transport these biological compounds, chewing gums containing extracts of cloves (at concentrations of 0.1%, 1%, and 3%), saffron, and mint were developed. Chewing gums containing extracts can become a popular natural remedy for a variety of health problems, including obesity. Using an effective delivery system, this solution is widely available to those looking for natural alternatives to address their health concerns.Methods: The research centered on exploring the properties of natural plant extracts, which included their potential to inhibit enzymes linked to obesity and related diseases, their antioxidant properties to counteract the harmful effects of body fat oxidation, and their antibacterial properties. In addition, the research involved a sensory evaluation of chewing gum that contained these extracts.Results: Clove extract had the highest amounts of total phenolic compounds. Also, clove extract exhibited the highest antioxidant properties and Helicobacter pylori inhibition (88.05% and 25.69% at ratio of 0.7% respectively), which is thought to be associated with its high content of eugenol and other phenolic compounds. Furthermore, the extracts were evaluated for other functional properties, including their ability to inhibit pancreatic lipase, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), and microbial activities against Streptococcus faecalis and Candida albicans. Among extracts, saffron extract showed the highest lipase inhibitory properties (40.07, and 36.06% at concentrations of 0.7% and 0.5% respectively). Also, clove and mint showed pancreatic lipase inhibition about 31.50% and 29.24 % at concentration of 0.7 and 0.5% respectively, revealing that all extracts can be a good candidate to be used as effective additives in preventing and controlling obesity. Also, clove, mint, and saffron extracts could inhibit blood pressure enzymes (25.54, 20.70, and 19.61 respectively), which can help maintain healthy blood pressure levels. Furthermore, release kinetics of extracts from chewing gums were obtained, and shown that after 20 min the release of extracts were 73.24, 64.34, and 63.2 for saffron, mint, and clove (1%) respectively.Conclusions: Extracts were found in our research to have a beneficial effect on controlling obesity. These compounds may be effective in preventing obesity, based on their observed inhibition of pancreatic lipase enzyme. However, further research is necessary to fully comprehend the efficacy of these substances for this purpose. The significant antioxidant properties of clove may have a promising impact on reducing free radicals, which can help prevent fat oxidation in the bodies of individuals with obesity. The inhibition of ACE enzyme by extracts could potentially have a positive impact on controlling blood pressure. The extracts showed potent antimicrobial properties that can potentially alleviate mouth and throat issues associated with Streptococcus bacteria. Moreover, extracts demonstrated efficacy in reducing the presence of H. pylori, which is the causative agent of stomach infections. Also, it was shown that chewing gum can be a convenient and easily accessible means of delivering natural compounds and may be a desirable option for individuals seeking natural alternatives for managing their health concerns.Keywords: Chewing gum, Plant extracts, Obesity, Blood pressure, H. pylori infections

Exploring the potential of chewing gums containing plant extracts (clove, saffron, and clove-mint) as a natural solution for controlling obesity and associated health issues

Background:Obesity is a global health concern resulting from an excessive accumulation of fat in the body, affecting individuals of all ages, including children. Modern lifestyles and the consumption of high-calorie foods have resulted in an increase in obesity prevalence. Cardiovascular disease, diabetes, blood pressure, and certain cancers are all serious health problems that obesity can lead to.Objectives: Medicinal properties in functional foods are gaining popularity in the food industry for controlling or inhibiting diseases. Given the growing concerns about obesity and its associated health risks, the need for natural compounds with controlling or inhibiting properties is paramount. This study aimed to explore natural plant extracts for their functional properties, particularly their ability to control obesity by inhibiting lipase enzyme. To transport these biological compounds, chewing gums containing extracts of cloves (at concentrations of 0.1%, 1%, and 3%), saffron, and mint were developed. Chewing gums containing extracts can become a popular natural remedy for a variety of health problems, including obesity. Using an effective delivery system, this solution is widely available to those looking for natural alternatives to address their health concerns.Methods: The research centered on exploring the properties of natural plant extracts, which included their potential to inhibit enzymes linked to obesity and related diseases, their antioxidant properties to counteract the harmful effects of body fat oxidation, and their antibacterial properties. In addition, the research involved a sensory evaluation of chewing gum that contained these extracts.Results: Clove extract had the highest amounts of total phenolic compounds. Also, clove extract exhibited the highest antioxidant properties and Helicobacter pylori inhibition (88.05% and 25.69% at ratio of 0.7% respectively), which is thought to be associated with its high content of eugenol and other phenolic compounds. Furthermore, the extracts were evaluated for other functional properties, including their ability to inhibit pancreatic lipase, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), and microbial activities against Streptococcus faecalis and Candida albicans. Among extracts, saffron extract showed the highest lipase inhibitory properties (40.07, and 36.06% at concentrations of 0.7% and 0.5% respectively). Also, clove and mint showed pancreatic lipase inhibition about 31.50% and 29.24 % at concentration of 0.7 and 0.5% respectively, revealing that all extracts can be a good candidate to be used as effective additives in preventing and controlling obesity. Also, clove, mint, and saffron extracts could inhibit blood pressure enzymes (25.54, 20.70, and 19.61 respectively), which can help maintain healthy blood pressure levels. Furthermore, release kinetics of extracts from chewing gums were obtained, and shown that after 20 min the release of extracts were 73.24, 64.34, and 63.2 for saffron, mint, and clove (1%) respectively.Conclusions: Extracts were found in our research to have a beneficial effect on controlling obesity. These compounds may be effective in preventing obesity, based on their observed inhibition of pancreatic lipase enzyme. However, further research is necessary to fully comprehend the efficacy of these substances for this purpose. The significant antioxidant properties of clove may have a promising impact on reducing free radicals, which can help prevent fat oxidation in the bodies of individuals with obesity. The inhibition of ACE enzyme by extracts could potentially have a positive impact on controlling blood pressure. The extracts showed potent antimicrobial properties that can potentially alleviate mouth and throat issues associated with Streptococcus bacteria. Moreover, extracts demonstrated efficacy in reducing the presence of H. pylori, which is the causative agent of stomach infections. Also, it was shown that chewing gum can be a convenient and easily accessible means of delivering natural compounds and may be a desirable option for individuals seeking natural alternatives for managing their health concerns.Keywords: Chewing gum, Plant extracts, Obesity, Blood pressure, H. pylori infections

Food go/no-go training alters neural circuits for food evaluation for appetite reduction

Food go/no-go training has been traditionally categorized as a type of inhibitory training that decreases the desire for high-calorie food consumption. This training requires participants to either respond or withhold their responses to presented items with go cues or food items with no-go cues, respectively. Recent findings have suggested that this training may devalue food items associated with no-go cues instead of facilitating inhibitory control, leading to reduced food consumption. We thus hypothesized that food go/no-go training would alter the brain response to food items with no-go cues in food evaluation regions. To examine this hypothesis, we conducted a repeated measures functional magnetic resonance imaging using food images in healthy participants, who underwent 3 weeks of food go/no-go training (n = 26) using high- and low-calorie food items paired with no-go cues (no-go food) and go cues (go food), respectively, and control training (n = 24). The food go/no-go training reduced the ratings for the desire to eat no-go foods and increased the ratings for go foods. The reduction in no-go food rating was positively associated with a decrease in daily snack intake. The neural responses in the food evaluation regions increased for go foods. Moreover, the functional connectivity of those regions was altered. The food go/no-go training did not decrease impulsivity traits or increase restrained eating, which are associated with inhibitory control. Overall, food go/no-go training influenced the brain regions associated with food evaluation, thus devaluating no-go foods and reducing the daily snack intake. Accordingly, food go/no-go training could promote healthier food choices.

Reduction of compulsive overeating in rats caused by maternal deprivation in early ontogenesis with the use of a new ghrelin receptor antagonist agrelax

BACKGROUND: Factors that may trigger episodes of binge eating include mental and physical stress, dietary restrictions of high-calorie foods. In a rodent model it has been shown that intermittent consumption of high-calorie foods causes binge eating regardless of body weight gain.
 AIM: To investigate the effect of a novel ghrelin receptor antagonist Agrelax on binge eating in in adult rats after maternal deprivation in early ontogeny.
 MATERIALS AND METHODS: Animals were weaned for 180 min from day 2 to day 12 after birth; males 90100 days of age were used in the experiments. In the development of binge eating, animals received a high-carbohydrate diet (Nutella paste based chocolate mixture) for 1 h every day or every third day for 1.5 months. Fifteen minutes before feeding, the chocolate paste was placed within 5 cm of reach with visual contact. Agrelax, a novel ghrelin receptor antagonist, was administered intranasally 1g/1l, 20l for 7 days.
 RESULTS: Maternal deprivation induced bindge eating of high-calorie foods in adult rats. When chocolate was given 3 times a week, its consumption increased (p 0.001) in the maternal deprivation group relative to the control group. After a course of administration of agrelax, chocolate consumption did not differ significantly from that in the control group. The daily consumption of standard food did not differ relative to the control group both before and after the course of agrelax administration. When chocolate was given daily, the maternal deprivation rats did not develop food addiction. At the same time agrelax did not induce a change in chocolate consumption relative to the control group.
 CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest new ways to synthesize pharmacological agents of peptide nature based on ghrelin and its antagonists for correction of food addiction caused by psychogenic stresses in ontogenesis.

METABOLİK SENDROM

Metabolic syndrome is a common health problem, is an important cause of mortality and morbidity. Metabolic syndrome is a type of disorder that occurs as a result of the coexistence of insulin resistance and obesity-like findings, hipertriglisemi, hypertension, Type 2 diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, stress, low HDL, hyperglycemia, inflammation, adipocyte-derived aldosterone-releasing factors, sleep apnea, etc. The same criteria and symptoms are valid for the disease in animals, and similar definitions are made for animals. In recent years, interest in metabolic syndrome, its causes and consequences has increased in veterinary medicine as well as in human medicine. In the formation of the disease, with the development of industry and technology, besides genetic factors urbanization, sedentary life, fast and high-calorie food consumption and many environmental factors such as smoking and alcohol use play role. In addition to this, many situations are shown in animals such as breed, neutralism, relationship with the owner, ration content, loss of hunter, catcher, etc. characteristics by assimilating to today's conditions. Many internationally recognized institutions such as the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) ATPIII, the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), the World Health Organization (WHO), the Turkish Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism have made definitions for metabolic syndrome. In this article, metabolic syndrome, which has a significant impact on human and animal life, is examined in general terms.

Construct Validity of a Questionnaire on Eating and Physical Activity Habits for Adolescents in Mexico City.

The assessment of eating and physical activity habits is an important step in promoting healthy behaviors among the adolescent population and is key in the prevention and management of chronic non-communicable diseases, such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. For this purpose, reliable and valid measuring instruments are essential. In this context, the aim of this article is to present the validation of a self-report questionnaire on eating and physical activity habits among adolescents in Mexico City. In order to validate the questionnaire, a cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 2710 adolescents between 11 and 12 years of age, the piloting of the questionnaire was carried out in September 2022 with a focus group, and the programming of the anthropometric measurements was established with the Federal Educational Authority of CDMX, as well as the application of the questionnaire to 33 schools, with these activities being scheduled from 7 November 2022 to 3 February 2023 and having an application duration of 15-25 min for each of the groups to which it was applied; the questionnaire that was applied consists of 31 questions that refer to the frequencies, quantity, or performance of behaviors related to the frequency and type of food, type of physical activity and behaviors related to the act of eating referring to the place where it is carried out (home or away from home) and with whom it is carried out (alone or in company), and about the individual's lifestyle. Subsequently, the reliability of the instrument was evaluated using Cronbach's alpha coefficient, and an exploratory factor analysis was conducted to determine the structure of the questionnaire. The results obtained showed that the questionnaire was adequately reliable (α = 0.778) with an eight-factor structure: four questions on mealtime frequencies, four questions on physical activity and lifestyles, six questions on the consumption of high-calorie foods, four questions on company and food consumption, four questions on the consumption of vegetables and fruits, four questions on the place of food consumption, two questions on the consumption of alcoholic beverages, and three questions on the consumption of sugary drinks, plain water, and milk. In conclusion, the self-report questionnaire on eating and physical activity habits among adolescents in Mexico City is reliable, has adequate internal consistency, and can therefore be used as a useful tool for the evaluation of eating and physical activity habits in this population.

Gender-Based Determinants of Obesity among Thai Adolescent Boys and Girls

Understanding the determinants that influence obesity among children and adolescents is critical to the prevention of obesity and obesity-related diseases later in life. The findings presented here broaden the understanding of obesity-related challenges by adding analyses that compare nutritional indicators among boys and girls between the ages of 11 and 16 years, by exploring the more recent literature to examine if past trends have continued or not, and by synthesizing the recent findings concerning the causes and determinants of such trends in obesity. Both data from 2005 and the more recent literature review have shown that the consumption of high calorie foods and snacks, greater screen time, body image, and depressive factors play a significant role regarding obesity during adolescence in Thailand. There continues to be a trend of increasing obesity among adolescents in Thailand, and this may be more of a concern in boys. Interviews with health professionals and parents from the 2005 study suggested that girls were more aware of their physical appearance, and there was more societal acceptance to be obese as a boy in Thailand compared to girls. These findings can inform nutritional education practices and policies.

Clinical and laboratory features of the course of non-alcoholic liver steatosis in women in the early postmenopausal period living on the territory of an industrial megapolis

The aim. To study risk factors, clinical features, anthropometric, biochemical and metabolic parameters, parameters of the functional state of the endothelium, the level of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and markers of hemostasis in patients with non-alcoholic liver steatosis in the early postmenopausal period living in Perm. Materials and methods. 100 women in the early postmenopausal period were examined: 70 patients with the clinical form non-alcoholic liver steatosis and overweight or obesity of varying severity (49.9±1.1 years) and 30 practically healthy women without obesity and liver pathology (47.3±2.6 years). Biochemical parameters, lipid spectrum, insulin, leptin, leptin receptors, interleukin-6 (IL-6), markers of endothelial dysfunction, hemostasis parameters were determined in the blood of all subjects, body mass index (BMI), free leptin index, NOMA-IR and Caro were calculated. Liver steatosis was determined by ultrasound examination. Results. General weakness (35%), severity (35%) and pain (15%) in the right hypochondrium (35%), dyspepsia - belching (25%), nausea (15%), heartburn (10%), flatulence (10%). Hypertension was observed in 60% of women, type 2 diabetes mellitus - in 24%. All patients had a genoid type of obesity. 34% of women with non-alcoholic liver steatosis were overweight, 29% were obese of the 1st degree, 23% were obese of the 2nd degree, and 14% of patients were obese of the 3rd degree. Conclusion: In the examined women with non-alcoholic liver steatosis in the early postmenopausal period living in Perm, risk factors for the development of obesity were identified: consumption of high-calorie foods with high fat and sugar content and hypokinesia, and the course of the disease was accompanied by the development of dyslipidemia, insulin and leptin resistance, inflammatory syndrome with activation of proinflammatory cytokine IL-6 and hyperfibrinogenemia, and also endothelial dysfunction, the severity of which increased during the transition from 1 to 2-3 degrees of obesity.

AEROBIC EXERCISE TRAINING DURING ADOLESCENCE REVERSES THE METABOLIC DYSFUNCTION INDUCED BY THE LITTLE REDUCTION MODEL

Sedentary lifestyle and consumption of high-calorie foods contribute to the development ofindividuals with risk factors for non-communicable diseases. Aerobic exercise is one of themain non-pharmacological strategies in this confrontation. This work aims to evaluate theeffects of moderate-intensity exercise (MIE) on biometric and metabolic parameters of adultmale Wistar rats, programmed for obesity during the lactation period. The litters werestandardized in 9 pups until the 3rd day of life, and later adjusted in Normal Litters (NL), andReduced Litters (SL). At 21 days, the offspring were weaned and divided into sedentary(SED) and exercised (EXE) groups, forming 4 experimental groups: NL-SED, NL-EXE, SL-SED and SL-EXE. EXE rats performed a moderate-intensity treadmill running protocol from30 to 60 years old. All groups were euthanized at 120 days. The results showed that the litterreduction made the animals heavier (p<0.0001), hyperphagic (p<0.001), greater mesenteric fatstock (p<0.0001), insulin resistant (p=0.0001) and glucose intolerant (p=0.0001), whencompared to equivalent controls. MIE promoted a reduction in body weight (p=0.001) andmesenteric fat (p<0.0001), better insulin sensitivity (p=0.01) and glucose tolerance (p=0.003).It is concluded, therefore, that MIE performed in adolescence attenuates the deleteriouseffects observed on body composition and glucose metabolism in adult animals, programmedearly for obesity.

ASSESSMENT OF LIFESTYLE CHANGES AND THEIR EFFECT ON HEALTH AMONG CHILDREN OF ≤15 YEARS DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC, IN NORTH INDIA

Objective: The objectives of the study were: (1) To assess life style changes among children of ≤15 years of age during COVID-19 pandemic and (2) to find out the effect of the life style changes on health of children of ≤15 years of age. Methods: The cross-sectional comparative study conducted at department of pediatrics, Vivekananda Polyclinic and Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow for duration of 1 year and sample size found to be 276 on calculation by applying the formula. Results: Out of 278 children, about 39% (108) were female children. Most of children were studying in primary level classes (52.51%) and most of enrolled children had joint family (66.18%). Level of physical activity reduced significantly due to closure of school and restriction on outdoor activities. Weight of children increased significantly during COVID-19 pandemic seems to be due to decreased in physical activities and consumption of more fast food/fried food (high calorie intake) and sedentary life style. Conclusion: During COVID-19 pandemic due to closure of schools and restricted outdoor activities results in decrease level of physical activities, increased consumption of high calorie food and sedentary behavior lead to increase in weight of children and changes in sleeping pattern of children.

Abstract 4239: Alternate-day fasting enhances the activity of anti-androgen therapy in prostate cancer models

Abstract Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common cancer diagnosed in men in the Western countries. Epidemiological studies have suggested that environmental factors such as the Western diet, characterized by the consumption of high caloric food containing large amounts of animal protein and fats, play a key role in the pathogenesis of PCa. We propose that dietary intervention, by reducing caloric or protein intake, may be beneficial for the treatment of PCa. Our previous data suggests that dietary protein restriction reduces tumor growth in a LuCaP23.1 patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model of PCa. Thus, we tested the hypothesis whether caloric restriction induced by alternate-day fasting has a similar effect. Interestingly, caloric restriction had antitumor activity in the LuCaP23.1 model but only alternate-day fasting reduced the expression of androgen receptor (AR), a major driver of PCa growth. Therapies targeting AR activity, termed androgen deprivation therapies including the AR antagonist enzalutamide (ENZ), are the current standard of care for PCa. To address the therapeutic potential of combining alternate-day fasting with anti-androgens, we utilized the syngeneic mouse PCa xenograft models MyC-CaP and PTEN−/− RB−/−, and the human LuCaP23.1 PDX model. These AR-positive xenograft models harbor the oncogenic drivers most frequently found in PCa (i.e., MYC amplification and loss of the tumor suppressor PTEN). Here, we show that alternate-day fasting enhances the activity of ENZ in these PCa xenograft models. Interestingly, the combination of alternate-day fasting with ENZ treatment reduced AR expression and signaling, and decreased proliferation and tumor growth as compared to either single treatment alone. Consistent with these findings, the reduction of AR activity by the depletion of endogenous androgens following surgical castration was enhanced with alternate-day fasting. Conversely, dietary protein restriction had no effect in combination ENZ in vivo, suggesting that modulation of AR by alternate-day fasting enhances the effect of anti-androgens. Transcriptomic analysis of tumors from fasted mice confirmed decreased AR transcriptional activity and revealed that several nutrient sensitive pathways were reduced by this dietary regimen, including PI3K/AKT signaling, mTORC1 signaling, and glycolysis. Additionally, we observed that several known factors induced by fasting were upregulated in tumors from fasted mice, including SIRT1 which has been suggested to modulate AR transcriptional activity. In conclusion, we demonstrate that alternate-day fasting reduces AR signaling and enhances the activity of ENZ in several PCa xenograft models. Overall, this study suggests that caloric restriction may improve the efficacy of anti-androgen therapy in PCa patients. Citation Format: Ricardo Cordova, May Elbanna, Angela Klunk, Christopher Rupert, Li Shen, Yanqing Wang, David Goodrich, Ron Wek, Kirk Staschke, Luigi Fontana, Roberto Pili. Alternate-day fasting enhances the activity of anti-androgen therapy in prostate cancer models. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 4239.

Healthy cravings? Impact of imagined healthy food consumption on craving for healthy foods and motivation to eat healthily - Results of an initial experimental study

Craving for high-calorie foods predicts consumption of high-calorie foods thereby contributing to unhealthy eating habits and, potentially in the long term, to the development of overweight, obesity, and eating disorder pathology. Thus, effective interventions tackling craving for unhealthy foods and motivating healthy eating behavior are needed. This initial study tested if an experimental mental imagery procedure could induce craving for healthy foods and increase the motivation to eat healthily. Participants (N = 82) were randomized to either a healthy craving mental imagery condition or to a neutral mental imagery control condition. Craving for healthy foods and motivation to eat healthily was assessed before and after the experimental manipulation via self-report. A (disguised) food choice for healthy versus unhealthy food was added as a behavioural measure at the end of the experiment. Repeated measures of variance analyses with time (pre vs. post experimental manipulation) and condition (healthy craving mental imagery versus neutral mental imagery) yielded significant interactions for healthy craving and motivation to eat healthily: Post-hoc tests showed that craving for healthy foods and motivation to eat healthily increased significantly after the experimental manipulation in the healthy craving mental imagery condition, but not in the neutral mental imagery condition. Results of this initial study suggest that an experimental mental imagery induction of craving for healthy food leads to an increase in healthy craving and motivation to eat healthily. Further experimental research is needed to rule out priming effects, to test the underlying mechanisms of this effect, and evaluate the potential of this mental imagery procedure in a clinical context.

Food addiction: A perspective

ABSTRACT Food addiction (FA) refers to an excessive and dysregulated consumption of high-calorie foods that are hyperpalatable. Although it does not feature in the current classificatory systems of psychiatric disorders, it has gained prominence as a result of the obesity pandemic. It shares many features with addictive disorders and eating disorders such as binge eating disorder and bulimia nervosa. Changes in the brain–gut–microbiome interactions, genetic polymorphisms (dopamine, opioid, leptin, and melanocortin-4 receptor), and altered connectivity in various brain circuits are some of the etiological factors for the development of FA. Depression, anxiety, emotional dysregulation, impaired decision-making, high impulsivity and neuroticism, lower conscientiousness, and extraversion are some of the risk factors for FA. When confronted with excess stress or burnout, predisposed individuals consume food for comfort-seeking and to avoid unpleasant emotions placing them at a greater risk of FA. Lifestyle modification, cognitive behavior therapy, pharmacotherapy, cognitive training, psychobiotics, low carbohydrate ketogenic therapy, self-help groups, virtual reality, and neuromodulation techniques can be incorporated into the management of FA. Unless FA and its comorbidities are identified and managed appropriately, it will impede weight loss, and the results of interventions for the management of obesity will not be sustained. Preventive strategies include early identification and management of at-risk adolescents, incorporating programs promoting healthy food choices and eating habits, and more regulation of pleasurable foods in child and youth settings. The onus of taking responsibility to implement measures to curb FA lies with the food industry, governments through statutory regulations, and the society at large.

Changes in dietary habits and eating behaviors during COVID-19 induced confinement: A study from Jordan.

This study aimed to evaluate dietary habits (DH) and eating behaviors (EB) among adults during confinement induced by COVID-19 in Jordan. In this cross-sectional study, an online survey designed to assess the change in DH and EB during April and May 2020 was distributed using various social media platforms. The survey was completed by a total of 1844 adult (18-72 years) participants from the public in Jordan. The results indicated an increase (42.5-61.8%) in most of the DH and EB examined in the current study in the majority of participants. Among these changes, they have increased (p<0.05) the prevalence of fruit and vegetable, immune boosters, water, and hot beverage consumption, as well as decreased (p<0.05) eating in restaurants and fatty food consumption, indicating a positive change. Conversely, a larger (p<0.05) proportion of participants reported increased consumption of high-calorie food and late-night eating, indicating a risky behavior for obesity and subsequent chronic complications. Additionally, age, sex, obesity, education, income, and type of job appeared to contribute (p<0.05) to changes in DH and EB. Overall, confinement caused by COVID-19 appears to compel adults to adopt a specific DH and EB. Although most of these changes were positive, some were negative. This study provides essential information for designing subpopulation recommendations and developmental programs for adults under such conditions.