Caloric Intake Research Articles

Failure to thrive: A proposed diagnostic approach.

Failure to thrive is a general term describing infants who do not reach weight, length, or body mass index expected for their age. It can be related often to malnutrition due to inadequate caloric and protein intake, but also to excessive loss of nutrients, inadequate metabolism, inadequate absorption, or excessive caloric and energy expenditure. It may be either organic or inorganic in origin, and in most cases, does not require investigation through complementary examinations. It is associated with social and health detrimental outcomes. Most cases of failure to thrive are of non-organic etiology, thus clinical history evaluation and physical examination are of utmost importance in the management of these patients. Therapeutics includes behavioral or nutritional interventions, as well as treatment of possible underlying diseases. The treatment approach is more effective in improving clinical outcomes if applied as early as possible.

The (dys)regulation of energy storage in obesity.

Metabolic energy stored mainly as adipose tissue is homeostatically regulated. There is strong evidence that human body weight (BW) is physiologically regulated, i.e. maintained within a relatively narrow range in most mammals, including humans. Nevertheless, the prevalence of obesity has increased markedly in recent decades and now constitutes major medical and socioeconomic problems worldwide. This review focuses on understanding this paradox and the clinical issues that it has spawned: how and why do individuals become obese and how can we help those with obesity lose excess BW and body fat and maintain whatever loss they achieve. Excess BW gain occurs when physiological responses that usually resist short-term weight gain fail to compensate for excess caloric intake occurring over extended periods of time, often over many years or even decades. On the other hand, the difficulties of achieving BW loss and maintenance of reduced BW in obese subjects are due, in part, to the operation of the same physiological regulatory system that helps maintain a healthy BW in individuals without obesity. But, given obesity's association with many pathological conditions, we maintain that the physiological processes that resist BW loss and persistently drive regain are examples of dysregulation. Here we review research in humans and animals addressing these and other unresolved issues in the physiology of obesity. We bring important unresolved problems into focus, and, in some cases, propose hypotheses that can further elucidate their mechanisms to provide research opportunities into modalities that might lead to more effective treatments of obesity.

I Did 10,000 Steps so I Earned This Treat: Problematic Smartwatch Use and Exercise Tracking Associations with Compensatory Eating and Sedentary Activity.

Smartwatches are digital devices, similar to smartphones, and come with the possibility of problematic use. Problematic technology use is the experience of psychological distress or reduced daily functioning in response to excessive or addictive technology use. The purpose of this study was to explore whether problematic use of smartwatch devices for exercise tracking influences user's health behaviors such as eating habits and sedentary activity. An online survey was conducted among college-aged smartwatch users (n = 221). Results showed that using smartwatches for exercise tracking has a positive relationship with compensatory eating behavior (i.e., increasing caloric intake after exercise) when the use is higher in problematic use. This study concludes that although smartwatch devices are promoted to aid healthy behaviors, their impact on positive health outcomes may be limited for some users, to the extent that compensatory eating can derail fitness goals and may exacerbate eating behaviors. Future research should aim to develop health messaging for smartwatch users to make them aware of the potential for compensatory eating behavior to undermine their goals in the face of excessive smartwatch use for fitness purposes.

An Assessment of Intermittent and Continuous Enteral Feeding in Critically Ill Children

Background: The inability to ensure adequate nutrition for patients, and failure to provide adequate calorie and protein intake, result in malnutrition, leading to increased morbidity and mortality. The present study assesses the two approaches to enteral nutrition—intermittent and continuous enteral feeding—in critically ill pediatric patients in Türkiye to determine the superiority of one method over the other. Methods: Included in this multicenter prospective study were patients receiving enteral nutrition via a tube who were followed up over a 3-month period. Anthropometric data, calorie and protein intake, and signs of feeding intolerance were evaluated in a comparison of the different feeding methods. Results: A total of 510 patients were examined. In the continuous enteral feeding (CEF) group, 20.2% of patients developed metabolic abnormalities, and 49.5% experienced enteral nutrition intolerance, both of which were higher than in the intermittent enteral feeding (IEF) group, and the differences were statistically significant. No significant differences were observed between the two feeding methods in terms of reaching the target calorie intake on days 2 and 7 (p > 0.05). On day 7, there were significant differences between the two feeding methods in terms of calorie and protein intake (p = 0.023 and 0.014, respectively). Conclusions: In the present study, assessing the IEF and CEF approaches to enteral nutrition, critically ill pediatric patients receiving intermittent feeding exhibited lower rates of enteral nutrition intolerance and metabolic abnormalities. Furthermore, the calorie and protein intake on day 7 were noted to be higher in the IEF group than in the CEF group. Further randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm the findings of the present study.

Diencephalic Syndrome in Adolescents: A Case Series

AbstractIntroductionTwo pediatric patients presented with unintentional weight loss despite normal caloric intake. Both patients later developed neurological symptoms, and a neoplastic lesion was detected in the hypothalamic‐optic chiasmatic region. The location of the tumor and the significant weight loss aligned with diencephalic syndrome (DES), which typically occurs in infants and young children. However, both patients were in their teens and thus greatly deviated from the normal age range of this disorder.Methods/ResultsAfter chart review we analyzed the patients with a focus on the similarities in their clinical course and final diagnosis. Both patients were ultimately diagnosed with DES. Managing the patients' tumors allowed them to experience significant weight gain and return to daily life activities.DiscussionAlthough the exact pathogenesis for DES is not fully understood, the symptoms are associated with hypothalamic dysfunction. DES has been accepted as a disorder of the hypothalamic hunger and satiety control mechanisms. With both patients having tumors in the hypothalamic‐optic chiasmatic region, it is expected that the growing mass would compress the hypothalamus and disrupt normal hypothalamic function. Because of the hypothalamus' role in hunger and satiety control mechanisms, it is logical that these disruptions could produce abnormal weight changes.ConclusionDES is a rare condition and typically only presents in infants and toddlers. Thus, this syndrome occurring in teenage populations represents a rare diagnosis in an unexpected demographic. The novelty of this presentation led to delays in diagnosis and effective treatment. Greater awareness of the occurrence of DES in atypical demographics is needed to ensure proper patient management.

Lupeol Attenuates Palmitate-Induced Hypertrophy in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes

Obesity is characterized by the enlargement of adipose tissue due to an increased calorie intake exceeding the body’s energy expenditure. Changes in the size of adipose tissue can lead to harmful consequences, with excessive fat accumulation resulting in adipocyte hypertrophy and promoting metabolic dysfunction. These adiposity-associated pathologies can be influenced by dietary components and their potential health benefits. Lupeol, a pharmacologically active pentacyclic triterpenoid found in medicinal plants, vegetables, and fruits, has been shown to exhibit antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This study investigated the role of lupeol on adipocyte hypertrophy by evaluating key adipogenic regulators in vitro. First, 3T3-L1 MBX mouse embryonic cells were differentiated into adipocytes and hypertrophy was induced using 500 µM palmitic acid. The treated adipocytes showed a significantly increased lipid droplet size, confirming adipocyte hypertrophy. Both adipocytes and hypertrophied adipocytes were then treated with or without 60 µM lupeol, following a dose-dependent study. Lipid droplet size was assessed and validated by Oil Red O staining. Western blot analysis was performed to measure the expression of adipogenic and inflammatory markers. Differentiated adipocytes showed increased fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4) expression and Oil Red O staining, indicating an increased lipid content. Western blot analysis revealed that lupeol treatment reduced the expression of FABP4, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ), and adipokines. In conclusion, the results suggest that lupeol reverts the inflammatory and adipogenic markers that are enhanced in adipocyte hypertrophy. Through its anti-inflammatory effects, lupeol offers protective effects against adipocyte hypertrophy and contributes to reducing hypertrophic adiposity.

Partially unraveling mechanistic underpinning and weight loss effects of time-restricted eating across diverse adult populations: A systematic review and meta-analyses of prospective studies.

Time-restricted eating (TRE) is a promising and cost-effective dietary approach for weight management. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of TRE on weight loss in three adult populations using pre- and post-intervention analyses while also investigating its underlying mechanism. A systematic search was conducted across four databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and the CENTRAL) up until January 28, 2024, specifically focusing on prospective studies that examined the efficacy of TRE in achieving weight loss. A random effects model was employed to conduct meta-analyses, while heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 statistic (PROSPERO: CRD42023439317). The study encompassed 36 selected studies involving 44 effect sizes and 914 participants. The effectiveness of the TRE was found to vary across health conditions, with modest weight loss observed in healthy individuals (pooled effect size -1.04 Kg, 95% CI: -1.42 to -0.65) and more significant weight reduction seen in participants with chronic diseases (pooled effect size -3.33 Kg, 95% CI: -5.05 to -1.62) and overweight/obesity (pooled effect size -4.21 Kg, 95% CI: -5.23 to -3.10). The observed decrease in body weight could be partially attributed to factors influencing energy balance, as evidenced by the significantly lower mean calorie intake at the end of the intervention (1694.71 kcal/day, 95% CI: 1498.57-1890.85) compared to the baseline intake (2000.64 kcal/day, 95% CI: 1830-2172.98), despite the absence of intentional efforts to restrict energy intake by the participants. These findings support the efficacy of this lifestyle intervention for weight loss maintenance and guide the development of its clinical guidelines.

Triple Threat: How Global Fungal Rice and Wheat Pathogens Utilize Comparable Pathogenicity Mechanisms to Drive Host Colonization.

Plant pathogens pose significant threats to global cereal crop production, particularly for essential crops like rice and wheat, which are fundamental to global food security and provide nearly 40% of the global caloric intake. As the global population continues to rise, increasing agricultural production to meet food demands becomes even more critical. However, the production of these vital crops is constantly threatened by phytopathological diseases, especially those caused by fungal pathogens such as Magnaporthe oryzae, the causative agent of rice blast disease, Fusarium graminearum, responsible for Fusarium head blight (FHB) in wheat, and Zymoseptoria tritici, the source of Septoria tritici blotch (STB). All three pathogens are hemibiotrophic, initially colonizing the host through a biotrophic, symptomless lifestyle, followed by causing cell death through the necrotrophic phase. Additionally, they deploy a diverse range of effectors, including proteinaceous and non-proteinaceous molecules, to manipulate fundamental host cellular processes, evade immune responses, and promote disease progression. This review discusses recent advances in understanding the effector biology of these three pathogens, highlighting both the shared functionalities and unique molecular mechanisms they employ to regulate conserved elements of host pathways, such as directly manipulating gene transcription in host nuclei, disrupting reactive oxygen species (ROS) signaling, interfering with protein stability, and undermining host structural integrity. By detailing these complex interactions, the review explores potential targets for innovative control measures and emphasizes the need for further research to develop effective strategies against these destructive pathogens in the face of evolving environmental and agricultural challenges.

The Impact of Restaurant Menu Calorie Information on People with Eating Disorders: A Scoping Review

Calorie information is often provided on food packaging and is a legal requirement in many countries. There is some evidence to suggest that attention to calorie counting can have a detrimental effect on those with eating disorders (EDs). The aim of this review is to summarise current research relating to the impact of restaurant menu calorie labelling on people with EDs. A search was carried out using the CINAHL Complete and Medline databases. Ten papers were included in the final review. Recent statistics show that the incidence of EDs is increasing. These studies assessed the impact of calorie information on people with EDs. Policies, such as calorie labelling on restaurant menus, could be a contributing factor. Studies exploring the effect the policy has had on obesity levels have not demonstrated a significant positive impact on reducing calorie intake. Qualitative studies conducted in England show the extent to which people with EDs are affected. Much of the data from the transcripts highlighted the negative thoughts that this policy has evoked. A review of the literature has demonstrated that this policy has had a negative impact on people with EDs and little benefit for those with obesity, who may also experience EDs.

Confronting food insecurity through agricultural interventions: the Farmer FIRST program in India

IntroductionNutrition-sensitive agricultural interventions are crucial in addressing malnutrition and promoting food security. The Farmer, Farm, Innovation, Resources, Science, and Technology (FIRST) Program is a national-level agricultural intervention program that was started in 2016 by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). Its primary objective is to transform the lives and livelihoods of Indian farmers, with a focus on income and livelihood security. This program envisages agricultural interventions ensuring national food security goals, with improved agricultural practices, enhanced food production, and increased access to nutritious food, especially for vulnerable populations.MethodsThis study aims to investigate the food security improvement resulting from implementing nutrition-sensitive interventions introduced under the Farmer FIRST Program (FFP) in 15 agroecological zones. Four key indicators were employed to assess food security in the technology-focused field intervention: food availability, purchasing power, food gap, and food diversity. Food availability was measured at the macro level (state or national) using per capita food availability. However, at the micro level, particularly for farmers who produce their food and are secure in terms of availability, yield increases from the selected interventions under FFP served as an alternative measure. Purchasing power was assessed by the additional income generated to buy food during the off-season. The food gap was assessed using the cereal equivalent quantity (CEQ), which captures an aspect of consumers’ nutritional security. Its impact in India was evaluated using the propensity score matching technique with difference-in-difference (D-i-D) measure to estimate the unbiased overall effect on food security. Food diversity was captured using Barry’s index.ResultsA sample of 2,282 respondents were interviewed from 2016 to 2020 to elicit data on the prevalence of undernutrition in India, which is 16.3%. The results revealed that post-intervention of the FFP, cereal availability increased by 147.74% in the Northern Plain, while pulses recorded over 200% growth in three regions. The incremental per capita farm income exceeded INR 20,000 in several zones, with the Northern Plain showing an increase of over 21 times. Food diversity improved marginally, supported by the integrated farming system. Overall, FFP interventions transformed nutritional security, benefiting 1,915 households, particularly in regions with historically low calorie intake, thereby demonstrating substantial gains in food security and living standards.ConclusionThe Farmer FIRST Program (FFP) has significantly improved dietary intake among participating households, enhancing food security. Nutrition-sensitive agricultural interventions under the FFP have reduced undernutrition by increasing food availability, boosting purchasing power, and narrowing the food gap.

Trauma exposure and posttraumatic stress symptoms: Associations with self-reported dietary and exercise changes.

Exposure to trauma and subsequent posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) increase the risk of poor physical health outcomes. Yet, the nuances of the paths from trauma to poor health are largely theoretical, and research regarding how trauma types relate to specific trauma-related changes to diet and exercise is needed. The present study examined the associations between noninterpersonal and interpersonal trauma and PTSS with several novel dietary and exercise changes (i.e., perceived trauma-related diet changes in intake of calories, comfort food, refined carbohydrates, and sugar as well as changes in exercise amount and intensity). Participants were 430 Midwestern University trauma-exposed students (Mage = 23.87, SD = 6.90, range = 18-63; 81.1% female; 56.9% White). Higher PTSS corresponded to increased perceived trauma-related changes in consumption of calories, comfort foods, carbohydrates, and sugar (Bs = 0.1-.02). Interpersonal trauma was not tied to dietary changes, and noninterpersonal traumas were linked to decreased sugar intake. For trauma-related exercise changes, higher PTSS was associated with both increased likelihood of lower intensity exercise (B = .02) and higher intensity exercise (B = .03), yet neither trauma types were related. Further, neither trauma exposure nor PTSS was associated with perceptions in trauma-related increases in exercise amount. PTSS, as opposed to types of trauma exposure, may be the primary driver of perceived trauma-related diet and exercise changes. The identification of trauma-related health modifications may help improve health outcomes of trauma survivors, and ongoing work should examine whether trauma-focused treatment reduces maladaptive changes to diet and exercise. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).

Assessment of the Nutritional Composition and Environmental Impact of Menus Served in a University Cafeteria During an Academic Year

Diets will likely play a crucial role in the Anthropocene to support the population’s health and safeguard environmental sustainability for future generations. Based on a cross-sectional–observational–descriptive design for evaluating an entire menu proposal, data on the type and composition of the menus offered by a university catering service during an academic year were collected. Each day during the meal service, 10 plates of the same option offered were weighed, and 10 photographs were taken. With these data, the nutritional value and carbon footprint were evaluated for all possible combinations of first and second courses, while including the average values of other components of the menu (garnishes, bread, desserts, and beverages). The annual menu proposal resulted in 6478 combinations of first and second courses plus the other components. The average caloric intake was 1194 kcal/menu with high consumption of proteins and lipids, and the average carbon footprint was 1.86 kg carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2eq)/menu, with the second course being the major contributor. Creating menus that consider these two essential parameters is the task of specialists. Achieving food consumption that balances nutrition and environmental sustainability is another issue of education and communication.

Analysis of the Factors Influencing the Calories of Cereals

Cereals are a major global source, classified into whole and refined grains. Whole grain cereals provide a higher nutritional value due to the inclusion of the bran, germ, and endosperm, making them a rich source of dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Conversely, refined grains undergo processing that eliminates the bran and germ components, resulting in a loss of valuable nutrients. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in exploring the health benefits of whole grain cereals. Research has established a connection between whole grains consumption and reduced risks of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers. Additionally, whole grains are recognized for their role in maintaining digestive health and promoting satiety which can aid in weight management. Therefore, this paper aims to investigate how various element present total calorie content using R-studio. The findings reveal that calories serves as the independent variable while protein content, type, sugars and carbohydrates act as independent variables influencing calorie levels accordingly. Cereal type plays a negative role by increasing calories whereas other factors contribute positively positively towards increased caloric intake levels

Fat vs. Sugar: The Case for a Saturated Fat Tax in Italy.

When judging the distributional impact of unhealthy food taxes, what matters is not just how much low income people would pay but how much the such taxes would benefit or harm them overall. In this paper, we assess the consumer welfare impact of a fat tax net of its expected benefits computed as savings from weight loss. Using Italian data, we estimate a censored Exact Affine Stone Index (EASI) incomplete demand system for food groups, simulating changes in purchases, calorie intake, consumer welfare, and the monetary value of short-run health benefits. While the Italian government has proposed a sugar tax, we show that there is no significant excess consumption of added sugars among Italian adults. Instead, excessive fat consumption is more prevalent, making a fat tax a more compelling and effective solution to address diet-related health risks. Our results suggest costs from fat taxation are larger than benefits at all income levels. As a fraction of income, the net impact would be slightly regressively distributed.

Gastrostomy tube feeding in children: a single-center experience

BackgroundDespite the widespread use of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) in pediatric populations, there is a paucity of data on the indications and outcomes of this procedure in Switzerland. This manuscript presents our experience with PEG indication, outcomes, and related complications in children.MethodsThis single-center retrospective study included patients < 18 years old who underwent PEG placement between 2007 and 2016. We retrieved demographics, PEG indications, associated comorbidities, pre-placement workup, growth parameters up to 12 months, and associated complications.ResultsEighty-one patients were included, with a median age of 7 years. Common indications included inadequate caloric intake (85%), failure to thrive, and feeding difficulties. Neurological conditions (46%) were the most commonly associated comorbidity. Thirty-six patients (44%) underwent a pH study before PEG placement. There were significant increases in z-scores for weight (p < 0.002) and body mass index (p < 0.001) 12 months after PEG placement. Minor complications were relatively frequent (n = 55, 68%), mainly granulation tissue or local erythema. Two patients had major complications.ConclusionPEG is a safe technique for providing long-term enteral nutrition in children, with neurological disease being the most common clinical indication. Our experience demonstrated significant weight gain in children after one year of PEG, with frequent but well-controlled complications.

Carbohydrate Ingestion Eliminates Hypoglycemia & Improves Endurance Exercise Performance in Triathletes Adapted to Very Low & High Carbohydrate Isocaloric Diets.

Very-low-carbohydrate diets (LCHF; <50g/day) have been debated for their potential to lower pre-exercise muscle and liver glycogen stores and metabolic efficiency, risking premature fatigue. It is also hypothesized that carbohydrate ingestion during prolonged exercise delays fatigue by increasing carbohydrate oxidation, thereby sparing muscle glycogen. Leveraging a randomized crossover design, we evaluated performance during strenuous time-to-exhaustion (70%⩒O2max) tests in trained triathletes following 6-week high-carbohydrate (HCLF, 380g/day) or very-low-carbohydrate (LCHF, 40g/day) diets to determine (i) if adoption of the LCHF diet impairs time-to-exhaustion performance, (ii) whether carbohydrate ingestion (10g/hour) 6-12x lower than current CHO fuelling recommendations during low glycogen availability (>15-hour pre-exercise overnight fast and/or LCHF diet) improves time-to-exhaustion by preventing exercise-induced hypoglycemia (EIH; <3.9mmol/L; <70mg/dL), and (iii) the "keto-adaptation" time course through continuous substrate monitoring while caloric intake, physical activity, and fat-free mass are maintained. Time-to-exhaustion performance was similar across both dietary interventions. Minimal carbohydrate supplementation prevented EIH and significantly increased time-to-exhaustion equivalently in LCHF and HCLF interventions (22%). The LCHF diet significantly lowered 24-hour glucose concentrations, which normalized after 4 weeks, at the same timepoint peak blood ketone (R-β-hydroxybutyrate) concentrations normalized. These findings (i) demonstrate that a LCHF diet sustains strenuous endurance performance, (ii) establish that minimal carbohydrate supplementation was sufficient to enhances exercise performance on LCHF and HCLF diets by mitigating EIH, and (iii) indicate that a minimum 4-week adaptation period to an LCHF diet is required to ensure normalization of metabolic homeostasis, glycemic control and exercise performance.

Children's executive functioning and health behaviors across pediatric life stages and ecological contexts.

Executive functioning (EF) has been linked to chronic disease risk in children. Health behaviors are thought to partially explain this association. The current cross-sectional study evaluated specific domains of EF and varied health behaviors in three pediatric life stages. Pediatric participants (early childhood n = 2074, Mage = 6.4 ± 0.9y; middle childhood n = 3230, Mage = 9.6 ± 1.2y; adolescence n = 1416, Mage = 15.2 ± 1.7y) were part of the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program. They completed neurocognitive tasks measuring cognitive flexibility, behavioral inhibition, and working memory. Parent- and/or child-report measures of dietary intake, physical activity, sleep duration and quality, income, and positive parenting were also collected. Neighborhood crime and greenspace were calculated from publicly available census-tract level indices. After adjusting for study site, child body mass index, and demographics, working memory was related in the hypothesized direction to several dietary behaviors within all pediatric life stages. Working memory and cognitive flexibility were positively related to physical activity in middle childhood and adolescence. In adolescence, behavioral inhibition was positively related to physical activity and inversely related to sugar-sweetened beverage and total caloric intake. Associations with sleep were all non-significant. All significant associations reflected small effect sizes. Income, positive parenting, greenspace, and crime did not significantly influence any of the EF-health behavior associations. Findings highlight the need to consider EF domains, specific health behaviors, and developmental stage in creating intervention strategies that target EF to improve health behaviors. The small effect sizes reinforce the need for multi-tiered interventions to maximize health.

Early Optimal Parenteral Nutrition During NICU Stay and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Very Preterm Infants: State of the Art

Background: Preterm infants (PIs) are more susceptible to neurodevelopmental impairment compared with term newborns. Adequate postnatal growth has been associated with improved neurocognitive outcomes; therefore, optimization of nutrition may positively impact the neurodevelopment of PIs. Objective: This study focused on macronutrient parenteral nutrition (PN) intake during the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit stay and their associations with neurodevelopmental outcomes in PIs in the first two years of life. Methods: The Embase, MEDLINE, and Cochrane Library databases were searched using the following subject headings and terms (MeSH): “premature infants”, “parenteral nutrition”, “growth”, “brain”, “neurodevelopment”, and “central nervous system diseases”. All relevant papers’ reference lists were manually searched. PN and neurodevelopment studies concerning the first two years of life were collected and analyzed. Results: 275 potential studies were retrieved, 64 were selected for full-text reading, and 22 were included (12 randomized controlled trials). While glucose intakes should be immediately provided and strictly monitored avoiding hyperglycemia, the long-term outcomes of aggressive PN caloric intakes are uncertain. Early amino acid (AA) supplementation is mandatory and improves short-term growth, though it is questionable whether increased AA and better neurodevelopment are directly related. Lipid infusion should be initiated right after birth, and further investigation will enable us to ascertain the potential impacts of lipid emulsions, particularly fish oil, on PI neurodevelopment. Conclusions: An aggressive PN and its possible metabolic complication could not favor neurodevelopment; the way forward could be a customized approach, depending on the patient’s clinical state and tolerance. Long-term follow-up studies and the search for specific markers of tolerance are warranted.

Impact of Early Nutritional Intervention During Cancer Treatment on Dietary Intakes and Cardiometabolic Health in Children and Adolescents

Background/Objectives: Pediatric cancer survivors are at greater risk of cardiometabolic complications than their peers. This study evaluates the preliminary impact of the VIE (Valorization, Implication, Education) intervention, which integrates nutrition, physical activity, and psychological support, on dietary intake and cardiometabolic health among children and adolescents during cancer treatment. Methods: This comparative study includes pediatric cancer patients recruited to either the VIE intervention group or a control group receiving standard care. Post-treatment data on dietary intake, anthropometric measures, blood pressure, and biochemical parameters were compared between groups and stratified by level of involvement in the nutritional intervention and age at diagnosis (children and adolescents). Results: In the intervention group, 45 participants were included (51.1% male, mean age at evaluation 10.2 ± 4.5 years, mean time since end of treatment of 1.3 ± 0.8 years), and the control group comprised 77 participants (44.2% male, mean age at evaluation 12.0 ± 5.6 years, mean time since end of treatment of 1.4 ± 0.8 years). The intervention group had lower total caloric intake (mean: 1759 ± 513 vs. 1997 ± 669 kcal, p = 0.042) and higher calcium intake (mean: 567 ± 240 vs. 432 ± 197 mg/1000 kcal, p = 0.001). The participants who were highly involved in the nutritional intervention had greater protein-derived energy intake than the controls (mean: 17 ± 5 vs. 15 ± 4%, p = 0.029). While there was a tendency for a lesser proportion of cardiometabolic risk factors in the adolescents from the intervention group, the differences did not reach statistical significance. Conclusions: The VIE intervention improved some specific dietary intakes in the medium term after treatment completion but did not significantly impact cardiometabolic health outcomes. Additional strategies are needed to improve the diet of pediatric cancer patients, and further research is warranted to assess the long-term impact of such interventions.

Cloud-based adolescent physical health research incorporating cell molecular biomechanics insights into predictive modeling and biometric algorithms

The physical health of adolescents is critical to their future development and quality of life. However, there is still much room for improvement in monitoring and intervention of adolescent physical health in colleges and universities. Based on the National Standard for Student Physical Fitness and Health, this study proposes a physical health management framework for adolescents that combines a cloud platform and real-time data analysis. Through an innovative health monitoring and early warning system and feedback mechanism, the effectiveness of health intervention was significantly improved. Body mass index is related to the balance between energy intake and expenditure at the cellular level. Excessive calorie intake can lead to an increase in adipose cells, which secrete molecules that can affect overall metabolism and biomechanical stress on tissues. Lung capacity is linked to the elasticity and strength of the alveolar cells and the connective tissue in the lungs. he proper functioning of these cells, regulated by intracellular signaling pathways and molecular interactions, determines the efficiency of gas exchange. The 50-meter run, seated forward bending, standing long jump, pull-ups/sit-ups, and 800-meter/1000-meter run all involve muscle contractions. Muscle cells contain actin and myosin filaments, and the sliding of these filaments, regulated by calcium ions and other molecular signals, generates the force required for movement. The graded early warning parameters established by the system can thus be seen as indicators of potential disruptions in these cell molecular biomechanical processes. The innovative health monitoring and early warning system and feedback mechanism not only help students recognize the weaknesses in their physical functions from a macroscopic level but also potentially identify areas where cell molecular biomechanical imbalances may exist. This enables physical education teachers to formulate personalized training plans that can target and correct these imbalances, as experimentally validated by the system's ability to accurately identify health risks and enhance the overall health of students.