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Healthcare
Special Issues
Healthy Nutrition for Children and Adolescents: Risks and Health Consequences
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Healthy Nutrition for Children and Adolescents: Risks and Health Consequences

A special issue of Healthcare (ISSN 2227-9032).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2027 | Viewed by 6771

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Oskar Kowalski

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Guest Editor
Department of Human Nutrition, Department of Dietetics, Faculty of Public Health in Bytom, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, ul. Jordana 19, 41-808 Zabrze, Poland
Interests: child nutrition; complementary feeding; food selectivity; nutritional neophobia; childhood and adolescent obesity; nutrition in autoimmune diseases; neurodevelopmental disorders; genetic diseases; clinical dietetics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Agnieszka Białek-Dratwa

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Human Nutrition, Department of Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences in Bytom, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Jordana 19, 41-808 Zabrze, Poland
Interests: food neophobia; arfid; nutrition; dietary habits; nutritional education; dietetics; health behavior; health children and adolescent
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Agata Kiciak

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor Assistant
Department of Food Technology and Quality Assessment, School of Public Health in Bytom, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, ul. Jordana 19, 41-808 Zabrze, Poland
Interests: nutrition; dietary habits; nutritional education; dietetics; health behavior; body composition health children and adolescent; analysis sensory

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Modern challenges in the nutrition of young people, such as being overweight, obesity, malnutrition, or unhealthy eating habits, represent a significant public health issue with long-term consequences that can impact the quality of life and development of future generations. These challenges also include disorders such as food neophobia and ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder), which are increasingly diagnosed among children and adolescents, further complicating the nutritional situation in this age group.

This Special Issue aims to understand and address modern challenges in the nutrition of children and adolescents, such as being overweight, obesity, malnutrition, unhealthy eating habits, as well as disorders like food neophobia and ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder). The consequences of these issues extend beyond physical health, affecting the quality of life, social development, and educational potential of young individuals, while also increasing the risk of chronic diseases in adulthood. The key task is to implement comprehensive measures that include nutrition education, the promotion of healthy consumer choices, and close collaboration between parents, schools, and public institutions. This approach aims to improve the health of younger generations, minimize negative health and social consequences, and support the development of lasting health-promoting habits.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

  • The importance of proper nutrition in the physical and mental development of children and adolescents.
  • Risks associated with an unhealthy diet, including obesity, nutrient deficiencies, and eating disorders.
  • Food neophobia and ARFID – causes, diagnosis, health, and social consequences.
  • The role of functional foods and bioactive components in the diets of young people.
  • Prevention of diet-related diseases among children and adolescents.
  • Nutrition education as key to health prevention.

I look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Oskar Kowalski
Dr. Agnieszka Białek-Dratwa
Guest Editors

Dr. Agata Kiciak
Guest Editor Assistant

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Healthcare is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • nutrition
  • dietary habits
  • nutritional education
  • dietetics
  • health behavior
  • body composition
  • children and adolescents’ health
  • food neophobia
  • ARFID
  • eating disorders
  • obesity
  • functional foods
  • bioactive components
  • health prevention

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 697 KB  
Article
Iron Deficiency Anemia in Infants—Diagnostic Challenge and Assessment of Dietary Impact on Its Prevalence
by Kinga Ilnicka-Borowczyk, Małgorzata Dobrzyńska, Katarzyna A. Kaczmarek-Kryszak, Anna Szczepańska-Álvarez, Tomasz Podgórski, Jagoda Osipa, Hanna Markowska, Dagmara Woźniak and Sławomira Drzymała-Czyż
Healthcare 2026, 14(5), 574; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14050574 - 25 Feb 2026
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Abstract
Background/Objectives: Iron deficiency affects 2% of infants under six months of age and 4–18% of infants aged 6–12 months and may lead to anemia. Given the consequences of iron deficiency in infancy and the importance of adequate nutrition, this study aimed to [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Iron deficiency affects 2% of infants under six months of age and 4–18% of infants aged 6–12 months and may lead to anemia. Given the consequences of iron deficiency in infancy and the importance of adequate nutrition, this study aimed to assess indicators of iron metabolism in infants whose parents participated in nutritional education. Methods: The study included 104 infants, divided into a study group (SG, n = 52) receiving a nutritional education intervention and a control group (CG, n = 52). Peripheral blood morphology parameters and biochemical markers, e.g., iron status (serum iron, transferrin, ferritin, and hepcidin), were evaluated at 3 and 12 months of age. Additionally, at study end, parents completed a three-day dietary diary to assess their infant’s iron intake. Results: After nearly one year of intervention, no cases of anemia based on hemoglobin concentration were identified in either group. However, infants in the SG were less likely to present iron and ferritin concentrations below reference ranges compared to the CG. In the CG, low ferritin levels occurred more frequently at 12 months than at baseline. This finding may be related to higher dietary iron intake in the SG, as insufficient iron intake was more common among the CG. Heatmap analysis revealed strong positive correlations among erythrocyte indices, confirming their internal consistency. No single parameter emerged as a superior marker of iron deficiency, emphasizing the need for a combined assessment of iron status. Conclusions: Parental nutritional education may improve iron status and reduce the risk of iron metabolism disorders in infants. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Healthy Nutrition for Children and Adolescents: Risks and Health Consequences)
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Review

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20 pages, 517 KB  
Review
Nutrition for Children with Down Syndrome—Current Knowledge, Challenges, and Clinical Recommendations—A Narrative Review
by Sebastian Żur, Adam Sokal, Wiktoria Staśkiewicz-Bartecka, Agata Kiciak, Mateusz Grajek, Karolina Krupa-Kotara, Oskar Kowalski and Agnieszka Białek-Dratwa
Healthcare 2025, 13(17), 2222; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13172222 - 4 Sep 2025
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 5480
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Children with Down syndrome (DS) present unique and multifaceted nutritional challenges arising from genetic, metabolic, and developmental factors. Despite growing interest in the health of individuals with DS, dedicated nutritional guidelines tailored to their specific needs remain lacking. This narrative review aims [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Children with Down syndrome (DS) present unique and multifaceted nutritional challenges arising from genetic, metabolic, and developmental factors. Despite growing interest in the health of individuals with DS, dedicated nutritional guidelines tailored to their specific needs remain lacking. This narrative review aims to summarize current scientific evidence on nutritional status, challenges, and therapeutic strategies in children with DS, with an emphasis on clinical implications and practical recommendations for healthcare professionals. Methods: A literature search was conducted across four databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar) for English-language publications from 1993 to June 2025. Thirty-five peer-reviewed articles were included, comprising original studies, narrative reviews, and expert guidelines (e.g., the American Academy of Pediatrics [AAP], the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition [ESPGHAN], and the European Federation of Associations of Dietitians [EFAD]). The selection process followed the PRISMA protocol. Studies were categorized according to key themes: energy requirements, comorbidities, feeding difficulties, nutrient needs, and therapeutic interventions. Results: Children with DS typically exhibit lower basal metabolic rates and altered body composition (i.e., higher fat mass and reduced lean mass), which increase their risk of both obesity and nutrient deficiencies. Common comorbidities—such as hypothyroidism, celiac disease, and gastrointestinal or immune disorders—further complicate dietary management. Feeding difficulties, including sucking/swallowing impairments, food selectivity, neophobia, and delayed independence in eating, are prevalent and significantly affect diet quality. Key nutrients of concern include protein, omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, vitamins B12 and D, iron, and antioxidants. Although no official nutrition guidelines currently exist for this population, existing recommendations from pediatric and dietetic organizations provide partial guidance that can be adapted to clinical practice. Conclusions: There is an urgent need to develop evidence-based, population-specific dietary guidelines for children with Down syndrome. Clinical nutrition care should be individualized, multidisciplinary, and proactive, integrating regular assessments of growth, feeding abilities, and biochemical markers. Dietitians must play a central role in both early intervention and long-term management. Further research, particularly interventional studies, is essential to optimize dietary strategies and improve health outcomes in this vulnerable population. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Healthy Nutrition for Children and Adolescents: Risks and Health Consequences)
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