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Nutrients
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Dietary Behaviors and Obesity Predisposition
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Dietary Behaviors and Obesity Predisposition

A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Nutrition and Obesity".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 September 2024) | Viewed by 15133

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Demosthenes Panagiotakos

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Science and Education, Harokopio University, Athens, Greece
Interests: chronic disease epidemiology; nutritional epidemiology; public health; Mediterranean diet
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The goal of this Special Issue, “Dietary Behaviors and Obesity Predisposition”, is to show the importance of dietary behaviors that predispose individuals to the occurrence of obesity.

Specifically, the aim is to clarify dietary behaviors (i.e., food choices or eating behaviors or dietary intake) that are associated with a higher risk of obesity (e.g., is skipping breakfast associated with an increased risk of obesity?), common dietary behavioral characteristics of people with obesity (e.g., do people with obesity, compared to people without obesity, have different intakes of specific nutrients such as protein or vitamin D intake?) and possible associations between different dietary behaviors (e.g., is snack time associated with snack quality, and if so, does this association have an effect on the risk or the management of obesity?).

The papers submitted will provide healthcare professionals with clear and updated evidence on which dietary behaviors are of concern when managing or trying to prevent obesity.

Prof. Dr. Demosthenes Panagiotakos
Guest Editor

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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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. Nutrients 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 2900 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

  • obesity
  • dietary behaviors
  • obesity risk factors
  • obesity prevention
  • obesity management
  • lifestyle modifications
  • nutritional epidemiology
  • public health

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research

4 pages, 149 KiB  
Editorial
Dietary Behaviors and the Living Environment Can Explain Residual Obesity Risk
by Demosthenes Panagiotakos
Nutrients 2025, 17(9), 1413; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17091413 - 23 Apr 2025
Viewed by 159
Abstract
Despite substantial advancements and extensive funding in obesity research—spanning the development of novel pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments, as well as numerous public health initiatives—the global prevalence of obesity continues to escalate at an alarming rate [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Behaviors and Obesity Predisposition)

Research

Jump to: Editorial

12 pages, 284 KiB  
Article
Parental Acculturation and Its Effect on Preschool-Aged Children’s Health Behaviors Among Latinos in Nevada: A Cross-Sectional Study
by Christopher Johansen, Miguel Antonio Fudolig, Liliana Davalos and Brisa Rodriguez Alcantar
Nutrients 2024, 16(21), 3610; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16213610 - 24 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1089
Abstract
Background: Latino children in the United States (US) have a higher prevalence of overweight/obesity compared to white children. Previous studies suggest that acculturation to the US is associated with health behaviors such as diet, body mass index (BMI), and physical activity. However, the [...] Read more.
Background: Latino children in the United States (US) have a higher prevalence of overweight/obesity compared to white children. Previous studies suggest that acculturation to the US is associated with health behaviors such as diet, body mass index (BMI), and physical activity. However, the role of parental acculturation remains understudied, particularly with the use of validated measures. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate parental acculturation and its association with parental interpersonal factors and health behaviors in the preschool-aged child. Methods: Data were analyzed from 187 Latino parents in Nevada. Parents completed a self-reported, cross-sectional survey. Acculturation was assessed using Norris’ 4-item validated acculturation measure. The average age of the preschool-aged children was 45.5 months, and their mean BMI percentile was 96.4% (SD ± 18.7). The mean parental acculturation score was 2.1 (SD ± 1.2). Children were physically active an average of 4.9 (SD ± 2.0) days per week. After controlling for covariates, the results indicated that parental acculturation was positively associated with physical activity and sugar-sweetened beverage consumption. However, parental acculturation was not associated with child BMI percentile, or the consumption of fruits, vegetables, and sweet snacks. Conclusions: These findings can inform future research on culturally tailored intervention strategies to boost physical activity and reduce sugar-sweetened beverage intake among Latino preschool-aged children. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Behaviors and Obesity Predisposition)
14 pages, 796 KiB  
Article
Does Online Social Support Affect the Eating Behaviors of Polish Women with Insulin Resistance?
by Katarzyna Magdalena Pastusiak, Matylda Kręgielska-Narożna, Michalina Mróz, Agnieszka Seraszek-Jaros, Wiktoria Błażejewska and Paweł Bogdański
Nutrients 2024, 16(20), 3509; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16203509 - 16 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1219
Abstract
Background: Insulin resistance, a key factor in developing type 2 diabetes mellitus, is linked to various health conditions. The basis of its treatment is lifestyle modification. However, adherence to nutritional and other medical recommendations can be challenging for chronic disease patients due to [...] Read more.
Background: Insulin resistance, a key factor in developing type 2 diabetes mellitus, is linked to various health conditions. The basis of its treatment is lifestyle modification. However, adherence to nutritional and other medical recommendations can be challenging for chronic disease patients due to many factors, including demographics, social context, gender, age, and the patient’s baseline health condition. This study aims to evaluate the impact of online support group members on the diet quality of women with insulin resistance. Methods: This study was conducted as an online survey consisting of KomPAN (validated food frequency questionnaire) augmented with questions regarding using professional counseling and membership in support groups. The study covered 1565 women with insulin resistance, 1011 of whom were associated with the online support group. Results: The mean pHDI (pro-health diet index) was 5.18 ± 2.69 in the support groups and 4.86 ± 2.69 in the control group (p = 0.0319. There were no significant differences in the nHDI (non-health diet index). We found that the pHDI is associated with financial situations, the household’s situation, occupation education level, and medical or dietitian care, whereas occupation, medical, and dietitian care affect the nHDI. Membership in support groups is related to a higher pHDI and state of self-assessment of nutritional knowledge. Conclusions: Our study indicates a relationship between participation in online support groups and dietary behaviors and the subjective assessment of nutrition knowledge. Future research should focus on elucidating the mechanisms behind these influences and exploring how these communities can be optimized for broader public health initiatives. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Behaviors and Obesity Predisposition)
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14 pages, 2285 KiB  
Article
Synergistic Effect of β-Cryptoxanthin and Epigallocatechin Gallate on Obesity Reduction
by Kazuhiko Nakadate, Kiyoharu Kawakami and Noriko Yamazaki
Nutrients 2024, 16(14), 2344; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16142344 - 20 Jul 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1869
Abstract
Chronic obesity is an alarmingly growing global public health concern, posing substantial challenges for the prevention of chronic diseases, including hyperinsulinemia, type 2 diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and coronary artery disease, and there is an urgent need for early mitigation strategies. We previously reported [...] Read more.
Chronic obesity is an alarmingly growing global public health concern, posing substantial challenges for the prevention of chronic diseases, including hyperinsulinemia, type 2 diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and coronary artery disease, and there is an urgent need for early mitigation strategies. We previously reported the obesity-reducing effects of green tea and β-cryptoxanthin intake. However, since tea has a complex mixture of compounds, it remained unclear which component contributed the most to this effect. Using high-performance liquid chromatography, we analyzed the components of tea in this study to determine if consumption of any combination of these compounds with β-cryptoxanthin had an obesity-reducing effect. Consuming epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a component of green tea, and β-cryptoxanthin for 4 weeks led to a decrease in body weight. Moreover, the weight and size of the white adipose tissues were significantly reduced, and blood biochemistry test results were comparable to normal values, with particular improvement in liver function. This indicated that intake of EGCG and β-cryptoxanthin reduces obesity in both subcutaneous and visceral fat. These findings suggest that simultaneous intake of EGCG and β-cryptoxanthin not only reduces obesity but also has a systemic beneficial effect on the body’s normal physiological function. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Behaviors and Obesity Predisposition)
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16 pages, 634 KiB  
Article
Mediterranean-Type Diet Adherence and Body Mass Index through 20 Years of Follow-Up: Results from the ATTICA Cohort Study (2002–2022)
by Evangelia Damigou, Michael Georgoulis, Christina Chrysohoou, Fotios Barkas, Elpiniki Vlachopoulou, Petros S. Adamidis, Evrydiki Kravvariti, Costas Tsioufis, Christos Pitsavos, Evangelos Liberopoulos, Petros P. Sfikakis and Demosthenes Panagiotakos
Nutrients 2024, 16(8), 1128; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16081128 - 11 Apr 2024
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1931
Abstract
Evidence of the association between dietary habits and long-term body weight status is scarce. This study aimed to evaluate changes in Mediterranean-type diet (MTD) adherence in relation to body weight during 20 years of follow-up. Data from n = 1582 participants from the [...] Read more.
Evidence of the association between dietary habits and long-term body weight status is scarce. This study aimed to evaluate changes in Mediterranean-type diet (MTD) adherence in relation to body weight during 20 years of follow-up. Data from n = 1582 participants from the ATTICA cohort study (2002–2022) were used. MTD adherence was assessed via MedDietScore, and body weight status via body mass index (BMI) by 3 different measurements. We found that MTD adherence and changes in this adherence were inversely related to BMI at 20 years and the mean BMI during the 20-year follow-up. In multi-adjusted linear regression models, a 1/55 increase in baseline, 10-year, and 20-year MedDietScore was associated with a decrease of 0.05–0.13 kg/m2 in BMI at 20 years and of 0.08–0.09 kg/m2 in the mean BMI. Being consistently close to the MTD for 20 years was associated with a >90% decreased risk of maintaining overweight/obesity during the 20-year period. Strong, protective, long-lasting effects of the MTD were observed, even in those who deviated from the MTD in the follow-up (41% of the sample). Our results highlight the need to focus on the overall diet quality to minimize the risk of maintaining an excessive body weight during the life-course. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Behaviors and Obesity Predisposition)
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11 pages, 901 KiB  
Article
Emotional Eating as a Mediator in the Relationship between Dietary Restraint and Body Weight
by Yaqi Wang, Mandy Ho, Pui-Hing Chau, Susan M. Schembre and Daniel Yee Tak Fong
Nutrients 2023, 15(8), 1983; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15081983 - 20 Apr 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2565
Abstract
This study aimed to assess the relationships between routine and compensatory restraints and body mass index (BMI), as well as to explore the mediating role of emotional and external eating in the relationships between routine and compensatory restraints and BMI. Chinese adults aged [...] Read more.
This study aimed to assess the relationships between routine and compensatory restraints and body mass index (BMI), as well as to explore the mediating role of emotional and external eating in the relationships between routine and compensatory restraints and BMI. Chinese adults aged ≥18 years with different weight statuses were invited to fill out an online questionnaire. Routine and compensatory restraints and emotional and external eating were assessed using the validated 13-item Chinese version of the Weight-Related Eating Questionnaire. Mediation analyses tested the mediation effects of emotional and external eating on the relationship between routine and compensatory restraints and BMI. In total, 949 participants (26.4% male) responded to the survey (mean age = 33 years, standard deviation (SD) = 14, mean BMI = 22.0 kg/m2, SD = 3.8). The mean routine restraint score was higher in the overweight/obese group (mean ± SD = 2.13 ± 0.76, p < 0.001) than in the normal weight (2.08 ± 0.89) and underweight (1.72 ± 0.94) groups. However, the normal weight group scored higher in compensatory restraint (2.88 ± 1.03, p = 0.021) than the overweight/obese (2.75 ± 0.93) and underweight (2.62 ± 1.04) groups. Routine restraint was related to higher BMI both directly (β = 0.07, p = 0.02) and indirectly through emotional eating (β = 0.04, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.03, 0.07). Compensatory restraint was only indirectly related to higher BMI through emotional eating (β = 0.04, 95% CI = 0.03, 0.07). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Behaviors and Obesity Predisposition)
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13 pages, 302 KiB  
Article
Exploring the Applicability of General Dietary Recommendations for People Affected by Obesity
by Matthias Marsall, Gerrit Engelmann, Martin Teufel and Alexander Bäuerle
Nutrients 2023, 15(7), 1604; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15071604 - 25 Mar 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 5278
Abstract
(1) Obesity has emerged as a major public health challenge with increasing prevalence globally. The General Dietary Behavior Inventory (GDBI) was developed based on official dietary recommendations. However, little is known about whether general dietary recommendations also apply to people affected by obesity [...] Read more.
(1) Obesity has emerged as a major public health challenge with increasing prevalence globally. The General Dietary Behavior Inventory (GDBI) was developed based on official dietary recommendations. However, little is known about whether general dietary recommendations also apply to people affected by obesity and whether the GDBI can be used appropriately. (2) A cross-sectional study was conducted. A total of 458 people meeting the inclusion criteria participated in the study. The assessment consisted of the GDBI and behavioral, dietary, and health-related variables. We used descriptive analysis to examine the item characteristics of the GDBI and inferential statistics to investigate the associations between the GDBI score and behavioral, dietary, and health-related outcomes. (3) Several items of the GDBI were concerned by ceiling effects. A higher GDBI score (indicating a higher adherence to dietary recommendations) was related to higher age, higher nutrition knowledge, more restrained eating behavior, lower impulsivity, and higher body mass index. There were no associations between the GDBI score and reported physical and mental health or quality of life. (4) The GDBI showed inconsistent relationships with the study outcomes. General dietary recommendations do not appear to be applicable to people with obesity. Hence, there is an urgent need for specific recommendations and subsequent assessments of behavioral adherence for people affected by obesity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Behaviors and Obesity Predisposition)
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