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Nutrients
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Dietary Assessments for Weight Management
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Dietary Assessments for Weight Management

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 August 2025) | Viewed by 6018

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Juana María Morillas Ruiz

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Pharmacy and Nutrition, Campus de Los Jerónimos, Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia, Guadalupe, 30107 Murcia, Spain
Interests: clinical biochemistry; clinical nutrition; oxidative stress; antioxidants; cardiovascular risk; obesity
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Desirée Victoria-Montesinos

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Pharmacy and Nutrition, UCAM Universidad Católica de Murcia, 30107 Murcia, Spain
Interests: nutrition; physiology; clinical nutrition; mediterranean diet; sport nutrition; clinical biochemistry
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Dietary assessment is a cornerstone of effective weight management strategies, providing crucial insights into the relationship between nutritional habits and obesity. Accurate dietary evaluation not only aids in identifying patterns associated with weight gain or loss, but also guides the development of tailored interventions to support individuals in achieving sustainable health goals.

This Special Issue, ‘Dietary Assessments for Weight Management’, aims to explore innovative methodologies and applications in the assessment of dietary intake and their implications for managing body weight. With obesity and related comorbidities reaching global epidemic levels, understanding the nuances of dietary patterns has never been more critical. From traditional approaches to emerging technologies, such as digital dietary tracking and biomarkers of intake, this Special Issue seeks to highlight advancements that enhance precision and applicability in both research and clinical practice.

We welcome contributions that delve into diverse areas, including, but not limited to, dietary assessment tools, their accuracy and limitations, the role of diet in weight regulation, and the interplay between dietary habits, metabolic health, and behavioral interventions. Original research and reviews are encouraged.

Dr. Juana María Morillas Ruiz
Dr. Desirée Victoria-Montesinos
Guest Editors

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. 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

  • dietary assessments
  • weight management
  • obesity
  • nutritional habits
  • metabolic health
  • dietary patterns
  • nutritional interventions

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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20 pages, 1174 KB  
Article
Enhancing Child Digital Dietary Self-Monitoring via Positive Reinforcement: Proof-of-Concept Trial
by Lauren G. León, Elizabeth Anderson Steeves, Jeffrey Reinbolt, Tami H. Wyatt and Hollie Raynor
Nutrients 2025, 17(21), 3341; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17213341 - 24 Oct 2025
Viewed by 639
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Dietary self-monitoring (DSM) is an essential behavior change strategy in pediatric nutrition interventions, but engagement is poor. Positive reinforcement (PR) techniques are used to improve behaviors in children. This proof-of-concept trial examined the ability to implement two types of PR, caregiver praise [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Dietary self-monitoring (DSM) is an essential behavior change strategy in pediatric nutrition interventions, but engagement is poor. Positive reinforcement (PR) techniques are used to improve behaviors in children. This proof-of-concept trial examined the ability to implement two types of PR, caregiver praise and gamification, using a digital DSM log. Methods: Families were recruited between February and October 2024. Children aged 8–12 years (n = 19) and an adult caregiver were randomly assigned to DSM conditions with or without caregiver praise and/or gamification (2 × 2 factorial design). Children tracked intake of fruits, vegetables, sweet/salty snack foods, and sugar-sweetened beverages for 4 weeks in a digital log. Feasibility focused on examining the amount of PR delivered. DSM behaviors (frequency and timing), child intrinsic motivation, and log usability and acceptability were also examined. Results: Gamification was implemented significantly more than caregiver praise. Caregiver praise was delivered on 12.2 ± 5.8 of 28 days, whereas gamification was delivered on 20.8 ± 12.3 of 28 days. There were no differences in DSM behaviors between PR conditions. Overall, children tracked on 23.6 ± 4.6 of 28 days, recorded 69.3% ± 45.1% of items on day of intake, and completed 23.1 ± 8.2 logging sessions. Additionally, there were no differences in child intrinsic motivation between PR conditions, and children and caregivers generally found the log usable and acceptable. Conclusions: The automation of gamification, which provides immediate, consistent, and convenient PR, may provide unique advantages for reinforcing child behaviors compared to praise, which relies on caregiver implementation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Assessments for Weight Management)
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26 pages, 2591 KB  
Systematic Review
Effect of Polyphenol-Rich Interventions on Gut Microbiota and Inflammatory or Oxidative Stress Markers in Adults Who Are Overweight or Obese: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
by Álvaro González-Gómez, Martina Cantone, Ana María García-Muñoz, Desirée Victoria-Montesinos, Carmen Lucas-Abellán, Ana Serrano-Martínez, Alejandro M. Muñoz-Morillas and Juana M. Morillas-Ruiz
Nutrients 2025, 17(15), 2468; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17152468 - 29 Jul 2025
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 5061
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Being overweight and obesity are major public health concerns that demand effective nutritional strategies for weight and body composition management. Beyond excess weight, these conditions are closely linked to chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and gut dysbiosis, all of which contribute to cardiometabolic [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Being overweight and obesity are major public health concerns that demand effective nutritional strategies for weight and body composition management. Beyond excess weight, these conditions are closely linked to chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and gut dysbiosis, all of which contribute to cardiometabolic risk. Polyphenols—bioactive compounds in plant-based foods—may support improvements in body composition and metabolic health by modulating gut microbiota, reducing oxidative stress, and suppressing inflammation. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effects of polyphenol-rich interventions on gut microbiota composition, in combination with either oxidative stress or inflammatory biomarkers, and their potential impact on body composition in overweight or obese adults. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, and Web of Science was conducted through May 2025. Eligible randomized controlled trials included adults (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2) receiving polyphenol-rich interventions, with reported outcomes on gut microbiota and at least one inflammatory or oxidative stress biomarker. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) were pooled using a random-effects model. Results: Thirteen trials (n = 670) met inclusion criteria. Polyphenol supplementation significantly reduced circulating lipopolysaccharides (LPSs; SMD = −0.56; 95% CI: −1.10 to −0.02; p < 0.04), indicating improved gut barrier function. Effects on cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α) and CRP were inconsistent. Catalase activity improved significantly (SMD = 0.79; 95% CI: 0.30 to 1.28; p < 0.001), indicating enhanced antioxidant defense. Gut microbiota analysis revealed increased butyrate (SMD = 0.57; 95% CI: 0.18 to 0.96; p < 0.001) and acetate (SMD = 0.42; 95% CI: 0.09 to 0.75; p < 0.01), supporting prebiotic effects. However, no significant changes were observed in BMI or body weight. Conclusions: Polyphenol supplementation in overweight or obese adults may reduce metabolic endotoxemia, boost antioxidant activity, and promote SCFAs production. Effects on inflammation and body weight remain unclear. Further long-term trials are needed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Assessments for Weight Management)
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