Search Results (241)

The purpose of this study was to examine vegetable consumption and its relationship with lifestyle characteristics among children and adolescents. Data from a health survey administered to a representative sample of 177,091 schoolchildren between the ages of 8 and 17 were employed in this observational, cross-sectional investigation. Physical activity level, screen time, and sleeping patterns were assessed using self-completed questionnaires. Vegetable consumption and dietary habits were analyzed using the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index for Children and Adolescents. Participants consuming vegetables more than once daily were categorized as consumers vs. non-consumers. Physical education teachers measured anthropometric and physical fitness factors. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression analysis were conducted, and the odds ratio with the corresponding 95% confidence interval was calculated and adjusted for confounders. Vegetables were consumed once or more times a day by more females than males (25.5% vs. 24.0%, p < 0.001). In both sexes, vegetable consumers slept more, ate healthier, spent less time on screens, and had better anthropometric and aerobic fitness measurements than non-consumers. Healthy eating practices, such as regularly consuming fruits, legumes, nuts, and dairy products, were strongly correlated with vegetable intake. For every one-year increase in age, the odds of being a vegetable consumer decreased by 8% and 10% in boys and girls, respectively. Overweight/obese participants had lower odds of being a vegetable consumer by 20%. Increased screen time, inadequate physical activity, and insufficient sleeping hours decreased the odds of being a vegetable consumer by 22%, 30%, and 25%, respectively (all p-values < 0.001). Overall, a healthier lifestyle profile was associated with higher vegetable intake for both sexes among children and adolescents. Full article

Background/Objectives: Acrylamide is a probably carcinogenic to humans that naturally forms during the thermal processing of foods. An individual’s lifestyle—especially dietary habits and physical activity—may influence the severity of acrylamide’s adverse health effects. This study aimed to examine the relationship between adolescents’ dietary and exercise behaviors and their dietary acrylamide exposure and associated health risks. Methods: This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted with 370 high school students in Türkiye. Data were collected using the Nutrition Exercise Behavior Scale (NEBS) and a retrospective 24-h dietary recall questionnaire. Acrylamide exposure was calculated based on food intake to estimate carcinogenic (CR) and non-corcinogenic (target hazard quotient: THQ) health risks and analyzed in relation to NEBS scores. Results: Findings indicated that while adolescents are beginning to adopt healthy eating and exercise habits, these behaviors are not yet consistent. Emotional eating and unhealthy food choices still occur. Higher acrylamide exposure and risk values were observed in boys and underweight individuals. This can be explained mainly by the fact that boys consume more of certain foods—especially bread, which contains relatively higher levels of acrylamide—than girls do, and that underweight individuals have lower body weights despite consuming similar amounts of food as other groups. Bread products emerged as the primary source of daily acrylamide intake. Positive correlations were found between NEBS total and subscale scores and acrylamide exposure and health risk values. Conclusions: The study demonstrates a significant association between adolescents’ health behaviors and acrylamide exposure. These results underscore potential public health concerns regarding acrylamide intake during adolescence and emphasize the need for targeted nutritional interventions to reduce risk and promote sustainable healthy behaviors. Full article

Background: Skipping breakfast, a prevalent issue among children and adolescents, has been reported to be associated with academic performance and long-term health. However, less attention has been given to the types of breakfast foods consumed. Therefore, our study aims to investigate the association between breakfast variety and dietary knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) among preadolescents. Methods: The study included 1449 students in grades 4–6 from Zhongshan city, Guangdong province. Data were collected through face-to-face field investigation using a validated questionnaire. The questionnaire encompassed sociodemographic characteristics, as well as dietary KAP. Results: Among all participants, 1315 reported consuming breakfast daily. Dietary diversity varied significantly: 8.8% consumed only 1 type of food, 52.9% consumed 2–4 types, and 38.3% consumed ≥5 types. Students who consumed a greater variety of breakfast foods exhibited more favorable dietary and lifestyle patterns. Specifically, those who consumed ≥5 types of food showed statistically significant associations with healthier practices, including reduced intake of sugary beverages and night snacks, stronger adherence to dietary guidelines, more positive attitudes toward improving eating habits, longer sleep durations, increased participation in meal preparation, greater dish variety in meals, and higher engagement in daily physical activity. Conclusions: Breakfast variety was associated with KAP, particularly when breakfast types ≥ 5, providing more sufficient and favorable evidence for breakfast consumption. Full article

Food addiction (FA) is an emerging psychiatric condition that presents behavioral and neurobiological similarities with other addictions, and its early identification is essential to prevent the development of more severe disorders. The aim of the present study was to determine the ability of anthropometric measures, eating habits, symptoms related to eating disorders (ED), and lifestyle features to predict the symptoms of food addiction. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a sample of 702 university students (77.3% women; age: 22 ± 6 years). The Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), the Yale Food Addiction Scale 2.0 (YFAS 2.0), the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26), anthropometric measurements, and a set of self-report questions on substance use, physical activity level, and other questions were administered. A total of 6.4% of participants presented symptoms compatible with food addiction, and 8.1% were at risk for ED. Additionally, 26.5% reported daily smoking, 70.6% consumed alcohol, 2.9% used illicit drugs, and 29.4% took medication; 35.3% did not engage in physical activity. Individuals with food addiction had higher BMI (p = 0.010), waist circumference (p = 0.001), and body fat (p < 0.001) values, and a higher risk of eating disorders (p = 0.010) compared to those without this condition. In the multivariate logistic model, non-dairy beverage consumption (such as coffee or alcohol), vitamin D deficiency, and waist circumference predicted food addiction symptoms (R²_Nagelkerke = 0.349). Indeed, the machine learning approaches confirmed the influence of these variables. Conclusions: The prediction models allowed an accurate prediction of FA in the university students; moreover, the individualized approach improved the identification of people with FA, involving complex dimensions of eating behavior, body composition, and potential nutritional deficits not previously studied. Full article

Background and Objectives: Maternal vitamin D (25-hydroxyvitamin D, 25(OH)D) deficiency during pregnancy is associated with adverse outcomes for both mother and fetus. While vitamin D supplementation is commonly recommended, dietary and lifestyle factors influencing maternal 25(OH)D levels at term remain underexplored, particularly in Southern Europe. Aim: This study aimed to investigate prenatal determinants of maternal 25(OH)D levels at the time of delivery, focusing on dietary intake, supplement use, and seasonal variation. Materials and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study on 248 pregnant women admitted for delivery at the General Hospital of Piraeus “Tzaneio” between September 2019 and January 2022. A structured questionnaire was used to assess prenatal intake of vitamin D-rich foods (such as fatty fish, eggs, dairy, and fortified products), supplement use (dose, frequency), sun exposure habits, and lifestyle factors. Maternal serum 25(OH)D concentrations were measured from blood samples collected at the time of admission for delivery. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics and multivariate linear regression to identify independent dietary and supplemental predictors of maternal vitamin D status. Results: A high prevalence of maternal vitamin D deficiency (VDD) was observed, particularly during the autumn and winter months. Women who reported regular intake of vitamin D supplements (400–800 IU daily) had significantly higher 25(OH)D levels compared to those who did not. Dietary intake of vitamin D-rich foods was positively associated with maternal 25(OH)D status, although the effect size was smaller compared to supplementation. Seasonal variation, BMI, and limited sun exposure were also independent predictors. Conclusions: Both vitamin D supplementation and increased dietary intake were positively associated with maternal 25(OH)D concentrations at delivery. These findings underscore the importance of prenatal nutritional assessment and targeted supplementation strategies to prevent maternal VDD in Mediterranean populations. Full article

Physical and mental health show strong associations with health-related behavior. University students are one of the at-risk groups who are in a vulnerable transition phase from adolescence to adulthood, significantly affecting their health-related lifestyle. This study aims to identify different groups of university students with homogeneous health-related behavior, considering their dietary habits, physical activity, alcohol and tobacco consumption, mental well-being and lifestyle change motives. For data collection, an anonymous, closed-ended paper-and-pencil questionnaire was administered to a sample of 171 university students. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, a t-test for independent samples, a chi-square test, Spearman correlation and hierarchical cluster analyses (Ward’s method, Dendrogram). On average, students reported good health (M = 4.84), including daily physical activity (M = 31.35 min) and regular consumption of fruits (M = 4.02) and vegetables (M = 4.19). The hierarchical cluster analysis revealed two distinct patterns among the students: “Caring for a healthy lifestyle” (N = 69) and “Physically inactive with poor mental well-being” (N = 62). Better health-related behavior was found among male students enrolled in higher study years (p ≤ 0.01). These findings provide new insights into the different patterns of health-related behavior among university students that require targeted health promotion actions. Universities should develop and implement courses in healthy lifestyles and sustain them in the curricula. Full article

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted daily life, disrupting routines and altering lifestyle behaviors. This study aimed to investigate changes in body weight, nutritional status, and weight loss practices among adults in Türkiye during the first year of the pandemic. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted between March and April 2021, including 806 participants. Height and weight were self-reported, and weight loss practices, along with their details, were evaluated. A qualitative component explored participants’ perceptions of weight change, with 274 valid responses. The mean weight gain during the pandemic was 0.88 kg (p < 0.001). Among participants, 44.9% reported weight gain, 22.6% reported weight loss, and 14.1% experienced weight fluctuation. Among those who experienced weight fluctuations, 47.4% resulted in weight loss, 14.9% showed no change, and 37.7% experienced weight gain. The prevalence of overweight increased from 19.2% to 22.8%, and obesity rose from 8.7% to 9.4% (p = 0.005). Regarding weight loss practices, 30.1% of participants engaged in physical exercise, while 25.7% reported following weight loss diets. Qualitative analysis revealed that changes in physical activity, eating habits, and psychological factors were key determinants of weight change. These findings emphasize the diverse effects of the pandemic on weight status and management. Full article

Background/Objectives: Recent decades have seen a remarkable westernization of diets and a decline in adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD). This study examined the eating habits of a representative sample of Italian university students to identify the determinants of adherence to the MD and the most relevant actions to improve their well-being. Methods: The Mediterranean Diet Quality Index for Children and Adolescents (KIDMED) and Sustainable Healthy Diet (SHED) index questionnaires were used to explore MD adherence as the primary outcome, and dietary behavior sustainability, respectively. Sociodemographic, anthropometric, and lifestyle information was also collected. Results: The final sample included 1434 subjects (18–24; 60% female). The median (IQR) KIDMED score was 6.0 (4.0–8.0) and 33% showed a high adherence to the MD. Having breakfast, eating fruit and vegetables at least once a day, consuming pasta or other grains almost daily, and using olive oil at home were among the most common positive aspects of students’ diets. However, regular consumption of fish, nuts, legumes, dairy products, and a second serving of fruit and vegetables was less prevalent. Having an active lifestyle, eating more plant products, and having more sustainable dietary behaviors in terms of the SHED index, were the main determinants of a high KIDMED score. Likewise, graduate students, daily consumers of plant-based meat alternatives, and students attending university canteens daily were more likely to adopt healthier diets. Conclusions: Future actions are crucial to create a food environment that facilitates healthy and sustainable dietary choices among young adults, such as improving the nutritional quality of processed products and regulating their promotion, as well as implementing initiatives to improve university food services and encourage the use of campus dining facilities. Full article

The educational value of the Ecological Footprint (EF) lies in its ability to facilitate the identification and quantification of individuals’ environmental impacts, stemming from their daily habits and lifestyles, while also supporting the achievement of the 2030 sustainability goals. This study aimed to enhance primary school students’ understanding of their EF through the implementation of specially designed educational materials based on the Greek online EF calculator. A 10 h teaching intervention (TI) on EF was designed and carried out with 112 primary school students aged 10–12 years. The effectiveness of the intervention was assessed using a specially developed questionnaire. The results showed a statistically significant increase in students’ scores from the pre-test to the post-test regarding their understanding of the EF concept. When each EF category was examined individually, the most statistically significant differences were recorded in the categories of Infrastructure/Housing, Goods/Services, and Waste. These findings suggest that primary school students’ understanding of the EF can be effectively improved through a well-structured teaching intervention. This conclusion holds value not only for education for sustainable development (ESD), but also more broadly, in an era where understanding and embracing sustainability is a top priority for all modern educational institutions. Full article

Background/Objectives: Skipping breakfast is increasingly common among adolescents and has been associated with adverse health and academic outcomes. The average prevalence of breakfast skipping among adolescents is around 16%, although worldwide, it varies greatly across studies, ranging from 1.3 to 74.7%. This study aimed to assess the frequency of daily breakfast consumption and explore the factors associated with its omission in a stratified sample of Spanish adolescents. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 547 third-year secondary school students (aged 14–15) from both urban and rural areas in Castilla-La Mancha. Self-reported questionnaires were used to gather sociodemographic, psychosocial, and lifestyle data, including adherence to the Mediterranean diet (via the Kidmed questionnaire) and breakfast habits during school days. Descriptive, bivariate (Chi-square), and multivariate (binary logistic regression) analyses were conducted separately for boys and girls. Results: Findings showed a high prevalence of breakfast skipping one or more days (33.46%), with a significantly higher rate among girls (43.27%) than among boys (24.42%). Also, girls were more likely than boys to skip breakfast every day (14.18% vs. 6.87%, p < 0.001). In both groups, low adherence to the Mediterranean diet was strongly associated with skipping breakfast, along with higher screen time, shorter sleep duration, and being overweight/obese. Among girls, low olive oil consumption (OR 0.145 (CI 0.03–0.67) p 0.014) and poor Mediterranean diet adherence (OR 0.140 (CI 0.06–0.34) p < 0.001) were significant predictors. For boys, being overweight/obese (OR 2.185 (CI 1.06–4.52) p 0.035), low Mediterranean diet adherence (OR 0.136 (CI 0.06–0.32) p < 0.001), and not eating industrial pastries were associated factors (OR 0.413 (CI 0.20–0.88) p 0.022). Predictive models demonstrated good discriminatory power (AUC = 0.807 for girls; 0.792 for boys). Conclusions: Skipping breakfast is prevalent among adolescents, particularly girls, and is linked to poor dietary patterns and excess weight. These findings underscore the need for gender-specific nutritional interventions to promote regular breakfast consumption and improve dietary habits in adolescents. Full article

Objectives: In healthy young adults, thoracic kyphosis can be attributed to a number of factors, including a sedentary lifestyle, stress, poor posture, activity and daily habits, muscle pain, fatigue, and anxiety. In regard to clinical diagnosis and evaluation methods, high-cost radiological measurements and a variety of non-radiological clinical methods are employed. In this study, a decision support system that performs automatic thoracic kyphosis angle measurements has been developed with the objective of avoiding exposure of the human body to radiation and reducing the time required for measurements. Methods: The features were determined with reference to the thoracic kyphosis measurements that were manually marked by the expert on the subjects. The kyphosis angle was calculated by automatically identifying the T1 and T12 points through image segmentation using a convolutional neural network (CNN), which is a type of deep learning algorithm. Results: Intra-class consistency of ICC > 0.95 (p < 0.05) and internal consistency reliability of Cronbach’s α = 0.947 are obtained. Conclusions: The results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm exhibits high intra-class consistency and high internal consistency reliability to provide an automated thoracic kyphosis angle measurement system. Full article

Understanding alcohol consumption patterns is critical for developing effective public health strategies, particularly in countries like Spain where cultural and regional drinking norms vary widely. This study examined sociodemographic factors affecting alcohol consumption patterns across Spain, employing a cross-sectional design. A total of 22,181 Spanish adults over 18 years of age were recruited between August 2020 and November 2021, using non-probabilistic snowball sampling through social media networks. Data were gathered via a validated questionnaire (NutSo-HH Scale) encompassing sociodemographic details, health indicators, and lifestyle habits, with a focus on alcohol use. The sample included n = 22,181 participants, 80.8% women, with a mean age of 34.9 years. Most respondents (48.2%) reported no or very occasional alcohol consumption, 33% drank 2–4 times per month, 13.8% consumed alcohol 2–3 times weekly, and 5% drank daily or nearly daily. Alcohol consumption was significantly higher among men (72.1% consuming fermented beverages) and individuals with higher income and education (p < 0.001 for all variables). Regional differences were also notable, with the highest percentage of regular drinkers in Asturias (80.9%) and the Valencian Community (73.3%) as revealed by a Kruskal–Wallis test (p < 0.001). Fermented beverages were the most popular, with 68.4% of alcohol consumers preferring these, compared to distilled beverages (18.8%), fortified beverages (15.1%), and liqueurs (3.3%). A Gaussian graphical model was used to explore conditional relationships between alcohol consumption and other beverages in the Spanish population. Alcohol showed strong positive associations with fermented and distilled beverages, and with the habit of getting drunk. Weaker negative correlations were observed with water and soft drinks, suggesting contrasting consumption patterns. These findings underscore significant sociodemographic and regional variations in alcohol consumption patterns across Spain, suggesting the need for public health interventions tailored to different population segments. Full article

Background: The prevalence of overweight and obesity has increased over the last three decades, becoming a major public health concern. This issue is particularly pressing in terms of the impact it has on the population of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Thus, the aim of this research was to explore the nutritional and lifestyle habits of youth in the Al-Ahsa region of the KSA. Methods: This cross-sectional study included a total of 1270 secondary-school boys and girls (15–19 years) from all five of the Al-Ahsa Governorate districts. BMI and waist circumference measurements were recorded using anthropometric measurements, and the lifestyle–Arab Teens Lifestyle Survey (ATLS) was used to measure sedentary and eating habits. Results: Chi-square analysis revealed that a higher proportion of females (90.68%) than males (79.18%) exceeded two hours of daily sedentary time. Frequent sugary drink consumption (>3 times per week) was similar in males (67.40%) and females (66.11%). Students from different geographical locations showed significant differences in exceeding cut-off scores for fast food (χ² = 24.503, p < 0.001), cakes/doughnuts (χ² = 8.414, p = 0.015), sweets/candy (χ² = 19.613, p < 0.001), and energy drinks (χ² = 21.650, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Al-Ahsa is the largest governorate in the KSA. It has some of the largest health risks regarding obesity and poor lifestyle habits. This study highlights the major need for future research and policy interventions. Full article

Background: Excessive consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) is linked to various health risks, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. University students are particularly vulnerable due to lifestyle factors and high consumption patterns. Objective: This cross-sectional survey examined SSB consumption patterns, sugar intake, and awareness of health risks among Kuwait University students. Methods: Statistical analyses, including chi-square tests and logistic regression models, were conducted using SPSS. Results: Findings revealed a high prevalence of SSB consumption, with significant associations between intake levels and demographic characteristics. Regular soda was the most consumed SSB, with 42% of students drinking it 5–6 times per week and 32% consuming it daily. The median daily sugar intake from soda alone was 38 g, approaching or exceeding recommended limits. Overall, 34% of students were classified as high-sugar consumers. Males had a higher total sugar intake, while females consumed SSBs more frequently. Greater health awareness was associated with lower sugar consumption, such as obesity (OR = 0.142, 95% CI = 0.046–0.435, p < 0.001), whereas students who were aware of the sugar content in SSBs and who preferred unsweetened fruit juices had significantly lower sugar intake from SSBs (OR = 0.653, 95% CI = 0.435–0.980, p = 0.040; OR = 0.447, 95% CI = 0.295, 0.675; p < 0.001, respectively). Conclusions: The findings underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions—such as educational campaigns and policy measures—to reduce SSB consumption and promote healthier dietary habits among young adults in Kuwait. Full article

Background and Objectives: Anxiety is widely recognized as a common mental health issue. Extensive research highlights the benefits of adopting healthier lifestyle habits in improving both physical and mental wellbeing. This study aims to assess the levels of anxiety and physical activity, and if associations exist, among the population of Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: The study included a sample of 244 participants, who responded to an online survey containing demographic information, the Arabic versions of the General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), and the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) as assessment tools. Results: The study participants had a median age of 31 years and most of them were females (64.7%). Almost three quarters of the participants had received a higher education (73.5%) and were nonsmokers (94.1%). Assessing their physical activity levels, moderate or low-intensity physical activities, particularly walking and cycling, were common. Participants’ anxiety levels, measured by the GAD-7, were higher in females, students, and employees. Physical activity, especially walking or cycling, was linked to lower anxiety, while sedentary behavior, characterized by less than three hours of daily activity, was also associated with reduced anxiety. Interestingly, the duration of physical activity had no significant impact on anxiety levels. Conclusions: This study examined how lifestyle factors, including physical activity and sedentary behavior, influence anxiety levels among a cohort in Saudi Arabia. It emphasizes the need to encourage moderate-intensity activities and limit sedentary time, especially among high-risk groups, like students and women, to help alleviate anxiety. Full article