Search Results (393)

Camel milk is increasingly recognized as a premium functional food, attributed to its rich nutraceutical compounds. Recent research has concentrated on the nanoscale extracellular vesicles derived from camel milk (CM-EVs), which exhibit distinctive properties. This review examines the methodologies for isolating and characterizing CM-EVs, alongside their potential health benefits in functional foods and nutraceuticals. CM-EVs have the capacity to safeguard functional proteins, noncoding RNAs, and bioactive lipids from degradation within the gastrointestinal tract, rendering them particularly suitable for incorporation into infant formulas, adult dietary supplements, and nutraceuticals targeting chronic inflammatory and metabolic disorders. Preclinical models indicate that CM-EVs can mitigate oxidative stress, enhance intestinal barrier integrity, and modulate gut microbiota, thereby contributing to the reduction in colonic injury and inflammation. Nonetheless, the majority of these findings are derived from laboratory and animal studies, highlighting a substantial deficiency in human clinical trials. Critical research gaps remain, necessitating further investigation into the elucidation of molecular mechanisms, assessment of long-term safety, evaluation of bioavailability, and compatibility with dairy processing techniques. This review underscores the significance of CM-EVs as bioactive food components and delineates research priorities, such as standardizing isolation methods, investigating food matrix integration, and providing translational evidence for their application in nutrition and preventive medicine. Full article

Background: Linear growth during childhood is a key indicator of health status and child development, and liquid cow’s milk has been proposed as a potentially relevant dietary component for this outcome. In this systematic review, we aimed to synthesize the available evidence on the association between liquid cow’s milk consumption and linear growth outcomes in infants and children aged 6 months to 12 years. Methods: A systematic review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines. Observational and experimental studies published in peer-reviewed journals, with no language restrictions, were included if they assessed habitual liquid cow’s milk consumption as the main exposure and reported linear growth outcomes such as height, growth velocity, or height-for-age z-scores. Searches were performed in PubMed (MEDLINE) and Scopus from database inception to 15 January 2026. Study selection, data extraction, and risk-of-bias assessment were carried out systematically. Due to methodological heterogeneity among the included studies, results were synthesized narratively. Results: Twelve studies conducted across diverse geographic and socioeconomic contexts were included. Most studies reported positive associations between liquid cow’s milk consumption and indicators of linear growth, including greater height, higher growth velocity, or improved height-for-age z-scores. Experimental studies showed significant increases in linear growth among children who received milk regularly, whereas some observational studies reported non-significant associations or results dependent on statistical adjustment. One study assessing complete cow’s milk exclusion observed deceleration in linear growth. Overall, the risk of bias was predominantly moderate. Conclusions: Habitual consumption of liquid cow’s milk during childhood appears to be predominantly associated with favorable linear growth outcomes, although variability exists according to study design, age at exposure, milk type, and exposure assessment. Further research using more robust designs is warranted to clarify the magnitude of the association, potential mechanisms, and implications for weight-related outcomes. Full article

Background: Insomnia and stress-related sleep disorders are increasingly recognized as systemic conditions linked to the microbiota–gut–brain axis (MGBA). With growing clinical interest in natural products that modulate the gut environment, this systematic review evaluates the efficacy and mechanisms of non-pharmacological interventions, specifically probiotics, prebiotics, dietary indices, and botanicals, in alleviating insomnia, restoring circadian rhythms, and modulating neurochemical markers. Methods: In strict accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines, we searched PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and The Cochrane Library for English language studies published from inception to March 31, 2026. Eligibility was restricted to studies with rigorously controlled designs, specifically randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and controlled in vivo animal studies. Interventions had to target the gut microbiota, with primary outcomes measuring sleep quality (subjective or objective) or sleep-related neurochemical markers. We excluded uncontrolled, single-arm, or observational designs; in vitro studies; non-original research; and studies involving subjects with severe medical or psychiatric comorbidities (e.g., cancer, ADHD, severe psychiatric disorders) to prevent confounding variables, though mild-to-moderate anxiety and depression were permitted. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane RoB 2.0 and SYRCLE tools. Due to significant methodological heterogeneity, a narrative synthesis stratified by intervention and population was conducted. This review was not registered in PROSPERO. Results: A total of 56 studies (33 humans, 23 animals) met the inclusion criteria. Taxonomic nomenclature was updated to reflect 2020 reclassifications (e.g., Lactiplantibacillus plantarum). In human trials, interventions significantly improved subjective sleep metrics (PSQI, ISI). Recent additions demonstrated the efficacy of the Dietary Index for Gut Microbiota (DI-GM) and the improvement in N3 sleep latency by yeast mannan. Furthermore, whole-food patterns (e.g., the MIND diet) and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) decoctions successfully enriched beneficial taxa, such as Bacteroides coprophilus, and increased short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production. Animal models demonstrated that “psychobiotic” strains (Bifidobacterium breve, Lacticaseibacillus paracasei), prebiotics (GOS/PDX), and TCM formulas effectively restored GABA/5-HT profiles, lowered morning cortisol, and facilitated REM rebound in PCPA-induced models, while also consolidating non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep and downregulating clock genes (Per1/Per2). Conclusions: Psychobiotics, prebiotics, and botanicals represent a highly viable non-pharmacological strategy for treating insomnia. However, current evidence is constrained by a heavy reliance on subjective human questionnaires, short follow-up durations limiting insight into long-term stability, and a substantial translational gap between mechanistic rodent models and human clinical outcomes. Full article

Autophagy-associated readouts in localized prostate cancer cannot be interpreted based on LC3, p62/SQSTM1, or LC3 puncta alone. In line with the concept of autophagy as a stress-response system, this review proposes a flux-aware, organelle-centered framework for assigning biological meaning to autophagy-related changes under disease-relevant stress. The framework integrates oxidative burden, lysosomal competence, selective autophagy, mitophagy, ferritinophagy, p62/SQSTM1-NRF2 signaling, ferroptosis-aware controls, and disease-stage context to distinguish four interpretive states: homeostatic quality control, adaptive tumor survival, blocked clearance, and stress-overload vulnerability. Flavonoid-associated responses are used as stress-test examples because they expose recurrent limitations in the field, including supraphysiologic exposures, limited metabolite realism, static-marker inflation, and insufficient assessment of lysosomal function. However, the framework is not restricted to dietary compounds; it applies to metabolic, pharmacological, inflammatory, androgen-related, radiation-associated, or therapy-induced perturbations in which autophagy-associated markers are altered without resolution of flux or organelle function. By linking autophagosome formation, cargo turnover, lysosomal acidification, redox buffering, and phenotype-level endpoints, this review defines a practical evidence hierarchy for interpreting autophagy in localized prostate cancer and for prioritizing translational vulnerabilities arising from organelle crosstalk. This contribution is primarily conceptual and is operationalized methodologically through flux-based evaluation criteria and translationally through disease-window-specific study-design recommendations. Full article

Obesity and dental caries are highly prevalent chronic conditions with significant global health impact. Although an association between these diseases has been suggested, the nature of this relationship remains unclear. This state-of-the-art review aims to synthesize current evidence on the interplay between obesity and dental caries, focusing on shared risk factors, salivary alterations and underlying biological mechanisms. Evidence indicates that obesity and dental caries share common behavioral and socioeconomic determinants, namely unhealthy dietary patterns with high intake of free sugars, poor oral hygiene habits and social disadvantage. Salivary alterations observed in obesity may also create a more cariogenic oral environment. Additionally, inflammatory mediators, oxidative stress markers and changes in the oral microbiome suggest biologically plausible links between both conditions. However, current data does not support a direct causal relationship, but rather a complex multifactorial interaction between obesity and dental caries driven by shared risk factors and modifiable behaviors. Preventive strategies should adopt an integrated approach targeting shared determinants, particularly diet, oral hygiene habits and socioeconomic status. Nevertheless, the predominance of cross-sectional evidence limits causal inference, highlighting the need for longitudinal studies that simultaneously assess obesity and dental caries, and that address salivary biomarkers using standardized methodologies across different age groups to clarify underlying mechanisms and assess their clinical relevance. Full article

Introduction: Fish skin is the first line of defense against the aquatic environment, acting as a physical, chemical, and immunological barrier. In addition to preventing pathogen entry, the skin and its mucus contribute to osmoregulation, innate immunity, and redox balance. Skin lesions—caused by mechanical damage, parasites, environmental stress, or handling—disrupt this barrier, increasing susceptibility to infections, inflammation, and production losses. Thus, efficient skin regeneration is essential for fish welfare and performance. Nutrition plays a key role in this process by providing substrates for epithelial repair, immune function, and antioxidant defense. Among dietary factors, zinc (Zn) is particularly important due to its involvement in cell proliferation, enzymatic activity, and maintenance of skin integrity. Objective: Our objective is to assess the effectiveness of image-based analysis in quantifying the skin healing process in Atlantic salmon fed diets supplemented with zinc. Methodology: The trial comprised three dietary treatments: a control diet with 42 mg Zn per kg (D1), and two diets supplemented up to 120 mg/kg of zinc, derived from inorganic (D2) or organic (D3) forms. Pit-tagged fish with an initial body weight (78 ± 0.1 g) were fed the diets for 75 days. After 15 days of experimental feeding, a standardized wound lesion (2.5 mm diameter × 0.5 mm depth) was inflicted in deeply anesthetized fish, with a disposable biopsy punch, in the dorsal area. After wound infliction, the fish resumed their normal feeding regime for the rest of the trial days. The progression of skin wound healing was assessed using standardized digital image analysis. High-resolution photographs of individual wounds were collected 8, 16, 24 and 32 days post-wounding. All images were acquired under standardized conditions with the inclusion of ArUco identifiers to enable a subsequent computer-assisted comparison. Morphometric parameters (wound width, diameter, perimeter and area) were used to assess wound contraction and closure over time. In parallel, a semi-quantitative visual scoring system was applied to each wound image to capture qualitative aspects of healing that are not fully described by morphometric data alone. Results: Full data analysis is currently underway, but the first results show beneficial effects of dietary zinc supplementation on the skin regenerative process. Conclusions: The combined use of objective digital measurements and standardized visual scoring enabled a comprehensive evaluation of wound healing progress, bridging quantitative tissue remodeling with biologically relevant phenotypic outcomes. This image-based framework provides a sensitive and reproducible approach for assessing dietary interventions targeting skin regeneration and barrier restoration in Atlantic salmon. Full article

Background: Population ageing increases the burden of chronic diseases, multimorbidity, and functional limitations, making nutrition and lifestyle important modifiable determinants of healthy ageing. Universities of the Third Age (U3A) provide an educational and social environment for older adults, but multidimensional relationships between nutrition knowledge, diet quality, lifestyle, and health status in this population remain insufficiently characterized. This study aimed to assess these associations among older adults attending U3A in Poland. Methodology: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted between January and April 2026 among community-dwelling older adults participating in U3A programs. Of 700 distributed invitations and 520 returned questionnaires, 450 complete and eligible responses were included. The questionnaire was based on the KomPAN^® framework and expanded with items on health, lifestyle, psychosocial resources, barriers to healthy eating, and sources of health information. Diet quality was assessed using the pro-Healthy Diet Index, non-Healthy Diet Index, and overall Diet Quality Index (DQI). Nutrition knowledge was measured using a 24-item scale. Analyses included distributional diagnostics, non-parametric group comparisons, FDR-corrected Spearman correlations, psychometric assessment, principal component analysis, multivariable regression with model diagnostics, and profile segmentation. Results: The mean age was 73.63 ± 5.73 years, and most participants were women. The median DQI was 15.59 [3.93–24.86], with a predominance of neutral diet quality. Nutrition knowledge was moderate, with a median score of 12.00 [9.00–15.00], and the scale showed very good internal consistency. PCA identified three dietary patterns: convenience/ultra-processed, prudent/health-promoting, and traditional meat-and-fat. Higher DQI was associated with better nutrition knowledge, greater physical activity, a more favorable sleep profile, regular meal timing, and lower disease burden. Participants with multimorbidity had significantly lower DQI. Segmentation distinguished a health-engaged/higher-resource profile and a lower-resource/nutritionally vulnerable profile. Conclusions: U3A participants in Poland are educationally and socially active but nutritionally heterogeneous. The predominance of neutral diet quality, moderate nutrition knowledge, and identifiable knowledge gaps indicates the need for targeted, practical, and behavior-oriented nutrition education supporting healthy ageing. Full article

Declines of skeletal muscle mass and functions are implicated in the progression of various clinical conditions such as cancers, obesity, insulin resistance, diabetes, and osteoporosis. While no effective and safe drugs against muscle wasting, such as sarcopenia and disease-associated cachexia, have been discovered, it is well documented that dietary essential amino acids (EAAs) or high-quality protein work synergistically to enhance the anabolic effect of resistance exercise training (RT), leading to gains in muscle mass, strength, and muscle quality. Dietary EAAs serve as precursors and signaling molecules for the synthesis of new muscle proteins (both contractile and mitochondrial) and stimulate neuromuscular junction remodeling. Furthermore, EAAs consumed in the post-absorptive state improve endurance capacity via stimulation of mitochondrial biogenesis (independent of PGC1-α) and mitochondrial dynamics (mitochondrial protein synthesis and fission). Here, we discuss (1) traditional molecular mechanisms regulating the muscle proteome through constant turnover (synthesis and breakdown), (2) novel mechanisms by which dietary supplementation of EAAs during RT simultaneously improves muscle strength and endurance, (3) stable isotope tracer methodologies that enable understanding of the dynamic muscle proteome and accurate assessment of functional muscle mass, and finally, (4) clinical implications of combined EAA and RT interventions in the context of muscle and metabolic dysfunction, including sarcopenia, cachexia, obesity, and chronic disease. Collectively, current evidence underscores the potential of balanced EAAs, particularly when combined with resistance training, as a safe, effective, and translationally relevant nutritional strategy to preserve and enhance muscle and metabolic health across healthy and clinical populations. Full article

Background/Objectives: Gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) is associated with clinically relevant changes in body composition, energy metabolism, and functional capacity in transgender and gender-diverse individuals. The nutritional implications of these adaptations remain insufficiently characterized, and current assessment models, largely derived from cisgender populations, may not fully capture hormone-related body composition and metabolic changes. This narrative review aims to synthesize the metabolic and body composition effects of GAHT, evaluate methodological limitations in assessing nutritional status, and propose an integrated framework for clinical nutritional management. Methods: A narrative literature review was conducted through searches of PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science, complemented by screening of relevant guidelines and reference lists. Priority was given to longitudinal studies, mechanistic studies, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and clinical guidance addressing GAHT-related changes in body composition, metabolism, nutritional status, and functional outcomes. Results: Available evidence suggests that GAHT is associated with sex steroid-related, tissue-specific changes in body composition and metabolism. In transgender men, testosterone is generally associated with increases in lean body mass (LBM), reductions in fat mass, and potential increases in visceral adiposity, alongside possible increases in energy expenditure and altered cardiometabolic profiles. In transgender women, estrogen therapy, combined with androgen suppression, is generally associated with reductions in LBM and redistribution of subcutaneous fat, with heterogeneous metabolic and functional responses. Across both groups, changes in body composition are not consistently reflected by the Body Mass Index or functional outcomes, suggesting a possible dissociation between structural and functional adaptation. Common assessment tools show limitations, including reliance on cisgender-derived reference standards and inability to capture dynamic hormonal transitions. Conclusions: Current evidence supports the need for a longitudinal and individualized interpretation of nutritional and body composition changes during GAHT. A shift toward longitudinal, multimodal nutritional assessment, integrating body composition, functional measures, biochemical markers, dietary intake, and clinical context, may improve clinical monitoring and reduce misclassification. Full article

Background: Childhood obesity is increasingly associated with gut microbiome dysbiosis. This systematic review (PROSPERO CRD420251131354) evaluates evidence from studies published between 2020 and 2026 assessing how nutritional and lifestyle interventions influence gut microbiota in children with obesity. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, EMBASE and EBSCO identified 21 interventional studies involving children aged 5–18 years with obesity, with the last search conducted in April 2026. Interventions comprised prebiotics, probiotics, synbiotics, postbiotics, high-fiber diets, calorie-restricted dietary approaches, and lifestyle modifications such as physical activity. Microbiome outcomes were analyzed using 16S rRNA sequencing, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), or metagenomics. Risk of bias was evaluated using the RoB 2 and ROBINS-I (version 2) tools. Due to substantial heterogeneity in study design, participant characteristics, intervention types, and analytical methods, a meta-analysis was not feasible. Results: Across 21 studies, nutritional interventions included measurable but heterogeneous alterations in gut microbiome composition. Inulin supplementation was associated with a significant increase in alpha diversity and with higher relative abundances of Bifidobacterium, Blautia, Megasphaera, Subdoligranulum, and Eubacterium coprostanoligenes. Synbiotic supplementation increased Prevotella and Dialister and reduced the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio. High-fiber dietary interventions increased Faecalibacterium, Bifidobacterium, and Clostridium, while reducing Bacteroides, and were associated with shifts in metabolic pathways related to carbohydrate, lipid, and nucleotide metabolism. Calorie-restricted diets and combined diet–exercise interventions increased beneficial taxa such as Akkermansia muciniphila, improved microbial diversity, and correlated with favorable metabolic and anthropometric outcomes. Overall, nutritional and lifestyle interventions in pediatric obesity were associated with taxon-specific and context-dependent microbiome changes, rather than uniform restructuring. Conclusions: Nutritional interventions can modulate gut microbiota diversity, composition, and predicted function in pediatric obesity; however, the observed effects vary substantially across studies. The limited number of trials, small sample sizes, and methodological heterogeneity underscore the need for larger, standardized studies to better define clinical and therapeutic implications. Full article

Introduction: Portugal is, historically, one of the countries with the highest fish consumption worldwide, reflecting strong cultural and dietary traditions. However, shifts in food systems, economic conditions, and globalization may have altered its availability and nutritional contribution to population’s dietary intake over the time. Understanding these long-term dynamics is essential to inform public health and food policy strategies. This work aims to analyze temporal trends and identify structural changes in fish availability in Portugal between 1961 and 2023. Methodology: Data were obtained from FAOSTAT Food Balance Sheets for the period 1961–2023. Fish availability was expressed in grams per capita per day, alongside energy and macronutrient contributions. Descriptive statistics were calculated. Temporal trends were assessed using segmented linear regression models, considering structural breakpoints in 1975, 1986, 2001, and 2014. Model significance was evaluated using ANOVA. Results: Mean fish availability was 147.36 g/capita/day (SD = 26.58), ranging from 67.53 to 195.84 g/capita/day. Fish contributed on average 77.28 kcal/day, 13.25 g/day of protein, and 2.48 g/day of fat. The segmented regression model was statistically significant (p = 0.029), explaining 16.7% of the variability. Significant changes in trends were observed after 1975 (β = −2.185; p = 0.043), indicating a decrease, followed by a significant increase after 1986 (β = 5.164; p = 0.007), and a subsequent decline after 2001 (β = −4.163; p = 0.033). No significant changes were identified after 2014 (p = 0.684). Conclusions: Fish availability in Portugal shows marked structural changes over time, associated with probability, socio-economic and political transitions. Despite fluctuations, fish remains a nutritionally relevant component of the Portuguese diet. These findings highlight the importance of considering long-term trends in food availability when designing nutrition and sustainability policies. Full article

Background/Objectives: Dietary assessment tools are essential for quantifying food and nutrient intake, characterising dietary patterns, and informing nutrition research. Food Frequency Questionnaires (FFQs) and Food Records (FRs) are widely implemented in observational studies, but completion rates vary, which may compromise data quality, introduce bias, and limit the interpretation of findings. This review is intended to synthesise evidence from observational studies on completion rates of these tools in populations with chronic conditions. Methods: A systematic search of Medline, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar was completed. Eligible studies were observational studies using an FFQ or FR published from January 2015 to May 2025 in people with a chronic condition. Methodological quality was evaluated using the Hoy Risk of Bias tool for observational studies of prevalence. Subgroup meta-analyses estimated pooled mean completion proportions with 95% confidence intervals, and heterogeneity was assessed using the I² statistic. This study was registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews and reported according to PRISMA guidelines. Results: Of the 8921 records screened, 88 studies (n = 84,579 participants) met inclusion criteria. The combined FFQ and food record mean pooled completion rate was 79.1% (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 74.37–83.43%). However, substantial heterogeneity was observed, indicating considerable variability across studies. Subgroup analyses highlighted important differences by tool type, format, age group, and disease category. FFQs demonstrated higher completion rates (80.6%) than FRs (74.3%). Electronic formats had higher completion rates than paper formats. Completion rates were higher in adults than in pediatric cohorts, and varied by chronic condition type, with kidney disease associated with the highest completion rates. Conclusions: These findings highlight the importance of considering tailored dietary data collection strategies, particularly for paediatric and medically complex populations, and provide direction for enhancing the feasibility of dietary assessment collection in future research. Full article

Background: Childhood obesity remains a major public health challenge worldwide, with increasing prevalence across Europe. Schools represent an important setting for promoting healthy lifestyles through physical activity and nutrition-related interventions. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of school-based interventions promoting physical activity and healthy eating behaviours among children and adolescents aged 6–18 years in European countries. Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted using PubMed and Scopus. Studies were eligible if they were conducted in school settings, targeted children and adolescents aged 6–18 years, were implemented in European countries, had a minimum duration of nine months, and assessed anthropometric and/or behavioural outcomes related to obesity prevention. Methodological quality was assessed using the Effective Public Health Practice Project (EPHPP) Quality Assessment Tool. Results: Sixteen studies conducted across nine European countries met the inclusion criteria. Intervention duration ranged from nine months to five years, and most studies employed multicomponent approaches combining physical activity promotion, nutrition education, environmental modifications, and parental involvement. Seven studies were rated as strong quality, six as moderate quality, and three as weak quality. Among the fourteen studies assessing BMI or other anthropometric outcomes, eleven (78.6%) reported statistically significant improvements in at least one obesity-related measure, including BMI, BMI z-score, waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio, body fat percentage, or overweight/obesity prevalence. Evidence regarding physical activity and nutrition-related outcomes was more heterogeneous, although several studies reported improvements in dietary behaviours, nutrition knowledge, sedentary behaviour, and physical activity levels. Positive anthropometric effects were more commonly observed in interventions lasting at least one academic year and in multicomponent programmes. Some studies also reported differential effects according to sex and parental educational background. Conclusions: The findings of this review suggest that long-term, multicomponent school-based interventions can contribute to improving obesity-related anthropometric outcomes among children and adolescents in European countries. However, evidence regarding sustained changes in physical activity and dietary behaviours remains less consistent. Future research should focus on identifying the most effective intervention components and strategies for achieving long-term behavioural change across diverse populations and educational contexts. Full article

Microplastics (MPs) are pervasive contaminants that have been detected throughout the food chain. Their presence raises concerns in foods intended for health-related purposes, as these products are often consumed by vulnerable populations such as infants, older adults, and patients requiring clinical nutrition support. These groups may be more susceptible to contaminant exposure and may rely heavily on specialized foods. Therefore, understanding the occurrence and potential risks of MPs in such products is important. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge regarding the presence, sources, and health implications of plastic particles in several categories of health-oriented foods, including dietary supplements, medicinal herbs, plant-based beverages, honey, infant formulas, and clinical nutrition products, including enteral and parenteral formulations. Microplastics have been reported across these matrices. Fibers and fragments dominate, and common polymers include polyamide, polyethylene, polypropylene, and poly(ethylene terephthalate). These particles can originate from polluted water, soil, and air, as well as from production processes, packaging wear, and clinical delivery systems. Current evidence suggests that improving methodological consistency and expanding targeted toxicological research relevant to vulnerable populations will be crucial for strengthening risk assessment. Full article

Background/Objectives: In Croatia, national data on adolescents’ dietary habits are limited, resulting in a lack of evidence-based food-based dietary guidelines and public health interventions. This study aims to conduct an in-depth evaluation of dietary habits in a national sample of Croatian adolescents stratified by region, sex and age, from the National food consumption survey on adolescents and adults (NIPNOD 2018–2023). Methods: This cross-sectional study included 258 adolescents (50.4% boys; aged 10 to < 18) from the NIPNOD 2018–2023 survey (OC/EFSA/DATA/2017/01), conducted according to the EU Menu methodology. For analysis, the sample was divided into two age groups (10–13 and 14–17 years). To assess dietary intake, two 24 h recalls were analyzed using NutriCro^® v. 3.0 software. Dietary intake was compared with European Food Safety Authority dietary reference values (DRV). The contribution of 14 food groups to daily energy intake was analyzed. Diet quality was assessed using the Diet Quality Index for Adolescents (DQI-A). Results: The mean daily energy intake was 1820 ± 529 kcal, consisting of 45.5 ± 7.0% carbohydrates, 37.8 ± 6.3% fats, and 15.1 ± 3.1% protein. The observed two-day mean intake suggested that 51.6% of adolescents had carbohydrate intake within the EFSA DRV range, while 5.4% and 32.2% had protein and fat intake within the EFSA DRVs, respectively. The main contributors to daily energy intake were grains and grain products (31.5%), meat, poultry, fish, and eggs (18.1%), and cakes, confectionery, sweets, and sugar (14.9%). Frequent breakfast skipping and snack consumption were common, particularly among older adolescents. Adolescents had moderate overall diet quality (57.4 ± 11.6% DQI-A), with no differences between age groups. Conclusions: Analysis of the dietary habits of adolescents in Croatia indicates that most have inadequate macronutrient intake, irregular meal frequency, and moderate overall diet quality. These results highlight the need to develop public health strategies and interventions to improve dietary habits among adolescents in Croatia. Full article