Search Results (95)

Mothers’ behavior strongly influences children’s eating habits, with family attitudes and feeding practices playing a key role in dietary development. In accordance with the previous literature, this study examined these aspects, including also mothers’ use of social media to stay informed about nutrition as an innovative element. The main goal was to validate the Italian version of the PSEPAD scale (Parental Self-Efficacy for Promoting Healthy Physical Activity and Dietary Behaviors in Children), which is a valid and reliable tool for assessing parental self-efficacy in encouraging healthy lifestyles in children, through exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The sample was composed of 217 mothers. Results were interpreted through groups comparisons (chi-square, ANOVA, and t-test). The findings confirmed the central role of mothers in managing children’s diets and using strategies against picky eating behaviors. The study also highlighted the growing use of social media among mothers, especially younger ones, as a source of nutritional information, meal planning, and peer support, despite a generally low level of satisfaction with the content available on pediatric nutrition. Finally, the results showed a positive link between maternal self-efficacy and healthier child behaviors: mothers with higher self-esteem and confidence were more effective in promoting healthy habits. These findings underscore the importance of targeted interventions to strengthen maternal self-efficacy and the development of digital tools to support healthy family lifestyles. Full article

Background: Social media, especially Instagram, spreads nutrition-related information that often lacks scientific rigor. Many women report feeling inadequately informed about women’s health by healthcare professionals, turning to social media, increasing exposure to misinformation. Objectives: The NutriWomen platform aims to assess the quality, methodological soundness, and credibility of nutritional health claims and dietary recommendations on Instagram targeting women across different life stages. Its goal is to develop a systematic and scientifically grounded evaluation framework to assess Instagram nutrition-related claims and the methodological quality and interpretability of their supporting evidence, and to translate the results into accessible outputs that help women make informed nutrition decisions across life stages. Methods: This study follows a five-stage design Stage 1 involves a retrospective content analysis of Instagram posts containing nutrition-related claims targeted at women, identified through the “Top posts” function and screened using predefined criteria. Stage 2 assesses information quality using a validated 14-item tool. Stage 3 evaluates the scientific accuracy of claims by formulating PI(E)CO(TS) questions, selecting key outcomes, retrieving evidence from PubMed and the Cochrane Database, and appraising systematic reviews with a modified AMSTAR-2 tool incorporating GRADE ratings, when available. Stage 4 develops the NutriWomen website platform to translate assessments into accessible visual summaries. Stage 5 conducts a mixed-methods study with peri-, meno-, and postmenopausal women to explore information needs and evaluate platform usability through focus groups. Conclusions: The NutriWomen platform will be the first website to systematically publish the results of evaluations assessing the scientific quality of nutritional health claims on Instagram targeted at women across different life stages. It will provide a replicable methodology, and a digital tool designed to empower women with trustworthy nutrition information, with the potential to enhance health literacy and promote better health outcomes. Full article

Background/Objectives: Excessive social media usage in the current times and high rates of food advertising can impact the health status of individuals by increasing food cues related to perceived hunger and, thus, dietary behaviour. This study examined the association between social media usage patterns, food-related advertising, and dietary choices among Gen Z individuals. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out amongst 314 young adults between the ages of 18 and 25 in Surat city, Gujarat. Data was collected for social media usage, the most used platforms, preferred content, and eating patterns. Anthropometric measurements (height and weight) were also recorded. Perceived hunger responses to 12 social media-based food images were assessed using a ten-point Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS (version 26.0), with the significance level set at p < 0.05. Results: YouTube and Instagram were the most used social media apps. There were no significant differences observed between the BMI of participants using social media for 2 h a day and those using it 3+ hours a day. However, a significant association between the BMI of those who viewed advertisements for ready-to-eat foods (p = 0.004) and the BMI of those who viewed advertisements for food delivery platforms (p = 0.001) was seen. A significant difference between usage of Pinterest (p = 0.02), Instagram (p = 0.047), and BMI was also found. Conclusions: Social media marketing and food content are shaping the dietary choices of young adults, and more studies need to be conducted in Pan India to understand the reasons. Such evidence will be crucial for guiding nutrition policies, digital marketing regulations, and youth-focused awareness programmes. Full article

Background: Rising obesity rates among young adults increase long-term health risks, especially cardiometabolic conditions such as type 2 diabetes mellitus. Digital interventions can offer scalable solutions to promote and support healthy behaviors by integrating personalized diet, physical activity promotion, and behavioral support. Objective: To assess the feasibility, user friendliness, adherence, and satisfaction of the Healthy Lifestyle Recommender System (HLRS). Secondary outcomes will include measures of metabolic health and obesity. Methods: A 3-month, single-arm pilot study conducted across European countries, including Bulgaria, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain, enrolling 351 young adults (18–25 years old, BMI 18.5–29.9 kg/m²). The intervention includes a mobile app for meal planning (Nutrida v.1), gamified physical activity encouragement (GameBus), and real-time monitoring via a wearable smartwatch device. Primary outcomes are adherence and engagement, measured through app usage and participant feedback; secondary outcomes include anthropometry, physical activity, dietary patterns, psychological well-being, and selected biomarkers of metabolic health. Expected Outcomes: Improved engagement is expected to enhance lifestyle behaviors, supporting weight management and overall well-being. Findings will guide future large-scale interventions. Conclusions: This study will contribute to minimizing the impact of obesity in Europe. Full article

Background: Adolescence represents a critical period for growth and athletic development, yet young athletes frequently demonstrate significant gaps in nutritional knowledge that can impair performance and long-term health outcomes. Limited research exists on comprehensive nutrition education interventions for adolescent soccer players in North African populations. Objective: To evaluate both general and sports-specific nutritional knowledge among adolescent soccer players from an elite Tunisian club and assess the feasibility of a digital nutrition intervention using mobile application technology. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted between June and August 2024 among 50 male soccer players aged 11–18 years from Étoile du Sahel club in Sousse, Tunisia. Data were collected via a structured questionnaire comprising sections on basic nutrition knowledge, influences on food choices, sports nutrition knowledge and practices, and demographic information. A pilot digital intervention using the FatSecret app was implemented with 8 participants over 4 weeks, involving meal photo uploads and nutritionist feedback. Results: Participants had a mean age of 15.16 ± 1.55 years, with 92% reporting no formal nutrition education. While 90% correctly identified carbohydrates as the primary energy source, only 2% recognized that fat provides the highest energy density. Significant misconceptions existed regarding sports nutrition: 74% incorrectly believed that consuming protein 2–4 h before an event enhances performance, and only 17% knew the recommended pre-event carbohydrate intake. Food choices were primarily influenced by cravings (80%) and sensory appeal rather than health considerations (20%). The digital intervention demonstrated extremely low engagement, with minimal participation in meal photo uploads. Conclusions: This study reveals critical gaps in both general and sports-specific nutritional knowledge among adolescent soccer players in Tunisia, providing important descriptive information about knowledge distribution in this population. While knowledge deficits are substantial, it is important to acknowledge that this cross-sectional assessment documents only knowledge patterns, without measures of actual dietary intake or athletic performance. The persistent misconceptions and the low feasibility of the digital intervention provide important lessons regarding technology-based approaches to nutrition education in this age group, highlighting challenges in sustained engagement that must be addressed in future intervention design. Full article

Background/Objectives: The increasing use of electronic devices is reshaping lifestyle by offering new avenues for health behavior change. These tools provide to monitor health, fitness, and nutrition, promoting healthier lifestyles to prevent non-communicable diseases (NCDs). This umbrella review (conducted according to PRISMA 2020 guidelines, registered on PROSPERO CRD42024511141) assesses the effectiveness of wearable devices and mobile applications in improving healthy lifestyle behaviors to mitigate the risk of NCDs. Methods: Systematic reviews and meta-analyses (n = 27) focusing on digital tools for health behavior change were analyzed, with emphasis on their integration into daily life and their impact on health outcomes, including body weight, metabolic and anthropometric parameters, and dietary quality. Results and Conclusions: Interventions leveraging gamification, social interaction, and goal-setting (6/27) have shown greater efficacy in improving body-nutrition profile. The integration of eHealth technologies holds transformative potential for preventive healthcare and positive biology. These tools can contribute to healthier lifestyles, extended life expectancy, and reduced healthcare costs, although current limitations exist, including data accuracy, privacy concerns, and sustaining user engagement over time. Full article

Background: Precision nutrition increasingly integrates mobile health (mHealth) and artificial intelligence (AI) tools. However, personalized hydration remains underdeveloped, particularly in accounting for both food- and beverage-derived water intake. Objective: This scoping review maps the existing literature on mHealth applications that incorporate machine learning (ML) or AI for personalized hydration. The focus is on systems that combine dietary (food-based) and fluid (beverage-based) water sources to generate individualized hydration assessments and recommendations. Methods: Following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines, we conducted a structured literature search across three databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science) through March 2025. Studies were included if they addressed AI or ML within mHealth platforms for personalized hydration or nutrition, with an emphasis on systems using both beverage and food intake data. Results: Of the 43 included studies, most examined dietary recommender systems or hydration-focused apps. Few studies used hydration assessments focusing on both food and beverages or employed AI for integrated guidance. Emerging trends include wearable sensors, AR tools, and behavioral modeling. Conclusions: While numerous digital health tools address hydration or nutrition separately, there is a lack of comprehensive systems leveraging AI to guide hydration from both food and beverage sources. Bridging this gap is essential for effective, equitable, and precise hydration interventions. In this direction, we propose a hydration diet recommender system that integrates demographic, anthropometric, psychological, and socioeconomic data to create a truly personalized diet and hydration plan with a holistic approach. Full article

Background/Objectives: Portion size estimation is important for dietary assessment and nutrition research, but has remained understudied in Central Asia, a region characterized by red meat-rich diets and high rates of diet-related noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Therefore, this study aimed to develop a digital visual food atlas for Central Asian cuisine that would provide high-quality images of commonly consumed foods and beverages, while special focus was given to meat dishes that were not present in previous atlases. Methods: Foods were selected based on the Central Asian Food Dataset (CAFD) and Central Asian Food Scenes Dataset (CAFSD) and photographed in three portion sizes: small, average, and large. There were nine broad categories: main dishes, soups, meat dishes, salads, snacks, side dishes, bakery and bread, desserts, and beverages. Similar settings were preserved for each photograph: the 60° angle, sufficient lighting, and food setup (including reference objects like utensils, a ruler, and a neatly folded napkin). Results: The final digital visual food atlas comprised 115 items (95 food series, 20 beverage guides), with 12 meat-based dishes, reflecting the central role of meat in regional diets. Each entry included portion weights and names in both English and local languages, improving cultural and linguistic relevance. The digital format with clear labeling ensured accessibility on web and mobile platforms. Conclusions: This was the first digital visual food atlas developed for Central Asia, providing standardized portion-size references. The atlas offered a practical tool for dietary assessment, with applications in nutrition research, mobile health technologies, artificial intelligence (AI)-driven portion estimation, and policy development. Full article

Background/Objective: Temporal eating patterns and ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption have independently been associated with obesity and non-communicable diseases. Little is known about the temporal patterns of UPF consumption, as data is challenging to collect. Temporal data can be extracted from mobile food records (mFRs). The aim of this study was to identify the temporal eating patterns of those consuming UPFs using an mFR. Methods: A combined sample of 243 young (18–30 years) and 148 older (>30 years) adults completed a 4-day mFR. The time of eating was extracted from the mFR image metadata. UPFs were identified using the NOVA food classification system. The proportion of total energy intake (EI) from UPFs was calculated hourly. Using chi-square tests, a day-of-the-week analysis compared weekends (Friday–Sunday) with weekdays (Monday–Thursday). A multivariate logistic regression of UPF EI terciles was conducted, expressed as odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Results: The proportion of total EI from UPFs was significantly different between younger adults (mean ± SD = 48.8 ± 15.6%) and older adults (36.1 ± 15.1%) (p < 0.001). Age-differentiated 24 h temporal eating pattern analysis found that younger adults had two distinct UPF EI peaks, with the highest at 8 pm, followed by 1 pm. Older adults followed a more conventional three-meal pattern with an additional peak at 7 am. Weekend UPF EI was higher than on weekdays for older adults (~560 kJ, p = 0.003), with no difference for younger adults. Multivariable logistic regression found no significant associations between UPF intake terciles and demographic variables (sex, BMI, education). Conclusions: The peak UPF EI occurred at conventional mealtimes, and UPFs accounted for a substantial proportion of energy intake, especially for younger adults. The timing of UPF EI provides important information for developing public health nutrition interventions. Full article

Background: Disease-related malnutrition (DRM) remains an underdiagnosed condition in Latin American hospitals, with substantial clinical and economic consequences. The global nutritionDay initiative, promoted by ESPEN, provides a standardized audit to evaluate and improve hospital nutritional care. This study aimed to develop expert consensus recommendations to optimize the nutritional care process in Guatemalan hospitals, based on the findings from nutritionDay 2022. Methods: A modified Delphi study was conducted, including three meetings held before and after each round to discuss the results. Sixteen clinical nutrition professionals from eleven hospitals participated. A total of 89 items were assessed, with a predefined consensus threshold of 70%. Data were analyzed using R software (version 4.5.0) and Kendall’s W coefficient was applied to evaluate inter-round agreement. Results: Consensus was achieved for 51 key recommendations covering nutritional screening, clinical assessment, anthropometry, body composition, functional assessment, biochemical monitoring, dietary intervention, and post-discharge follow-up. The proposed actions are aligned with international guidelines (ESPEN, ASPEN, GLIM) and adapted to the Guatemalan healthcare context. Conclusions: This consensus provides a comprehensive and context-specific framework for standardizing and improving hospital nutritional care in Guatemala and similar settings. Its implementation could help reduce DRM prevalence and foster the development of quality indicators and digital tools for clinical nutrition management. Full article

Children with Congenital Zika Virus Syndrome (CZVS) experience severe neurological and nutritional impairments. Although immediate clinical consequences are well-documented, long-term anthropometric and nutritional outcomes remain poorly understood. This study assessed longitudinal anthropometric and nutritional outcomes in children affected by CZVS. A cohort of 38 children aged ≥ 5 years diagnosed with CZVS was followed at a reference center in Northeast Brazil. Anthropometric measures (weight, height, BMI, head circumference) were collected using standardized methods, including digital scales and anthropometric tape measures. Growth was analyzed using WHO Anthro and WHO Anthro Plus software (version 3.2.2). Dietary intake was evaluated through two 24 h recalls and analyzed with NutWIN 2.5 software. Nutritional status was classified using WHO growth standards, and associations between dietary intake and BMI were statistically examined. Children showed significant linear growth improvement (p = 0.007) without corresponding weight gain, leading to worsening BMI classifications (p = 0.017). Dietary evaluations revealed limited dietary diversity, frequent intake of ultra-processed foods, inadequate fruit consumption, and widespread insufficiencies in caloric and micronutrient intake (zinc, calcium, iron, vitamin D). Low carbohydrate intake was significantly associated with inadequate BMI (p = 0.030). Multidisciplinary nutritional interventions addressing medical, dietary, educational, and socioeconomic factors are essential for improving health outcomes in children with CZVS. Full article

Background: Diet and sleep are modifiable lifestyle factors that influence health and well-being. While adherence to the Mediterranean diet has been associated with improved sleep quality, this relationship remains understudied in high-stress occupational groups such as school teachers. Objective: To examine the association between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and self-reported sleep quality among primary and secondary school teachers in Portugal. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 113 teachers who completed a self-administered digital questionnaire. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet was assessed using the 14-item Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS) and sleep quality was evaluated with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Results: Of the 113 participants, 58% reported poor sleep quality (PSQI > 5), and the median PSQI score was 6.0 (IQR 4.0–8.8). The median MEDAS score was 9.0 (IQR 8.0–10.0), with 34% classified as having high adherence. When stratified by dietary adherence, there were no statistically significant differences in global PSQI or its components, and multivariable linear regression showed no association between MEDAS and PSQI. Patterns varied by teaching level: poor sleep predominated in most levels except the 2nd Cycle; high adherence was most prevalent in the 1st Cycle, moderate adherence predominated in the 3rd Cycle and secondary education, and the 2nd Cycle showed similar shares of moderate and high adherence. Conclusions: In this occupational group, poor sleep was common and varied across teaching levels, while Mediterranean diet adherence showed no detectable association with overall sleep quality in this study. Larger, longitudinal studies using objective assessments of diet and sleep, and accounting for factors such as stress and chronotype, are warranted to clarify potential links in educational settings. Full article

Objective: This scoping review synthesized and mapped the breadth of the existing literature on technological resources used to support individuals undergoing hemodialysis treatment. Methods: Following the methodological guidelines of the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) for scoping reviews and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) checklist, comprehensive searches were conducted across the following databases: MEDLINE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), PsycINFO, Scopus, Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), MedicLatina, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, with no time restrictions. Results: Thirty-nine studies conducted between 2003 and 2023 met the inclusion criteria. These studies covered a range of technological innovations developed specifically for hemodialysis treatment, including virtual reality, exergames, websites, and mobile applications. These technologies were designed with diverse objectives: to facilitate physical exercise, optimize dietary and medication management, improve disease adherence and management, and promote self-efficacy and self-care in patients. Conclusions: The review revealed a wide range of technological resources available to hemodialysis patients. These digital solutions show great potential to transform care by promoting more engaged and personalized health practices. Although this study did not directly assess the impact of these technologies, it provides a solid foundation for future investigations that can explore in-depth how such innovations contribute to effective disease management and improvement in clinical outcomes. Full article

Self-medication is increasingly prevalent among healthcare students, raising concerns about the adequacy of current medical education in promoting safe medication practices. This study aimed to assess the frequency, motivations, and perceptions of self-medication among medical and pharmacy students and to identify educational gaps. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a structured, anonymous questionnaire distributed to medical and pharmacy students at a single academic institution. The questionnaire assessed self-medication frequency, substances used, motivations, perceived risks, confidence in knowledge, sources of information, and attitudes toward curriculum improvements. Over 50% of participants reported practicing self-medication at least once a month. The most commonly used substances were analgesics and dietary supplements. Main motivations included recognition of symptoms, confidence in personal knowledge, and avoidance of waiting times. Despite receiving university instruction on self-medication risks, students continued to self-medicate, with many relying on the internet as a primary source of information. Only 8% felt very confident in counseling patients on self-medication. A majority (over 70%) expressed a strong interest in integrating dedicated educational modules into the curriculum. There is a clear need for improved, practice-oriented education on self-medication. Future interventions should focus on interdisciplinary teaching, digital literacy, and simulation-based training to foster safer medication practices. Full article

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) presents diverse challenges that significantly impact feeding, nutrition, growth, and development. The heterogeneity of ASD manifestations adds complexity to assessments due to the broad range of factors to be considered. Moreover, the literature lacks a comprehensive tool specifically addressing nutritional aspects in ASD. Methods: Conducted in two steps, this study first involved researchers selecting evidence-based elements related to ASD and nutrition to develop a preliminary tool. Content validation was subsequently undertaken using a modified Delphi method, whereby expert consensus was sought from 30 dietitians with experience in ASD, who evaluated the tool through a digital questionnaire. Four quality criteria were evaluated: functionality, organization, language and comprehensibility, and comprehensiveness. Results: Levels of strong agreement with the quality criteria ranged from 63.3% to 80%, specifically functionality (76.7%), organization (73.3%), language and comprehensibility (80%), and comprehensiveness (63.3%). Thematic analysis highlighted six key areas for improvement. The instrument assesses nutritional aspects across seven domains: life history, food-related aspects, feeding behavior, dietary intake, daily routines, clinical aspects, and anthropometry. Conclusions: This is the first known tool to comprehensively address the nutritional needs of individuals with ASD, offering a detailed framework for clinical application. It supports initial assessments, ongoing monitoring, and targeted interventions, supporting dietitians worldwide in clinical decision-making. Full article