Search Results (890)

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

Background/Objectives: Evidence on the associations between adherence to different plant-based diet indices and depression in young adults remains limited. This study aimed to analyze the associations of overall, healthy, and unhealthy plant-based diet indices with depressive symptoms in university students. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2023 with self-reported data from university students in Cuenca, Spain. Adherence to the overall plant-based diet index (PDI) and to the healthy (hPDI) and unhealthy (uPDI) plant-based diet indices were calculated using data from a 137-item food-frequency questionnaire. Mild-to-severe depression was defined as a Beck Depression Inventory II score > 13 points. Linear and logistic regression models were adjusted for sociodemographic and lifestyle-related confounders. Results: A total of 392 students (mean age: 20.9 ± 2.4 years; 70.4% female) were included. The prevalence of mild-to-severe depression was 36.0%. Higher hPDI and overall PDI scores were associated with lower depressive symptom scores, whereas uPDI scores showed a positive but non-significant association after full adjustment. In logistic regression analyses, high adherence to the hPDI was associated with lower odds of mild-to-severe depression (OR = 0.51; 95% CI: 0.28–0.95; p-for-trend = 0.030). In contrast, higher uPDI adherence was associated with greater odds of depression, although the association was attenuated after adjustment for lifestyle-related variables. Conclusions: Greater adherence to a healthy plant-based diet was associated with lower depressive symptoms and lower odds of mild-to-severe depression among university students. These findings highlight the importance of plant food quality, rather than plant-based diets per se, in relation to depression in young adults. Full article

Background: Frequent consumption of foods high in fat and sugar (HFS) has been linked to disrupted appetite regulation (via hippocampal dysfunction) and an increased tendency to continue desiring palatable foods, even when physiologically full. While we have previously shown that motivational drive for such foods can persist when full, it remains unclear whether attentional engagement (i.e., the visual attention captured by palatable foods) shows a similar sustained desire to consume palatable foods when full. Understanding whether attention persists is critical, as attention can powerfully shape food choice and overeating. Methods: This study investigates whether habitual HFS intake was associated with the maintenance of visual attention, motivational responses, and food consumption when satiated. Twenty-four adults aged 18–30 years completed a food frequency questionnaire and a bogus taste-rating task once when hungry and again after consuming a standardised meal. Using Tobii Pro Glasses 3 wireless eye-tracking glasses, we measured fixations on real snack foods, and participants rated wanting and liking for each item. Results: Eating a meal significantly reduced total fixations to snack foods, and wanting was more sensitive than liking to physiological state. Fixations were higher for ‘healthy’ snacks compared to ‘unhealthy’ snacks, with this effect more pronounced when participants were hungry. Notably, individuals in the low-fat/low-sugar group showed strong alignment between post-meal decreases in visual attention and decreases in wanting and liking, whereas this coupling was diminished in the high-fat/high-sugar group. Discussion: Extending previous work into the domain of attention, this study reveals diet-related differences in how visual attention interacts with motivational evaluations of food. The disrupted coupling associated with high-fat/high-sugar intake suggests potential alterations in attentional and motivational processes supporting appetite regulation. Understanding how diet shapes these cognitive–motivational interactions provides a valuable foundation for future neurocognitive research on overeating and obesity risk. Full article

Background/Objectives: Vascular diseases remain a leading cause of global mortality, yet the dietary and lifestyle factors that contribute to them are not fully understood in Central Anatolian populations. This study aimed to quantify the dietary and lifestyle predictors of vascular disease status in a case–control cohort from a tertiary care setting in Yozgat province. Methods: A total of 1452 adults were enrolled from Yozgat Bozok University Research Hospital: Cardiovascular Surgery (CVS; cases, n = 720) and Primary Care (PC; controls, n = 732). All participants completed a 43-item questionnaire on diet, lifestyle, and sociodemographic characteristics. Binary logistic regression was used to identify independent predictors of case status, with age, sex, education, and income being included in the model. Results: Chronic comorbidities were present in 33.9% of the control group and 80.3% of the case group. Use of olive oil was most strongly associated with control status (odds ratio [OR] = 0.17; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.11–0.27), followed by use of butter (OR = 0.25). Paradoxically, fast food (OR = 0.24) and junk food (OR = 0.31) consumption were more frequent among controls. The use of sunflower oil (OR = 2.30), diabetes (OR = 5.22), and elevated serum ferritin (OR = 1.04 per 10 ng/mL) independently predicted a higher likelihood of being in the case group. The model explained 54.8% of the variance (Nagelkerke R² = 0.548). Conclusions: The apparently higher prevalence of unhealthy dietary behaviours among controls is most plausibly attributed to post-diagnosis dietary modification among cases (an ‘illness effect’), underscoring the window for intervention before disease onset. As this case–control design precludes causal inference, these associations are hypothesis-generating. Promoting olive oil and reducing sunflower oil represent practical, culturally feasible dietary targets for cardiovascular risk counselling in Central Anatolia, pending prospective confirmation. Full article

Background/Objectives: Melanoma is a major and growing public health concern in Poland, with a five-year survival around 60–70%. While UV radiation and genetic susceptibility are well-known risk factors, lifestyle and environmental exposures may also contribute. This study examined how selected risk factors relate to one-year melanoma prevalence across Poland’s 16 voivodeships and assessed whether these factors can support short-term prediction. Methods: Annual melanoma prevalence for 2011–2021 was obtained from the Polish National Cancer Registry, and voivodeship-level estimates of metabolic risk factors, physical inactivity, alcohol consumption, smoking, high BMI, air pollution, water pollution and limited data on UV exposure were used to build a general estimating equations model. Model predictions for 2020–2021 were compared with observed data, and forecasts were generated through 2030. Results: Melanoma cases increased in every voivodeship between 2011 and 2021. Metabolic risk factors, high BMI, low physical activity and smoking were associated with higher melanoma prevalence. When other factors were considered, air pollution showed an inverse association, suggesting complex relationships that warrant further analysis. Forecasts indicated increasing prevalence in all of 16 voivodeships through 2030, although three regions showed large prediction errors for 2020–2021. A key limitation was the lack of sufficient UV exposure data. Conclusions: The findings support further evaluation of public health actions targeting the reduction of unhealthy lifestyle regarding diet, low physical activity, and smoking to help slow the projected rise in melanoma. Full article

This narrative review examines the influence of social networks on dietary habits and physical activity, and their relationship to overweight and obesity in adolescents. The study is based on a comprehensive literature search across PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and Web of Science databases, covering the period 2009–2022, and is complemented by a critical analysis of contemporary evidence. The included studies involved adolescents aged 12 to 19 and assessed associations among social networks, body weight, diet, and physical activity, using statistical methods based on social network analysis (SNA). No language restrictions were applied. The results demonstrated that friendship networks significantly influence adolescents’ body weight, eating behaviors, and physical activity levels. Specifically, boys exhibited similar unhealthy food consumption patterns within their networks, while girls’ networks showed similarities in sedentary activities. This review highlights that adolescents’ social networks play a relevant role in weight-related behaviors, with their influence varying based by gender. These findings underscore the need to consider such gender-specific effects when developing prevention and treatment strategies for obesity in this age group. Full article

Background/Objectives: Obesity, food and nutrient intake, and physical activity (PA) have been linked to the occurrence of various types of cancer. However, evidence regarding their relationship with melanoma is limited. We aimed to assess whether body mass index (BMI), diet quality, food cooking methods, and PA influence the risk of developing melanoma. Methods: This case–control study compared the demographic characteristics, dietary habits, and PA of 130 melanoma patients from the Hospital Clínic de Barcelona with 166 control subjects of similar age and sex distribution. Data was collected by means of a questionnaire, administered between January 2016 and February 2020. The association between these factors and melanoma was assessed using odds ratios for binary variables with 95% confidence intervals. Results: BMI was not found to be associated with the diagnosis of melanoma. However, restricting foods and limiting sugary products did show a correlation with lower melanoma risk, while dairy product restriction was associated with an increased risk. Consumption of processed meats and unhealthy cooking methods were also associated with an increased risk of melanoma development. Lastly, an inverse association between PA practice and frequency and melanoma risk was observed in women, while vigorous-intensity PA showed an inverse association regardless of sex. Conclusions: This study identifies specific dietary patterns and PA behaviors that may play a role in melanoma risk, highlighting the potential for personalized lifestyle-based prevention strategies. Full article

Background: Dietary behaviours in young athletes are shaped by multiple behavioural, social, and environmental influences, which may contribute to the coexistence of healthy and unhealthy eating patterns. This study aimed to explore factors associated with fast-food consumption frequency and adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) among young football athletes. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 94 male football players aged 10–16 years from a Portuguese football club. Adherence to the MD was assessed using the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index for Children and Adolescents (KIDMED) index. Fast-food consumption patterns and food-choice motivations were evaluated through a structured questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements were obtained using standardised procedures. Correlation, linear regression, and ordinal regression analyses were performed. Results: Most participants demonstrated high adherence to the MD (96.8%), with a median KIDMED score of 12.0 (IQR: 10.0–13.0). Although 88.3% of participants reported consuming fast food, intake frequency was generally low, with 67.0% reporting consumption never or only once per month. Higher fast-food consumption frequency was associated with lower fruit and vegetable intake and higher consumption of sweets and pastries. No significant associations were observed between fast-food consumption frequency and overall MD adherence, Body Mass Index z-score, or fat mass percentage. Higher health-related motivation scores were associated with lower odds of more frequent fast-food consumption (OR = 0.248; p = 0.021), whereas greater decision autonomy regarding restaurant choice was associated with higher consumption frequency (OR = 4.036; p = 0.010). Conclusions: Young football athletes showed high adherence to the Mediterranean diet despite the presence of fast-food consumption, suggesting that healthy and unhealthy dietary behaviours may coexist within the same population. Behavioural factors, particularly health motivations and food-choice autonomy, appear to influence fast-food consumption independently of overall diet quality and anthropometric status. Full article

Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is now recognized as a leading form of chronic liver disease globally and is strongly associated with metabolic abnormalities. Traditionally, the pathogenesis of MAFLD has mainly been attributed to genetic susceptibility and unhealthy lifestyles (such as high-calorie diets and sedentary behavior). However, in recent years, environmental factors, especially air pollution, have been confirmed as independent risk factors and important promoting factors for MAFLD development and further disease progression. This review summarizes current epidemiological findings on the link between air pollution exposure and MAFLD, while exploring its potential biological mechanisms involving systemic inflammation, oxidative stress, immune alteration, genetic risk, and epigenetic regulation underlying the relationship between air pollution and hepatic steatosis. It also reviews the additive interaction between air pollution and lifestyle or socioeconomic factors in MAFLD. Finally, we also discuss multilevel strategies spanning individual-, community-, national-, and global-level cooperation to address the increasing public health burden caused by air pollution. Therefore, incorporating the assessment and control of air pollution into the comprehensive strategies for MAFLD prevention and treatment has important scientific value and public health significance. Full article

The HORUS project investigates the interface between urban planning and public health, focusing on the reduction in non-communicable diseases through innovative urban planning and technological integration. Using geographic information systems, the project will develop advanced urban mapping and analysis tools to visualize and tackle health inequalities. The participatory approach of technologies will actively engage communities and empower citizens to shape a healthier urban environment. Through multidimensional methodology, including qualitative research and natural experiments, HORUS will align urban planning with public health needs. The project will target modifiable risk factors (physical inactivity, unhealthy diet and substance use) and will promote behavior change and environmental redesign to reduce the prevalence of non-communicable diseases. The integration of digital technologies will not only improve the assessment of urban health but also facilitate evidence-based interventions tailored to vulnerable populations. HORUS will provide practical applications for policy makers and urban planners by providing actionable frameworks for incorporating health-promoting features into urban design. This holistic approach will help create resilient cities that prioritize public health and shape the future urban environment. The project is an example of the transformative potential of aligning technology, policy and community engagement to effectively address the challenges of urbanization, and non-communicable diseases. Full article

Background/Objectives: The rising prevalence of overweight and obesity reflects a trend towards worsening eating habits and reduced physical activity, with significant implications for public health and life expectancy. This pilot survey aimed to evaluate weight status, food habits and lifestyle in primary school children from under-researched rural areas of the Lazio region, Italy. Methods: A total of 182 children aged 6–10 years from the municipalities of Monte Romano and Tolfa were enrolled. Body Mass Index (BMI), calculated from measured weight and height, was classified by IOTF and WHO definitions. Food habits, socioeconomic factors and lifestyle were evaluated by a standard questionnaire, and adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) was assessed by the KIDMED test. Results: Data showed a high prevalence of overweight, including obesity (33.3%), based on IOTF criteria, with slightly higher rates in boys than girls (38.3% vs. 26.9%). According to the WHO definition, the rate of overweight/obesity was 39.5% with significant differences between males and females (46% vs. 30.8%). Only 19.9% of children had high adherence to MD (67.3% moderate, 12.9% low), and 29.5% of the sample did not eat breakfast every day. In addition, 25.4% met international physical activity recommendations, while around 40% exceeded the recommended screen time on weekend days, and 19.3% did not sleep the recommended hours. Conclusions: Preliminary data show high rates of excess weight, poor diet quality and unhealthy lifestyles. Extending the sampling to other municipalities in the study area will help validate these findings and provide deeper insights to inform targeted intervention strategies. Full article

Background: Hypertension is one of the most common noncommunicable diseases. Objectives: This research assessed the magnitude of hypertension among young adults, identified its key determinants, and explored potential strategies adopted for prevention. Methods: A cross-sectional design was employed, including 1606 participants aged 18 years and older, recruited through convenience sampling from universities and community settings. Data were collected using a content-validated questionnaire covering sociodemographic information, personal and family medical history, and lifestyle habits. Results: Of the participants, 993 (61.8%) reported hypertension, nearly double previous national estimates. Male gender, age ≥ 30 years, and family history were significant risk factors, along with smoking, alcohol use, sedentary lifestyle, and unhealthy diet, while physical activity and dietary modification were protective. Despite high prevalence, only 22.1% had controlled blood pressure and 17.8% adhered to medication, with 51.5% relying on herbal remedies. Conclusions: These findings highlight the urgent need for early screening, youth-focused awareness, and culturally tailored interventions to reduce hypertension and prevent long-term cardiovascular complications. Hypertension among young adults in the UAE is a major public health concern, requiring integrated strategies combining education, lifestyle modification, and medical management to improve outcomes. Full article

Background: Celiac disease (CeD) requires lifelong adherence to a gluten-free diet (GFD). However, there is evidence that a GFD may lead to an unhealthy cardiometabolic risk profile and potentially increase the risk of cardiovascular disease in some patients. Incorporating plant-based foods (primarily derived from plants) into a GFD may offer a solution to improve cardiometabolic health. Thus, this study aimed to identify the attitudes toward and barriers to adopting a more plant-dominant diet among Danish patients with CeD. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was distributed to 2861 members of the Danish Celiac Society. Data from 959 patients with confirmed CeD were included. Results: Most participants (58.5%) reported adapting their diet after diagnosis by combining gluten-free products with plant-based foods, while 31.2% relied solely on gluten-free replacements. Dietary adaptation was primarily shaped by the limited availability of gluten-free plant-based foods (64%), taste/texture (55%), and cost (51%). More than half of the patients (56.8%) considered ‘eating more plant-based foods’, with ‘health’ being the primary motivator (70%), followed by ‘climate’ (50%) and ‘taste’ (36%). However, several barriers to a more plant-dominant diet were identified. Most notably, ‘taste and texture’ (71%), ‘limited availability of gluten-free plant-based foods’ (68%), ‘nutritional concerns’ (56%), and ‘cost’ (54%) were reported as barriers. Conclusions: Most Danish patients with CeD were generally positive about increasing their intake of plant-based foods; however, barriers to such dietary changes remain. Ongoing follow-up, practical guidance from dietitians, and accessible evidence-based resources may help patients maintain a nutritionally balanced, plant-dominant GFD that supports long-term health. Full article

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is an emerging public health challenge in Africa, driven by rapid urbanisation, changing lifestyles and socio-economic transitions. As the global prevalence rises, evidence on the burden and determinants of DM across African countries remains fragmented and inconsistent. Objective: We aimed to synthesize evidence from existing systematic reviews and meta-analyses on the prevalence and determinants of diabetes mellitus across African populations, thereby informing targeted interventions and policy actions. Methods: This umbrella review followed the PRISMA guidelines and included systematic reviews and meta-analyses of studies, published up to December 2024, that reported on DM prevalence and/or risk factors for DM in adults across four African countries. The literature was retrieved from PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and African Journals Online (AJOL). Quality assessment was conducted using the AMSTAR 2 (A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews, version 2) tool, and only moderate- to high-quality reviews were retained. Random-effects models were used to estimate the pooled prevalence and odds ratios (ORs), while heterogeneity, publication bias and sensitivity analyses were also conducted. Findings: Seven reviews were included, covering four countries: Ethiopia, South Africa, Nigeria and Ghana. The pooled prevalence of diabetes mellitus was 9.0% (95% CI: 6.0–12.0%), with significant heterogeneity (I² = 99.8%). Among the determinants, only family history of DM (OR:5.11, 95% CI: 2.96–8.85), hypertension (OR: 2.52; 95% CI: 1.65–3.83), obesity (OR: 3.04; 95% CI: 1.92–4.82), physical inactivity (OR: 3.32; 95% CI: 1.99–5.54), smoking (OR: 2.59; 95% CI: 1.23–5.47), unhealthy diet (OR: 4.77; 95% CI: 1.73–13.18) and urban residence (OR: 5.81; 95%CI: 4.41–7.65), showed a statistically significant association. Sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of pooled prevalence, and no significant publication bias was detected. Conclusions: Diabetes mellitus prevalence in Africa is rising and approaching the global averages. The heterogeneity in risk factors underscores the need for localised, context-specific strategies. Full article

Background/Objectives: To assess the prevalence of eating disorder (ED) risk in a sample of Italian university students and to examine its independent associations with mental health indicators, self-rated health, body mass index (BMI), lifestyle behaviours, and engagement with digital food-related applications. Methods: Of the 2779 Italian university students who accessed the survey, 2691 completed and were included in the analysis. ED risk was assessed with the validated 5-item SCOFF questionnaire. Exposure included socio-demographics, BMI, depressive symptoms (PHQ-9), self-rated health, adherence to the Mediterranean diet (Medi-Lite), smoking, alcohol use (AUDIT-C), and use of food delivery and food waste apps. Multivariable logistic regression models, stratified by sex, and adjusted by age and education, estimated associations with ED risk. Results: Overall, 34.6% of participants screened positive for ED risk (women 39.5%, men 21.8%). Smoking and use of food delivery apps and food waste apps were independently associated with ED risk. Clinically relevant depressive symptoms (PHQ-9 ≥ 10) (aOR 3.37, 95% CI 2.82–4.02) and poor/fair self-rated health (aOR 2.45, 95% CI 1.93–3.11) showed the strongest association. Overweight (aOR 1.47, 95% CI 1.06–2.03) and obesity (aOR 2.48, 95% CI 1.53–4.01) increased the likelihood of ED risk. Risky alcohol use was also associated (aOR 1.42, 95% CI 1.15–1.75). Conclusions: More than one in three Italian university students is at risk for an ED, highlighting a substantial public health concern. Strong links with depression, perceived poor health, digital food app use, and unhealthy behaviours underscore the need for early screening and integrated mental health and nutrition interventions within university settings. Full article