Breakfast Dietary Pattern Is Inversely Associated with Overweight/Obesity in European Adolescents: The HELENA Study

Sex- and gender-based medicine in pediatric nutrition

Consistent evidence increasingly highlights the significance of integrating sex and gender medicine to ensure a precision approach according to individual patient needs. Gender discrepancies emerge across various areas, even from pediatric age. The importance of recognizing these differences in pediatric nutrition is critical for the development of targeted nutritional strategies and interventions, particularly in cases of associated pathologies, including obesity, metabolic-associated fatty liver disease, eating disorders, and inflammatory bowel disease. The review highlights the biological and sociocultural factors that contribute to different nutritional needs and health outcomes in male and female children. By examining current evidence, we underscore the necessity for precision medicine approaches in pediatric care that consider these sex- and gender-based differences. Moreover, differences in dietary requirements and dietary patterns between males and females are evident, underscoring the need for precise nutrition strategies for a more accurate management of children and adolescents. This approach is essential for improving clinical outcomes and promoting equitable healthcare practices. This review aims to provide an overview of nutrition-related medical conditions exhibiting sex- and gender-specific discrepancies, which might lead to distinct outcomes requiring unique management and prevention strategies. Future research and public health initiatives should address these differences in designing effective lifestyle education programs and nutrition interventions targeting both children and adolescents.

Self-Reported Nutritional Status and Breakfast Characterization in Latin American University Students

OBJECTIVE

To associate breakfast consumption frequency with self-reported nutritional status and dietary patterns of Latin American university students by human development.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This was a cross-sectional, multicenter observational study. University students from 11 Latin American countries (Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, Paraguay, Panama and Uruguay) were invited to participate by answering an online self-administered questionnaire on food consumption and sociodemographic indicators, associations were investigated using logistic regression.

RESULTS

The logistic regression analysis showed significant associations between breakfast consumption and the crude model, models 2 and 3 in countries with very high and upper-middle/high human development. However, after adjustment in the most comprehensive model, the association is no longer statistically significant. In the fully adjusted model of the variables, a significant relationship was observed between breakfast consumption and both healthy and unhealthy dietary patterns. Specifically, students who typically consume breakfast exhibit greater consumption of oatmeal and fruits, as well as healthier dinner choices. Conversely, they exhibit lower consumption of fast food, sugary drinks, and juices. In particular, in highly developed countries, along with the mentioned foods, consumption of dairy was linked to breakfast consumption in a positive way, while alcohol consumption was negatively associated.

CONCLUSION

University students who eat breakfast on a regular basis maintain a healthier diet in comparison to those who do not, irrespective of their country's level of human development.

Importance of diet in children and adolescents with obesity and asthma

Both obesity and asthma are increasingly being diagnosed in the childhood population. Obesity is linked to a greater asthma morbidity, and it increases the risk of severity of the disease course. The association between these 2 disorders has not yet been fully elucidated; however, several putative factors have been proposed related to mechanical and inflammatory aspects of obesity. Diet is an important adjustable element in obesity and asthma management. An unhealthy diet based on processed food is likely to promote chronic inflammation in both conditions; hence, appropriate nutrition should be an integral part of the children's therapy. This review discusses dietary models that have a positive impact on patient health.

Addressing a Growing Crisis: Exploring Novel Insights and Solutions in Research on Nutrition and Childhood and Adolescent Obesity

Given the escalating global prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), it is consequently crucial to address childhood obesity by promoting lifestyle adjustments, as exemplified in the World Health Organization's Package of Essential Non-Communicable Disease Interventions for Primary Healthcare [...].

Impact of Pasta Intake on Body Weight and Body Composition: A Technical Review

Pasta is a staple carbohydrate across many cultures but has been implicated in overweight and obesity due to its position as a refined carbohydrate. Yet, the unique structure of pasta and its low glycemic response suggest it may contribute to a healthy body weight. The purpose of this review is to summarize the literature on the effects of pasta and dietary patterns high in pasta on body weight and body composition outcomes, and evaluate potential mechanisms by which pasta may influence body weight. A search of PubMed and CENTRAL identified 38 relevant studies examining pasta intake and body weight outcomes or potential mechanisms. Observational studies generally report no association or an inverse association of pasta intake with body weight/body composition outcomes. One clinical trial reported no difference in weight loss between a hypocaloric diet with high intake vs. low intake of pasta. Pasta may influence body weight via its low glycemic response, but evidence of effects on appetite, appetite-related hormones, and gastric emptying is limited and inconclusive. In conclusion, observational and limited clinical data suggest pasta is either inversely or not associated with overweight or obesity in healthy children and adults, and does not contribute to weight gain within the context of a healthy diet.

Meal-specific dietary patterns and biomarkers of insulin resistance in a sample of Iranian adults: a cross-sectional study

Current research emphasizes the habitual dietary pattern without differentiating eating occasions. We aimed to assess meal-specific dietary patterns and insulin resistance indicators. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 825 Iranian adults. Dietary data were recorded by three 24-h dietary recalls. Dietary patterns were identified using principal component analysis (PCA) on main meals and an afternoon snack. Anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, and laboratory investigation, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), triglyceride, insulin, c-reactive protein (CRP) were done. Homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance and sensitivity (HOMA-IR and HOMA-IS), Triglycerides and glucose (TyG-index), and Lipid accommodation product index were calculated. We used multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) analysis. Two major dietary patterns at the main meals and the afternoon were identified. Higher adherence to "Bread, vegetable, and cheese" dietary pattern at breakfast was related to lower FPG, and "Oil, egg, and cereals" showed a direct association with body mass index, FPG, and TyG-index at breakfast. The "Western" pattern in lunch and dinner directly related to waist circumference (WC) and body mass index, however, it was inversely related to HOMA-IS. This pattern at dinner was related to higher CRP. Higher adherence to "bread, cereals, and oil" pattern at afternoon snack was associated with a lower WC. These results indicated that unhealthy meal-specific dietary patterns are associated with a greater chance of obesity and insulin resistance risk. However, "Bread, vegetable, and cheese" dietary pattern at breakfast was related to lower FPG, and "bread, cereals, and oil" pattern in the afternoon was associated with lower WC.

Advances in Research on Nutrition and Childhood Obesity

Obesity is a complex, multifactorial problem affecting children and adolescents around the world [...].

The Association between Breakfast Macronutrient Composition and Body Weight, in Preadolescence: An Epidemiological Study among Schoolchildren

Over the last few decades, childhood overweight and obesity tend to reach epidemic proportions. The present study aimed to examine whether the composition of breakfast, through the prism of its macronutrient content, could play a part in the development of excess body weight in children. A sample of 1728 Greek students from 47 primary schools was enrolled for the purposes of this study. Their weight and height were measured and their Body Mass Index was calculated and classified according to the International Obesity Task Force criteria. Their dietary habits, breakfast foods of choice, and physical activity were assessed through the use of a self-completed questionnaire. Further assessment of breakfast composition was carried out in order to evaluate its macronutrient content. Initial analysis, which was only energy-adjusted, showed a negative association between body weight and breakfast protein content and a positive association for lipid content. After further adjustment for age, sex, level of adherence to the Mediterranean diet, and physical activity, there was a significant negative association between breakfast protein and excess body weight in children (p = 0.029), as well as a significant positive association of breakfast lipid content (p = 0.028). Breakfast macronutrient content seems to have an effect on body composition in children, independently of overall adherence to the Mediterranean diet and physical activity, however further research is needed in order to elucidate potential pathways.

The Mediating Role of Dietary Inflammatory Index in the Association between Eating Breakfast and Obesity: A Cross-Sectional Study

Obesity is closely related with diet, including the regularity of meals and inflammation in the diet. No previous study focused on the associations among eating breakfast, which is regarded the most important meal, dietary inflammation, and obesity. This study analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2007 to 2018, with 23,758 participants involved. Obesity and dietary inflammation were measured by body mass index (BMI) and dietary inflammatory index (DII), respectively. Eating breakfast was defined by two days of dietary recalls based on NHANES dietary data. Pro-inflammatory diet and skipping breakfast were positively associated with obesity in the whole population. Compared with eating breakfast in both recalls, skipping breakfast had the higher OR of obesity, especially for individuals who reported no recall. Participants with diabetes were the sensitive population of these associations. Compared with participants who reported breakfast in both recalls, the mediated proportion of participants reported breakfast in one recall and in no recall were 24.71% and 27.34%, respectively. The association between eating breakfast and obesity was partly mediated by DII. We recommended eating breakfast regularly to reduce dietary inflammation, as well as further obesity, especially for diabetic populations.

Skipping breakfast and excess weight among young people: the moderator role of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity

The present study aimed to test whether the daily minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) engaged moderate the relationship between breakfast status and excess weight (i.e., overweight and/or obesity) in a Spanish sample of young people. A cross-sectional study involving a total sample of 2890 Spanish schoolchildren (46% girls) aged 6-17 years (M = 12.3 ± 2.6) was conducted. To determine the habit of having breakfast, a dichotomous item about breakfast status (yes/no) from the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index for children and teenagers (KIDMED) was used. Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children and the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents were fulfilled to offer an estimation of the minutes of MVPA that individuals had in the last seven days. Body mass index (BMI) was converted into z-scores and, therefore, excess weight status (i.e., overweight and/or obesity) was established according to World Health Organization criteria for sex and age. Skipping breakfast was positively related with BMI (z-score) and excess weight. Moderation analyses suggested that daily MVPA minutes moderated the association between skipping breakfast and BMI (boys: β =  - 0.175; girls: β =  - 0.073) or the excess weight (boys: OR = 1.10; CI 95%, 1.02 to 1.07; girls: OR = 1.14; CI 95%, 1.04 to 1.24), meaning that physical activity of sufficient intensity seems to reduce the effect of skipping breakfast on the body weight status of young people.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicate that promotion of having breakfast should be accompanied by daily MVPA, as young participants who have breakfast and with higher daily MVPA seem to be more likely to have no excess weight.

WHAT IS KNOWN

• Some of the well-studied factors associated with childhood obesity have been skipping breakfast and insufficient physical activity. • Some studies have pointed out the association between having breakfast and both body mass index and physical activity level, in isolation.

WHAT IS NEW

• Daily minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity moderate the association between skipping breakfast and excess weight. • Breakfast promotion as a healthy eating habit should be accompanied by increases in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, since participants who have breakfast and with higher moderate-to-vigorous physical activity seem to be more likely to have no excess weight.