Guidelines for best practices in monitoring established coeliac disease in adult patients.

Coeliac disease (CeD) is an immunological disease triggered by the consumption of gluten contained in food in individuals with a genetic predisposition. Diagnosis is based on the presence of small bowel mucosal atrophy and circulating autoantibodies (anti-type 2 transglutaminase antibodies). After diagnosis, patients follow a strict, life-long gluten-free diet. Although the criteria for diagnosis of this disease are well defined, the monitoring phase has been studied less and there is a lack of specific guidelines for this phase. To develop a set of clinical guidelines for CeD monitoring, we followed the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation methodology. Statements and recommendations with the level of evidence were developed and approved by the working group, which comprised gastroenterologists, pathologists, dieticians and biostatisticians. The proposed guidelines, endorsed by the North American and European coeliac disease scientific societies, make recommendations for best practices in monitoring patients with CeD based on the available evidence. The evidence level is low for many topics, suggesting that further research in specific aspects of CeD would be valuable. In conclusion, the present guidelines support clinicians in improving CeD treatment and follow-up and highlight novel issues that should be considered in future studies.

Maladaptive Food Attitudes and Behaviors in Individuals with Celiac Disease and Their Association with Quality of Life.

BACKGROUND: The only treatment for celiac disease (CeD) is strict lifelong adherence to a gluten-free diet (GFD). In some individuals the demands of a GFD may contribute to maladaptive eating attitudes and behaviors that impair quality of life (QOL). The Celiac Disease Food Attitudes and Behaviors (CD-FAB) is an easily administered and scored 11-item tool querying potentially maladaptive food attitudes and behaviors resulting from beliefs around gluten exposures and food safety. OBJECTIVES: To assess the usefulness of the CD-FAB in establishing the presence of maladaptive food attitudes and behaviors among adults with CeD and to explore the relationship between these attitudes and behaviors and other factors including QOL, anxiety, depression, CeD symptoms and personality traits. METHODS: The study is a cross-sectional pilot of 50 adults (mean age 29.6 years) with biopsy-proven CeD who followed a GFD for at least one year and had no self-reported eating disorder diagnosis. High scores on the CD-FAB tool suggest higher disordered eating attitudes and beliefs. RESULTS: Compared to lower scores (mean 20.2), higher (worse) CD-FAB scores (mean 54.5) were positively associated with recency of diagnosis, number of CeD-related gastrointestinal symptoms, and the personality trait of neuroticism. Higher CD-FAB scores were statistically and clinically significantly associated with diminished QOL (p < 0.001). The relationship with anxiety and depression was less clear but trended in the expected direction. CONCLUSION: The CD-FAB may be a useful tool for dietitians who wish to monitor maladaptive food attitudes and behaviors among their CeD patients, especially in the first-year post-diagnosis.

Diet quality, ultra-processed food consumption, and quality of life in a cross-sectional cohort of adults and teens with celiac disease.

BACKGROUND: Coeliac disease (CeD), a common autoimmune condition, requires strict adherence to a gluten-free diet (GFD). Adherence to the GFD has been associated with quality of life (QOL). However, there may be other diet-related concerns, such as overall diet patterns, including diet quality or ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption, possibly associated with QOL among people with CeD following a GFD that have not been examined. METHODS: Diet quality was determined based on 24-h diet recalls of a cross-sectional prospectively recruited sample of 80 participants (50 adults and 30 teens) with biopsy-confirmed CeD ('Study Sample') using the Healthy Eating Index and Alternate Mediterranean Diet score. The amount of UPF consumed was assessed using Nova, a food processing classification system. QOL was measured using Celiac Disease-Specific Quality of Life (CDQOL) and Celiac Disease Pediatric-Specific Quality of Life (CDPQOL). The Study Sample's diet patterns were compared with National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) groups (25 adults reporting prior CeD and GFD; 51 adults with new CeD and no GFD; 15,777 adults and 2296 teens without CeD). The relationship of the Study Sample's diet patterns with CDQOL/CDPQOL was assessed using analysis of covariance. RESULTS: The Study Sample's diet patterns were suboptimal but generally favourable compared with all NHANES groups. Compared to Study Adults with the highest tertile of UPF, those with the lowest tertile had significantly higher CDQOL (mean: 67.6 vs. 78.3, p < 0.001). Compared to Study Teens with the lowest tertile of AMED, those with the highest tertile had significantly higher CDPQOL (mean: 67.0 vs. 79.9, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Maintaining high diet quality and minimising UPF may be important for CeD-specific QOL among individuals with CeD maintaining a GFD.

Teachers' Resources to Support School Lunch: Professional Development Is Warranted.

In the United States, many children who come from low-income backgrounds and experience food insecurity do not take and eat school lunch, despite it being a nutritious meal. Teachers could play a role in encouraging students' consumption of school lunch; however, teachers in America are traditionally uninvolved in the lunch period. The purpose of this research was to understand the resources kindergarten through twelfth grade (K-12) teachers need to encourage students to take and eat school lunch. Two data collection workshops and semi-structured follow-up interviews were conducted with K-12 teachers. The workshops and interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed for salient themes. Ten teachers participated in the workshops and six teachers participated in the follow-up interviews. In general, teachers believe school meals are essential for students' focus and behavior in the classroom. However, to encourage students to take and eat school lunch, teachers need support and resources. From the workshops and interviews, three themes emerged: (1) improvements in the food quality; (2) school community support; and (3) professional development. The data suggests professional development is the greatest resource teachers need, as professional development can enhance teachers' motivation to advocate for better food quality and engage school community support. Greater teacher involvement in school lunch could lay the groundwork for future healthier generations.

Impact of Celiac Disease on Dating.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: When seeking a romantic partner, individuals with celiac disease (CD) must navigate challenging social situations. We aimed to investigate dating-related behaviors in adults with CD. METHODS: A total of 11,884 affiliates of the Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University were invited to participate in an online survey. Adults (≥ 18 years) with biopsy-diagnosed CD were included. Among the 5,249 who opened the email, 538 fully completed the survey (10.2%). The survey included a CD-specific dating attitudes/behaviors questionnaire, a Social Anxiety Questionnaire (SAQ), a CD-specific quality of life instrument (CD-QOL), and a CD Food Attitudes and Behaviors scale (CD-FAB). RESULTS: Respondents were primarily female (86.8%) and the plurality (24.4%) was in the 23-35 year age range. 44.3% had dated with CD, and among them, 68.4% reported that CD had a major/moderate impact on their dating life. A major/moderate impact was more commonly reported among females (69.3%, p < 0.001), 23-35-year-olds (77.7%, p = 0.015), those with a household income < $50 K (81.7%, p = 0.019), and those with a lower CD-QOL score (50.5 vs. 73.4, p = 0.002). While on dates, 39.3% were uncomfortable explaining precautions to waiters, 28.2% engaged in riskier eating behaviors, and 7.5% intentionally consumed gluten. 39.0% of all participants were hesitant to kiss their partner because of CD; females more so than males (41.1% vs. 22.7%, p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: The majority of participants felt that CD had a major/moderate impact on their dating life. This impact may result in hesitation toward dating and kissing, decreased QOL, greater social anxiety, and less adaptive eating attitudes and behaviors. CD and the need to adhere to a gluten free diet have a major impact on dating and intimacy.

Patients' Risk Tolerance for Non-Dietary Therapies in Celiac Disease.

Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune disorder mediated by an immune response to dietary gluten that affects the small intestine and leads to inflammation, malabsorption, and systemic consequences.1 The only established therapy is strict adherence to a gluten-free diet.2,3 Recently there has been growth in the development of novel non-dietary therapies for patients with CD,4 which are driven by dissatisfaction with the burden of the gluten-free diet.5,6.

Food insecurity, housing instability, and dietary quality among children with sickle cell disease: Assessment from a single urban center.

BACKGROUND: Food insecurity and housing instability, both social determinants of health (SDoH), disproportionately affect economically unstable, under-resourced US communities in which children with sickle cell disease (SCD) live. Association between these SDoH markers and dietary quality among children with SCD is unknown. PROCEDURES: We assessed a cross-sectional sample of dyadic parent-child patients and young adult patients up to age 21 from one pediatric SCD center. Food insecurity, housing instability, and dietary quality were measured using validated US instruments and a food frequency questionnaire. Better dietary quality was defined using US dietary guidelines. Multivariate regression assessed for associations among dietary quality and food insecurity with or without (±) housing instability and housing instability alone. RESULTS: Of 100 enrolled participants, 53% were Black and 43% Hispanic; mean age 10.6 ± 5.6 years. Overall, 70% reported less than or equal to one economic instability: 40% housing instability alone and 30% both food insecurity and housing instability. Eighty percent received more than or equal to one federal food assistance benefit. Compared to no economic instability, food insecurity ± housing instability was significantly associated with higher intake of higher dairy and pizza, while housing instability alone was significantly associated with higher dairy intake. Food insecurity ± housing instability was significantly associated with lower intake of whole grains compared to housing instability alone. CONCLUSIONS: Our sample reported high frequencies of both food insecurity and housing instability; having more than or equal to one SDoH was associated with elements of poorer diet quality. Screening families of children with SCD for food insecurity and housing instability may identify those with potential nutrition-related social needs.

Factors Associated with Maladaptive Eating Behaviors, Social Anxiety, and Quality of Life in Adults with Celiac Disease.

A gluten-free diet (GFD), which is the only treatment for celiac disease (CeD), is challenging and associated with higher levels of anxiety, disordered eating, and lower quality of life (QOL). We examined various demographic and health factors associated with social anxiety, eating attitudes and behaviors, and QOL. Demographics and health characteristics, QOL, eating attitudes and behaviors, and social anxiety of adults with CeD were acquired using validated measures. The mean scores for QOL, SAQ, and CDFAB were compared across various demographic groups using the Z statistical test. The mean QOL score was 57.8, which is in the moderate range. The social anxiety mean scores were high: 78.82, with 9% meeting the clinical cutoff for social anxiety disorder. Those on a GFD for a short duration had significantly higher SAQ scores (worse anxiety), higher CDFAB scores (worse eating attitudes and behavior), and lower QOL scores. Those aged 23-35 years had lower QOL scores (p < 0.003) and higher SAQ scores (p < 0.003). Being single (p < 0.001) and female (p = 0.026) were associated with higher SAQ scores. These findings suggest that the development of targeted interventions to maximize QOL and healthy eating behaviors as well as to minimize anxiety is imperative for some adults with CeD.

Wellness in the Schools: A Lunch Intervention Increases Fruit and Vegetable Consumption.

Wellness in the Schools (WITS) is a national non-profit organization partnering with public schools to provide healthy, scratch cooked, less processed meals (called an Alternative Menu), and active recess. This study examined the effects of WITS programming on school lunch consumption, including fruit and vegetable intake, in second and third grade students in New York City public schools serving a high proportion of students from low-income households. The intervention was evaluated with a quasi-experimental, controlled design with 14 elementary schools (7 that had initiated WITS programming in fall 2015 and were designated as intervention schools, and 7 matched Control schools). School lunch consumption was assessed by anonymous observation using the System of Observational Cafeteria Assessment of Foods Eaten (SOCAFE) tool in the fall of 2015 (Time 0, early intervention) and the spring of 2016 (Time 1) and 2017 (Time 2). There were no baseline data. Data were also collected on the types of entrées served in the months of October, January, and April during the two school years of the study. Across time points, and relative to students in the Control schools, students in WITS schools ate more fruits and vegetables (units = cups): Time 0: Control 0.18 vs. WITS 0.28; Time 1: Control 0.25 vs. WITS 0.31; and Time 2: Control 0.19 vs. WITS 0.27; p < 0.001. They also had more fruits and vegetables (cups) on their trays, which included more vegetables from the salad bar. However, students in the WITS schools ate fewer entrées (grain and protein) and drank less milk than students in the Control schools. Compared to the Control schools, WITS schools offered more homestyle entrées and fewer finger foods and sandwich entrees, i.e., less processed food. Students in WITS schools who received the Alternative menu and all of the WITS programming at all data collection time points selected and consumed more fruits and vegetables. Replication studies with randomized designs and true baseline data are needed to confirm these findings and to identify avenues for strengthening the effects of the program on other school lunch components.

Protocol for a family-centered behavioral intervention to reduce early childhood caries: the MySmileBuddy program efficacy trial.

BACKGROUND: Although largely preventable through diet management and topical fluoride use, early childhood caries (ECC) often progresses to severity that necessitates surgical repair. Yet repair often fails to mitigate caries progression. Needed is an effective behavioral intervention to address underlying behavioral causes. METHODS: This randomized controlled trial will evaluate the efficacy of a behaviorally focused, family-centered intervention, the MySmileBuddy Program (MSB Program), to reduce ECC progression in high-risk preschoolers in New York City. Recruitment will target 858 children ages 24-71 months with ECC and their parents from primary care medical and dental clinics. The study aims to assess the MSB Program's efficacy to: (1) decrease ECC progression measured 12-months post-randomization; and (2) enhance adoption of a low cariogenic diet and twice-daily fluoridated toothpaste use compared to control group. Potential causal pathways (mediators and moderators) will be explored. The MSB Program equips community health workers (CHWs) with an app that facilitates multilevel risk assessment and provides motivational interviewing-based counseling to inform parents about the caries process, develop personalized goals, and create family-level action plans to achieve targeted behaviors. Social support from CHWs (4 interactions during the 6-month intervention, supplemented by up to 4 in-person/remote contacts throughout the 12-month study period, based on need) is bolstered by automated text messages. Participants will be randomized to a Control Group (paper-based educational handout plus toothbrushes and fluoridated toothpaste for the child) or Intervention Group (MSB Program, two tooth-brushing observations with feedback and instruction, and toothbrushes and toothpaste for the entire family). All children will receive visual ICDAS dental examinations and parents will complete study measures at baseline and 12-months. An incentive up to $150 plus round-trip transit cards ($5.50 value) will be provided. DISCUSSION: This study hypothesizes that the MSB Program can reduce ECC progression in a high-risk population. Sufficient incentives and a focus on establishing rapport between participants and CHWs are anticipated to mitigate recruitment and retention challenges. If successful, this study will advance the long-term goal of reducing pediatric oral health disparities by demonstrating the efficacy of an acceptable and feasible intervention that shifts attention from dental repair to behavioral risk mitigation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Trial registration was completed on 4/13/2021 through the U.S. National Library of Medicine ClinicalTrials.gov website (Identifier: NCT04845594).

Navigating celiac disease and the gluten-free diet in China.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about celiac disease (CeD) diagnosis and management in China. AIM: This pilot aimed to be the first study to describe, quantitatively and qualitatively, how individuals living in China navigate CeD and the gluten-free diet (GFD). METHODS: Participants were 13 adults and four parents of children with reported CeD, recruited from 11 mainland China cities via an online GFD support group. CeD-specific quality of life (CD-QOL and CD-PQOL) and diet adherence (CDAT) were assessed. In-depth interviews addressed experiences with CeD and the GFD. RESULTS: Six of 17 participants reported biopsy- or serology-confirmed CeD. The mean (SD) adult CDAT score was 15.2 (3.6), > 13 indicating inadequate GFD adherence. The mean adult CD-QOL score was 62.1 (24.1) out of 100, in the "medium" to "good" range. Results were similar in children. Major interview themes included: (1) a challenging journey to obtain diagnosis; (2) social and structural barriers to maintaining the GFD; and (3) reliance on self in management of CeD. CONCLUSION: Obtaining a diagnosis, maintaining a GFD, and living with CeD can be extremely challenging in mainland China. Results suggest an urgent need for CeD-specific education and Asian-adapted GFD guidance for both healthcare practitioners and patients.

A secondary analysis of maternal ultra-processed food intake in women with overweight or obesity and associations with gestational weight gain and neonatal body composition outcomes.

BACKGROUND: This study is an observational secondary analysis of the Lifestyle Intervention for Two (LIFT) randomised controlled trial data. There is a paucity of data related to mechanisms of health effects and dietary intake of ultra-processed foods (UPF). Earlier studies demonstrate associations between greater UPF intake and weight gain. The purpose of the study was to describe associations among maternal UPF intake with gestational weight gain (GWG) and neonatal body composition. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Women with overweight or obesity (n=156) and offspring (n=126) with complete energy intake, anthropometrics and body composition measures were selected. Maternal weights and diet recalls (Automated Self-Administered 24) were measured at weeks 14 and 35 gestational age (GA). Body composition was assessed by infant quantitative magnetic resonance (infant-QMR) and air displacement plethysmography (ADP) at birth. Dependent variables were GWG and neonatal fat mass, fat-free mass, and lean mass at birth; covariates were dietary, socioeconomic and biological. Stepwise linear regressions were used to test associations. RESULTS: Highest quartile of percentage of energy intake from UPF (PEI-UPF) was not significantly correlated with maternal GWG (p=0.215), infant QMR fat (p=0.816) and lean mass (p=0.423) or ADP fat (p=0.482) or fat-free mass (p=0.835). CONCLUSIONS: While no significant associations with UPF were observed in this smaller size cohort, further investigations would be justified in larger cohorts on the relationships of maternal UPF intake and GWG and offspring outcomes. Clinical Trial NCT01616147.

Impact of a Child's Celiac Disease Diagnosis and Management on the Family.

BACKGROUND: Little attention has been paid to family-wide repercussions of a child's celiac disease diagnosis and concomitant gluten-free diet management. AIMS: We quantitatively and qualitatively describe positive and negative family-wide effects of a child's celiac disease diagnosis and disease management. METHODS: We interviewed 16 families with at least one child currently following a gluten-free diet, with a biopsy-confirmed celiac disease diagnosis ≥ 1 year prior. Mothers and fathers independently rated child's dietary adherence, concern about child's health status, burden in caring for child's dietary needs, and level of change in various aspects of life post- diagnosis. Children rated their own celiac-specific quality of life through a validated scale. Seventy-one in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 children with celiac disease, 31 parents, and 24 siblings. RESULTS: Mothers and fathers rated the effects of their child's celiac disease differently, with mothers reporting more lifestyle changes and heavier burden. Negative and positive themes emerged from the interviews. Mothers felt the burden of managing a gluten-free diet. Fathers felt guilty for carrying a celiac disease-associated gene and both fathers and siblings regretted limited food choices at restaurants and home. The need to be a more creative cook was seen as a positive effect by mothers. Fathers appreciated new family traditions. Siblings felt they had developed empathy for others. A framework is proposed to illustrate these family-wide interactions. CONCLUSIONS: A child's celiac disease diagnosis and disease management affects the entire family. Our results will inform family-centered interventions that maximize quality of life for families.

A Cooking-Based Intervention Promotes Gluten-Free Diet Adherence and Quality of Life for Adults with Celiac Disease.

Current treatment for celiac disease (CD) requires a life-long gluten-free diet (GFD).1 Among the top challenges are eating outside the home2 and over-reliance on processed foods, which are often high-fat, low-fiber, and high-sugar.3 Home cooking is a GFD management strategy that addresses both. Research not specific to CD suggests a variety of positive outcomes related to home cooking: healthier dietary pattern, positive self-management behaviors (eg, improved glycosylated hemoglobin and cholesterol levels), increased willingness to integrate complex dietary changes, and improved quality of life (QOL).4-6 In this study we assessed the feasibility and acceptability of a cooking-based nutrition education intervention to promote GFD adherence and QOL among adults with CD.

Benefits From and Barriers to Portable Detection of Gluten, Based on a Randomized Pilot Trial of Patients With Celiac Disease.

Research links diminished quality of life (QOL) to the challenges of a strict gluten-free diet (GFD), the only treatment for celiac disease (CD).1-4 This pilot study assessed the acceptability and feasibility of a portable gluten sensor device (Nima) to promote GFD adherence and QOL.

Feasibility, Acceptability, and Short-term Behavioral Impact of the MySmileBuddy Intervention for Early Childhood Caries.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate acceptability, feasibility, and short-term behavioral impact of an early childhood caries (ECC) intervention. METHODS: Predominantly low-income Hispanic parent/child (2-6 years) dyads attending a busy pediatric dental clinic in New York City completed a single administration of the iPad-based technology-assisted education, goal-setting, and behavior change MySmileBuddy program. Self-reported behavior change was assessed via telephone survey one month post-intervention. RESULTS: Of 113 parent/child dyads approached, 108 (95.6%) participated and all completed MySmileBuddy in its entirety. Over 96% (n = 76) of 79 parents reached for follow-up recalled MySmileBuddy; 63.3% (n = 50) recalled their diet-and/or oral hygiene-related behavioral goal; and 79.7% (n = 79) reported taking action to initiate behavior change. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that MySmileBuddy was feasibly implemented in a busy clinic, acceptable to this high-risk population, and effectively promoted preliminary ECC-related behavior changes. Larger, long-term studies are warranted to further investigate the impact of the MySmileBuddy program.

Cafeteria noise exposure and fruit and vegetable consumption at school lunch: A cross-sectional study of elementary students.

Presently in the U.S., few children meet the recommendation for daily consumption of fruits and vegetables (FV). School feeding programs have shown promise for increasing FV consumption among young children. However, several aspects of the school cafeteria environment have not been examined regarding their relationship with FV consumption. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between noise, selected environmental factors previously explored in the literature (i.e., recess/lunch order, the amount of time allocated for lunch, the presence of a salad bar, and number of FV items offered) and 2nd and 3rd grade students' FV consumption during lunch. A digital photography method was used to assess FV consumption among students across 40 days from 20 schools and environmental exposures, including the noise or sound pressure level of the cafeteria, were assessed during lunch. On average, students in this study consumed 0.35 (SD = 0.31) cups of fruit and 0.24 (SD = 0.29) cups of vegetables. The average noise level in cafeterias was 79.7 (SD = 4.1) Leq DbA (range 70 DbA - 84 DbA). Combined FV consumption was negatively associated with noise exposure (B = -0.017; SE = 0.004; P < 0.001) in hierarchical linear models. Among young children eating in cafeterias, increased noise levels may decrease consumption of fruits and vegetables at the school lunch meal. We hypothesize that increased noise can work in two ways to decrease FV consumption: increased socializing (i.e., talking) and/or decreased hedonic enjoyment of the school lunch meal, however future research is needed to examine these mechanisms and provide causal evidence of this effect.

Persistent Economic Burden of the Gluten Free Diet.

Gluten free (GF) products have been reported to be more expensive and less available than their gluten containing counterparts. We examined the current U.S. cost and availability of GF products and made comparisons to the marketplace over a decade ago. Cost, determined by price per ounce and availability of a "market basket" of regular and GF products across four venues and five geographic regions was compared using a student's t test. GF products were more expensive (overall 183%), and in all regions and venues (p < 0.001). GF products from mass-market producers were 139% more expensive than the wheat-based version of the same product. Availability of GF products was greatest (66%) in the health food and upscale venues. In contrast to the results of the 2006 study, the cost of GF products has declined from 240% to 183% (adjusted for inflation). The introduction of mass-market production of GF products may have influenced the increase in availability and overall reduction of cost since 2006. The extent to which the cost of GF products impacts dietary adherence and quality of life for those on a GFD warrants exploration.

School Lunch Environmental Factors Impacting Fruit and Vegetable Consumption.

OBJECTIVE: Assess impact of school lunch environmental factors on fruit and vegetable (F&V) consumption in second and third grade students. DESIGN: Cross-sectional observations in 1 school year. PARTICIPANTS: Students from 14 elementary schools in 4 New York City boroughs (n = 877 student-tray observations). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Dependent variables were F&V consumption collected by visual observation. Independent variables included school lunch environmental factors, and individual-level and school-level demographics. ANALYSIS: Hierarchical linear modeling was used with F&V consumption as the outcome variable, and relevant independent variables included in each model. RESULTS: Slicing or precutting of fruits and having lunch after recess were positively associated (P < .05) with .163- and .080-cup higher fruit consumption across all students, respectively. Preplating of vegetables on lunch trays, having 2 or more vegetable options, and having lunch after recess were positively associated (P < .05) with .024-, .009-, and .007-cup higher vegetable consumption across all students, respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Although there was a small increase in intake, results of the study support that some school lunch environmental factors affect children's F&V consumption, with some factors leading to more impactful increases than others. Slicing of fruits seems most promising in leading to greater fruit consumption and should be further tested.