Adiponectin in spinal cord injury: What is the role of nutrition in serum adiponectin concentration?

Objectives: The study aimed to analyze the relationship between serum adiponectin concentration, Mediterranean diet (MD) adherence, and Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet adherence in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). Patients and methods: Thirty-three SCI patients (21 males, 12 females; median age: 33 years; range, 18 to 65 years) and 33 age-, sex-, and body mass index-matched healthy controls (21 males, 12 females; median age: 33 years; range, 18 to 64 years) were included in this cross-sectional study between March 2021 and March 2022. Serum adiponectin concentrations of all participants were measured. Body weight, height, and neck, hip, waist, and mid-upper arm circumferences were measured. Twenty-four-hour dietary records were obtained by the researchers for evaluation of the nutritional status. The DASH diet score and MD score were measured for each participant. Results: Most of the cases of SCI were due to motor vehicle collisions (n=12, 36.4%) and complete paraplegic. Mid-upper arm circumference, waist circumference, hip circumference, and neck circumference of the patient group were significantly higher than the control group (p=0.020, p=0.002, p=0.042, and p<0.001, respectively). Mediterranean diet scores and DASH diet scores of the patient group were significantly higher than the control group (p<0.001 and p=0.031, respectively). Serum adiponectin concentration of patients was significantly higher than the control group (p=0.049). No correlation was detected between adiponectin concentration, MD score, and DASH diet score in both groups. Conclusion: Although correlation analysis in the current research did not show significant relation between nutrition and adiponectin concentrations, nutrition of patients with SCI, as demonstrated by higher adherence to MD and DASH, may have provided positive effects on adiponectin concentrations. Future studies focused on the effect of a healthy diet intervention on serum adiponectin concentration is warranted.

Nutrition literacy status and its association with adherence to the Mediterranean diet, anthropometric parameters and lifestyle behaviours among early adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate nutrition literacy status and its association with adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD), anthropometric parameters and lifestyle behaviours among early adolescents. DESIGN: This is a cross-sectional study. Nutrition literacy was evaluated using the 'Adolescent Nutrition Literacy Scale'. Dietary intake was assessed by 24-h food recall. The 'Mediterranean Diet Quality Index' was used to evaluate adolescents' adherence to the MD. Physical activity was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Body weight, height, waist, hip and neck circumference were measured. SETTING: Four secondary schools in Izmir, Türkiye. PARTICIPANTS: The study included 1074 secondary school students. RESULTS: Adolescents' nutrition literacy was at a moderate level. Nutrition literacy scores were significantly lower in those who skip main meals. Adolescents with high nutrition literacy had higher intakes of fibre, protein, protein, Ca, K, Mg, P, vitamin C, folate and Fe intake than those with low and moderate nutrition literacy (P < 0·05). According to IPAQ, active adolescents had higher nutrition literacy scores than inactive adolescents. There was no significant difference in BMI and anthropometric measurements of the adolescents according to their nutrition literacy level. Linear regression analysis showed that each unit increase in nutrition literacy increased adherence to the MD by 0·286 points (ß = 0·286) and decreased total screen time by 0·182 points (ß = -0·182). CONCLUSIONS: These findings showed that nutrition literacy among early adolescents was not optimal, and a higher nutrition literacy score was significantly associated with higher MD adherence, and healthy eating habits and lifestyle behaviours.

Younger age, higher father education level, and healthy lifestyle behaviors are associated with higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet in school-aged children.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (MDiet) in school-aged children in Turkey and explore the associated factors with high adherence to the MDiet. METHOD: This cross-sectional was conducted with 2693 school-aged children. Sociodemographic, dietary, and lifestyle data were collected using a questionnaire. Mediterranean Diet Quality Index (KIDMED) was used to evaluate adherence to the MDiet. Body weight, height, neck, waist, and hip circumference were measured. Dietary intake was assessed with a 24-h food consumption record. RESULTS: Of the 2693 children, 29.5% had high, 53.9% had moderate, and 16.6% had low adherence to the MDiet. Primary school children had significantly higher adherence to the diet than secondary school children. Adherence to the MDiet was higher in children whose fathers were university graduates. There were no significant differences in sex, body mass index (BMI), or anthropometric measurements according to MDiet adherence. The high adherence group had a significantly higher intake of protein, fiber, vitamins C, B1, B6, B2, folate, polyunsaturated fatty acids, zinc, potassium, and calcium, but lower carbohydrate intake compared with the low/moderate adherence group. Higher adherence to the MDiet was associated with adequate sleep duration (≥9 to <12 h) (odds ratio [OR], 1.86; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.24-2.78), whereas poor/moderate adherence was associated with age (OR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.73-0.87) and screen time (OR, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.40-0.63). Children who reported engaging in regular physical activity were more likely to have higher MDiet adherence (OR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.16-1.85). CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that >50% of the children presented moderate MDiet adherence. Younger age, adequate sleep duration, engaging in regular physical activity, less screen time, and higher education level of fathers were associated with higher adherence to the diet.

Dietary acid load in children with chronic kidney disease: its association with nutritional status and health-related quality of life.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to determine the dietary acid load of children with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and to evaluate the relationship between dietary acid load, nutritional status, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). METHOD: A total of 67 children aged 3-18 years with a diagnosis of CKD stages II-V were included in the study. Anthropometric measurements (body weight, height, mid-upper arm circumference, waist, and neck circumference) and 3-day food consumption records were taken to evaluate the nutritional status. The net endogenous acid production (NEAP) score was calculated to determine the dietary acid load. "Pediatric Inventory of Quality of Life (PedsQL)" was used to assess the participants' HRQOL. RESULTS: The mean NEAP was 59.2 ± 18.96 mEq/day. Stunted and malnourished children had significantly higher NEAP than those who were not (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in terms of HRQOL scores according to NEAP groups. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that waist circumference (OR: 0.890, 95% CI: 0.794-0.997), serum albumin (OR: 0.252, 95% CI: 0.068-0.929), and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) (OR: 0.985, 95% CI: 0.970-1.000) were negatively associated with high NEAP. CONCLUSION: This study shows that a diet shifted in an acidic direction in children with CKD and a higher dietary acid load are associated with lower serum albumin, GFR, and waist circumference, but not HRQOL. These results suggest that dietary acid load might affect nutritional status and CKD progression in children with CKD. Future studies with larger samples are needed to confirm these results and to understand underlying mechanisms. A higher resolution version of the Graphical abstract is available as Supplementary information.

The association between social media addiction and orthorexia nervosa, eating attitudes, and body image among adolescents.

AIM: This study was planned to determine the relationship between social media addiction and orthorexia nervosa (ON), eating attitude and body image among adolescents. METHOD: This cross-sectional study was conducted with 1232 high school-going adolescents. Data were collected using the Social Media Addiction Scale for Adolescents, Eating Attitude Test-26 (EAT-26), Body Image Scale (BIS) and ORTO-11 questionnaire. RESULTS: Social media addiction levels were higher in girls than in boys (p < 0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that a better body image was associated with lower social media addiction scores (ß = - 0.268, p < 0.001). Social media addiction was significantly associated with a greater risk of eating behavior disorders (OR: 1.07, 95% Cl: 1.04-1.10) and ON tendency (OR: 1.02, 95% Cl = 1.00-1.04). Adolescents who stated that they always or often read nutrition-related posts on social media had an increased likelihood of eating behavior disorder risk (OR: 6.77, 95% CI: 3.84-11.94) and ON tendency (OR: 5.49, 95% CI: 3.39-8.88). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that social media addiction was associated with a higher eating behavior disorder risk, ON tendency and lower body image. Moreover, frequent reading of posts about nutrition on social media was positively associated with ON tendency and eating behavior risk. These results highlight that adolescents should be educated about social media use and its content to minimize the negative effects of constant exposure to unrealistic body images and nutrition-related misinformation and reduce the risk of eating disorders and ON among adolescents. Level of evidence Level V, cross-sectional descriptive study.

Evaluation of perceived depression, anxiety, stress levels and emotional eating behaviours and their predictors among adults during the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to (1) evaluate the prevalence and predictors of perceived depression, anxiety, stress (DAS) levels and emotional eating behaviours and (2) determine the correlations between DAS levels and emotional eating behaviours during the pandemic. DESIGN: An online cross-sectional study included questions about demographic and anthropometric characteristics, dietary habits, Emotional Appetite Questionnaire (EMAQ) and Depression Anxiety Stress Scales. The snowball sampling method was used. SETTING: Türkiye. PARTICIPANTS: The study population was 2002 adults aged ≥18 years. RESULT: The mean age was 27·1 ± 9·52 years (72·1 % females and 27·9 % males). The prevalence of moderate to severe DAS was reported as 27·8 %, 30·5 % and 30·7 %, respectively. Skipping meals (OR = 1·32, 95 % CI (1·14, 1·49)) was associated with depression. Weight gain (OR = 1·43, 95 % CI (1·19, 1·66); OR = 1·30, 95 % CI (1·14, 1·49); OR = 1·39, 95 % CI (1·14, 1·64)), weight loss (OR = 1·45, 95 % CI (1·20, 1·70); OR = 1·37, 95 % CI (1·11, 1·62); OR = 1·46, 95 % CI (1·20, 1·72)), exercising at least 150 min/week (OR = 0·64, 95 % CI (0·46, 0·83); OR = 0·73, 95 % CI (0·55, 0·92); OR = 0·83, 95 % CI (0·63, 1·02)), and maintaining an adequate and balanced diet (OR = 0·52, 95 % CI (0·33, 0·71); OR = 0·53, 95 % CI (0·34, 0·73); OR = 0·63, 95 % CI (-0·15, 0·35)) were associated with DAS, respectively. BMI (r = 0·169, P < 0·001), weight (r = 0·152, P < 0·001), number of snacks (r = 0·102, P = 0·011), depression (r = 0·060, P = 0·007), anxiety (r = 0·061, P = 0·006) and stress (r = 0·073, P = 0·001) levels were positively correlated with EMAQ-negative scores. CONCLUSION: Approximately one out of every three participants reported moderate to severe DAS levels. Emotional eating was significantly correlated with perceived DAS. The predictors obtained in the study suggest that a healthy diet and lifestyle behaviours are part of psychological well-being and emotional eating.

Nutritional status and adherence to the mediterranean diet in children with epilepsy.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to determine the nutritional status of children diagnosed with epilepsy and to evaluate adherence to the Mediterranean diet. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was carried out with a total of 85 children aged 2-18 years and their parents who attended the outpatient paediatric neurology clinic of a university hospital. Socio-demographic, dietary, biochemical, lifestyle, and anthropometric data were collected. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet was assessed using the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index (KIDMED). RESULTS: Of the total children, 22.3% were classified as high adherers to the Mediterranean diet (55.4% moderate and 22.3% poor). According to BMI for age, 15.3% of the children were overweight, and 15.3% were obese. The ratio of energy from fat intake was found to be high. The mean dietary iron and sodium intakes of children with a high level of adherence to the Mediterranean diet were higher than those with moderate and low levels (p < 0.05). The mean dietary cholesterol intake of those with low adherence to the Mediterranean diet (322.70 ± 166.63 mg) was found to be higher than those with high (237.43 ± 163.46 mg) and moderate (194.23 ± 182.71 mg) adherence (p < 0.05). A positive and statistically significant relationship was found between the children's KIDMED index score and carbohydrate, fibre, soluble fibre, iron, potassium, calcium and magnesium values (p < 0.05). There was no relationship between the children's KIDMED index scores and the number of seizures and anthropometric measurements (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Majority of children diagnosed with epilepsy had moderate adherence to the Mediterranean diet, and that the KIDMED index might be used in the evaluation of healthy eating habits in children diagnosed with epilepsy.

Evaluation of Nutritional Status of Patients with Depression.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: Our goal was to determine nutritional status, body composition, and biochemical parameters of patients diagnosed with depression based on DSM-IV-TR criteria. METHODS: A total of 59 individuals, aged 18-60 years admitted to Mental Health Centre of Kayseri Education and Research Hospital, were included in the study. The participants were randomly assigned to two groups; depression group (n = 29) and control group (n = 30). Anthropometric measurements, some biochemical parameters, demographic data, and 24-hour dietary recall were evaluated. RESULTS: 65.5% of depression and 60.0% of control group were female. Intake of vitamins A, thiamine, riboflavin, B6, folate, C, Na, K, Mg, Ca, P, Fe, Zn, and fibre (p < 0.05) were lower in depression group. Median levels of body weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, waist-to-hip ratio (p < 0.05) were significantly higher in depression group. Fasting blood glucose levels, serum vitamins B12, and folic acid (p < 0.05) in depression group were lower than controls. Serum insulin and HOMA levels of two groups were similar. CONCLUSION: Some vitamin B consumption and serum vitamin B12 and folic acid levels were low while signs of abdominal obesity were high among patients with depression. Future research exploring nutritional status of individuals with depression is warranted.