Pub Date : 2025-11-28DOI: 10.1038/s41430-025-01685-z
Isabelle Herter-Aeberli, Maria Andersson, Valeria Galetti
Background/objectives: Iron deficiency in women of childbearing age remains a public health challenge, but prevalence data in high-income countries is scarce and the role of predictors remains uncertain. We determined the prevalence of iron deficiency in women in Switzerland and assessed the influence of BMI, inflammation, and age on iron status. In addition, we determined the ferritin concentration below which hemoglobin (Hb) starts to decline.
Subjects/methods: This is a secondary, pooled data analysis including data from 26 studies conducted in Switzerland between 2009 and 2020. Participants were a convenience sample of generally healthy women aged between 18 and 54 years (n = 2709).
Results: The prevalence of iron deficiency in women (median 23.3 years; IQR: 21.1-26.4) was 18.9%, while 4.7% of the women were anemic and 3.3% were iron deficient anemic. The prevalence of overweight (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2) was 7.2%, and 1.4% were obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2); 8.9% suffered from acute inflammation (CRP ≥ 5 mg/l). In multivariate regression analysis, BMI and age were positive predictors of ferritin (p < 0.001), while inflammation was not. Correcting iron status for inflammation had a negligible effect on the prevalence of iron deficiency. We observed a decrease in Hb below a ferritin concentration of 28.5 µg/l.
Conclusions: In this convenience sample of young women in Switzerland, one in five was iron deficient and one in 30 was anemic due to iron deficiency. Controlling ferritin concentrations for inflammation did not substantially affect the prevalence of iron deficiency, indicating that such corrections are redundant in a healthy population with a low prevalence of inflammation. Impaired erythropoiesis was observed when the ferritin concentration fell below 28.5 µg/l, providing further evidence for a physiologically based ferritin threshold to identify the onset of iron-deficient erythropoiesis.
{"title":"Iron status in women of reproductive age in Switzerland: the role of inflammation and ferritin thresholds for the prevalence of iron deficiency-a cross-sectional study.","authors":"Isabelle Herter-Aeberli, Maria Andersson, Valeria Galetti","doi":"10.1038/s41430-025-01685-z","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41430-025-01685-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background/objectives: </strong>Iron deficiency in women of childbearing age remains a public health challenge, but prevalence data in high-income countries is scarce and the role of predictors remains uncertain. We determined the prevalence of iron deficiency in women in Switzerland and assessed the influence of BMI, inflammation, and age on iron status. In addition, we determined the ferritin concentration below which hemoglobin (Hb) starts to decline.</p><p><strong>Subjects/methods: </strong>This is a secondary, pooled data analysis including data from 26 studies conducted in Switzerland between 2009 and 2020. Participants were a convenience sample of generally healthy women aged between 18 and 54 years (n = 2709).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The prevalence of iron deficiency in women (median 23.3 years; IQR: 21.1-26.4) was 18.9%, while 4.7% of the women were anemic and 3.3% were iron deficient anemic. The prevalence of overweight (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m<sup>2</sup>) was 7.2%, and 1.4% were obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m<sup>2</sup>); 8.9% suffered from acute inflammation (CRP ≥ 5 mg/l). In multivariate regression analysis, BMI and age were positive predictors of ferritin (p < 0.001), while inflammation was not. Correcting iron status for inflammation had a negligible effect on the prevalence of iron deficiency. We observed a decrease in Hb below a ferritin concentration of 28.5 µg/l.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>In this convenience sample of young women in Switzerland, one in five was iron deficient and one in 30 was anemic due to iron deficiency. Controlling ferritin concentrations for inflammation did not substantially affect the prevalence of iron deficiency, indicating that such corrections are redundant in a healthy population with a low prevalence of inflammation. Impaired erythropoiesis was observed when the ferritin concentration fell below 28.5 µg/l, providing further evidence for a physiologically based ferritin threshold to identify the onset of iron-deficient erythropoiesis.</p>","PeriodicalId":11927,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Clinical Nutrition","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-11-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145631654","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Background/objective: Appropriate hydration is essential for track-and-field sprinters to optimize training and competition performance. A recently developed estimation equation evaluates water turnover (WT) based on body size, environmental, and lifestyle factors. However, the assumption in the estimation equation-which may imply that athletes feel thirstier and have greater voluntary water intake than non-athletes because of an attenuated thirst-suppressing response-may not be applicable to sprinters engaged in high-intensity training. This study aimed to validate the estimation equation for WT in sprinters.
Materials/methods: Twenty-four male collegiate sprinters participated in this study. The WT in participants was estimated and measured using the estimation equation (WTEstimated) and the doubly labeled water (DLW) method (WTMeasured), respectively. Additionally, the total training time was evaluated using activity record. Preformed water volume was calculated by subtracting metabolic water, respiratory water uptake, and transcutaneous water uptake from WTMeasured.
Results: WTEstimated (4.95 ± 0.39 L/day) was significantly higher than WTMeasured (4.42 ± 0.74 L/day) (d = 0.57, P < 0.05). Total training time was significantly correlated with preformed water volume (r = 0.55, P < 0.05), and preformed water volume was significantly correlated with the difference between WTEstimated and WTMeasured (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: Our findings indicate that the estimation equation overestimated WT by approximately 500 mL/day in male collegiate sprinters. These results suggest that sprinters should carefully consider the discrepancy difference between estimated WT and WT measurand using DLW method when using the estimation equation for hydration management.
背景/目的：适当的补水是田径运动员优化训练和比赛表现的必要条件。最近开发的估算公式评估水周转量（WT）基于体型，环境和生活方式因素。然而，估计方程中的假设——这可能意味着运动员比非运动员感到更渴，并且由于口渴抑制反应减弱而有更多的自愿饮水——可能不适用于从事高强度训练的短跑运动员。本研究旨在验证短跑运动员WT的估计方程。材料/方法：选取24名男大学生短跑运动员为研究对象。分别使用估计方程（WTEstimated）和双标记水（DLW）方法（WTMeasured）估计和测量参与者的WT。此外，使用活动记录评估总训练时间。预成型水量通过从WTMeasured中减去代谢水、呼吸水摄取和经皮水摄取来计算。结果：WTEstimated（4.95±0.39 L/day）显著高于WTMeasured(4.42±0.74 L/day) （d = 0.57， P Estimated和WTMeasured (P)）。结论：我们的研究结果表明，估计方程高估了男大学生短跑运动员约500 mL/day的WT。这些结果表明，短跑运动员在使用估计方程进行水分管理时，应仔细考虑使用DLW方法估计的WT与测量的WT之间的差异。
{"title":"Evaluation of an estimation equation for water turnover in male collegiate sprinters based on the doubly labeled water method.","authors":"Yuki Shimamura, Yuki Ahagon, Mariko Ikai, Suraiya Khatun, Satoru Tanigawa, Daisuke Yamamoto, Miki Kosugi, Yasuki Higaki, Akiko Uchizawa, Hiroyuki Sagayama, Kaito Iwayama","doi":"10.1038/s41430-025-01680-4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41430-025-01680-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background/objective: </strong>Appropriate hydration is essential for track-and-field sprinters to optimize training and competition performance. A recently developed estimation equation evaluates water turnover (WT) based on body size, environmental, and lifestyle factors. However, the assumption in the estimation equation-which may imply that athletes feel thirstier and have greater voluntary water intake than non-athletes because of an attenuated thirst-suppressing response-may not be applicable to sprinters engaged in high-intensity training. This study aimed to validate the estimation equation for WT in sprinters.</p><p><strong>Materials/methods: </strong>Twenty-four male collegiate sprinters participated in this study. The WT in participants was estimated and measured using the estimation equation (WT<sub>Estimated</sub>) and the doubly labeled water (DLW) method (WT<sub>Measured</sub>), respectively. Additionally, the total training time was evaluated using activity record. Preformed water volume was calculated by subtracting metabolic water, respiratory water uptake, and transcutaneous water uptake from WT<sub>Measured</sub>.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>WT<sub>Estimated</sub> (4.95 ± 0.39 L/day) was significantly higher than WT<sub>Measured</sub> (4.42 ± 0.74 L/day) (d = 0.57, P < 0.05). Total training time was significantly correlated with preformed water volume (r = 0.55, P < 0.05), and preformed water volume was significantly correlated with the difference between WT<sub>Estimated</sub> and WT<sub>Measured</sub> (P < 0.05).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our findings indicate that the estimation equation overestimated WT by approximately 500 mL/day in male collegiate sprinters. These results suggest that sprinters should carefully consider the discrepancy difference between estimated WT and WT measurand using DLW method when using the estimation equation for hydration management.</p>","PeriodicalId":11927,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Clinical Nutrition","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-11-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145631610","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Objective: We assessed the effectiveness of weekly iron and semestrial high-dose vitamin A supplementation on hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, and iron and vitamin A status of schoolchildren in rural Ethiopia.
Method: Using a 2 × 2 factorial design, 504 schoolchildren aged 7-10 years were randomly assigned to one of the four arms: control placebo; high-dose vitamin A; iron; or iron and high-dose vitamin A. Semestrial 200,000 IU vitamin A and weekly 42 mg of iron supplement were provided for 11 months. At baseline and at endline, Hb and serum concentrations of ferritin (sF), soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR), and retinol-binding protein (RBP) were measured. Serum indicators were adjusted for inflammation indicators, while Hb was adjusted for village altitude. Total body iron was calculated from sTfR and sF concentrations using an established formula.
Result: At baseline, prevalence of anemia (Hb < 11.0 g/dL), iron deficiency (sTfR > 8.3 mg/L or sF < 15 μg/L), iron-deficiency anemia, and vitamin A deficiency (RBP < 0.7 μmol/L) were 27.8%, 21.7%, 6.3% and 12.2%, respectively. Both iron and vitamin A supplementation had no significant effect on Hb, sTfR, and RBP concentrations. Supplementing iron weekly significantly increased sF (6.86 μg/L, 95%CI: 1.67, 12.05) and total body iron (0.45 mg/Kg, 95%CI: 0.17, 0.74), while semestrial vitamin A supplementation had no significant effect on both sF and total body iron.
Conclusion: Intermittent iron and vitamin A supplementation had no significant detectable effects on Hb, sTfR, and RBP concentrations of schoolchildren. Weekly iron supplementation improved sF concentrations. These findings suggest that providing iron and vitamin A supplements to populations where the extent of the deficiencies is not a major public health problem may not be beneficial.
{"title":"Effectiveness of intermittent iron and high-dose vitamin A supplementation on hemoglobin, iron and vitamin A status of schoolchildren in southern Ethiopia: a randomized placebo controlled trial.","authors":"Befikadu Tariku Gutema, Muluken Bekele Sorrie, Sifray Batire Belayneh, Eshetu Zerihun Tariku, Wanzahun Godana Boynito, Tadiwos Hailu Zewdie, Tsegaye Yohanes, Stefaan De Henauw, Bruno Levecke, Souheila Abbeddou","doi":"10.1038/s41430-025-01678-y","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41430-025-01678-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>We assessed the effectiveness of weekly iron and semestrial high-dose vitamin A supplementation on hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, and iron and vitamin A status of schoolchildren in rural Ethiopia.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>Using a 2 × 2 factorial design, 504 schoolchildren aged 7-10 years were randomly assigned to one of the four arms: control placebo; high-dose vitamin A; iron; or iron and high-dose vitamin A. Semestrial 200,000 IU vitamin A and weekly 42 mg of iron supplement were provided for 11 months. At baseline and at endline, Hb and serum concentrations of ferritin (sF), soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR), and retinol-binding protein (RBP) were measured. Serum indicators were adjusted for inflammation indicators, while Hb was adjusted for village altitude. Total body iron was calculated from sTfR and sF concentrations using an established formula.</p><p><strong>Result: </strong>At baseline, prevalence of anemia (Hb < 11.0 g/dL), iron deficiency (sTfR > 8.3 mg/L or sF < 15 μg/L), iron-deficiency anemia, and vitamin A deficiency (RBP < 0.7 μmol/L) were 27.8%, 21.7%, 6.3% and 12.2%, respectively. Both iron and vitamin A supplementation had no significant effect on Hb, sTfR, and RBP concentrations. Supplementing iron weekly significantly increased sF (6.86 μg/L, 95%CI: 1.67, 12.05) and total body iron (0.45 mg/Kg, 95%CI: 0.17, 0.74), while semestrial vitamin A supplementation had no significant effect on both sF and total body iron.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Intermittent iron and vitamin A supplementation had no significant detectable effects on Hb, sTfR, and RBP concentrations of schoolchildren. Weekly iron supplementation improved sF concentrations. These findings suggest that providing iron and vitamin A supplements to populations where the extent of the deficiencies is not a major public health problem may not be beneficial.</p>","PeriodicalId":11927,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Clinical Nutrition","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-11-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145602173","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-25DOI: 10.1038/s41430-025-01682-2
Mariel Keaney, Alexandra Jones, Eden M Barrett, Daisy H Coyle, Damian Maganja
Reformulation of foods and beverages is a key policy intervention recommended by the World Health Organization to reduce non-communicable disease risks. Our aim was to report on progress under the Australian Government's Healthy Food Partnership sugars reformulation program since its introduction in 2021, using packaged food data from 2021 and 2023. 74% of n = 1694 in-scope products already met the targets at program inception in 2021. No improvements were found in 2023, with compliance slightly decreasing to 73% of n = 1676 in-scope products (p > 0.05). Only the carbonated soft drinks and energy drinks sub-category saw a significant change in mean sugars content between 2021 and 2023 (11.2 g/100 mL v 11.0 g/100 mL, p < 0.001). While limited progress towards reformulation targets was expected given the program is voluntary, demonstrably weak targets further compromise the program's potential public health benefit. Stronger, mandatory interventions are required.
{"title":"Voluntary reformulation targets lead to minimal change in sugar content: interim assessment of Australia's Healthy Food Partnership.","authors":"Mariel Keaney, Alexandra Jones, Eden M Barrett, Daisy H Coyle, Damian Maganja","doi":"10.1038/s41430-025-01682-2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41430-025-01682-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Reformulation of foods and beverages is a key policy intervention recommended by the World Health Organization to reduce non-communicable disease risks. Our aim was to report on progress under the Australian Government's Healthy Food Partnership sugars reformulation program since its introduction in 2021, using packaged food data from 2021 and 2023. 74% of n = 1694 in-scope products already met the targets at program inception in 2021. No improvements were found in 2023, with compliance slightly decreasing to 73% of n = 1676 in-scope products (p > 0.05). Only the carbonated soft drinks and energy drinks sub-category saw a significant change in mean sugars content between 2021 and 2023 (11.2 g/100 mL v 11.0 g/100 mL, p < 0.001). While limited progress towards reformulation targets was expected given the program is voluntary, demonstrably weak targets further compromise the program's potential public health benefit. Stronger, mandatory interventions are required.</p>","PeriodicalId":11927,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Clinical Nutrition","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-11-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145602466","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Zinc plays a crucial role in cirrhosis. Recent American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) guidelines recommend zinc supplementation for patients with cirrhosis and hypozincemia. However, standardized screening protocols remain unavailable, and routine serum zinc evaluation may not be cost-effective or appropriate. This study aims to determine the prevalence, risk factors, and clinical impact of zinc deficiency while developing a standardized tool for its evaluation. This prospective study included 110 patients with cirrhosis attending outpatient clinics. Serum zinc levels were measured, and data on demographics, cirrhosis severity, complications, and nutritional status were collected. Participants were monitored over a 6-month period to evaluate clinical outcomes. Zinc deficiency was observed in 60% of patients and linked to new/worsening ascites (hazard ratio (HR) 2.8; 95%confidence interval (CI): 1.6–14.1; p = 0.021). Independent risk factors included female gender, non-hepatitis B/C cirrhosis, Child-Pugh B/C, and serum albumin <3.5 g/dL. A novel predictive tool, the Zinc-FANC score, was developed with the following criteria: Female gender (1 point), Albumin <3.5 g/dL (2 points), Non-hepatitis B/C (1 point), and Child-Pugh B/C (1 point). The score categorized patients into low-risk (score 0), medium-risk (scores 1–2), and high-risk (scores 3–5) groups. The high-risk group showed a specificity of 97.7%, while the low-risk group demonstrated a sensitivity of 95.5%. Zinc deficiency was common and linked to adverse outcomes. The Zinc-FANC score demonstrates potential utility in guiding zinc screening protocols in patients with cirrhosis; however, external validation in diverse clinical settings is warranted before its implementation in routine practice.
{"title":"Risk factors, clinical outcomes, and the development of a pragmatic zinc deficiency screening tool in patients with cirrhosis: a prospective cohort study","authors":"Narisorn Lakananurak, Phatcharaporn Chanwigoon, Warasinee Hathayamat","doi":"10.1038/s41430-025-01684-0","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41430-025-01684-0","url":null,"abstract":"Zinc plays a crucial role in cirrhosis. Recent American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) guidelines recommend zinc supplementation for patients with cirrhosis and hypozincemia. However, standardized screening protocols remain unavailable, and routine serum zinc evaluation may not be cost-effective or appropriate. This study aims to determine the prevalence, risk factors, and clinical impact of zinc deficiency while developing a standardized tool for its evaluation. This prospective study included 110 patients with cirrhosis attending outpatient clinics. Serum zinc levels were measured, and data on demographics, cirrhosis severity, complications, and nutritional status were collected. Participants were monitored over a 6-month period to evaluate clinical outcomes. Zinc deficiency was observed in 60% of patients and linked to new/worsening ascites (hazard ratio (HR) 2.8; 95%confidence interval (CI): 1.6–14.1; p = 0.021). Independent risk factors included female gender, non-hepatitis B/C cirrhosis, Child-Pugh B/C, and serum albumin <3.5 g/dL. A novel predictive tool, the Zinc-FANC score, was developed with the following criteria: Female gender (1 point), Albumin <3.5 g/dL (2 points), Non-hepatitis B/C (1 point), and Child-Pugh B/C (1 point). The score categorized patients into low-risk (score 0), medium-risk (scores 1–2), and high-risk (scores 3–5) groups. The high-risk group showed a specificity of 97.7%, while the low-risk group demonstrated a sensitivity of 95.5%. Zinc deficiency was common and linked to adverse outcomes. The Zinc-FANC score demonstrates potential utility in guiding zinc screening protocols in patients with cirrhosis; however, external validation in diverse clinical settings is warranted before its implementation in routine practice.","PeriodicalId":11927,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Clinical Nutrition","volume":"80 1","pages":"113-120"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-11-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145586552","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-21DOI: 10.1038/s41430-025-01688-w
Masashi Miyashita, David Thivel, Stephen F. Burns
{"title":"Physical activity and health: might exercise interact with appetite control?","authors":"Masashi Miyashita, David Thivel, Stephen F. Burns","doi":"10.1038/s41430-025-01688-w","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41430-025-01688-w","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":11927,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Clinical Nutrition","volume":"79 12","pages":"1165-1166"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-11-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.nature.comhttps://www.nature.com/articles/s41430-025-01688-w.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145573349","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-08DOI: 10.1038/s41430-025-01672-4
Mahtab S Bamji
{"title":"Journey from science of biochemistry and nutrition to community nutrition.","authors":"Mahtab S Bamji","doi":"10.1038/s41430-025-01672-4","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41430-025-01672-4","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":11927,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Clinical Nutrition","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-11-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145470986","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-05DOI: 10.1038/s41430-025-01676-0
Andrea Samara Audi, Ariana Ester Fernandes, Graziele Souza de Menezes Amorim Coelho, Aline Maria da Silva Hourneaux de Moura, Renata Bressan Pepe, Cintia Cercato, Maria Edna de Melo, Marcio C. Mancini
The global prevalence of obesity among children and adolescents is a growing concern, with significant implications for long-term health outcomes. Traditional weight loss programs focusing on diet and physical activity have shown limited efficacy. This study aimed to assess the impact of the FatSecret mobile application, a dietary self-monitoring tool, on BMI z-score (ZBMI) in adolescents with obesity, alongside clinical and metabolic parameters, body composition, dietary intake, binge eating behaviors, and quality of life. Sixty adolescents aged 13–17 years with obesity were randomly assigned to either the application group (balanced energy-restricted diet with daily self-monitoring using the FatSecret app) or the control group (balanced energy-restricted diet with a 3-day food record). Both groups were followed for 6 months with monthly consultations, and 34 patients completed the intervention. Both groups experienced significant improvements in ZBMI, body composition, binge eating scores, and insulin levels. Notably, the FatSecret app demonstrated comparable effectiveness to the validated 3-day food record in supporting weight loss and behavioral improvements. While the control group reported a greater increase in polyunsaturated fat intake, the app group showed significant improvements in pain-related quality of life scores. Adherence to dietary monitoring and dropout rates were similar between groups. The use of a mobile phone application demonstrated effectiveness comparable to the traditional, validated 3-day food record in promoting weight loss and metabolic improvements among adolescents with obesity. These findings support its use as a practical alternative for dietary self-monitoring.
{"title":"Effect of a mobile phone application for dietary self-monitoring on obesity in adolescents: a pilot randomized controlled trial","authors":"Andrea Samara Audi, Ariana Ester Fernandes, Graziele Souza de Menezes Amorim Coelho, Aline Maria da Silva Hourneaux de Moura, Renata Bressan Pepe, Cintia Cercato, Maria Edna de Melo, Marcio C. Mancini","doi":"10.1038/s41430-025-01676-0","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41430-025-01676-0","url":null,"abstract":"The global prevalence of obesity among children and adolescents is a growing concern, with significant implications for long-term health outcomes. Traditional weight loss programs focusing on diet and physical activity have shown limited efficacy. This study aimed to assess the impact of the FatSecret mobile application, a dietary self-monitoring tool, on BMI z-score (ZBMI) in adolescents with obesity, alongside clinical and metabolic parameters, body composition, dietary intake, binge eating behaviors, and quality of life. Sixty adolescents aged 13–17 years with obesity were randomly assigned to either the application group (balanced energy-restricted diet with daily self-monitoring using the FatSecret app) or the control group (balanced energy-restricted diet with a 3-day food record). Both groups were followed for 6 months with monthly consultations, and 34 patients completed the intervention. Both groups experienced significant improvements in ZBMI, body composition, binge eating scores, and insulin levels. Notably, the FatSecret app demonstrated comparable effectiveness to the validated 3-day food record in supporting weight loss and behavioral improvements. While the control group reported a greater increase in polyunsaturated fat intake, the app group showed significant improvements in pain-related quality of life scores. Adherence to dietary monitoring and dropout rates were similar between groups. The use of a mobile phone application demonstrated effectiveness comparable to the traditional, validated 3-day food record in promoting weight loss and metabolic improvements among adolescents with obesity. These findings support its use as a practical alternative for dietary self-monitoring.","PeriodicalId":11927,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Clinical Nutrition","volume":"80 1","pages":"96-103"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-11-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145451370","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-04DOI: 10.1038/s41430-025-01674-2
Leanne Wang, Anna Rangan, Juliana Chen, Eric Hekler, Margaret Allman-Farinelli
Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) may address limitations of traditional dietary assessment methods such as high burden and memory bias, improving measurement in young adults with irregular eating patterns. This study assessed the feasibility (adherence, agreement, acceptability) of delivering EMA surveys at times personalized to young adults’ (18–30 years) eating patterns compared to fixed interval EMA. Twenty-four participants (13 female; mean age 26.0, SD 2.1) were randomized to start with either the personalized or fixed EMA schedule in a double-blinded crossover trial. Personalized schedules were based on time-stamped food images collected before randomization. Adherence was response rate and agreement was the proportion of EMA responses that matched with simultaneously collected food images and 24-h recalls. Adherence was 65.7% (SD 14.8%) and 66.3% (SD 18.2%), and agreement was 52.0% (SD 18.5%) and 47.7% (SD 29.9%) for the fixed and personalized EMA schedules. Beverages were most frequently omitted when compared against food images and 24-h recalls. Both groups found survey length and recording duration acceptable, but a greater proportion in the fixed interval phase reported receiving too many EMA per day. Personalizing EMA delivery to young adults’ eating patterns did not improve adherence as, on average, there was a similar number of daily surveys whether personalised or our predefined six prompts and variability in timing of eating occasions made personalizing challenging. Future studies could explore advanced personalization, such as wearable sensor-triggered event-contingent EMA combined with images or digital entries to enhance accuracy while reducing burden.
{"title":"A comparison of personalized and fixed interval signal-contingent ecological momentary assessment to capture dietary data: a double-blinded crossover feasibility study","authors":"Leanne Wang, Anna Rangan, Juliana Chen, Eric Hekler, Margaret Allman-Farinelli","doi":"10.1038/s41430-025-01674-2","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41430-025-01674-2","url":null,"abstract":"Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) may address limitations of traditional dietary assessment methods such as high burden and memory bias, improving measurement in young adults with irregular eating patterns. This study assessed the feasibility (adherence, agreement, acceptability) of delivering EMA surveys at times personalized to young adults’ (18–30 years) eating patterns compared to fixed interval EMA. Twenty-four participants (13 female; mean age 26.0, SD 2.1) were randomized to start with either the personalized or fixed EMA schedule in a double-blinded crossover trial. Personalized schedules were based on time-stamped food images collected before randomization. Adherence was response rate and agreement was the proportion of EMA responses that matched with simultaneously collected food images and 24-h recalls. Adherence was 65.7% (SD 14.8%) and 66.3% (SD 18.2%), and agreement was 52.0% (SD 18.5%) and 47.7% (SD 29.9%) for the fixed and personalized EMA schedules. Beverages were most frequently omitted when compared against food images and 24-h recalls. Both groups found survey length and recording duration acceptable, but a greater proportion in the fixed interval phase reported receiving too many EMA per day. Personalizing EMA delivery to young adults’ eating patterns did not improve adherence as, on average, there was a similar number of daily surveys whether personalised or our predefined six prompts and variability in timing of eating occasions made personalizing challenging. Future studies could explore advanced personalization, such as wearable sensor-triggered event-contingent EMA combined with images or digital entries to enhance accuracy while reducing burden.","PeriodicalId":11927,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Clinical Nutrition","volume":"80 1","pages":"79-86"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-11-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145437480","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-04DOI: 10.1038/s41430-025-01675-1
Akiko Uchizawa, Jennifer L. Miles-Chan
{"title":"Practical applications and challenges of bioelectrical impedance when strict standardization of measurement conditions is not feasible","authors":"Akiko Uchizawa, Jennifer L. Miles-Chan","doi":"10.1038/s41430-025-01675-1","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41430-025-01675-1","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":11927,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Clinical Nutrition","volume":"79 12","pages":"1233-1234"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-11-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145444234","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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