The prevalence of obesity in children/adolescents has increased worldwide during the past 30 years, becoming a significant public health concern; prevention, and management of pediatric obesity onset is one of the most critical public health goals for both industrialized and developing countries. Pediatric obesity has been identified as a risk factor for various psychopathologies, including eating disorders (ED). Although it has been demonstrated that a comprehensive multidisciplinary treatment (MT), with small steps and practical approaches to lifestyle change, can be an effective treatment for children and adolescents with obesity, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first systematic review investigating the effect of MT on the development, progression or decrease of ED symptoms (EDS) in this target population. PubMed and Web of Science databases were searched (last search on 18 February 2019) according to a predetermined search strategy, in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Guidelines and Statement. Original studies published in English examining the effect of MT on pediatric overweight/obesity, paying particularly attention at the development of EDS, were eligible for inclusion. Seven hundred and forty-four records have been identified; nine articles with study quality ranging from weak to moderate have been included. MTs were heterogeneous in nature including length, number, frequency and type of sessions, parent-involvement and use of technology, besides several psychometric questionnaires were used to screen for EDS, since there are no standardized criteria. In 3 studies there was a significant decrease in external and emotional eating and in four studies a significant increase in restraint eating post MT. Two studies found a significant decrease of binge eating symptoms and other two studies showed an improvement of self-perception, weight, and shape concern. A statistical significant decrease in BMI, BMIz, BMISDS, and adjusted BMI was observed after all MTs, except one. A narrative summary of the evidences reported highlighted the positive impact of MT on the EDS. Moreover, since weight loss post MTs was not necessarily related to EDS, clinicians should also look for the presence of EDS and treat them accordingly.

The WHO reported that high blood pressure (BP) is one of the primary causes of death worldwide. Hypertension (HPT) is a major risk factor for CVD and related diseases as well as for diseases, leading to a considerable increase in cardiovascular risk. Since BP response could also be influenced by caffeine, which is widely consumed with coffee and other items, it is important to define the possible effects associated with caffeine intake. The most recent findings aimed at clarifying the role of caffeine consumption on BP and HPT risk/incidence are conflicting and difficult to interpret. Therefore, in the present narrative review, we aimed to examine various methodological inaccuracies/aspects and factors that make studies difficult to be compared, in order to obtain a single consensus on the effects of caffeine intake on the risk of BP and HPT. We observed that this heterogeneity in results could be due to the presence of: (i) several variables affecting BP (such as age, sex, genetic and lifestyle aspects); (ii) different caffeine content of food and beverages; and (iii) caffeine metabolism. Moreover, different methodological aspects in the evaluation of daily dietary caffeine intake and in the BP measurement could add some other bias in the interpretation of results. Therefore, it is mandatory to consider all methodological aspects and confounding factors to generate a standardised methodology in order to increase cross-study consistency and minimise confounding effects of different variables on the relationship between BP response and HPT risk/incidence after caffeine intake.

Background Sarcopenia (SA) is a progressive skeletal muscle disorder, associated with increased risk of adverse outcomes, including falls, fractures, physical disability and mortality. Several risks factors may contribute to the development of SA in the elderly; among them, nutrition plays a key role in muscle health. The elderly are at risk of inadequate intake in terms of micronutrients affecting muscle-homeostasis, such as B vitamins, related to homocysteine (Hcy) metabolism. Objectives and Methods This narrative review analysed the association between increased Hcy levels and SA, according to the criteria of the International Working Group on Sarcopenia, the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People and the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia. The authors focused not only on SA per se but also on exploring the association between increased Hcy levels and components of SA, including muscle mass, muscle strength and physical performance. Results Results are inconsistent, except for muscle mass, showing no significant associations with Hcy levels. Conclusions Few and conflicting data emerged in this review on the association between SA and increased Hcy levels due to numerous differences between studies that change the significance of the association of Hcy and SA, as well as with the muscle strength, muscle mass and physical performance. Furthermore, because the ageing process is not uniform in the population due to differences in genetics, lifestyle and general health, chronological age fails to address the observed heterogeneity among the "elderly" of the studies reported in this revision. Therefore, further studies are still needed.

Obesity in childhood and adolescence represents a serious health problem worldwide. Similarly, eating disorders (EDs) are complex diseases that affect adolescents with an increasing prevalence and are an alarming health concern to both physical and mental health. Traditionally, obesity and EDs, particularly binge eating disorder (BED), have been considered separate conditions, but there is emerging evidence such as etiology, comorbidities, risk factors, psychosocial impairment, and prevention approaches, highlighting important overlaps among these conditions. In youth, the two conditions share risk factors and consequences at both the physical and psychological levels, requiring special care. Exercise, useful as strategy to prevent and treat overweight conditions, may have beneficial effects on BED symptoms, suggesting that it may be considered as one of the key factors in the treatment of individuals affected by obesity with BED. The purpose of this narrative review is to examine the bidirectional impact of obesity and BED in adolescents, in terms of risk factors, etiology and comorbid conditions. Specifically, we focused on the benefits of physical activity (PA) in the multidisciplinary treatment of subjects affected by obesity with BED. Even though additional research is needed to reach conclusions about the role of exercise in the treatment of obesity and comorbid BED, especially in adolescents, promising results have already suggested that closely monitored exercise is safe and, paired with cognitive behavioral therapy, may provide multiple benefits on both the physical and psychological levels. Tailored and integrated treatments for weight management and eating disorders are important to promptly and effectively treat obese subjects that have BED.

Background: Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are compounds that interfere with aspects of hormonal signaling. Considerable attention has been paid to their biological effects especially in women of childbearing age or during pregnancy as EDCs have been reported to cross the placenta becoming concentrated in the fetus’ circulation. Lifestyle habits, daily consumption of packaged foods and use of healthcare/cosmetic products are associated with increased EDCs levels. This cross-sectional research examined the EDCs levels and the lifestyle determinants of EDC exposure in a cohort of reproductive-age women from Northern Italy. Methods: Forty-five women (median age: 36, IQR: 30–38) were evaluated for urinary bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates levels and also studied for EDCs’ major determinants of daily exposure; food frequency/dietary, physical activity, smoking habits and weight status. Results: Although 100% of women seemed to have been exposed to common sources of EDCs, they reported a healthy lifestyle. The multivariable model described a positive and significant association between consumption of sauces/dressings in plastic containers and monoethyl phthalate exposure (p = 0.037). Conclusions: Since reproductive age encompasses a critical window for future health and functioning of the “mothers-to-be” and their children, future studies on prenatal dietary BPA and phthalate exposure and the role of consumer product choices in reducing such exposure are recommended.

BACKGROUND: Aging is a process that does not refer only to the accumulation of damage in a human being over time but rather to individual changes determined by genetic, lifestyle, social and environmental factors. Aging is one of the greatest known risk factors for most human diseases. An older person in good health has a good level of independence, weighs less on the national health system and plays a productive and active role in his/her community; thus, the concept of “healthy aging”, reflecting older adult-environment fit should be promoted. The interactions between lifestyle, including nutrition, and health play a fundamental role in the aging process; eating habits and eating behaviours are recognized as important modifiable factors potentially leading to a healthy “phenotype”. OBJECTIVE AND METHODS: A multidisciplinary consortium with three Italian universities (the University of Milano-Bicocca, University of Pavia and University of Calabria) and Italian Small-Medium Enterprises proposed the Food Social Network (Food NET) project. Food NET overall outcome is to achieve target-specific guidelines and exact technologies for accessible functional foods, aimed at improving the quality of life and nutritional status of citizens (aged>65) of the Metropolitan City of Milan (Italy). CONCLUSIONS: This project is part of the “Smart Living” and food-related strategies aimed at responding to the needs of this target population, developing new food products, appropriate to meet the specific requirements and ensuring and promoting sustainable diets for healthy aging by effective food policy approaches.

Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) are major contributors of free sugars to the diet. A strong relationship between SSB intake and weight gain is described. Methods: we performed a narrative review to present an overview of the role of SSBs as a pivotal contributor in the development of obesity and metabolism-related complications. Results: different factors influence SSB consumption in children, including economic variables, individual attributes and behaviors to environmental factors, parent features and parents’ behaviors. Data suggest that SSB intake has a negative effect on weight and obesity-related diseases. The leading mechanism linking SSB intake to the risk of gaining weight is decreased satiety and incomplete compensatory reduction in energy intake at meals following ingestion of liquid calories. Additionally, the effects of SSBs on gut microbiota and on eating behaviors were also reported. An association between SSB intake, weight gain and cardiometabolic risks is evident. Consumption of SSBs had a significant impact on the prevalence of obesity and related metabolic risks, including insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, hypertension and metabolic syndrome. Conclusions: Limiting consumption of SSBs and increasing knowledge of the effect of SSBs on early metabolic and cardiovascular disorders will be useful in developing strategies to counteract the problem and to prevent obesity and related complications.Key future research areas for which further studies are needed include investigating the long-term effects of SSBs on health outcomes as well as analyzing the health effects of sugar consumed in solid compared to liquid forms and further elucidating the biological mechanisms of sugar addiction and energy compensation.