Background: Vegan diets, where animal-and all their by-products are excluded from the diet, have gained popularity, especially in the last decade. However, the evaluation of this type of diet has not been well addressed in the scientific literature. This study aimed to investigate the adequacy of vegan diets in European populations and of their macro-and micronutrient intakes compared to World Health Organization recommendations. Methods: A systematic search in PubMed, Web of Science, IBSS, Cochrane library and Google Scholar was conducted and 48 studies (12 cohorts and 36 cross-sectional) were included. Results: Regarding macronutrients, vegan diets are lower in protein intake compared with all other diet types. Veganism is also associated with low intake of vitamins B 2 , Niacin (B 3 ), B 12 , D, iodine, zinc, calcium, potassium, selenium. Vitamin B 12 intake among vegans is significantly lower (0.24e0.49 mg, recommendations are 2.4 mg) and calcium intake in the majority of vegans was below recommendations (750 mg/d). No significant differences in fat intake were observed. Vegan diets are not related to deficiencies in vitamins A, B 1 , В 6 , C, E, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, copper and folate and have a low glycemic load. Conclusions: Following a vegan diet may result in deficiencies in micronutrients (vitamin B 12 , zinc, calcium and selenium) which should not be disregarded. However, low micro-and macronutrient intakes are not always associated with health impairments. Individuals who consume a vegan diet should be aware of the risk of potential dietary deficiencies.

The coronavirus disease 2019 and the imposed lockdowns in order to control the pandemic, had undoubtedly influenced the lifestyle of millions of people worldwide. The period of confinement, which was characterized by seizing most business activities and allowing only for e-classes at schools and universities, leading also to a lower physical activity, could have affected eating behaviors of people of all ages. In this study we aimed to investigate the impact of the first lockdown period (MarcheMay 2020) on body weight (BW) and on body mass index (BMI) in both adults and adolescents (>16 years old). A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed ® , Scopus ® , Web of Science ® and EMBASE ® databases and 36 observational (35 cross-sectional and one cohort) studies were included. BW and BMI changes after/during the lockdown period were examined. BW was stated as increased in a significant part of the individuals (11.1e72.4%), although a range of 7.2e51.4% of individuals reported weight loss. A significant higher BW was observed with a weighted mean between-group difference (WMD) 1.57 (95% CI 1.01 to 2.14) in the post-lockdown period compared to the before lockdown time and higher BMI, 0.31 WMD (95% CI, 0.17 to 0.45) was identified before the lockdown period. At variance with general trends, one study in older adults (>60 years old) notably reported a significant BW loss, suggesting a higher risk for lockdown-induced weight loss and potentially malnutrition in the elderly population. Overall increments in BW are an alarming effect of lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to potential higher incidence of overweight, obesity and related health-risks as well as other noncommunicable diseases. Further studies are needed to assess potential group-specific impacts, with particular regard to weight gain in younger people and risk of weight loss, malnutrition and sarcopenia in older adults.

The pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and lockdown measures, that were implemented in many countries in order to control the virus transmission, had negatively influenced the lifestyle of millions of people worldwide. In this study we aimed to investigate the impact of the first COVID-19 lockdown period (March–May 2020) on snacking behavior, fast-food and alcohol consumption. A systematic search in PubMed®, Scopus® and Web of Science® databases was conducted and 32 studies were included. Changes in snacking, in fast-food and ordered food consumption and in alcohol intake were examined. Snacking was found to be increased for a significant portion of the population examined (18.9–45.1%), whereas fast food (15.0–41.3%) and ordered food (33.9%) showed a tendency towards decrease. As per alcohol consumption, an upward trend was observed in a significant part (10.4–51.0%) of the participants examined. The increased snacking and alcohol consumption observed for almost a third of the examined population could be alarming because long-term health problems could arise in cases of repeated lockdowns in the future. The observed downward trend in fast-food consumption and in frequency of ordered food could be an encouraging sign of turning to home-prepared foods, but further research is needed in this field.

Importance Nutrition patterns in pregnancy play a decisive role in the well-being of the mother and the fetus. Objective The aim of this review was to summarize and compare guidelines and recommendations on nutrition in pregnancy. Evidence Acquisition A descriptive review of major guidelines on antenatal nutrition was conducted, including the most recently published guidelines, namely, by the Australian Government Department of Health (2018); the Canadian Nutrition Working Group and Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (2016); the World Health Organization (2016); the Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (2016); the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (2015); the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (2014); and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2008). Results There is almost universal agreement regarding macronutrient requirements during pregnancy. The WHO, FIGO, and the NICE guidelines make no recommendation on fluid intake. Almost all guidelines state that weight gain during pregnancy should be closely monitored. Folic acid supplementation is universally recommended from the preconception period, but there are controversies regarding other vitamins' supplementation. Multiple micronutrient supplementation could be an option in specific settings according only to the FIGO. Probiotics are not routinely recommended in pregnancy. Conclusions There is wide agreement among the reviewed guidelines regarding nutrition in pregnancy, but still there are controversies. Evaluation and classification of influential guidelines can be beneficial for establishing a universal consensus on nutrition during pregnancy, in order to achieve more favorable perinatal outcomes. Target Audience Obstetricians and gynecologists, family physicians Learning Objectives After participating in this activity, the learner should be better able to identify all aspects of recommended macronutrients intake during pregnancy; assess the need for vitamin supplementation in pregnancy; and describe potential micronutrient supplementation in the antenatal period, in order to achieve a favorable perinatal outcome.

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