Objective: Community kitchens have been implemented by communities as a public health strategy to prevent food insecurity through reducing social isolation, improving food and cooking skills and empowering participants. The aim of the present paper was to investigate whether community kitchens can improve the social and nutritional health of participants and their families. Design: A systematic review of the literature was conducted including searches of seven databases with no date limitations. Setting: Community kitchens internationally. Subjects: Participants of community kitchens across the world. Results: Ten studies (eight qualitative studies, one mixed-method study and one cross-sectional study) were selected for inclusion. Evidence synthesis suggested that community kitchens may be an effective strategy to improve participants' cooking skills, social interactions and nutritional intake. Community kitchens may also play a role in improving participants' budgeting skills and address some concerns around food insecurity. Long-term solutions are required to address income-related food insecurity. Conclusions: Community kitchens may improve social interactions and nutritional intake of participants and their families. More rigorous research methods, for both qualitative and quantitative studies, are required to effectively assess the impact of community kitchens on social and nutritional health in order to confidently recommend them as a strategy in evidence-based public health practice.

There is growing interest in using food choice/dietary change to influence clinical outcomes in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The low fermentable oligo-, di-, mono-saccharides, and polyols (FODMAPs) diet is an evidence-based approach that is gaining popularity in many Western countries. The low FODMAP diet is based on restricting dietary intake of short chain carbohydrates that are slowly absorbed or indigestible and not absorbed during passage through the small intestine. These are collectively described as "FODMAPs" and comprise oligosaccharides (mostly fructans, galacto-oligosaccharides), sugar polyols, fructose in excess of glucose, and lactose in lactose malabsorbers. The general strategy of the diet is to avoid foods high in FODMAPs and replace them with foods low in FODMAPs, with long-term restriction limited to what is required to control symptoms. The likely mechanism of action is minimisation of the stimulation of mechanoreceptors exerted by distension of the intestinal lumen with water from osmotic effects and gases from bacterial fermentation in those with visceral hypersensitivity. The success of this dietary approach greatly depends on detailed knowledge about the FODMAP composition of food commonly consumed in that country. While the content of foods associated with East and Southeast Asian cuisines has not been fully explored, major high FODMAP sources are frequently used and include onion, garlic, shallots, legumes/pulses, and wheat-based products. Thus, this dietary approach holds great promise in treating IBS patients in East and Southeast Asia. The aim of this review is to highlight how the diet is implemented, its efficacy, and troublesome ingredients frequently used in Asian dishes.

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Infantile colic, the cause of 10-20% of all early paediatrician visits, can lead to parental exhaustion and stress. A systematic review was conducted to examine whether dietary change provides an effective therapy for infantile colic. Six databases were searched from 1960, and 24 studies selected for inclusion. In breastfed infants, evidence suggests that a hypoallergenic maternal diet may be beneficial for reducing symptoms of colic. In formula-fed infants, colic may improve after changing from a standard cow's milk formula to either a hydrolysed protein formula or a soy-based formula. Fibre-supplemented formulae had no effect. Removal of poorly digested carbohydrates from the infant's diet has promise, but additional clinical studies must be conducted before a recommendation can be made. Use of a universal definition to measure symptoms of infantile colic and consistent analysis of urine and faecal samples would improve the evidence in this area.

The low Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, and Monosaccharides And Polyols (FODMAP) diet has been described, evaluated, and found efficacious for the treatment of patients with irritable bowel syndrome primarily in Western countries. The aim of this review was to address the applicability of this diet to South Asia. The high prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome in South Asia and its associated effects of quality of life and economics warrant the introduction of efficacious therapies. The considerable heterogeneity of dietary patterns and methods of food preparation across South Asian countries and a paucity of food analysis limit precision in defining foods that are high or low in FODMAPs. Spices and condiments are commonly consumed and mostly have a low FODMAP content. However, major high FODMAP sources are frequently used and include onion, garlic, shallots, legumes/pulses, and wheat‐based products, as well as coconut and milk products, offering an opportunity for dietary management to reduce the symptom load. The feasibility of instituting a restrictive diet in which foods with a high FODMAP content are replaced by foods low in FODMAPs must be addressed as a substantial proportion of the nutritional intake including energy, proteins, and micronutrients, is often obtained from FODMAP‐rich food. Furthermore, limited knowledge of health professionals together with a paucity of dietitians further challenge the practicality of introducing the diet. Thus, while the use of the low FODMAP diet in South Asia may be more limited than in westernized countries, it does offer potential therapeutic opportunities, the efficacy, and impact of which require further investigation.

Summary Background Therapeutic diets for infantile colic lack evidence. In breastfed infants, avoiding “windy” foods by the breastfeeding mother is common. Aim To examine the effects of a maternal low‐FODMAP (Fermentable, Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides, And Polyols) diet compared to a typical‐Australian diet on infant crying‐fussing durations of infants with colic in a randomised, double‐blind, crossover feeding study. Methods Between 2014 and 2016 exclusively breastfed infants aged ≤9 weeks meeting Wessel criteria for colic were recruited. Mothers were provided a 10‐day low‐FODMAP or typical‐Australian diet, then alternated without washout. Infants without colic (controls) were observed prospectively and mothers remained on habitual diet. Infant crying‐fussing durations were captured using a Barr Diary. Measures of maternal psychological status and samples of breast milk and infant faeces were collected. Results Mean crying‐fussing durations were 91 min/d in seven controls compared with 269 min/d in 13 colicky infants (P < 0.0001), which fell by median 32% during the low‐FODMAP diet compared with 20% during the typical‐Australian diet (P = 0.03), confirmed by a two‐way mixed‐model analyses‐of‐variance (ƞp2 = 0.719; P = 0.049) with no order effect. In breast milk, lactose concentrations remained stable and other known dietary FODMAPs were not detected. Changes in infant faecal calprotectin were similar between diets and groups, and faecal pH did not change. Median maternal anxiety and stress fell with the typical‐Australian diet (P < 0.01), but remained stable on the low‐FODMAP diet. Conclusions Maternal low‐FODMAP diet was associated with enhanced reduction in crying‐fussing durations of infants with colic. This was not related to changes in maternal psychological status, gross changes in breast milk or infant faeces. Mechanisms require elucidation. Trial Registration Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR): 12616000512426 ‐ anzctr.org.au

Management of gut-related symptoms in the pediatric population can be challenging. Many factors need to be taken into consideration including psychological, behavioral, social and family environments, and growth and developmental requirements. This review focuses on two issues: potential dietary therapies that are thought to relieve the symptoms of infantile colic, a condition that is believed to be gastrointestinal in nature; and the evidence and dietary considerations surrounding children with irritable bowel syndrome.

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