Mediterranean diet is associated with better gastrointestinal health and quality of life, and less nutrient deficiency in children/adolescents with disabilities

Abstract

BackgroundChildren and adolescents with disabilities face various nutritional problems. This study aimed to examine dietary characteristics, nutritional status and problems, gastrointestinal health, and quality of life in children and adolescents with disabilities.MethodsThis study included 5–18 years old children and adolescents (n = 1,991) with disabilities. We used the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index (KIDMED), the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS), and the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) to assess diet characteristics, gastrointestinal problems, and life quality. We collected retrospective 24-h food record to assess energy and nutrient intakes.ResultsThe rate of stunting in children with disabilities varies between 16.5% and 19.8%. When comparing disability types, more children with physical disabilities were underweight (8.8% vs. 6.7%) and stunted (19.8% vs. 16.5%), while more children with intellectual disabilities were tall (7.9% vs. 5.5%) and overweight/obese (21.1 vs. 17.2%; p < 0.05). Wasting (9.3%) and overweight/obesity (23.8%) were more common in children with disabilities aged 5–7 years (p < 0.001). Eating problems such as loss of appetite, food refusal, food neophobia, and food selectivity were more common in children aged 5–7 years, and problems with fast eating and overeating were more common in adolescents aged 13–18 years (p < 0.05). Among children and adolescents with disabilities, the nutrients with inadequate intakes were vitamin E, vitamin B1, folate, potassium, calcium, and iron, while the nutrients with intakes above the requirements were proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins A, B2, B6, B12, and C, phosphorus, zinc, and sodium. Participants with good Mediterranean diet quality had higher energy and nutrient intakes and higher percentages of meeting nutrient requirements (p < 0.05). KIDMED scores were negatively correlated with GSRS total (r = −0.14, p < 0.001) and subcomponent scores (abdominal pain, diarrhea, reflux, indigestion, and constipation; p < 0.05), and significantly and positively correlated with PedsQL total (r = 0.12, p < 0.001). A one-unit increase in the GSRS score resulted in a 14.4 times decrease in the PedsQL score, and a one-unit increase in the KIDMED score resulted in a 10.8 times increase in the PedsQL score (p = 0.001).ConclusionOverweight/obesity, stunting/wasting, nutritional problems, and deficiencies are common among disabled children and adolescents. Mediterranean diet is associated with a better quality of life, and gastrointestinal health in children with disabilities.

The Role of Parental Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and Family Time Together in Children’s Weight Status: The BeE-School Project

“…These results are in accordance with existing evidence that confirms the benefits of the Mediterranean diet for health in general and for the prevention of overweight [9,27,28]. Moreover, our findings highlight the significant association of family habits with children's health.…”

“…An umbrella review conducted by Dinu and colleagues [28] revealed that increased adherence to the Mediterranean diet was linked to reduced risks of overall mortality, cardiovascular diseases, coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, overall cancer incidence, neurodegenerative diseases, and diabetes. In another study conducted by Bakırhan and colleagues [27] involving a sample of 1991 children and adolescents with various physical or intellectual disabilities, it was concluded that greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet was associated with an improved quality of life.…”

“…Numerous studies have confirmed the significant impact of a comprehensive pattern instead of an individual food, such as the Mediterranean diet, on health. Regardless of the primary types of food contributing to better health outcomes, this diet appears to confer overall health benefits [1,9,27,28]. An umbrella review conducted by Dinu and colleagues [28] revealed that increased adherence to the Mediterranean diet was linked to reduced risks of overall mortality, cardiovascular diseases, coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, overall cancer incidence, neurodegenerative diseases, and diabetes.…”

Implicações Dietéticas No Transtorno Do Espectro Autista

“…Apesar de, até o momento, terem sido encontrados poucos estudos que investiguem o efeito da dieta mediterrânea em pacientes com TEA, a sua eficácia no tratamento do Transtorno de Déficit de Atenção e Hiperatividade (TDAH) indica que estudos neste sentido são bastante prósperos. 26…”