Search Results (3,046)

CRC remains a major cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality worldwide. In recent years, the gut microbiota has gained increasing attention in CRC research. Intestinal microbes are not passive bystanders in tumor development. They may promote persistent inflammation, disrupt epithelial barrier integrity, alter microbial metabolites, and affect host immune and signaling pathways. Emerging evidence also suggests that microbiota-related metabolites and microbial functional alterations may influence host epigenetic regulation, including DNA methylation and chromatin-associated signaling, thereby further shaping colorectal carcinogenesis. Together, these changes can create a microenvironment that favors tumor initiation and progression. Several bacterial species, including Fusobacterium nucleatum, Parvimonas micra, and Peptostreptococcus anaerobius, have been repeatedly associated with CRC. In contrast, beneficial commensal microbes and their metabolites, especially short-chain fatty acids, may help maintain intestinal homeostasis and limit tumor-promoting processes. Because the gut microbiota is strongly shaped by diet, lifestyle, and environmental exposure, regional differences are also relevant. This is particularly important in Sichuan, China, where distinctive dietary habits and environmental features may influence microbial patterns associated with CRC risk and disease behavior. This review summarizes the main mechanisms linking the gut microbiota to CRC, examines the regional context of Sichuan, China, and discusses current and emerging clinical strategies. These include dietary intervention, probiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation, and microbiome-informed approaches to prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Full article

Background/Objectives: Overweight and obesity are increasing globally. However, structured contemporary data on lifestyle behaviors and adiposity in Romanian young adults remain limited. Therefore, this study aimed to describe dietary and lifestyle habits, BMI, and overweight/obesity prevalence in Romanian adults aged 18–30 years and to examine associations between these variables. Methods: This cross-sectional online questionnaire study included 1202 young Romanian adults. BMI was calculated from self-reported height and weight and analyzed continuously, as well as for overweight/obesity (BMI ≥25 kg/m²). Pre-specified exposures were compulsive eating, soft-drink intake, breakfast frequency, physical activity, and sleep duration. Multivariable linear regression with heteroscedasticity-consistent standard errors was used for BMI, and modified Poisson regression with robust variance was used for overweight/obesity. Composite dietary score, sex-interaction, and sensitivity analyses were also performed. Results: Mean age was 23.2 ± 3.3 years, mean BMI was 23.8 ± 4.2 kg/m², and 32.4% of participants had overweight/obesity. Men had higher BMI and a higher prevalence of overweight/obesity than women. Compulsive eating and soft-drink intake showed dose-dependent associations with higher BMI and higher overweight/obesity prevalence. Short sleep duration (≤5 h/night) and daily breakfast consumption were associated with a higher and, respectively, lower prevalence of overweight/obesity. Physical activity showed no independent association after full adjustment, although this finding may be influenced by the use of a single self-reported item. Composite-score analyses supported the main findings. Conclusions: In Romanian young adults, compulsive eating and soft-drink intake were the most consistent behavioral correlates of adiposity, while breakfast regularity and short sleep showed threshold-type associations with overweight/obesity. These findings may inform the design of multicomponent prevention strategies, although longitudinal confirmation is needed. Full article

Background: Physical inactivity among Saudi Arabian adolescents is a critical public health concern due to its contribution to the rising prevalence of overweight, obesity, and non-communicable diseases. Despite this, the motivational profiles and perceived barriers that differentiate athletic from non-athletic adolescents remain understudied in the Saudi literature, particularly within the school Physical Education (PE) context. Grounded in Self-Determination Theory (SDT), the present study examined the factors preventing and motivating Saudi adolescents to engage in physical activity (PA) and discusses findings in terms of their implications for PE teachers and school-based intervention. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 124 male high school students in Riyadh (mean age: 16.79 ± 0.66 years). Participants were categorized as either athletes (n = 70) or non-athletes (n = 54) based on pre-defined engagement criteria: athletes were required to report vigorous-intensity sport participation on three or more days per week for a minimum of 60 min per session. Anthropometric measurements, lifestyle behaviors (diet, screen time, sleep), motivations, and barriers were assessed using the validated Arab Teens Lifestyle Study (ATLS) questionnaire. Independent samples t-tests and chi-square tests were used to compare between-group differences; effect sizes are reported. Result: Non-athletes had a significantly higher mean BMI (29.40 ± 6.77 kg/m²) and waist circumference (98.65 ± 21.63 cm) compared to athletes (BMI: 22.19 ± 4.44 kg/m²; waist: 78.84 ± 9.51 cm; both p < 0.001). No significant differences were observed in screen time, sleep duration, or dietary habits. The primary motivations for PA among athletes were health benefits (27.1%), recreation (25.7%), and competition (20.0%), reflecting an autonomous motivational profile consistent with SDT. Among non-athletes, the predominant barriers were the lack of suitable facilities (25.9%) and the absence of an exercise partner (22.2%); reflecting unmet SDT needs for competence and relatedness respectively, while only 9.3% cited having a lack of time. Conclusions: Non-athletic participants face a significant health disadvantage characterized by higher rates of overweight and central obesity. In contrast to global trends, where academic commitments dominate barriers to PA, the principal barriers in this population are environmental and social, reflecting unmet psychological needs that PE teachers are uniquely positioned to address. Rather than focusing solely on infrastructure, PE promoters should implement need-supportive teaching practices, including competence-building tasks and cooperative peer structures, to foster the intrinsic motivational profile observed in the athletes and promote long-term PA adherence among non-athletic students, in alignment with the health objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. Full article

Background: Previous research on diet and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) has emphasized primarily particular nutrients or foods, and the influence of comprehensive dietary patterns that represent actual eating behaviors is largely unknown. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the association between dietary patterns and the odds of AMD. Methods: A case–control study involving 246 participants with AMD and 246 controls are individually matched by age and gender. Dietary patterns were identified through principal component analysis using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Multivariable conditional logistic regression models were applied to examine the association between the extracted dietary patterns and the likelihood of AMD. Results: Three major dietary patterns were found, accounting for 50.59% of the total variance explained. The prudent dietary pattern represented a high intake of vegetables, fruits, soybeans and its products, edible fungi and algae, and nuts were associated with reduced odds ratios (ORs) of the highest tertile compared to the lowest tertile (OR, 0.29, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.14−0.59, p for trend = 0.001). The estimated likelihood for AMD in the highest tertile of egg and milk dietary pattern intake, which is characterized by a high intake of eggs, milk and dairy products, and refined grains, was 0.40 (95% CI, 0.23−0.67, p for trend < 0.001) compared with those in the lowest tertile. No association with AMD was identified for the animal dietary pattern (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Adherence to dietary patterns rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, refined grains, eggs, milk and dairy products is associated with reduced odds of AMD, emphasizing the potential relevance of dietary habits to visual health among middle-aged and elderly adults. Full article

Background/Objectives: Adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) is associated with reduced risk of non-communicable diseases but has declined among children, even in traditionally high-adherence settings such as Greece. As parental lifestyle behaviors strongly influence children’s dietary patterns, this study examined the associations between parental lifestyle factors and children’s MD adherence in Crete, Greece. Methods: A total of 760 parent–child dyads participated in this cross-sectional study. Children’s adherence to the MD was assessed using the KIDMED index. Parents completed validated instruments, including the MEDAS (MD adherence), IPAQ (physical activity), PSQI (sleep quality), and NLS (nutrition literacy), along with questions on dietary habits and screen time behaviors. ANOVA/Kruskal–Wallis tests and multivariable linear regression identified predictors of KIDMED scores. Results: Mean KIDMED score was 5.95 ± 2.65; 32% achieved optimal adherence. Younger children showed higher adherence. Higher children’s adherence to MD was positively associated with parental MD adherence (β = 0.493), urban residence (β = 0.544), higher parental education (β = 0.493), consistent daily meal routines (breakfast and mid-morning and mid-afternoon snacks), higher water intake, and fresh juice consumption (all p < 0.05) were positively associated with parental MD adherence. Conversely, lower adherence was associated with parental age ≥ 45 years (β = 0.987), higher parental BMI (β = 0.072), consumption of sugar-sweetened (β = 0.390) or artificially sweetened beverages (β = 0.497), and weekend screen time ≥ 3 h/day (β = 0.383) (all p < 0.05). Conclusions: Children’s adherence to the MD is strongly associated with parental dietary behaviors and structured meal routines. These findings support family-focused interventions that emphasize parental dietary role modeling to counter declining MD adherence among Mediterranean youth. Full article

Background: Dining out has become increasingly prevalent in China, which is associated with higher intakes of energy, fat and sodium, elevating the risk of diet-related non-communicable diseases. However, evidence on color-coded nutrition labels for onsite prepared meals remains scarce. This study aimed to examine consumers’ perceptions of Dish-Choice, a three-color-coded onsite label, in comparison with the standard Nutrition Facts Label (NFL), to evaluate subjective perceptions of this novel label. Methods: A self-controlled trial was conducted among 3008 diners from canteens in Shanghai, with completing questionnaires twice: first on NFL perceptions, then three months later on Dish-Choice. Logistic regression and paired-sample comparison were used for analysis. Results: Compared with the NFL, Dish-Choice was associated with higher perceptual scores, with greater changes in overweight/obese, males, lower socio-economic status (SES) groups and those with poor dietary quality. Conclusions: The Dish-Choice label elicits more positive perceptual responses across multiple perceptual constructs. It is particularly well-received among vulnerable populations with lower health literacy, including men, lower-SES groups, and individuals with poor dietary habits. This supports its potential as a public health tool for on-site dining settings, though further research is needed to confirm its impact on actual food choices. Full article

Background: Muscle function determines overall health and is often impaired in metabolic syndrome and cancer, largely due to oxidative stress and inflammation. Olive mill wastewater (OMWW) is rich in bioactive polyphenols (e.g., hydroxytyrosol and verbascoside) that may hinder these potential pro-sarcopenic mechanisms, representing a potential nutraceutical to limit muscle health decline. Objective: To evaluate the effects of short-term supplementation with an OMWW-derived polyphenol extract (Oliphenolia^®, OMWW-OL) on muscle-related parameters and antioxidant biomarkers in adults at metabolic risk while maintaining dietary habits. Methods: This exploratory, hypothesis-driven secondary analysis was based on a single-arm longitudinal pilot study assessing patients at baseline (T0), after 30 days of supplementation (T1), and 30 days post-discontinuation (T2). Anthropometry, bioelectrical impedance, and biochemical assessments were performed. Results: Supplementation was associated with modest increases in skeletal muscle mass, muscle mass percentage, and wrist, arm, and calf circumferences. Fat mass decreased progressively, while total body water percentage and hydration status improved. Ferritin levels rose at T2, alongside increases in protein thiols (PSH) and Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), suggesting improved iron status and reduced oxidative stress. Body weight and BMI decreased, as expected in a dietary intervention for metabolic syndrome, while muscle health showed a tendency toward improvement. Conclusions: Although the findings require cautious interpretation, short-term OMWW-OL supplementation was associated with modest but consistent directional changes in muscle-related and metabolic indicators in adults at metabolic risk. The results support hypothesis generation and highlight the need for larger studies to further explore the potential role of OMWW-OL in the context of cancer-associated sarcopenia. Full article

Aim: Asthma is a chronic condition with high prevalence in pediatric populations and may negatively influence oral health. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the association between asthma and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in Portuguese children aged 6 to 8 years. Secondary aims included comparing caries experience, salivary parameters, and other clinical oral health indicators between asthmatic and non-asthmatic peers. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 89 child–parent pairs using a convenience sampling approach. Children with asthma were recruited from a hospital immunoallergology service, and healthy controls were recruited from a primary school. Data collection included parent-administered questionnaires on sociodemographic and behavioral factors, the Portuguese version of the SOHO-5 (child self-report and parent proxy forms), and standardized intraoral examinations assessing caries (WHO criteria, 5th edition), malocclusion, gingival bleeding, dental erosion, mucosal lesions, and molar–incisor hypomineralization. Stimulated salivary flow was measured. Bivariate statistical analyses and multivariable regression models were performed using SPSS (v.29), with a significance level set at p < 0.05. Results: Asthmatic children had significantly higher caries prevalence in both primary (52.6% vs. 27.5%, p = 0.027) and permanent dentition (32.4% vs. 0%, p < 0.001), as well as higher mean dmft scores (2.68 vs. 1.14, p = 0.026), reduced stimulated salivary flow (78.9% vs. 41.2% with low flow, p < 0.001), and worse child-reported SOHO-5 scores (mean 2.42 vs. 1.25, p = 0.004). After multivariable adjustment, asthma remained a significant independent predictor of low salivary flow (OR = 4.017, 95% CI: 1.443–11.178, p = 0.008), while the association with caries was attenuated and no longer significant (OR = 1.345, p = 0.590). Pain experience in the past year was the strongest predictor of OHRQoL across all multivariable models (SOHO-5 child: B = 1.583, p = 0.006; SOHO-5 total: B = 4.970, p < 0.001), indicating that children with pain history reported substantially worse OHRQoL. After adjustment, asthma did not reach statistical significance for either child-reported (B = 0.732, p = 0.090) or total OHRQoL scores (B = 0.693, p = 0.293). These findings should be interpreted cautiously given the limited number of covariates included in the models, constrained by the available sample size. Conclusions: Within the limitations of this cross-sectional study, including a small and non-probabilistic sample, asthmatic children presented a higher caries burden and a markedly higher prevalence of low stimulated salivary flow compared with non-asthmatic peers. Asthma remained a significant independent predictor of low salivary flow after multivariable adjustment, while the association with caries was attenuated, suggesting partial confounding by dietary habits. These findings highlight the importance of integrating oral health surveillance into the routine care of asthmatic children, with particular attention paid to salivary function and caries prevention. Full article

Lifestyle-related diseases such as diabetes are closely influenced by daily habits, yet the complex interactions between lifestyle factors and blood glucose variation remain insufficiently quantified. This study proposes a natural language processing (NLP) framework that analyzes long-form illness blogs to identify lifestyle factors associated with elevated blood glucose levels. Diabetes-related narratives were collected from a Japanese illness blog portal (TOBYO) and processed through GPT-4o-based automated labeling, BERT-series contextual embeddings, and LightGBM classification. For Type 2 Diabetes classification, the model achieved an F1-score of 0.73 using JMedRoBERTa embeddings, outperforming baseline models (BERT = 0.70; Twitter-RoBERTa = 0.65). Key factors contributing to glucose elevation were identified through feature importance analysis, with dietary behavior, lack of exercise, poor sleep, and stress emerging as major contributors. These findings demonstrate the potential of combining large language models with structured machine learning to extract health-relevant knowledge from patient narratives. The proposed approach contributes to preventive healthcare by offering interpretable, data-driven insights into lifestyle–glycemic relationships, and provides a foundation for personalized diabetes risk monitoring and AI-based health management applications. Full article

Background/Aim: This study aims to assess the prevalence of self-reported oral ulcers and their associated factors among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Bangladesh. Materials and Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 260 patients with T2DM attending outpatient dental services at three tertiary hospitals in Dhaka. Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire covering sociodemographic characteristics, behavioral and dietary factors, medical history, and self-reported oral mucosal conditions. Associations between oral ulcers and potential risk factors were analyzed using Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests. Results: Most participants were middle-aged (50–59 years), female, of low educational status and married, with a high prevalence of regular tooth-brushing but low use of oral hygiene aids such as mouthwash. Traumatic ulcers (21.5%) and oral lichen planus (19.6%) were the most frequently observed oral mucosal lesions followed by recurrent aphthous ulcers, oral lichenoid reactions, and oral candidiasis. Traumatic ulcers and oral lichenoid reactions showed associations with sharp teeth, dentures or braces, and amalgam restorations, while lichen planus and aphthous ulcers were significantly associated with smoking, systemic conditions such as hypertension, and coexisting oral lesions such as oral candidiasis. Multivariable logistic regression showed that sharp teeth, denture or brace use, amalgam restorations, and tobacco-related habits were associated with oral lesions. Conclusions: Oral ulcers and related mucosal lesions were found to be common among patients with T2DM in Bangladesh, with traumatic ulcers being most frequent and several local and behavioral factors showing significant associations. Full article

Internet addiction and problem gambling represent significant public health issues among young people. A link between the two has been noted, but few studies have comprehensively examined their comorbidity, including lifestyle factors, among Japanese university students. This study clarified the prevalence of co-occurrence of Internet addiction and problem gambling among such students, identified associated factors, and examined the relationship between these conditions and lifestyle habits. A sample of 5083 Japanese university students completed the Internet Addiction Test (IAT) and South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS). Logistic regression was used to examine associations with demographic characteristics and lifestyle habits (sleep, physical activity, and dietary habits). Internet addiction was significantly associated with problem gambling, and the risk of problem gambling increased with IAT scores. Internet addiction was associated with being male, being in lower academic years, poor sleep quality, insufficient physical activity, and unhealthy eating. Problem gambling was associated with IAT scores, male gender, and family history of gambling. The association between lifestyle habits and problem gambling was minor. These results suggest that Internet addiction and problem gambling are not independent issues but may share a common psychological and neural basis. These findings suggest the need for a comprehensive approach in prevention and intervention. Full article

Introduction: Growing evidence indicates that diet quality significantly influences metabolic parameters and cognitive functioning. In healthy individuals, higher consumption of minimally processed foods and products rich in omega-3 fatty acids is associated with a more favorable lipid profile and better cognitive performance. Patients with schizophrenia present an increased risk of metabolic disturbances and reduced cognitive functioning. This suggests that this group may be particularly sensitive to nutritional factors. However, relatively few studies have simultaneously examined the relationships between diet, metabolism, and cognitive profile in patients with schizophrenia and healthy individuals. Aim: The aim of the study was to compare the relationships between the frequency of consumption of selected food categories and metabolic parameters (glycemia, lipid profile, and insulin resistance), as well as cognitive functions (Stroop Test, Trail Making Test, and verbal fluency), in patients with schizophrenia and healthy men. Methods: The study included 21 patients with schizophrenia and 20 healthy men. All participants completed a questionnaire assessing the frequency of food consumption. Blood samples were collected to determine glucose, insulin, HDL, LDL, and triglyceride levels, and the HOMA-IR index was calculated. Cognitive functioning was assessed using the Stroop Test (RCNb, NCWd) and the Trail Making Test (TMT-A and TMT-B), which measure psychomotor speed and visuospatial working memory, respectively, and the verbal fluency test (semantic and phonological). Correlation analyses were performed separately in both groups. Due to the small sample size, all correlations are treated as exploratory and are analyzed with correction for multiple comparisons. Results: Exploratory analyses identified several patterns of associations between the frequency of consumption of selected food categories, metabolic parameters, and cognitive performance in both healthy men and patients with schizophrenia. The observed patterns differed between groups, suggesting that clinical status and treatment-related factors may modify diet–metabolism–cognition relationships. These findings highlight potential pathways linking dietary habits with metabolic and cognitive outcomes and provide a basis for further hypothesis-driven research. Conclusions: Diet quality may be related to metabolic status and cognitive functioning. However, the pattern of these associations differs between patients with schizophrenia and healthy individuals. The findings suggest that diet may play a role in metabolic health and cognitive functioning, particularly in clinical populations. Full article

Background/Objectives: Although breakfast skipping is on the rise worldwide, few have investigated the variables associated with breakfast skipping among adolescents with a focus on gender differences. This study aimed to examine the associations between health-related variables and breakfast skipping, and to investigate whether these associations differ by gender. Methods: Data from 54,653 adolescents who participated in Korean Youth Risk Behavior, a cross-sectional national survey conducted in 2024, were analyzed. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted to examine the variables associated with breakfast skipping. Results: In model 1, the main effects revealed that health-related variables were associated with skipping breakfast. In model 2, interaction effects were observed between gender and physical activity, as well as between gender and perceived health status. Conclusions: This study provides foundational evidence for developing nutrition education programs that consider gender differences. Full article

Background/Objectives: University students frequently exhibit suboptimal dietary habits, and even those enrolled in nutrition-related programmes may fail to meet recommended intakes of several key nutrients. This study aimed to assess changes in dietary intake and body composition over a single academic semester among university nutrition students. Methods: A prospective pre–post study was conducted with 102 students at the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague. Dietary intake was assessed using a 3-day food record and evaluated for energy, macronutrients, and specific micronutrients. Body composition was measured by a multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis. Changes between baseline and follow-up were analysed using paired statistical tests with the false discovery rate correction. Predictors of follow-up body fat percentage were examined using an analysis of covariance. Results: At baseline, mean daily energy intake was 2114 ± 632 kcal. A particularly low intake was observed for dietary fibre (15.45 ± 8.46 g/day), potassium (2013 ± 954 mg/day), iodine (63.5 ± 69.8 µg/day), and vitamin D (2.31 ± 3.01 µg/day), whereas protein intake was relatively high. During follow-up, significant increases were observed in the intake of carbohydrates (+54.2 g/day), dietary fibre (+9.3 g/day), potassium (+766 mg/day), vitamin C (+69.2 mg/day), and magnesium (+86.2 mg/day), together with lower sodium and saturated fat intake (all adjusted p < 0.001). No significant short-term changes were found in body weight, body fat percentage, or skeletal muscle mass. Follow-up body fat percentage was primarily associated with baseline adiposity. Conclusions: One semester of nutrition-related education was associated with improved dietary intake, particularly for fibre and selected micronutrients, but not with measurable short-term changes in body composition. These findings suggest that nutrition education may support healthier dietary behaviour and may contribute to preventive healthcare strategies in young adults. Full article

Background/Objectives: Physical activity and sedentary behaviour represent related yet distinct movement behaviours with potentially different behavioural, psychosocial, and lifestyle correlates. However, multinational evidence examining these behaviours within the Mediterranean lifestyle framework remains limited. This study investigated correlates of physical activity and sedentary behaviour among adults from Mediterranean and neighbouring countries participating in the MEDIET4ALL survey. Methods: Data were collected from 4010 adults (37.2 ± 15.4 years; 59.5% female) across 10 Mediterranean and neighbouring countries using a standardized multilingual e-survey. Physical activity was assessed using the short International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-SF; MET-min/week), and sedentary behaviour was assessed by daily sitting time. Hierarchical multiple linear regression analyses were conducted separately for physical activity and sedentary behaviour. Exploratory bootstrapped mediation analyses examined whether life satisfaction (SLSQ) or social participation (SSPQ) mediated associations between MEDLIFE dietary dimensions and sitting time. Results: Higher physical activity was associated with more rural living environments, lower body mass index, more favourable smoking status, higher alcohol consumption, stronger adherence to Mediterranean dietary habits, longer sleep latency, higher stress, and greater social participation (β ≈ 0.05–0.11), whereas female sex, longer sleep duration, and higher anxiety were associated with lower physical activity (β = −0.04 to −0.23); the positive association with alcohol consumption should be interpreted cautiously in light of potential residual confounding. By contrast, sedentary behaviour was positively associated with higher education, higher body mass index, and more favourable smoking-status (β ≈ 0.04–0.09) and inversely associated with better self-reported health status, Mediterranean dietary consumption patterns, life satisfaction, and social participation (β = −0.04 to −0.07). Mediation analyses showed significant but small-magnitude indirect effects for the pathways linking MEDLIFE dietary consumption patterns and MEDLIFE dietary habits with sitting time through social participation (indirect β = −0.0032 and −0.0045, respectively), which should be interpreted with caution, whereas no significant indirect effects were observed through life satisfaction. Conclusions: Physical activity and sedentary behaviour are associated with different, though partially overlapping, lifestyle and psychosocial correlates within the MEDIET4ALL framework. Social participation may represent a modest behavioural pathway linking Mediterranean dietary dimensions with lower sitting time. Given the cross-sectional design, these findings should be interpreted as associative rather than causal, but they nonetheless reinforce the importance of integrated and context-sensitive lifestyle promotion strategies. Full article