Although the trends of international reports show an increase in overweight and obesity, even in developing countries, there are still areas of the world, such as Sub-Saharan Africa, strongly affected by undernutrition. Specifically, in Madagascar, the percentage of stunted children under 5 is extremely high. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic is expected to increase the risk of all forms of malnutrition, especially in low-income countries, including Madagascar, with serious intergenerational repercussions. This narrative review aims at investigating eating habits and cooking methods of the Malagasy population, addressing sustainable healthy diets through promotion of novel foods. While novel foods are a recent concept, there are data that describe how they may contribute to counteract food insecurity and malnutrition considering context and place. Efforts to promote native, traditional foods as Moringa oleifera, an indigenous plant in Asia and Africa including Madagascar, rich in protein and micronutrients, as well as edible insects, alternative sustainable source of protein, lipids, iron, and zinc, would provide not only nutritional but also cultural and economic benefits. The potential synergies between food traditions and agroecology have the potential to impact health addressing larger issues of sustainability and food security. Regional, national, and international policies are needed to develop and support one health approach actions.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex group of neurodevelopmental disorders characterised by impaired social communication and restricted interests/repetitive behaviours. In this regard, sensory processing difficulties and delayed oral motor skills often predispose individuals with ASD to food selectivity (FS). It is usually associated with repetitive eating patterns that can lead to multiple malnutrition conditions. The objective of this narrative review is to present an overview about the existing nutritional interventions aiming at promoting a healthy eating pattern and addressing food selectivity among individuals with ASD. Regarding the interventions targeting nutrition education, the majority of the analysed studies failed to demonstrate their effectiveness. On the other hand, many educational interventions involving taste or cooking sessions, as well as behavioural interventions for FS, demonstrated effective results. Moreover, multidisciplinary in tailoring such programmes, including psychology speech therapy and nutritional skills, is acknowledged as a key approach.

Introduction Emerging evidence suggests an association between obesity and Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (FGIDs). Childhood obesity and FGIDs share many common features, such as high prevalence in the pediatric population, risk factors related to diet and lifestyle, gut microbiota impairments, and psychological distress. This narrative review aims to summarize the main evidence regarding FGIDs in childhood obesity, with a specific focus on the role of diet and its impact on the microbiota. Additionally, the review highlights potential common-ground solutions for preventing and managing both obesity and FGIDs. Methods A comprehensive PubMed search was conducted. Keywords used included terms related to children and adolescents, obesity, functional gastrointestinal disorders, and microbiota. Results The review emphasizes the importance of holistic, multidisciplinary approaches to managing symptoms. In addition to nutrition education, physical activity, and medical care, complementary strategies such as psychological interventions and personalized dietary modifications (e.g., low-FODMAP and fiber-enriched diets) are critical. Given the interplay between gut microbiota alterations, obesity, and FGIDs, microbiota modulation through probiotics, prebiotics, and integrative support shows significant promise. However, the variability in current evidence underlines the need for robust longitudinal studies to develop standardized protocols and maximize treatment efficacy. Conclusions Bridging gaps in knowledge and practice with an integrated, evidence-based framework could improve patient outcomes and deepen understanding of the complex relationship between metabolic and gastrointestinal health in children and adolescents.

Context: Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often face behavioral challenges during meals, such as food refusal and restricted food consumption, which encompass the concept of food selectivity (FS). The exclusion of food groups such as fruits and vegetables and preferences toward ultraprocessed foods, therefore, can expose this population to an increased risk of developing different types of malnutrition, such as overweight, obesity, and micronutrient deficiencies. Objective: The aim of this systematic review was to assess if FS is a risk factor for poor health outcomes in individuals with ASD, based on findings in the literature published between 2012 and 2023. Data sources: Four databases (PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane) were searched for relevant articles. The search was conducted in May 2023. Data extraction: This systematic review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. A checklist was used for data extraction, including descriptive information, study design, study aim, participant information, data collection characteristics, and significant findings. A total of 15 articles were included. Data synthesis: Individuals with ASD and with FS appear to have inadequate weight (particularly conditions of overweight and obesity), increased waist circumference, elevated waist-to-height ratio index, and insufficient nutritional intake, all of which increase their susceptibility to malnutrition. Conclusions: Food selectivity, common in this population, increases the risk of micronutrient deficiencies, gastrointestinal issues, eating disorders, hypertriglyceridemia, overweight, and obesity. However, outcomes vary due to differences in assessment tools and definitions of FS across studies. The lack of standardized methods for evaluating FS complicates the ability to draw consistent conclusions, emphasizing the need for ASD-specific validated tools. Future research should focus on standardizing assessments and exploring long-term health effects and interventions. Systematic Review Registration: PROSPERO registration No. CRD42023435018.