Ultra-processed foods (UPF) are energy-dense, nutritionally unbalanced products, low in fiber but high in saturated fat, salt, and sugar. Recently, UPF consumption has increased likewise the incidence of obesity and cardiometabolic diseases. To highlight a possible relationship, we conducted a systematic review of prospective studies from PubMed and Web of Science investigating the association between UPF consumption and the incidence of obesity and cardiometabolic risk factors. Seventeen studies were selected. Eight evaluated the incidence of general and abdominal obesity, one the incidence of impaired fasting blood glucose, four the incidence of diabetes, two the incidence of dyslipidemia, and only one the incidence of metabolic syndrome. Studies’ quality was assessed according to the Critical Appraisal Checklist for cohort studies proposed by the Joanna Briggs Institute. Substantial agreement emerged among the studies in defining UPF consumption as being associated with the incident risk of general and abdominal obesity. More limited was the evidence on cardiometabolic risk. Nevertheless, most studies reported that UPF consumption as being associated with an increased risk of hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. In conclusion, evidence supports the existence of a relationship between UPF consumption and the incidence of obesity and cardiometabolic risk. However, further longitudinal studies considering diet quality and changes over time are needed.

The optimal dietary pattern to improve metabolic function remains elusive. In a 21-day randomized controlled inpatient crossover feeding trial of 20 insulin-resistant obese women, we assessed the extent to which two isocaloric dietary interventions—Mediterranean (M) and high protein (HP)—improved metabolic parameters. Obese women were assigned to one of the following dietary sequences: M–HP or HP–M. Cardiometabolic parameters, body weight, glucose monitoring and gut microbiome composition were assessed. Sixteen women completed the study. Compared to the M diet, the HP diet was more effective in (i) reducing insulin resistance (insulin: Beta (95% CI) = −6.98 (−12.30, −1.65) µIU/mL, p = 0.01; HOMA-IR: −1.78 (95% CI: −3.03, −0.52), p = 9 × 10⁻³); and (ii) improving glycemic variability (−3.13 (−4.60, −1.67) mg/dL, p = 4 × 10⁻⁴), a risk factor for T2D development. We then identified a panel of 10 microbial genera predictive of the difference in glycemic variability between the two diets. These include the genera Coprococcus and Lachnoclostridium, previously associated with glucose homeostasis and insulin resistance. Our results suggest that morbidly obese women with insulin resistance can achieve better control of insulin resistance and glycemic variability on a high HP diet compared to an M diet.

Background: Men are more likely than women to have subthreshold overeating disorders. Lifestyle plays a role as a determinant, while chronotype is an emerging factor. Chronotype explains the natural preferences of wakefulness and activity throughout the day: evening chronotypes (E-Types), those most productive in the evening, have been linked with unhealthy dietary patterns and a higher propensity to substance addiction than morning types (M-Types). Methods: We carried out a cross-sectional study on 750 overweight or obese adults (70% females, 48 ± 10 years, BMI 31.7 ± 5.8 kg/m²). The Binge-Eating Scale, the Yale Food Addiction Scale 2.0 (YFAS 2.0), the reduced Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (rMEQ), and the MEDAS questionnaire were used to assess binge eating, food addiction, chronotype, and adherence to the Mediterranean diet, respectively. Results: No differences in BES binge-eating and FA food-addiction scores occurred between chronotypes, but we found significant interactions between sex × rMEQ score. While women showed the same prevalence for binge eating and food addiction across all chronotypes, binge eating and food addiction risk increased with reducing rMEQ score in men, indicating that being male and E-Type increases the risk association of binge eating and/or food addiction prevalence. Conclusions: chronotype is associated with binge eating and food addiction in men, emphasizing the link between chronobiology and sex differences as determinants in appetite and eating behaviour dysregulation and in overweight and obesity.

Summary: The food system significantly affects the environment through land use, emissions from livestock, deforestation, and food waste. Diet sustainability considers the environmental effects of food production, distribution, and consumption. Animal products emit more greenhouse gases than plant‐based foods, prompting a shift towards plant‐focused diets for reduced emissions. Sustainable diets, like the EAT‐Lancet model, prioritize plant‐based foods, adjusting for regional eating habits. These diets aim to be both environmentally friendly and conducive to human health, addressing concerns like obesity and chronic diseases. Obesity is a major global health challenge, and its complex relationship with food production and consumption patterns calls for sustainable solutions to reduce pressure on ecosystems and promote healthier lifestyles. Tackling obesity requires holistic strategies that address not only individual health but also the broader environmental impacts of food systems. A systematic review examined the link between plant‐based diets and obesity focusing on studies assessing Body Mass Index (BMI) and body fat assessment. Despite limited research, evidence suggests that adherence to a plant‐based diet, particularly a healthy one, is associated with lower obesity rates. More longitudinal and intervention studies are necessary for a stronger consensus on the matter.

The increase in life expectancy poses health challenges, such as increasing the impairment of cognitive functions. Berries show a neuroprotective effect thanks to flavonoids, able to reduce neuroinflammatory and to increase neuronal connections. The aim of this systematic review is to explore the impact of berries supplementation on cognitive function in healthy adults and the elderly. Twelve studies were included for a total of 399 participants, aged 18–81 years (mean age: 41.8 ± 4.7 years). Six studies involved young adults (23.9 ± 3.7 years), and four studies involved the elderly (60.6 ± 6.4 years). Most studies investigated effects of a single berry product, but one used a mixture of 4 berries. Non-significant differences were detected across cognition domains and methodologies, but significant and positive effects were found for all cognitive domains (attention and concentration, executive functioning, memory, motor skills and construction, and processing speed), and in most cases they were present in more than one study and detected using different methodologies. Although some limitations should be taken into account to explain these results, the positive findings across studies and methodologies elicit further studies on this topic, to endorse the consumption of berries in healthy populations to prevent cognitive decline.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is spreading all over the world, particularly in developed countries where obesity is also widespread. There is a high frequency of increased BMI in patients admitted to intensive care for SARS-CoV-2 infection with a major severity in patients with an excess of visceral adiposity. Patients at risk of severe SARS-CoV-2 acute respiratory syndrome are characterised by the high prevalence of pre-existing diseases (high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, or cancer), most of them typically present in severely obese patients. Indeed, the biological role of adipose tissue in sustaining SARS-CoV-2 infection is not completely elucidated. Summary: The forced isolation due to pandemic containment measures abruptly interrupted the rehabilitation programs to which many patients with severe obesity were enrolled. People affected by obesity, and especially those with severe obesity, should continue clinical rehabilitation programs, taking extra measures to avoid COVID-19 infection and reinforcing the adoption of preventive procedures. In this review, the available data on obesity and COVID-19 are discussed along with evidence-based strategies for maintaining the necessary continuous rehabilitation programs. Key Messages: Greater attention is needed for obese and severely obese patients in the face of the current COVID-19 pandemic, which represents a huge challenge for both patients and healthcare professionals. The adoption of new strategies to guarantee adequate and continuous multidisciplinary nutritional rehabilitation programs will be crucial to control the severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection in high-risk populations as well as the worsening of obesity-linked complications. Health authorities should be urged to equip hospitals with tools for the diffusion of telemedicine to maintain physician-patient communication, which is fundamental in chronic and complicated obese patients.