Although web-based interventions are attractive to researchers and users, the evidence about their effectiveness in the promotion of health behaviour change is still limited. Our aim was to review the effectiveness of web-based interventions used in health behavioural change in adolescents regarding physical activity, eating habits, tobacco and alcohol use, sexual behaviour, and quality of sleep. Studies published from 2016 till the search was run (May-to-June 2021) were included if they were experimental or quasi-experimental studies, pre-post-test studies, clinical trials, or randomized controlled trials evaluating the effectiveness of web-based intervention in promoting behaviour change in adolescents regarding those health behaviours. The risk of bias assessment was performed by using the Effective Public Health Practice Project (EPHPP)—Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies. Fourteen studies were included. Most were in a school setting, non-probabilistic and relatively small samples. All had a short length of follow-up and were theory driven. Thirteen showed significant positive findings to support web-based interventions’ effectiveness in promoting health behaviour change among adolescents but were classified as low evidence quality. Although this review shows that web-based interventions may contribute to health behaviour change among adolescents, these findings rely on low-quality evidence, so it is urgent to test these interventions in larger controlled trials with long-term maintenance.

Adequate sodium and potassium intake, along with adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet), are key factors for preventing hypertension and cerebrovascular diseases. However, data on the consumption of these nutrients within the MedDiet are scarce. This cross-sectional study aims to assess the association between MedDiet adherence and sodium/potassium intake in the MIND-Matosinhos randomized controlled trial, targeting Portuguese adults at a high risk of dementia. Good adherence to the MedDiet was defined using the Portuguese Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener questionnaire (≥10 points), and both sodium/potassium intakes were estimated from 24-hour urine collections. The association between MedDiet adherence and these nutrients’ intake (dichotomized by the median) was quantified by calculating odds ratios (OR) and respective 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) using a logistic regression. A total of 169 individuals (60.9% female; median age: 70 years; range: 36–85 years) were included. Good adherence to the MedDiet was observed among 18.3% of the sample. After adjusting for sex, age, education and using antihypertensive drugs, good MedDiet adherence was associated with higher sodium (OR = 3.11; 95% CI: 1.27–7.65) and potassium intake (OR = 9.74; 95% CI: 3.14–30.26). Increased adherence to the MedDiet may contribute to a higher potassium intake but seems to have limited effects on the adequacy of sodium levels.

Introduction: The Mediterranean diet (MD) has been linked to better cognition, but evidence in older adults at high dementia risk is limited. Moreover, the traditional Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS) counts daily wine consumption as a beneficial component, which may distort genuine diet–cognition relationships. Objective: Evaluate whether MD adherence, as measured with the original MEDAS (MEDAS-O) versus a version that reverses the wine item (MEDAS-R), is associated with cognitive function in Portuguese adults aged 55–85 years at increased dementia risk. Methodology: The sample comprised 75 participants from the NUTRIMIND randomised controlled trial (mean age 70.5 ± 7.0 years). MD adherence was evaluated using the original version of MEDAS (MEDAS-O) and an adapted version with a reverse score in the wine question (MEDAS-R). Cognitive function was assessed via the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination Revised (ACE-R) and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Statistical analysis was performed using Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) models adjusted for age, sex, BMI, education, and physical activity. Results: MEDAS-R was positively associated with better MMSE performance (p = 0.043) and showed a borderline association with the MoCA (p = 0.051), but not with the ACE-R score (p = 0.356). No association was found between MEDAS-O and cognitive function. Better cognitive scores were more frequently observed among participants with higher education (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Reversing the wine item changes how MEDAS relates to cognitive function. These findings support re-evaluating how wine is scored in MD adherence measures.

Background: Sarcopenia and dementia share pathophysiological pathways and risk factors, including advanced age, physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, smoking and diabetes. Older adults at high risk of dementia may face increased susceptibility to sarcopenia, which can also exacerbate cognitive decline. Thus, this study aims to estimate the frequency of sarcopenia and its associated factors within this vulnerable population. Methods: This cross-sectional analysis includes data from a subset of older adults (≥65 years of age) enrolled in the MIND-Matosinhos randomized controlled trial, a community-based cognitive decline prevention program. Per the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People, probable sarcopenia is defined as low muscle strength (handgrip strength <16 kg for women and <27 kg for men). Sociodemographic, lifestyle and health-related data were collected via structured questionnaires. To assess factors associated with sarcopenia, odds ratios (OR) and respective confidence intervals (95% CI) were estimated using logistic regression. Results: A total of 157 participants (58.6% female), with a median age of 73 years (range: 65 to 85 years), were included. The overall prevalence of sarcopenia was 21.7% (n = 34). After adjusting for sex, age and education, inadequate adherence to Mediterranean Diet (MD) (OR = 10.90; 95% CI:1.41-84.52), current smoking status (OR = 5.06; 95% CI:1.06-24.18) and poorer self-perceived health (OR = 2.74; 95% CI:1.03-7.28) were positively associated with sarcopenia. No other statistically significant associations were found. Conclusions: The observed sarcopenia frequency underscores the need for enhanced screening and management of this condition in community settings and among those at dementia risk. Inadequate adherence to MD, smoking and poor self-perceived health, seem to be associated with sarcopenia in older adults at high risk of dementia. Sarcopenia prevention should involve a holistic approach to promoting a healthy lifestyle. Key messages: • Sarcopenia was observed in 21.7% of older adults at high risk of dementia, indicating a significant burden on this vulnerable population. • Inadequate adherence to the Mediterranean diet, smoking and poor self-perceived health were associated with sarcopenia.