The increasing prevalence of prediabetes globally does not bode well for the growing epidemic of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and its complications. Yet there is a lack of studies regarding lifestyle patterns (LPs) and their association with prediabetes. The present study aimed to examine the association of different LPs with the existence of prediabetes in adults from families at high risk for T2D in Europe. In total, 2759 adults (66.3% females) from six European countries were included in this cross-sectional analysis using data from the baseline assessment of the Feel4Diabetes study. Anthropometric, sociodemographic, dietary and behavioral data were assessed, and fasting blood glucose measurements were also obtained. LPs were derived via principal component analysis. Two LPs were derived, explaining 32% of the total variation. LP 1 was characterized by breakfast consumption, high consumption of fruits and berries, vegetables and nuts and seeds, and low consumption of salty snacks and soft drinks with sugar, while LP 2 was characterized by high consumption of salty and sweet snacks, soft drinks with sugar and juice with sugar and sedentary behavior. After adjusting for various confounders, LP 2 was positively associated with the existence of prediabetes (odds ratio = 1.02, 95% CI 1.01–1.04), while LP 1 was not significantly associated with prediabetes. Understanding LPs would provide necessary evidence for planning intervention and education strategies for prediabetes and T2D.

Background/Objectives: The global population is rapidly aging, raising interest in dietary practices for promoting the healthspan. This study aimed to comprehensively investigate the state of diet and longevity research over the past decade, addressing the lack of bibliometric synthesis within the field. Methods: A bibliometric analysis was performed using the keywords “diet” and “longevity” on English-language articles from the Web of Science database that were published from 2015 to 2024. Data were analyzed using Web of Science tools, InCites, and VOSviewer to identify trends in publication output, citation metrics, coauthorship networks, institutional contributions, and keyword co-occurrence patterns. Results: Overall, 2203 articles meeting the inclusion criteria were included in the analysis. Publication volume and citation counts gradually increased, peaking in 2021. Countries, including the United Kingdom, and organizations, such as the National Institutes of Health and Harvard University, had significant citation impact, and the United States and China led productivity. Molecular processes (oxidative stress and autophagy), dietary models (Mediterranean diet and calorie restriction), and public health issues (obesity and mortality) were the main thematic clusters. Model species, including Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila melanogaster, were frequently used. Regional disparities in research production and notable terminology variability were noted. Conclusions: This study emphasizes the development and diversity of nutrition and longevity research while highlighting novel molecular and translational topics. More international cooperation, uniform language, and multidisciplinary frameworks are warranted to promote equal scientific advancement worldwide and connect mechanistic discoveries with therapeutic outcomes.

Multisystem collaboration and actions are needed to tackle childhood obesity, especially in the most vulnerable. This review aimed to describe the regulatory and operational framework associated with four delivery systems (social protection, food, education and health) for obesity prevention in children in need in Greece, and to synthesise related evidence of effectiveness, implementation, barriers and facilitators. The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) guidelines for scoping reviews were used, and identified policy interventions were categorised into delivery systems in addition to the Analysis Grid for Environments Linked to Obesity (ANGELO) framework. Peer‐reviewed journal articles and grey literature describing the Greek regulatory and operational framework addressing obesity in children in need (2–18 years old) considering the EU policy environment, were searched. 28 policy interventions were identified, and only one of them referred specifically to children in need. Most interventions were delivered through the health system and in 16 policy interventions nutrition was the targeted behaviour; two policies targeted physical activity, while 10 interventions targeted both nutrition and physical activity. Limited information was identified in terms of policy implementation and effectiveness, and even less for impact. Important barriers for implementation included sociocultural determinants and procurement issues for food provision/assistance policies. In Greece, children in need are an understudied population group, and there is a lack of evidence of enabling environments to tackle obesity. This review provides consolidated evidence of the policy interventions in Greece for the first time, with the likelihood of stimulating further action at the national level and of supporting related discussion at the European level.

Background/Objectives: Home isolation measures during the COVID-19 lockdown periods may have influenced individuals’ lifestyles. The COVEAT study aimed to identify differences in children’s and their parents’ dietary behavior, children’s body weight and parental body mass index (BMI) between two lockdown periods implemented in Greece. Methods: In total, 61 participants (children 2–18 years and their parents) completed questionnaires about their lifestyle, body weight and height, and family socio-demographic data, during both lockdown periods (LDs) implemented in Greece (LD1 in March–May 2020; LD2 in December 2020–January 2021). Results: No significant differences in parents’ BMI and fluctuations in children’s/adolescents’ body weight and BMI were observed in LD2 compared to LD1. Regarding dietary behavior, in LD2 fewer parents were found to have dinner and prepared home meals and more families reported to order fast food. Furthermore, a significant decrease in the consumption of fresh and prepacked juices and an increase in fast-food consumption were observed for children/adolescents in LD2 compared to LD1. Conclusions: The findings of the COVEAT study indicate that each lockdown period had a different impact on children’s/adolescents’ and their parents’ dietary behavior, with less favorable changes observed in LD2, suggesting that the implementation of additional lockdowns may have had a negative impact on individuals’ lifestyles.

Background/Objectives: The prevalence of obesity is high among children living with disability. The present study aimed to examine the perceptions of parents and caregivers of children living with disability regarding children’s energy balance related behaviors (EBRBs) and their determinants. Methods: Parents/caregivers of children living with disability (n = 45) from Thessaly, Crete and Attica Regions of Greece, participated in semi-structured interviews between November and December 2023. The interviews were recorded, transcribed and transferred to N-VIVO software. The results were analyzed according to the framework of the socio-ecological model, using deductive thematic analysis. Results: Parents/caregivers reported that eating habits of children living with disability and their physical activity levels were poorer compared to the general population. At an individual level, certain disabilities may affect children’s food preferences and parents’ ability to prepare healthy foods. At a familial level, financial difficulties may influence healthy eating, whereas some parents/caregivers act as children’s role models to encourage them to be physically active. Home food environments may also influence children’s eating patterns and peer influence on their EBRBs. At a community level, lack of trained personnel, available amenities/equipment and food education initiatives and the availability of unhealthy foods in school canteens were described as major barriers to healthy EBRBs. At an organizational level, lack of accessible/safe facilities, the marginalization/stigma that children living with disability may experience and lack of dietitians/nutritionists in health centers were named as the main factors influencing children’s EBRBs. Conclusions: The findings of this study highlight the importance of designing multi-sectoral policy interventions to promote healthy EBRBs and tackle obesity in children living with disability in Greece.