Objective: This narrative review summarizes current evidence on the associations between ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption, childhood and adolescent obesity, and functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs), and examines the metabolic, inflammatory, microbial, and gut–brain mechanisms underlying these links. Methods: A comprehensive search of PubMed and Scopus identified articles published between January 2010 and September 2025. Eligible studies included human research in individuals aged 0–18 years; adult studies were considered when contributing relevant mechanistic insights. Of 335 records screened, 112 studies met the inclusion criteria and were synthesized narratively according to methodological appropriateness. Results: High UPF intake was consistently associated with increased adiposity, metabolic dysregulation, and greater cardiometabolic risk in youth. Children with overweight or obesity showed a higher prevalence of FGIDs compared with their normal-weight peers. Mechanistic evidence suggests that UPFs, rich in refined carbohydrates, unhealthy fats, and additives, may promote gut microbiota dysbiosis, impair intestinal barrier integrity, alter motility, and induce low-grade inflammation, thereby disrupting gut–brain signaling and contributing to FGID symptoms. Early-life and maternal UPF exposure may further increase susceptibility to metabolic and gastrointestinal disturbances through epigenetic and microbiome-mediated pathways. Conclusions: UPFs emerge as a shared etiological factor for obesity and FGIDs in childhood. This review contributes an integrated synthesis of epidemiological and mechanistic data while highlighting key research gaps, particularly the need for standardized methodologies and pediatric interventional studies to strengthen the evidence base.

Staphylea pinnata L., (S. pinnata), has long been recognized in Europe as both a wild food source and a traditional medicinal. This study aimed to characterize the metabolomic profile of the leaf extract of S. pinnata and assess its cytotoxic, genotoxic, and antigenotoxic effects in vitro for the first time. The methanolic extract of the leaves was analyzed using Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography–High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry (UPLC-HRMS). To evaluate its cytotoxic, genotoxic, and antigenotoxic properties, the cytokinesis block micronucleus assay was performed on Chinese hamster ovarian K1 cells. The analysis revealed a wide variety of metabolites in the extract, with B-type procyanidins and prodelphinidins being the most abundant. The genotoxicity of the extract varied depending on its concentration; at the lowest concentration (75 μg/mL), it showed no genotoxic effects and exhibited antigenotoxic properties by reducing the frequency of micronuclei induced by mitomycin C. However, at the highest concentration (300 μg/mL), the extract demonstrated genotoxic effects. In conclusion, the S. pinnata extract displayed both genotoxic and antigenotoxic properties, which may be attributed to its phytochemical composition. These findings highlight the complex nature of the plant’s bioactive compounds, suggesting potential therapeutic applications with careful consideration of dosage. Additional research is necessary to understand the mechanisms underlying these properties.

Leaves of Actinidia chinensis Planch. var. deliciosa (A.Chev.) A.Chev. (A. deliciosa) represent agro-industrial byproducts with potential for valorization. The present study evaluated the metabolomics profiling, cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, and antigenotoxicity of the methanolic extract of A. deliciosa leaves. The metabolomics profiling was determined using an untargeted metabolomic approach employing UPLC-HRMS. Cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, and antigenotoxicity were assessed in Chinese hamster ovary K1 (CHO-K1) cells using the in vitro cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) assay. The metabolic profile of A. deliciosa leaf extracts revealed the presence of three major classes of secondary/specialized metabolites: proanthocyanidins, flavonols, and triterpenoid saponins. Medium-polar metabolites were monomeric fla-van-3-ols, such as (+)-catechin and (−)-epicatechin, oligomeric procyanidins and prodelphinidins, and flavonols. Certain glycosylated flavonols and their derivatives, such as myricetin, quercetin, and kaempferol. Low-polarity metabolites were characterized by low-polarity triterpenoids such as maslinic, corosolic, oleanolic, and ursolic acids. At concentrations of 37.5, 75, and 150 µg/mL, the extract did not significantly increase micronuclei frequency compared to untreated control cells, indicating an absence of genotoxic potential. Moreover, co-treatment of CHO-K1 cells with the extract and mitomycin C (MMC) at 0.025 µg/mL resulted in a significant reduction in micronuclei formation induced by MMC at concentrations of 75 and 150 µg/mL, suggesting antigenotoxic activity likely associated with the phytochemical constituents presented in the extract.

Malnutrition, sarcopenia, and sarcopenic obesity may coexist with excess adiposity and cardiometabolic diseases in aging populations, but their combined burden and inflammatory profile remain insufficiently characterized. This study examined their prevalence and overlap in older adults with cardiometabolic diseases and explored associations with metabolic syndrome, multidimensional health-related factors and inflammation. In this cross-sectional study 303 Caucasian adults aged ≥ 65 years were recruited from a General Medicine ward and an Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases outpatient clinic in Northern Italy. Malnutrition, sarcopenia, sarcopenic obesity, and metabolic syndrome were identified according to the GLIM, EWGSOP2, ESPEN/EASO, and IDF criteria, respectively. Sociodemographic, clinical, anthropometric, body composition, lifestyle, functional, psychological, and biochemical variables were collected using standardized procedures. CRP, WBC, platelet counts, prealbumin, uric acid, and circulating cytokines (IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, and TGF-β) provided complementary information on inflammatory, nutritional, and metabolic status. The prevalence of malnutrition, sarcopenia, sarcopenic obesity, probable sarcopenia, and metabolic syndrome was 39.9%, 30.9%, 9.4%, 42.6%, and 60.1%, respectively, and was generally higher in inpatients. 13.2% of malnourished patients suffered from overweight or obesity, while malnutrition and sarcopenia overlapped in 29.2%. Older age, functional dependence, poorer physical health-related quality of life, and BMI class were associated with malnutrition or sarcopenia, whereas sarcopenic obesity was associated with age 75–84 years and low physical activity. Metabolic syndrome was significantly associated with malnutrition, sarcopenia, and sarcopenic obesity. Higher circulating IL-6 concentrations were observed in older participants and in those with sarcopenic obesity or metabolic syndrome. Malnutrition, sarcopenia, sarcopenic obesity, and metabolic syndrome are highly prevalent and overlapping conditions among older adults with cardiometabolic diseases, especially in hospitalized patients. Excess body weight does not exclude nutritional or muscle impairment, thus integrated assessment is needed to identify vulnerable older adults and guide targeted interventions.