Background: The purpose of this study is to compare and analyze research studies focused on orthorexia nervosa (ON) as a spectrum of eating disorders, and to summarize potential risk factors in different age and social groups. ON is characterized by an obsession with healthy eating, which leads to a restrictive diet and health problems. Methods: Due to a lack of comprehensive analyses, this review re-examined studies from 2006 to 2023, initially retrieving 53,134 articles. Upon refining the criteria and risk factors for eating disorders, 34 notable records were identified. These studies employed diagnostic tools such as ORTO and BOT, focusing on risk factors for ON. Results: Results indicate that individuals suffering from eating disorders, losing weight, exercising heavily, developing relationship problems, and suffering from body dysmorphic disorder are at high risk of developing ON. A significant correlation was found between ON, BMI, and gender, but not between ON and OCD. Interestingly, ON symptoms appear to overlap with those of other eating disorders, such as anorexia and bulimia, especially in terms of obsessive control over dieting and fear of gaining weight, indicating a close relationship between the two. Conclusions: Interestingly, orthorexia nervosa may serve as a coping mechanism for anorexia, providing a sense of control. However, further research on its long-term effects is required.

Introduction: Overweight and obesity among children and adolescents are a growing public health problem. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of overweight and obesity on the psychosocial functioning and physical activity levels of children and adolescents. Methods: This study was conducted among 100 children and adolescents aged 9–18 from three institutions in the Podkarpackie Province: a primary school, a hospital ward, and a health resort. An original questionnaire was used, containing questions about body image, emotions related to eating, self-esteem, and physical activity. All participants were classified into appropriate BMI categories based on anthropometric data. Results: The analysis showed that 48% of respondents admitted to eating meals in secret, and 5% did so every day for a month. As many as 65.82% of participants stated that their body shape affects the way they think about themselves, and more than two-thirds felt frustrated with their figure. Statistically significant differences were observed in the perception of one’s own body and the level of its acceptance depending on the BMI category. In addition, 58.58% of respondents did not engage in physical activity to control their weight. Conclusions: The results of this study confirm that overweight and obesity in children and adolescents are associated with a negative body image, low self-esteem, unhealthy eating habits, and low levels of physical activity. The obtained results can be used by medical personnel, educators, and educational institutions to develop effective prevention programs aimed at counteracting the negative consequences of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents.

Announced by WHO in 2020, the global COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has affected many people, leading to serious health consequences. These consequences are observed in the daily lives of infected patients as various dysfunctions and limitations. More and more people are suffering post-COVID-19 complications that interfere with or completely prevent them from working or even functioning independently on a daily basis. The aim of our study was to demonstrate that innovative quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG) can be used to assess cognitive function disorders reported after the COVID-19 pandemic. It is worth noting that no similar study has been conducted to date in a group of pilots. The QEEG method we used is currently one of the basic neurological examinations, enabling easy observation of post-COVID-19 changes in the nervous system. With the innovativeness of this technique, our study shows that the use of quantitative electroencephalography can be a precursor in identifying complications associated with cognitive function disorders after COVID-19. Our study was conducted on twelve 26-year-old pilots. All participants had attended the same flight academy and had contracted SARS-CoV-2 infection. The pilots began to suspect COVID-19 infection when they developed typical symptoms such as loss of smell and taste, respiratory problems, and rapid fatigue. Quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG), which is one of the most innovative forms of diagnostics, was used to diagnose the patients. Comparison of the results between the study and control groups showed significantly higher values of all measurements of alpha, theta, and beta2 waves in the study group. In the case of the sensorimotor rhythm (SMR), the measurement results were significantly higher in the control group compared to the study group. Our study, conducted on pilots who had recovered from COVID-19, showed changes in the amplitudes of brain waves associated with relaxation and concentration. The results confirmed the issues reported by pilots as evidenced by the increased amplitudes of alfa, theta, and beta2 waves. It should be emphasized that the modern diagnostic method (QEEG) presented here has significant importance in the medical diagnosis of various symptoms and observation of treatment effects in individuals who have contracted the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The present study demonstrated an innovative approach to the diagnosis of neurological complications after COVID-19.

Background/Aim: Child and adolescent obesity is currently one of the most pressing public health challenges. Digital technology-based interventions are becoming increasingly important in supporting weight loss motivation and promoting healthy lifestyles. This review aims to assess the effectiveness of technology tools on the BMI (body mass index) and their impact on health attitudes in children and adolescents. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines, analysing studies published between 2011 and 2024 on PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar databases. Of the 1475 articles identified and analysed, 59 met the inclusion criteria. Studies were assessed based on the type of technology used, the type of intervention, family involvement, the level of personalisation and their impact on BMI and motivation. Results: The systematic review showed that digital technologies—in particular mobile apps, wearables and m-health platforms—can effectively support weight reduction and improved eating habits in children and adolescents. The most beneficial results were observed in interventions that were personalised and included caregiver support. In addition, digital technology was shown to have a positive impact on participants’ psychological well-being. Conclusions: Digital technology-based interventions can be an effective tool in the prevention and treatment of obesity in children and adolescents. However, their success depends on a comprehensive approach that includes psychological, social and cognitive developmental factors.

Background/Objectives: Schizophrenia is a complex psychiatric disorder characterized by positive, negative, and cognitive symptoms, as well as disturbances of the self and metacognitive dysfunction. Increasing evidence suggests that these dimensions contribute substantially to psychosocial functioning and recovery, yet they are often investigated separately. This narrative review aims to integrate current knowledge on self-disturbances and metacognition in schizophrenia and discuss their relevance for contemporary therapeutic approaches. This review proposes an integrative conceptual framework positioning disturbances of the minimal self and metacognitive dysfunction as complementary dimensions that may contribute to schizophrenia psychopathology and may have relevance for recovery-oriented interventions. Methods: A narrative review of the peer-reviewed literature was conducted. Classical theoretical papers, recent empirical studies, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses addressing self-disturbances, metacognition, and therapeutic interventions in schizophrenia spectrum disorders were analyzed. Results: Current evidence indicates that disturbances of the minimal self and metacognitive dysfunction may represent complementary and interacting dimensions of schizophrenia psychopathology. Self-disturbances affect the subjective sense of identity, agency, and self-presence, whereas metacognitive deficits impair the integration of information about oneself and others into coherent mental representations. These impairments are associated with poorer psychosocial functioning, reduced quality of life, and limited recovery. Interventions targeting metacognitive functioning, including Metacognitive Reflection and Insight Therapy, Metacognitive Training, and cognitive remediation, have shown promising effects on functional outcomes and recovery. Conclusions: Integrating phenomenological concepts of self-disturbance with contemporary metacognitive models may provide a broader understanding of schizophrenia than symptom-based approaches alone. In clinical practice, instruments such as the Examination of Anomalous Self-Experience (EASE) and Metacognition Assessment Scale–Abbreviated (MAS-A) may complement standard assessment by providing information about anomalous self-experiences, insight, and psychosocial functioning. However, the additional diagnostic value of combining these assessments with established clinical procedures has not yet been clearly demonstrated. They should therefore be regarded as supplementary tools that may inform clinical formulation and individualized, recovery-oriented treatment planning rather than as standalone diagnostic measures.