Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age. Hyperandrogenism, hyperinsulinism and insulin resistance (IR) are the main drivers of clinical, metabolic and reproductive phenotypes of PCOS. In adolescence, the cornerstones of PCOS treatment are lifestyle and dietary interventions. In particular, the quality and quantity of carbohydrates introduced with the diet play a crucial role in the benefits of diet on PCOS. Recently, the ketogenic diet (KD) has attracted significant interest for the treatment of IR and for the control of carbohydrate metabolism, which has proven to be beneficial for several dysmetabolic conditions, including PCOS. The goal of the KD is to induce a fasting-like metabolism with production of chetonic bodies. Ketosis is a good regulator of calorie intake and mimics the starvation effect in the body, leading to body weight control and consequent metabolism. Additionally, during ketogenesis, insulin receptor sensitivity is also promoted. We proposed a broad overview of the available literature regarding KD indications and considered its metabolic benefits useful for improving PCOS management. The reported data support that a low-calorie ketogenic diet (LCKD) plays a positive role as a regulator of control weight, IR, glucose and lipid homeostasis and hormonal profile. Unfortunately, the evidence concerning the benefits of the very LCKD in adolescents with PCOS and excessive body weight is still numerically scarce. Further studies are necessary to understand whether these effects are due to weight loss or to the nutritional characteristics of this diet. Considering the long-term consequences of PCOS, it is crucial to detect the prospects of nutritional interventions to protect fertility, starting in adolescence.

GLP-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) have been developed to address the global burden of obesity and are renowned for their safety and efficacy. These medications influence hunger and satiety, reducing energy intake and promoting weight loss. Despite their benefits, GLP-1RAmay cause a slowed gastric emptying, leading to gastrointestinal symptoms. This study examines how food properties and meal composition affect these symptoms. Dietary recommendations are provided, particularly for evening meals, focusing on how different foods and nutrients can influence the rate of gastric emptying, to improve patient compliance and prevent interruption in weight loss.

Human breast milk (HBM) is considered the gold standard for infant nutrition due to its optimal nutrient profile and complex composition of cellular and non-cellular components. Breastfeeding positively influences the newborn’s gut microbiota and health, reducing the risk of conditions like gastrointestinal infections and chronic diseases (e.g., allergies, asthma, diabetes, and obesity). Research has revealed that HBM contains beneficial microbes that aid gut microbiota maturation through mechanisms like antimicrobial production and pathogen exclusion. The HBM microbiota composition can be affected by several factors, including gestational age, delivery mode, medical treatments, lactation stage, as well as maternal lifestyle habits (e.g., diet, physical activity, sleep quality, smoking, alcohol consumption, stress level). Particularly, lifestyle factors can play a significant role in shaping the HBM microbiota by directly modulating the microbial composition or influencing the maternal gut microbiota and influencing the HBM microbes through the enteromammary pathway. This narrative review of current findings summarized how maternal lifestyle influences HBM microbiota. While the influence of maternal diet on HBM microbiota is well-documented, indicating that dietary patterns, especially those rich in plant-based proteins and complex carbohydrates, can positively influence HBM microbiota, the impact of other lifestyle factors is poorly investigated. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy and breastfeeding is crucial for the health of both mother and baby. Understanding how maternal lifestyle factors influence microbial colonization of HBM, along with their interactions and impact, is key to developing new strategies that support the beneficial maturation of the infant’s gut microbiota.

Low adherence to healthy lifestyle behaviors during pregnancy and lactation is strongly associated with a higher risk of childhood obesity. This narrative review aims to elucidate and summarize the pivotal role played by physical activity (PA) during pregnancy and breastfeeding, highlighting the potential mechanisms linking PA in these periods to the prevention of childhood obesity. Maternal exercise during pregnancy and breastfeeding significantly reduces the risk of childhood obesity by enhancing fetal metabolism, supporting healthy maternal weight management, and promoting improved breastfeeding practices. Pregnancy and the postpartum period represent critical windows for implementing preventive strategies that benefit both the mother and child. Encouraging an active lifestyle during pregnancy and breastfeeding is a vital public health strategy with extensive benefits. Healthcare professionals play a crucial role in creating supportive environments and providing tailored guidance to empower mothers to engage in regular PA. This approach not only enhances individual health outcomes but also contributes to the broader goal of fostering healthier communities.

Nutrients have an enormous impact on many hormonal systems and aspects of health, and nutrition status is a crucial regulator of growth and pubertal development in children and adolescents. In this narrative review, we explore the connection between these feeding methods and the timing of puberty to provide a clearer understanding of how infant nutrition might contribute to the early development of puberty. Puberty is a key stage in the transition from childhood to adulthood and the timing of puberty represents a significant biological milestone of growth. Breast milk seems to have a pivotal role in puberty onset, mainly due to its dynamism, which shape indirectly the gut microbiota in early life, besides direct exposure of the baby to the milk microbiota through gut–breast axis. Concerning breast and formula milk and their effects on the onset of puberty, a protective role of the former occurs. As for the potential harmful effects of soy-based formulas and the isoflavones that they contain, the studies reported demonstrate conflicting opinions, underlining the need for further research on this topic. A healthy and well-nourished diet from the earliest stages of life has significant preventive potential for overall well-being, reducing the risk of many health problems later in life.

Background/Objectives: Inadequate gestational weight gain (GWG), encompassing both low and excessive, is a significant concern because of its association with adverse maternal and neonatal health outcomes. The relationships between maternal lifestyle factors, such as diet, physical activity, prepregnancy body mass index (BMI), and GWG, are complex. This study aims to explore these associations via correspondence analysis (CA), a method that visualizes the relationships between categorical variables. Methods: A CA was conducted using baseline data from the ongoing LIMIT (Lifestyle and Microbiome Interaction Early Adiposity Rebound in Children) prospective cohort study. The analysis included 162 subjects whose complete maternal characteristic data were available to explore associations between maternal features and GWG. Results: The results were visualized through a two-dimensional graphical representation, with the related statistical measures. The horizontal axis of the CA map captures 63.4% of the total inertia of the data, and the vertical axis captures 36.6%. Maternal profiles with lower education, smoking, high meat consumption, and prepregnancy overweight or obesity showed a higher prevalence of excess GWG than did the average profile. Compared with the average profile, medium Mediterranean diet adherence was associated with a greater prevalence of low GWG and underweight and obese mothers with adequate GWG. Conclusions: This study identifies maternal lifestyle factors, such as diet and physical activity, as key determinants of GWG, with excess GWG linked to unhealthy behaviors. Tailored interventions focusing on prepregnancy BMI and dietary habits could optimize pregnancy outcomes. Personalized prenatal care is essential for managing GWG and improving maternal health.