Adolescence represents a critical developmental stage where diet, gut microorganisms, and mental health are strongly interconnected. The current literature evidences the bidirectional role between dietary habits and psychological well-being, which is mediated by the gut–brain axis. The purpose of this review is to highlight the importance of dietary habits in adolescence period and the impact of different food choices on microbiota and secondary on mental health. Gut microbiota plays a vital role in the synthesis of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, noradrenaline, and metabolites like short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). The disruption in the composition of microbiota is called dysbiosis, which has been associated with a systemic inflammation state and chronic stress. They contribute to the onset of psychiatric disorders including MDD, anxiety, ADHD, and autism. Diets with a high quantity of sugar and low fiber contribute to alteration of microbiota and poor mental health. Additionally, early-life stress, antibiotic usage, and chronic inflammation may alter bacterial communities, with long-term implications for adolescents mental health. Dietary interventions, including the intake of prebiotics, probiotics, SCFAs, and micronutrients could restore microbial balance and improve psychiatric symptoms. This literature review highlights the critical role of diet and gut microbiota for adolescent mental health and emphasizes the need for integrative strategies to promote psychological resilience through microbiome regulation.

Background/Objectives: Disorders of Gut–Brain Interaction (DGBIs), particularly irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), are frequently underdiagnosed in clinical practice, contributing to a substantial hidden burden of disease. This study aimed to quantify this “symptomatic iceberg” by comparing the prevalence of formal IBS diagnoses with a broader symptom-based case definition in a clinical cohort. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 194 adult subjects from a gastroenterology clinic in Western Romania. Data on demographics, clinical diagnoses, self-reported symptoms, and eating behaviors were collected. For the case–control analysis, patients with confirmed organic gastrointestinal pathology or incomplete data were excluded. The final analytical sample consisted of 52 patients classified as having a functional DGBI phenotype and 84 asymptomatic controls without organic disease, while 58 were excluded from the analysis. Results: While only 4.4% (95% CI: 2.0–9.3%) of the cohort (N = 136) had a formal IBS diagnosis, 47.8% (95% CI: 39.6–56.1%) met criteria for an IBS-compatible symptom cluster, yielding an underdiagnosis ratio of 10.8. Neuro-vegetative symptoms such as sweating (19.1%) and dizziness (11.8%) were highly prevalent. In the case–control analysis, patients with a functional DGBI phenotype had a significantly higher mean BMI compared to controls (28.15 ± 6.49 vs. 24.47 ± 4.60 kg/m²; p = 0.001). DGBI cases were less likely to report regular snacking behavior (OR = 0.36; 95% CI: 0.18–0.74; p = 0.009), suggesting behavioral adaptation. A sensitivity analysis excluding participants with CRP > 10 mg/L (n = 98) confirmed the robustness of these associations, indicating that minor systemic inflammation did not bias the primary findings.

Aim of the study: Anxiety about dental treatment is one of the main barriers to accessing dental services and, at the same time, a well-known problem for dentists. The main objective of this observational pilot study was to assess the prevalence and determinants of dental anxiety and severe forms compatible with dental phobia among adult dental patients and to explore their association with psychological distress, as well as patients’ preferences for methods to reduce pain and anxiety during dental treatment. Materials and Methods: We carried out a pilot observational study using two well-established questionnaires, namely the BSI-18 (Brief Symptom Inventory-18), which assesses the psychological distress of patients visiting the dentist, and the DAS (Dental Anxiety Scale), which evaluates dental anxiety toward dental treatment. The questionnaires were administered in independent dental practices in Timisoara, and the study was conducted between August 2024 and January 2025 on a sample of 231 persons. Results: The results of our study revealed a clear link between sources of oral health information, the high prevalence of anxiety as a personality trait, anxiety towards the dentist, and referral to dental services. Conclusions: The intensity of dental anxiety is higher before the therapeutic manoeuvre. It has been found, however, that people who are more educated experience lower levels of anxiety in specific situations.

Universities play a strategic role in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through community engagement, particularly within medical education. This study examines medical students’ involvement in volunteering activities and evaluates how such engagement contributes to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 4 (Quality Education). A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 499 students from the Victor Babeș University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Timișoara, using a structured questionnaire assessing perceived community impact, soft skills development, motivation for volunteering, sustainability orientation, and institutional support. Results indicate a high level of availability and prior participation in volunteering, reflecting strong internalization of public health and social responsibility values. While no significant differences were observed between volunteers and non-volunteers regarding perceived community impact (SDG 3), volunteer experience was significantly associated with higher levels of soft skills development and motivation (SDG 4). Strong positive correlations were identified between perceived community impact and motivational, educational, and sustainability related dimensions. The intensity of involvement was modestly associated with sustainability orientation and institutional support. Despite high motivation, students reported limited structured institutional frameworks for sustained engagement. The findings suggest that medical volunteering functions as a dual mechanism, strengthening professional competencies while reinforcing community health orientation. Institutionalizing structured outreach programs, particularly in underserved areas, could enhance long-term impact and align medical education more effectively with the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.

Background: Self-esteem plays a central role in adolescent psychological health and may be shaped by everyday health behaviors such as eating patterns and engagement in physical activity. However, evidence from Eastern European youth remains comparatively limited. Lower levels of self-worth during adolescence have been linked to increased vulnerability to maladaptive behaviors, including substance use. The present study aimed to explore preliminary associations between lifestyle behaviors, nutritional practices, and self-esteem in a sample of Romanian adolescents. Methods: A cross-sectional design was used, involving 113 participants aged 14–18 years. Self-esteem was assessed using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, while lifestyle behaviors were evaluated through a standardized questionnaire. Body mass index was calculated based on self-reported height and weight. Statistical analyses included Pearson correlation coefficients and multiple linear regression models. Results: Higher self-esteem scores were strongly associated with greater participation in physical activity and adherence to a balanced diet, while inverse relationships were observed with unhealthy dietary habits and higher BMI values. Physical activity emerged as the most influential predictor of self-esteem, accounting for over three-quarters of the variance in Rosenberg scale scores. Conclusions: In this preliminary analysis, physical activity and healthier dietary behaviors were associated with higher self-esteem scores among adolescents. Given the exploratory nature of the study, these findings should be interpreted with caution. They primarily serve to generate hypotheses and highlight the need for future studies with validated instruments, larger samples, and appropriate control for potential confounding factors to better elucidate the relationship between lifestyle behaviors and adolescent self-esteem.