Background: Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often exhibit low dietary diversity due to food selectivity, leading to various forms of malnutrition, such as obesity or micronutrient deficiencies. Objective: The main objective of the AUT-MENU project is to improve meal acceptance among individuals with ASD. A secondary goal is to evaluate the effectiveness of a nutrition education course for parents of enrolled participants to reduce food selectivity. Methods: The study is a bicentric intervention conducted in 3 care centers (Pavia and Milan) and 1 secondary school (Rome), involving approximately 200 participants with ASD aged 3 to 35 years. The study consists of an observational phase (T0) and an intervention phase (T1). At T0, biographical data, clinical characteristics, and dietary patterns of participants are collected. Based on T0 findings and existing nutritional recommendations for individuals with ASD, targeted menus are developed and tested. At T1, the same assessment tools used at T0 will be applied to evaluate intervention effects. Additionally, a nutrition education course for caregivers will be implemented between T0 and T1, with a pre- and postcourse knowledge questionnaire to assess its effectiveness. Results: Due to different timelines depending on the centers and schools involved, participant enrollment and data collection will take place at different times between Pavia, Milan, and Rome. In September 2024, enrollment was held in the Pavia and Milan care centers for a total of 74 participants enrolled. In Rome, the enrollment phase has not yet started; activities are expected to be carried out similar to those in Pavia and Milan. Conclusions: The AUT-MENU study is expected to yield significant insights and improvements in meal acceptance among individuals with ASD, particularly through the introduction of targeted menus in collective catering settings both in care centers and schools. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06266377; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06266377 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/57507

Background: Tanzania is undergoing a rapid nutrition and epidemiological transition that has shifted dietary patterns and lifestyles toward more Westernised models, contributing to an increase in diet-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including obesity. Youth aged 15–35 years are particularly vulnerable to these shifts. Objectives: The objective of this scoping review was to map the available evidence on youth obesity in Tanzania, focusing on (1) data gaps in epidemiological reporting; (2) the ongoing nutrition transition; and (3) existing food system and health-related policies targeting youth. Methods: A targeted search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and the grey literature. The PCC (Population/Concept/Context) framework guided the study selection, focusing on youth and general young adults aged 15–35 years in Tanzania. Eligible studies published between 2000 and June 2025 were included. Results: The search yielded 247 peer-reviewed articles, of which 35 met the inclusion criteria. The findings reveal substantial gaps in epidemiological reporting, particularly limited regional data and inconsistent age disaggregation, which often obscures youth-specific patterns. Evidence on nutrition and lifestyle transitions is limited and fragmented, while available policies addressing obesity and related risk factors are broad in scope and rarely tailored to the youth population. Conclusions: This review demonstrates that evidence on obesity among Tanzanian youth is scarce, unevenly reported, and insufficiently specific to this age group. Clear gaps exist in epidemiological surveillance, research on nutrition transition, and youth-focused policy design. Strengthening age-specific monitoring systems, generating context-specific evidence, and developing targeted, measurable, and actionable strategies for youth could enhance Tanzania’s efforts to curb the rising burden of obesity and related NCDs.

BACKGROUND Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often exhibit low dietary diversity due to food selectivity, leading to various forms of malnutrition, such as obesity or micronutrient deficiencies. OBJECTIVE The main objective of the AUT-MENU project is to improve meal acceptance among individuals with ASD. A secondary goal is to evaluate the effectiveness of a nutrition education course for parents of enrolled participants to reduce food selectivity. METHODS The study is a bicentric intervention conducted in 3 care centers (Pavia and Milan) and 1 secondary school (Rome), involving approximately 200 participants with ASD aged 3 to 35 years. The study consists of an observational phase (T0) and an intervention phase (T1). At T0, biographical data, clinical characteristics, and dietary patterns of participants are collected. Based on T0 findings and existing nutritional recommendations for individuals with ASD, targeted menus are developed and tested. At T1, the same assessment tools used at T0 will be applied to evaluate intervention effects. Additionally, a nutrition education course for caregivers will be implemented between T0 and T1, with a pre- and postcourse knowledge questionnaire to assess its effectiveness. RESULTS Due to different timelines depending on the centers and schools involved, participant enrollment and data collection will take place at different times between Pavia, Milan, and Rome. In September 2024, enrollment was held in the Pavia and Milan care centers for a total of 74 participants enrolled. In Rome, the enrollment phase has not yet started; activities are expected to be carried out similar to those in Pavia and Milan. CONCLUSIONS The AUT-MENU study is expected to yield significant insights and improvements in meal acceptance among individuals with ASD, particularly through the introduction of targeted menus in collective catering settings both in care centers and schools. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06266377; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06266377 INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT DERR1-10.2196/57507

Background/Objectives: Rural communities in Guatemala face a growing double-burden of malnutrition. Women of reproductive age are a key population to address, as their health and nutritional status influence not only their own well-being but also that of their children and families. However, they often experience greater exposure to nutritional risks due to gendered inequalities in access to resources, education, and health care. This small-scale observational study aimed to describe the dietary habits and nutritional status of a sub-group of women living in a rural area of Bárcena Villa Nueva, Guatemala. Methods: An observational study was conducted between March and April 2025 among women aged ≥18 years from two rural communities. Dietary data were collected through structured interviews, 24 h dietary recall (24-hR), and a validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Anthropometric and biochemical measurements were also collected. Results: A total of 22 women were included (mean age: 41.3 ± 16.3 years). The prevalence of obesity and central obesity was 45.5% and 86.0%, respectively. Quantitative dietary assessment based on the 24 h recall showed a mean energy intake approximately 35% higher than the recommended values, with a high contribution from fats and carbohydrates and an excessive sodium intake. In contrast, intakes of potassium, zinc, and folic acid were below the recommended levels. The qualitative analysis of the food frequency questionnaire indicated a dietary pattern characterized by high consumption of carbohydrates, animal-based protein sources, traditional energy-dense foods, and ultra-processed products, alongside a limited intake of vegetables and fruits. Datary diversity was low (4.9, SD: 1.1). Conclusions: This small-scale observational scale study provides a preliminary overview of dietary patterns and nutritional status among women living in a rural community in Guatemala. Although the findings are not generalizable, they suggest the coexistence of excessive energy intake, suboptimal micronutrient intake, and low dietary diversity. These results underscore the need for further research using larger and more representative samples and may help inform the development of context-specific nutrition education initiatives in similar underserved settings.