This study was conducted to describe the dietary patterns and diet quality and to examine the correlation between diet quality, dietary patterns (Mediterranean or DASH) and migraine attributes.Indi...

Inulin, a dietary fibre found in the roots of many plants, has positive effects on health. It is particularly noteworthy due to its positive impact on calcium metabolism. Inulin has significant functions, such as improving calcium absorption through passive diffusion, bolstering calcium absorption via ion exchange and expanding the absorption surface of the colon by stimulating cell growth. In addition, inulin boosts calcium absorption by increasing calcium solubility, stimulating levels of calcium-binding protein expression and increasing useful microorganisms. It increases calbindin levels and stimulates transcellular active calcium transport. An inulin intake of least 8–10 g/day supports calcium absorption and total body bone mineral content/density in adolescents through its known mechanisms of action. It also significantly enhances calcium absorption and improves bone health in postmenopausal women and adult men. Sustained and sufficient inulin supplementation in adults has a positive effect on calcium metabolism and bone mineral density.

Background: Children and adolescents with disabilities face various nutritional problems. This study aimed to examine dietary characteristics, nutritional status and problems, gastrointestinal health, and quality of life in children and adolescents with disabilities.Methods: This study included 5–18 years old children and adolescents (n = 1,991) with disabilities. We used the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index (KIDMED), the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS), and the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) to assess diet characteristics, gastrointestinal problems, and life quality. We collected retrospective 24-h food record to assess energy and nutrient intakes.Results: The rate of stunting in children with disabilities varies between 16.5% and 19.8%. When comparing disability types, more children with physical disabilities were underweight (8.8% vs. 6.7%) and stunted (19.8% vs. 16.5%), while more children with intellectual disabilities were tall (7.9% vs. 5.5%) and overweight/obese (21.1 vs. 17.2%; p < 0.05). Wasting (9.3%) and overweight/obesity (23.8%) were more common in children with disabilities aged 5–7 years (p < 0.001). Eating problems such as loss of appetite, food refusal, food neophobia, and food selectivity were more common in children aged 5–7 years, and problems with fast eating and overeating were more common in adolescents aged 13–18 years (p < 0.05). Among children and adolescents with disabilities, the nutrients with inadequate intakes were vitamin E, vitamin B1, folate, potassium, calcium, and iron, while the nutrients with intakes above the requirements were proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins A, B2, B6, B12, and C, phosphorus, zinc, and sodium. Participants with good Mediterranean diet quality had higher energy and nutrient intakes and higher percentages of meeting nutrient requirements (p < 0.05). KIDMED scores were negatively correlated with GSRS total (r = −0.14, p < 0.001) and subcomponent scores (abdominal pain, diarrhea, reflux, indigestion, and constipation; p < 0.05), and significantly and positively correlated with PedsQL total (r = 0.12, p < 0.001). A one-unit increase in the GSRS score resulted in a 14.4 times decrease in the PedsQL score, and a one-unit increase in the KIDMED score resulted in a 10.8 times increase in the PedsQL score (p = 0.001).Conclusion: Overweight/obesity, stunting/wasting, nutritional problems, and deficiencies are common among disabled children and adolescents. Mediterranean diet is associated with a better quality of life, and gastrointestinal health in children with disabilities.

Obesity in both women and men is regarded as one of the many factors that may contribute to impaired reproductive health. Obesity can be accompanied by several neuroendocrine and ovarian dysfunctions, including chronic oligo/anovulation, menstrual irregularities, subfertility, and the increased risk of pregnancy in women. Insulin resistance, elevated triglyceride and fatty acid levels, and the secretion of adipocytokines caused by the excessive accumulation of adipose tissue associated with obesity adversely affect reproductive functions. Alterations in sperm quality and motility and hormone levels related to a rise in body mass index (BMI) may predispose men to infertility. The mechanisms of action of obesity on male infertility include endocrinopathy, erectile dysfunction, epididymitis, increased leptin and adipocytes, increased aromatase, inflammatory cytokines secreted by fat tissue, and sperm DNA fragmentation. This study reports that an increased BMI may lead to low semen quality, poor sperm motility, and reduced fertilization rates in men as well as anovulation, pregnancy loss, diminished pregnancy, and low live birth rates in women. Having optimal weight with balanced nutrition enables one to maintain a continuity of reproductive health throughout the entire life cycle, which is extremely important in terms of having a healthy embryo, including pre-foetal life, in the continuity of pregnancy and having a live birth.

Revealing motivations in food choice and investigating the potential role of sustainable healthy eating behavior, ecological footprint awareness and food security in food choice are important points for a sustainable life. This study was conducted with 5285 adults aged 19–65 residing in Turkey to investigate their food choice motivations in terms of sustainable and healthy eating behavior, ecological footprint awareness, and the food insecurity perspective. In this context, the Food Choice Questionnaire, the Sustainable and Healthy Eating Behaviors Scale, the Awareness Scale for Reducing Ecological Footprint and the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale were used. Pearson correlation analysis was used to examine relationships between scales. The effects of sustainable and healthy eating behaviors, ecological footprint awareness, and household food insecurity on food choice motivations were examined via path analysis. A moderate positive (r = 0.47, p < 0.05) relationship was found between the participants’ awareness levels of sustainable and healthy eating behaviors and reducing the ecological footprint. A weak negative (r=-0.22, p < 0.05) relationship was found between their awareness levels of ecological footprint reduction and household food insecurity, and a weak negative (r=-0.16, p < 0.05) relationship was found between sustainable and healthy eating behaviors and household food insecurity. The explanatory power of ecological footprint awareness, sustainable and healthy eating behaviors, and household food insecurity for food choices was 27.2%. It was observed that ecological footprint awareness (β = 0.21, p < 0.05) and sustainable and healthy eating behaviors (β = 0.38, p < 0.05) significantly and positively affected food choices. The variables influencing food choices the most were sustainable and healthy eating behavior, ecological footprint awareness, and household food insecurity. Although there are various data in the literature on the multiple factors that determine food choices, a consensus on the effectiveness of these factors has yet to be reached. A comprehensive examination of this issue, including all the components, is needed.