Obepi-Roche 2020 by the “Ligue Contre l’Obésité” (League Against Obesity) estimated overweight and obesity prevalence in France. The adopted methodology was chosen to be as similar as possible to that of a series of quota-based surveys conducted every three years from 1997 to 2012 (Obepi-Roche studies). The 2020 survey was conducted online from 24th September to 5th October 2020 by the Odoxa polling institute on a sample of metropolitan French subjects aged 18 years or over. Participants (n = 9598) self-measured their height and weight according to detailed instructions. Prevalence estimates were produced for all categories of body mass index. The prevalence of excess weight was 47.3% (17.0% of subjects with obesity), with higher values in the north and east of France. When comparing these 2020 estimates to previous Obepi-Roche estimates in order to visualize trends since 1997, it appeared that overweight fluctuated around 30%, and obesity prevalence increased steadily at a rapid pace. The increase was even steeper in the youngest age groups and for severe and complex obesity. Given the slightly different methodologies between the 1997–2012 studies and the 2020 survey, the worrying trends in obesity prevalence since 1997 must be confirmed, calling for a reedition of the Obepi-Roche series.

Nutritional vitamin D supplements are often used in general pediatrics. Here, the aim is to address vitamin D supplementation and calcium nutritional intakes in newborns, infants, children, and adolescents to prevent vitamin D deficiency and rickets in general populations. We formulated clinical questions relating to the following categories: the Patient (or Population) to whom the recommendation will apply; the Intervention being considered; the Comparison (which may be "no action," placebo, or an alternative intervention); and the Outcomes affected by the intervention (PICO). These PICO elements were arranged into the questions to be addressed in the literature searches. Each PICO question then formed the basis for a statement. The population covered consisted of children aged between 0 and 18 years and premature babies hospitalized in neonatology. Two groups were assembled: a core working group and a voting panel from different scientific pediatric committees from the French Society of Pediatrics and national scientific societies. We present here 35 clinical practice points (CPPs) for the use of native vitamin D therapy (ergocalciferol, vitamin D₂ and cholecalciferol, vitamin D₃) and calcium nutritional intakes in general pediatric populations. This consensus document was developed to provide guidance to health care professionals on the use of nutritional vitamin D and dietary modalities to achieve the recommended calcium intakes in general pediatric populations. These CPPs will be revised periodically. Research recommendations to study key vitamin D outcome measures in children are also suggested.

The first objective of infant formulas is to ensure the healthy growth of neonates and infants, as the sole complete food source during the first months of life when a child cannot be breastfed. Beyond this nutritional aspect, infant nutrition companies also try to mimic breast milk in its unique immuno-modulating properties. Numerous studies have demonstrated that the intestinal microbiota under the influence of diet shapes the maturation of the immune system and influences the risk of atopic diseases in infants. A new challenge for dairy industries is, therefore, to develop infant formulas inducing the maturation of immunity and the microbiota that can be observed in breastfed delivered vaginally, representing reference infants. Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938, Bifidobacterium breve (BC50), Bifidobacterium lactis Bb12, Lactobacillus fermentum (CECT5716), and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) are some of the probiotics added to infant formula, according to a literature review of the past 10 years. The most frequently used prebiotics in published clinical trials are fructo-oligosaccharides (FOSs), galacto-oligosaccharides (GOSs), and human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs). This review sums up the expected benefits and effects for infants of pre-, pro-, syn-, and postbiotics added to infant formula regarding the microbiota, immunity, and allergies.

Recently, the European Commission issued a Delegated Regulation updating the compositional and information requirements for infant and follow-on formulae that are to be applied at the latest in February 2021. This new regulation changes the status of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) from an optional ingredient to a mandatory nutrient in these formulae at levels between 20 and 50mg/100kcal (0.5-1% of fatty acids). By contrast, arachidonic acid (ARA) becomes an optional nutrient. Following publication of the new regulation, global scientific experts have expressed concerns regarding the potential health risks of new infant formulae containing only DHA, especially at levels higher than those in breast milk and infant formulae marketed to date. Both DHA and ARA play a crucial role in infant development. First, breast milk, the gold standard for infant feeding, contains both DHA and ARA. Second, during development, the conversion of linoleic acid into ARA through desaturation steps is not sufficient to meet nutritional needs, especially in carriers of newly identified genetic variants in fatty acid desaturases, which weaken the biosynthetic production of ARA. Third, circulating levels of DHA and ARA in breastfed infants can only be matched with the addition of both fatty acids to formulae. And fourth, most studies performed to date have demonstrated that important physiological and developmental endpoints are sensitive to the ratio of dietary ARA:DHA. The precautionary principle applies when implementing the new EU regulation for infant and follow-on formulae. As a consequence, given the vulnerability of developing infants as well as the absence of conclusive evidence that formulae with at least 20mg DHA/100kcal, but no ARA, are safe and suitable to support the growth and development of infants similar to their breastfed peers, it remains necessary to still market formulas containing both ARA and DHA until proved otherwise.